ODE IX

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel: “By the Spirit in the holy place....”—

Irmos: Thy birthgiving was shown to be incorrupt: God came forth from thy womb, appeared on earth as a mortal, and dwelt with men. Wherefore, we all magnify thee as the Theotokos.

Thou wast accounted worthy to behold things afar off for which thou didst with faith hope, O Peter; and, rejoicing, thou hast received honors for thy labors from God Who loveth mankind, Whose divine suffering thou didst depict with thy flesh.

Theotokion: Thou wast the abode of the Light, O Maiden; wherefore, by thy light guide me who am benighted by all the temptations of the enemy, that I may magnify thee with faith, O most pure Virgin Mother.

As the divine keeper of the keys of the kingdom, open the gates thereof unto those who faithfully honor thee on earth and kiss the precious chains wherewith thou wast bound, O Peter.

Theotokion±—

Whilst thou wast with the Son on Tabor, thou wast vouchsafed to hear the voice of the Father reveal Him; for, cleansed by the divine Spirit, thy heart was most gloriously illumined, O Peter.

Now & ever...: Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel: “As one valiant among the martyrs...”—

O Peter, ask thou cleansing, release from debts and the delight of the kingdom of heaven for us that with love honor thee and kiss the chains wherewith thou wast bound.

O most blessed Peter, chief among the apostles, loose me, who am bound by the chains of the passions, wretch that I am, as once the angel of God loosed thy chains, leading thee forth most gloriously from the dungeon wherein thou wast imprisoned, O blessed one.

O all-immaculate Virgin, thou art known as a Mother, for thou gavest birth unto God and man in manner transcending nature; and thine Offspring is become salvation unto those who chant with love: Glory, honor and worship are due to the unapproachable and divine Trinity!

Aposticha stichera from the Octoechos, and Glory...., in Tone IV: the composition of John the Monk—

By His thrice put question, “Lovest thou Me, O Peter?”, Christ set aright thy threefold denial. And when Simon said to Him Who knoweth the secrets of men: “O Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee,” the Savior the said to Him: “Feed my sheep; feed Mine elect; feed My lambs, which I have acquired for salvation by Mine own blood.” Him do thou entreat, O divinely blessed apostle, that He grant us great mercy.

When she beheld Thee, the Lamb and Shepherd, upon the Tree, the Ewe-lamb who had given Thee birth lamented and maternally exclaimed to Thee: “O my Son most desired, how is it that Thou art suspended upon the tree of the Cross? How is it that Thine arms and legs are nailed by the iniquitous, O long-suffering Word, and Thou hast shed Thy blood, O Master?”