Month: November 2016

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

Come, let us rejoice in the Lord
as we tell of the present mystery.
Destroyed is the middle wall of partition;
the flaming sword turns back, the cherubim withdraw from the tree of life,
and I partake of the delight of Paradise from which I was cast out through disobedience.
For the Father’s express Image, the Imprint of His eternity,
takes the form of a servant,
and without undergoing change He comes forth from a Mother who knew not wedlock.
For what He was, He has remained, true God:
and what He was not, He has taken upon Himself, becoming man through love for mankind.
To Him let us cry aloud:
God born of a Virgin, have mercy on us.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Come, let us rejoice in the Lord
as we tell of the present mystery.
Destroyed is the middle wall of partition;
the flaming sword turns back, the cherubim withdraw from the tree of life,
and I partake of the delight of Paradise from which I was cast out through disobedience.
For the Father’s express Image, the Imprint of His eternity,
takes the form of a servant,
and without undergoing change He comes forth from a Mother who knew not wedlock.
For what He was, He has remained, true God:
and what He was not, He has taken upon Himself, becoming man through love for mankind.
To Him let us cry aloud:
God born of a Virgin, have mercy on us.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

When Jesus the Lord was born of the holy Virgin,
the whole world was enlightened.
The shepherds watched in the fields,
the Magi adored and the angels sang hymns of praise;
but Herod was troubled: for God appeared in the flesh,
the Saviour of our souls.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

When Jesus the Lord was born of the holy Virgin,
the whole world was enlightened.
The shepherds watched in the fields,
the Magi adored and the angels sang hymns of praise;
but Herod was troubled: for God appeared in the flesh,
the Saviour of our souls.

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Your Kingdom, O Christ our God,
is a Kingdom of all the ages,
and Your rule is from generation to generation.
Made flesh of the Holy Spirit and made man of the ever-Virgin Mary,
You have enlightened us by Your coming.
Light of Light, Brightness of the Father,
You have made all creation shine with joy.
Everything that breathes praises You,
the Image of the Father’s glory.
O God–the One who is–and always was,
who shone forth from a Virgin, have mercy on us.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Your Kingdom, O Christ our God,
is a Kingdom of all the ages,
and Your rule is from generation to generation.
Made flesh of the Holy Spirit and made man of the ever-Virgin Mary,
You have enlightened us by Your coming.
Light of Light, Brightness of the Father,
You have made all creation shine with joy.
Everything that breathes praises You,
the Image of the Father’s glory.
O God–the One who is–and always was,
who shone forth from a Virgin, have mercy on us.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

O Christ what shall we offer You;
for our sake You appeared on earth as man?
Every creature made by You offers thanks to You.
The angels offer You a hymn; the heavens, a star;
the Magi, gifts; the shepherds, their wonder;
the earth, its cave; the wilderness, the manger:
and we offer You a Virgin Mother.
O pre-eternal God, have mercy on us.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

O Christ what shall we offer You;
for our sake You appeared on earth as man?
Every creature made by You offers thanks to You.
The angels offer You a hymn; the heavens, a star;
the Magi, gifts; the shepherds, their wonder;
the earth, its cave; the wilderness, the manger:
and we offer You a Virgin Mother.
O pre-eternal God, have mercy on us.

Glory…Now…

When Augustus reigned alone on earth,
the many kingdoms of men came to an end;
and when You were made man of the pure Virgin,
the many gods of idolatry were made powerless.
The cities of the world passed under one single rule;
and the nations came to believe in one sovereign Godhead.
The peoples were enrolled by the decree of Caesar;
and we, the faithful, were enrolled in the name
of the divinity,
when You, our God, were made man.
Great is Your mercy: Lord, glory to You.

Readings
Genesis 1:1-13; Numbers 24:2-3, 5-9, and 17-18; Micah 4:6-7 and 5:2-4a

Then, the priest intones the entire text of the following Troparion:

You were born in a cave hidden from sight, but heaven spoke through a star and proclaimed You to all, O Saviour. And it brought to You the Magi, who with faith bowed down in worship. Have mercy on them and us.

When the priest has finished, we respond by repeating the conclusion (Tone 6, resurrectional, even though the custom has developed of singing this conclusion to the prokeimenon melody – a custom that is less appropriate):

Response: And it brought to You the Magi,* who with faith bowed down in worship.* Have mercy on them and us.

Then the priest intones the following verses of Psalm 86, and we repeat the Troparion’s conclusion after each verse.

His foundations are on the holy mountains; the Lord loves the gates of Sion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things were spoken of You, O city of God.

Response: And it brought to You the Magi,* who with faith bowed down in worship.* Have mercy on them and us.

To those who know Me I will mention Raab and Babylon. And, behold, foreigners and the people of Tyre and Ethiopia, these were born there.

Response: And it brought to You the Magi,* who with faith bowed down in worship.* Have mercy on them and us.

A person will say “Mother Sion,” and “Such a person was born in her,” and “The Most High Himself founded her.”

Response: And it brought to You the Magi,* who with faith bowed down in worship.* Have mercy on them and us.

The Lord will declare this in His record of the peoples and rulers who were born in her. How happy are all who have their dwelling in you.

Response: And it brought to You the Magi,* who with faith bowed down in worship.* Have mercy on them and us.

Glory… Now…

Response: And it brought to You the Magi,* who with faith bowed down in worship.* Have mercy on them and us.

Then the priest intones the first half of the Troparion:

You were born in a cave hidden from sight, but heaven spoke through a star and proclaimed You to all, O Saviour.

And we conclude:

And it brought to You the Magi,* who with faith bowed down in worship.* Have mercy on them and us.

 

Readings
Isaiah 11:1-10; Baruch 3:36-38 and 4:1-4; Daniel 2:31-36 and 44-45

Then the priest intones another Troparion (Tone 6):

You have shone forth from a Virgin, O Christ, rational Sun of righteousness. And a star showed You, Whom nothing can contain, contained in a cave. You led Magi to worship You and along with them we magnify You: Glory to You, O Giver of life.

When the priest has finished, we respond by repeating the conclusion (Tone 6, resurrectional):

Response: You led Magi to worship You* and along with them we magnify You:* Glory to You, O Giver of life.

Then the priest intones the following verses of Psalm 92, and we repeat the Troparion’s conclusion after each verse.

The Lord is King; He is clothed with beauty; the Lord is clothed with strength and has girded Himself. For He has established the world which shall not be shaken.

Response: You led Magi to worship You* and along with them we magnify You:* Glory to You, O Giver of life.

Your throne is prepared from of old; You are from everlasting.

Response: You led Magi to worship You* and along with them we magnify You:* Glory to You, O Giver of life.

The floods have lifted up, O Lord; the floods have lifted up their voices. The floods shall lift up their breakers with the noise of many waters.

Response: You led Magi to worship You* and along with them we magnify You:* Glory to You, O Giver of life.

Wonderful are the surging waves of the sea; wonderful is the Lord on high. Your testimonies have become exceedingly credible; holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

Response: You led Magi to worship You* and along with them we magnify You:* Glory to You, O Giver of life.

Glory… Now…

Response: You led Magi to worship You* and along with them we magnify You:* Glory to You, O Giver of life.

Then the priest intones the first half of the Troparion:

You have shone forth from a Virgin, O Christ, rational Sun of righteousness. And a star showed You, Whom nothing can contain, contained in a cave.

And we conclude:

Response: You led Magi to worship You* and along with them we magnify You:* Glory to You, O Giver of life.

Readings
Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 7:10-16, 8:1-4, and 8-10

Then, the Small Litany  followed by the Prokeimenon:

Tone 1 Prokeimenon – Psalm 2
The Lord said to Me: You are My Son,* today have I begotten You.
verse: Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations as an inheritance, and as Your possession, the ends of the earth.

Epistle
Galatians 3:15-22

Alleluia, Tone 5
verse: The Lord said to my lord, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”
verse: The Lord will send you a sceptre of power out of Sion; reign in the midst of your enemies.
verse: Yours is the dominion on the day you are given power in the splendour of your holy ones.

Gospel
Matthew 13:31-36

Triple Ekteny

Deign, O Lord

Festive Dismissal

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DIVINE LITURGY ON CHRISTMAS DAY

Antiphon 1
I will confess You, Lord, with all my heart,* I will declare all Your wondrous deeds.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
In the council of the just and the congregation,* great are the works of the Lord, conforming to His will in every way.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
His work is filled with praise and majesty,* and His righteousness endures forever.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Glory…  Now…
Only-Begotten Son…

Antiphon 3
The Lord said to my lord, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”

Troparion, Tone 4: Your Nativity, O Christ our God,* made the light of knowledge dawn on the world:* through it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star* to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness,* and to know that You, the Dawn from on the high.* Glory to You, O Lord.

The Lord will send you a sceptre of power out of Sion; reign in the midst of your enemies.

Troparion, Tone 4: Your Nativity, O Christ our God,* made the light of knowledge dawn on the world:* through it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star* to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness,* and to know that You, the Dawn from on the high.* Glory to You, O Lord.

Yours is the dominion on the day you are given power in the splendour of your holy ones.

Troparion, Tone 4: Your Nativity, O Christ our God,* made the light of knowledge dawn on the world:* through it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star* to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness,* and to know that You, the Dawn from on the high.* Glory to You, O Lord.

Entrance
From the womb before the daystar I begot you. the Lord has sworn an oath and will not go back on His word: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Your Nativity, O Christ our God,* made the light of knowledge dawn on the world:* through it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star* to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness,* and to know that You, the Dawn from on the high.* Glory to You, O Lord.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 3: The Virgin today gives birth to Him who is above all being;* the earth offers the cave to Him whom no one can approach;* Angel with shepherds give Him glory,* while Magi make their way with a star,* for to us is born a little Child – the pre-eternal God.

Instead of Holy God:
All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia! (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
You have put on Christ! Alleluia!
All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia!

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Let all the earth worship You and sing to You; let it sing to Your Name, O Most High.
verse: Shout to the Lord, all the earth, sing now to His name, give glory to His praise. (Psalm 65:4,2)

Epistle
Galatians 4:4-7

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands.
verse: Day announces its message unto day and night proclaims its knowledge unto night. (Psalm 18:2,3)

Gospel
Matthew 2:1-12

Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify Christ the King born in a manger.
and the Irmos: A strange and glorious mystery do I behold:* the cave is heaven;* the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim;* the manger, a dwelling place* in which is laid Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain.* Singing His praises, we magnify Him.

Communion Hymn
The Lord has sent deliverance* to His people.* Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. (Psalm 110:9)

Instead of “Blessed is He who comes…” we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is born of a Virgin.

Instead of “We have seen the true light…” we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is born of a Virgin.

Instead of “May our mouths…” and “Blessed be the Name…” we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is born of a Virgin. (3)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

10. Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

O Christ, You won the victory over Hades,
You ascended the Cross so that You might raise up with Yourself
all those who dwelt in the darkness of death.
Almighty Saviour, You are free from death
and bestow life by Your divine light.
We, therefore, beseech You to have mercy on us.

9. The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

Today Christ has conquered Death.
He has risen from the grave as He foretold,
bestowing great joy upon the world.
Therefore, let us all lift up our voices and sing:
O Fount of Life, O Light Whom no one can approach,
Almighty Saviour, have mercy on us.

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

O Lord, where can we sinners flee from You,
for You are present in all creation?
You are present in heaven, for it is Your dwelling place.
Your power prevails in Hades where You conquered Death.
O Master, Your sustaining hand touches even the depths of the sea.
Where, then, can we take refuge except in You?
We, therefore, prostrate ourselves before You and pray:
O Lord, risen from the dead, have mercy on us.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

We exult in Your Cross, O Christ,
and we sing the glory of Your Resurrection.
For You are our God, and we have no other Lord but You.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Glory to Your might, O Lord,
for You have conquered the power of death.
You have renewed us through Your Cross,
granting us life and incorruption.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

We forever bless the Lord and praise His resurrection,
for by suffering crucifixion,
He has destroyed death by His death.

In Tone 8

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

The commemoration of the holy Fathers
is manifested to the ends of the world.
It is truly full of splendour,
and it glistens with the rays of grace;
for Christ the splendorous Sun has shone forth on high from afar.
He forms the assembly of stars which glisten with Him,
and the star reveals that the nativity of the God-man will be in Bethlehem.
Therefore, we piously and faithfully clap our hands
and leap for joy at this nativity,
and we give praise before the feast.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

The commemoration of the holy Fathers
is manifested to the ends of the world.
It is truly full of splendour,
and it glistens with the rays of grace;
for Christ the splendorous Sun has shone forth on high from afar.
He forms the assembly of stars which glisten with Him,
and the star reveals that the nativity of the God-man will be in Bethlehem.
Therefore, we piously and faithfully clap our hands
and leap for joy at this nativity,
and we give praise before the feast.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

The Holy Fathers are adorned
by the glory of the divine sharing of our nature.
Adam rejoices today,
since he is the foundation and the strength of the wise Forefathers;
Abel leaps for joy as well.
Enoch is glad; Seth and Noah dance together.
The praiseworthy Abraham sings with the Patriarchs.
Melchizedek now sees from on high
the birth without a father.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

The faithful and God-wise youths
are radiant with joy in the furnace.
They herald the nativity of Christ on earth.
As the precious dew which the Lord sent down,
He now preserves the Virgin without stain
and enriches her sublime with gifts.
Therefore, Daniel, inspired by God,
is also happy and full of joy
because he had a clear vision of the unhewn stone of the mountain.
He now zealously prays for our souls.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Daniel was a beloved man.
He saw You, O Lord, as the Rock
which was hewn without the use of a hand.
He foretold that You, the Incarnate Word,
the Unchangeable God, and Saviour of our souls,
would be born without seed
as a Child of the Virgin.

