Ode III

Irmos: Like a barren woman hath the Church of the nations given birth, and she could scarce bear the great assembly of children. Let us cry out to our wondrous God: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Having been lifted up…”—

With the wounds of thy struggles thou didst break the teeth of the lions, and, inundating the blood of the demons with the outpourings of thy blood, thou dost cast down the temples of the idols from their foundation, O right wondrous one.

Theotokion: The martyr Rhipsimia, knowing thee to be the only Virgin Mother, O Maiden, desired thy beauties; and, resplendent in her sufferings, she was led before Christ in thy train.

The Faith was not planted nor piety rooted in Russia, O holy hierarch Michael, until thou, as an all-wise husbandman, didst plough up the barren ground of polytheism, deepening the steadfast confession of the knowledge of God.

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.

Sessional Hymn, in Tone VIII—

Neither the oppression of the wicked, nor bitter tortures, nor long imprisonment in a most gloomy pit altered thine adamantine resolve, O right wondrous martyr.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Illumined by light from on high, the great Vladimir, receiving thee like a radiant beam, O hierarch of God, brought thee to the land of Russia, which was benighted by idolatry, that the people there might be enlightened by thy coming and be brought to knowledge by thy confession of the steadfast Faith.

Thou gavest no slumber to thine eyes, O martyr, until thou didst show forth as children of the day those wickedly held fast in evil slumber, who cry: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Theotokion: Our true God, the Sun of righteousness, borrowing flesh from thee, O Virgin Mary, shone forth upon the world and utterly destroyed the darkness of polytheism. Illumine me with light, O Virgin Mary, who am benighted by despondency, and guide me to the path of goodly works.

Christ God, the Sun of righteousness, revealed thee, O Michael, to the land of Russia as a ray of splendor, and, illumining it with the regeneration of the font of baptism, thou didst bring to the Master new people, restored through the confession of the good Faith.

Having brightly illumined thy soul with all-radiant splendors, O hierarch, thou didst enlighten the face of the earth with virtues, having Christ within thy heart; and like a never-setting sun thou dost enlighten the assemblies of the nations, adorning us with the beauties of martyrdom, O Gregory most wise. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

With the axe of the teaching of the Gospel thou didst fell the graven idols, and overthrowing their temples thou didst plant piety. And the city of Kiev, adorned therewith, crieth out to thee with love: Rejoice, O Michael, first enthroned of the hierarchs of Russia!

Though I love sin, I beseech thee who gavest birth to the sinless God Who taketh away the sin of the world, O all-hymned one, that thou take pity on my most sinful soul and wash away my many sins; for thou art the cleansing of sinners and the salvation and defense of the faithful.

O thou who hast delivered from barbaric slavery those who chant unto thee “Rejoice!”, rescue us from slavery to the alien, root out idolatrous passions from our thoughts, and plant therein the right-mindedness of the fear of God; for thou art the cause, beginning and fulfillment of all that is good.

Stavrotheotokion—

She who in latter times gave birth in the flesh to Thee Who wast begotten of the unoriginate Father, O Christ, beholding Thee hanging upon the Cross, cried out: “Woe is me, O most beloved Jesus! How is it that Thou Who art glorified as God by the angels art now crucified by iniquitous men? I hymn Thee, O Long-suffering One!”