The hymn itself forms an alphabetical acrostic—that is, each "oikos" begins with a letter of the Greek alphabet, in order—and it consists of twelve long and twelve short "oikoi". Each of the long oikoi include a seven-line stanza followed by six couplets employing rhyme, assonance and alliteration, beginning with the greeting "Chaíre" and ending with the refrain, "Rejoice, Bride without bridegroom!" (also translated as "Rejoice, thou Bride unwedded!") In the short oikoi, the seven-line stanza is followed by the refrain, "Alleluia".