The Canon I to the Bodiless Hosts, the acrostic whereof is: “O ye divinely wise, let us solemnise praise to the assembly of the incorporeal ones …,” the composition of John the Monk, of Damascus
Ode, I Irmos: Let us, O ye people, send up a hymn * unto our wondrous God * Who hath freed Israel from bondage, * chanting a hymn of victory * and crying aloud:* We sing unto Thee, O only Master.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Ye faithful let us all hymn the uncreated Trinity, Who doth govern all the immaterial ranks of the heavenly choirs, crying aloud: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O Almighty God!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Creator of the angels, Thou didst set as a beginning to Thy creations the immaterial essence which doth surround Thy most honoured throne that it might cry out to Thee: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O Almighty God!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Rejoice, O Gabriel, initiate of the mystery of the incarnation of God, and Michael, foremost among the immaterial ranks, who unceasingly cry out: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O Almighty God!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
I tremble before the mystery of Thy condescension, O Christ; for, God in essence, Thou didst deign to be born from the Virgin as a man, that Thou mightest save the world from slavery to the enemy.
Canon II to the Bodiless Hosts, also the Composition of John of Damascus
Ode I, Irmos: The wonderworking staff of Moses, * striking and dividing the sea in the figure of a cross, * once drowned Pharaoh the pursuing charioteer, * while it saved the fleeing people of Israel * as they fled on foot, * chanting a hymn unto God.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Come ye, and, joining chorus, let us praise the noetic choirs of the incorporeal ranks, for they are divine ministers who unceasingly pray for our salvation and rejoice over our repentance.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
The chief captains of the angels, chosen before others, the valiant commanders, the incorporeal intelligences, today arise for the celebration of the feast of their radiant memory. With them we also rejoice, offering a hymn to the Trinity.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O ye people, with spiritual joy let us be glad today with the angels, for Gabriel again announceth glad tidings: the union of the Churches and the destruction of all adverse heresies, in the commemoration of the supreme commanders.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O most pure one, through the Holy Spirit thou hast given birth unto the Word of the Father, Who transcending nature made His abode within thee, being of two natures and wills, yet immutably one in hypostasis; and Whose countenance we venerate.
Ode III, Irmos: Thy fear, O Lord, do Thou plant * in the hearts of Thy servants * and be Thou the confirmation of us * who in truth call upon Thee.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
With strength, O Immortal One, hast Thou appointed the mighty ones who fulfil Thine all-holy will, ever standing before Thee in the highest.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Christ, accept those who pray on our behalf, the commanders of the angels, initiates of the mystery of Thine incarnation and Thine honoured Resurrection.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Thou hast appointed angels as guardians for all mankind, in that Thou art compassionate; and Thou hast shown forth the ministers of the salvation of Thy favoured ones.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Bride of God, thou hast ineffably conceived the Lord and Saviour, Who delivereth from evil those who call upon thee in truth.
Another Irmos: O Lord, thou art the confirmation of those who flee to Thee, * Thou art the Light of those in darkness, * and my spirit doth hymn Thee.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Michael, chief captain, foremost among the angels, as a secondary luminary of the Trinity hast thou revealed thyself to those who faithfully praise thee.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Having proclaimed the coming of God in the flesh, Gabriel faithfully filled the whole world with the effulgence of divine grace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O ever-hymned couple, radiant and immaterial pair, show forth the light of God upon those who faithfully celebrate your memory.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure one, Isaiah hymned thine Offspring, Who transcendeth nature; and I too sing, that I may obtain His cleansing.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “That which was commanded …”: O ye captains of the heavenly hosts, foremost among those who are enthroned on high, and awesome in divine glory, O Michael and Gabriel, supreme commanders, chief captains of the angels, and all ye bodiless ones, ministers of the Master: praying unceasingly on behalf of the world, ask for the remission of the sins we have committed, and that we may find mercy and grace on the day of Judgment. (Twice)
Theotokion, Tone VIII: O pure and blessed one, who art full of divine grace, out of the compassion of thy tender compassion, with the hosts on high, the archangels and all the bodiless powers, unceasingly entreat Him Who was born from thee, that, before the end, He mercifully grant us forgiveness of sins and correction of life, that we may find mercy.
