Ode III

Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “O Thou Who wast lifted up…”—

Theotokion: O Mother of God, thou alone hast been the mediatress of good things for mortals in manner transcending nature; wherefore, we cry to thee: Rejoice!

The weakness of their flesh fortified by the sufferings of Christ, the right glorious martyrs cast down the murderer of men.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Receiving incorruptible sweetness through the Spirit, the martyrs of Christ rejoiced amid the pangs of their flesh.

By the Cross was the weak nature of women strengthened; wherefore, they manfully vanquished the adverse serpent.

Trampling underfoot the pleasures which drag men down, by grace ye were taken up in splendor to the divine heights of martyrdom, O athletes Cyrus and John, ye luminaries of all the world. Wherefore, we beseech you: From the darkness of sin and afflictions deliver us, entreating Him Who is God over all. Twice

I, the lowly one, have fled to thy divine refuge after God, and, falling down, I pray: Have mercy, O all-pure one, for my sins have passed over my head. O Mistress, I fear torments and tremble. Make supplication to thy Son, O pure one, that He deliver me therefrom.

Stavrotheotokion—

She who in latter times gave birth in the flesh to Thee Who wast begotten of the unoriginate Father, O Christ, seeing Thee hanging upon the Cross cried out: “Woe is me, O Jesus most beloved! How is it that Thou Who art glorified as God by the angels art now of Thine own will crucified by iniquitous men? O my long-suffering Son, I hymn Thee!”