Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fiery furnace divided its activity at the command of God, consuming the Chaldæans, but bedewing the faithful, who chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Thy spiritual children were bitterly downcast when thou wast taken and led to death, O Irenæus; and, following after thee, they beat their breasts, crying out: “Whither goest thou, O our good shepherd? To whose care art thou leaving us? Who now will defend us from the noetic wolf, and who will seek us out when we are lost? Speak unto us, therefore, a word of consolation, that, understanding the dispensation of God, we may glorify Him forever!”
Theotokion: In thee do we boast, O Virgin Theotokos; for of old thou didst trample the head of the serpent underfoot by thine ineffable birthgiving, crushing his power. Wherefore, thou dost ever grant victory over the enemy to the Christian people.
“O my beloved children,” the blessed passion-bearer replied to his flock, “have ye not heard the Lord and Savior, Who saith: ‘Fear not those who slay the body, but cannot slay the soul.’ Even though I depart from you in the body, yet shall I remain with you in my spirit forever.”
The Church of Sirmium gave itself over to heartfelt weeping when thou wast beheaded by the sword, O Irenæus; yet, adorned by thy glorious contest, it hath cried out to Christ God with thankful mouth: “Glory to Thee, O Jesus, Thou boast of the martyrs! For Thou hast given Thy strength to Thy servant, Who hath all-gloriously vanquished the princes of darkness today and made the true Faith steadfast forever!”
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.