Ode Five

Kontakion 5

Wheresoever Thou wishest, O my Almighty God, there the order of nature is overcome; conquer the sinful nature which lives in me and its power which drags me toward sin, for Thou art the Creator of all things and the Fashioner of nature. By Thy Divine grace renew a right spirit within me, cast me not away from Thy face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Wipe away the deadly stamp of child-slayer which was deservedly placed upon my soul, placed by Thy just judgement in accordance with the sixth commandment of Thy law: Thou shalt not kill. Restore Thine eternal covenant to us, O Lord, which I have broken by my sins, and return my former virtues which were lost through sin, so that without hindrance I may cry out to Thee: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Who has ever sinned as I the wretched one? What sin have I not committed? What evil has not been imagined in my soul? But with a penitent heart and tears I come to Thee, O All-compassionate Lord, crying out:

Have mercy on me Thine unfaithful servant.
Have mercy on me who am hardened in sins.
Have mercy on me who hate my neighbor.
Have mercy on me who offend in word and deed.
Have mercy on me who am defiled in soul and body.
Have mercy on me for my conscience is burned up.
Have mercy on me, a child-slayer like Herod.
O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me who am fallen.