In Tone 6, Now…

Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?
Who would not sing a hymn of praise
to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?
The Only-begotten Son Himself,
begotten of the Father before all ages,
was made flesh out of you in a manner
that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!
And for our sake, He Who is God by nature
assumed the nature of a man.
He is not divided into two persons;
He is understood to have two natures
without commixion or confusion.
O noble and blessed Woman,
intercede with Him that He may mercy on our souls.

Readings
(1) Genesis 14:14-20; (2) Deuteronomy 1:8-11, 15-17; (3) Deuteronomy 10:14-21

Aposticha

In Tone 6

O Christ our Saviour,
the angels in heaven sing the praises of Your Resurrection;
make us on earth also worthy
to extol You with a pure heart.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

Almighty God, You destroyed the brazen gates and bars of Hades,
and raised up fallen mankind.
Therefore, with one accord, we cry out:
O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

Christ willed to renew us from our corruption of old
by being nailed to a cross and placed in a tomb.
When the women came to anoint His body they tearfully cried out:
O, what sorrow afflicts us!
O Saviour of All, how could You consent to occupy a grave?
If you truly willed this, then why did You allow Your body to be stolen?
How were You removed?
What place now conceals Your life-bearing body?
O Lord, appear to us as You promised
and put an end to out tears.
As they were lamenting, an angel appeared and cried out to them:
Do not weep, but tell the Apostles that the Lord is risen,
granting sanctification and great mercy to the world.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

O Christ, You were crucified of Your free will,
and by Your burial You imprisoned Death.
As God, You rose in glory on the third day,
granting life and great mercy to the world.

In Tone 2, Glory…

Rejoice, O illustrious Prophets!
You firmly established the Law of the Lord,
and you faithfully manifested yourselves
to be invincible and unshakeable pillars.
You have been taken to heaven
and have shown yourselves to be mediators of the new Law of Christ.
Implore Him to give peace tot he world
and to save our souls.

Now…

We now behold a new wonder
greater than the wonders of old.
For who has ever known a mother to bear a child without the help of man?
Who has known as mother to hold within her arms the Source of all creation?
It was God’s own will to be born in this manner;
and you, O most Virgin, carried Him as an infant in your arms.
Because of this, you can approach God with the boldness of a mother.
Therefore, we venerate you and ask you to always beseech Him
to have mercy on us and save our souls.

Troparia

In Tone 6
Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory to You!

In Tone 2, Glory…
Great are the achievements of faith!* In the fountain of flames, the three holy youths rejoiced as by the water of rest,* and the prophet Daniel was revealed shepherding lions like sheep.* Through their intercession, O Christ God, save our souls.

Now…
O Mother of God, the mysteries which surround you are exceedingly glorious * and beyond the power of understanding. * For you retained the seal of purity, * and your virginity remained inviolate; * yet you are acknowledged without doubt, * to be the Mother who gave birth to the true God. ** We beg you, therefore, to entreat Him to save our souls.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 6: Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory to You!

Troparion, Tone 2: Great are the achievements of faith!* In the fountain of flames, the three holy youths rejoiced as by the water of rest,* and the prophet Daniel was revealed shepherding lions like sheep.* Through their intercession, O Christ God,* save our souls.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 6: Armed by the Being that defies description* You defied the man-made idol, O thrice blessed youth.* In the midst of the unbearable flames you stood and cried out to God:* “In Your mercy, O gracious One, hasten and come to our aid,”* for You can do whatever You will.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Blessed are You, Lord God of our fathers,* and praised and glorified is Your Name forever.
verse: For You are righteous in everything that You have done to us. (Daniel 3:26,27)

Epistle
Hebrews 11:9-10,17-23,32-40

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have told us the work You did in their days.
verse: You saved us from our oppressors and put to shame those who hate us. (Psalm 43:2,8)

Gospel
Matthew 1:1-25

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous (Psalm 32:1).* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

10. Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

With Your precious Cross, O Christ,
You have put the Devil to shame.
With Your Resurrection You have deadened the sting of Death.
We, therefore, glorify You, O only-begotten Son of God.

9. The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O Christ, Who granted resurrection to mankind,
You were led like a lamb to the slaughter.
Then the princes of Hades were struck with terror
as they saw the gates of their tearful domain being lifted up;
for Christ, the King of Glory, entered therein
and exclaimed to those in chains: Go forth from here!
And to those in darkness: Go forth into the light!

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

What a great wonder!
The Creator of invisible beings suffered in the flesh for mankind,
and rose from the dead as immortal.
Come, therefore, all you nations and adore Him;
for through His compassion we have been freed from the snares of the Devil,
and we have learned to praise the one God in three Persons.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

We offer to You our evening worship,
O Light Whom the darkness of night can never extinguish.
For in these latter days Your radiance has appeared to the world,
shining in Your flesh as light reflected in a mirror.
Your brilliance has descended even to the depths of Hades and dissolved its gloom.
O Lord, Giver of Light, glory to You;
for You have shown the radiance of Your Resurrection to all the nations.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Let us glorify Christ, the Author of our Salvation;
for by His Resurrection from the dead,
the world has been delivered from the deception of Satan.
The choirs of angels rejoice as the treachery of evil spirits vanishes.
Fallen Adam arises, and the Devil is vanquished.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Those who guarded the tomb of Christ
were told by the evil men who hired them:
Take this silver and keep silent.
Tell no one of the Resurrection of Christ;
rather tell everyone that while you were sleeping His body was stolen.
But who has ever heard of a body being stolen,
a body which had already been anointed?
Why would anyone take a body from the grave naked,
and leave the burial shroud in the tomb?
Do not deceive yourselves, O people of Judea.
Study the teachings of the Prophets,
and you will come to understand that Jesus Christ is Almighty God,
and truly the Saviour of the world.

In Tone 8

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Today we commemorate the Forefathers of Christ.
Sing with fervour a hymn of praise to Christ the Saviour
who exalted them among the nations.
He is the Lord who does wondrous deeds
because He is powerful and almighty.
From them He brought forth a royal sceptre,
the Immaculate Maiden of God and Virgin Mary.
From her, Christ our God came forth
to give life and eternal salvation for all.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

O Lord and Master,
You rescued the three holy youths from the fire.
You saved Daniel from the mouths of the lions;
You blessed Abraham, Isaac Your servant, and Jacob his son.
You willed to be like one of us by choosing to be born from them
in order that You might save our Forefathers who had fallen.
By Your Cross and Resurrection You tore apart the bonds of death.
You raise up all those who for ages had been among the dead
and who bow to You, O Christ, the eternal King.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

The three holy youths were refreshed by the Holy Spirit
when they walked in the fire as though in a cool place.
In them the Trinity and the Incarnation of Christ
were prefigured in a mystical manner.
By their wisdom and faith
they overcame the power of fire.
As for the just Daniel, he stopped the mouths of lions.
Through their intercession, we beseech You:
O Saviour and Lover of Mankind,
protect us from eternal fire
and make us worthy of Your heavenly Kingdom.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

When the three holy youths stood in the flaming furnace
as if covered with dew,
they mystically prefigured Your coming from the Virgin,
giving light to us without being consumed.
And Daniel, the just and wondrous prophet,
clearly saw in a vision Your second divine coming.
He said: “I saw thrones set up and the Judge seated
and the river of fire flowing in His presence.”
Through their intercession
deliver us from this fire, O Lord.

In Tone 6, Glory…

O believers, let us give praise today
to all the fathers who lived before the Law:
Abraham who was beloved by God,
Isaac who was born according to the promise,
Jacob and the Twelve Patriarchs,
the very meek David and the favoured prophet Daniel.
Let us also glorify with them the three youths
who changed the fiery furnace into a place of refreshing dew.
Let us beg forgiveness of our sins from Christ our God
who is glorified in His Saints.

In Tone 5, Now…

A symbol of the undefiled Virgin and bride
was revealed in the Red Sea.
There, Moses divided the waters;
here, Gabriel is the messenger of the miracle.
There, the Israelites crossed the deep and their feet were not even wet;
here, the Virgin gives birth to Christ without human seed.
There, the sea remained uncrossed after the passing of Israel;
here, the immaculate remained incorrupt after giving birth to Emmanuel.
Therefore, O immortal God, who appeared in the flesh as true Man,
have mercy on us!

Aposticha

In Tone 5

O Christ our Saviour,
we lift up our voices to glorify You.
For, in Your love for mankind,
You became incarnate without leaving heaven;
You accepted the Cross and death;
You cast down the gates of Hades;
and on the third day You arose from the dead
for the salvation of our souls.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

O Giver of Life,
streams of forgiveness, life, and salvation
poured forth from Your pierced side upon us all.
By accepting physical death, You granted us immortality;
by lying in the tomb, You freed us from Hades,
and as God, by rising from the dead,
You raised us with Yourself in glory.
Therefore, we cry out to You:
O Lover of mankind, glory to You!

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

O Lover of mankind,
Your crucifixion and descent into Hades are most wondrous.
For, as God, You thereby conquered the power of Hades,
and raised up in glory, with Yourself, those who were long imprisoned there.
You reopened Paradise and enabled them to enter.
Grant forgiveness of sins to us
who glorify Your Resurrection on the third day,
for You alone are all-merciful.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

O Lover of mankind,
You accepted suffering in the flesh
and rose from the dead on the third day.
Therefore, heal the passions of our flesh,
raise us from our dreadful iniquities, and save us.

In Tone 3, Glory…

Come, O lovers of the feast,
let us sing a hymn of praise to the assembly of the Forefathers:
Adam, the father of mankind,
Enoch, Noah, Melchizedek, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Let us also honour those who came after the Law:
Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Samuel, and David;
together with Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel,
Daniel, and the twelve minor prophets;
likewise Elijah, Elisha, and all the others;
also Zechariah and the Baptist,
and all those who preached Christ, the Life and Resurrection of our race.

Now…

O Virgin Mother, you conceived the Son of God without seed
by the will of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit.
He was begotten of the Father, without a mother, from all eternity.
Yet for our sake, He was born of you in the flesh without a human father,
and you nursed Him as an infant with your milk.
Therefore, never cease to entreat Him to deliver our souls from affliction.

Troparia

In Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, acclaim and worship the Word* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh,* to suffer death and to raise the dead,* by His glorious Resurrection.

In Tone 2, Glory… Now…
By faith you justified Your ancestors* and through them in advance you betrothed the Church taken from the nations.* The saints exult in glory;* from their seed comes the blessed fruit, the one who bore You without seed.* By their prayers, O Christ our God, have mercy on us.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 5: Let us, the faithful, acclaim and worship the Word* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh,* to suffer death and to raise the dead,* by His glorious Resurrection.

Troparion, Tone 2: By faith You justified Your ancestors* and through them in advance You betrothed the Church taken from the nations.* The saints exult in glory;* from their seed comes the blessed fruit, the one who bore You without seed.* By their prayers, O Christ our God, have mercy on us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 6: Armed by the Being that defies description,* you defied the man-made idol, O thrice blessed youth.* In the midst of the unbearable flames you stood and cried out to God:* “In Your mercy, O gracious One, hasten and come to our aid,”* for You can do whatever You will.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Blessed are You, Lord God of our fathers,* and praised and glorified is Your Name forever.
verse: For You are righteous in everything that You have done to us. (Daniel 3:26,27)

Epistle
Colossians 3:4-11

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Moses and Aaron are among His priests and Samuel among those who call upon His name.
verse: They called on the Lord and He heard them. (Psalm 98:6)

Gospel
Luke 14:16-24

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous (Psalm 32:1).* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

The barren Anna leaped for joy
when she gave birth to Mary the Virgin
who in turn will give birth in the flesh to God the Word.
Overflowing with happiness, she cried out:
Rejoice with me, all tribes of Israel,
for I have conceived and put aside my burden of childlessness
as the Creator has deigned.
He heard my prayer and healed the pains of my yearning heart.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

The barren Anna leaped for joy
when she gave birth to Mary the Virgin
who in turn will give birth in the flesh to God the Word.
Overflowing with happiness, she cried out:
Rejoice with me, all tribes of Israel,
for I have conceived and put aside my burden of childlessness
as the Creator has deigned.
He heard my prayer and healed the pains of my yearning heart.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

The barren Anna leaped for joy
when she gave birth to Mary the Virgin
who in turn will give birth in the flesh to God the Word.
Overflowing with happiness, she cried out:
Rejoice with me, all tribes of Israel,
for I have conceived and put aside my burden of childlessness
as the Creator has deigned.
He heard my prayer and healed the pains of my yearning heart.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

O Anna, the One who made waters gush forth from a rock
bestows as a fruit of your womb, the ever-Virgin Lady.
Through her, our salvation will come.
Because of this you were delivered from shame.
No longer will you be on earth as a fruitless soil,
for you have produced an earth
which will bring forth the Tree of Life.
According to His will, He delivered mankind from all shame
when He became man out of His compassionate mercy.

