Canon of the Theotokos

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel: “Hearken, ye women...”—

Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.

Katavasia: O Lord, Thou confirmation of those who trust in Thee, establish the Church which Thou hast acquired with Thy precious blood.

Kontakion, in Tone I—

Glory..., Now & ever...: Theotokion—

Sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel: “Of the Wisdom...”—

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: “Thou hast given a sign...”—

Theotokion: Who can describe the height and depth of thine ineffable birthgiving, O Maiden? For, in manner past all description and comprehension, thou gavest birth unto God, Who hath delivered man from corruption. Wherefore, all we, the faithful, duly bless thee.

Rejoice, O Mistress, most mighty weapon of the faithful! Rejoice, mighty intercession! Rejoice, O help! Rejoice, aid of sinners! Rejoice, rampart for those who call upon thee! Rejoice, thou joy of the world!

Irmos: O Thou Who art God, the Lord and Creator of all, having impoverished Thyself, O Dispassionate One, Thou didst unite to Thyself that which Thou hadst made. Being the Passover, Thou didst sacrifice Thyself beforehand for those for whom Thou wast to die, crying: Eat ye My Body, and be ye steadfast in faith!

Katavasia: Thy virtue hath covered the heavens, O Christ; for having issued forth from Thine immaculate Mother, the ark of Thy holiness, Thou hast appeared in the Temple of Thy glory as a babe borne in arms, and all things have been filled with Thy praise.

Glory..., Now & ever...: Theotokion—

Thy sacred teachings, poured forth, O all-wise one, more radiant than gold, enrich the understanding of the hungry and dispel the gloom of the passions and the bitter winter of avarice, O Chrysostom. Wherefore, we bless thee as is meet and honor the return of thy relics, as a wellspring of holiness.

Theotokion: Earthly nature is unable to hymn thee, whom the angels hymn as the one who gave birth unto God in the flesh; yet we, thy servants, with faith make bold to hymn and glorify thee.

Rejoice, mighty confirmation of man’s salvation! Rejoice, restoration of Adam and Eve, through whom they have regained the ancient inheritance! Rejoice, thou who hast opened paradise again!

Irmos: O Most High, Thou Ruler of all, Who out of non-existence hast brought all things, which are fashioned by Thy Word and made perfect by the Spirit: Confirm me in Thy love!

Katavasia: In a vision Isaiah beheld God exalted upon a throne borne aloft by angels of glory, and he cried: Woe is me! for I have beheld beforehand the incarnate God, the unwaning Light, Who reigneth with peace!

Glory..., idiomelon in the same tone, the composition of Germanus—

Unjustly driven from thy flock, O venerable father, thou didst endure tribulations and bitter exile; wherein thou wast counted worthy of a blessed end, as a good athlete who trampled the greatly crafty one. Wherefore, the Church rejoiceth in thy return, which thou didst adorn as with gold with thine all-wise teachings.

Theotokion: Through thee, O Virgin, salvation hath come and appeared to the world, even Christ, our Deliverance who shone forth from thee. Wherefore, we hymn thee as is due, O pure one, boast of all the sacred and sanctified habitation of the faithful.

Rejoice, bush unburnt! Rejoice, chariot of the Light! Rejoice, cloud of the Sun! Rejoice, all-glorious throne of the King, proclaimed in every place! Rejoice, animate city of Christ the living God!

Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord, Thou art my power; Thou art my God, Thou art my joy, Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast visited our lowliness. Wherefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Katavasia: The elder, beholding with his own eyes the salvation which was come to me from God, cried out to Thee, O Christ! Thou art my God!

Today is the blessed Chrysostom hymned as a pillar of fire, a river flowing with the waters of doctrine, a heavenly intelligence, a mouth of theology all of gold, the surety of sinners, a divine preacher of repentance, an all-luminous lamp, and a heavenly man.

Theotokion: The noetic ranks praise thee with hymnody, O Maiden, for they are unable to look upon Him to Whom thou gavest birth from thy pure womb, Who without change assumed flesh, O most pure Bride of God.

Rejoice, O pure Mistress, Mother who hast not known wedlock! Rejoice, meadow unploughed and unharrowed, which produced the Husbandman of all! Rejoice, ground which shone forth the Truth!

Irmos: The prophet, foreseeing Thine ineffable mystery, O Christ, proclaimed: Thou hast shown steadfast love of might, O compassionate Father; for Thou hast sent into the world Thy Son as its cleansing, O Good One.

