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.

That we may, with godly voices, call thee blessed who lived venerably, and hast ascended to the heavens, rejoicing, by thy supplications save us from sufferings, tribulations and evil circumstances, O right-wondrous holy hierarch and pastor.

Theotokion: I fear Thy second coming, O only King, and, having sinned immeasurably before Thee, am afraid and tremble in mind; but as Thou art good, turn and save me, O Jesus, through the prayers of her who gave birth unto Thee.

Thou dost repose in the house of the Mother of God, as in Gethsemane, O blessed one, where, serving with compunction, thou didst humbly stand before the throne of God in the sacred cave.

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

As a branch of the true Vine, O father, thou didst put forth the grapes of the virtues, which pour forth the sweetness of miracles; and drinking thereof with faith, those who ever praise thee receive health and joy, O Leo most wise.

Theotokion: Great peace was there in the cave for the saints who fled from the vanities of the world. O pure Virgin Mother, send down heavenly peace also upon us who magnify thee.

There is none who departeth unconsoled from thy shrine, O venerable one, for to the faithful thou ever grantest healing of soul and body in abundance.

Thy body was the temple of the holy and worshipful Spirit, O father Leo, and now lieth within the divine temple which thou didst erect to His glory and in honor of the martyr Lucia, pouring forth rivers of miracles upon us who venerate thee with faith.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Thou beholdest the divine splendors of the angels and the beauties of the patriarchs, martyrs and apostles, O venerable one. With them entreat Him Who loveth mankind, that He grant remission of sins and correction of life unto us who praise thee.

Ever illumining the ends of the year with rays of the virtues, like a most radiant sun, thou hast now passed over to the never-waning Light. Wherefore, O Leo most rich, from darkness most cruel deliver those who celebrate thy splendid memory.

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone—

Invested with the priesthood and greatly adorned with holiness, as is meet, and having made glorious the house of the Theotokos, thou didst lead the heathen to Christ. And when thy head was cut off by the sword, thy gray hairs were stained with blood, O Cornelius. And now, standing with the saints before Christ, pray that those who honor thy memory may finish this earthly course in peace and stand at the right hand of God.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone VI—

In falling asleep thou didst not forsake the world, O Theotokos; but in an earthly vale thou dost glorify thy holy name with miracles which flow from thy holy icon and the tomb of the venerable martyr. With him entreat thy son and God in behalf of us, the unworthy, who ever call thee blessed.

With sacred hymns and songs of jubilation let us praise and magnify the venerable hieromartyr Cornelius, the champion of the truth and enlightener of the benighted, the radiant beacon of Orthodoxy and impregnable rampart of the Church, the instructor of monastics and guardian of his sacred habitation: for he entreateth Christ our God to deliver us from all tribulation and misfortune. Twice

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

O ye faithful, let us lift up our voices in laudation, praising the venerable martyr Cornelius, the steadfast warrior of Christ, the guardian of the house of the all-pure Theotokos, the invincible victor in battle, who vanquished invisible foes and set at nought the siege of earthly armies: for as a fervent advocate and mediator he intercedeth for us at the throne of God.

Come, let us praise the venerable hieromartyr Cornelius, who loved Christ from his childhood and forsook all for His sake, who embraced the monastic life and struggled for the virtues of piety, and who received from the hand of the Lord the crown of martyrdom: for he entreateth Christ in our behalf, that He have mercy and save our souls.

Glory…, in the same tone—

What is this strange sight? The holy one went forth before the gates of the monastery to greet with honor the dread master, rendering unto an earthly king that which was meet; but the Tsar, overcome by a fit of rage, committed the good shepherd to an evil death; yet straightway he uttered lamentation, acknowledging his sin, and bore the body of the saint into the temple of the Mother of God, where it resteth to this day. O Cornelius, with the martyrs entreat Christ God in our behalf, that He grant us great mercy.

O Theotokos, thou art the true vine who hast budded forth for us the Fruit of life. Thee do we beseech: Pray thou, O Mistress, with the holy apostles, that our souls find mercy.