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

O Anna, the One who made waters gush forth from a rock
bestows as a fruit of your womb, the ever-Virgin Lady.
Through her, our salvation will come.
Because of this you were delivered from shame.
No longer will you be on earth as a fruitless soil,
for you have produced an earth
which will bring forth the Tree of Life.
According to His will, He delivered mankind from all shame
when He became man out of His compassionate mercy.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

O Anna, the One who made waters gush forth from a rock
bestows as a fruit of your womb, the ever-Virgin Lady.
Through her, our salvation will come.
Because of this you were delivered from shame.
No longer will you be on earth as a fruitless soil,
for you have produced an earth
which will bring forth the Tree of Life.
According to His will, He delivered mankind from all shame
when He became man out of His compassionate mercy.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

The sayings of the prophets are now being fulfilled:
the holy mountain is planted in the womb;
the divine ladder is set up;
the throne of the great king is ready;
the God-inspired city is being adorned.
The unburnable bush is beginning to bud forth,
and the treasure house of grace is overflowing.
It is spreading over the rivers of unfruitfulness of the God-wise Anna
whom we glorify.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

The sayings of the prophets are now being fulfilled:
the holy mountain is planted in the womb;
the divine ladder is set up;
the throne of the great king is ready;
the God-inspired city is being adorned.
The unburnable bush is beginning to bud forth,
and the treasure house of grace is overflowing.
It is spreading over the rivers of unfruitfulness of the God-wise Anna
whom we glorify.

In Tone 2, Glory…

Today the mystery which has been announced from eternity,
whose depth angels and men cannot measure,
appears in the arms of Anna.
Mary, the maiden of God is prepared
to be the dwelling of the Kings of the ages
who will renew our human nature.
Let us entreat her with a pure heart and say:
Since you are the intercessor for all Christians,
implore your Son and God to save our souls.

Now…

O Virgin, the shadow of the Law passed away
with the realization of grace.
For as the bush had burned without being consumed,
so you gave birth while a virgin
and you remained a virgin.
Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.
Instead of Moses, Christ God came forth,
the Saviour of our souls.

Readings
(1) Genesis 28:10-17; (2) Ezekiel 43:27-44:4; (3) Proverbs 9:1-11

Litiya

In Tone 1

It is fitting that the Queen of heaven and earth,
who is more precious than the Cherubim,
and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim,
be conceived and remain immaculate as the angels,
so that they who are servants of the Lord
can boast of their own Queen, the Mother of God.
Glory and praise to the Lord who willed it so,
the Creator of all things.

It is fitting that the unique and chosen woman
be conceived without sin,
and the power of Satan is now taken away;
for the Mother of God will never bow before him.
Glory and praise to the Lord who willed it so,
the Creator of all things.

It is fitting that the Second Eve
be created and remain without sin
in the manner of the Second Adam;
for the rebirth of mankind now takes place,
just as the fall came through the first Adam and the first Eve.
Christ has renewed all through his new birth,
and it was Mary that gave birth to Him.
Glory and praise to the Lord who willed it so,
the Creator of all things.

Glory… Now…

Before the nativity of the Son of God,
it was fitting for the Father
to bestow the most pure conception upon the Mother of God,
who is betrothed of the Holy Spirit,
that she might be filled with heavenly gifts
in a manner beyond all other creatures.
Glory and praise to the Lord who willed it so,
the Creator of all things.

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Anna, whose name means divine grace,
once cried out in her prayer, asking for a child.
She invoked the God and Creator of all, saying:
Lord of Hosts, You know what shame it is to be barren.
Heal the pains of my heart.
Make my fruitless womb fruitful
so that we may offer to You the child who is born as a gift,
and that with one mind,
we may bless, praise, and glorify Your love
through which the world obtains great mercy.

The Lord swore an oath to David; He will not go back on His word.

Anna was praying with great fervour, beseeching the Lord for a child,
when she heard the voice of an angel
who told her that God had granted her wish, saying plainly:
Do not doubt, for your prayer has reached the Lord.
Wipe away your tears,
for you shall be an olive tree bringing forth a beautiful branch.
You will bring forth the Virgin
from whom will blossom the flower, Christ-in-the-flesh,
who will grant great mercy to the world.

A Son, the fruit of your body, will I set upon your throne.

Joachim and Anna, the righteous couple,
gave birth to the precious heavenly fruit, the ewe-lamb,
who in turn will give birth in a manner beyond understanding
to the Lamb of God who is to be sacrificed for all.
Because of this, they offer to the Lord
an unceasing and humble hymn of praise.
Let us, therefore, praise them with fervour.
And let us joyfully celebrate the birth of the One who was born of them,
Mary, the Mother of God;
because through her, great mercy is granted to all of us.

In Tone 2, Glory… Now…

On this day the royal purple appears,
descending from the root of David.
The mystical flower of Jesse buds forth;
from her shall blossom Christ our God,
the Saviour of our souls.

Troparia

In Tone 1
Rejoice, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, full of grace!* The Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women,* and blessed is the fruit of your womb.* For you have given birth to Christ, the Deliverer and Saviour of our souls. (2)

In Tone 4
Today the chains of barrenness are shattered,* for having heard the prayer of Joachim and Anna,* against all hope God has openly promised* the birth of the Maiden of God,* from whom the very Infinite One will be born as a man,* the One who commanded the angels to cry to her:** Rejoice, O full of grace, the Lord is with you.

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Today the chains of barrenness are shattered,* for having heard the prayer of Joachim and Anna,* against all hope God has openly promised the birth of the Maiden of God,* from whom the very infinite One will be born as a man,* the One who commanded the angels to cry to her:* rejoice, O full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4: Today the whole world celebrates* the conception by Anna,* which was brought about by God Himself,* for she has ineffably borne the one who will bear the Word.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
God is wonderful in His saints,* the God of Israel.
verse: In the churches bless God, the Lord from the fountains of Israel. (Psalm 67:36,27)

Epistle
Galatians 4:22-31

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their protector in time of trouble.
verse: The Lord will help them and rescue them; He will deliver them from sinners and save them, for they hoped in Him. (Psalm 36:39,40)

Gospel
Luke 8:16-21

Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify the glorious conception of the Mother of God.
and the Irmos, Tone 1: Let us the faithful magnify the Mother of God,* wellspring ever-flowing and life-receiving,* the light-bearing lamp of grace,* the living temple and tabernacle all pure,* even more spacious than heaven and earth.

Communion Hymn
Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

O divinely wise Sabbas,
you stand together with the Angels and dwell with the holy monks;
you converse with the Prophets
and are co-heir of the Kingdom with the Martyrs and Apostles.
You dwell in the Light that knows no evening
and shine with His divine light and intense desire.
You stand before Him with boldness and unceasing enlightenment,
delighting in His beauties.
Entreat Christ, O holy Father,
and implore Him to grant to the Church unity, peace and great mercy!

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

O divinely wise Sabbas,
you stand together with the Angels and dwell with the holy monks;
you converse with the Prophets
and are co-heir of the Kingdom with the Martyrs and Apostles.
You dwell in the Light that knows no evening
and shine with His divine light and intense desire.
You stand before Him with boldness and unceasing enlightenment,
delighting in His beauties.
Entreat Christ, O holy Father,
and implore Him to grant to the Church unity, peace and great mercy!

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

O divinely wise Sabbas,
you stand together with the Angels and dwell with the holy monks;
you converse with the Prophets
and are co-heir of the Kingdom with the Martyrs and Apostles.
You dwell in the Light that knows no evening
and shine with His divine light and intense desire.
You stand before Him with boldness and unceasing enlightenment,
delighting in His beauties.
Entreat Christ, O holy Father,
and implore Him to grant to the Church unity, peace and great mercy!

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

O divinely wise Sabbas,
you are an unquenchable lamp of abstinence,
a radiant beacon for monastics, illumined with rays of love.
You are an unshaken tower of patient endurance,
the support and strength of those who honour you with faith,
a treasury of healings and true dweller in the desert,
which you showed to be the Paradise of God bearing the divine fruit of salvation.
Entreat Christ, O holy Father,
and implore Him to grant to the Church unity, peace and great mercy!

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

O divinely wise Sabbas,
you are an unquenchable lamp of abstinence,
a radiant beacon for monastics, illumined with rays of love.
You are an unshaken tower of patient endurance,
the support and strength of those who honour you with faith,
a treasury of healings and true dweller in the desert,
which you showed to be the Paradise of God bearing the divine fruit of salvation.
Entreat Christ, O holy Father,
and implore Him to grant to the Church unity, peace and great mercy!

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

O divinely wise Sabbas,
you are an unquenchable lamp of abstinence,
a radiant beacon for monastics, illumined with rays of love.
You are an unshaken tower of patient endurance,
the support and strength of those who honour you with faith,
a treasury of healings and true dweller in the desert,
which you showed to be the Paradise of God bearing the divine fruit of salvation.
Entreat Christ, O holy Father,
and implore Him to grant to the Church unity, peace and great mercy!

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

O divinely wise Sabbas,
you are a fiery pillar of the virtues,
a beacon guiding men from the sea of life to the harbour of God.
As a pure dwelling of the Holy Spirit, you cast down the spirits of deception.
You are an instructor of monastics,
a sure measure of abstinence,
a height of humility visible to all,
and a fountain pouring forth a depth of healing.
Entreat Christ, O venerable one,
and implore Him to grant to the Church unity, peace and great mercy!

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

O divinely wise Sabbas,
you are a fiery pillar of the virtues,
a beacon guiding men from the sea of life to the harbour of God.
As a pure dwelling of the Holy Spirit, you cast down the spirits of deception.
You are an instructor of monastics,
a sure measure of abstinence,
a height of humility visible to all,
and a fountain pouring forth a depth of healing.
Entreat Christ, O venerable one,
and implore Him to grant to the Church unity, peace and great mercy!

In Tone 6, Glory…

You set your mind as master over the deadly passions,
keeping the image unharmed through the ascetic life.
Thus you rose into the perfect likeness, for bravely curbing nature,
you hastened to subject to that which is better:
and made the body servant to the spirit.
Therefore you were revealed as the chief of those living the monastic life,
a citizen of the desert,
a master teaching those who come to you,
a perfect example of virtue.
Now the shadows have been set aside, O Sabbas,
and in heaven you behold in purity the Holy Trinity,
as you pray with boldness for those who honour you with faith and love.

Now…

Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?
Who would not sing a hymn of praise
to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?
The Only-begotten Son Himself,
begotten of the Father before all ages,
was made flesh out of you in a manner
that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!
And for our sake, He Who is God by nature
assumed the nature of a man.
He is not divided into two persons;
He is understood to have two natures
without commixion or confusion.
O noble and blessed Woman,
intercede with Him that He may mercy on our souls.

Readings
(1) Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9; (2) Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-6:3; (3) Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-15

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Rejoice, truly precious vessel of the fragrance of ascetic struggles,
as you took your cross upon your shoulder and offered yourself to Christ the Master!
Blessed Father, you trampled the base presumption of the flesh,
enlightening your soul with virtues
and taking flight towards desire for God.
Now as we stand around your most holy shrine, all-blessed  Sabbas,
we ask that by your prayers we may receive God’s love for mankind,
and that the world be granted great mercy.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

God-bearing Sabbas,
in your godly wisdom, O venerable Father,
you approached the fire of the Spirit,
revealing yourself in the world as a divinely glowing ember,
enlightening the souls of those who faithfully come to you
and leading them to the unfading light.
Moistened from on high with the dew of divine grace,
you quenched the burning fire of the desert.
Therefore, Christ, the Lord of divine righteousness,
has openly granted you a crown of victory, O blessed one.
Entreat Him to grant our souls great mercy!

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; who delights in His commandments.

Divinely wise Sabbas,
your life was manifested as a ladder,
spanning the gulf between earth and the heavens.
You ascended the heights and were counted worthy to converse with Christ the Master;
having enlightened your mind with this radiance, most blessed one,
you received a splendour equal to that of the Angels.
Now as you stand before Him, O venerable one,
pray that we who celebrate your divine and most holy memory may stand with you,
and that He will grant the world great mercy!

In Tone 8, Glory…

We honour you, O Sabbas our Father,
the instructor of a multitude of monks.
We have indeed learned to walk rightly in your footsteps.
You are blessed, for having laboured for Christ,
you denounced the  power of the Enemy.
You were a converser with the Angels
and a companion of the venerable and righteous ones.
Together with them, entreat the Lord that He may grant mercy to our souls!

Now…

Unwedded Virgin,
you ineffably conceived God in the flesh.
O Mother of God most high,
accept the cries of your servants, O blameless one!
Grant cleansing of transgressions to all!
Receive our prayers and pray to save our souls!

Troparia

In Tone 8
With streams of your tears you cultivated the barren desert,* with deep sighs your toils bore fruit a hundredfold.* You became a beacon, shining throughout the world by your wonders,* our venerable Father, Sabbas.* Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.

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!

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: With the streams of your tears you cultivated the barren desert,* with deep sighs your toils bore fruit a hundredfold.* You became a beacon, shining throughout the world by your wonders,* our venerable Father, Sabbas.* Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 8: In your virtue,* O blessed Sabbas,* you offered yourself to God from childhood* as an unblemished sacrifice,* becoming a gardener* in the garden of godliness.* Thus you became the adornment of monastics,* a praiseworthy citizen of the desert.* And so we cry to you:* Rejoice, most wealthy Sabbas.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Precious in the sight of the Lord* is the death of His venerable ones.
verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all the things He has rendered to me? (Psalm 115:6,3)

Epistle
Galatians 5:22-6:2

Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments.
verse: His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth. (Psalm 111:1,2)

Gospel
Matthew 11:27-30

Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6-7)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

10. Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

We never cease to adore Your life-giving Cross, O Christ our God,
And we glorify Your resurrection on the third day.
For You, Almighty One, have thereby restored the corrupted nature of all
and reopened the way to heaven,
since You alone are gracious and You love mankind.

