Ode III

Irmos: By the power of Thy Cross, O Christ, establish Thou my mind, that I may hymn and glorify Thy saving ascension.

Having furnished thy mind with wings by fasting, vigil and prayer, thou didst soar high above the heavens, O Symeon, thou model for life.

Glory..., Now and ever...: Theotokion—

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV—

Having achieved control over the passions, thou wast adorned on earth with rich poverty, having in thy heart a treasure: the grace of the Spirit.

Theotokion: With glorification we ever bless thee, the joy and glory of the people who are saved; for through thee have we again been clothed in glory.

Irmos: Neither in wisdom, nor in power, nor yet in riches do we boast, but in Thee, O Christ, the hypostatic Wisdom of the Father; for none is holy save Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel: “Of the ­Wisdom...”—

Emulating the life of the angels, thou wast vouchsafed angelic light, and illumined thereby, as with a surety of splendor to come, thou wast pure in all thy life.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Forsaking the glory of an earthly king, thou didst enclose thyself in a narrow cell. Instead of glorious vesture thou didst clothe thyself in the robe of immortality, and instead of sweet foods didst ever abide in fasting. Wherefore, thou wast a guide to salvation for men, and didst direct the assemblies of monks, edifying them with discourses, and all the more being a model for them in thy manner of life, teaching and instructing them in the blameless monastic life. O venerable Symeon our father, ever pray for us who celebrate thy most honored memory.

Theotokion: He Who in the beginning out of dust fashioned me a man is for my sake conceived in thy womb, setting aright the ancient fall, O all-immaculate one.

As thou art truly the Theotokos and Mother, pray thou with boldness to thy Son and our God, that He especially preserve this city, which fleeth to thy protection, which hath its dominion in thee, having recourse to thee, its refuge and bulwark, the only intercessor of the human race.

Stavrotheotokion—

The Virgin and Ewe-lamb, beholding upon the Cross the Lamb Who was born of her without seed, His side pierced by a spear, cried out, wounded with shafts of grief, exclaiming in pain: “What is this new mystery? How is it that Thou diest, Who alone art the Lord of life? Wherefore, arise, raising with Thee our fallen ancestor!”

Thou wast seen to be full of divine light, O blessed Theophanes, having united thyself in love to Him Whom thou didst desire. Wherefore, we honor thy glorious memory.

Denouncing the commands of the ungodly Leo, thou didst piously hold to the traditions of the Church. Wherefore, Christ glorified thee with miracles.

Strengthened by hope and love, the weakness of thy flesh made firm by strength of spirit, O venerable one, thou didst turn thy body over to God as a fellow slave.

A lover of the love of Jesus, thou didst repel pleasures and the tumult of life, and becoming a monk, didst live on earth as an angel of heaven, and dost pour forth gifts of wonders, O venerable one. Wherefore, with faith we praise thee on the day of thy radiant and holy memory, and cry aloud to thee in harmony: O God-bearing Theophanes, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who with love honor thy holy memory!

All of us, the generations of men, bless thee as the Virgin who, alone among women, gavest birth without seed to God in the flesh; for the fire of the Godhead made its abode within thee, and thou hast given suck unto the Creator and Lord as a babe. Wherefore, we, the race of angels and men, glorify thine all-holy birthgiving as is meet, and cry out to thee together: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses unto those who with faith worship thine all-holy Offspring.

Stavrotheotokion—

The Ewe-lamb, beholding the Lamb, Shepherd and Deliverer upon the Cross, cried out, weeping and, bitterly lamenting, exclaimed: “The world rejoiceth, receiving deliverance through Thee; but my womb doth burn, beholding Thy crucifixion, which Thou endurest in the loving-kindness of Thy mercy. O long-suffering Lord, Abyss of mercy, inexhaustible Wellspring: Have pity and grant remission of offenses unto those who with faith hymn Thy divine sufferings!