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!

Receiving thy relics, O Chrysostom, like a royal ornament, the Imperial City is adorned thereby, and boasting in thy words, it calleth the whole world to gladness and to a divine share in thine abundant gifts, crying aloud: O all-good Jesus, Thou art the glory of Thy servants!

Theotokion: Him Whom the armies of the incorporeal angels cannot see, O Mistress, Who lay in thine embrace as an Infant, and Who abased Himself by assuming flesh, didst thou bear, that, so impoverishing Himself, He might enrich the world.

Thou wast a pure habitation of God and didst plumb the depths of dogma, O blessed Chrysostom, flooding the hearts of the faithful. Wherefore, we celebrate today thine honored return.

Irmos: Thou hast shown us constant love, O Lord, for Thou didst give Thine only-begotten Son over to death for us. Wherefore, in thanksgiving we cry to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Katavasia: United in the unbearable fire, yet unharmed by its flame, the pious youths chanted a divine hymn in intercession: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O father Chrysostom, like a divinely flowing river mystically issuing forth in the beginning from Eden, passing over the four ends of the earth in thy words, thou hast watered each of the faithful with thy golden teaching. Wherefore, having manifestly bestowed upon our city the return of thy divine relics, do thou now pray, that the souls of us who praise thee may be saved, O John.

Theotokion: O most immaculate one, render merciful to me Him Who came forth from thy womb, the incarnate Word, Whom Symeon, holding in his arms in the temple, magnified as the Creator.

Thou wast a golden instrument sounding forth ineffable things for us, O blessed Chrysostom. Wherefore, we hymn thee with faith at the return of thy relics, O earthly angel of God and heavenly man.

Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.

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.

Preserve thy servants from all misfortunes, O blessed Theotokos, that we may all glorify thee, the hope of our souls.

Theotokion: Having given birth unto the Most High, O all-holy Bride of God, thou exaltest to heaven our nature which lieth below. Wherefore, we glorify thee as is due.

To words of life didst thou give utterance for us; thou wast unjustly envied and wast driven into distant exile and subjected to many tribulations. Yet at the behest of the Creator, thou art given back to thy flock again, after thy repose.

Irmos: The apostles, bound with a bond of love, offered themselves unto Christ the Master of all, and washed their beautiful feet, announcing the glad tidings of peace unto all.

Theotokion: Contemplating Thee, Who alone art born of a Virgin, even as Thou didst receive flesh and becamest two in nature, John Chrysostom rejected utterly both division and confusion, O Jesus, Who art God and man.

Spiritually blind, the empress hid thee, the most radiant lamp, in caves of banishment; but Christ, returning thee again, setteth thee upon a lofty lampstand.

Irmos: I rise at dawn unto Thee, the Creator of all, Who passest all worldly understanding; for Thy commandments are light, wherein do Thou direct me.

Theotokion: O most pure one, thou gavest birth to Jesus Christ, One of the transcendent Trinity. Him do Thou entreat, O most immaculate one, that in His ineffable loving-kindness He may forgive my manifold transgressions.

Thou hast returned, O John Chrysostom, letting fall streams of miracles and pouring forth rivers of healing upon those who with faith honor the memory of thy return.

Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord, and to Him do I declare my grief; for my soul is full of evil and my life hath drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I pray: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

Theotokion: Thou comest to the temple like mystical tongs, bearing the mystical Coal, O all-pure one, by Whom Symeon, receiving Him in his arms, was enlightened to prophesy with exceeding clarity concerning the signs of His sufferings.

The golden Nile hath returned, flooding forth in discourse and wonders. Let us all make haste and with faith abundantly draw therefrom, that we may be satisfied in all things.

Irmos: The uttermost abyss of sins hath engulfed me, whose billows none can withstand; and like Jonah I cry to Thee, O Master: Lead me up from corruption!

Theotokion: The human mind is unable to understand the mystery of thine ineffable birthgiving, which is beyond comprehension and recounting, O Maiden; for God appeared as a mortal through thee, saving those who had fallen into corruption, and raising up to their pristine dignity those who chant: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Having come to know the wisdom which is from on high and the grace of words from God, thou didst shine forth upon all like gold in the crucible, and didst preach the Holy Trinity in Unity, shooting down the falsehood of avarice with the arrows of thy discourses. Wherefore, having rebuked the empress with zeal, thou didst put to shame the alien thinking of Arius, O John Chrysostom. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who celebrate thy holy memory with love. Twice

Irmos: The uttermost abyss of sins hath engulfed me, and my spirit doth perish. But, stretching forth Thine upraised arm, O Master, save me as Thou didst Peter, O Helmsman!

