Ode IX

Exapostilarion —

Irmos: The ineffable hidden mystery of God is revealed in thee, O all-pure Virgin; for God hath become incarnate of thee in His loving-kindness. Wherefore, we magnify thee as the Theotokos.

Following the word of the Lord, thou didst love mercy, O blessed Tabitha, and didst offer Him thy heart as a pure sacrifice, which thou didst cleanse with the fire of divine love; and gazing upon the people, thou didst perceive in them the image of God, and didst deal with them as the Savior of the world commanded. Wherefore, grant thy love also unto us, and entreat Him Whom thou didst love, that He grant us life without end.

Theotokion: Those in heaven and those on earth hymn thee with voices of praise, O Mother of God, for through thee have we come to know God and have found life eternal. For thy divine Son hath broken asunder the bonds of death through His own death and resurrection. Wherefore, honoring the raising of Tabitha from the sleep of death by the voice of the preëminent apostle, we beseech thee, O Mistress: Grant peace to the Church and to thy world, O Theotokos; ease the trials of the Church, and set us among the choirs of thy chosen ones.

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

Glory…, another exapostilarion —

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.

The ends of the earth are glad, and Joppa rejoiceth, beholding an all-glorious miracle now wrought: for a blessed and righteous woman hath arisen from the grave, a disciple of Him Who trampled down the power of death and the gates of hell. Him do thou entreat, O Tabitha, in behalf of us all.

Now & ever…: Theotokion —

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

Glorification and hymnody do we offer, O blessed Tabitha, unto the only Wellspring of immortality, Who at the word of His apostle raised thee from the dead, confirmed the Faith, and hath taught us how to enter into His heavenly mansions by the path of mercy which thou didst tread. And filled with joy by this, we offer him ardent hymns and prayers: By Thy light illumine us all!

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

The light which hath shone forth from the tomb of the preëternal and incarnate Word hath illumined the whole world with the effulgence of the resurrection, whereby death hath been trampled down. And the apostle, bearing the effulgence of this life-bearing light, called forth Tabitha from the dead, in Joppa, confirming the confession of Him Who arose, to Whom we cry aloud: Enlighten us by Thy truth!

Theotokion: As the dwelling-place of the Light, O pure and most immaculate one, illumine the eyes of my soul which have been darkened by indifference and are ever afflicted with the most profound gloom of ignorance, that I may bless thee with faith.

O thrice-radiant Trinity, with the beams of Thy light illumine us who are benighted by transgressions, and raise us up who have been cast down and lie prostrate on the ground, that we may not die forever, but may arise from the corruption of sin, like Tabitha from the grave. For even though we all sin, yet do we confess without hesitation the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, in Orthodox manner.

Theotokion —

O all-pure and all-blessed Virgin, Mother of the Effulgence of the glory of the unoriginate Father, thou who received the light of the Sun of righteousness: Like the all-luminous moon enlighten thy people, that all darkness may be driven from their hearts, for they all have thee as their helper, protection and refuge.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone VIII —

Blessed art thou, O holy Tabitha, who ripened within the vineyard of Christ, which is the Church of God. From Jesus most sweet, the Vine of truth, thou didst draw forth divine streams of grace, whereby thou didst produce fruit on earth for heaven. Like grapes of the vine do thou nurture and gladden us, that we may emulate thee in good works and be vouchsafed ineffable good things.

The Lord once taught that if a grain of wheat, falling to the ground, doth not die, it remaineth as it is; but if it dieth, it putteth forth fruit in abundance. Thy falling asleep, O Tabitha, hath been shown to be fruitful, for thou didst arise from the dead for the sake of the widows’ tears, not only because of thy virtues, of which the whole Church hath now heard ; and thou hast been shown to be a right goodly model for the emulation of many. Moreover, this was wrought for the confirmation of the Faith of Christ, which openeth to men the gates of paradise, that those in heaven may be united with those on earth. And, though lacking in the virtues, we ask thy prayers to the most Compassionate One, that He save and have mercy upon our souls, and grant unto the world peace and great mercy.

Today the assemblies of the faithful join choirs, glorifying the magnitude of virtue which the Lord revealed in the life of His disciple, who flourished like a palm-tree, increasing the talants of the Lord.

O Tabitha, entreat remission of transgressions for those who call thee blessed.

Glory…, in the same tone —

Hearkening to the voice of Christ the Master, Who said: “Be ye perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect”, thou didst follow His divine words, O Tabitha, didst plant the seeds of everlasting life in thy heart as in goodly soil, and didst show forth fruits before men, who glorify Him Who hath glorified thee, and who learn to live according to thine example. Pray thou for all who keep thy memory.

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

Enlivened by divine strength, O athletes, ye were not afraid of death, and, zealously bowing your necks beneath the sword, ye valiantly finished your divine contest. Wherefore, ye are worthily called blessed.

Like two radiant beacons ye illumine the fullness of the world with the splendors of divine sufferings, O wise Marcian and Martyrius, driving away the gloom of the dark heresy of Arius.

Having vanquished Macedonius who is blind of mind, ye received from God crowns of glory as is meet. Standing before the throne of the Master, O right glorious ones, ask for us perfect remission of transgressions.

Your divine memorial hath shone forth more brightly than the sun, illumining the hearts of all who celebrate it, O blessed ones. Thereon beseech ye the Lord, that He deliver us from the darkness of our offenses.

As followers of the most blessed Paul, ye finished your course and with him have received the kingdom of Christ and immortal glory; and ye stand together with all the saints before the worshipful Trinity, glorifying the Godhead as is meet.

The ranks of the incorporeal ones praise thy birthgiving; for thou alone hast filled those on earth with joy. Wherefore, we the faithful glorify thee who art all-immaculate, praising thee with hymns. For upon those in darkness thou hast shone forth the Light Which shineth forth today like the dawn.