Ode IX

Exapostilarion—

Irmos: With unceasing glorification we magnify thee, the Mother of the Most High, who knewest not wedlock, who didst truly give birth unto God the Word in manner past understanding, and art more highly exalted than the all-pure hosts.

Glory..., the composition of Anatolius, in Tone I—

Who doth not marvel at thine invincibility, O protomartyr? For, having made subject the passions, the noetic beasts, to thy soul, thou wast not afraid of the unrestrained assaults of wild beasts, but remained incorrupt in their midst.

Theotokion: With unceasing hymns all of us, the faithful, glorify thee, the all-glorious and most holy Theotokos, and we hymn thee as her who gave birth unto the Lord of all, unto the salvation of those who praise thee.

Now and ever..., Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel: “O most lauded martyrs...”—

At the command of God, the hard and impassible rock split apart for thee, O Godbearing martyr who wast sealed by the laver of regeneration as a blessed bride, and it received thee like a chamber as thou didst flee.

Now and ever..., Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel: “When from the Tree...”—

Heal thou the wounds of my soul, O protomartyr; grant peace to the world, bestowing victories over heresies and schisms to all true Orthodox hierarchs, and bring peace to the Churches by thy prayers.

Let us praise Thecla, the equal of the apostles and first woman to suffer, the glory of women, the instructor of athletes, who opened for all the way of martyrdom.

With thy mighty protection preserve all of us, thy servants, unharmed by the assaults of the enemies, O pure one; for thee alone have we acquired as a refuge in our needs.

On the Praises, four stichera, the composition of Anatolius, two in Tone II—

Having Christ God as thy Bridegroom in the heavens, O Thecla first to suffer, thou didst reject a transitory betrothed and bridegroom; for, wisely ignoring the blandishments of thy mother, thou didst follow Paul, taking the sign of the Cross upon thy shoulders, and didst not fear the fire. The savagery of the wild beasts thou didst transform into meekness. Thou didst slay Phocas by the immersion of holy baptism in Christ. Yet, O thou who didst valiantly shine forth divinely in sufferings, cease not to entreat Christ unceasingly in behalf of those who with faith keep thy most precious memory.

Having offered thyself for the bidding of the Almighty, and forsaken earthly love, strengthened as the protomartyr of Christ, thou didst array thyself in the light of everlasting life, discovering the entrance to the blessed bridal chamber of eternal life wherein the flock of women rest. With them pray thou for our souls, O Thecla, equal of the apostles.

And two in Tone IV—

Form a choir, O ye who love the martyrs, for the time of struggles is come, the annual commemoration of the protomartyr, which exhorteth all to the glorification of God. For Thecla, first martyr among women, having finished the course of suffering, hath been shown to be the first crown-bearer, who prayeth with boldness in behalf of our souls.

Thy superhuman suffering, O protomartyr of Christ, not only astonished the nations of men, but also amazed the savage beasts. Flames were not considered flames by thee, O good virgin Thecla, for the sake of Christ thy Bridegroom; and, suffering for His sake, thou didst rejoice. Thou wast cut off from the world, that thou mightest receive the blessedness of heaven, praying with boldness in behalf of our souls.

The struggle of the contest lieth before us. Let us join chorus, O people, and look upon the most glorious things accomplished therein: for the good virgin Thecla, the bride of God, the unblemished ewe-lamb, presenteth herself for sacrifice, following Christ God Who sacrificed Himself for our sake. Wherefore, with faith in the Trinity she destroyed ungodliness, and, dancing with the angels, she beseecheth the Savior to save our souls.

As she beheld Christ hanging on the Tree, the Virgin said: “A sword hath pierced my heart and rendeth it, O my Son and Master, as of old Symeon foretold to me. Yet arise Thou, O Immortal One, and with Thyself glorify Thy Mother and handmaid, I pray!”

At the Aposticha, the stichera from the Octoechos, and Glory..., the composition of Anatolius, in Tone II—

Come, ye who love the martyrs, and in hymns let us honor the protomartyr Thecla, the boast of women; for with the power of the Cross she trampled down the adverse foe, and, receiving the victory, hath been crowned as is meet. Wherefore, the much suffering one prayeth that they that keep her memory with faith and love be delivered from misfortunes and the judgment to come.

Many pangs didst thou endure at the crucifixion of thy Son and God, O all-pure one, groaning, weeping and crying aloud: “Woe is me, O my Child most sweet! How is it that Thou didst suffer unjustly, desiring to deliver those born on earth of Adam?” Wherefore, O most pure Virgin, we entreat thee with faith: render Him merciful unto us.