Commemorated on August 31
Canon I of the Depositon, the acrostic whereof is: “Thou girdest me about with thy strength, O pure Virgin”, the composition of Joseph, in Tone VIII
Ode I, Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With divine strength thou dost gird me about who piously hymn thy sacred cincture, as thou art the divine fortification, the might and impregnable rampart of thy city, O pure and all-hymned Virgin Maiden.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou gavest birth to the mighty God Who girdeth all the pious about with strength, O most immaculate one. Wherefore, we call thee blessed, and, joyously kissing thy divine cincture, we draw forth mercy and grace therefrom.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Joyfully do we form a chorus today for the deposition of the sacred cincture of the honored divine Maiden, from whence a girdle of incorruption, a seamless garment and a robe of salvation have been woven for us.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy people hasten beneath thy power, O most immaculate one, and ever flee to thy protection. Be thou a help for all, and grant to each those petitions which conduce to salvation, saving our souls from tribulations.
Canon II, Tone IV, Ode I, Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The temple of the Virgin hath, like a bright sky, acquired a splendid and undimmed luminary: her all-radiant cincture; and it illumineth the whole world with beams of miracles.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy city, noetically girded about with thy truly divine cincture, O all-pure one, hath in it invincible might, strength and a bond of confirmation; wherefore, it boasteth therein.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy shrine hath truly appeared to those on earth as the most precious ark of old, though thou bearest not tablets of stone, but faithfully preservest the knowledge of the truth.
The canon of the holy hierarch, the acrostic whereof is “Eire, Scotland and England praise Aidan”, in Tone I
Mystical fragrances are poured forth in the temple of the pure one, from her honored shrine this day; and they fill with spiritual fragrance all who have recourse to her with love.
Ode I, Irmos: Let us chant a new hymn unto the Lord Who made the impassable Red Sea dry land. He caused the children of Israel to traverse it, and covered the adverse foe with the sea.
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
Eireann’s child Aidan, growing in wisdom and stature in the land of the Picts, became a true apostle and father to the English, so that multitudes came to sojourn on earth as they were angels and dwell now in the heavens.
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
Iona, the sacred isle of the venerable Columba, nurtured thee, O Aidan, with the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the fathers, so that thou didst excel in the monastic struggles, in prudence and all the virtues.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Rejecting the acquisition of worldly power and material possessions, like the disciples of Christ thou didst go humbly among thy flock, O wondrous hierarch, preferring to walk upon thy beautiful apostolic feet, rather than to ride.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Ever-virgin art thou, O all-holy and blessed Mistress, Queen of all creation, for the preëternal Son and Logos hath preserved thy purity undefiled, from thy nativity to this day, and time without end.
Ode III, Canon I, Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The heart is renewed which toucheth the sacred cincture of the Virgin with fervent faith, and it is girded about with invincible power against impure passions, and remaining unharmed by incorporeal foes.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy sacred cincture wherewith thou girded thine incorrupt body, O Maiden, still remaineth incorrupt, sanctifying those who approach it piously and removing the corruption of sickness and sorrow.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou wast the all-beauteous dwelling of the Word Who was incarnate of thee, O pure one, and wast well pleased to place thy cincture in thy holy temple; and venerating it, we are sanctified.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy precious cincture do we all honorably venerate with joyful heart, as an honor for all the faithful, O Theotokos, in that it touched thy precious body.
Canon II, Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O ye faithful, let us honor the cincture of the pure one today as a bond of unity with God, and let us bow down before it with faith.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The springs of grace ever flowing from thine all-precious shrine give drink to all the faithful, O pure one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The much hymned and precious cincture of the all-honored one poureth forth healings upon all of us, the faithful, through grace.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Pouring forth thy gladness like the dew of the morning, O pure one, extinguish the furnace of the passions for those who ever hymn thee.
Of the hierarch, Irmos: O Lord, establish the Church which Thou hast acquired by the power of Thy Cross, whereby Thou didst vanquish the enemy and hast enlightened the whole world.
