Ode III

Irmos: Establish us in thee, O Lord Who hast slain sin by the Tree, and plant the fear of Thee in the hearts of us who hymn Thee.

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

Thou wast like a choice vine of Christ, pruned with the sickle of torments, and which, bearing much fruit, is offered up in the wine-press of the Savior.

Theotokion: Mankind, united hypostatically to the Master of all through thy divine birthgiving, O Virgin Bride of God, hath manifestly received mercy.

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.

After Ode III, this Sessional hymn, in Tone VII

Thou didst sensibly perceive the corruption and instability of transitory things, O crown-bearer; and as one with acute intelligence thou didst prefer the stability of those things which abide forever.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Thy body, dismembered by the savagery of the torturers, won thee splendid crowns, O James, and the delight of the food of paradise.

Christ hath caused the godly and ever-memorable martyr James to shine forth from Persia like a newly-manifest star; wherefore, he hath dispelled the darkness of deception and shone forth the grace of the Spirit upon the faithful. Therefore, let us keep his memory with faith and cry out, saying: O much suffering athlete, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to those who with love celebrate his holy memorial. Twice

Having fallen into the mire of sins, I have no firm place for me to stand, and the storm of transgressions hath grievously engulfed me; but in that thou gavest birth to the Word Who alone loveth mankind, look upon me, thy servant, and deliver me from every sin, from the soul-corrupting passions and all the oppression of the evil murderer, O Theotokos who knewest not wedlock. Entreat Christ God, that He grant me remission of sins, for thee do I, thy servant, have as my hope.

Stavrotheotokion—

The Virgin, the Mother of the Deliverer, standing before the Cross, cried out maternally, groaning with pain and tears: “What is this strange and all-glorious sight which I see, O my Son? Thou Who pourest forth dispassion upon all men hast been crucified on a Cross between two condemned thieves, pierced in the side, and given gall to eat, all by hands which Thou didst make! But arise and grant remission of transgressions unto those who with faith hymn thy divine sufferings!”

The eyes of our mind penetrating the abyss of the ages, we see there thine icon, O most pure one, shining more brightly than the sun with rays of mercy, illumining thy home, the Russian land, O Theotokos. Wherefore, we cry unto thee: Rejoice, O our protection and defense!

In its bosom the dark oak of Kursk kept the radiant wonder, the most pure icon of the Mother of God, which had been severed in twain by the ungodly and grew back together through the power of God. Wherefore, recovering it as a great treasure, the Russian people cried out: Whence is this, that the most blessed Mother of God cometh unto us?

A spring of living water sprang forth at the place where the image of the Theotokos abode, refreshing the faithful with streams of healing and curing every wound and infirmity. Wherefore, we cry aloud to her who is full of grace: Rejoice, thou true life-bearing fount!

At the root of a tree was discovered the icon of her who ineffably gave rise to the Tree of life and budded forth for the world the blessed Fruit. Wherefore, now celebrating the feast of its appearance, we cry out to the all-pure one: O all-blessed Mistress, sever our evil passions at the root, implanting in us good habits, setting out a garden of virtues in us, and vouchsafing us to be partakers of the life of paradise!

What feast is more splendid or more beautiful than the feast of the all-pure Mother of God? And what name, apart from the name of sweetest Jesus, is more sweet than the name of Mary? For lo! surpassing all the choirs of angels in purity and glory, resplendent as the Mother of the Almighty, she embraceth the whole world, saveth sinners and leadeth the righteous to the heavenly mansions, casteth down enemies and doth crush the head of the serpent most gloriously. Wherefore, we cry to her: Every creature doth rejoice in thee, O thou who art full of grace! Glory to thee!