Ode IX

Exapostilarion —

Irmos: Our race departed from Eden because of our first mother, Eve; but it hath been recalled by thee who for us gavest birth to Christ, the new Adam, in two natures, O pure Virgin. Adam, our first father, hath leapt up, having escaped the ancient curse; and we, boasting in thee, in that we have recognized thee for the sake of God, do magnify thee.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone III —

Theotokion: Behold, the tabernacle! Behold, the holy mountain of God! Behold, the rod, the golden vessel! Behold, the sealed fountain! Behold, the holy paradise of the new Adam! Behold, the dread throne! Behold, the all-pure Mother of God, the helper of all of us who hymn her!

Be glad, O Eve our foremother, for he that deceived thee hath been expelled from Eden and now is trampled down by thine offspring. For, lo! Olga hath planted the Tree of life, the Cross of Christ, in Russia, whereby paradise hath been opened to all the faithful. And we, rejoicing that we have come to know God because of her, magnify Vladimir with her.

O brethren, let us praise our Savior and Lord for His most great benefactions; for, in that He loveth mankind, He placed the fire of divine love in the heart of our first mother Olga, and through her revealed the all-rich fruits of His sowing in our land: true leaders to the heavenly kingdom among our princes, wise guides to salvation among our hierarchs, and pillars of faith and piety among every choir of the venerable. And through their supplications He saveth our souls from death. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

A woman do we call thee by nature, yet thou didst struggle in manner beyond the power of women. Myriads of gold pieces didst thou disburse, that thou mightest acquire the law of Christ thy teacher, wherewith thou didst enlighten the land of Russia. And we, rejoicing that we have come to know God because of thee, magnify thee with the martyrs.

Sing unto the Lord a new song, ye groves and dales of the land of Russia, in memory of our guide! Cry unto God with a voice of rejoicing, ye mountains and hills which of old were defiled by idolatrous sacrifices, which served for the perdition of our fathers, but have now been sprinkled with the dew of the grace of your Creator and overshadowed by the Cross of His Son, and with us worship Him Who saveth our souls.

Now & ever…: Theotokion —

O pure instructress in the law and teacher of the Faith of Christ, accept thou the praise of thine unworthy servants, and make entreaty to God concerning us who keep thy memory with honor; that we may be freed from temptations, misfortunes, griefs and grievous sins. And deliver us from the torments which await us, we who magnify thee unceasingly beseech thee.

Because of us there have multiplied in our midst mindless ones who not only say in their hearts, “There is no God”, but also preach unto us pernicious and depraved doctrines, drawing away from the Holy Church those who are of little faith. Yet through the supplications of the blessed Olga may the Lord save our souls from them.

Illumined by the light of the grace of God, O divinely wise Olga, thou didst light the lamp of the true Faith in thy homeland, and didst provide an example for our father Vladimir, by whom we have been led out of the darkness of ignorance into the light of Christ.

Glory…, in Tone VIII —

We who languish in the darkness of iniquities and have been defiled by the impurity of sin have thee as a guide to the never-waning Light. Wherefore, lead thou my wretched soul to the purity of heaven by thine almighty intercession, O all-pure Virgin.

Tell us, O our beloved mother, how thou didst vanquish all the wiles of the enemy by the grace of the Most High, that, taught by thee, we also may be shown to have the skill to save our souls.

Great Doxology. Troparion. Litanies. First Hour.

O Theotokos, Mother unwedded, thou art our refuge and strength, thou art our hope and unassailable rampart. Turn not thy face away from us, but entreat thy Son and our God, that through thee He save our souls.