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.
Sessional hymn, in Tone VII—
“Deny Christ Whom thou dost worship!” the tyrant cried to the blessed Irenæus, when he stood before the unjust tribunal, emulating Christ the King, Who had stood before Pilate. And, boldly confessing Him to be the God and Creator of all, he put the ungodly and their idols to shame and confirmed the true Faith.
Theotokion: O blessed Theotokos, mediatress of life and everlasting gladness for us: entrusting ourselves to thine intercession, we hope to be saved.
“How long wilt thou remain in thy foolishness?” the tyrant cried out again to the holy one; “Sacrifice to our gods, and thy soul shall live!” But, filled with the Holy Spirit, he replied: “I glorify the hypostatic Wisdom of God, for Whose sake ye call me a fool! To Him alone will I sacrifice with a voice of praise; for, lo! He calleth me to imperishable life through torments of short duration.”
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
“Though thou endurest cruel torments, yet dost thou remain without understanding,” the prefect said, gazing upon the tortured saint and marvelling. But he, lifting his eyes to heaven, cried out: “O Christ God, Who gavest Thy shoulders over to scourging and Thy cheeks to buffeting, Who wast nailed to the Cross for my sake: Strengthen me who pray fervently to Thee at this time, making me steadfast on the rock of the confession of Thee!”
Standing today before Christ, the Chief Shepherd, the blessed Irenæus offereth bold supplication in behalf of all who celebrate his memory; and, looking down from the heavens upon his flock, he crieth out with the voice of the Church: “O my beloved children, remember me who have laid down my life for you! Remember the pain and labors which I endured for you, and, casting off the works of darkness, clothe yourselves in Christ, that I may rejoice unceasingly in you, asking for you great mercy from God!”
Thou art more honorable than the glorious cherubim, O all-holy Virgin. For, unable to endure the power of God, they cover their faces with their wings while they offer worship; while thou, gazing upon the incarnate Word with thine own eyes, dost bear Him. Unceasingly beseech Him in behalf of our souls.
Stavrotheotokion—
O pure Ever-virgin Theotokos, beholding thy Son hanging upon the Cross, weeping maternally thou didst magnify His awesome condescension, O Mistress who knewest not wedlock.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.