Ode III

Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and abundant fountain: in thy divine glory establish those who hymn thee and spiritually form themselves into a choir; and vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.

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

Theotokion: The clarion of theology which soundeth forth mightily hath illumined the divinely wise Matthew to proclaim to the people the Effulgence of the Trinity and the incarnation of the Word from thee, O all-pure one, in manner past understanding.

O Word of God, thou hast shown Thine apostles forth as beacons of life which drive away the gloom of ungodliness and illumine the whole world with Thy divine glory, O Master.

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Having armed the most valiant Matthew with Thine armor, O Savior, thou hast made him mightier than the tyrants and hast shown him to be the destroyer of the deception of idolatry, O Master Who lovest mankind.

The sound of thy fiery tongue consumed the temples of the demons, O divinely inspired Matthew, thou instrument of the Comforter, through whom Christ, the hypostatic Life of all, is proclaimed.

Truly the sound of thy wise words hath gone forth to all the ends of the earth, O most lauded apostle of the Lord, for thou didst manifestly preach to all the vision of God, and didst bring the nations from ignorance to understanding. Wherefore, having dispelled the darkness of idolatry, thou hast shone forth the light of knowledge upon those who sit in darkness, O most praised Matthew. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who honor thy holy memory with love.

Glory…, in the same tone & melody—

O apostle of the Lord, we all praise thee as the lamp and disciple of the Light, an eye-witness of the divine Word; for, spreading thy nets of grace, by thy command thou didst ensnare reason-endowed fish. Wherefore, through the power of the Spirit thou hast entrapped the nations, who are now guided by faith, O most lauded initiate of the mysteries of heaven. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who honor thy holy memory with love.

In that thou art the most immaculate Bride of the Creator, the Mother of the Deliverer who knewest not wedlock, the receptacle of the Comforter, O all-hymned one, haste thou to deliver me, who am the vile abode of iniquity and in mind am the plaything of the demons, from their wickedness, and make of me a radiant dwelling-place of the virtues, O luminous and incorrupt one. Drive from me the cloud of the passions and vouchsafe that I may partake of the never-waning light of the Most High, through thy supplications.