Ode IX

Exapostilarion of the venerable one—

Irmos: The ineffable hidden mystery of God is revealed in thee, O all-pure Virgin; for God hath become incarnate of thee in His loving-kindness. Wherefore, we magnify thee as the Theotokos.

Neither afflictions, nor mockery, nor reproaches troubled thee or were able to separate thee from the love of God, for ascending therewith, as by a ladder, thou didst safely reach the mansions on high; wherefore, we magnify thee with love.

Theotokion: Thou hast revealed to us the Sun of righteousness, the Savior of the world, Who was proclaimed of old by the prophets; and thereby thou hast wiped all sorrow from the face of the earth. Wherefore, O blessed Theotokos, we magnify thee with heart and mouth.

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “By the Spirit in the sanctuary…”—

Irmos: O ye people, with glory let us honor the pure Theotokos, who, without being consumed, received the fire of the Godhead within her womb; and let us magnify her with hymns.

Now hast thou shed the appearance of foolishness, O all-wise Isidora, shining with the saints in glory amid the never-waning day, and chanting unceasing praise to God; wherefore, we magnify thee with love.

Theotokion: In hymns we magnify the mediatress of the salvation of all who hath appeared to men and illumined the world with the splendors of her divine purity.

Glory…, Now & ever…: exapostilarion from the Pentecostarion.

Though in thine earthly life thou didst flee from those who honored thee, yet, O blessed one, never cease to look down upon them from the heavens, granting them speedy aid and fervently delivering them from misfortunes, that they may magnify thee with love.

To those who faithfully honor her memory the blessed Isidora crieth out: “Come, my friends, and learn of me! I have suffered a little in this transitory life and have humbled myself, I have nourished my soul with my tears and have clothed myself in abasement as in a robe. Yet Christ the Lord hath now rent asunder my hair-shirt and girt me about with divine gladness; He hath crowned me with glory and honor. Wherefore, be ye of good courage and strengthen yourselves with hope, for our Savior, Who hath great mercy, shall soon transform your sorrows into joy.”

Thou wast revealed to the ends of the world, shining with light; and, having received the fire of the Spirit, thou wast shown to be radiant. Wherefore, we magnify thee.

Having offered thyself wholly to God, thou wast united to Him. Entreat Him now, O divinely manifest one, in behalf of us who praise thee with faith and love.

Directing the course of thy beautiful feet to the path of heaven, O apostle Simon, thou didst ascend, rejoicing; and, standing before the Trinity, thou beholdest the Son and the divine Spirit in the Father. Wherefore, we celebrate with faith thine all-sacred and divine memory. Twice

On the Praises, 4 stichera of the apostle, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “What shall we call you…”—

What shall we call thee, O apostle? Heaven, for thou hast declared the glory of God. A river, for thou dost mystically water creation. A star illumining the Church. A cup pouring forth a holy drink. A most blessed friend of Christ, a dweller with the incorporeal ones. Pray thou for the salvation of our souls. Twice .

O Simon, boast of the apostles, thy feet have been adorned which trod well the path of preaching and made narrow all the paths of the enemy with the breadth of thy divine understanding of the Word Who appeared in the coarseness of the flesh and chose thee as His all-glorious disciple, O blessed one. Him do thou beseech, that our souls be saved.

O divinely eloquent apostle Simon, thou wast loosed by Christ as a radiant arrow which woundeth the enemy and manifestly imparteth healing to wounded souls. Wherefore, as is meet, we call thee blessed and celebrate today thy holy solemnity. Pray thou, that our souls be saved.

Glory…, in Tone II—

Forsaking earthly things, thou didst follow after Christ, having been signed with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and sent by Him to nations which were perishing, to turn men to the light of the knowledge of God; and having completed the struggles of thy divine suffering and diverse torments, O apostle Simon, thou didst surrender thy soul into the hands of Christ. Him do thou entreat, O most blessed one, that He grant us great mercy.

Now & ever…: doxasticon from the Pentecostarion.

Great Doxology. Litanies. Dismissal.