From the Byzantine Akathist Hymn:
NINTH CHANT
Priest: O Mother of God, we see the best of speakers become as mute as fish in your regard, for they could not explain how you could give birth while remaining a virgin. As for us, while marvelling at the mystery, we cry out to you with faith:
Hail, O Container of God's Wisdom;
hail, O Treasury of His Providence!
Hail, O Reproof of Foolish Philosophers;
hail, O Confusion of Speechless Wise Men!
Hail, for you perplexed the inquisitive minds;
hail, for you dried up the inventors of myths!
Hail, for you ripped the Athenians' meshes;
hail, for you filled the Fishermen's nets!
Hail, O Retriever from the Abyss of Ignorance;
hail, O Lamplight of Knowledge to Many!
Hail, O Ship for Those Who Seek Salvation;
hail, O Harbor for the Sailors of Life!
Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!
Resp.: Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!
KONTAKION
P.: Desiring to save the world, the Creator of All came down to it of His own will. Being at the same time our Shepherd and our God, He appeared among us, a human like us. And so the like called upon the Like, and as God He heard: Alleluia!
R: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
[Those Byzantine folks are allowed to use the A-word during Lent.]
