Ode IX

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “O Light immutable…”—

Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Most divine love, holding thy soul fast, O blessed one, burned up all the material griefs of the world with immaterial fire, and presented thee as crowned to the Summit of all desires.

Theotokion: Quench thou the flame of my passions with the shining dew of thy prayer, O most pure one, in that thou didst receive the divine Fire in thy womb without being consumed; for thee do I have as the hope of my salvation, O Bride of God.

Thou didst hasten to the most calm and radiant haven, O God-bearer, escaping the raging of both savage and rational beasts as though they were a tempest of threefold waves; and now thou art transported in ecstasy, receiving everlasting delight.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Adorned with an ornate crown, O initiate of the sacred mysteries, thou dost excel; for in thee the glory of the priesthood and martyrdom are conjoined, and as one who shareth in both thou hast been glorified by thy Master.

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “O most lauded martyrs…”—

As one of manifest sanctity, possessing boldness before thy Master and God, O Ignatius, pray thou, that those who with faith celebrate thy memory be delivered now from temptations.

The Church of Christ doth possess thy splendid festival as a treasure which cannot be taken away, having received thy divine relics, from whence myrrh floweth forth upon all, O God-bearer Ignatius.

The Light which shone forth timelessly from the Father before eternity hath now, in latter times, issued forth from thee, O Virgin, for the salvation of the world. Cease thou never to beseech Him in behalf of thy people.

Aposticha stichera of the Octoechos; and Glory…, the composition of the Studite, in Tone I—

Thine annual festival, O God-bearer Ignatius, hath arisen like an animate pillar and an inspired cloud, proclaiming thy mysteries and the mighty deeds which thou didst show forth when upholding the Faith even to the shedding of thy blood. Yea, blessed and ever-memorable was thy voice when thou didst say: “As the grain of God I am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts.” Wherefore, as thou wast an emulator of the suffering of thy Christ, pray thou, that our souls be saved.

Beholding Thine unjust slaying, O Christ, the Virgin cried out to Thee, weeping: “O my Child most sweet! How is it that Thou diest unjustly? How is it that Thou hangest upon the Tree Who hast suspended the whole earth upon the waters? Leave me not alone who am Thy Mother and handmaiden, I pray, O greatly merciful Benefactor!”