Ode IX

Exapostilarion—

Irmos: Every ear trembleth to hear of the ineffable condescension of God, for the Most High willingly came down even to the flesh, becoming man through the Virgin’s womb. Wherefore we, the faithful, magnify the all-pure Theotokos.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone VI—

Theotokion: In thee, O divinely chosen Mistress, we see an awesome and all-glorious wonder; for the Almighty Ruler of the world, abasing Himself, received flesh of thee, and, nourishing His people with His own all-pure Flesh, He leadeth them to life everlasting.

Continually making prostrations and chanting the akathist hymn to the all-pure one, thou didst cry aloud: “Rejoice, O guide of the world, adorned more than the angels of heaven! Adorn me with thy beauty, that I may appear before my Lord unashamed!”

O venerable father, thou didst fight the good fight until the end, desiring to please God with all thy heart. And thou wast shown to be purified like gold in a crucible, shining with spiritual beauty upon thy children; and, ascending to the heights of the virtues by thy life, as by a ladder reaching up to the heavens, thou didst teach them to praise the Lord with majesty. Be thou mindful of us, O father Athanasius, that not only in this life, but with thee in the heavens, we may praise the Lord Who hath glorified thee. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Marvelling at thy condescension in the days of my youth, I beseech thee: Forsake me not in the days of mine old age, O venerable martyr, and after my death seek me out, that, purified by thy supplications, I may gaze with the eyes of my soul upon the heavenly bridal-chamber on the day of the dread judgment of the Lord.

Our mind is at a loss what words of praise we may use to magnify the Creator Who in thee hath given us a wellspring of healings, all-radiant joy, a weapon against the assaults of the enemy, a tireless guardian for our land, and an advocate with God for our souls. Boldly chanting praise unto God with the choirs of heaven, teach us also to hymn and exalt Him supremely for all ages.

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone—

O saint of God, remember now all who have recourse unto thee with faith, delivering us from the spiritual passions; turn misfortunes and evil circumstances away from us, and be thou for us a mediator of divine salvation.

O venerable father Athanasius, like a tree bearing lustrous fruit thou hast borne great fruit of the Spirit for the holy Orthodox Church, strengthening thy faithful flock in the Truth, admonishing those who have fallen away and making steadfast those who are wavering; for thou now partakest of the fruit of heaven as food. Establish us also in the Faith and in Truth, that we may live in purity of spirit and piety, glorifying our Savior unceasingly.

The Latin-minded stopped their ears, unable to withstand the power of thy words as thou denounced their errors and their betrayal of the Faith of Christ and the Church of the apostles; wherefore, they cruelly tortured and put thee to death. Yet do thy voice and example continue through the ages to fill the right-believing people with steadfast loyalty to the Orthodox Faith of their fathers, that by the straight and narrow way of true doctrine they may attain unto the kingdom of heaven.

Glory…, in the same tone—

O all-blessed and most immaculate Virgin Mother of God, direct thou the gaze of thy loving-kindness upon us, thy wretched and unprofitable servants, and, even though we have defiled ourselves with all manner of sins and offenses, turn not thy face away from us; but with the venerable martyr Athanasius entreat Him Who without seed was born of thee, that He strengthen us to protect and defend the priceless treasure, the pearl of great price, the holy Orthodox Faith, our only adornment in this life and our hope of entering the kingdom of heaven.

For the sake of Christ the Lord, O venerable martyr Athanasius, thou didst endure great labors and evils for the edification of His Holy Church. For thou didst not only stand for the Truth as firmly as a hard diamond, but as a confessor, unceasingly denouncing those who blaspheme the Orthodox Faith and foretelling for them the wrath of God, thou didst endure ill treatment, imprisonment, mockery and a martyr’s death therefor. For this cause, thou hast entered into the joy of thy Lord and, dwelling now in the mansions of heaven, with the angels thou chantest unto the Lord hymnody of praise. Ask thou of the Lord great mercy for us, that together with thee we also may chant hymns of praise unto God in the age to come.

Great Doxology. Troparion. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.

O Theotokos, thou art the true vine which hath budded forth for us the Fruit of life. We beseech thee: Pray thou, O Mistress, with the holy apostles, that our souls find mercy.