Ode IX

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

Irmos: God the Lord, the Son of the unoriginate Father, hath revealed Himself to us incarnate of the Virgin, to enlighten those in darkness and to gather the dispersed. Wherefore, we magnify the all-hymned Theotokos.

At the aposticha, the stichera from the Octoechos; and Glory…: Idiomelon, in Tone II —

Theotokion: Thou wast the bridal-chamber of the Word Who, in manner past understanding, became incarnate, O Virgin Theotokos who art clothed and adorned with the glory of the virtues. Wherefore, O most immaculate one, we declare thee to be the Theotokos.

Having reached the end of thy holy life, thou wast vouchsafed to pass over to the habitations of the saints; and, the thrice-radiant Light having shone upon thee who art righteous, thou hast received from Him twofold gladness.

Beholding thy life as tranquil and pure, meek and quiet, O father, Christ made His dwelling within thee, and thou becamest a divine habitation. Wherefore, thou abidest with the angels in the heavens, O blessed one.

Theotokion —

Receiving from Christ the reward of thy labors, having manifestly partaken of everlasting life and having past understanding become most excellent in the beauties of splendor, O father, pray thou to the Master for those who hymn Thee.

When the unblemished Ewe-lamb beheld her Lamb led to the slaughter as a man of His own will, she said, weeping: “Dost Thou hasten to leave me childless who gave Thee birth, O Christ? What is this that Thou hast done, O Deliverer of all? Yet will I hymn and glorify Thine exceeding great goodness which passeth understanding and recounting, O Thou Who lovest mankind!”

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “When from the Tree…” —

Exalted in virtue like a lofty cedar, O God-bearer, thou wast planted in the courts of God, and thou hast been shown to be like a walled garden, like a right flourishing paradise, like a wellspring pouring forth gifts of healings.

Thou didst avoid attachment to the world as passionate, and having caused thy flesh to wither away by not eating, thou dost restore those restrained by bit and bridle and hast enriched them with glory, working most excellent miracles, O God-pleasing Hilarion, summit of chief shepherds.

O most immaculate Virgin Mother of God, thou didst ineffably give birth to God in two natures and wills, but in a single hypostasis, Who for our sake hath abased Himself even to accepting the Cross of His own will, and hath given us the riches of divinity.