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
Senan, thy tutor in faith and piety, sent thee to Segenius to train as a champion in the contest against all manner of temptations; and, strengthened by the supplications of both preceptors, O Aidan, thou didst vanquish the hordes of Satan.
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
Called to the episcopate because of thine exceeding great discretion, thou didst tend the sheep and lambs of thy flock for Christ, the Chief Shepherd, Who hath crowned thee gloriously with an unfading wreath.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O the grace which filled thee, body and soul, O wondrous Aidan! For, sensing the power of the Almighty working in thee, the waves of the sea stilled their raging when oil thou didst provide was poured forth thereon.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Tenderly didst thou feed thine own Creator at thy breast, O Virgin Mother; wherefore, He Whom thou didst cradle in thine all-pure arms took thy pristine soul into His own hands when it departed thine immaculate body.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Kontakion, Tone II, Spec. Mel. “In supplications…”: Thy precious cincture, which encircled thy womb which was pleasing to God, O Theotokos, is the invincible might of thy city and an inexhaustible treasury of good things, O only Ever-virgin who gavest birth.
Kontakion of the hierarch, Tone V: With great pastoral prudence, O holy hierarch Aidan, thou didst feed the lambs of thy new flock with the milk of piety; and when they were replete with such wholesome spiritual sustenance, thou gavest them the solid provender of Orthodox doctrine, thereby confirming their souls in godly reverence and true devotion.
Ikos: Arise and praise Aidan, O Northumbria! O Holy Isle of Lindisfarne, rejoice and be glad! Ye kings and princes, lords and commons, lift up your voices in jubilation! For the blessed hierarch ever imparteth to your land the mercy and favor of the Most High, shedding the rays thereof upon your cities, villages and towns. Wherefore, let the streams of the River Humber carry his fame to all the world, and let York, Durham and Bamburgh declare his glory to all Christendom, that every nation may glorify God, Who is wondrous in His saints, that He may confirm our souls in godly reverence and true devotion.
Sessional hymn of the Deposition, Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “Go thou quickly before…”: Thy most precious cincture, wherewith thou didst gird thy womb about, was sanctified in the temple of God, as a divine offering, O pure and all-immaculate one who didst conceive God. Wherefore, touching it with faith, and venerating it with fear and honor, we are sanctified.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Sessional hymn of the holy hierarch, Tone VIII: Spec. Mel. “Of the Wisdom…”: Well didst thou heed the words of David the Psalmist, O Aidan, for thou didst take care not to be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose jaws must be held with bit and bridle; wherefore, when a costly steed was bestowed upon thee by the pious king, thou didst straightway give it away to a pauper, reproving the sovereign when he protested thy liberality, for the poor in Christ, who are always with us, are higher in value than all the horses of this world.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Another sessional hymn of the Deposition,Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “Having been lifted up…”: Thy church doth celebrate the deposition of thy precious cincture with splendor, and crieth out to thee, O pure Virgin: Thou girdest all against the power of the enemy. Lay low also the arrogance of the godless barbarians, and direct our life, that we may do the divine will of the Lord.
Ode IV, Canon I, Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord, Thou art my power; Thou art my God, Thou art my joy, Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast visited our lowliness. Wherefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having fallen into repose, thou wast taken up into the light unwaning, yet for those who call thee blessed thou hast left, in place of thy body, O pure one, thy precious cincture, a wellspring of miracles, a place of salvation, and a rampart for the city which honoreth thee, O all-pure one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We enter thy temple as a new heaven, where thy divine cincture hath been enshrined as a treasure as splendid as the sun, emitting rays of miracles, illumining the hearts of all, and dispelling the gloom of the passions, O Maiden.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou art the ark of noetic sanctity, O pure and all-hymned one; and thou bestowest upon thy people the precious shrine containing the cincture which thou didst wear upon thy body, as a great refuge and an inexhaustible wellspring of healings.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
A gift of great value hath been brought to thy city: thy precious cincture, O most immaculate one; and it was enshrined on this day in thy divine temple, and is become a cause of great rejoicing for those who fervently love thee, O Theotokos.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The shadows of the law and the visions of the prophets foretold that thou wouldst become the true Mother of God, O all-pure one through whom the curse hath been lifted and perfect blessing and saving grace have blossomed forth for those who hymn thee with faith and love.
