Canon to the Theotokos

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “By the Spirit in the sanctuary...”—

Irmos: Let us chant unto the Lord, Who led His people through the Red Sea, for He alone hath gloriously been glorified.

Katavasia: I will open my mouth...

Kontakion, in Tone II—

Glory..., Now and ever..., Theotokion—

Sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel: “That which was commanded...”—

O most pure Theotokos, who in manner transcending nature gavest birth to the eternal and most divine Word, thee do we hymn.

Theotokion: I tremble before the mystery of Thy condescension, O Christ; for, God in essence, Thou didst deign to be born of the Virgin as a man, that Thou mightest save the world from slavery to the enemy.

Great Doxology. Troparion. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.

Irmos: O ye people, let us send up a hymn unto our wondrous God, Who freed Israel from bondage, singing and crying out a hymn of victory unto Thee Who alone art Master.

We chant psalms to thee, O gracious one, and unceasingly offer thee the hymn: Rejoice!, for thou hast poured forth joy upon all.

O Christ, the Virgin gave birth unto Thee, the life-bearing Cluster exuding the sweetness of universal salvation.

Theotokion: O most pure one, through the Holy Spirit thou gavest birth unto the Word of the Father, Who transcendeth nature and made His abode within thee, being furthermore of two natures and wills, yet immutably one in hypostasis; and Whose countenance we venerate.

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.

Glory...: Spec. Mel: “With the disciples...”—

O Theotokos, the race of Adam, which hath been exalted by thee to a blessedness which surpasseth comprehension, doth glorify thee as is meet.

Theotokion: O Bride of God, thou hast ineffably conceived the Lord and Savior, Who delivereth from evil those who truly call upon thee.

Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who have recourse to Thee, O Lord; Thou art the light of the benighted; and my spirit doth hymn Thee.

Now and ever..., Theotokion—

Canon I to the incorporeal hosts the acrostic whereof is: “O ye divinely wise, let us solemnize praise for the assembly of the incorporeal ones,” the composition of John the Monk, of Damascus

Theotokion: O pure one, Isaiah hymned thine Offspring, Who transcendeth nature; and I sing, too, that I may obtain His cleansing.

Irmos: Plant Thou the fear of Thee in the hearts of Thy servants, O Lord, and be Thou the confirmation of us who call upon Thee in truth.

Glory..., in Tone V—

Ye faithful, let us all hymn the uncreated Trinity, Who doth govern all the immaterial ranks of the heavenly choirs, and let us cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O Almighty God!

Theotokion: Virgin and Mother hast thou been supernaturally shown to be, O all-pure one; for thou gavest birth to Christ, both God and man, to Whom the ranks of the angels cry out with fear: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who have recourse to Thee, O Lord; Thou art the light of the benighted; and my spirit doth hymn Thee.

Now and ever..., Theotokion—

O Creator of the angels, Thou didst set as a beginning to Thy creations the immaterial essence which surroundeth Thy most honored throne, that it might cry out to Thee: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O Almighty God!

Theotokion: Thou alone didst remain pure after giving birth, and only thou hast been shown to be without husband, O thou who with milk didst nourish the true Word of the Father, Who through the Holy Spirit assumed our form, that of a servant, O Virgin Theotokos. And venerating the divine likeness of His countenance, we honor Him.

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.

Rejoice, O Gabriel, initiate of the mystery of the incarnation of God, and Michael, foremost among the immaterial ranks, who unceasingly cry out: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O Almighty God!

Theotokion: Enliven my soul which hath been done to death by vile passions, O all-immaculate one, who gavest birth unto the Preserver of life, and direct it to the path of eternal and blessed life.

Irmos: Thou didst mount Thy steeds, Thine apostles, O Lord, and didst take their bridles in Thy hands; and Thy chariot hath become salvation for those who chant with faith: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Come ye, and, joining chorus, let us praise the noetic choirs of the incorporeal ranks, for they are divine ministers who unceasingly pray for our salvation and rejoice over our repentance.

Theotokion: We know Thee to be the God of creation: One in two natures, two actions and wills, though unconfused, the Son of God Who took flesh from a woman, whose image depicted on boards we venerate.

Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord, Thou art my power; Thou art my God, Thou art my joy, Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast visited our lowliness. Wherefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

The chief captains of the angels, chosen before others, the valiant commanders, the incorporeal intelligences, today arise for the celebration of the feast of their radiant memory. With them men also rejoice, offering a hymn to the Trinity.

Theotokion: O all-pure one, thou hast been vouchsafed to cradle in thine embrace Him Who eternally sitteth with the Father in the highest. Render Him merciful unto us, thy servants, O pure one.

Irmos: Waking at dawn, we cry to Thee: Save us, O Lord! For Thou art our God, and we know none other than Thee.

O ye people, with spiritual joy let us rejoice today with the angels, for Gabriel again announceth glad tidings: the union of the Churches and the destruction of all adverse heresies, in the commemoration of the supreme commanders.

Theotokion: O Christ, being incorporeal in that Thou art God, Thou didst manifest Thyself incarnate from the womb of her who knew not man; and, as man, Thou wast a bearer of the flesh. Thy likeness do we honor, O ye faithful.

Irmos: Going before me with the light of Thy knowledge, O Lord, out of the night of ignorance to the path of Thy commandments do Thou lead me, who ever stray toward the soul-destroying way.

Render us aid by thy supplications, O all-pure one, repelling the onslaught of grievous circumstances.

Theotokion: All that is ours by nature didst Thou take from the Virgin, save only change, O Jesus, and with the fathers we proclaim Thee to be of two natures, but One in hypostasis; and, depicting the visage thereof, we faithfully venerate it.

Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.

Thou wast the reformation of our first mother, Eve, having given birth unto Christ, the Author of the life of the world, O Theotokos.

Theotokion: Him before Whom myriads of angels and archangels stand in trepidation wast thou vouchsafed to bear in thine arms, O Theotokos. Pray thou that those who glorify Him for all ages may be saved.

Irmos: Grant me a robe of light, O Thou Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment, O most merciful Christ our God.

Gird me about with power, O all-pure one, who truly gavest birth in the flesh unto God, the hypostatic Power of the Father.

Theotokion: The Word, Who is consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit, of His own will manifested Himself from the Virgin as like unto us, not mingling one with the other the two natures of His awesome union. For He showed Himself to be One and the Same in both, in two natures and one hypostasis. And now we bow down before the image of His likeness.

Irmos: Thou didst cause Jonah to sojourn alone within the sea monster, O Lord. Save me, who am caught in the nets of the enemy, as thou didst save him from corruption.

With strength, O Immortal One, hast Thou appointed the mighty ones who fulfill Thine all-holy will, ever standing before Thee in the highest.

Theotokion: Rejoice, O holy bride of God! Rejoice, thou who for the faithful gavest birth unto the Light of the world! Rejoice, rampart and shelter of us all! Unceasingly entreat God in our behalf, for He is our Benefactor.

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.

O Christ, accept Thou those who pray in our behalf, the commanders of the angels, initiates of the mystery of Thine incarnation and Thine honored resurrection.

Theotokion: Together we glorify thee, O Theotokos, for thou savest us from the passions and fulfillest those of our supplications which are to our good.

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Thou hast appointed angels as guardians for men, in that Thou art compassionate; and Thou hast shown forth the ministers of the salvation of Thy favored ones.

Irmos: In the furnace the Hebrew children boldly trod the flame underfoot and transformed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

O Michael, chief captain, foremost among the angels, as a secondary luminary of the Trinity hast thou revealed thyself to those who faithfully praise thee.

Irmos: The children that went down from Judæa in Babylon once trod down the flame of the furnace by their faith in the Trinity, singing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Having proclaimed the coming of God in the flesh, Gabriel faithfully filled the whole world with the effulgence of divine grace.

Irmos: The King of heaven, Whom the hosts of angels hymn, praise and exalt ye supremely for all ages!

O ever-hymned couple, radiant and immaterial pair, show forth the light of God upon those who faithfully celebrate your memory.

