Ode V

Irmos: O Lord, Bestower of light and Creator of the ages: guide us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know none other God than Thee.

Thou wast truly like goodly and right fertile earth, broken apart by the plough of bitter torments, O wise one, bringing a goodly harvest to the Creator.

Theotokion: Clearly offering a genuine cry to thine honored and awesome Offspring with heart and tongue, we now call thee the pure Theotokos.

Irmos All things are filled with awe at thy divine glory; for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, didst contain within thy womb Him Who is God over all, and gavest birth to the timeless Son, granting peace unto all who hymn thee.

With the blood of the severed limbs of thy body thou didst extinguish the burning arrows of the enemy, O thrice-blessed one; for thou wast shown to be protected by hope and faith.

As each of thy members was cruelly cut away, O all-wise one, as a goodly lamb thou didst offer to Christ a hymn of victory and fitting praise.

Thou givest me cleansing of the defilements of my soul, O glorious martyr of Christ, through thy pangs, bestowing deliverance through the streams of thy blood, O most lauded one.

Let us radiantly celebrate this luminous day, whereon a spiritual ray hath shone forth unto the salvation of the world in the nativity of the all-pure Bride of God, whereon also the icon of the Theotokos, like the morning star, announcing the day of deliverance, hath appeared to the land of Russia which languisheth in the darkness of misfortunes and sorrows. Wherefore, we cry to the most blessed one: Rejoice, for thou hast lighted a beacon of hope for us which cannot be extinguished!

Where sin increaseth, there doth the grace of God exceedingly abound. Wherefore, O Mistress, look down upon our weakness, see our boundless abasement, but behold also our faith, and hearken to our cry; and haste thou to assist us who are helpless, illumining us with thy mercy.

Let us not fear the dark powers of hell, but having put on the armor of light, let us manfully stand against them, having the all-hymned Theotokos as commander. For lo! she doth war mightily against the enemy and doth help the faithful who call upon her most pure name.

We confess thee in truth to be the Theotokos, and we honor the image of thy most pure countenance in an Orthodox manner. We turn away from every sin and vile act; we pray that we may be granted to do good, and, humbling our souls, we cry: Most holy Theotokos, save us!