Chapter 97

Tonk Viii Eight Tones 59

THE CANON.

Theme-Songs (Irmosi). I. At thy nod, O Lord, the nature of water which hitherto had flowed freely, was transmuted into terrestrial form : Wherefore Israel, journeying with foot unwet, doth sing unto thee a hymn of victory.

Refrain, Glory to thy holy Resurrection, O Lord.

(Then the appointed Hymns ■, composed after the model of those shown in Tone /.)

III. Thou who in the beginning didst establish the heavens by thine almighty word, O Lord our Saviour, and all the might thereof by thy Spirit all-creating and divine: Establish thou me upon the rock immovable of thy confession. R. and Hs.

IV. Thou didst not leave the bosom of the Father, yet didst come down upon earth, O Christ our God. I have heard the mystery of thy dispensation, and have glorified thee, who alone lovest mankind. R. and Hs.

V. The night is devoid of light for unbelievers, O Christ, but for the faithful there is illumination in the sweetness of thy words : For which cause I wake early unto thee, and hymn thy divinity. R. and Hs.

VI. As I sail over the surges of earthly cares, drowning because of my shipload of sins, and flung to the soul-destroying beast, like Jonah cry I unto thee, O Christ : From the death-dealing deep, O lead thou me forth. R and Hs.

VII. The Children of God aforetime showed forth the fiery furnace to be dew-dropping, as they sang the praises of the one God, and said : All-exalted is the God of our fathers and all-glorious. R. and Hs.

VIII. The bush which on Sinai burned with fire yet was not consumed revealed God unto Moses, slow and halting of speech ; and zeal for God made the Children invincible in the fire as they sang: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages. R. and Hs.

IX. O Mother who hast not known man, Virgin Birth-giver of God, thou who, without having tasted of corruption, wast with child and didst lend flesh unto the all-creating Word, Receptacle of the Illimitable, Abode of the infinite Artificer, we hymn thee. R and Hs.

TONE VIII. Hymns for: Lord, I have cried unto thee.

Our evening song and reasonable service we offer unto thee, O Christ, in that thou hast graciously been pleased to show mercy upon us through thy Resurrection.

O Lord, Lord, cast us not away from thy presence, but graciously be pleased to show mercy upon us through thy Resurrection.