The Biblical Odes

The nine Biblical Odes are chanted at Matins as part of the Canon:

• 1. The First Ode of Moses: Exodus 15:1–19
• 2. The Second Ode of Moses: Deuteronomy 32:1–43
• 3. The Prayer of Anna: 1 Kingdoms 2:1–10
• 4. The Prayer of Abbacum: Abbacum 3:2–19
• 5. The Prayer of Esaias: Esaias 26:9–20
• 6. The Prayer of Jonas: Jonas 2:3–10
• 7. The Prayer of the Three Holy Children: Daniel 3:26–56
• 8. The Hymn of the Three Holy Children: Daniel 3:57–88
• 9. The Song of the Theotokos, the Magnificat: Luke 1:46–55; and the Prayer of Zacharias, the Benedictus: Luke 1:68–79

The Biblical Odes were originally chanted in their entirety every day, with a short refrain after each verse. In time Troparia were composed to replace the refrains, a practice ascribed to Saint Andrew of Crete. Over the centuries the verses of the Biblical Odes fell out of use, save the Magnificat. Only the Troparia remained, joined to each Ode by its Heirmos. In Great Lent the Biblical Odes are still chanted in full.