Ode III

Irmos: Neither in wisdom, nor in power, nor yet in riches do we boast, but in Thee, O Christ, the hypostatic Wisdom of the Father; for none is holy save Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Sessional hymn, in Tone III—

Theotokion: O Mary Theotokos, thou only daughter of a barren woman, the righteous Anna, O only Mother of Him Who is without beginning: Make supplication for us who entreat thee.

Preserving the flower of chastity, O Agnes, thou didst flourish like a fragrant lily amid the thorns of sin; and delighting now in the divine garden of paradise, thou art resplendent in never-fading glory.

Irmos: Establish me, O Christ, upon the immovable rock of Thy commandments, and illumine me with the light of Thy countenance, for there is none as holy as Thee, Who lovest mankind.

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

The alabaster phial of thy virginal body, which held the priceless myrrh of thy soul, did the ungodly mindlessly destroy; but thy soul, like myrrh, hath been poured out upon the faithful in the perfume of sweet spiritual fragrance.

Theotokion: Render us steadfast for thy laudation, O Virgin, and preserve us from harm and every wile of the evil one; and vouchsafe that we may stand at the right hand of thine only-begotten Son, to Whom is due all glory, honor and worship, unto the ages of ages.

Not with sword, nor with opposition and power, but with faith free from doubt and with great purity didst thou vanquish the ungodly, O Agnes, thou meek turtle-dove.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

The triumph of the great purity of virginity is witnessed today; for, lo! when they shamelessly stripped her of her garments, the holy maiden was clothed in light instead of raiment; he who intended evil against her was struck down by the wrath of God, and all were filled with fear. But she prayeth with boldness in behalf of our souls.

O Theotokos, thou didst mystically contain within thy womb the Unapproachable and Uncircumscribable One Who is consubstantial with the unoriginate Father. And, magnifying thy birthgiving in the world, we acknowledge the Godhead of the Trinity to be One and Unconfused. Wherefore, we cry out to thee with thanksgiving: Rejoice, O joyous one!

Stavrotheotokion—

Thy pure Mother who knew not wedlock, beholding Thee hanging dead upon the Cross, O Christ, said, weeping maternally: “How hath the iniquitous and thankless council of the Jews, which enjoyed Thy many and great gifts, rewarded Thee, O my Son? I hymn Thy divine condescension!”

In thy heart, O venerable Maximus, thou didst establish divine fear, having hated all carnal lusts; wherefore, as a simple child thou wast made wise, and thou didst hasten after the Lord.

Having the Lord Jesus Christ as thy confirmation, O venerable Maximus, to thy kinsmen, friends and acquaintance thou becamest like an unknown stranger, homeless, bereft of homeland and possessions, and misunderstood.

Anchoring thyself to the commandments of the Lord, through the bitterness of imprisonment thou becamest as one dead for a long time; yet thou didst make supplication in behalf of those of evil ways, saying: “O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, hold not to account for this sin those who slander me with lies!”

Having adorned thy mind with the divinely inspired Scriptures, with watchful prayer and God-pleasing vigils thou didst confirm thy heart in the Lord by keeping His salvific commandments; wherefore, Athos and the people of Russia continually glorify thee, and the Monastery of Vatopedi crieth out with us: O all-wise Maximus, forsake us not who pray to thee!

I beseech thee, O all-pure Mother of God Most High, only consolation of my soul, my hope, delight, divine protection, light, help and salvation: By thy supplications vouchsafe that I may hear the voice which calleth the blessed to enter the bridal-chamber of the Master.