Ode IX

Exapostilarion of the Archangel: Spec. Mel.: “The heaven with stars…”—

Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.

Now let Apulia be glad, and let all Italy rejoice exceedingly! Let the ranks of angels magnify their awesome leader, the great Archangel Michael, and let the assemblies of the pious likewise lift up their voices, praising their heavenly mediator.

Theotokion: Let the ranks of men and angels together give utterance to laudation as is meet, pondering with awe the mystery of the incarnation of God, Who made her womb more spacious than the heavens, for which cause we magnify her with praise.

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

God, Who took flesh of the immaculate womb of the Virgin and became man for the sake of us sinners, hath filled all mortal flesh with awe at His ineffable condescension in assigning to us the great Archangel Michael as an omnipotent guardian.

Every human mind is stricken with awe, and every human tongue falleth mute, when called upon to fashion fitting praise for the Archangel Michael, the supreme commander of the heavenly hosts, given to men as a mighty intercessor.

As of old thou didst trouble the waters of the Pool of Bethesda, O commander of the armies of heaven, so now by the waters of thy miraculous spring wash away all our ailments and drive away the demons, that we may render thee honor as is meet.

On the Praises, the stichera from the Pentecostarion; and Glory….Idiomelon of the Archangel, in Tone VIII—

Michael, the great Archangel of the Lord, foremost leader of the bodiless armies of heaven, doth summon us today to celebrate the memorial of his glorious apparition. Wherefore, with jubilation let us ever exalt him, for he is ever present among us, guarding the faithful people of God against Satan’s every assault. Let us, therefore, weave words of hymnody into wreaths of praise, and having purified our mind and heart, let us crown the holy one; for, standing ever before the throne of God on high, and chanting the thrice-holy hymn with the hosts of his command, he prayeth unceasingly that our souls be saved.

Now & ever…, from the Pentecostarion.