Ode IX

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “Hearken, ye women…” —

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.

Theotokion: By thy power, O all-pure Mother of God, strengthen our spiritual infirmity, and loose the burden imposed upon thy servants, O thou who ineffably shone forth the Sun of righteousness.

From on high, through thy divine grace and thy supplications, thou watchest over us who piously hymn thee, O divinely eloquent one, bestowing upon us the sword of thy goodwill. Grant peace and salvation unto us, in that thou art a most godly hierarch.

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!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Thy finger imparteth a flood of healings in abundance to those who love thee; and God-bearing women receive thee like a divine treasure, O Cyprian, and fervently reveal what was hidden, that we all may delight in thee.

Theotokion: Every mortal is covered by thy protection, O all-glorious Theotokos, our helper, for the blessed Andrew beheld thee praying for the world to the uncreated Being Who was clothed by thee in a created nature.

Direct thou our journey to Christ by thine activity, thy God-pleasing life and most pure ­cleansing, O thou who art most rich, and entreat the serenity of God, in that thou art a compassionate hierarch.

Let us praise Cyprian, the mirror of strugglers, who escaped damnation for his sorceries, transformed his character beyond measure, committed to the flames the books which had led him into delusion, and, as befitteth a priest, received the crown of witness.

He of evil craftiness, who of old seduced me with the hope of attaining divinity, is himself most wisely deceived by the fleshly appearance of Him Who shone forth from the Virgin. Thus hath carnal condemnation been abolished by the flesh, and death been put to death.

Heeding the words of Christ, thou didst pray for those who beat thee, O holy one; wherefore, the gates of heaven opened, and thou didst behold the souls of the righteous flying forth in the guise of swallows. And with them thou now makest thine abode, O blessed Andrew.

Truly loving Christ, thou didst deny thyself and follow Him, for He said: Whosoever will save his life shall lose it. Wherefore, thou didst preserve thy soul in everlasting life, O right laudable and holy Andrew.

Great and all-glorious things have now found their fulfillment in thee in the kingdom of heaven, O right laudable one, for to the world thou wast a fool, but thou wast shown to be wise in Christ. Look down from the vault of heaven upon us who honor thy memory.