Ode IX

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast illumined us…”—

Irmos: Every ear trembleth to hear of the ineffable condescension of God, for the Most High willingly came down even to the flesh, becoming man through the Virgin’s womb. Wherefore we, the faithful, magnify the all-pure Theotokos.

With sacred hymns let us praise the venerable fruit of the barren woman, the greatest among those born of women, the warrior of Christ the King, the great forerunner who proclaimed the Lamb Who taketh away the transgressions of the world.

Theotokion: O Savior Who wast born and preserved her who gave Thee birth incorrupt even after giving birth, have pity on me when Thou wilt sit to judge me according to my works, and overlook mine iniquities and sins, in that Thou art a sinless and merciful God and lovest mankind.

Great Doxology. After the Trisagion, the troparion of the forerunner; Glory…, Now & ever…: troparion from the Pentecostarion, or the Theotokion: “The mystery hidden from before the ages…” Litanies. ­Dismissal.

Glory…: another exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “With the disciples…”—

Having filled a cup to overflowing, with exalted preaching thou dost call together the Church of Christ for the discovery of thy head, O forerunner, crying out: “Come ye, and take your fill of the beautiful things which I have prepared, and magnify Him Who is given to men!”

Now & ever…: theotokion—

Rejoicing, the emperor, the namesake of the archangel, doth piously receive thee in his kingdom, O angel of God, and with him the goodly archpastor and the God-bearing and divinely wise priest, manifestly adorned with grace and his calling.

Now & ever…: doxasticon from the Pentecostarion, or this theotokion—

Thou didst cause divine enlightenment to shine forth at the entry of thy head, O glorious one, and hast illumined the hearts of the faithful who cry out to thee: O never-waning luminary of the Sun, most holy forerunner, deliver us, thy people, and all our city from the darkness of the passions!

As the voice of one crying aloud, thou couldst not bear that thy head be covered by the earth any longer, O forerunner John, and thou didst announce its discovery in a certain manner, which we honor today.

Thy precious and luminous head hath shone forth from the impassable bosom of the earth, O forerunner John, beacon of immaterial light; and, lovingly celebrating the discovery thereof, we entreat thee to obtain the remission of our grievous deeds, that we may complete the period of abstinence well, through thy supplications, O all-praised baptizer of the Savior.

We who are crucified with Christ place our trust in thee and God Who issued forth from thee, O all-pure one. By thine entreaties to Him keep us unharmed until the end.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone V: Spec. Mel.: “Rejoice…”—

Rejoice, O sacred and light-bearing head, venerated by the angels, which of old was severed by a sword and didst cut down the shame of impurity with sharp reproofs, wellspring of miracles which giveth drink unto the faithful, and which proclaimed the saving advent of the Savior and of old perceived the coming of the Spirit which took up His abode in thee who didst stand between the grace of the Old and New Covenants. Entreat Christ God to grant our souls great mercy! twice

The head of the Forerunner, which once was concealed in an earthen vessel, hath appeared, manifestly yielded up from the bosom of the earth and pouring forth streams of healing; for in the waters did he wash the head of Him that even now covereth the chambers of the firmament with waters and raineth down divine remission upon men. Wherefore, let us bless it as truly most glorious, and in its discovery let us joyously keep festival, entreating Christ to grant our souls great mercy.

The head which proclaimed the Lamb of God Who hath appeared in the flesh, which with divine commands hath declared to all the ways of saving repentance, which of old denounced the transgression of Herod and was therefore severed from its body and endured concealment for a time, hath shone forth upon us like a radiant sun, crying out: Repent ye, and in compunction of soul now submit to Christ Who granteth the world great mercy!

Glory…, in Tone VI—

Faithfully receiving with a voice of praise the most precious head of Thy Baptist, O Lord, which today was revealed from the earth, we, Thy sinful servants, led to prayer, pray that on the day of Judgement we may, for his sake, obtain cleansing and great mercy from Thee.

O right loving God and Savior, from all evil circumstances save Thou Thy servants, by the prayers of Thy forerunner, and of all the saints, and through the entreaties of Thy Mother.