Irmos: The Lord Who was glorified on the holy mountain, and by the fire in the bush revealed to Moses the mystery of the Ever-virgin, hymn ye and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O ye captains of the heavenly ones, ye foremost among those who are loftily enthroned and awesome in divine glory, O Michael and Gabriel, supreme commanders, chief captains of the angels, and all ye bodiless ones, ministers of the Master. Praying unceasingly in behalf of the world, ask ye remission of the sins we have committed, and that we may find mercy and grace on the day of judgment. Twice

Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O pure and blessed one, who art full of divine grace: Out of the compassion of thy loving-kindness, with the hosts on high, the archangels and all the bodiless ones, do thou unceasingly entreat Him Who was born of thee, that, before the end, He mercifully grant us forgiveness of sins and correction of life, that we may find mercy.

Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.

O Theotokos, thou untilled field which gave rise to the life-creating Ear of grain, Him Who bestoweth life upon the world. Save those who hymn thee.

Irmos: Thou didst transcend the laws of nature, conceiving the Creator and Lord, and didst become a portal of salvation for the world. Wherefore, we magnify thee unceasingly, O Theotokos.

All we who are illumined proclaim thee to be the Theotokos, O all-pure one; for thou didst bear the Sun of righteousness, O Ever-virgin.

Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.

As Thou art sinless, grant cleansing for our ignorance, and give peace to Thy world, O God, through the prayers of her who bore Thee.

Thou didst mount the angels like steeds, O Thou Who lovest mankind, and didst take their reins in Thy hand, and Thy chariot became salvation unto those who unceasingly cry out: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Thy virtue covereth the angels, O Thou Who lovest mankind, and with Thy divine, glorious praise, O Thou Who art without beginning, doth fill the ends of the earth, which cry out with them: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Thou didst go forth unto the salvation of Thy people, O compassionate Christ, and Thou dost summon Thy friends, the powers; and Thy coming hath been gladness unto all who faithfully cry out: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

In Jericho of old the great Michael, supreme commander of the hosts of the Lord and chief among the bodiless ones, appeared unto Joshua, son of Nun, who was waging war, and gave them victory, fighting for him; and the servant of God, receiving power from him, captured the enemy, vanquishing them with the spear.

Once the great Gabriel, the truly divine archangel, chief among the bodiless hosts, appeared, bearing the glad tidings of a child to Zechariah the priest. Wherefore, the voice of the Word, who was born John, restoreth the voice of prophecy to his own father.

All the ends of the earth rejoice today with joy, O God, celebrating the honored memory of Thine archangels, the divine Michael and Gabriel of godly wisdom. And together with them the whole rank of angels rejoiceth, for by their protection is the world preserved.

Calm thou the unbearable tempest of my passions, O thou who gavest birth to God, the Lord and Helmsman.

The ranks of angels and the assembly of men serve thine Offspring, O all-pure Theotokos.

O Mary, unwedded Theotokos, undo the hopes of the enemy and gladden those who hymn thee.

Upborne to the heights by inexorable longing for Thee, O Christ, Thou utmost of all desires, the angelic powers unceasingly glorify Thee.

Noetic by nature and incorrupt through Thy grace hast Thou made Thine angels, those who hymn Thy majesty, O Christ, fashioning them according to Thine image, O Unapproachable One.

Through their nearness to Thee, O Christ, Thou hast kept Thy servants uninclined towards evil, for Thou art the Source of goodness, and Thou dost do good unto those who serve Thee as is meet.

When, of old, Balaam the prophet did not submit to the ineffable and divine wonders of God, an angel appeared to his ass at the crossroads and dreadfully rebuked him, and in showing forth his animal as rational he altered nature.

When Peter had been arrested and languished in prison, an angel of God appeared, delivering him from the hands of Herod, from bonds and death. Wherefore, come ye, let us all honor the wise angels as divine protectors of our souls.

O angels and archangels, ye divine powers of God, by your supplications offered continually unto God put an end to the uproar of battles, heresies in the Church and all temptations, and do ye maintain us in peace.

O Theotokos, we, the faithful, declare thee to be the temple and ark of God, the living tabernacle and gate of heaven.