9. The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O Saviour, You have absolved the penalty of disobedience,
committed through the tree of Eden,
by willingly being nailed to the tree of the Cross.
As Almighty God, You descended into Hades
and broke asunder the bonds of death.
We, therefore, venerate Your resurrection from the dead,
and joyfully cry out to You:
Almighty Lord, glory to You!

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

O Lord, You have battered down the gates of Hades,
and by Your death You have dissolved the realm of death.
You have freed mankind from corruption,
bestowing life, incorruption, and Your great mercy upon the world.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Come, all you people,
let us sing the praises of our Saviour’s resurrection on the third day.
For we have, thereby, been delivered from the invincible bonds of Hades,
and we have received incorruption, together with eternal life.
Therefore, we cry out to You
after Your crucifixion, burial, and resurrection:
Save us by Your resurrection, for You love mankind.

In Tone 2

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

When Julianna saw the blessed martyr Barbara during her terrible trial
suffering from her many wounds,
her body painfully torn in many places,
she cried out with tears of compassion:
Word of God and Lover of mankind
grant this day that I may be her companion in martyrdom!

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Saints Barbara and Julianna,
you are of those who alone have a true vocation for righteous living,
for you attacked the enemy and gravely wounded him!
Thus you are worthy of glorification by Christ God
for you trampled underfoot the destroying passions and their evil,
giving the means of healing to all the faithful!

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Most pure martyr Barbara,
when you were sentenced to die you faced sweet death with joy!
You swiftly fulfilled the act of martyrdom slain by the hand of your most evil parent.
You were offered up as fruit to God!
Therefore with the wise virgins you truly rejoice
as you behold the light of Christ, your Bridegroom!

In Tone 8

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

What shall we call you, holy theologian John?
Another David, for your hymns are as the psalms for us?
You are the temple of the Spirit and the pipe of the Good Shepherd.
You sweeten our ears and gladden our minds.
You cause the ranks of the Church to rejoice!
Your teachings are a river of honey, flowing to the ends of the earth.
Pray that our souls may be saved!

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

What shall we call you, Father John, the messenger of God?
Shining star of the Holy Trinity?
You enlighten our eyes with delightful teaching.
You have entered into the cloud of divine knowledge
Like Moses you behold mysteries beyond words or speech.
You proclaim the music of His wisdom.
Pray that our souls may be saved!

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

What shall we call you, blessed one?
A shining lampstand? A faithful minister of divine mysteries?
A joyful star for the Church, enlightening those who dwell in darkness?
A well-tuned organ and sweet-sounding harp?
Pray that our souls may be saved!

In Tone 6, Glory…

You abandoned your home, your people and earthly riches.
You fled the hatred of an evil father, Barbara;
you were wedded to God in a bond of love,
therefore He took you to Himself rejoicing.
Pray that he may save our souls.

In Tone 4, Now…

O Mother of God, because of You David the Prophet
became an ancestor of God;
he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise
and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:
“The Queen stood at your right hand.”
God revealed you as a life-giving mother,
when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.
He renewed in man His image which the passions had corrupted.
He found the lost sheep in the mountains, carried it on His shoulders,
offered it to the Father, generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,
and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.

Aposticha

In Tone 4

In being lifted upon the Cross, O Lord,
You abolished the curse which we had inherited from our ancestors.
By going down into Hades,
You freed from eternal captivity those imprisoned there,
and granted incorruption to the human race.
We, therefore, praise Your life-giving and redeeming resurrection.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

By hanging on the Cross, O Almighty One,
You shook the whole creation to its foundations.
When You Yourself were laid in the grave,
You raised to life those who had been lying in the graves,
and You granted life and incorruption to mankind.
We, therefore, praise and glorify Your resurrection on the third day.

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

O Christ, the lawless people showed their ingratitude to You, their Benefactor,
by delivering You to Pilate who condemned you to be crucified.
But You willingly suffered death and burial;
and, as God, You rose by Your own power on the third day,
granting us everlasting life and great mercy.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

The women, shedding bitter tears, came to see You in Your tomb;
and not finding Your body, they lamented, saying:
O Saviour and King of All, how were You stolen?
What place holds Your life-bearing body?
An angel answered them, saying:
Do not weep, but go and proclaim that the Lord is risen,
filling our hearts with joy;
for He alone is most compassionate.

In Tone 6, Glory…

The sound of your teachings has gone out into all the earth, venerable father John!
Therefore you have found the reward of your labours in the heavens.
You destroyed the hosts of demons and reached the ranks of angels
whose life you blamelessly followed!
Since you have boldness before Christ our God,
entreat peace for our souls!

Now…

Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,
came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.
He clothed Himself in our human flesh
to set us free from the original curse of Adam.
Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,
as the true Virgin Mother of God,
and we sing with the angels:
Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.

Troparia

In Tone 4
When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,*granting to the world great mercy.”

In Tone 8
Let us honour the holy martyr Barbara,* for as a bird she escaped the snares of the enemy,** and destroyed them through the help and defense of the cross!

In Tone 8, Glory…
Champion of orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,* the enlightener of the universe and the adornment of the hierarchs:* all-wise father John, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things.** Intercede before Christ our God to save our souls!

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!

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 4: My Saviour and Deliverer from the grave* as God raised out of bondage the children of the earth* and shattered the gates of Hades;* and as Master, He rose on the third day.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 4: By your birth, O immaculate one,* Joachim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness,* and Adam and Eve* from the corruption of death.* And your people, redeemed from the guilt of their sins,* celebrate as they cry out to you:* “The barren one gives birth to the Mother of God* and nourisher of our life.”

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
How great are Your works, O Lord* You have made all things in wisdom.
verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, You are exceedingly great. (Psalm 103:24,1)

Epistle
Colossians 1:12-18

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Poise yourself and advance in triumph and reign in the cause of truth, and meekness, and justice.
verse: You have loved justice and hated iniquity. (Psalm 44:5,8)

Gospel
Luke 17:12-19

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

When he who is called the Morning Star,
the splendour of the glory of the eternal Father,
in His great mercy took up his abode on earth,
you, glorious Andrew, were the first to meet him
for your heart was enlightened with the perfect brightness of His divinity.
We bless you as the herald of the apostles of Christ our God!
Pray that He may enlighten and save our souls

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

When he who is called the Morning Star,
the splendour of the glory of the eternal Father,
in His great mercy took up his abode on earth,
you, glorious Andrew, were the first to meet him
for your heart was enlightened with the perfect brightness of His divinity.
We bless you as the herald of the apostles of Christ our God!
Pray that He may enlighten and save our souls

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

When He who was proclaimed by the voice of the Forerunner,
the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,
bringing life and salvation to all the earth,
you, holy Andrew, were the first to follow Him.
You were offered to Him as the first-fruits of the human race.
You proclaimed to Peter your brother: we have found the Christ!”
Pray that He may save our souls.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

When He who was proclaimed by the voice of the Forerunner,
the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,
bringing life and salvation to all the earth,
you, holy Andrew, were the first to follow Him.
You were offered to Him as the first-fruits of the human race.
You proclaimed to Peter your brother: we have found the Christ!”
Pray that He may save our souls.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

When He who clothed Himself in human flesh,
taking our nature from the fruitful womb of the Virgin,
appeared on earth as the Teacher of Righteousness,
your heart was made glad, Andrew, lover of purity!
He raised you from earth to the ineffable glory of God!
Pray that He may enlighten and save our souls..

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

When He who clothed Himself in human flesh,
taking our nature from the fruitful womb of the Virgin,
appeared on earth as the Teacher of Righteousness,
your heart was made glad, Andrew, lover of purity!
He raised you from earth to the ineffable glory of God!
Pray that He may enlighten and save our souls..

Glory…

Leaving behind your fishnets, apostle Andrew,
you caught men with the net of your preaching.
Throwing to us the bait of righteousness,
you delivered all nations from the depths of error.
Apostle Andrew, brother of Peter the Primate,
all-glorious and never-failing intercessor,
may the celebration of your memory
enlighten all who dwell in darkness.

Now…

O Mother of God, because of you David the Prophet
became an ancestor of God;
he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise
and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:
“The Queen stood at your right hand.”
God revealed you as a life-giving mother,
when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.
He renewed in man His image which the passions had corrupted.
He found the lost sheep in the mountains, carried it on His shoulders,
offered it to the Father, generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,
and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.

Readings
(1) 1 Peter 1:1-2:6; (2) 1 Peter 2:21-3:9; (3) 1 Peter 4:1-11

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Rejoice, O heaven!
Proclaim everywhere the glory of God!
Today the first-called apostle stands in our midst.
He was the first to obey the Lord with fervour!
United to Him, he was enkindled by His love.
He is the reflection of the Saviour’s love for mankind,
for his rays enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death!
We rejoice in his holy memory,
for through his prayers health and blessing are given to us!

Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth and their words to the ends of the universe.

Rejoice, Andrew, the first-called apostle!
You are the imitator of the passion of Christ.
With the cross as your hook you drew us up from the sea of ignorance,
offering us to the Lord of glory.
Therefore we the faithful, delivered from evil, cry out to God:
merciful Lord, through the prayers of Your apostle,
grant peace to our lives and salvation to our souls!

The heavens are telling the glory of God and the firmament proclaims His handiwork!

Your preaching gives light to godless nations,
glorious vessel of the ruler of the sea!
Your wisdom calms the stormy waves.
You are the salt of the earth, seasoning us with incorruption,
silencing the ravings of clever orators!
By his prayers, deliver us from the proud ones of the earth, O Lord,
grant purity to our hearts and salvation to our souls.

In Tone 3, Glory…

Apostle Andrew, we honour you in songs,
brother of Peter and disciple of Christ, fisherman and fisher of men,
you shaped all dogmas with the wisdom of Christ.
As fish are lured into a net, so you caught transgressors with the bait of truth.
Through his prayers, O Christ, grant us peace and great mercy.

Now…

O Virgin Mother, you conceived the Son of God without seed
by the will of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit.
He was begotten by the Father, without a mother, from all eternity.
Yet for our sake, He was born of you in the flesh without a human father,
and you nursed Him as an infant with your milk.
Therefore, never cease to entreat Him to deliver our souls from affliction.

Troparia

In Tone 4
As the First-called of the Apostles* and full brother of their leader,* implore the Master of all,* to give peace to the world,* and to our souls great mercy.

Glory… Now…
O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created man,** and saved our souls from death.

 

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FESTAL MATINS

Hexapsalm

Great Ekteny

The Lord is God, Tone 4

Troparia, Tone 4
As the First-called of the Apostles* and full brother of their leader,* implore the Master of all,* to give peace to the world,* and to our souls great mercy. (twice)

Glory… Now…

The mystery hidden from eternity and unknown to the angels* is manifested to those on earth through you, O Theotokos!* God being incarnate of you by union without confusion,* and of His own will freely enduring the cross for us,* and raising the first-formed man,* has saved our souls from death!

Kathisma & Little Ekteny

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 1
As a godly Disciple and First-called of all the Disciples of Christ,* with love we praise you, Apostle Andrew,* and faithfully we cry out to you:* Deliver your flock, with which you were entrusted by God,* from every tribulation, from constraints and stumblings, and every evil.

Glory…
As a godly Disciple and First-called of all the Disciples of Christ,* with love we praise you, Apostle Andrew,* and faithfully we cry out to you:* Deliver your flock, with which you were entrusted by God,* from every tribulation, from constraints and stumblings, and every evil.

Now…
As you now stretch out your hands in pity, holy Lady,* grant us your help from the Holy Place,* and may they complete their lives without danger,* those who glorify your all-holy Offspring,* and claim you, Lady and Maiden,* as their hope and boast.

Kathisma & Little Ekteny

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 3
Christ found you first, blest Andrew, as you came, a noble initiate,* and one who proclaimed his commandments clearly to the inhabited world like a soaring bird,* illumining the companies of the nations.* Implore him as God to grant us his great mercy.

Glory…
Christ found you first, blest Andrew, as you came, a noble initiate,* and one who proclaimed his commandments clearly to the inhabited world like a soaring bird,* illumining the companies of the nations.* Implore him as God to grant us his great mercy.

Now…
You became the divine tabernacle of the Word, Mother of God alone all-pure,* surpassing the Angels in purity.* With the divine waters of your prayers purify me,* who am befouled more than all by offences of the flesh,* granting me God’s great mercy.

Polyeleos

Exaltation
We extol you,* O first-called Apostle, Andrew,* and we venerate the pain and labour of your work* to spread the Gospel of Christ!

verses:
From the rising of the sun to its setting the Name of the Lord is to be praised!
Glory…Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3 times)

Sidalen, Tone 5
Let us all sing the praise of the Apostle as eye-witness and godlike herald of the Word,* and truly spiritual fisher of nations;* because Andrew inspired of God brought us to knowledge of Christ,* and now he intercedes without ceasing that our souls may be saved.

Glory… Now…

Immaculate Virgin, you are the protection of those who have their hopes unquestioningly in you.* Free us from trials of every kind, calamities and dire troubles,* as with the Apostles you intercede with your Son,* and save all who sing your praise.

Gradual Hymn
Tone 4, Antiphon 1

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
His sound has gone out into all the earth; and his words to the end of the world.
verse: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.

Let Everything That Has Breath, Tone 4

Gospel
Matthew 4: 18-24

After Psalm 50
In Tone 6, Glory…
Through the prayers of the apostle Andrew, O merciful One, blot out the multitude of our transgressions!

