Irmos: There is none as holy as Thee, O Lord my God, Who hast uplifted the horn of Thy faithful and established us on the rock of the confession of Thee, O Good One.
Glory..., Now and ever..., Theotokion—
Sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: “Joseph marvelled...”—
Theotokion: As he who was born of the barren woman perceived Christ borne in the Virgin’s womb, he leapt up, heralding the Joy which had come into the world to deliver all from grief.
Today the barren one conceiveth the sacred fruit, the noetic axe who in later times would cut down all the barrenness of souls with grace.
Having been struck dumb within the temple, the great Zechariah receiveth the voice of the Word by an awesome announcement, and radiantly doth magnify the compassionate Lord.
The glorious Forerunner, who hath shown the faithful the firm path of repentance, by divine counsel surpassing hope hath at the angel’s command sprung forth in his mother’s womb.
From heaven Gabriel came down and stood before the sacred Zechariah as he was censing in the temple; and he said unto him: “In thine old age thou shalt bear a right glorious fruit, and the former sterility of Elizabeth shall now straightway be loosed, and the barren one shall give birth. And having conceived, she shall bear the Forerunner and herald of Jesus.” By their entreaties, O Savior of the world, save Thou our souls. Twice
O pure and all-immaculate one who knewest not wedlock, thou who alone hast given birth in time to the timeless Son and Word of God: with the holy and honorable apostles, martyrs and prophets, and the venerable, do thou beseech Him to grant us cleansing and great mercy.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.