Ode IX

Exapostilarion—

Irmos: Every ear trembleth to hear of the ineffable condescension of God, for the Most High willingly came down even to the flesh, becoming man through the Virgin’s womb. Wherefore we, the faithful, magnify the all-pure Theotokos.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—

Theotokion: Having given birth in the flesh to the Infinite One, Who thus became circumscribed, O Bride of God, thou, alone among women, didst abolish the curse of the first-created. Thou hast renewed the laws of nature, O undefiled one, which of old were violated, and hast unified them with thine all-glorious mediation.

Having truly ended thy life in good deeds, thou didst reach the wellspring of good things and didst receive thine ultimate desire. Where the voice of those who keep festival is heard with laudation thou hast made thine abode, rejoicing, O right wondrous and venerable father Moses.

Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we who confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnify thee with the incorporeal choirs.

By submitting your mind in obedience to Christ, ye made the wisdom of the flesh captive, O all-blessed fathers; and having sailed across the sea of the passions, ye have attained unto your ultimate desire. Wherefore, Jesus Who loveth mankind, the Savior of our souls, hath given you the honors of the calling of the Most High. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

The drops of the sweat of thy pangs let fall drops of the sweetness of spiritual benefit and dispel the bitterness of our passions. Thy relics pour forth healings upon us and cleanse our souls of the mire and defilement of evils.

With torrents of tears and with utter poverty ye quenched the furnace of passionate attachments to the world and uprisings of self-will, O venerable fathers, and ye dwelt in dark caves as in a splendid bridal-chamber, glorifying with the angels Jesus Who loveth mankind, the Savior of our souls.

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Christ hath crowned thy head with unfading wreaths, O wondrous one, who steadfastly vanquished the hordes of the prince of this world; and as befitteth one of thy holy thou hast been enrolled in the choirs of the venerable. With them pray thou, that those who honor thee be delivered from temptations.

Having cleansed your mind of the miry clay of the passions, the tribulations and cares of life, O God-bearing fathers, in the hope of the life which is to come ye disdained all corruptible things; and dwelling now amid life incorruptible, pray ye for us to Jesus Who loveth mankind, the Savior of our souls.

Before, this holy mountain was truly a vale of tears and a den of thieves, but now it is a house of God, and those who dwell therein are blessed, for it hath been sanctified by you, O God-bearing fathers; wherefore, we magnify you all.

Glory…, in Tone VI—

The sound of rejoicing and the voices of those who love the feasts of the Church mingle in praise of your company, O ye fathers of the caves; wherefore, accepting our praises, save us from all misfortunes and griefs, that we may ever magnify you.

Desiring the blessedness of the undefiled, ye hastened to tread the path of the commandments of the Lord, and searching for the testimonies of the will of God, ye made your abode in the mountains, defiles and gloomy caves, where ye crucified the world and the lusts; and having vanquished hordes of the demons, ye have now inherited never-ending life and glory. Pray for us, we beseech you, O venerable fathers, that with you we may obtain a share in the Jerusalem on high and salvation for our souls.

Having taken up the yoke of the Cross with joyful soul and worked this mountain with the plough of labors, ye planted this garden with the noetic sweat of your brow, O God-bearing fathers; and receiving the fruits thereof, our souls are filled with gladness, and we magnify you all.

O Theotokos, thou art the true vine which hath budded forth for us the Fruit of life. We beseech thee: Pray thou, O Mistress, with the holy apostles and all the saints, that our souls be saved.

The Lord doth shepherd you now in a place of verdure, O all-blessed fathers. What boon then shall He deny you? For He poureth you forth as a torrent of sweetness, from whence, if with but a single drop thereof, do ye sweeten the bitterness of our life, we pray, that we may sing unto our God with joy.

We beseech you, O all-blessed fathers who have passed from a place of tears to one devoid of weeping: from every sorrow deliver us who together honor your memory, that we may all magnify you.

Glory…: Thou art the glory and the imperishable gladness of the choir of the venerable fathers, O Trinity; for having through Thee vanquished the world, the flesh and the invisible foe, they have received crowns and rejoice with the angels, ever magnifying Thee.

Now & ever…: We glorify thee, O all-glorious city of God, for the Most High Himself founded thee and gave thee as a refuge unto all who flee from before the face of the enemy. Be thou a haven also for us, that we may continually magnify thee.

O royal sanctuary, chosen generation—ye holy hierarchs, priests, monks, virgins and wonder-workers, and the whole company of the venerable fathers of the caves: gather ye together today to make supplication, that for your sake the King of glory may save all those who piously honor your assembly.

We glorify thee, O pure Virgin, as the one who is the holiest of those who are holy, and we magnify the Word Who was born of thee. Accept from us this glorification, and grant that we may glorify thee where all the saints glorify thee as the Mother of God.

Great Doxology. Troparion. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.