Now…
Through the intercession of the Mother of God, O Merciful One, remit our many sins..

In Tone 1, Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion, blot out my offense.
The First-called Disciple and imitator of your passion,* the Apostle Andrew, conformed to you, O Lord,* having drawn out with the fish-hook of your Cross* those once gone astray in the deep of ignorance, brought them to you.* At his prayers, O supremely Good, make our lives peaceful and save our souls.

Canon

ODE 1

Irmos Guiding Israel with a pillar of fire and of cloud, as God He divided the sea and overwhelmed the chariots of Pharaoh in the deep! Let us sing a hymn of victory, for He alone is glorified!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

You fished with the rod of the Gospel, all-praised Andrew, drawing men out from the sea of falsehood, as Christ promised. He taught you to seek men instead of fish!

The divinely inspired Andrew, the pillar of the faith and seat of the true teachings of Christ, today summons all the ends of the earth to celebrate his yearly festival. Faithful, let us quickly gather!

You pursued the seamonster with nets; with the skill of a fisherman you fish for nations tribes and peoples with the net of the Spirit! You openly and plainly show us through that same Spirit, great heights and depths, most wondrous one!

You solemnized the mysteries of heaven and were an eyewitness and preacher of the ineffable knowledge of Christ. You received the Holy Spirit from on high who teaches and dwells among the nations distributing gifts with fire. Pray, Andrew, that we may be saved.

Glory…

I worship in faith the supernatural unity of the all-unoriginate Trinity, not dividing the divinity. For it is of a single substance, simple and indivisible. I unite it by essence and distinguish by faith the three Persons.

Now…

God is born to the Virgin as an infant and He renews that which through Adam, had become corrupt. He breaks down the dividing wall and chamber of enmity with His flesh. Coming forth from His all-pure Mother, He abolishes the curse of eve.

Katavasia Christ is born, glorify Him; Christ is from heaven, receive Him! Christ is on earth, be lifted up. Sing to the Lord all the earth and praise Him with joy all people, for He has been glorified!

 

ODE 3

Irmos May my heart be made steadfast in your will, O Christ God, who established the second heaven upon the deeps and founded the earth upon the waters, almighty one!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

Cephas and Andrew immediately followed Christ, who called them, saying: come, follow me! They left their father, their boat and their nets, for they were given a vision of the faith.

Transforming pagan temples into churches, most honoured one, you sanctified there the sons of baptism whom grace had renewed through water and the spirit.

You mystically set before the world the pearl of great price which was hidden within the field of your heart, apostle. The gentiles found it and treasured it with faith!

Taking up the gospel in your hands as a treasure, greatly praised one, you enriched all the earth with your divine preaching. Therefore, it honors your memory and your sufferings.

Glory…

Let us all sing hymns in an orthodox manner to the one power of the unoriginate, uncreated God, in Trinity, consubstantial and equally enthroned, three in persons and in lights!

Now…

Every mother that bears a child can no longer be a virgin, but you, Virgin Mother, remained so, after giving birth to Christ, nourishing our life with milk and remaining pure!

Katavasia To the Son, begotten of the Father, before all ages and incarnate of the Virgin without seed in these latter days – let us cry out to Christ our God: you have raised our horn; holy are you, O Lord!

 

LITTLE EKTENY

SESSIONAL HYMN
(Tone 8) We fittingly honour you, apostle Andrew, as the first-called of all the disciples;* an eyewitness and minister of the Word.* You followed the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world with fervor and unwavering faith!* You later showed yourself to be a sharer in the sufferings of Him who willingly endured death for our sake.* Therefore we cry to you: pray to Christ our God, that He may grant remission of sins to those who celebrate your holy memory with love!

Glory…

Destroying the boldness of the idols and yearning for the sufferings of Christ,* you revealed yourself to be an apostle, blessed one,* raining down wonders from heaven and teaching the nations, most blessed one!* Therefore, fittingly honouring your memory in hymns,* we glorify and magnify you, apostle of the Lord, in faith.* Pray to Christ God that He may grant remission of sins to those who celebrate your holy memory with love!

Now…

Rejoice, fiery throne of God! Rejoice, O Maiden!* The royal seat and richly provided couch, the chamber hung with gold-embroidered purple,* the cloak of scarlet, adorned temple and light-bearing chariot!* Rejoice, most radiant candlestick, the twelve-walled city, the gate cast of God,* the radiant bridal chamber, magnificent banquet hall and divinely adorned tabernacle!* Rejoice, glorious bride, radiant as the sun!* Rejoice, the only splendour of my soul!

 

ODE 4

Irmos Habbakuk the prophet, you foresaw in spirit the incarnation of the Word and you prophesied, crying out: when the years draw near, you shall be acknowledged! When the season comes, you shall be revealed! Glory to Your power, O Lord!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

You cast aside your nets and took up the cross; you followed after Christ who called you. Stretching out the net of the Spirit, you caught men instead of fish. Glory to Him who gave you the Spirit!

You received the fiery tongue of the Spirit and became a man well-pleasing to God, apostle. You traversed the glories of the heavens recognizing their spiritual beauty and revealing it to us.

You watered the parched desert with your divine words and showed it to be fertile, O wise one, bearing fruit, the children of the church, through the spreading of the seed. Glory to Him who gave you the Sspirit!

Perceiving your ineffable goodness, O Jesus, Andrew summoned his kinsman, saying to Peter: my blood kinsman, we have found the Messiah who was proclaimed in the Law and the Prophets! Come, let us truly join ourselves to life!

Glory…

Faithful, let us hymn the Trinity in unity, the Father, Son and Divine Spirit, one in divinity, essence and nature, indivisible, inseparable and undivided, for He is one God in three Persons.

Now…

You ineffably conceived one of the Trinity in your womb; you gave birth to Him without corruption as a Son, yet the Trinity was never added to in time! As you were pure before you gave birth, you were kept whole, O Mother of God!

Katavasia Rod of the stem of Jesse and flower that budded from a Virgin, O most lauded Christ! From the mountain covered with darkness You have come, made flesh from her that knew no wedlock. O God not formed from matter, glory to Your might, O Lord!

 

ODE 5

Irmos Enlighten our minds with the light of Your commandments and with the splendour of Your grace, O God. Grant us Your mercy, for Your precepts are light and peace, O Good One!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

You yearned for the cross, disciple of Christ, and through your cross you obtained the incorruptible kingdom into which you draw all the initiates of God with the cross. As we proclaim God’s own words about the cross, you grant an inheritance to us!

You truly sought for Christ our life, and having searched, you were the first to find Him. Having found Him, you mystically embraced Him! You received incorruptible life from the giver becoming a treasury of this life.

The proclamation of your divine thunder went out and encompassed all the ends of the earth! As David said, your lightning has appeared to all the world.

Remember us, disciple of Christ, as we celebrate your memory and venerate your relics. Ever pray with fervour on behalf of the flock which you have preserved and saved from the beginning!

Glory…

Faithful, let us together glorify God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the indivisible Trinity, the tri-personal Kingdom, glorifying Him in faith with eternal theology.

Now…

You gave birth to the Light beyond understanding; you bear the Lamp of the Light of the Sun! You were a new tabernacle of divine Light, sending rays of divine knowledge out to all the world.

Katavasia God of peace and Father of mercies, You have sent us the angel of great council who grants us peace. So we are guided to the light of the knowledge of God. Waking early from the night, we praise You, O Lover of mankind!

 

ODE 6

Irmos I reflect the prophet Jonah and I cry out: free me, Good One, from corruption! Saviour of the world, save me as I cry out: glory to You, O God!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

The one who was called from Bethsaida summons us to keep the feast! He sets before us in splendour the commemoration of his struggles.

By trade a fisherman, by faith a disciple, he plumbed the depths of the heart of the faithful. He lowers the hook of the word and catches us!

Spreading the fire of the love of Christ within your heart, you went out to the gentiles, disciple. Your flame burns for Christ, who has truly appeared!

You seasoned your mind with the salt of Christ; your wages have sweetened the heavenly teachings bringing us unfading delight.

Glory…

Faithful, let us worship the Father, Son and true Spirit, the tri-personal, indivisible Essence. Let us cry out: glory to God in Trinity!

Now…

The Son was incarnate in your womb, O Pure One, by the good pleasure of the Father and through the Holy Spirit. He openly saved mankind that had been created in his image.

Katavasia The seamonster cast out Jonah unharmed as it had received him, like a babe from the womb. And when the Word came to dwell in the Virgin and was made flesh, He came forth preserving her incorrupt, for He Himself was not subject to decay and He kept His mother free from harm!

 

KONTAKION
(Tone 2) Let us praise for his courage the divinely inspired Andrew,* the first apostle of the Saviour and brother of Peter,* for as he drew his brother to Christ, he is crying out to us:* come, for we have found the One whom the world desires!

IKOS
In days of old, David, a sinner like myself, was compelled to declare the maxims of God with honour. And again, He teaches and proclaims with many tears: today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts as Israel was once embittered. And He leads all in psalmody: sing hymns to the Lord, all lands! Come, for we have found the One whom the world desires!

 

ODE 7

We the faithful perceive you to be a spiritual furnace, O Theotokos, for as the highly exalted one saved the three children, the praised and most glorified God of our fathers has wholly renewed the world in your womb!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

The fire of the Holy Spirit, descending from on high, commanded you, apostle of Christ, to proclaim His mighty works in new languages which you had never spoken before to the ends of the earth!

Initiates of the mysteries of Christ and beholders of exalted things, as the Twelve, you have enlightened the darkness of the earth, astonishing the minds of all by the proclamation you trumpeted out to all the world!

Wondrous was your grace, O Master Christ, in Your divinely wise disciples. As simple and humble men, they travelled through all the ends of the earth!

Who taught you to speak as you do, apostle? Who enlightened your mind to behold clearly the radiance of unapproachable glory which shines the light of truth into our hearts?

Glory…

Faithful, let us sing hymns to the Trinity, glorifying the unoriginate Father, the Son and the righteous Spirit: the single Essence! Let us chant: holy, holy, holy are You forever!

Now…

We glorify you, O Christ, as one of the Trinity, for without change, You were incarnate of the Virgin. Jesus, You bore all things as a man, united to us, without departing from the essence of the Father!

Katavasia The children brought up together in godliness, despising the unrighteous command, were not afraid of the threat of fire, but standing in the midst of the flames they sang: blessed are you, O God of our fathers!

 

ODE 8

Irmos God who preserved the bush which burnt on Sinai unconsumed and delivered the youths in the midst of the burning flame: let us hymn, bless and highly exalt You forever!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

You drew fish from the sea, most wise one, by the craft of fishing. Now by faith, you draw men to Christ from the deception of the enemy! For deception is an abyss drowning the nations in a storm of impiety.

You sailed the spiritual sea of life by faith in Christ and were not capsized, O apostle. You were propelled by the sail of the spirit and rejoicing, you have reached the eternal harbour of life!

After the spiritual Sun set of His own will upon the tree, the great Andrew, the lamp of the Church and beacon of the Sun, sought to end his own life with Christ and set in Him. He, too, was hung upon the wood of a cross.

Disciple and beloved friend of Christ and one of his apostles: when the Judge sits upon His throne with you, His Twelve, to give judgment as He has promised, be a fortress for us of love for mankind.

Let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Lord!

Let us glorify the three-fold radiance of Unity, the equally enthroned Trinity. Let us not separate It, but unite it consubstantially, as one Essence, united in three Persons without confusion!

Now…

Pure One, you conceived and gave birth to one of the Trinity, who, incarnate of you, renews the laws of nature by your childbearing! Theotokos, never cease to pray to Him as God on our behalf.

We praise, bless and worship the Lord, singing and exalting Him throughout all ages!

Katavasia The furnace moist with dew was the image of a wonder beyond nature, for it did not burn the children whom it had received! Just as the fire of divinity did not consume the Virgin’s womb when it entered there. So, let us raise the song: let the whole creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all forever!

MAGNIFICAT

ODE 9

Irmos Let us all magnify the radiant cloud upon whom the unoriginate Master of all descended like dew on the fleece, the pure Mother of God from whom He was incarnate, becoming man for our sake!

Refrain: Holy apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

You spread out the net of the mystical knowledge of God. You caught fish with the beauties of heavenly thoughts! Entreat the holy Trinity, holy one, to pour out a cleansing stream on us.

The nations who are enlightened by you and led up from earth to heaven, give thanks to you, for wrested from the service of the enemy, they have become companions of the holy angels and partakers of the glory of the Lord!

Apostles and witnesses of ineffable things and ministers of the Word, performers of the mysteries and beholders of hidden things, pray that we may become heirs of the kingdom of Christ and partakers of His divinity.

You received the power from Christ to bind and loose: free us all from the bonds of our many transgressions when Christ shall come and you Twelve will be seated upon thrones to judge all the tribes of Israel!

Glory…

We unceasingly glorify in heaven and on earth the incomprehensible Trinity: the tri-personal Essence, the indivisible Glory hymned in one divinity. With devotion, we worship the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Now…

We run with faith to your loving kindness, worshiping your son with devotion, Virgin Theotokos! Entreat Him as the God and Lord of the world, that He may deliver us from corruption, misfortune and all temptation.

Katavasia I behold a strange, most glorious mystery! Heaven — the cave! The cherubic throne — the Virgin! The manger — the place where Christ lay, the uncontainable God whom we magnify in song!