Theotokion: “I behold Thee in Thy mother’s arms, and I know Thee to be unapproachable God by nature. How, therefore, O Word, art Thou held in arms, Who hast all creation in the palm of Thy hand?” said Symeon, glorifying Thine ineffable power, O Thou Who art God and man.

Having conceived One of the Trinity in manner transcending nature, O Virgin, and wondrously given birth to Him in manner past description and comprehension, thou didst cause human nature, which of old had been driven forth, to share in the divine Nature. Wherefore, O most immaculate one, all of us who have been saved by thy birthgiving, assembling, duly call thee blessed, following thy words, and entreating Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with faith glorify His Mother.

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fire stood in awe of the condescension of God; wherefore, the youths, dancing with joyous step in the furnace, as in a meadow, chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Theotokion: With the most radiant brilliance of Him Who was ineffably born of thee, O Maiden, illumine my soul which hath been darkened by all manner of transgressions, O holy and most holy Theotokos, and which doth not desire to do good; that I may unceasingly declare thy mighty works.

O orient of the effulgence of the Father, and sun of Him Who shone forth from the Father before the morning star: Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, light and animate cloud! Rejoice, O Mother! Rejoice, O blessed one! Rejoice, all-glorious and most immaculate one!

Irmos: The children in Babylon did not fear the flame of the furnace, but, cast into the midst of the fire, bedewed, they sang: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Theotokion: “Approaching, I tremble,” said Symeon, “yet am I strengthened, holding in mine arms thine Offspring, O Virgin, Who causeth all the earth to tremble at His mere gaze from on high; and I am already removed from the quaking flesh. Rejoicing, I bear the declaration of those things which are to be, fulfilled already in me, and I shall announce the glad tidings of deliverance to those who are in hades.

Thou, O Mistress, art the golden censer of the unbearable and immaterial Coal, by Whom the record of Adam’s disobedience, rent asunder, hath been set afire. Wherefore, I cry to thee: Rejoice, thou through whom joy, the sweetness and acquisition of paradise, hath been given unto all!

Irmos: As of old Thou didst bedew the three pious children in the Chaldæan flame, with the radiant fire of Thy divinity illumine us who cry: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Now & ever...: Theotokion—

Thou art the glory, honor and boast of men, and the crown and diadem of the angels. Wherefore, heaven and earth, comprising a single Church, cry out to thee a hymn in all modes: Rejoice, O Mistress of the world! Rejoice, thou help of all men!

Irmos: O children, equal in number to the Trinity, bless ye God, the Father and Creator; hymn ye the Word, Who came down and transformed the fire into dew; and the all-holy Spirit, Who imparteth life unto all, exalt ye supremely forever!

O honored couch which Solomon described of old, surrounded by sixty mighty men: Rejoice, O Virgin, golden ark of noetic sanctity! Rejoice, O divine tongs! Rejoice, fire-bearing bush! Rejoice, O gate, ladder and bridge!

Irmos: The blessed youths in Babylon, braving danger for the laws of their fathers, reviled the mindless command of the ruler, and, united by the fire which burned them not, they chanted a fitting hymn unto the Almighty: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Having acquired a mouth and tongue of fiery inspiration, O venerable father, thou hast manifestly heightened the clarity of the Scriptures, and didst die in unjust exile. But today thy blessed body hath been bestowed upon us as a gift.

Irmos: United in the unbearable fire, yet unharmed by its flame, the pious youths chanted a divine hymn in intercession: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Let Chrysostom now be magnified, the recounter of ineffable things; for, lo! after his temporal death, at the good behest of God, he entereth the Imperial City again, honored sacredly with divine hymns.

Irmos: Every ear trembleth to hear of the ineffable condescension of God, for the Most High willingly came down even to the flesh, becoming man through the Virgin’s womb. Wherefore we, the faithful, magnify the all-pure Theotokos.

Possessing a mind illumined with the radiance of the most Holy Spirit, thou dost enlighten the earth with divine teachings, and dispellest the darkness of impiety, O sacred father Chrysostom, who conversest with the holy angels.

