Ode IX

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel: “To the disciples....”—

Irmos: It is not possible for men to behold God, upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O most pure one, hath the Word appeared incarnate unto men; and magnifying Him with the armies of heaven, we call thee blessed.

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

At the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: “Thou hast given a sign....”—

Theotokion: Let us draw forth the healing of our passions, making haste to the glorious temple of the Forerunner; for choirs of angels, the souls of all the righteous, the Mistress Theotokos and John the Baptist enter therein, bestowing healings.

Being manifestly a mighty proponent of the fulfillment of the ten commandments, O Forerunner, thou wast rightly honored by Christ with ten-fold gifts. Wherefore, knowing thee to be a friend of the Word, we bless thee as an initiate of the mysteries of the Spirit.

Glory..., in Tone VI—

Thy most precious head hath opened the outer gates of abstinence, O all-praised one, and hath set the most sweet substance of divine gifts before all. Partaking thereof with faith, we sweeten the bitterness of fasting, and praise thee with faith, and cry out to Christ God: O Jesus Almighty, Thou art the Savior of our souls! Twice

Prophet of Christ and Apostle, Angel and Forerunner, Baptizer of the Incarnation of God, priest and faithful martyr, preacher to those who were in hades, rule for virgins and offspring of the desert wast thou.

Now and ever...: Theotokion—

The head of the Forerunner which exudeth an ever-flowing stream of myrrh like water, set today upon a mystical and divine table, noetically perfumeth and dispelleth the bitterness of sorrows, and filleth with gladness all who cry out with love: O Jesus Almighty, Thou art the Savior of our souls!

Unbelief of soul is reproved by the miracle of the withered hand of the priest; for when his faith blossomed anew and thy head appeared, O blessed one, his outstretched hand was restored.

Like a sword most sharp hath thy head severed the heads of the iniquitous foe, and hath poured forth healings and divine gifts upon all who reverence the Law. Wherefore, we faithfully praise thee, the friend and Forerunner of the Creator, O John, and earnestly do we cry out to Him: O Jesus Almighty, Thou art the Savior of our souls!

The ranks of angels have truly proclaimed thy prophetic appearance to the beholder, emulating the divine announcement of Gabriel which the sacred Zachariah received before thy birth.

Faithfully receiving with a voice of praise the most precious head of Thy Baptist, O Lord, which today was revealed from the earth, we, Thy sinful servants, led to prayer, pray that on the day of judgment we may, for his sake, obtain cleansing and great mercy from Thee.

Thy precious and luminous head hath shone forth from the impassable bosom of the earth, O Forerunner John, beacon of immaterial light; and, lovingly celebrating the discovery thereof, we entreat thee to obtain the remission of our grievous deeds, that we may complete the period of abstinence well, through thy prayers, O all-praised Baptist of the Savior. Twice

O right loving God and Savior, from all evil circumstances save Thy servants, by the prayers of Thy Forerunner, and of all the saints, and through the entreaties of Thy Mother.

The divinely wise assembly of the faithful, which doth minister and faithfully hymn thee truly as the Theotokos, is comforted, O all-pure one. Wherefore, grant that by thy prayers we may splendidly finish the course of the fast, and may bow down before the precious Cross and the saving sufferings of thy Son and God.

Great Doxology. Troparia. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.