Ode I

Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.

Canon of the martyr Plato, the acrostic whereof is: “I hymn the expanse of thy praises, O Plato”, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone VIII—

Theotokion: In manner past understanding thou gavest birth to the incarnate and only-begotten Word, Who with the Father is equally without beginning, O blessed and all-pure Theotokos. Wherefore, reasoning correctly, we proclaim and most honorably glorify thee.

Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.

Traversing the most pure expanse of the eternal kingdom, O glorious one, from all tribulation and the dangers of imprisonment save those who hymn thee, leading to the path to heaven those who walk without turning back.

Theotokion: Truly, human nature hath found mercy through thee, O all-immaculate one; for the Creator, having become incarnate of thee in manner past recounting and understanding, was led to death for us, delivering us from hades.

Protected by the armor of piety, and having shown thyself to be an unshakable pillar, O Plato, thou didst endure all the savagery of wounds and didst accept the pangs of imprisonment, exalted by grace divine.

Showing forth the mettle of youth, in thy suffering thou didst cast off mortal and corruptible coarseness, O most wise one, and, arrayed in the garment of incorruption, thou standest, rejoicing, before the Master.

Canon of the martyr Romanus, the acrostic whereof is: “With athletes’ wreaths I crown thee, O Romanus”, in Tone IV—

Shining brightly with the never-waning radiance of the Trinity, and enlightened with the choirs of athletes, O Romanus, send thou enlightenment upon me, driving away the darkness of the passions with thy supplications, which are acceptable to God.

Unmoved by the raging waves of the sea of idolatry, in that thou wast set firmly upon Christ the rock, thou didst destroy the threefold billows of most seditious ungodliness with the calm of the divine Spirit.

The Church of Christ, which aboundeth in every good thing, O Romanus, didst thou preserve untouched by the wolves, like a right glorious and right fruitful meadow, making it steadfast by thy teaching.