Ode VI

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.

Kontakion of the saint, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “Having fulfilled the dispensation concerning us…”—

Truth, the head of him who baptized Thee, O Christ, shining forth from the earth, hath dispelled the bitter winter of heresy and illumined the world. Draw ye forth enlightenment, divine grace and mercy.

Theotokion: Thou didst proclaim to those in hell the light of Him Who came forth from the Virgin’s womb and clothed Himself in flesh, becoming man for the benefit of men, O blessed forerunner.

And sanctify your heads and souls, touching the head of the forerunner of grace, who touched the head of God in the waters of the Jordan.

Pray thou, O forerunner, that the heads of our enemies be crushed beneath the feet of all Orthodox Christians who lovingly honor thy precious head which denounced Herod.

The splendid and divine pillar in the world, the luminary of the Sun, the forerunner, showing forth his radiant and divine head to the ends of the earth, doth sanctify therewith those who bow down before it with faith and cry out: O all-wise baptizer of Christ, save us all!

Ikos: The God-loving head of the forerunner, like a wellspring of paradise gushing forth from the earth, sendeth forth streams of grace and giveth forth torrents of miracles to all in need. Wherefore, let us all approach it and earnestly draw forth from it divine streams of healings, for with endless gifts it giveth drink to men’s souls, drowneth the pangs of the body, and in good time taketh away every ailment. Let us therefore hymn it with love and venerate it with faith, kissing it with honor. With hymns, as with wreaths, let us, the faithful, crown it; let us cleanse ourselves beforehand of spiritual defilement, let us adorn our souls with divine virtues, and let us cry out constantly: O all-wise baptizer of Christ, save us all!