Irmos: I will open my mouth, and with the Spirit will it be filled; and I shall utter discourse unto the Queen and Mother, and shall appear, keeping splendid festival; and, rejoicing, I will hymn her wonders.
Joyfully do I now offer up this present laudation with a serene voice, O Hodegitria, and rejoicing I cry unto thee: Rejoice! Fill me with understanding, that I may begin my hymnody.
Theotokion: The ways of God became known in thee, O most immaculate one, through the ineffable union which took place through thy strange birthgiving. Wherefore, we glorify thee as the Mistress of all creation.
Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.
Rejoice, O most hymned one who gavest birth to Christ, our everlasting Joy, O hope of the Orthodox, most hymned Virgin Hodegitria! Fill me with the joy which the world desireth.
All men join chorus with the angels, ever crying out together in heaven and on earth, O Hodegitria: Rejoice, O Virgin, for by thy birthgiving thou hast filled all things with joy!
O Hodegitria our joy, as thou art the Mother of Joy, vouchsafe joy unto those who cry out to thee with fear, delivering them from all tribulations; and have mercy on all who have recourse to thee.
In that ye share in the divine Light, O all-wise ones, deliver from the darkness of the passions those who celebrate your radiant and splendid feast, and vouchsafe enlightenment unto them.
Ye were drawn together by the sweet desire for Christ, O blessed ones, and, piously spurning the beauties of corruptible life, ye followed after Him to learn the truth.
Revealed as luminaries of the light-giving East, Parmenus and Prochorus, the wondrous Timon and the all-great Nicanor became light-bearing guides for men’s souls.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.