Irmos: O Christ my Savior, enlightenment of those who lie in darkness and salvation of the despairing: rising early unto Thee, O King of the world, may I be enlightened by Thy radiance, for I know none other God than Thee.
“Wherefore shed ye tears without understanding, O children?” the blessed Irenæus cried out to his children and flock; “Rather rejoice for me, for I shall pass over sorrows to that which is most sweet, I shall pass over griefs to that which is most profitable. God, Who knoweth men’s hearts, knoweth that I love you. Yet do I desire to be released and to dwell with Christ.”
Theotokion: Shining more brightly than the sun in the glory of thy perpetual virginity, and revealing the Bestower of light to the world, O Theotokos, thou dost utterly disperse the darkness of sin, illumining the faithful with thy grace.
“If ye love me, O children,” the saint cried aloud with tears, “remember all my words, whereby I have instructed you; and hold fast mightily to the Faith which I have transmitted to you, that, standing before Christ, the Chief Shepherd, I may with confidence cry out with the prophet: Behold, here am I am and the children whom God hath given me!”
“Pray for me, O my spiritual children,” the passion-bearer and hierarch cried out, “and thus recompense me for the labors wherewith I labored in your enlightenment; for if ye desire not to be parted from me in spirit, fall not away from the faith and love of Christ, and cleave unto Him alone, for we know none other God than Him.”
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.