Ode IX

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

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.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…” —

Theotokion: Thou wast shown to surpass the cherubim and to be more exalted than the heavens, O pure Virgin Mary, having given birth to the Angel of great Counsel, the coming Judge of all, Who with the Father is equally without beginning.

Thou didst spurn this fleeting and transitory life, O divinely wise martyr, having beheld the inconceivable beauty of thy Bridegroom, and been manifestly tortured for Him. Wherefore, thou didst receive an imperishable crown, O good virgin.

Irmos: Every ear trembleth to hear of the ineffable condescension of God, for the Most High willingly came down even to the flesh, becoming man through the Virgin’s womb. Wherefore we, the faithful, magnify the all-pure Theotokos.

Joining chorus in the courts of the Lord with the other wise virgins, O honorable martyr, from Him thou didst receive the grace to heal sicknesses and to drive out unclean spirit from those who approach thee with faith, O wise one. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Having heard the voice of God answering the pleas of thy heart from heaven, O Parasceva, thou didst vigilantly finish the race, O honored martyr, fleeing to Him when thy precious head was cut off.

O honored virgin, who crushed the might of the idolatrous tyrants and directed thy steps unto God, thou wast in nowise afraid of the blows of leaden mallets, of fire, the laceration of thy flesh, boiling cauldrons, or beheading by the sword.

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone —

Entreat Christ, O Parasceva, that He grant victory over the enemy, remission of sins, and deliverance from misfortunes unto all who with most fervent faith come to thy divine temple.

Having first caused thy body to wither through asceticism, and having later suffered, strengthened in mind, thou wast revealed to all as a sword forged in heaven, O martyr of Christ, tried by tortures like gold in a crucible, O good virgin.

Theotokion: When Thou wilt sit to judge all men, O Word Who wast born and preserved her who gave Thee birth incorrupt after birthgiving, have pity, overlooking my sins and iniquities in that Thou art sinless and a merciful God Who lovest mankind.

Strengthened by the Cross of thy Lord, O good virgin, thou didst vanquish the audacity of the tyrants, suffering valiantly, O martyr; and thou hast gone forth to the victory crowns of Christ, O most wondrous Parasceva, praying for us who honor thee with love.

Glory…, in Tone II —

O Mary, most pure golden censer, thou wast a receptacle of the indivisible Trinity, in whom the Father was well pleased, the Son dwelt, and the most Holy Spirit, Who overshadowed thee, showed thee to be the Theotokos, O Maiden.

In the city of our God, on His holy mountain, there didst thou make thine abode, keeping thy lamp ever lit. And we hear the boast of the virgin: O virginity, temple of God! O virginity, glory of the martyrs! O virginity, friendship with the angels!

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

All my hope do I set on thee, O Mother of God; keep me under thy protection.

Thou didst stand against the enemy, O all-glorious one, confessing Christ Who made a goodly confession before Pilate; and, led forth to be sacrificed, thou didst sanctify the earth with thy divine blood and hast made the heavens luminous with thy soul.

The glorious Hermippus, Hermocrates and Hermolaus were shown to be thrice-radiant lamps lighted by the fire of the divine Spirit, shedding light upon the souls of the faithful with divine grace and dispelling the impious darkness of polytheism.

With our mouths and thoughts full of joy we all radiantly hymn the athletes of Christ who in godly manner have been clothed with divine glory as with a robe, and now dwell in the heavens and pour forth rivers of miracles.

Through the sacred entreaties of Hermolaus, Panteleimon, Hermocrates and those who suffered with them, O Christ the Word, Thou never-setting Sun, deprive us not of Thy mercy, but, taking pity upon us as is Thy wont, deliver us from evils.