The Katavasia of the Theotokos
Ode
1: I shall open my mouth, /
and
the Spirit will inspire it, /
and
I shall utter the words of my song to the Queen and Mother: /
I
shall be seen radiantly keeping feast //
and
joyfully praising her wonders.
Ode
3: O Mother of God, /
thou living and plentiful fount, /
give strength to those united in spiritual fellowship, /
who
sing hymns of praise to thee: /
and
in thy divine glory //
vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.
Ode
4: He who sitteth in glory upon the throne of
the Godhead, /
Jesus
the true God, /
is
come in a swift cloud /
and
with His sinless hands he hath saved those who cry: //
Glory to Thy power, O Christ.
Ode
5: The whole world was amazed at thy divine
glory: /
for
thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, /
hast held in thy womb the God of all /
and
hast given birth to an eternal Son, //
who
rewards with salvation all who sing thy praises.
Ode
6: As we celebrate this sacred and solemn feast
of the Mother of God, /
let
us come, clapping our hands, O people of the Lord, //
and
give glory to God who was born of her.
Ode
7: The holy children bravely trampled upon the
threatening fire, /
refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator, /
and
they sang in joy: //
‘Blessed
art Thou and praised above all, O Lord God of our Fathers.’
Ode
8: The Offspring of the Theotokos /
saved the holy children in the furnace.
/
He
who was then prefigured hath since been born on earth, /
and
he gathers all the creation to sing: /
O
all ye works of the Lord, //
praise ye the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.
Ode
9: Let every mortal born on earth, /
radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy; /
and
let the host of the angelic powers /
celebrate and honor the holy feast of the Mother of God, /
and
let them cry: //
Rejoice! Pure and blessed
Ever-Virgin, who gavest birth to God.