 

Hymn Of Light, Tone 3
The Word without beginning having found you, O all-blessed,* declared you the First-called of all the Apostles, revered Andrew;* and following in his footsteps you were revealed as guide of those who had gone astray,* bringing up the divine path to heaven.

Glory…

Let us give glorious praise to Peter’s brother, the first-called of the Disciples,* who became an eye-witness and servant of the Word, the Apostle Andrew;* for he enlightened the nations, and was crucified, dying like a Disciple of the Master.

Now…

All-blameless Virgin, implore God, to whom you gave birth,* for all who devoutly honour you, with the glorious Apostle,* to obtain the divine radiance of your Son* and the place of the elect and of the Saints;* for you have strength to do whatever you wish.

 

At The Praises, Tone 1
Bethsaida now be glad;* for in you there flowered from a mystic pool two sweet scented lilies, Peter and Andrew,* who spread the fragrant proclamation of the faith to the whole world by the grace of Christ,* whose sufferings too they imitated.

Andrew rejoice and leap for joy,* because in the radiance of the Word you clearly received the Sun of glory, Christ the giver of life,* whom you held fast and by the faith proclaimed;* implore him without ceasing on behalf of us* who sing your praise with faith.

Chosen initiate of the divine dispensation of Christ,* chosen first of all to be a disciple of the Word,* Andrew who saw God cried out and said, when he saw his brother Peter,* ‘We have found the Messiah* whom the Scripture and Prophets proclaimed of old’.

The city of Patras has gained you as Shepherd and divine defender,* deliverer from dangers of every kind and guardian, wise Andrew,* as with thanksgiving it honours you.* But implore without ceasing that it may be preserved unharmed.

In Tone 8, Glory…
Let us all sing the praise of Andrew, the herald of the faith and servant of the Word;* for he fishes men from the deep,* grasping in his hands the Cross for a rod,* and lowering power like a line he brings souls up from the error of the foe* and offers them as an acceptable gift to God.* Let us the faithful ever sing his praise with the choir of Christ’s Disciples,* that he may intercede with him so that he may be merciful to us* on the day of judgement.

Now…
Bethlehem receive the Mother City of God;* for she has come to give birth in you to the unwaning Light.* You Angels, marvel in heaven; mankind give glory upon earth,* Magi from Persia bring your triple glorious gift,* Shepherds abiding in the fields sing the thrice-holy hymn.* Let everything that has breath praise the Maker of all.

Troparion

In Tone 4
As the First-called of the Apostles* and full brother of their leader,* implore the Master of all,* to give peace to the world,* and to our souls great mercy.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: As the First-called of the Apostles* and full brother of their leader,* implore the Master of all,* to give peace to the world,* 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: Let us praise God’s herald, whose name is “courage,”* Peter’s kinsman who leads those in the Church who follow the chief apostle,* for as then to Peter so now to us he cries aloud:* “We have found the One so longed for.”

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world.
verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands. (Psalm 18:5,2)

Epistle
1 Corinthians 4:9-16

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 88:6,8)

Gospel
John 1:35-51

Communion Hymn
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their word unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 3

10. Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

By Your Cross, O Christ our Saviour,
the power of Death has been vanquished
and the deceit of the devil has been destroyed.
Therefore, mankind, saved by faith,
offers You hymns of praise forever.

9. The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O Lord, all creation has been enlightened by Your resurrection,
and Paradise has been reopened;
therefore, all creation extols You
and offers You hymns of praise forever.

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

I glorify the powers of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
and I praise the dominion of the undivided Divinity,
the consubstantial Trinity,
Who reigns forever and ever.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

We adore Your precious Cross, O Christ,
and with hymns of praise we glorify Your Resurrection;
for by Your wounds we have all been healed.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Let us sing the praises of the Saviour,
Who was incarnate of the Virgin;
for He was crucified for our sake,
and on the third day He arose from the dead,
granting us His great mercy.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Christ descended into Hades and announced to those confined there:
Take courage, for today I have conquered death.
I am the Resurrection, the One Who will set you free.
I shattered the gates of the realm of death.

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

O Christ our God, we unworthily stand in Your most pure temple,
and offer to You our evening hymns.
From the depths of our souls we cry out to You:
O Lover of Mankind, Who has enlightened the world
by Your Resurrection on the third day,
deliver Your people from the hands of Your enemies.

In Tone 2

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Having forsaken the beauties of the world,
the splendour of your birthright, wealth and honour,
you cast aside all sensuality, breaking your body through the taming of the passions.
You rejoiced, James, as you followed after Christ,
for through your suffering you have become a partaker of glory indeed,
and are an inheritor of the Kingdom!

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

When the members of your flesh were cut off
you endured unbearable pain and wounds, truly glorious James!
You manfully trampled the savagery of the tormentors underfoot,
receiving a priceless crown of victory!
Now adorned with it, O blessed one,
you stand with those who suffered with you,
before the throne of the Master!

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Possessing boldness before Christ, ever-memorable martyr,
you fervently intercede for all who celebrate your honoured festival with faith,
delivering them from misfortunes and freeing them from the passions,
rescuing them from the evils that surround them,
granting their souls salvation by your divine prayers,
that we may glorify your splendid struggles!

In Tone 5, Glory…

Steadfast in struggles, martyr James,
you delivered up your body on behalf of Christ our God!
Your hands and legs were severed,
your fingers, arms, shoulders, and at the last, your head.
You ascended to heaven to reign with the King of all.
Therefore, since you have struggled mightily,
do not cease to intercede that our souls may be saved
from all harm by the alien.

In Tone 3, Now…

O Lady most honourable,
how can we but be rapt in wonder
at you giving birth to the Incarnate God
who, without a mother, was born of the Father before all ages?
You gave Him birth in the flesh without a father,
without a man instrumentality.
He is God and man whose two natures are intact,
neither one losing any of its properties.
Therefore, O Virgin Mother,
intercede with Him to save the souls
of those who believe and confess in true faith
that you are the Mother of God.

Aposticha

In Tone 3

O Christ, Who darkened the sun by Your passion
and enlightened all creation by Your resurrection,
accept our evening prayer; for You love mankind.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

O Lord, Your life-giving Resurrection has enlightened the entire universe
and has revived Your creation which lay in corruption.
Therefore, we, who have been released from the curse of Adam, cry out to You:
Almighty Lord, glory to You!

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

O God, although in Your divine nature You are unchangeable,
yet in Your human nature You underwent change by suffering in the flesh.
All creation was prostrate with fear
when it saw You hanging on the Cross,
and it groaned in sorrow as it sang the praises of Your long-suffering.
But You descended into Hades and arose on the third day,
granting life and great mercy to the world.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

You suffered death, O Christ, to deliver mankind from death.
And when You arose from the dead on the third day,
You enlightened the world
and resurrected all who acknowledge You as God.

In Tone 8, Glory…

Today as you assemble with faith, all who like to look upon the things of God,
behold the spiritual and awesome contest of James of Persia,
who has shone on us like the star appearing to the Magi, guiding us to true knowledge!
That valiant one, when he fell, destroyed those who fought against him,
and when his members were severed,
he brought to nothing those who tortured him,
for he was strengthened by the providence of the Most High,
crying out: even though you cut my material limbs, yet I have Christ,
who has spiritually become all things to me!
Therefore, foreseeing the life to come, lying before all through death,
he hastened to pass over to it!
Dwelling there, he entreats God, the Bestower of crowns,
that He may grant to us who celebrate his memory,
cleansing, enlightenment and great mercy!

Now…

O Virgin, You have never known wedlock,
Yet You conceived God in the flesh
in a manner which words can never describe.
You thus became the Mother of God on high.
O Immaculate Lady, receive the supplication of your servants
and grant us the cleansing of our sins.
Accept now our prayers and beseech God to save all of us.

 

Troparia

In Tone 3
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.

In Tone 4, Glory…
You astounded all, long-suffering James,* by enduring horrible tortures with great patience.* As the evil assembly performed the slaughter,* you uttered prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord!* Through your sufferings you received your crown,* and came to the throne of the heavenly King, Christ God:** entreat Him to save our souls!

Now…
O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created man,*and saved our souls from death.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 3: Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 3: You rose from the tomb, O compassionate Lord,* and led us out from the gates of death.* Today Adam exults and Eve rejoices,* and the prophets together with the patriarchs* unceasingly acclaim the divine might of Your power.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 3: Today the Virgin stands before us in the church* and together with the choirs of saints invisibly prays to God for us.* Angels are worshipping with hierarchs,* Apostles exult with prophets,* for the Mother of God prays in our behalf to the eternal God.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Sing to our God, sing; sing to our King, sing.
verse: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 46:7,2)

Epistle
Colossians 3:12-16

Alleluia, Tone 3
verse: In You, O Lord, have I hoped that I may not be put to shame for ever.
verse: Be a protector unto me, O God, and a house of refuge to save me. (Psalm 30:2,3)

Gospel
Luke 18:18-27

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

O faithful, let us leap for joy today,
singing psalms and hymns of praise
in honour of Mary, his mother,
the holy Tabernacle and Ark that contained the Word
whom nothing can contain.
She is offered to God as a child in a marvellous way,
and Zechariah the high priest receives her with great joy,
for she is the dwelling place of the Most High.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

O faithful, let us leap for joy today,
singing psalms and hymns of praise
in honour of Mary, his mother,
the holy Tabernacle and Ark that contained the Word
whom nothing can contain.
She is offered to God as a child in a marvellous way,
and Zechariah the high priest receives her with great joy,
for she is the dwelling place of the Most High.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Today the living Temple of the holy glory of Christ our God,
Mary, the pure and blessed One,
is being brought into the temple according to the Law
to live in its holy precincts.
Joachim and Anne and all the virgins
rejoice with her in spirit.
They sing hymns of praise to the Lord
and honour his Mother.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Today the living Temple of the holy glory of Christ our God,
Mary, the pure and blessed One,
is being brought into the temple according to the Law
to live in its holy precincts.
Joachim and Anne and all the virgins
rejoice with her in spirit.
They sing hymns of praise to the Lord
and honour his Mother.

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

O Virgin Mother of God,
you are the One foretold by the prophets.
You are the glory of the apostles
and the pride of martyrs
and the cause of renewal for the entire human race.
Through you we have been reconciled with God.
Therefore, we honour your entrance into the temple of the Lord.
Together with the angels, all of us who are saved by your prayers sing to you:
Rejoice, O most holy One.

In Tone 4

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

The holy and immaculate One
is being led into the Holy of Holies by the Holy Spirit.
She is being nourished by angels,
since she is the holy Temple of our holy God.
He has sanctified all creation because of her entrance,
and He has deified our fallen human nature.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Today the maidens rejoice.
Carrying lamps, they piously escort Mary,
the spiritual lamp, into the Holy of Holies.
This is a foreshadowing of the splendid Light
that will shine forth from her,
the Light that will enlighten all
who sit in the darkness of ignorance.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

The most praiseworthy Anne cries out in great joy:
O Zechariah, receive the One whom the prophets of God
foretold through the Spirit.
Escort her into the holy temple,
since she is to be the sublime Temple,
the palace, throne, and wondrous abode of our God.

Glory… Now…

O Lady and Bride of God,
you entered the temple of God in your infancy
to be brought up in the Holy of Holies,
for you are holy.
The archangel Gabriel was sent to serve you and bring you food.
All the heavenly powers were amazed
at the sight of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you.
Therefore, O most pure and immaculate Mother of God,
since you are glorified in heaven and on earth,
through your prayers save our human race.

Readings
(1) Exodus 40:1-5,9-10,16,34-35; (2) I Kings 7:51-8:1, 3-7, 9-11; (3) Ezekiel 43:27-44:4

Litiya

In Tone 1

Today let the heavens above greatly rejoice
and let the clouds pour down gladness
at the mighty and marvellous acts of our God.
For behold, the gate that looks towards the East,
born from a fruitless and barren womb according to the promise,
and consecrated to God as his dwelling,
is now being brought into the temple
as a spotless offering.
Let David greatly rejoice and play on his harp, saying:
Virgins shall be brought to the king after her;
her companions shall be brought into the ark of the Lord
to be nourished with the life of the Incorruptible One
who was begotten from eternity
for the salvation of our souls.

In Tone 4

Today the Theotokos, the Temple that is to contain God,
is being escorted into the temple of the Lord,
and Zechariah receives her.
Today the Holy of Holies greatly rejoices,
and the choir of angels mystically celebrates this feast.
Let us also celebrate with them today
and cry out with Gabriel:
Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you,
and He grants us great mercy.

Come all you people,
and let us praise the only Immaculate One
who was foretold by the prophets
and is being led into the temple.
She was chosen from eternity to be the Mother;
and in time she was revealed as the Theotokos.
O Lord, by her prayers grant us your peace and great mercy.

In Tone 5, Glory… Now…

A day of joy has truly dawned.
It is a most precious feast for us,
because she who was virgin before and after childbirth,
today is offered in the temple.
The aged Zechariah, father of the Forerunner, cries aloud, rejoicing:
The intercessor of those in affliction
comes into the holy temple, since she herself is holy.
She will be sanctified in the abode of the King of all.
Let her father, Joachim, be glad
and let Anne rejoice exceedingly,
because they have offered to God
the immaculate Queen as a three year old child.
Rejoice with them, all you women;
all you virgins and barren ones, dance for joy
and celebrate with them,
for the Queen of all has opened the kingdom of heaven for us.
Let all people be glad and rejoice.