Irmos: Come, ye faithful, and with minds uplifted let us delight in the hospitality of the Master and the feast of immortality in the lowly cave, knowing the Word, Who we magnify, and Who hath become incarnate ineffably.*

Thou wast shown to be blessed for righteousness’ sake, O venerable one, having been driven from thy flock by wicked envy; yet, returning now, thou art honored by all with sacred hymns, O wise Chrysostom, holy hierarch of the Lord.

Irmos: A wonder new and divine: the Lord manifestly passeth through the closed door of the Virgin, naked at His entry; and God doth reveal Himself as corporeal as He issueth forth; and yet the gate remaineth shut. Ineffably let us magnify her as the Mother of God.

O ye who love discourse, come, and let us honor with sacred words the great adorner of words, who hath now joyfully returned and who with the wisdom of words denounced those who babbled words of vain ignorance.

O Chrysostom, who hath enriched us with a wealth of teachings, thou holdest in check the hand of greed, with but the riches of divine grace alone manifestly denouncing her who was laden with wealth.

The bow of those mighty in tyrannical cruelty hath been broken; for, having lived angelically in the weakness of the flesh, thou hast prevailed, O most sacred Chrysostom, having as petitioners those who before were persecutors.

Grant that I may elude the noetic minions, the aerial hordes of tormenters, without grief at the hour of my departure, O Mistress, that I may joyfully cry to thee: Rejoice, rejoice, O unashamed hope of all!

Rejoice, O all-immaculate one! Rejoice, O all-pure one, in that thou didst conceive our Joy! Rejoice, purple bloom of purity, sweet of scent! Rejoice, scarlet rose of virginity, dyed red, and sweet-smelling fragrance of God!

Rejoice, O mystic phial pouring forth myrrh of sweet savor! Rejoice, divine wellspring gushing forth living water! Rejoice, thou who didst produce as fruit the grapes of life, O Mistress, thou vine ­uncultivated!

Rejoice, O impassable Gate through which Christ the Lord passed! Rejoice, thou who by thy birthgiving hast opened the portals of paradise! Rejoice, thou on whose account the heavens rejoice and earth doth dance, who hast united things above with things below.

Thou hast been shown to be a lamp shining upon all who are in the night of life, casting light upon and illumining our thoughts with the beams of thy divine words, O father Chrysostom. Wherefore, we hymn thee as is due.

Thou didst distribute a wealth of discourse, enriching starved minds, O venerable one of golden speech; and, exiled unjustly, by righteous judgment thou hast been returned again to thy flock, which rejoiceth in thy great accomplishments.

Like a bountiful vine thou didst produce the wine of compunction; and, for denouncing the empress who confiscated the widow’s vineyard, thou wast banished, O father Chrysostom. Wherefore, we honor thy return.

Thou hast been shown to be like the springtime, mystically perfuming the multitudes of the faithful with the flowers of grace, dispelling the winter of evil in thy return, O father.

Streaming forth divine things, the wellspring of divine gifts hath returned. Come, ye who thirst, and draw forth the water of life with faith, divinely jubilant!

“Woe is me! Thou, O my beauty, didst hide thyself, going down! Yet thou hast returned to me, O desired one, in good time,” the Church of Christ crieth out to thee, who hast returned.

Rejoice, O Mistress, animate vessel, scarlet which dyed a purple robe for the King of all with thine all-pure blood wherewith to cover the nakedness of Adam! Rejoice, O most lauded one!

Tangible bread by nature strengtheneth men’s hearts, O Maiden; and thy holy and laudable name maketh steadfast Christian souls. Hence, every tongue doth joyfully cry out to thee: Rejoice!

Rejoice, golden candlestick! Rejoice, ark which held God! Rejoice, tabernacle! Rejoice, holy mountain! Rejoice, animate city of the living God! Rejoice, palace of Christ! Rejoice, divine and most splendid temple!

Rejoice, O all-immaculate and all-pure one, excellent flower of nature! Rejoice, common wealth of the human race! Rejoice, God-given grace, who hath brought honor upon disgraced human nature by thy birthgiving!

O most blessed Chrysostom, thy tongue hath poured forth upon the Church streams of gold and enricheth starving hearts, which glorify thee in sacred manner.

O most blessed one, precious hath thy death been in the sight of our God, wherein thy city is glorified by thy second return to thy throne, O father Chrysostom.

Blessed is the tomb which holdeth thy precious body, in that it enricheth with miracles those who have recourse thereto with faith, O Chrysostom, most blessed hierarch.

The foolish empress cut thee off from the Church of Christ, denouncing thee in a rage; but straightway she herself was cut off, and thou reprovest her even after death, causing a miraculous excommunication.

