Ode IX

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

Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone IV, idiomela —

Theotokion: O right loving Virgin, bless thou my soul, which hath been afflicted by sins, and by thy supplications deliver me from the everlasting flame.

Resplendent in the vesture of martyrdom, thou wast vouchsafed to behold thy Bridegroom adorned, O Christina, long-suffering martyr.

Holding the Cross in thy hands as a mighty weapon, O martyr Christina, and bearing faith as a shield, hope as a breastplate and love as a bow, thou didst manfully overcome the vengeance of the tyrants and didst divinely bring to an end the machinations of the demons. And having been beheaded, thou dost dance with Christ, unceasingly praying for our souls.

Theotokion —

As thy lovely beauty loved Christ Who is more comely than all beauties, He hath vouchsafed thee the bridal chambers of heaven.

Having forsaken the riches of her father, and truly desiring Christ, the martyr found glory and heavenly riches; and, protected by continual grace-bearing prayer, she felled the tyrant with the sword of the Cross. Wherefore, marvelling at her struggles, the angels said: “The enemy hath fallen, vanquished by a woman! The martyr hath won the crown of victory! And Christ reigneth forever as God, bestowing great mercy upon the world!”

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “Rejoice…”

Thou hast joined the choirs of the incorporeal ones, O glorious one, and hast been numbered with the assemblies of the martyrs, entreating the Most Compassionate One in our behalf.

We glorify Thy great loving-kindness, O Christ, and the goodness which Thou hast shown us, in that women have brought to an end the deceit of the insanity of idolatry by the power of Thy Cross, O Thou Who lovest mankind, were unafraid of the torturers, and trampled upon their falsehood. They were enabled to follow in Thy steps and have hastened to the fragrance of Thy perfume, praying for our souls.

Thy memorial hath been shown to be brighter than the sun, O Christina, illumining those who honor thee with the radiance of the grace of the Spirit.

The power of Thy Cross hath wrought wonders, O Christ. For the martyr Christina fought the fight of martyrdom and, ignoring the weakness of her nature, she valiantly opposed the tyrants. Wherefore, having received the crown of victory, she prayeth for our souls.

Thou didst spring forth like a most beautiful rose from a thorny root, O virgin martyr Christina, dyed red by the blood thou didst shed when thou wast flayed amid thy torment. And now, save from misfortunes those who keep thy divine memory.

Glory…, in Tone V —

Divinely wise virgins, standing round about thee like queens by birth, O Mary Theotokos, are brought as brides before thy Son, the King of all, O all-pure one. Him do thou entreat in our behalf, O Virgin Mother and Maiden.

Christ, the King of glory, desired the beauty of thy virginity, and with incorrupt union He betrothed thee to Himself as an immaculate bride; for, imparting power to thy beauty by His own will, He showed thee to be unconquered by the enemy and the passions, and with a twofold wreath He crowned thee who endured bitter torments and savage tortures, and hath set thee as a queen all adorned at His right hand. Him do thou beseech, O honored and much-suffering martyr Christina, that He grant salvation, life and great mercy to those who hymn thee.

For our sake, O my sinless Christ, didst Thou will to given Thine all-pure blood as the great price of our deliverance, desiring to obtain salvation for us. Wherefore, beholding Thee nailed, Thy Mother, lamenting, tore her hair, saying: “O my Child, unblemished Lamb, O Savior, never-waning Sun, Thou hast set from before mine eyes, desiring to deliver the world with Thy precious blood, Who bestowest enlightenment, peace and great mercy upon all!”