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Heaven and earth today rejoice together
at the sight of the mystical heaven;
the immaculate and pure Virgin is coming into the holy temple
to be brought up in honour. Zechariah, rejoicing in her and leaping for joy,
cried out in awe: O Door of the Lord,
I open the doors of the temple to you,
because I know and believe that the salvation of Israel is already coming,
that the Word of God will be born from you,
and that He will grant great mercy to the world.

She is led to the King with her maiden companions.

When Anne, which means grace,
was graced with the pure and ever-Virgin Mary,
she presented her into the temple of God.
She called maidens to carry candles and walk before her as she said:
O child, go to be an offering
and a fragrant incense for the One who sent you to me.
Enter into the veiled places and learn the mysteries of God.
Prepare yourself to be a delightful dwelling place for Jesus
who will give great mercy to the world.

They are escorted amid gladness and joy; they pass within the palace of the King.

The all-holy Virgin is handed over into the temple.
Maidens carrying candles go before her.
Her parents, the devoted couple, Joachim and Anne, joyfully celebrate,
for they have given birth in the flesh to the One who will bear the Creator.
She will dance for joy in the temple of God
and will be fed by the hand of an angel.
The all-immaculate Mother of Christ has appeared,
and He will grant great mercy to the world.

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

O assembly of the faithful,
let us celebrate this day as a spiritual feast.
With great love, let us honour the maiden of God,
the Virgin and Theotokos,
as she is presented into the temple of the Lord;
for she has been chosen from among all generations
to be the dwelling place of Christ our God
who is the King of all.
O virgins, carry candles and lead the way
for the entrance of the ever-Virgin.
Follow after her who is the Mother of God
and mediatrix for the joy of the world.
Therefore, let us all cry out together with the angels:
Rejoice, for you are full of grace,
and you continually pray for our souls.

Troparion

In Tone 4
Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:** Rejoice, fulfillment of the Creator’s plan. (3 times)

 

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FESTAL MATINS

Hexapsalm

Great Ekteny

The Lord Is God, Tone 4

Troparion, Tone 4
Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfillment of the Creator’s plan. (twice)

Glory… Now…

Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfillment of the Creator’s plan.

Kathisma & Little Ekteny

Sessional Hymn I
In Tone 1: The fruit of righteous Joachim and Ann* is brought as an offering to God in the holy sanctuary,* she who sustains our life, a young child in the flesh;* and she receives the blessing of Zacharias the priest.* Let all of us in faith call her blessed, for she is the Mother of the Lord.

Glory… Now…

The fruit of righteous Joachim and Ann* is brought as an offering to God in the holy sanctuary,* she who sustains our life, a young child in the flesh;* and she receives the blessing of Zacharias the priest.* Let all of us in faith call her blessed, for she is the Mother of the Lord.

Kathisma & Little Ekteny

Sessional Hymn II
In Tone 4: Before your conception, O pure Virgin,* you were consecrated to God;* and now after your birth you are offered as a gift to Him* in fulfillment of your parents’ promise.* To the divine temple you are brought,* yourself a Temple truly divine, innocent from the time you were a babe;* you have appeared in the sanctuary accompanied by brightly burning lamps,* who are the Receiver of the Divine Light that no man can approach.* Magnificent in truth is your entry,* O only Bride of God and ever-Virgin.

Glory… Now…

Before your conception, O pure Virgin,* you were consecrated to God;* and now after your birth you are offered as a gift to Him* in fulfillment of your parents’ promise.* To the divine temple you are brought,* yourself a Temple truly divine, innocent from the time you were a babe;* you have appeared in the sanctuary accompanied by brightly burning lamps,* who are the Receiver of the Divine Light that no man can approach.* Magnificent in truth is your entry,* O only Bride of God and ever-Virgin.

Polyeleos

Exaltation
We extol you,* O most holy Virgin!* Maiden chosen of God!* And we honour your entry into the temple!
verse:
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised:
in the city of our God and in His holy mountain!…
Holy is Your temple, and wonderful in righteousness!…
Glory…Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3 times)
Sidalen
In Tone 8: Let David the Psalmist greatly rejoice,* let Joachim and Ann be glad,* for a holy child has come forth from them,* Mary the Lamp that bears the Divine Light;* and she rejoices as she enters the temple.* The son of Zarachias, beholding her, gave her his blessing and cried out in joy:* “Hail, you wonder of the all the world!”

Glory… Now…

Let David the Psalmist greatly rejoice,* let Joachim and Ann be glad,* for a holy child has come forth from them,* Mary the Lamp that bears the Divine Light;* and she rejoices as she enters the temple.* The son of Zarachias, beholding her, gave her his blessing and cried out in joy:* “Hail, you wonder of the all the world!”

Gradual Hymns

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear.
verse: My heart is overflowing with noble words.

Let Everything That Has Breath, Tone 4

Gospel
Luke 1:39-49, 56

After Psalm 50
In Tone 2, Glory…
Today the living Temple of the great King* enters the temple to be prepared as a divine dwelling-place for Him.* O people, rejoice exceedingly.

Now…
Today the living Temple of the great King* enters the temple to be prepared as a divine dwelling-place for Him.* O people, rejoice exceedingly.

In Tone 4,Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion, blot out my offense.
Today the Theotokos, the Temple that is to hold God,* is led into the temple of the Lord,* and Zacharias receives her.* Today the Holy of Holies rejoices greatly,* and the choir of angels mystically keeps feast.* With them let us also celebrate the festival today,* and let us cry aloud with Gabriel:* Hail, O you who are full of grace: the Lord is with you,* He who has great mercy.

Canon

ODE 1
First Canon – Tone 4
Irmos I shall open my mouth and the Spirit will inspire it, and I shall utter the words of my song to the Queen and
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Mother: I shall be seen radiantly keeping feast and joyfully praising her entry.
We know that you, O All-Undefiled, are a treasury of wisdom and a never-failing fountain of grace. We therefore pray: O Lady, let fall some drops of knowledge upon us, that we may sing your praises for ever.
You who are honoured, O Most Holy, far above the heavens, you who are both Temple and Palace, you are dedicated in the temple of God, to be prepared as a divine dwelling-place for His coming.
She who made the light of grace shine forth, the Theotokos, has illuminated all men and brought them together to adorn with songs her most radiant triumph. O come, let us join them and hasten to her.
Having opened the gates of the temple of God, the Glorious Gate’ through which human thoughts cannot pass now urges us to enter with her and to delight in her divine marvels.

Second Canon – Tone 1
Irmos Let us all sing a triumphant song unto God who has done wondrous things with His mighty arm, and has saved Israel: for He has been glorified.
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Let us this day hasten together to the Theotokos, honouring her in songs, and let us keep spiritual feast. For she is offered in the temple as a gift to God.
Let us praise in songs the glorious advance of the Theotokos. For today as a precious gift she is prophetically offered in the temple, who is herself a Temple of God.
Ann without reproach greatly rejoiced, offering her child in the temple as a precious gift to God, while Joachim, bright with joy, kept feast with her.
David the forefather praised you of old in hymns, O Virgin Bride of God, calling you Daughter of Christ the King: Him you have borne as Mother and you have fed Him as your child.
The Theotokos, when she was three years old after the flesh, was led to the Lord; and Zacharias, the priest of God, received her in the temple with rejoicing and established her there.
You virgins carrying lamps, be of good cheer today and begin the song; you mothers, join them in praises to the Queen and Mother, as she enters the temple of Christ the King.
Glory…
O Trinity, one in essence, Father, Word, and Holy Spirit, with faith we glorify You as Maker of all, and in reverence we cry: Save us, O God.
Now…
The King and God goes forth wearing the purple dyed from your blood, O All-Undefiled. He has renewed all mankind in His compassion.
Katavasia (Tone 1) Christ is born, give glory. Christ comes from heaven, meet Him. Christ is on earth, be exalted. O all the earth, sing unto the Lord, and sing praises in gladness, O people, for He has been glorified.

ODE 3
First Canon
Irmos O Mother of God, living and plentiful fount, give strength to those united in spiritual fellowship, who sing hymns of praise to you: and on this day of your venerable entry, vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Today has the temple become a wedding adornment and a fair chamber for the Virgin, as it receives the living Bridal Chamber of God, pure and without spot, she who shines more brightly than all the creation.
David, leading the dance, leaps in gladness and rejoices with us, and you, O undefiled and all-pure Virgin, he calls the Queen, clad in raiment of many-coloured needlework, standing in the temple before the King and God.’
From Eve of old the transgression came upon mankind, and now from Eve’s stock has flowered forth our restoration and incorruption, even the Theotokos, who is brought today into the house of God.
The hosts of angels and the multitude of all mankind dance today before your face, O all-pure Lady, and carrying lamps they go before you, proclaiming your greatness in the house of God.

Second Canon
Irmos Let my heart be established in Your will, O Christ my God, who has established the second heaven above the waters, and has founded the earth upon the floods, in Your almighty power.
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O You who love the feasts, celebrate and be glad in spirit, exulting today in the holy feast of the Daughter of the King and the Mother of our God.
Be glad today, O Joachim, and rejoice exceedingly in spirit, O Ann, who now present unto the Lord your daughter, as a three-year old victim of sacrifice, holy and utterly without spot.
Dwelling-place of God, the Theotokos Mary, three years old after the flesh, is offered in the holy temple, and the virgins her companions, carrying lamps, go before her.
The ewe-lamb of God without spot, the dove without blemish, the tabernacle that is to hold God, the sanctuary of the glory, has chosen to dwell in the holy temple.
Three years old in the flesh and many years old in spirit, more spacious than the heavens and higher than the powers above, let the Bride of God be praised in song.
Celebrating the coming of the Theotokos into the sanctuary, let us too, carrying lamps today in spirit, go in joy with the virgins to the temple.
Priests of God, clothe yourselves by grace in righteousness, going in joy to meet the Daughter of the King and God as she enters the Holy Place.
Glory…
The Father is Light, His Son is Light, and the Spirit, the Comforter, is Light: for, shining forth as from one sun, the Trinity divinely illuminates and preserves our souls.
Now…
The prophets proclaimed you in ages past, speaking of you as ark of holiness, golden censer, candlestick, and table; and we sing your praises as the Tabernacle that held God.
Katavasia To the Son who was begotten of the Father without change before all ages, and in the last times was without seed made flesh of the Virgin, to Christ our God let us cry aloud: You have raised up our horn, holy are You, O Lord.

LITTLE EKTENY

SESSIONAL HYMN
(Tone 4) Cry out, O David, what is this present feast?* Is it for her of whom you have sung in the Book of Psalms,* calling her Daughter, Child of God and Virgin, saying:* ‘Her companions the virgins that follow her shall be mystically led unto the King?’* Make this feast to be held in honour throughout all the world by those who cry:* The Theotokos is come among us, mediator of salvation.
Glory… Now… [Repeat]

ODE 4
First Canon
Irmos Perceiving the unsearchable purpose of God concerning Your Incarnation from a Virgin, O Most High, the prophet Habakkuk cried: Glory to Your power, O Lord.
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Today the house of God receives the Gate through which none may pass; so it has brought an end to the worship commanded by the shadow of the Law, and it cries aloud: ‘Verily the truth has appeared to those on earth.’
The overshadowed mountain that Habakkuk foresaw and announced prophetically in days of old, has come to dwell within the sanctuary of the temple; there she has put forth flowers of virtue and with her shadow she covers the ends of the earth.
Let us, with all the earth, look upon these marvellous, strange, and wonderful events: how the Virgin, receiving food from an angel, offers us an image of the divine dispensation.
Appearing as a Temple and a Palace and living Heaven, you are dedicated today in the temple of the Law, to be kept therein, O undefiled Bride of God.

Second Canon
Irmos O prophet Habakkuk, you have foreseen in spirit the Incarnation of the Word, and have proclaimed crying: ‘You shall be acknowledged when the years draw nigh; You shall be made manifest when the times come. Glory to Your power, O Lord.’
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O prophet Isaiah, prophesy to us: who is the Virgin that shall conceive? ‘It is she who has come forth from the root of Judah and who was born of David the King, glorious fruit of a holy seed.’
O virgins, begin your songs, and with lamps in hand praise the advance of the pure Theotokos, who now enters the temple of the Lord, and keep feast with us.
Be glad, O Joachim and Ann, who now present unto the Lord in the temple, as a three-year old victim of sacrifice, your daughter that shall be the pure Mother of Christ our God, the King of all.
O venerable Holy of Holies, you love to dwell in the holy temple; and you abide, O Virgin, in converse with angels, receiving bread most marvellously from heaven, O you who sustains our life.
When all hope was gone, Joachim and Ann gave birth to the undefiled Virgin, and in piety they promised to offer her to God. Today they fulfil their promise, giving their child as a sacrifice in the house of God.
The rod of Aaron once put forth shoot, prefiguring, O undefiled Virgin, your divine childbirth. For without seed shall you conceive and not suffer corruption; and after bearing child shall you remain Virgin, giving suck to a babe who is God of all.
Virgins, with piety hasten to the Virgin, and mothers to the Mother: together let us honour the Child born to Joachim and Ann, as a blameless Sanctuary, and the Mother that bore Christ, as a holy Tree bringing forth fruit to God. Let us all joyously keep feast.
Glory…
Three in Persons, One in nature, in reverence we glorify the true God whose praises the hosts of angels and archangels sing as Master of the Creation; and in faith we all worship Him for ever.
Now…
O pure and undefiled Virgin, pray without ceasing to thy Son and God, whom you have conceived in the flesh, that He may deliver all thy servants from the manifold snares of the devil and from every temptation that assails us.
Katavasia Rod of the root of Jesse, and flower that blossomed from his stem, O Christ, You have sprung from the Virgin. From the Mountain overshadowed by the forest You have come, made flesh from her that knew not wedlock, O God who are not formed from matter. Glory to Your power, O Lord.’