Canon II, Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having appointed thee as a most honored firmament, O Theotokos, the Creator and Fashioner adorned thee with divine splendors, as with stars, whereby thou dost illumine the ends of the earth.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy city, having thee as its might and firm foundation, O Theotokos, is sustained by thy divine cincture; and it stretcheth it out as an indestructible bond in time of battle.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Theotokos, thy divine cincture draweth up from earth to heaven us who are transported by love for thee and it. Wherefore, we glorify thee as the cause of a greater glory.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Behold, grace inexhaustible! Come ye all, and with ardent heart draw forth rivers ever flowing from the honored shrine of the all-pure Mother, O ye who love the feasts of the Church.
Of the hierarch, Irmos: Thy grace hath shone forth upon the nations, and the ends of the earth have beheld Thy glory, for by Thy Cross hast Thou saved the whole world.
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
Let all the ends of the earth rejoice today in the memory of the holy hierarch Aidan, who cast down the idols of the heathen and shone forth the grace of God in the Kingdoms of Deira and Bernicia.
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
All Orthodox nations exult greatly today, lauding the apostolic struggles and journeys of the wondrous Aidan, by whose tireless efforts the Faith of Christ was established.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now let us all emulate the blessed Aidan, the model for monastics and paragon of Christian virtues, that having like him pleased our heavenly Master, we may enter into His gracious joy.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Despairing of our salvation because of our manifold offenses, in fear we flee to thee, O most immaculate one; and, clasping thy precious feet, we beseech thy mighty intercession.
Ode V, Canon I, Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
When thy divine cincture was enshrined on this day in thy temple, O divinely joyous one, all manner of blessings were laid up with it; and he who approacheth it is filled to overflowing with sanctity, receiving that for which he asketh with faith.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In giving birth to the all-comely Word thou wast adorned, O Virgin, and in thy beauteous habitation thou hast been well-pleased to enshrine the beautiful cincture wherewith thou didst gird thy beauteous body, O Theotokos.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy holy temple is acknowledged by all to be a second paradise, O most immaculate one; for, within, it hath acquired thy cincture, which, like a sweet-smelling rose, filleth with divine fragrance the hearts of those who with faith fall down before it.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
A cloud of divine rain wast thou, O all-immaculate one, letting fall the water of sanctification, bringing the land, frozen by sin, to the fruitfulness of piety. Wherefore, with faith we call thee blessed.
Canon II, Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast magnified Thy Mother, O Lord; Thou hast exalted her above all the noetic powers, for her glory is beyond compare.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The grace of God is now bestowed unstintingly through thy precious shrine, O all-pure Theotokos, upon those who do thee homage with faith.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Faithful rulers are girded about with thy power; and thy city boasteth in thee as its ally, O all-pure one, being honored by the possession of thy cincture.
Of the hierarch, Irmos: Once, the seraph, taking up tongs, took up a burning ember and touched it to Isaiah’s lips; and, purified, he proclaimed unto all: Learn ye righteousness!
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
Alms didst thou constantly receive from the mighty of the world, O Aidan; and these didst thou straightway distribute among the poor and needy. Wherefore, great is thy treasure in the heavens.
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
Neither silver nor gold didst thou keep for thyself, O friend of the Most High, but didst hold the poor in spirit to be thy true treasure; and therein didst thy heart delight, O God-bearer.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Despondency and all the carnal passions didst thou dispel from thy soul by the rigors of abstinence and ascetic struggles, O venerable one. Wherefore, thou becamest a true model for monks.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Even the most eloquent of orators is utterly at a loss how to describe the mighty works which thine omnipotent Son hath wrought through thee, O most pure Maiden.