The Destroyer of pagan temples, Who was thine Offspring, O Mary, Bride of God, is worshipped as God with the Father and the Spirit.

The Word of God hath shown thee to those who are on earth as the ladder of heaven, O Theotokos, for by thee did He come down to us.

By Thy Word, O Lord, Thou didst in godly manner bring the heavenly beings, the immortal hosts, out of non-existence, making them luminous.

Honored initiates of the mysteries of the praise of God have ye been, O incorporeal ones, citizens of heaven, truly divine tabernacles, who serve the Creator as is meet.

Thee, O Son of God Who art wholly without beginning, do the noetic ranks of the bodiless ones unceasingly praise and glorify as the Creator and Author of all things.

Taking flight in mind away from material corruption, let us with fear honor the immaterial ones who are bodiless like fire, flame and light, chanting hymns unto them with lips of clay.

Calm the tempests of the passions, O archangels, and do ye also quell all revolts against the Faith, for ye are the holy and fiery chief commanders of the Trinity.

O captains Michael and Gabriel, ye chief commanders and archangels of God, leaders of the bodiless ones, preserve us from all heresies by your protection.

O ye chief commanders of God, ministers of glory divine, captains of the angels and instructors of men. Beg ye great mercy and that which is profitable for us, for ye are the supreme commanders of the bodiless hosts.

Ikos: In Thy Scriptures, O immortal One Who lovest mankind, Thou didst say that a multitude of angels rejoiceth in heaven over one man who repenteth. Wherefore, O Sinless One, Who alone knowest the hearts of men, amid our transgressions we ever make bold to beseech Thee to have compassion and send down compunction upon us, unworthy though we are, granting us forgiveness, O Master, in that Thou art compassionate, for the supreme commanders of the bodiless host entreat Thee in behalf of us all.

Incarnate of the Virgin’s womb, Thou didst reveal Thyself for our salvation. Wherefore, knowing her to be Mother and Theotokos, we cry out in Orthodox manner: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

From the root of Jesse, O most blessed Virgin, didst thou put forth the Rod, the flourishing Fruit of salvation, unto those who with faith cry out to thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Through the Theotokos, O hypostatic Wisdom of the Most High, fill Thou with wisdom and power divine all who with faith sing to Thee: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

O Compassionate One, Thou didst show forth as light the immaterial essence of Thine angels that are unceasingly filled with ineffable light, crying: Blessed art Thou, O God, forever!

The myriads of ministering angels cannot bear to behold the sight of the Countenance before which they unceasingly stand, crying: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Thou didst create the nature of the angels by Thy hypostatic Word, and having sanctified it by the divine Spirit, O God, Thou didst teach it to bless the Trinity forever.

Triadicon: Mindful of the three Hypostases, we glorify the uncircumscribed essence of the Father, the Son and the Spirit, crying aloud: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Come, O human race, and with the choirs of the bodiless ones let us worship, celebrating on this propitious day the memory of the wise archangels of Christ, singing: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Of old, Abraham the God-seer and the glorious Lot gave shelter to the angels, in that they were hospitable; and they found fellowship with the angels, crying: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O God of our fathers!

To the valiant Manoah and the most wise Tobit appeared the angels who give rewards for the struggles of life as is meet; and once the Angel of the children quenched the flame in the fiery furnace.

Quench thou the burning and flaming darts of the adversary which are launched at us, that we may hymn thee forever.

Thou gavest birth to God the Word, our Creator and Savior, in manner transcending nature; wherefore, we hymn and supremely exalt thee forever.

The unapproachable Light Who dwelt within thee hath shown thee forth forever, O Virgin, as a golden-rayed lamp of enlightenment.

Let us emulate the life of the angels and soar aloft in mind to the heights, and with them let us immaterially chant unto the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him for all ages!

The angels, heavenly members of the chorus which surroundeth the throne of glory and ever dance about God, hymn and supremely exalt Him for all ages!

Triadicon: The Trinity, which unceasingly maketh its ministers a flame of immaterial fire in the highest and showeth forth its angels as spirits, let us worship and glorify for all ages.

