Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “By the Spirit in the holy place…”—
Irmos: O ye faithful, with hymns let us magnify in oneness of mind the Word of God, Who from God came in His ineffable wisdom to renew Adam who had grievously fallen into corruption, and Who became ineffably incarnate of the holy Virgin for our sake.
Glory..., Now and ever..., in the same tone
Joining chorus with the martyrs, O thrice-blessed one, and standing as a martyr before the throne of Christ, by thy supplications deliver from cruel misfortunes those who celebrate thy memory today and with gladness honor thy radiant festival.
Theotokion: Manifestly ascribing to thee a title which befitteth the nature of things, and likewise offering up to thee a divine cry, we glorify thee, the Theotokos, as the one who conceived God and truly became the pure Mother of God.
Exapostilarion, in Tone III
Irmos Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, -honoring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!
As a martyr, O James, thou hast now truly made thine abode in the heavens, where the assemblies of the martyrs are, where the holy multitude of all the saints doth rest, where the souls of the righteous are and the Church of the firstborn.
Thou hast taken thy place as a lamp-bearer before the Savior of all, for Whom thou didst endure the severing of the members of thy body and with might didst ignore the fire and wounds of thy trials. Wherefore, with faith and love we all call thee blessed, O James.
Clad now in an embroidered purple robe dyed in thine own blood, thou dost reign with Christ, O James; for through sufferings thou didst find the wellspring of dispassion, in which thou hast been vouchsafed to delight eternally, O most blessed one.
The Lord hath glorified thee as a branch pruned by manifold tortures, as an honored vine which poureth forth wine in the outpourings of thy blood, O athlete James, protector of those who with love keep thy most sacred memory as is meet.
There is no salvation in me, O Virgin, for I have fallen evilly into the abyss of sin and await the threat of dread torment and the portion of the goats. Take pity upon me before the judgment, for thou art my fervent help, O Theotokos.
O all-hymned Virgin, accept our hymns as thy Son did the widow’s mite, and grant that we may ever offer them to thee, guiding our life in the world and granting remission of sins, that entering the heavenly mansions through thee, we may magnify thy loving-kindness.
Let those who do not confess thee to be the Theotokos and do not honor thine icons be everlastingly put to shame; but let the faithful rejoice in thee. Let the Russian land be thine abode as of old; let holy monasteries abound and churches be beautifully adorned; and let the people be sanctified, that they may celebrate with gladness, magnifying thee.
O Theotokos, our Queen, standing at the right hand of Christ God in the Kingdom of heaven, establish thou a Christian realm on earth, setting at naught the counsels of the impious and strengthening faith and piety, that all who dwell on earth may magnify thee with one mind.
Have we offered thee a worthy hymn, O Mistress? Have we glorified thy precious icon as is due? For we know that even hymns a thousandfold do not suffice for thy glorification, O Virgin. For if we hearken to the fervor of our hearts, our hymns should only be beginning. What, therefore, shall we do? We are at a loss and are in doubt. We glorify the sign of thy mercy, yet with silent lips and heartfelt love we ever hymn and magnify thee.
O Virgin Theotokos, thou most radiant sun, kindle the inextinguishable beacon of the faith of Christ in our land by thy grace, that thereby light may be cast upon darkness and the hearts of the faithful rejoice therein, giving thanks to Christ, Who loveth mankind, and granting to all great mercy.
By my sins have I put off the robe of baptism. How can I enter in unto the banquet of the Lord, lacking a wedding garment, if thou, O Theotokos, dost not cover me with thy mantle and utter a word to the King of glory in behalf of me, wretch that I am? Wherefore, placing my hope on thee alone, I stretch forth my hands to thee: Do thou hearken, protect and help me!
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.