Ode IX

Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.

Thou pourest forth the inexhaustible grace of myrrh and grantest release from illness to all who have recourse to thee with faith, O father Andronicus.

Theotokion: Of old, the furnace which did not consume the three children prefigured thy womb, O pure Maiden; for thou didst receive the fire of the Godhead without being consumed.

Rejoicing, thou hast been translated from transitory things to the highest, making thine abode with the holy fathers. O father, be thou mindful of us who celebrate thy memory.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Accept my hymnody, O venerable twain, and by your entreaty to God, grant me a boon: that He may deliver me from my transgressions.

Stichera, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “Having set all aside…” —

Having set aside the retribution of life, having spurned wealth and disdained fleeting pleasure, ye took up the cross like an easy yoke and followed after Christ; and have now wondrously made your abode in the resting-place of heaven. Rejoicing therein, be mindful of us who remember you faithfully and with love and reverence celebrate your sacred and honored memory, O holy ones.

Loving Thee, the Master, greatly, with all their soul the ever-memorable couple hastened after Thee; and they rent asunder all beautiful things and unbreakable bonds as though they were a spider’s web, and thereby received Thy kingdom, O Immortal One. Through their supplications, O Compassionate One, grant us cleansing of offenses, and show us to be above the passions which ever trouble our souls, O Master.

Ye were deprived of your children’s loving companionship through your great struggle, remaining bereft of consolation in this life; and ye uttered the cry of the most valiant Job, exclaiming: “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away!” Wherefore, ye did opportunely accomplish the work ye desired and have been shown to have joyfully passed over to the most lovely holy places, O most sacred twain.

Rejoice, O tender root! Rejoice, O divine staff of Aaron which put forth the unfading Blossom, O right fertile garden of paradise, tree of life blossoming forth from the root of Jesse, O pure Maiden, and feeding mortals with the bread of understanding! Rejoice, O most precious purple robe of the King of all, O Bride of God, radiant crown, splendor of hierarchs! Rejoice, O only all-pure one!

Stavrotheotokion —

The unblemished ewe-lamb, the immaculate Mistress, when she beheld her Lamb upon the tree of the Cross, exclaimed maternally and, marvelling, cried out: “O Child most sweet, what is this new and all-glorious sight? How hath the thankless assembly betrayed thee to the judgment of Pilate? How doth it condemn to death the Life of all? Yet do I hymn thine ineffable condescension, O Word.”