Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.
Katavasia: If this day fall within the period of Pentecost, we chant the katavasia from the Pentecostarion; but if it fall within the Apostles’ Fast, we chant the irmoi: “I will open my mouth…”
As the voice of the Word, O blessed forerunner, thou heavenly man, thou hast loosed my muteness, as of old thou didst loose that of thy father, that with a voice of joy I may praise thee on the present feast of the discovery of thy head.
Theotokion: Thou didst spring forth from the womb of a barren woman, O most lauded one, preparing with thy discourse the ways of thy Master, Who shone forth ineffably from the all-holy Virgin. Acknowledging her to be the Theotokos, all of us, the generations of men, call her blessed.
O forerunner who placed thy hand upon the head of Christ, thou showest forth this third revelation to the Church of God: thy precious head which recognized the Trinity and doth most manifestly sanctify the assemblies of the Orthodox.
Unable to endure burial any longer, O forerunner of the Lord, thou dost arrange to reveal thyself today, not enclosed in a jar, but resting in a silver vessel in a sacred place known to a priest.
The Imperial City doth now manifestly receive a sacred gift, O forerunner who of old wast deprived of thy head; and, adorned now in the entry thereof, it rejoiceth and calleth thee blessed, as is meet.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.