Orthodox Study
Isaac Lambertsen

Ode VII

Menaion — translated by Isaac Lambertsen

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¶1

Irmos: The three youths in Babylon, having put to mockery the tyrant’s command, cried out amid the flames: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

¶2

Katavasia: We hymn Thee, God the Word Who bedewed the theologizing children in the fire and dwelt within the incorrupt Virgin, and piously we chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

¶3

Theotokion: There is no one else in all the world like unto thee, O Theotokos, who hast maternal boldness before the Savior and hast surpassed the angels in all-glorious purity. Wherefore, we fall down before thee, O Mistress. Ever entreat the God of our fathers in our behalf!

¶4

Taking the light yoke of Christ upon thy shoulders, and holding every earthly burden to be but naught, O blessed one, thou didst carry heavy stones up to the pinnacle of the church, laboring industriously, and crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

¶5

In spirit we hunger and thirst and are naked; wherefore, grant us thine instruction as sweet food, O blessed one, and cool our throats with the dew of thy supplications in our behalf, wretched though we are, that we may cry out to the Lord in thanksgiving: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

¶6

Though we emulate the sin-loving life of the publican, we have not acquired his humility of mind; we have given ourselves over to the pride of the Pharisee, yet do not possess his virtues. What, therefore, can we do, weak as we are, O Xenia, if not flee to thee and cry aloud: Entreat the God of our fathers in our behalf!

Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.

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