Thou wast shown to be an instrument of the Spirit Who accomplisheth all things, sounding forth with great melodiousness; but the empress became deaf, as oblivious to the music as an adder; and she received a most dreadful death as recompense.

Though he died a mortal death, Chrysostom manifestly taught the rulers not to torment him; for, having first declined to submit to their commands, he later returned at their entreaty.

The honored Church was mystically gladdened by the return of thy precious relics; and having hidden them like most precious gold, by thy supplication she bountifully imparteth the grace of healings unto those who hymn thee, O John Chrysostom.

Ikos: The lamp of my soul hath guttered, O John Chrysostom, and I fear to encounter thy sacred relics; but do thou thyself guide me, and direct my steps, granting me time for repentance, O most holy one, in that thou art a divine preacher thereof. And still thou the tempest of my multifarious passions and, rescuing me from the snare of Belial, save me in the end, that I may worthily hymn thy glorious return, as before, making bold, I also glorified thy repose, O John Chrysostom.

Rejoice, O Mistress, Virgin and Mother who gavest birth to the Son, who hast not known wedlock, who alone knewest not man and alone art incorrupt!

Rejoice, O Bride of God, thou animate Sion of Christ, the King of kings, of which most glorious things have been spoken! Rejoice, ladder whereby we ascend to heaven from earth, and from corruption to life.

A divinely planted meadow, a fragrant garden cultivated by God, hast thou been shown to be, O Virgin, who hast blossomed forth the Flower of immortality. Wherefore, together we cry out to thee: Rejoice, rejoice, bestower of joy! Rejoice, wellspring of sweetness!

O all-honored Mistress, deliver me from the disgrace of the passions, that I may cry out joyfully to thee: Rejoice, wellspring of holiness! Rejoice, treasury of all purity! Rejoice, divine receptacle! Rejoice, habitation of Christ!

Resplendent with miracles, adorned with golden theology, thou wast given over to cruel banishment; but returning therefrom, thou hast been glorified by all.

With the scythe of thy divine teachings thou cuttest wickedness off at the root and plantest divine knowledge in men’s souls, O holy hierarch Chrysostom. Wherefore, we glorify the return of thy relics.

Returning, O venerable Chrysostom, thou hast brought peace to the alienated and hast been placed in the church of the most wise apostles, with whose honored authority thou wast enriched, O most lauded one.

The most audacious woman forced thee to depart from the Imperial City, O all-wise one, because thou didst denounce her eviction of the widow; and by her rejection of thine all-wise teaching, she is bereft also of the grace of God.

Yet, like the sun which had been covered by clouds, O luminary of exceeding magnificence, thou didst return sweetly unto all who have been enlightened by the mystic splendor of thy luminous golden teachings, O John Chrysostom.

I stretch forth my hands unto thee, O Chrysostom, to embrace thee, the escort of the Bride who returnest in splendor, loved exceedingly, in that thou didst wait for many years.

Rejoice, O branch which grew out of the root of Jesse! Rejoice, thou who, without being watered, didst blossom forth Christ, the beautiful Flower! Rejoice, fertile mountain! Rejoice, mountain overshadowed! Rejoice, mountain of God in Whom the Word Who existeth before all time was pleased to dwell!

With the iron staff of thy mighty aid do thou fend off the passions which beset me like dogs lying in wait, like roaring wild beasts, surrounding my lowly soul, O Virgin, that I may cry to thee: Rejoice!

Thou hast been adorned, O thou who art beautiful among women, who hast given birth unto Christ, Who is more comely in beauty than all the sons of men. Wherefore, rejoicing, we cry out to thee: Rejoice! rejoice, O pure and joyous Theotokos! Rejoice, thou who art more glorious than all creation!

Rejoice, O Theotokos, whom Daniel beheld beforehand as a mountain unquarried, thou from whom the Cornerstone was cut! Rejoice, tongs pleasing unto God, which bore the burning Coal! Rejoice, thou who art more holy than the immaterial angels! Rejoice, thou who art higher in honor than creation!