Michael the archangel is chief among the angels; but with him is radiantly glorified Gabriel, the initiate of the mystery of grace, the honored one who obtained the consent of the Virgin, the champion leader of the incorporeal ones; and they both proclaim joy unto those who cry: O ye people, exalt Christ supremely for all ages!

Ezekiel, beholding the ranks of angels in their divers forms, proclaimed, prophesying: Among them six-winged seraphim stood in intercession, and many-eyed cherubim surrounded them; and with them I saw most radiant archangels glorifying Christ for all ages.

How the dread coming of Thy second judgment will be did Daniel foretell in revelation: The thrones were set, and the Ancient One sat, and He let in the myriads of angels who stand with fear and cry out with incessant voices to the Trinity for all ages.

Full of joy and gladness is thy memory which poureth forth healings upon those who draw nigh and piously proclaim thee to be the Theotokos.

Thou didst put forth a comely Fruit which, unto those who partake thereof, imparteth not corruption, O Theotokos, but life for those who magnify thee.

O Christ, Who hast ineffably united those who are in heaven with those who are on earth, and hast made one Church of angels and men, Thee do we unceasingly magnify.

O ye angels and archangels, thrones, virtues and dominions, principalities and powers, cherubim and seraphim. Pray ye with the Theotokos in behalf of the world.

O Michael and Gabriel, who are shown to be leaders of all, visit those who with love honor your most festive memory and faithfully cry out: Save us from all evil circumstances!

Ye have shown yourselves to be champions for the infirm, for those who sail the sea and those who are in need, O Michael and Gabriel, first among the bodiless hosts.

O Gabriel, in that thou dost hold chorus with the divine powers and thrones, and art the champion leader of the angels and an initiate of the mysteries of God, pray thou to the Savior in our behalf.

In that ye are the protectors of the world and commanders of the hosts on high, entreat ye the Savior in our behalf.

O Michael, chief captain, from the Father of lights thou didst receive command of the fiery servants. Wherefore, thou dost have the radiant brilliance of His glory, standing before His most honored throne as first among the immaterial ranks.

O most glorious Michael, divine supreme commander, who standest before God, leader of the immaterial powers, archangels and angels, dominions, thrones and principalities. Standing before the unbearable throne, protect, keep, preserve and save all who with faith honor thee as the intercessor for the world.

Thou art more honorable than the glorious cherubim, O all-hymned one, and more glorious beyond compare than the awesome seraphim, and more holy than all the holy angels, O all-pure one; for thou didst ineffably give birth in the flesh to the Creator of all, O Theotokos. Him do thou entreat, that He grant remission of transgressions unto thy servants.

At the Praises, 4 stichera, 3 in Tone I: Spec. Mel: “Joy of the ranks of heaven...”—

O Michael, chief commander, with fear we hymn thee as first captain of the heavenly ranks, mighty intercessor, protector and deliverer of men on earth; and we pray that thou deliver us from every deadly pestilence.

As chief captain of the divine hosts of heaven thou dost today summon the choirs of men to hold one radiant festival with the angels, that of their divine synaxis, and with them to chant the thrice-holy hymn unto God.

O Michael, divine intellect, keep and protect all throughout life us who with faith flee beneath the shelter of thy divine pinions; and at the dreaded hour of our death, O archangel, stand forth as a most gracious helper for us all.

And another in Tone IV, the composition of Ephraim of Karyes—

O supreme commanders, three-Sunned rays made luminous by light divine, ye enlighten the immaterial legions; shown forth as light with splendid brightness in the highest, ye shine forth the fire of the unapproachable Godhead in the world. Wherefore, with lips of flame ye unceasingly chant the thrice-holy hymn: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O our God! Glory be to Thee!

Where thy grace doth overshadow, O archangel, the power of the devil is driven off, for the fallen Lucifer cannot bear to behold thy light. Wherefore, we beseech thee: By thy mediation quench thou his fiery darts which are hurled at us, delivering us from his temptations, O right praiseworthy supreme commander Michael.

We bless thee, O Virgin Theotokos, and as is fitting we, the faithful, glorify thee, the impregnable city, unassailable rampart, steadfast intercessor and refuge for our souls.