Ode IX

Exapostilarion —

Irmos: Christ our God, to Whom thou gavest birth without seed, O pure Theotokos, do we magnify with unceasing hymns.

Today Orthodox Serbia and all of Mount Athos rejoiceth, and more especially the Monastery of Khilandar, for the most honored icon “of the three hands” hath come and made its abode within it, revealing the goodwill of the Mother of God toward us.

Great Doxology. Troparion. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.

Having thy holy icon “of the three hands” as its abbess, as was thy will, O Theotokos, the Monastery of Khilandar is filled with the sweet savor of holiness and doth unceasingly glorify thy name.

O all-comely flower who fillest all with sweet fragrance, repelling the assaults of the adversary and filling all with gladness: be thou for us a rampart, a wall of protection and a saving refuge.

Thou gavest birth unto Him Whom the angels hymn, yet hast remained a virgin; wherefore, we cry out to thee: Rejoice, O speedy aid and mighty helper of the whole world!

Illumining all with the light of thy loving-kindness, thou healest every sickness and infirmity. Forget not us, thy faithful servants, but let the light of thy countenance be signed upon us all the days of our life.

Glory…, Now & ever… —

May thine all-wondrous icon, O Theotokos, be for us a pillar of fire guiding us to the heavenly inheritance, and let the light of thy countenance be signed upon us all the days of our life.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone IV —

Foreseeing thee from afar, the Prophet David, divinely inspired, said: The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance. For, lo! today all the faithful fall down before thee, O blessed Theotokos, and venerate thy precious icon “of the three hands”. They are sanctified in both soul and body, and with all their soul and heart cry out to thee: Thou art our trust and hope! Abide with us forever!

Possessing thy most precious icon “of the three hands” as a token of salvation, the Monastery of Khilandar rejoiceth today, O Theotokos, and crieth out to thee with faith and love: O most merciful one, preserve our monastery and homeland from the corrupting teachings of unbelief and superstition; increase love and oneness of mind; and vouchsafe, O most good one, that we may ever hymn thee.

O all-adorned Ever-virgin, who art blessed for all ages, disdain not the supplications of those who call upon thee, but hearken to the heartfelt sighing of those who gaze upon thee. And as thou didst quickly hasten to the aid of the venerable John, so hasten with meekness to our souls. Be for us a guide to the heavenly homeland, and enroll us among the blessed councils of the elect of God.

O all-holy and all-blessed one, we know thee to be full of loving-kindness, for thine eyes look down upon the poor, and thy hands are extended to orphans. Behold, bending our knees before thy holy icon, we beseech thee: Forsake us not in our grief, but turn thou thy maternal face to our supplications. Be thou not mindful of our iniquities, but, in that thou art merciful, save thou our souls.

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone VIII —

Beholding thine all-wondrous image, O Mother of loving-kindness, we truly gaze upon thee thyself, who art the Theotokos, and hear thy melodious voice, which to thy first-painted icon said with authority: “My grace shall be with this.” This same grace truly abideth in similar images, and aboundeth in the icon “of the three hands”, which we honor, offering thanksgiving unto thee, saying: Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace! The Lord is with thee, and for thy sake is with us also, saving us forever!