Ode IV, Irmos: Thou didst mount Thy steeds O Lord, * Thine apostles, * and taking their bridles in Thy hands, * Thy chariot became salvation unto those who sing with faith: * Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Thy virtue covereth the angels, O Lover of mankind, and with Thy divine, glorious praise, O Unoriginate One, filleth the ends of the earth, which cry out with them: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Thou didst go forth unto the salvation of Thy people, O compassionate Christ, summoning Thy friends, the powers; and Thy coming hath been gladness unto all who faithfully cry aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast been supra-naturally revealed to be both Virgin and Mother, O all-pure one; for thou hast given birth to Christ, both God and man, to Whom the ranks of the angels cry out with fear: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Another Irmos: Thou, O Lord, art my strength and Thou art my power, * Thou art my God and Thou art my joy, * Thou Who, whilst never leaving the bosom of Thy Father, * hast visited our poverty. * Therefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee, * ‘Glory to Thy power, O Lover of mankind!’
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
In Jericho of old the great Michael, supreme commander of the hosts of the Lord and chief among the bodiless ones, appeared unto Joshua, son of Nun, who was waging war, and he gave them victory, fighting for him; and the servant of God, receiving power from him, conquering them with the spear by which the enemy was captured.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Once the great Gabriel, the truly divine archangel, chief among the bodiless hosts, appeared, bearing the glad tidings of a child to Zechariah the priest. Wherefore, the voice of the Word, who was born John, restoreth the voice of prophecy to his own father.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
All the ends of the earth rejoice today with exceeding joy, O God, celebrating the honoured memory of Thine archangels, the divine Michael and Gabriel of divine wisdom. And together with them all the ranks of angels rejoice, for by their protection the world is preserved.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou alone didst remain pure after giving birth, and only thou hast been shown to be without husband, O thou that with milk didst nourish the true Word of the Father, Who through the Holy Spirit assumed our form, that of a servant, O Virgin Theotokos. And venerating the divine likeness of His countenance, Him do we honour.
Ode V, Irmos: Guide me out of the night of ignorance * with the light of Thine understanding, O Lord, * for I am lost on the path that ensnares the soul, * and direct me to the way of Thy commandments.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Borne up to the heights by inexorable longing for Thee, O Christ, Thou ultimate of all desires, the angelic powers unceasingly glorify Thee.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Thou hast made Thine angels noetic by nature and incorrupt by Thy grace, that they may hymn Thy majesty, O Christ, having fashioned them according to Thine image, O Unapproachable One.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Through their nearness to Thee, O Christ, Thou hast kept Thy servants uninclined towards evil, for Thou art the Source of all goodness, and Thou doest good unto those who serve Thee as is meet.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Enliven my soul which hath been slain by vile passions, O all-immaculate one, for thou hast given birth unto the Preserver of life, and direct it to the path of eternal and blessed life.
Another Irmos: O Light never-waning, * why hast Thou turned Thy face from me * and why hath the alien darkness surrounded me, * wretched though I be? * But do Thou guide my steps I implore Thee * and turn me back towards the light of Thy commandments.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
When, of old, Balaam the prophet refused to submit to the ineffable and divine wonders of God, an angel appeared to his donkey at the crossroads and strangely denounced him, showing his irrational animal to be unnaturally rational.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
When Peter had been arrested and languished in prison, an angel of God appeared, delivering him from the hands of Herod, from bonds and death. Wherefore, come ye, let us all honour the wise angels as divine protectors of our souls.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O angels and archangels, ye divine powers of God, by your ever-offered supplications to God put an end to the uproar of battles, heresies in the Church and all temptations, and maintain us in peace.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
We know Thee to be the God of creation: One in two natures, two actions and wills, though uncommingled, the Son of God Who took flesh from a woman, whose image depicted in icons we venerate.
