Irmos: Every tongue is at a loss how to praise thee as is meet, and even an intelligence from above the world is in doubt how to hymn thee, O Theotokos; yet, as thou art good, accept our faith, for thou knowest our longing inspired by God; for thou art the intercessor of Christians, and we magnify thee.
Then the second choir chanteth the same refrain and irmos.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the all-pure Virgin Theotokos, who is more honorable than the armies on high.
Irmos: O most pure Bride, O blessed Mother! The wonders of thy birthgiving pass all understanding. Having received most perfect salvation through thee, we praise our Benefactor as is meet and right, offering a hymn of thanksgiving unto Him as a gift.
Then the first choir chanteth the refrain of Canon II—
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, Him Who asketh baptism of the Forerunner.
And the second choir likewise chanteth the refrain and the irmos; whereupon the remaining refrains are alternated with the troparia, as indicated, repeating one.
O David, come thou in spirit to the enlightened and chant, saying: “Approach God now with faith and be illumined! Lowly Adam cried out in his fall, and the Lord heard him, and, coming to the streams of the Jordan, He restored the corrupted one.”
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, Him Who came to be baptized in the Jordan.
O David, come thou in spirit to the enlightened and chant, saying: “Approach God now with faith and be illumined! Lowly Adam cried out in his fall, and the Lord heard him, and, coming to the streams of the Jordan, He restored the corrupted one.”
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, Him to Whom the Father’s voice bore witness.
Isaiah saith: “Change your ways and cleanse yourselves; leave off your wickedness in the face of the Lord! Ye who thirst, go to the living Water; for Christ sprinkleth with water those who have recourse to Him with faith, renewing them, and He baptizeth with the Spirit unto life which ageth not.”
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the One of the Trinity Who bowed His head and received baptism.
Isaiah saith: “Change your ways and cleanse yourselves; leave off your wickedness in the face of the Lord! Ye who thirst, go to the living Water; for Christ sprinkleth with water those who have recourse to Him with faith, renewing them, and He baptizeth with the Spirit unto life which ageth not.”
Refrain: O prophet, come unto Me! Stretch forth thy hand, and baptize Me!
By grace and the seal are we preserved, O ye faithful; for as of old the blood-smeared lintels allowed the Hebrews to escape the destroyer, so shall the laver of regeneration be for us a divine exodus. And henceforth we shall see the never-waning light of the Trinity.
Refrain: O prophet, suffer it to be so now, and baptize Me Who so desire; for I have come to fulfill all righteousness.
By grace and the seal are we preserved, O ye faithful; for as of old the blood-smeared lintels allowed the Hebrews to escape the destroyer, so shall the laver of regeneration be for us a divine exodus. And henceforth we shall see the never-waning light of the Trinity.
Refrain: Today the Master boweth His head beneath the hand of the Forerunner.
Refrain: Today John doth baptize the Master in the streams of the Jordan.
That which was revealed to Moses in the bush we see here fulfilled in wondrous manner; for as it bore fire, yet was not consumed, so hath the Virgin been preserved, who gave birth unto the Benefactor Who bringeth us light, and the streams of the Jordan suffered no harm when they received Him.
Refrain: Today John doth baptize the Master in the streams of the Jordan.
That which was revealed to Moses in the bush we see here fulfilled in wondrous manner; for as it bore fire, yet was not consumed, so hath the Virgin been preserved, who gave birth unto the Benefactor Who bringeth us light, and the streams of the Jordan suffered no harm when they received Him.
Refrain: Today the Master burieth the sin of man in the waters.
That which was revealed to Moses in the bush we see here fulfilled in wondrous manner; for as it bore fire, yet was not consumed, so hath the Virgin been preserved, who gave birth unto the Benefactor Who bringeth us light, and the streams of the Jordan suffered no harm when they received Him.
Refrain: Today the Master is borne witness to from on high as the beloved Son.
O King Who is without beginning, through the communion of the Spirit dost Thou anoint and make perfect the nature of man, and cleansing it in the pure streams of baptism, putting the arrogant might of darkness to shame, Thou now dost raise it up to eternal life.
Refrain: Today the Master hath come to sanctify the nature of water.
O King Who is without beginning, through the communion of the Spirit dost Thou anoint and make perfect the nature of man, and cleansing it in the pure streams of baptism, putting the arrogant might of darkness to shame, Thou now dost raise it up to eternal life.
Refrain: Today the Master receiveth baptism at the hand of the Forerunner.
O King Who is without beginning, through the communion of the Spirit dost Thou anoint and make perfect the nature of man, and cleansing it in the pure streams of baptism, putting the arrogant might of darkness to shame, Thou now dost raise it up to eternal life.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.