Orthodox Study
Isaac Lambertsen

Ode III

Menaion — translated by Isaac Lambertsen

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¶1

Irmos: Like a barren woman hath the Church of the nations given birth, and she could scarce bear the great assembly of children. Let us cry out to our wondrous God: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

¶2

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

¶3

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

¶4

Radiant with the splendors of spiritual wisdom, to those on earth, O father, thou didst splendidly clarify the doctrine of the thrice-luminous Godhead of the Trinity, by Whom we have been delivered from the darkness of deception.

¶5

Theotokion: Not even a heavenly intelligence can describe thy birthgiving which passeth understanding, O Maiden; for thou didst conceive in thy womb the Word, the primal Intelligence Who fashioned all things by His word.

¶6

Thou wast shown to be a harp of the all-holy Spirit, O divinely wise one, playing a hymn of the manifestation of Christ; and thou didst proclaim Him to be in two natures, delighting our souls.

¶7

Thou didst show forth thy soul as a habitation of sanctity, wherein the Father, the Son and the life-creating Spirit supernaturally made their abode, to Whom we chant: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

¶8

Enriched with the wisdom of discourse, thou didst pour forth living rivers of teaching, and didst water every thought of the pious therewith, and with the staff of God didst tend the flock on green pastures, and didst nurture it with divine understanding. Wherefore, as pastor, great teacher and helper of the faithful, we praise thee, O holy hierarch Cyril, crying aloud: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love honor thy holy memory!

¶9

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

¶10

Or this Stavrotheotokion—

¶11

The Ewe-lamb, beholding the Lamb, Shepherd and Deliverer upon the Cross, weeping, exclaimed and, bitterly lamenting, cried aloud: “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 and inexhaustible Wellspring of mercy, take pity, and grant remission of offenses unto those who with faith hymn Thy divine suffering!

Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.

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