Ode III

Irmos: O Christ, Who in the beginning established the heavens in wisdom and founded the earth upon the waters, make me steadfast upon the rock of Thy commandments; for none is holy as Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Kontakion of the martyr, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “The choir of the angels…”—

Sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “When the stone had been sealed…”—

Summoned forth, Nicephorus was shown to be a victor in his deeds; for dispelling the gloom of deception, he drove it far away, crying aloud: There is none as holy as Thee, Who alone lovest mankind!

Theotokion: Having conceived in thy womb, without knowing wedlock, Him Who was begotten of the Father before time began, O Virgin, for us thou hast given birth to the God and man, in Whom each nature is perfect and undivided.

Believing in the Master Who was slain for thy sake, thou didst hasten of thine own will to death, desiring His voluntary mortality, strengthened as a victorious martyr by the power of God.

Glory…. Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Nicephorus, the favorite of Christ, hath clearly been shown to be a struggler on earth and a champion in the heavens, crying out with the incorporeal ranks: There is none as holy as Thee, Who alone lovest mankind!

Triadicon: Illumined through faith by the divinely inspired commandments, we all confess the one uncreated Godhead: the Word Who came forth from the great mind of God, and the Spirit Who likewise proceedeth from Him.

Bound by the bond of love, O Nicephorus, thou didst manifestly destroy the malice of hatred, and wast beheaded by the sword, as a divine martyr of the incarnate Savior. Him do thou entreat, in behalf of us who hymn thy glorious memory.

Thou didst dye thy purple robe in thine own blood, and invested therewith as an invincible warrior, and bearing the Cross as a scepter, thou didst hasten from earth to the heavens, O blessed Nicephorus, and standest before the King of all. Glory to Him Who gave thee strength! Glory to Him Who hath crowned thee! Glory to Him Who, through thee, worketh healings for all!

Stretching forth thy divine arms, wherewith thou didst bear the Creator Who in His goodness became incarnate, O all-pure virgin, implore Him to deliver from temptations, sufferings and tribulations us who praise thee with love and cry out: Glory to Him Who made His abode within thee! Glory to Him Who issued forth from thee! Glory to Him Who hath delivered us by thy birthgiving!

Stavrotheotokion—

Beholding Thee stretched out, dead, upon the Cross, O Christ, Thine all-immaculate Mother cried out: “O my Son, Who with the Father and the Spirit art without beginning, what is this Thine ineffable dispensation, wherewith Thou hast saved the work of Thine all-pure hands, O Compassionate One?”