GREAT VESPERS
At Psalm 140
In Tone 4
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
The shrine which holds your belt, O Theotokos,
is ever known by your servants to be an ark of sanctification.
It is our glory and boast; a sacred wall surrounding us;
a fountain of healings!
Therefore being divinely gathered today,
we hymn your mighty acts
and the vast abyss of your wonders!
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
The shrine which holds your belt, O Theotokos,
is ever known by your servants to be an ark of sanctification.
It is our glory and boast; a sacred wall surrounding us;
a fountain of healings!
Therefore being divinely gathered today,
we hymn your mighty acts
and the vast abyss of your wonders!
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Behold the all-glorious place!
Behold the ever-radiant temple in which a treasure has been laid:
the belt of the Mother of the divine Son!
People, come! Draw forth enlightenment and mercy,
and shout with a grateful heart: all-holy Virgin, we bless you,
for we have been saved by your childbearing!
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Behold the all-glorious place!
Behold the ever-radiant temple in which a treasure has been laid:
the belt of the Mother of the divine Son!
People, come! Draw forth enlightenment and mercy,
and shout with a grateful heart: all-holy Virgin, we bless you,
for we have been saved by your childbearing!
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
We rejoice and keep the feast of the placing of your belt, O Theotokos,
for today you have granted it to your people,
it is a sacred garment, wealth that cannot be stolen,
a precious gift and river of healings
overflowing with spiritual treasures!
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
We rejoice and keep the feast of the placing of your belt, O Theotokos,
for today you have granted it to your people,
it is a sacred garment, wealth that cannot be stolen,
a precious gift and river of healings
overflowing with spiritual treasures!
In Tone 2, Glory… Now…
All-pure Theotokos, the Church of God is robed in your holy belt,
as with a supremely shining diadem!
It is radiant today and cries out to you rejoicing,
rejoice, sovereign Lady!
Precious diadem and crown of divine glory!
Rejoice, for you alone are the fullness of glory and everlasting gladness!
Rejoice, refuge of those who run to you:
our intercessor and salvation!
Readings
(1) Genesis 28:10-17; (2) Ezekiel 43:27; 44:1-4; (3) Proverbs 9:1-11
Aposticha
In Tone 3
Come all you faithful from the ends of the earth,
let us glorify the honourable feast of the Mother of God.
Lifting up her hands to her Son, she prays for us,
and through her holy feast the world is given life.
Therefore, with psalms and hymns and spiritual odes,
let us joyfully celebrate with all the saints.
She is led to the king with her maiden companions. They are escorted amid gladness and joy.
Greatly has God adorned you with beauty,
for in the midst of all, He placed the Light in your arms.
You alone are in His light and are the hope of Christians;
you are the help for those afflicted with needs and sorrows;
you are the haven for those who labour and toil.
Now entreat Him to deliver from all afflictions
those who lovingly honour your holy feast.
Listen, O Daughter, give ear to my words.
Your honoured feast, O pure and holy Virgin,
is glorified by angels in heaven and by mankind on earth;
for you are the Mother of Christ our God, the Creator of All.
Do not cease to entreat Him for us, we beg you;
for next to God, we have placed our trust in you,
O Theotokos, most highly praised and pure of all stain.
In Tone 2, Glory… Now…
Having cleansed our heart and mind,
let us keep feast together with the angels,
joyfully addressing the song of David
to the maiden Bride of the King of all, Christ our God,
saying: arise, Lord, into your resting place,
both You and the ark of Your holiness!
For You have adorned her as a beautiful palace,
giving her as an inheritance to Your people, O Master,
to preserve and shelter them from their enemies,
by Your mighty power, through her supplications!
Troparion
In Tone 8
Protection of humans, ever-Virgin Mother of God* as a mighty bulwark for your city* you gave your pure body’s robe and sash.* They remained incorrupt by your giving birth without seed.* For in you are nature and time made new.* Therefore, we pray you, give peace to your city** and to our souls great mercy.
Glory… Now…
O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people!
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: Protection of humans, ever-Virgin Mother of God* as a mighty bulwark for your city* you gave your pure body’s robe and sash.* They remained incorrupt by your giving birth without seed.* For in you are nature and time made new.* Therefore, we pray you, give peace to your city** and to our souls great mercy.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 2: Your womb which received divinity* was girded about by your precious sash, O Mother of God.* It became an unconquerable force for your city* and a generous treasury of good things:* O you, the only virgin who ever gave birth.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.
verse: Because he has regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, all generations shall call me blessed. (Luke 1:46-48)
Epistle
Hebrew 9:1-7
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Rise up, O Lord, to the place of Your rest, You and the ark of Your holiness.
verse: The Lord swore an oath to David, and will not go back on His word. (Psalm 131:8,11)
Gospel
Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28
Communion Hymn
I will take the cup of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 115:13)