Possessing the authority to loose and to bind, O venerable one, thou hast loosed all the transgressions of those who celebrate thy divine return with splendor. Pray thou also, that they be counted worthy of the kingdom of heaven who chant in compunction of heart: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

In exile, O divinely wise father, thou didst endure pangs, receiving therein a blessed and glorious end, O Chrysostom; but thou returnest again, by the will of God, to thy divine see, honored by those who chant: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Unable to bear the darts of thy words, O venerable one, the false serpent asketh to test thee, as he did the valiant Job; but he was vanquished by thine endurance for Christ’s sake, and wast shown to be a great occasion for laughter for thee, who chantest with faith: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Triadicon: O unoriginate Father, Son equally without beginning, and divine Spirit, indivisible Trinity, one Essence, one Power, one Authority: Fill those who hymn Thee with every good thing, and deliver them from torment that chant unceasingly: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

With the milk of thy piety dost thou nurture the Church which nurtured thee, O venerable father, giving her seven loaves of the bread of divine grace and pouring forth thy sweetness as a drink of healing, O most blessed Chrysostom, who nourishest us.

The proclamation of thy dogmas went forth into all the earth, O father, yet the mindless empress commanded that thou be driven from thy place; but she was deceived: for like a giant with a tremendous stride thou shinest everywhere with the rays of thy words.

Let the assembly of the faithful be enlightened today, greeting the most excellent of teachers with gladness; for he hath come and is present in body, distributing abundant grace unto all, which we, rejoicing, do richly enjoy.

Behold, all generations call thee all-blessed, as thou didst foretell by the divine Spirit, O Theotokos; and they cry out to thee, as to the one who gave birth unto Joy: Rejoice, rejoice, O treasury of life! Rejoice, O wellspring which poureth forth spiritual honey!

O pure Mistress, thou didst set aright the stumbling of our forefather Adam, and didst turn the grief of Eve, our first mother, into joy. Wherefore, we cry to thee, as to the cause of joy: Rejoice, rejoice, O joy of the faithful! Rejoice, gladness of Christians!

Meet it is to cry to thee: “Rejoice!”, for in thee did the ever-existent Joy make His abode in essence, O Virgin Maiden Theotokos. Rejoice, O paradise of sweetness! Rejoice, wellspring of immortality flowing with streams of gold! Rejoice, thou who pourest forth true drink!

The desire for thee pierceth my heart with an arrow of sweetness, O most lauded one, and compelleth me ever to cry out to thee: “Rejoice!”, and to cry: Rejoice, peaceful haven! Rejoice, O sweetest impassable sea, who didst drown the noetic Pharaoh!

Thou wast a rule of the priesthood, O divinely eloquent one, arrayed with righteousness as with divine vesture, with thy words having enriched the Church and spiritually made plain the meaning of the Scriptures. Wherefore, we celebrate thy return, O father.

Beautiful as a nightingale wast thou shown to be, O father, announcing the divine spring of repentance to those who are enslaved to the winter of sin. Though thou wast banished through the treachery of the deceiver, O wise one, thou dost hasten again, rejoicing, to the flock which desireth thee, O blessed Chrysostom.

The hearts of all are jubilant today, beholding thee, the pure bridegroom, O venerable one, given by grace to the Church, thy bride; and with unceasing voices they hymn and praise and bless the Bestower of good things, as is meet.

The lamp which was set upon the lampstand of Comana is come! The ornament of the Church of God hath arrived! Hymn ye the Lord! Sing with gladness! And greeting him spiritually, let us all cry aloud: By thy supplications, save us, O father!

The army of angels, the council of the prophets and the divine choir of apostles and martyrs exult in splendor with us, sharing in the feast, O most blessed one, and esteeming the grace of thy hymns; for thou didst have all within thee, depicting life.

Lo! the light of the world hath shone forth, the divine and most exalted lamp hath appeared therein, the delightsome abyss of the gifts of God. Come, brethren, let us partake of the light, that we may warm ourselves, and that we may draw forth therefrom, all magnifying Chrysostom with hymns from our heart.

Emulating the divine grace, accept me who offer this hymn to thee like two mites, from mine unworthy and wretched soul, which is wretchedly bereft of every good quality and offereth this out of zeal for the riches of God; and render thou unto me in return divinely-bestowed grace.

Rejoice, O city reigning over all cities, for today thou receivest the body of thy good shepherd and chief pastor, who governeth and saveth thee and all the world: the mellifluous Chrysostom. Clap thy hands, therefore, and sing. Twice

Rejoice, O palace of God! Rejoice, mountain overshadowed! Rejoice, bush unburnt! Rejoice, throne of glory! Rejoice, divine table! Rejoice, golden jar! Rejoice, most luminous lamp! Rejoice, O Mary, Virgin Mother, thou light cloud!

Great Doxology. Troparia. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.