Ode IX

Exapostilarion—

Irmos: Thee, the all-glorious Bride and most holy Theotokos, who gavest birth to the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, do we magnify with hymns.

Katavasia: In the shadow and the writings of the law do we behold an image, O ye faithful: every male child which openeth the womb is consecrated to God. Wherefore, we magnify the first-born Word of the unoriginate Father, the first-born Son of the Mother who knew not man.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone VIII—

Theotokion: O Virgin Mistress, the supplications of the blessed Xenia to thee, offered in our behalf, do thou bear to thy Son and God, strengthening them with thy maternal mediation; and save those who magnify thee, O all-pure one.

The splendid mysteries of thy life and thy struggles have now been revealed to the world, O blessed Xenia; wherefore, rejoicing in thee, without ceasing we magnify Christ God, Who hath glorified thee.

We have mindlessly turned away from Christ, the Sun of righteousness, and the cruel winter of hardness of heart is upon us; yet with the fervor of thy supplications, O blessed one, warm thou our frozen hearts, that we may awaken from the sleep of insensibility, proclaiming the springtime of the Spirit.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Even though thou hast been translated from earthly things, yet, knowing that thou abidest with us even after death and dost ever protect us from misfortunes by thy supplications, we magnify thee in thanksgiving, O blessed one.

We have become lost in the night of sin, and a spiritual darkness hath congealed around us. How will we avoid stumbling into the pit of destruction? How will we find the path to salvation? Lighting the lamp of thy loving-kindness, O blessed one, come forth to meet us who are perishing, and, stretching out thy hands to us, lead us to the straight paths.

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Mindful of thy care for us who are weak and impoverished, we fall down before thee with love, O our mighty intercessor; wherefore, leave us not orphaned, but come thou ever to our aid, that in thee we may ever magnify the heavenly Father.

Where is the wise man, where the scribe, where the disputer of this age? Hath not God rendered the wisdom of the world foolish? Wherefore, thou appearest to the world as a fool, O Xenia, preaching Christ, the Wisdom of God; and enlightened by His grace, thou teachest all to abstain from the vanity of the world.

“O house of my Father, open thy doors unto me who have been translated from a foreign land!” the blessed Xenia crieth, knocking at the gates of the kingdom of heaven.

Having acquired perfect poverty, cast off worldly thoughts, and offered understanding to God as a sacrifice, like the widow’s mite, O all-wise one, thou appearest to men as a fool; yet we know thee to be wiser than the wise. Wherefore, we ask instruction of thee: Enlighten our mind with thy splendor, driving away the gloom of ignorance!

O Mistress, thou portal of heaven, palace of the King, insuperable bulwark of Christians: Stretching forth unto us thy hands which held God, lead us to the everlasting mansions.

Glory…, in Tone VI—

Setting aside all earthly care, concealing thy wisdom with a cloak of foolishness, and serving God and man in secret, O blessed Xenia, thou didst acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit. Wherefore, as thou hast boldness before the Savior, cease thou never to entreat Him, that our souls be saved.

Surpassing all in the beauty of thine immaculate virginity, O all-holy Virgin Mother, thou didst ineffably give birth to God. Wherefore, the human race rejoiceth in thee, and in thee, the true Theotokos, it boasteth with confidence, setting its hope on thee; for thou art the intercessor and salvation of the world.

Great Doxology. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.