Ode VI, Irmos: Thou O Lord, didst place Jonah alone within the sea monster. * Do Thou save me, * who am ensnared in the nets of the enemy, * as thou didst save him from corruption.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
By Thy Word, O Lord, Thou didst in a godly manner bring the heavenly beings, the immortal hosts, out of non-existence, making them luminous.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Honoured initiates of the mysteries of the praise of God have ye been, O incorporeal ones, citizens of heaven, truly divine tabernacles, who serve the Creator as is meet.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Thee, O Unoriginate Son of God, do the noetic ranks of the bodiless ones unceasingly praise and glorify as the Creator and Fashioner of all things.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O most pure one, thou hast been deemed worthy to cradle in thine embrace Him Who eternally sitteth with the Father in the highest. Render Him merciful unto us, thy servants, O pure one.
Another Irmos: Cleanse me, O Saviour, * for many are mine iniquities; * lead me up from the abyss of evils I pray Thee, * for unto Thee have I cried, * and Thou hast hearkened unto me, * O God of my salvation.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Taking flight in mind away from material corruption, let us with fear honour the immaterial ones who are bodiless like flames of fire and light, chanting hymns unto them with lips of clay.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Calm the tempests of the passions, O archangels, and quell all revolts against the Faith, for ye are the holy and fiery chief commanders of the Trinity.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O captains Michael and Gabriel, ye chief commanders and archangels of God, leaders of the bodiless ones, preserve us from all heresies by your protection.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Christ, being incorporeal in that Thou art God, Thou didst manifest Thyself incarnate from the womb of her who knew not a man, and, as man, thou wast a bearer of our flesh, Whose likeness we honour, O ye faithful.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Kontakion, in Tone II: Supreme Leaders of God’s armies * and ministers of the divine glory, * princes of the bodiless Angels and guides of mankind, * ask ye for that which is beneficial for us, and for great mercy, ** as Supreme Leaders of the Bodiless Hosts.
Ikos: In Thy Scriptures, O immortal Lover of mankind, Thou didst say that a multitude of angels rejoiceth in heaven over one man that repenteth. Wherefore, O Sinless One, Who alone knowest the hearts of all people, amid our transgressions we ever make bold to beseech Thee to have compassion and send down compunction upon us, unworthy though we be, granting us forgiveness, O Master; in that Thou art compassionate, for the supreme commanders of the bodiless host entreat Thee on behalf of us all.
Ode VII, Irmos: The Hebrew children in the furnace * boldly trampled upon the flames, * changing the fire into dew, they cried aloud: * ‘Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, throughout the ages’.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Compassionate One, Thou didst reveal the immaterial essence of Thine angels to be light, for they are unceasingly filled with Thine ineffable light, crying aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God, throughout the ages!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
The myriads of ministering angels cannot endure to behold the sight of the Countenance before which they unceasingly stand, crying aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God, throughout the ages!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Thou didst create the nature of the angels by Thy hypostatic Word, and having sanctified it by the divine Spirit, O God, Thou didst teach it to bless the Trinity throughout all ages.
Most Holy Trinity our God, glory to Thee.
Mindful of the three hypostases, we glorify the un-circumscribed essence of the Father, the Son and the Spirit, crying aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God, throughout the ages!
Another Irmos: The Children of Judaea, * who of old came to dwell in Babylon, * trampled underfoot the flame of the furnace * through their faith in the Trinity, * as they sang: ‘O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.’
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Come ye, O human race, and with the choirs of the bodiless ones let us worship, celebrating on this auspicious day the memory of the wise archangels of Christ, singing: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O God of our fathers!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Of old, Abraham the God-seer, and the glorious Lot, gave shelter to the angels, in that they were hospitable, and they found fellowship with the angels, crying: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
To the valiant Manoah and the most wise Tobit appeared the angels who give rewards for the struggles of life as is meet; and once the Angel of the children quenched the flame in the fiery furnace.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All that is ours by nature didst Thou take from the Virgin, except change, O Jesus, and with the fathers we proclaim Thee to be of two natures, but One in hypostasis; and, depicting the visage thereof, we faithfully venerate it.
