Ode IX

Exapostilarion —

Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Glory..., Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Truly thou wast a light to the world, O holy father, for, having adorned thy soul with godly works, thou wast shown to be an eminent pastor of the Orthodox Church, being a model for the faithful in word and life; wherefore, we bless thee.

Theotokion: He Who is preëternal descended into thy womb, O all-holy Virgin, and ineffably, in manner transcending comprehension and recounting, was born of thee, that He might renew Adam of old; wherefore, we ever magnify thee as the cause of our renewal.

Great Doxology. Troparia. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “Heaven with stars…” —

Irmos: Eve, through weakness, abode under the curse of disobedience; but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, hast put forth blessing for the world through the Offspring of thy child-bearing. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

Glory..., in Tone VII —

Keeping ever before thy mind the one Creator, through Whom and in Whom all things exist, with a pure heart and guileless soul thou didst labor for Him all thy life as for thy Lord; and thou wast in no wise in bondage to Mammon.

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone —

With the tears of ascetic endeavor thou didst water thy furrow, O God-bearing father, and thou rejoicest now, gathering in the sheaves of the honor of thy struggles with joy. Wherefore, we all call thee blessed.

Princes praised thee and many people glorified thee; but, disdaining earthly glory, thou didst desire to be in the eternal mansions of God, there to glorify the Lord for ever.

Theotokion: Having given birth to the Author of all created things, O Mother of God, thou hast surpassed all creation in divine glory, holiness and grace, and art greater than all in virtue. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

The never-waning Light shone within thee, and thou hast received everlasting gladness where thou joinest chorus with the angels around the King and Lord. O most blessed father, be thou mindful of those who keep thy memory with faith.

Performing thy priestly ministry in the temple of the first-called of Christ, and zealously emulating his apostolic service of faith, thou wast a good laborer of the garden of Christ, and didst bring the faithful to the Lord like a bountiful harvest, ever proclaiming throughout thy whole life: My life is in Christ!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Enabled to elude the demons’ arrows and evil wiles, thou wast saved, O blessed one; wherefore, thy soul, which is holy, pure and undefiled, hath been vouchsafed heavenly delight. Remember those who honor thee.

He Who was born of thee, O all-holy Virgin, and hath poured forth His Spirit upon all flesh, sanctified, glorified and received into His mansions His faithful servant, intercessor and prophet; with him cease thou never to pray for those who honor thee.

Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Training thyself in the law of asceticism, thou didst vanquish hordes of the demons, O father; wherefore, He Who alone is the Bestower of honors crowneth thee with glory and hath vouchsafed thee divine enjoyment of the effulgence of God.

At the Praises: 4 stichera, in Tone VIII, Spec. Mel: “O all-glorious wonder...” —

Desiring the life of the angels, thou didst withdraw to the wilderness; and having brought the carnal passions under control, thou wast shown to be the peer of the angels, O John our God-bearing father. Twice

O most joyous tidings! The child John entreateth God, asking God’s mercy, that He enlighten his mind. He casteth himself down before the icon, confessing to God the sorrow of his heart. And, lo! the bindings fall from the eyes of the child’s mind, and the boy is illumined with the light of Christ, that he might do mighty things and teach many. Twice

By thy mighty protection, O pure one, preserve all of us, thy servants, unharmed by the assault of the enemy; for thee alone among women do we have as a refuge.

O abundance of wonders! O living splendor of love! Who will not marvel at thy beneficence and thy loving-kindness toward the destitute? In the countless number of thy miracles thou wast like the glorious and holy hierarch of Myra in Lycia. Wherefore, the cities and villages of the land of Russia, O righteous John, through thee beheld the light of Christ.

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

As light and warmth cannot be separated from the sun, so in thee sanctity and learning, love and compassion were present, O most sacred John, who wast given by God to the people. Wherefore, O pastor, warm us and enlighten us; be thou like the sun unto our souls.

“Bowing down before the holy icons, I glorify Christ, God incarnate, the image of the glory of the Father. I confess the Father, Who begat the Son without beginning. I glorify the divine likeness of men, who are temples of the Holy Spirit. And beholding the image of the Cross, I sense the power of the Cross.” Behold, this is thy theology, O holy father, wherein thou didst emulate the great teachers of the Church, honoring the iconographic images to the glory of their prototypes.

Ineffably wast Thou born of the Virgin, O Christ, and Thou hast enlightened those who are in darkness who cry out: Glory to Thee, O Lord!

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…” —

O venerable father John, having taken the yoke of Christ upon thy shoulders, thou didst manfully trample underfoot the visitation of the enemy. Wherefore, with faith we all honor thee, O all-blessed boast of monastics. For which cause, entreat Christ unceasingly, that He save our souls. Twice

Assembling with faith, we all honor thee, O wise John, as an ascetic of Christ; for, rejoicing, thou didst journey into the impassable wilderness, becoming our honored guide. Wherefore, we cry to thee with faith, O blessed one, thou boast of fasters; pray for us to the Lord, that our souls find mercy.

O John our venerable father, for the sake of the life which is to come thou didst confine thyself to rocky defiles and forests, in nowise daunted by the invisible foe who assailed thee many times. But by thy supplications thou didst cause them to vanish, O thou who art steadfast of soul, thou wondrous sheep in the wilderness of Ryla, who hast Christ the Lamb as thy Shepherd. Wherefore, we all honor and bless thee with faith.

Glory…, in the same tone —

Mounting the chariot of the virtues, bound for heaven, O wondrous one, thou didst attain unto the most sublime way of life through abstinence. Dwelling in the wilderness, looking toward the beauty of the Jerusalem on high, and having received honors for thy struggles and pangs, thou rejoicest with the heavenly ranks, O all-blessed one, having become a dweller in the kingdom, an heir to eternal good things. Yet entreat the Savior of all, O God-bearing John, that He grant peace to the world and save our souls.

O Mistress, accept the supplications of thy servants, and deliver us from all want and grief.