Ode IX

Exapostilarion—

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 IV—

Theotokion: Direct our feet to the path of peace, O most pure Mistress, who unto men hast brought true Peace, thy Son, Who by the Cross abolished enmity and in triumph cast down the ancient adversary.

Hastening to the suffering, thou didst ever lay down thy life for thy sheep; wherefore, the gift of working miracles was bestowed upon thee, for at thy supplications the weak have been girded about with strength and through virtue the poor have been raised up from the dung-heap of the passions.

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “By the Spirit in the sanctuary…” —

Irmos: Rejoice, O Isaiah! The Virgin hath conceived in her womb and borne a Son, Immanuel, both God and man. Orient is His name; and, magnifying Him, we call the Virgin blessed.

O ye faithful, with thanksgiving let us chant unto the Lord our God, and let us praise Him for the magnitude of His greatness, for He hath given us an excellent helper, who worketh miracles on earth and from heaven looketh down upon the wretched. Unto him let us now offer hymnody, and with fear let us fall down before his relics, asking deliverance from our transgressions and salvation for our souls.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Thou didst emit a ray of light upon the people of thy flock, O father John, when their souls were troubled in the time of God’s wrath; but the Lord was mindful of His mercy, and through thee comforted the lowly.

Let us praise the good shepherd and nurturer of children; for though he was zealous for his flock, yet had he great concern for orphaned children, and acquired a house for them, calling upon the holy hierarch Tikhon for help; and he did not abandon them when conflict arose with the godless, but established them in a peaceful refuge, going even to the ends of the earth. By his supplications, O Savior, show mercy also upon us.

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

Direct our paths to the kingdom of God, O thou who didst serve Him in holiness and righteousness all the days of thy life; guide the minds of thy people to salvation, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, O blessed father John, that, chanting joyously, we may celebrate thy memory.

Offering up hymnody in vigil, O ye faithful, let us praise the Lord our God and His good servant, whom He chose because he was not of this world; for he hath provided us with a model of patience and unceasing prayer, vigilantly overcoming the weakness of the body; and enlightened by the wisdom of God, he became a lover of the Orthodox Faith, instructing the faithful in every way. Wherefore, by his supplications, O Christ God, grant that we may abide in right faith and piety.

Theotokion: In giving birth to the Creator, the Father’s Fashioner of all things, O all-pure one, thou bearest the Generator and Origin, Who is possessed of incomparable and all-­exalted supremacy. Wherefore, worshipping thine Offspring, we glorify thee.

“Even though I have died, yet am I alive! Grieve not, O ye people!” Thus hast thou hast proclaimed after thy repose, illumining with mystic light those who hymn thee, O father John, all-wondrous and holy hierarch.

As saith the Psalm, let everything that hath breath praise God Who is wondrous in His saints, and Who at the end of time hath sent us wondrous consolation: John, the universal hierarch, the mighty champion of the Truth, who remained unshakable amid scandals and falsehood, who dost raise all up from dark deception, and leadeth us to salvation.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Celebrating, all the saints rejoice in thee, O Virgin Theotokos; and we, thy greatly sinful servants, set our hope on thee, crying: Be glad and rejoice, O Mother of Christ Almighty!

Glory…, in the same tone—

Now & ever…: Theotokion —

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

We confess thy wondrous aid, nor do we conceal the miracles thou hast wrought for us, O holy hierarch John, our mediator before the Lord; for thereby thou dost teach Orthodox hope unto us who are of little faith and are despondent and complaining, that by thy supplications we may acquire divine help, whereby we who honor thy memory as is meet may be saved from this corrupt generation.

O Theotokos, Queen of all, boast of the Orthodox! Set at nought the machinations of the heretics and shame the countenances of those who neither venerate nor honor thy precious image, O all-pure one.

Illumined with outpourings of the Spirit’s effulgence, thou dost emit for all the radiance of miracles which passeth understanding, in that thou art a disciple of Emmanuel; and magnifying Him, O God-seer, we call thee blessed.

O beholder of the Only-begotten One Who abased Himself to assume the flesh for our sake: Standing now with the angelic ranks before Him, entreat Him earnestly, that He save our souls.

Directing the course of thy beautiful feet upwards, O apostle Jude, thou didst ascend the path to heaven, rejoicing; and, standing before the Trinity, thou beholdest the Son and the divine Spirit in the Father; wherefore, with faith we celebrate thine all-sacred and divine memory. Twice

I am mindful of the hour of dread testing, and the multitude of mine evil deeds doth terrify and frighten me; yet have pity, O all-pure one, and by thy fervent supplication grant me salvation, for whatsoever thou desirest, thou canst do.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone V: Spec. Mel.: “O venerable father…” —

Obedient to the behest of God, O all-blessed one, thou didst preach to all the incarnate Word, Who became like unto us without change, in that thou wast His cherished disciple; and being His brother in the flesh, thou wast vouchsafed to behold His glory with thy godly mind, in that thou art pure. Wherefore, we honor thee, O Jude of voice divine, and we celebrate thy memory, crying out to thee with faith: Ever entreat Christ, that He grant the world oneness of mind, peace and great mercy. Twice

O apostle Jude, we call thee: a mountain which letteth fall the sweetness of the knowledge of God; a river fed by the immaterial springs of the Spirit, drying up the sea of ungodliness, and mystically watering the hearts and minds of the pious; a bright-voiced clarion announcing the divine appearance of the Word Who delivereth the world. Him do thou now entreat, to Him do thou ever pray, that He grant the world oneness of mind, peace and great mercy.

O blessed Jude, thy brethren praised thee who wast the brother of God and becamest the godly vessel of the Spirit. Illumined in purity with His splendors, thou wast shown to be a coal burning up falsehood, but enlightening the faithful with the effulgence of pure doctrines. Wherefore, we honor thee as a never-waning morning-star, and we celebrate thy holy memory, crying out to thee with faith: Ever entreat Christ, that He grant the world oneness of mind, peace and great mercy.

Glory…, in Tone II —

Forsaking earthly things, thou didst follow after Christ; and, having received the sign of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, thou wast sent by Him to the nations who were perishing, to turn men to the light of knowledge divine, O apostle Jude. And, having finished the struggles of thy divine sufferings and divers torments, thou didst surrender thy soul into the hands of Christ. Him do thou beseech, O most blessed one, that He grant us great mercy.

Save thy servants from misfortunes, O Virgin Theotokos, for after God it is to thee that we flee, as to an impregnable rampart and protection.

Great Doxology. Litanies. Dismissal.