Ode VI, Canon I, Irmos: The abyss of my sins and the tempest of my transgressions discomfit me and thrust me down into the depths of violent despondency; but stretch forth Thy mighty arm unto me, as Thou didst to Peter, and save my, O my Guide.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
For our sake didst thou bear as a babe Him Who existed before time began, and thou renewest hearts grown old through sin, which obtain regeneration though the deposition of thy precious cincture, O Ever-virgin Maiden.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy holy church is marvellous in righteousness, having acquired thy miraculous cincture, which poureth forth wonders; and it is shown to be an abyss of healing for the poor, O Virgin, Mother and Theotokos.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Every soul that gathereth in thy holy temple is filled with gladness, beholding thy cincture therein like a radiant sun, emitting the light of the works of the Maker of all and the divine Spirit.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Overlooking all our offenses, O pure one, strengthen thou our hearts, for thou girdest about with power those who have with faith acquired thy cincture as a treasure of great price which cannot be taken away.
Canon II, Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Thy side.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Lord hath glorified thee wholly above all nature, exalting thee alone; and thee, together with thy temple, thy cincture and divine shrine, hath He honored in manner past recounting, O Theotokos.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Streams of grace pour forth, as out of the depths, from the shrine of the all-pure one, and surround all of creation, giving drink to those who with faith worship thy birthgiving.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having acquired thee as their strength and boast, the faithful are girded about with glory, possessing thy precious cincture as a most splendid and precious ornament, O Theotokos.
Of the hierarch, Irmos: Emulating the Prophet Jonah, I cry out: O Good One, free my life from corruption! O Savior of the world, save me who cry out: Glory to Thee!
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
Nailing the uprisings of thy flesh to the fear of God, thou didst earnestly take up thy cross and follow after Christ Jesus thy Lord, by Whose sufferings we have been redeemed.
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
Glory and majesty shine forth on this day of thy memorial, O blessed one; for having shed the old man like a garment, thou didst put on Christ, Who shineth with uncreated light.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Lowly and humble, O Aidan, thou didst yet consort with kings, princes and highborn nobles, teaching them to repent, in that the mighty will be cast down and those of low degree will be exalted.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-blessed art thou, O Lady Theotokos, for within thy pure womb did the Author of all deign to dwell, so that it surpasseth all the celestial heights in glory.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “Thou hast appeared today…”: Today thy temple doth celebrate the deposition of thy precious cincture, O all-hymned one, and it earnestly crieth out to thee: Rejoice, O Virgin, thou boast of Christians!
Ikos: Illumine me with thy light, O Virgin Theotokos, and disperse the darkness which lieth grievously upon my mind, that in purity I may approach thee, the pure one who hath brought deification to mortals. I hymn thy divine cincture, which outshineth the sun, and which this world hath as its steadfast protection and hope, which vanquisheth the councils of the iniquitous foe, destroyeth their wiles, and ever preserveth thy servants, O most immaculate and unblemished one. Rejoice, O Virgin, thou boast of Christians!
Ode VII, Canon I, Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fire stood in awe of the condescension of God; wherefore, the youths, dancing with joyous step in the furnace, as in a meadow, chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Queen of all, having departed for the mansions of heaven, hath left behind her cincture as a treasure for the king of all cities, and thereby we are saved from the invasion of foes, visible and invisible.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Let us now approach the wellspring which poureth forth grace and mercy: the precious shrine containing the most precious cincture of the Virgin and Mother who honored humanity with her precious birthgiving.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Praise the Lord, all ye hosts of heaven! Glorify her who gave birth to Him, all ye nations of men! For she hath bestowed her cincture upon the faithful as a true refuge and salvation.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Let the clouds drop righteousness down from above at the deposition of thy cincture, O divinely joyous cloud; and let every soul sing sweetly, rejoicing: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Canon II, Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In that Thou alone art the Bestower of light, as the Sun of righteousness Thou hast divinely enlightened the temple of the pure one with Thy divers gifts; and, shining therein, she illumineth her cincture with rays of splendor.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Surrounding thy cincture as it were the golden jar, O thou who alone art pure, we now partake in a truly divine manner of the sweetness of grace, and honor it as more exalted than the tablets of the law, O most blessed one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Vessels of miracles truly pour forth thy grace upon the faithful, O pure Maiden, which issueth forth abundantly from thy shrine as from another river of Eden.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Approach now with gladness, all ye on earth! Come ye! The shrine mystically crieth to the Lady: Surround ye the all-glorious one who hath preserved her cincture in me!
