Ode III

Irmos: O Christ God, confirmation of those who hope on thee, make us steadfast in Thine Orthodox Faith, in that Thou lovest ­mankind.

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

Sessional hymn, in Tone VII—

With much patience thou didst acquire the virtues, confirming the word of thy preaching by thy deeds, unto the glory of God.

Theotokion: O Mistress, thou art the joy and consolation of the struggling and the ever-sounding voice of the apostles. Grant that we, the poor and wretched, may instead of gifts worthy of thee offer thee heartfelt hymnody.

Irmos: The desert, the barren Church of the nations, blossomed like a lily at Thine advent, O Lord; and therein hath my heart been established.

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

Sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity...”—

Enduring bodily affliction, all manner of temptations and abasement, O Patrick, thou didst labor intensely in the field of Christ, neither departing nor becoming troubled, but being made steadfast in the Faith and in trust in the aid of God.

Theotokion: He Who on High is unseen by the angels is seen below, born of thee a perfect man, O pure one, renewing the world which perisheth.

Thou gavest neither slumber to thine eyelids nor rest to thy body, O holy hierarch, tirelessly traversing the mountains and vales of the Irish land, planting the true Faith and instructing the newly-converted people

O lover of the sacred Scriptures, eagerly didst thou learn the Word of God, giving drink unto thy soul from that divine wellspring, and nurturing thine understanding with heavenly wisdom. Wherefore, thou didst transmit to thy disciples the divinely-revealed Truth, which thou didst seal with thy writings.

O Mother of God and Mother of Christians, take pity on thy children; for even though we sin, in repentance do we cry out: Leave us not orphans, but stretch forth thy hands to us, guiding us to the path of salvation.

Or this Stavrotheotokion—

Ever preserved by the Cross of Thy Son, O Virgin, we escape the assaults of the demons. Wherefore, hymning thee as is meet, we glorify thee, O most hymned Theotokos.

Pierced with longing for purity, thou didst exchange a bridal chamber on earth for one in heaven, and the love of a wife for the angelic habit most sweet.

Thou didst forsake the tumult of life and the burden of wealth, becoming a sojourner in thy homeland, O blessed Alexis, emulating the poverty of Christ.

With tears and pangs and abstinence, O most wise one, didst thou seek what is good when the light of understanding came, imparting dispassion to thy heart.

Thou didst forsake the beauty of the world, exchanging transitory wealth for what is manifestly abiding and inviolable, O Alexis. Wherefore, we glorify thee with all the saints, and with splendor we celebrate on the day of thy memorial, asking that through thy prayers we may obtain great mercy, O blessed one.

The dread mystery of God which was wrought through thee, O divinely favored Mistress, is past understanding and comprehension, for, having ­conceived, thou gavest birth unto the Uncircumscribable One Who was wrapped in the flesh through thy pure blood. Him do thou ever entreat, as thy Son, O pure one, that our souls may be saved.

Or this Stavrotheotokion—

Thy pure Mother who kneweth not wedlock, O Christ, beholding Thee hanging, dead, upon the Cross, said, weeping maternally: “What hath the iniquitous and thankless council of the Jews rendered unto Thee, O my Son, for Thy many and great gifts which they enjoyed? I hymn Thy divine condescension!”