Ode IX

Exapostilarion—

Irmos: Who among mortals hath ever heard or seen such a thing as a virgin being found to have conceived in her womb and given birth to a babe without pain? Such a miracle was thine, O pure Theotokos, and we ­magnify thee.

Glory..., Now and ever..., Theotokion—

“When Thou shalt sit to judge the whole world, O impartial Judge and King of all creation, number me among the sheep at Thy right hand, that with them I may magnify Thy loving-kindness, O Lord!”

Theotokion: “I confess thine ineffable mercy, O Mistress; for thou didst not leave me to perish, O surety of sinners!” the martyr Myrax crieth out, rejoicing, magnifying the aid of the Theotokos.

Exapostilarion from the Octoechos, and Glory..., Spec. Mel: “O immutable Light...”—

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.

Enduring cruel tortures, the martyr Myrax prayed: “Strengthen, forgive and have mercy upon me, O Savior of the world, that I may magnify Thee in Thy kingdom!”

Theotokion: O Thou who wast born of her whom Thou didst preserve incorrupt even after parturition, have pity upon me when Thou sittest to judge my deeds, and overlook mine iniquities and my sins; for Thou, Who alone art without sin, art a merciful God Who lovest mankind.

Having redeemed his apostasy by voluntary confession, the martyr Myrax offered up the repentance of the thief at the eleventh hour, and, dwelling now with Christ God, He magnifieth the Trinity of one Dominion.

As the martyr Myrax was proceeding to voluntary suffering, the Lord said to him: “Fear not those who slay the body, yet cannot slay the soul, O My child! Be not afraid of torture, for I shall give thee the strength to endure torment; wherefore, trust no longer in thyself, for thou hast come to know the weakness of man: for without Me ye can truly accomplish nought!”

He Who on high is glorified as God by the angels, O pure one, ineffably dwelt with those below without leaving the bosom of the Father; and thou wast the cause of His salvation, inexpressibly lending flesh to Him of thy pure blood, O pure one. Him do thou beseech, that He grant deliverance from transgressions to thy servants.

Lo! when thou didst repose and didst finish thy course, the gates of heaven were opened unto thee, and the ranks of angels received thee; and Christ, the Bestower of crowns, crowned thee with the glory of righteousness. We, the faithful, magnify Him in song.

Like a lily of the valley didst thou blossom in the paradise of abstinence, and like a cypress didst thou rise to the heights of perfection; like the olive tree of the Psalms hast thou been shown to be, anointing our faces and hearts with the oil of thine asceticism.

Creation knoweth thee to be a pillar firmly grounded upon the rock of the virtues, an unbreachable rampart, a foundation of miracles, a right calm haven, a treasury of healing and the dwelling place of the Spirit. Wherefore, we celebrate thy memory today, O Daniel.

Today thy divine memory hath shone forth upon us more brightly than the sun, illumining the hearts of the faithful with the light of righteousness, and dispelling the darkness of the soul-destroying passions. And celebrating it, we piously hymn thee.

With wordless utterance, thy pillar shouteth forth the ascetic feats of thee who suffered, standing unprotected at the mercy of the adverse elements. Wherefore, thou didst shine forth as a luminous beacon, enlightening all creation, O father.

With unceasing hymns we bless thee, O Virgin, for thou gavest birth unto One of the Trinity and didst bear in thy divine arms the transcendent Word, immutably and without change.