Of the hierarch, Irmos: O Lord God of our fathers, Who didst appear to the law-giver in the fiery bush and therein prefigure Thy nativity from the Virgin: Blessed art Thou!
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
Now still do the tides sunder thy Holy Isle from the coastal lands, O Aidan our helmsman; yet during thy life did naught separate thee from the love of thy Lord.
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
Devoutly did the pious Oswald grant thee the islands of the sea, O boast of monks: wherefore, on Lindisfarne thou didst found a mighty monastery; while Farne witnessed thy solitary struggles in prayer.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Prudence, the highest of pastoral virtues, reigned supreme in thy life, so that multitudes of the heathen, perceiving the light of Christ shining forth from thee, glorified God, crying: Blessed art Thou!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Robed in gold inwrought with many colors, the all-immaculate Queen and Mother standeth in majesty by the throne of the Most High, mercifully interceding for her sinful servants.
Ode VIII, Canon I, Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Like a holy throne hath the coffer, containing the resting cincture of the only divine Maiden and pure Queen of all, been splendidly enshrined within the holy place wherein none may enter; and therefrom perfect rest issueth forth abundantly upon those who labor amid many pangs.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In sacred manner didst thou give birth unto the Lord on the earth, and with thy holy hands didst truly gird Him about Who girdeth the pious with power; and now, having ascended on high to the heavens, thou hast left thy precious cincture as might and protection for men, O Virgin Theotokos.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The divine grace which followeth upon thy precious cincture, O pure Virgin, is truly the healing of the ailing, the confirmation of those who stumble, the divine good cheer of the despondent, a rudder for those at sea and the return of the lost; and we venerate it with faith for all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Celebrating today the holy deposition of thy divine cincture, we, thy servants, honor the sacred festivity and with joy cry out to thee: Rejoice, O Theotokos, joy of the angels and of all men who chant with faith: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Canon II, Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions’ mouths in the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Of old, the ark held the divine tablets inscribed by the hand of God, O all-pure one; but thy revered and precious shrine, O pure Mistress, containeth the cincture of thee who held within thyself the dread mystery of the One Who established the law thereof.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The angels now join chorus in thine honored temple, O pure and all-pure one, and embrace thy precious and holy cincture, which we venerate with love, joy and great gladness, hymning thee, the glory of our race, O Mistress.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou art the rod which gave rise to the Flower of life, the joy of all, the pure and priceless phial of the Spirit, the treasury of good things, the fount of sweet fragrance; and from thy divine shrine the myrrh of healings poureth forth.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The noetic warriors hymn thy mighty works, O pure and all pure one; all the patriarchs and prophets manifestly proclaim thee, together with the apostles, the priests, and the choirs of the martyrs; and with them we also do thee homage.
Of the hierarch, Irmos: Hymn the Lord, Who preserved the children in the burning fiery furnace and descended unto them in the form of an angel, and exalt Him supremely forever!
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
At thy preaching, O godly hierarch Aidan, the hearts of men were opened to the teachings of Christ Jesus; for as thou didst teach, so didst thou live, conforming thyself to the divine precepts.
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
In time of strife, when pagan hordes strove to burn the royal city to the ground, O Aidan, thou didst set their malice at nought, and by the power of God didst turn back against them the very flames they kindled.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Singing the praises of God, like the youths in the furnace, while fires threatened to consume Bamburgh, by thine entreaty thou didst preserve the Christian city unharmed by the flames, turning them back upon the malefactors.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Exalting thee among all women, Christ made His abode within thee, O pure Theotokos, miraculously issuing forth from thee at His birth without breaking the seal of thy virginity.
