Ode I

Canon I, with Irmos chanted twice, followed by 6 troparia; the acrostic whereof is: “Thou girdest me about with thy strength, O pure Virgin”, the composition of Joseph, in Tone VIII—

Katavasia: The Irmoi of the Exaltation of the Cross.

With divine strength thou dost gird me about who piously hymn thy sacred cincture, as thou art the divine fortification, the might and impregnable rampart of thy city, O pure and all-hymned Virgin Maiden.

Theotokion: E ver-virgin art thou, O all-holy and blessed Mistress, Queen of all creation, for the preëternal Son and Logos hath preserved thy purity undefiled, from thy nativity to this day, and time without end.

Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.

Thou gavest birth to the mighty God Who girdeth all the pious about with strength, O most immaculate one. Wherefore, we call thee blessed, and, joyously kissing thy divine cincture, we draw forth mercy and grace therefrom.

Irmos: Let us chant a new hymn unto the Lord Who made the impassable Red Sea dry land. He caused the children of Israel to traverse it, and covered the adverse foe with the sea.

Joyfully do we form a chorus today for the deposition of the sacred cincture of the honored divine Maiden, from whence a girdle of incorruption, a seamless garment and a robe of salvation have been woven for us.

Thy people hasten beneath thy power, O most immaculate one, and ever flee to thy protection. Be thou a help for all, and grant to each those petitions which conduce to salvation, saving our souls from tribulations.

E ireann’s child Aidan, growing in wisdom and stature in the land of the Picts, became a true apostle and father to the English, so that multitudes came to sojourn on earth as they were angels and dwell now in the heavens.

I ona, the sacred isle of the venerable Columba, nurtured thee, O Aidan, with the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the fathers, so that thou didst excel in the monastic struggles, in prudence and all the virtues.

R ejecting the acquisition of worldly power and material possessions, like the disciples of Christ thou didst go humbly among thy flock, O wondrous hierarch, preferring to walk upon thy beautiful apostolic feet, rather than to ride.