Ode IX

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “Hearken, ye women…”—

Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

By thy baptism thou didst promise thyself to the whole Godhead, O father; thou didst maintain the dignity of the image of God in purity, and with gladness hast made thine abode in thrice-radiant splendor.

Theotokion: Loose thou the bonds of my transgressions, O Virgin Theotokos who gavest birth to the Wellspring of compassion, and fill us with consolation, O thou who alone art blessed of God, that we may magnify thee as is meet.

Thou dost now behold the light of the Godhead, not in indistinct images or in a reflection, O most wise father, but face to face, being ineffably vouchsafed the radiance of the vision of God.

Theotokion, in the same melody—

In that thou hast great boldness before the King of all, O father, pray that we who now celebrate thy memory may be delivered from every evil circumstance, that we may all call thee blessed.

Thou didst turn away from earthly happiness as from defilement, and, having caused thy flesh to wither through fasting, thou didst restore the strength of thy soul, O venerable one, and wast made rich with heavenly glory. Wherefore, O glorious one, cease not to pray to the Lord for us all.

The transcendent Word doth noetically and perfectly unite Himself hypostatically to flesh and soul, and issueth forth from thee, O all-pure one: One comprising two natures without confusion, deifying that which He received. Wherefore, He glorifieth thee as the true Theotokos.