Ode VIII, Irmos: Glorified in the holy mountain, * the Lord revealed the mystery of the Ever-Virgin unto Moses * in the flames of the burning bush: * praise ye and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Let us emulate the life of the angels and wing our thoughts to the heights, and with them let us immaterially chant unto the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
The angels, heavenly members of the chorus which doth surround the throne of glory and ever dance about God, hymn and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!
Most Holy Trinity our God, glory to Thee.
The Trinity, which unceasingly maketh its ministers a flame of immaterial fire in the highest and doth show forth its angels as spirits, let us worship and glorify throughout all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Him before Whom myriads of angels and archangels stand in trepidation wast thou deemed worthy to bear in thine arms, O Theotokos, pray thou that those who glorify Him may be saved throughout all ages.
Another Irmos: In his wrath the Chaldean Tyrant made the furnace blaze, * with heat fanned sevenfold for the servants of God; * but when he perceived that they had been saved by a greater power * he cried aloud to the Creator and Redeemer; * ‘ye children bless, ye priests praise, * ye people, supremely exalt Him throughout all ages’.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Michael the archangel is chief among the angels; but with him Gabriel is also radiantly glorified as the initiate of the mystery of grace, the honoured one who obtained the consent of the Virgin, the champion leader of the bodiless ones; and they both proclaim joy unto those who cry: O ye people, exalt Christ supremely throughout all ages!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Ezekiel, beholding the ranks of angels in their divers forms, proclaimed, prophesying: ‘Among them six-winged seraphim stood in intercession, and many-eyed cherubim surrounded them; and with them I saw most radiant archangels glorifying Christ throughout all ages’.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
How the dread coming of Thy second Judgment will be was foretold by Daniel in revelation: ‘The thrones were set, and the Ancient One sat, and He let in the myriads of angels who stand with fear and cry out with incessant voices to the Trinity throughout all ages’.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Word, Who is consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit, of His own will manifested Himself from the Virgin is like unto us, not mingling one with the other of the two natures of His awesome union. For He showed Himself to be One and the Same in both, in two natures, and one hypostasis. And now we bow down before the image of His likeness.
Ode IX, Irmos: Thou hast passed the limits of nature, * having conceived the Maker and the Lord, * and didst become a door of salvation * unto the world; * wherefore we unceasingly magnify thee, O Theotokos.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Christ, Who hast ineffably united those who are in heaven with those who are on earth, and made one Church of angels and mortals, Thee do we unceasingly magnify.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O ye angels and archangels, thrones, virtues and dominions, principalities and powers, cherubim and seraphim: pray ye with the Theotokos on behalf of the world.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Michael and Gabriel, who are shown to be leaders of all, visit those who with love honour your most festive memory and faithfully cry aloud: Save us from all evil circumstances!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice, O holy bride of God! Rejoice, thou that didst give birth unto the Light of the world for the faithful! Rejoice, rampart and shelter of us all! Do thou unceasingly entreat God on our behalf, for He is our Benefactor.
Another Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, * we confess thee to be truly the Theotokos, * and together with the choirs of the bodiless hosts * thee do we magnify.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Ye have shown yourselves to be champions for the infirm, for those who sail the sea and those who are in need, O Michael and Gabriel, first among the bodiless hosts.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Gabriel, in that thou dost hold chorus with the divine powers and thrones, and art the champion leader of the angels and an initiate of the mysteries of God, pray thou to the Saviour for us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
In that ye are the protectors of the world and commanders of the hosts on high, entreat ye the Saviour on our behalf.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Together we glorify thee, O Theotokos, for thou dost save us from the passions and dost fulfil those of our supplications which are to our benefit.
Troparion of the Angels, Tone IV: O supreme commanders of the heavenly hosts, * we entreat you unworthy as we are, * that by your prayers, you will encompass us * with the protection of the wings of your immaterial glory * preserving us who fall down before you and earnestly cry aloud: * deliver us from all misfortunes, ** for ye are the commanders of the hosts on high.
