Ode IX

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel: “With the disciples...”—

Irmos: It is not possible for men to behold God, upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O most pure one, hath the Word appeared incarnate unto men; and magnifying Him with the armies of heaven, we call thee blessed.

Glory..., Now and ever..., in Tone VI—

On the Praises, four stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel: “Joy of the ranks of heaven...”—

Theotokion: Sensing herself loosed of the bonds of barrenness and bearing the Forerunner of Him Who dwelt within thy womb, Elizabeth manifestly acknowledged thee to be the pure Mother, O pure Virgin Mary, full of the joy of God.

Now having thrown wide the gate of the barren one, the great and divine Forerunner of Christ taketh up his abode within his mother’s womb, as within royal chambers, that he may issue forth as a warrior, preparing the way for the King of all.

Glory..., Now and ever... : Theotokion—

Creation rejoiceth in thy conception, O prophet and Forerunner, John the Baptist, for thy divine birth doth foretoken the nativity of the Master for us. Wherefore, together, we on earth do praise thee as is meet.

Dance thou, O prophet of God and elder, for thou shalt bring forth a son, than whom none greater shall arise among men: John, the Forerunner of the Lord! Leap up, O Elizabeth! Rejoice, all the earth, offering praise to God, the Creator of all!

The angel, finding the conception of the barren one to be a wondrous witness, citeth it to Mary, offering it to her as confirmation. Wherefore, we praise the barren Elizabeth, Zechariah, her spouse, and John.

O prophet and Forerunner of the Lord, remember us now who praise thee in faith, delivering us from spiritual passions. Save us from misfortunes, guiding us in godly manner along the path to heaven, O ever-blessed one.

The divinely wrought lamp of the everlasting Light, the friend of the Bridegroom, the great luminary of the glory of the Sun, the living voice of the Word of God, the Forerunner of the coming of the Lord, is now conceived at the angel’s announcement.

The glorious conception of the Forerunner heralds the King Who is to be born of the Virgin; for he is born of Elizabeth, barren and childless, and the great Zechariah, elder and priest. Through their prayers and those of the Theotokos and of John, Thy Baptist, O Lord, save and take pity on all. Twice

O Forerunner, thou art manifestly known to be the divine altar of the sweet-smelling incense of Christ, stationed at His right hand, pouring forth the fragrance of the knowledge of Him, prefigured by the angels’ and saints’ standing at His right hand.

By the counsel of the Father hath the preëternal Son in truth wrought great things through thee; for without pain thou gavest birth to immortal Life and hast remained as thou wast before giving birth, escaping the pangs of motherhood; and thou hast remained a virgin even after childbirth, O Virgin.

Elizabeth conceived the Forerunner of grace, and the Virgin conceived the Lord of glory. When both mothers embraced in greeting, the babe of the one leapt up, for the servant within her was praising his Master. Marvelling, the mother of the Forerunner began to cry out: “Why is this granted to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?” May He that hath great mercy save His despairing people.

Great Doxology. Troparion of the saint.

The mystery hidden from before the ages and unknown even to the angels, through thee, O Theotokos, hath been revealed to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake and, thereby raising up the first-formed man, hath saved our souls from death.

The ektenias, and the rest.