Ode III

Irmos: O Christ, Who in the beginning established the heavens in wisdom and founded the earth upon the waters, make me steadfast upon the rock of Thy commandments; for none is holy as Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—

Enriched by the mind of Christ, through thy pure life thou becamest an aid, a recounter and an effecter of the salvation of men, O divinely inspired Chrysostom, pouring forth salvific teachings.

Theotokion: There was no blemish or defilement in thee, O Virgin, and thou wast shown to be a habitation transcending the beauties of heaven; for in thee did all the holiness of the virtues abide, O most immaculate one.

Made rich by the immaterial treasures of the Spirit, thou didst draw forth an ever-flowing stream of doctrines from the well-springs of salvation, O venerable father, and didst water the face of all the Church therewith.

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

With the all-wise tilling of thy discourses thou didst clear the stony fields of men’s souls, O wise and God-pleasing Chrysostom, and render them fertile, watering them with heavenly showers.

In godly manner thou didst draw forth a wealth of knowledge of ineffable wisdom and didst gather in the waters of Orthodoxy for all, which divinely gladden the hearts of the faithful and drown, as is meet, the thoughts of infidels. Wherefore, through the sweat of piety withal, thou didst show thyself to be an invincible champion of the Trinity, O John Chrysostom. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love celebrate thy holy memory.

Glory…: in the same tone & melody—

Having come to know the wisdom which is from on high and the grace of words from God, thou didst shine forth upon all like gold in the crucible, and didst preach the Holy Trinity in Unity, shooting down the falsehood of avarice with the arrows of thy words. Wherefore, having zealously reproved the empress, thou didst put to shame the alien thinking of Arius, O John Chrysostom. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love celebrate thy holy memory.

Pondering the flames and burning of Gehenna, and the weeping and lamentation therein, the exceedingly accursed and most bitter separation, as well as the inheritance of the saints and their joyous assembly, O my soul, contain thyself and give utterance to sighs; strive thou to erase the record of thy myriad debts with tears of compunction, having the pure Mother of God as thine unashamed companion. For it is for her sake that remission of transgressions is given to those who, in Orthodox manner, glorify her as the Theotokos.