Ode VI

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.

Kontakion, in Tone I—

Dost thou not hasten to our aid? Dost thou not hearken? Dost thou not defend, O Theotokos, those who languish in the abyss of evils and call upon thee fervently?

The blessed Andrew, beholding in a vision the abode of thy glory in heaven, yet finding thee not there, O Queen, asked in perplexity: “Where is she who is more honorable than the cherubim and more holy than the saints?”

“The most good one abideth where there is sorrow, and groaning, and helplessness,” those questioned answered the holy Andrew; “Wherefore, leaving the abode of glory, the good comforter hath descended to the much-weeping earth!”

Great is thy mercy, O all-hymned Theotokos! Wherefore, the sick and ailing, the sinful and despairing, and those bereft of hope, stretch forth their hands to thee out of the abyss of evils, and are saved by thee.

As thy divine Son lifted the paralytic from his bed by His word alone, so also didst thou raise up in an instant the ailing maiden. Wherefore, have pity now on thy people, who offer thee faith and fervent tears; and grant their every petition which is for the good, protecting them from all misfortunes, that we may all cry aloud: All things are possible for thee! O Mother of God, save us!

Ikos: “Verily, verily, I say unto you: there shall no sign be given to this wicked generation,” Thou didst say, O most merciful Master. Yet those who offer Thee faith with their whole heart even now are vouchsafed to behold the wonders and signs of Thy mercy, through the aid and mediation of Thy favorites, and all the more through the most confident intercession of Thine all-immaculate Mother, to whom no one who hath recourse departed empty away. Wherefore, fleeing earnestly to her divine protection, we cry out from the depths of our hearts: All things are possible for thee! O Mother of God, save us!