A song of prayer oil by Arsenius.
Ode i. Irmos. Tone iv.
Through the red sea’s depth....
O Master, who with oil of loving-kindness dost mortals’ souls and bodies alway tranquilize, and them that faithful be preserv’st with oil; do thou thyself now have compassion upon those approaching thee by means of oil.
The earth, O Master, is of thy mercy full. Therefore to-day anointed with thy sacred precious oil, in faith we pray thee to bestow thy mercy that surpasseth thought on us.
Glory.
O lover of mankind, who mercifully thine apostles didst command to minister thy priestly unction on thine ailing servants; do thou, at their entreaties, through thy seal, have mercy upon all.
Both now.
O only pure one, who didst bear the boundless sea of peace, by thine entreaties alway unto God, thy servant free from ailings and from griefs, that he may magnify thee ceaselessly.