Ode IX, Canon I, Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Behold, the divine couch of Solomon, which sixty of the powerful—the sayings of the Scripture—surround as it were a royal bower! In a precious coffer she placeth her cincture today, that all the faithful may invoke her, and for the safekeeping of the pious.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O city of the King of heaven, of whom wondrous things have been spoken! Thou hast given thy most holy cincture as a precious and holy gift to thy city, for the confirmation of all the faithful, and thereby the rulers, resplendent in Orthodoxy, vanquish the adversary.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Ye mountains, now drop down sweetness, and ye hills, everlasting gladness. O ye assemblies of patriarchs, choirs of martyrs, ye company of prophets and honored assembly of the divine apostles: rejoice with all of us at the deposition of the divine cincture of the divine Maiden.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast sanctified all things by thy birthgiving, O Virgin, and hast now bestowed upon us an excess of enlightenment: thine all-holy cincture, at whose deposition all the earth danceth and honoreth thee, who hast filled mankind with ineffable joy.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
As thou art merciful, O pure one, deliver me, who have recourse to thy mercy, from the false love of the passions, from the enemy who ever tempteth me with the burden of sins, from despondency, cruel abduction, captivity and sin, O all-pure one.
Canon II, Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy shrine, which, like a treasury of life, doth worthily contain and preserve thy cincture as the garment of thy virginity and bridehood, is truly shown to be a most honorable wedding chamber, O Theotokos.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Church, arrayed with thy divine and most holy cincture as with a diadem of divine beauty, O Theotokos, rejoiceth royally today, and is adorned with thy glory.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The temple of the Virgin, like in all ways unto the heavens, is well adorned this day. O ye faithful, having received gifts of splendor, and being illumined as with the beauties of the stars, make yourselves bright with radiance.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy city, O Theotokos, possesseth thy cincture as an ally and rampart of peace, the divine unity of the dogmas, the boast of the Orthodox, bestowing victory upon kings.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We hymn thine ineffable glory and thine immeasurable grace, for thou art the wellspring of wisdom, from whence the Word issueth forth for all who honor thee, O all-pure one, and magnify thy birthgiving.
Of the hierarch, Irmos: With hymns do we magnify Thee, the God and man, Who wast first begotten without mother, and then wast born without father.
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
As a good shepherd, and not a hireling, O Aidan, thou didst call upon the infidels to cast away their unbelief and to enter, rejoicing, into the fold of the Church, embracing the one true Faith.
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
Instructing believers in word and deed, O holy hierarch, thou didst strengthen them in the doing of good deeds, that their faith might be alive within them and bear the ripe fruits of piety.
Holy father, Aidan, pray to God for us.
Devoting thyself to monastic ideals, thou didst found many monasteries and convents throughout Northumbria, O most glorious one, nurturing generations of monastics in continence, and uprooting the passions from them like tares.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Again and again were the timbers of the church where thou didst repose reduced utterly to ashes, O holy Aidan; yet the wooden buttress whereon thou didst lean when thy soul took flight was never touched or consumed by the flames.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Now let us entreat the mediation of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of the all-seeing Judge Who hath pardoned mankind, Whose sufferings, resurrection and ascension the wondrous Aidan gloriously preached.
Troparion of the Deposition, Tone VIII: O Ever-virgin Theotokos, protection of mankind: thou hast given to thy city a mighty legacy, the robe and cincture of thy most honored body, which have remained incorrupt through thy seedless birthgiving. For in thee are nature and time renewed. Wherefore, we beseech thee to grant peace to thy city and great mercy to our souls.
Troparion of the holy hierarch, Tone I: A scion of Ireland, transplanted to Iona, the isle of saints, tended there thou didst grow to spiritual fruition; and when the field of Northumbria was ready to receive the seeds of the Christian Faith, thou wast sent thither to plant the crop of salvation. Wherefore, laboring diligently day and night, thou didst produce a rich harvest for Christ. O godly Aidan our father, entreat Him earnestly, that our souls find mercy.
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