Ode III

Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.

Sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…” —

Theotokion: In that thou alone gavest birth to the hypostatic Life, O all-pure one, thou hast led me up again to life, who of old was slain. And, stricken thereby, most malicious death hath manifestly burst asunder.

Seeing Thy Church established by the grace of the Cross, the all-iniquitous children of the Jews, consumed by jealousy, pitilessly tortured Thy children with multifarious wounds, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

The ungodly ones, possessed of a venomous tongue and blaspheming Thee, O Savior, slaughtered those who believe on Thee, Who had delivered their ancestors from tyranny of old.

O Christ, Who alone hast fashioned men’s hearts with Thy divine hand: who can fathom the depths of Thy forethought? For Thou didst give over to wolves the flock which Thou hadst gathered.

Thy divinely wise flock, cut down by the swords of the barbarians, earnestly called upon Thee: “Accept our spirits and souls, O Savior, and guide them to the light of Thy kingdom!”

Armed with the power of the Cross, and having fortified thy city with faith, thou didst put the tyrant’s savagery to shame by thy deeds; and as a model of divine patience, thou didst lead martyrs to Christ. Wherefore, assembling, we honor thy most festive memorial as is meet, O all-praised Arethas. Entreat Christ God, O most glorious passion-bearer, that He grant remission of sins to those who honor thy holy memory with love.

Having fallen into the subtle snares of mine enemies, visible and invisible, and beset by the storm of my countless offenses, O pure one, I flee to the haven of thy goodness as to my fervent assistance and shelter. Wherefore, O all-pure one, earnestly pray to Him Who was incarnate of thee without seed, in behalf of thy servants who unceasingly beseech thee, O all-pure Theotokos, ever entreating Him to grant remission of offenses unto those who hymn thy glory as is meet.

Stavrotheotokion —

Beholding the Lamb, Shepherd and Deliverer upon the Cross, the Ewe-lamb exclaimed, weeping, and, bitterly lamenting, cried out: “The world rejoiceth, receiving deliverance through Thee; but my womb doth burn, beholding Thy crucifixion which Thou endurest in the loving-kindness of Thy mercy, O long-suffering Lord, inexhaustible abyss and wellspring of mercy: take pity and grant remission of offenses unto those who with faith hymn Thy divine sufferings!”