Ode IX

Exapostilarion, in Tone III—

Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, ­honoring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!

Glory..., Now and ever..., in the same tone—

O all-hymned Virgin, accept our hymns as thy Son did the widow’s mite, and grant that we may ever offer them to thee, guiding our life in the world and granting remission of sins, that entering the heavenly mansions through thee, we may magnify thy loving-kindness.

Let those who do not confess thee to be the Theotokos and do not honor thine icons be everlastingly put to shame; but let the faithful rejoice in thee. Let the Russian land be thine abode as of old; let holy monasteries abound and churches be beautifully adorned; and let the people be sanctified, that they may celebrate with gladness, magnifying thee.

O Theotokos, our Queen, standing at the right hand of Christ God in the Kingdom of heaven, establish thou a Christian realm on earth, setting at naught the counsels of the impious and strengthening faith and piety, that all who dwell on earth may magnify thee with one mind.

Have we offered thee a worthy hymn, O Mistress? Have we glorified thy precious icon as is due? For we know that even hymns a thousandfold do not suffice for thy glorification, O Virgin. For if we hearken to the fervor of our hearts, our hymns should only be beginning. What, therefore, shall we do? We are at a loss and are in doubt. We glorify the sign of thy mercy, yet with silent lips and heartfelt love we ever hymn and magnify thee.

O Virgin Theotokos, thou most radiant sun, kindle the inextinguishable beacon of the faith of Christ in our land by thy grace, that thereby light may be cast upon darkness and the hearts of the faithful rejoice therein, giving thanks to Christ, Who loveth mankind, and granting to all great mercy.

By my sins have I put off the robe of baptism. How can I enter in unto the banquet of the Lord, lacking a wedding garment, if thou, O Theotokos, dost not cover me with thy mantle and utter a word to the King of glory in behalf of me, wretch that I am? Wherefore, placing my hope on thee alone, I stretch forth my hands to thee: Do thou hearken, protect and help me!