Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Thy loving-kindness: Lead me up from corruption, O God!
Kontakion, in Tone VIII—
O all-wise Irenæus, thou didst consider thy prison-cell to be a bridal-chamber, tribulations to be joy, and beatings and dishonor to be glory; wherefore, when the sentence of death was pronounced over thee, thou didst instead rejoice in thy spirit, expecting to pass from this corrupt life into incorruption, and desiring to enjoy everlasting rest.
Theotokion: From the pit of the passions and the snares of the enemy lead us, thy servants, up to thy Son and God, O Theotokos, praying with the blessed Irenæus and moving Him to have mercy upon us.
“I say to thee, O Irenæus,” the tyrant exclaimed to the saint, “behold! death awaiteth thee and beheading by the sword! Wilt thou not now worship our gods?” But the blessed hieromartyr cried out: “I worship Him alone Who rose from the dead, and Who by His power shall gloriously resurrect me from the corruption of the grave!”
The tyrant asked the following: “Hast thou no wife? Hast thou no children?” But the saint answered him, saying: “Nay, but I have Christ my God, in Whom I shall find all again!”
As is meet, let us hymn Irenæus, the pastor of Sirmium, the namesake of peace and right victorious warrior of Christ, who all-gloriously trampled the ancient prince of this world underfoot and strengthened his own hands for battle against him; and let us cry out to him with heartfelt love: Pray thou unceasingly to Christ, the King of peace, that He grant peace to the whole world and great mercy to our souls!
Ikos: Preserving in thy heart the peace of God which passeth all understanding, O blessed Irenæus, thou didst heed the fiery mouth of the preëminent apostle, who said that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore, with manly wisdom thou didst rise up against it, showing thyself to be a glorious vanquisher of the passions and the ungodly persecutors. Thou didst lay down thy life for Christ, and didst establish the true Faith in the land of Sirmium. Therefore, faithfully celebrating thy memory, we cry out with fervor: Pray thou unceasingly to Christ, the King of peace, that He grant peace to the whole world and great mercy to our souls!
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.