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.

The divine shrine of the relics of the most sacred pastor poureth forth all manner of healings, putteth an end to sufferings, and truly freeth the faithful from chronic illness through the divine grace of the Savior.

Theotokion: O Virgin who for us gavest birth unto the Light Who shone forth from the Father before the morning star, thou hast destroyed the darkness of ignorance and brought light to those who sleep in the shadow of sin.

Great Doxology, troparion, litanies and dismissal.

Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, honoring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!

Possessed, as a hieromartyr, of the authority to loose and to bind, loose thou the bonds of my wicked deeds and bedew my soul which burneth with the fire of sin, entreating the most Compassionate One.

Today the Church doth faithfully honor thy most sacred memory and thy departure unto the Lover of mankind, O God-bearer; and, rejoicing, it fashioneth diadems of divine hymns for thee.

In that we have acquired thee as a star which shineth by day, O divinely eloquent Theodotus, we are enlightened with the luminous rays of thy godly pangs and the precious splendors of thy wonders.

The winds of tempest will not crush even one of the towers of thy bulwark, for thy temple is established and will never be shaken. And, rejoicing therein, we chant to thee: Glory to thy might!

All mysteries are shown to be laid bare today. Holy is Thy judgment, O Lord, and holy is Thy name. But see Thou, O God, that Thy Mother standeth in the midst of my brethren, and allay thy wrath.

Gird thou upon me the armor of faith, O gracious one, and strengthen my right hand with humility of mind, that I may remain vigilant, hymning thy name, that, if thou enable me, I may strive even unto death.

Thy fiery staff is like a pure flame, O our directress, and therewith thou dost lead thy people, that Christians may be preserved from misfortunes.

The raging of hades availeth nought against thee, for holy is thy temple, and David received a promise concerning his seed. Thy praise is never-ceasing and thy might endureth to the end of time.

All generations call thee blessed, O Theotokos, for thy humility hath been more greatly adorned than all, and thy name hath been crowned, and God hath glorified thee as His Mother.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone V—

In thy maternal embrace thou didst bear Him Who sitteth upon the cherubim, and He hath created thy dominion. Rejoicing therein, we chant to thee: Hosanna, O Mother of Christ! Twice

Thy perpetual virginity is like an unshakable tower whose pinnacle is higher than the heavens. The Mighty One hath done great things for thee. Today thou art the Mistress of the world, and we chant unto thee: Hosanna, O Mother of Christ!

O Virgin Theotokos, we the faithful bless and glorify thee as is meet: the impregnable city, the invincible rampart, the steadfast intercessor and refuge of our souls.

Glory…, Now & ever…, in the same tone—

Truly thou art the Theotokos and thy glory is ineffable. Wherefore, we magnify thee, crying out with the cherubim and seraphim: Hosanna, O Mother of Christ!