Ode IX

Exapostilarion—

Irmos: Eve, through weakness, abode under the curse of disobedience; but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, hast put forth blessing for the world through the Offspring of thy child-bearing. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

Glory..., in the same tone—

Behold, O archangel, the resplendent magnificence of thy divine temple which putteth forth lightning flashes of miracles through thy radiant presence, and it doth ever dispel the darkness of infirmities with divine grace.

Theotokion: Joyously we offer thee the cry of the divine Gabriel, exclaiming: Rejoice, all-pure paradise which hath borne within thee the Tree of life, thou most glorious palace of the Word! Rejoice, O all-immaculate Virgin!

Now and ever..., Theotokion, or this StavroTheotokion: Spec. Mel: “O all-praised martyrs...”—

As a comely and beauteous pair ye minister unto those who are on earth at the behest of the Master, O archangels, rescuing them from evil circumstances and sending down divine illumination upon all through the Spirit of God.

Today the bodiless and divine intelligences rejoice with us, beholding their great and splendid supreme commander hymned by all; and with us they lovingly keep festival, magnifying the Bestower of life.

O archangels, divine and radiant pair, Michael most honorable and Gabriel all-glorious: interceding before the honored Trinity, deliver us who praise you from torment and the cause of transgression.

As of old thou didst subdue the raging flow and thundering of the river, O glorious supreme commander, so now destroy the pride of the heathen and the raging of the demons, that we may fittingly honor thee as is meet.

The ranks of the bodiless hosts honor thy birthgiving, for thou alone hast filled mortals with joy. Wherefore, we, the faithful, glorify thee the all-immaculate one, singing the praises of thy glory in hymns, for thou hast shone forth light upon those who are in darkness, like the dawn which shineth forth in the morning.

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

Keeping festival in the world like angels, let us give voice unto a hymn to God Who sitteth upon a throne of glory: Holy art Thou, O heavenly Father! Holy art Thou, O equally everlasting Son! Holy art Thou also, O most Holy Spirit! twice

O Michael, supreme commander, who dost thyself behold ineffable things, who in boldness art preëminent among the many inhabitants of heaven, standing before the dread throne in glory: by thy prayers save us who find ourselves amid want, misfortune and temptations, we beseech thee!

Truly thou art first among the bodiless angels, a minister of the divine effulgence of God, an initiate of the mysteries of God who dost thyself behold Him. O Michael, supreme commander, save us who each year piously honor thee and hymn the Trinity with faith!

Michael, the commander of the host on high, preëminent among the divine ranks, hath summoned us today to his festival. He is ever with us, preserving all from every evil circumstance wrought by the devil. Come ye, therefore, O ye that love the feasts of the Church and love Christ, and, taking up the flowers of the virtues, with pure thoughts and an upright conscience let us honor the assembly of the archangels, for, standing ever before God and chanting the thrice-holy hymn, it doth pray that our souls be saved.

Beholding Christ hanging upon the Tree, the Virgin said: “O my Son, a sword hath pierced my heart and it is rent, as Simeon foretold to me of old, O Master! But arise, I pray, and do Thou Thyself glorify Thy Mother and handmaid with immortality!”