ODE 5
First Canon
Irmos The whole world was amazed at your venerable entry. For you, O Virgin who have not known wedlock, yourself a Temple most pure, have gone within the temple of God, bestowing peace upon all who sing your praises.
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Glorious sanctuary and holy offering, today the most pure Virgin is dedicated in the temple of God; and in ways which He alone understands, she is kept as a dwelling-place for our God, the King of all.
Seeing the beauty of thy soul, O undefiled Virgin, Zacharias cried out with faith: ‘You are our deliverance, you are the joy of all. You are our restoration, through whom the Incomprehensible appears comprehensible to me.’
O Virgin all-undefiled, past understanding are your wonders! Strange is the manner of your birth: strange is the manner of your growing. Strange and most marvellous are all things concerning you, O Bride of God, and they are beyond the telling of mortal man.
O candlestick with many lights, O Bride of God, you have shone forth today in the house of the Lord, and you give us light through the holy gifts of grace from your wonders, O pure and far-famed Theotokos.

Second Canon
Irmos O Christ our Master and God who loves man, cause the radiant and everlasting light to shine upon us, who ponder early in the morning upon the judgements of Your commandments.
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Let us, the Orthodox, all hasten together with our lamps and glorify the Mother of God, for today she is offered to the Lord as an acceptable sacrifice.
Let the forefathers rejoice exceedingly today, O Lady, and let her that bore you make glad with your father: for their fruit is led unto the Lord.
Let us all, keeping feast in faith, sing the praises of the undefiled Maiden, most glorious and of many names, for she conceived in the flesh the divine Victim and sacrificial Offering.
The contract of your betrothal, the divine tokens of your Motherhood past understanding, O pure Virgin, are written today by the Holy Spirit in the house of God.
Let the forecourt of the glory of our God be opened and let it receive, as a victim of sacrifice three years old and without blemish, the Mother of God who was never to know wedlock.
Let us sing the praises of that greatly venerated and overshadowed mountain, the ever-Virgin who became the Mother of God. For she has made light shine to the ends of the earth.
Glory…
Let us glorify and worship the one Godhead in three Persons, undivided by nature and equal in glory, that was before the beginning and ever shall be.
Now…
We have your intercession, O Mother of God, as a fair haven and an unassailable rampart in times of trouble, and we are ever delivered from danger and affliction.
Katavasia As You are God of peace and Father of mercies, You have sent unto us Your Angel of great counsel, granting us peace. So are we guided towards the light of the knowledge of God, and watching by night we glorify You, O Lover of mankind.

ODE 6
First Canon
Irmos As we celebrate this sacred and solemn feast of the Mother of God, let us come, clapping our hands, O people of the Lord, and give glory to God who was born of her.
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
He who supports all things with His word, in His mercy has hearkened unto the prayer of righteous Joachim and Ann: He has loosed them from the disease of barrenness and given them her that is the cause of our joy.
The Lord, wishing to make known to the Gentiles His salvation, has now chosen from among men her that knew not wedlock, to be a sign of reconciliation and renewal.
Being yourself, O Undefiled, a house of grace, in which are laid the treasures of the ineffable dispensation of God, you partake of boundless joy in the temple.
Having received you as a royal diadem, O Bride of God, the temple shone with beauty and gave place to better things, seeing in you the fulfilment of the prophecies.

Second Canon
Irmos With the prophet Jonah I shout: O You who are good, deliver my life from corruption and save me, O Saviour of the world, as I cry: Glory to You.
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O faithful, let us feast in spirit the Mother of God, singing her praises with piety. For she is indeed more holy than the heavenly powers.
O faithful, let us praise in spiritual songs the Mother of the Light, for today has she been manifested to us as she enters the temple of God.
The ewe-lamb without blemish, the pure dove, is brought as an offering to dwell in the house of God: the undefiled Virgin who was foreordained to become the Mother of God.
The Temple of God, the heavenly Tabernacle, accomplished her entry into the temple of the Law, and from her the Light has shone on us in darkness.
A child in the flesh but perfect in soul, the holy Ark enters into the house of God, there to feed upon divine grace.
By your intercessions set us free from every temptation and danger of soul, for we run to you, O far-famed Mother of Christ our God.
Glory…
Father, Son, and Spirit of righteousness, Unity in three persons and undivided Trinity, have mercy upon those who worship Your divine power.
Now…
He whom nothing can contain was contained in your womb, O undefiled Mother of God, and from you He has come forth double in nature, God and Man.
Katavasia The sea monster spat forth Jonah as it had received him, like a babe from the womb: while the Word, having dwelled in the Virgin and taken flesh, came forth from her yet kept her uncorrupt. For being Himself not subject to decay, He preserved His Mother free from harm.

KONTAKION
(Tone 4) The Saviour’s pure temple,* the precious bridal chamber and Virgin,* the sacred treasury of the glory of God,* is brought today into the house of the Lord; * and with her she brings the grace* of the divine Spirit.* God’s angels sing in praise of her:* She is indeed the heavenly dwelling place.

IKOS
Seeing the grace of the secret mysteries of God made manifest and clearly fulfilled in the Virgin, I rejoice; and I know not how to understand the strange and secret manner whereby the Undefiled has been revealed as alone chosen above all creation, visible and spiritual. Therefore, wishing to praise her, I am struck dumb with amazement in both mind and speech. Yet still I dare to proclaim and magnify her: She is indeed the heavenly Tabernacle.

ODE 7
First Canon
Irmos The Holy Children bravely trampled upon the threatening fire, preferring not to worship created things rather than the Creator, and they sang in joy: ‘Blessed are You and praised above all, O Lord God of our fathers.’
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Lo, a glad springtime has shone now to the ends of the earth, making our soul and understanding and mind bright through grace: for today is the feast of the Theotokos. Let us rejoice mystically.
Today let all things, heaven and earth, the ranks of angels and the multitude of mortal men, attend the Queen and Mother, and let them cry aloud: ‘Joy and deliverance is led into the temple.’
The written Law has passed away and vanished as a shadow, and the rays of grace have shone forth at your entry into the temple of God, O undefiled Virgin Mother, who are for ever blessed.
O undefiled Lady, heaven and earth and the things beneath the earth have been brought into subjection to your Son as Maker and God, and all mortal tongues confess that the Lord has appeared, the Saviour of our souls.’

Second Canon
Irmos The furnace was sprinkled with dew, O Saviour, and the Children danced for joy as they sang: ‘O God of our fathers, blessed are You.’
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Let us exult today in the joy of the feast; let us honour, as is meet, Joachim and Ann, and let us sing the praises of the undefiled Virgin.
Let David prophesy, who said in the spirit: ‘Virgins shall be brought after you; they shall be brought into the temple to the Queen and Mother.’
The ranks of angels rejoiced exceedingly and spirits of the righteous were glad, when the Mother of God was led into the sanctuary.
Mary without spot rejoiced in body and spirit, dwelling as a sacred vessel in the temple of the Lord.
Receiving heavenly food, she who was to become the Mother of Christ the Saviour according to the flesh, increased in wisdom and grace.
Your wise parents led you to the innermost part of the temple, O undefiled Virgin, there to be brought up in strange fashion and prepared as dwelling-place for Christ our God.
Glory…
Let us glorify the undivided Trinity, let us sing the praises of the one Godhead, the Father, the Word, and the Most Holy Spirit.
Now…
Pray the Lord whom you have borne, for He is compassionate by nature, to save the souls of those that sing your praises, O Mother of God.
Katavasia Scorning the impious decree, the Children brought up together in godliness feared not the threat of fire, but, standing in the midst of the flames, they sang: ‘O God of our fathers, blessed are You.’

ODE 8
First Canon
Irmos Hearken, O pure Virgin Maid: let Gabriel tell you the counsel of the Most High that is ancient and true. Make ready to receive God: for through you the Incomprehensible comes to dwell with mortal men. Therefore I cry rejoicing: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
As Ann led the undefiled Temple into the house of God, she cried aloud and said with faith to the priest: ‘Take the child given to me by God and lead her into the temple of thy Creator, and sing unto Him with joy: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.’
When he saw Ann, Zacharias said to her in spirit: ‘You lead here the true Mother of life, whom the prophets of God heralded from afar as the Theotokos: and how shall the temple contain her? Therefore in wonder I cry: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.’
‘I stand here as the suppliant of God,’ answered Ann to him, ‘calling upon Him with faith and prayer to receive the fruit of my travail. For I promised that after childbirth I would present my child to Him who gave her to me. Therefore, leaping for joy, I cry: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.’
‘Truly this act is in accordance with the Law’, said the priest to her. ‘I perceive that this is a thing wholly strange: for I see led into the house of God her who wondrously surpasses the sanctuary in grace. Therefore I cry in joy: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.’
‘Hearing your words,’ said Ann to him, ‘I am filled with new strength. For you understand these things by the Spirit of God, and hast clearly announced what shall come to pass in the Virgin. Take, then, the Undefiled into the temple of your Creator, and sing unto Him in joy: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.’
‘A Lamp that gives light has been kindled for us,’ cried the priest, ‘and has made mighty joy shine in the temple. Let the souls of the prophets make glad with me, as they see strange wonders accomplished in the house of God, and let them now cry out: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.’

Second Canon
Irmos Him before whom the angels and all the hosts of heaven are afraid, their Creator and Lord, O priests praise, O children glorify, O people bless and exalt above all for ever.
Refrain: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Bright with joy today, Joachim makes glad; and Ann, without reproach, offers unto the Lord God the sacrifice given to her according to the promise, her holy daughter.
The saints David and Jesse exult today and Judah is filled with pride. For from their root a branch has sprung, the pure Virgin from whom pre-eternal God is to be born.
Today Mary, the undefiled and living Tabernacle, is offered up in the house of God, and Zacharias receives her in his hands as a holy treasure of the Lord.
As a Gate of salvation and a spiritual Mountain, as a living Ladder, let us, the faithful, honour the true Virgin and Mother of God, who is blessed by the hands of the priests.
Prophets, apostles and martyrs of Christ, ranks of angels and all the dwellers upon earth, let us honour with hymns the pure Virgin, for she is the blessed Mother of the Most High.
They that divinely bore you, O Undefiled and Pure, offered you in the temple as a spotless sacrifice; and in strange fashion you lodge in the sanctuary of God, there to be prepared as a dwelling-place for the Word.
We bless the Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Let ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ be sung to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, indivisible Unity, one Godhead, that holds all creation in the hollow of the hand unto all ages.
Now…
He who is without beginning, begins: from a Virgin Maid the Word is born in the flesh according to His good pleasure, God and mortal man, and in His extreme compassion He refashions us who had fallen.
We praise, bless, and worship the Lord; we extol and exalt Him above all for ever.
Katavasia The furnace moist with dew was the image and figure of a wonder past nature. For it burned not the Children whom it had received, even as the fire of the Godhead consumed not the Virgin’s womb into which it had descended. Therefore in praise let us sing: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.

ODE 9
First Canon
Beholding the entry of the All-Pure,
the angels were struck with amazement,
seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.
Irmos Let no profane hand touch the living Ark of God, but let the lips of the faithful, singing without ceasing the words of the Angel to the Theotokos, cry aloud in great joy: O pure Virgin, thou art truly high above all.
Beholding the entry of the All-Pure,
the angels were struck with amazement,
seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.
O pure Theotokos, you have a clean and shining beauty of soul, and are filled from heaven with the grace of God. You ever enlighten with eternal light those who cry aloud in gladness: O pure Virgin, you are truly high above all.
Beholding the entry of the All-Pure,
the angels were struck with amazement,
seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.
Your wonders, O pure Theotokos, surpass the power of words. For in you I see something beyond speech: a body that was never subject to the taint of sin. Therefore in thanksgiving I cry to you: O pure Virgin, you are truly high above all.
Angels and men, let us honour the entry of the Virgin,
for in glory she has gone into the Holy of Holies.
The Law prefigured thee most wonderfully as tabernacle, jar of manna, strange ark, veil of the temple, rod of Aaron, temple never to be destroyed, and gate of God;’ and so it teaches us to cry to you: O pure Virgin, you are truly high above all.
Beholding the entry of the All-Pure,
the angels were struck with amazement,
seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.
David sang in honour of you, calling you the daughter of the King, for he saw you in the beauty of the virtues, in raiment of many-coloured needlework, at the right hand of God; therefore in prophecy he cried aloud: O pure Virgin, you are truly high above all.
O angels, dance with the saints: O virgins, make glad with them.
For the Child of God has entered into the Holy of Holies.
Solomon, foreseeing how you were to receive God, spoke of you in dark sayings as the gate of the King and the living fountain sealed, from which came forth untroubled waters unto us who cry aloud with faith: O pure Virgin, you are truly high above all.
Angels and men, let us magnify the Virgin in hymns,
for she has entered into the Holy of Holies, as was divinely fit.
Grant to my soul, O Theotokos, the calm peace that comes from your gifts of grace. You are a fountain of life unto those that honour you as is due; you surround, protect, and preserve us that we may cry aloud to you: O pure Virgin, you are truly high above all.

Second Canon
Megalynarion (sung before the irmos and the troparia):
O my soul,
magnify her who was led into the temple of the Lord
and blessed by the hands of the priests.
Irmos Let us all magnify the radiant cloud, in which the Master of all descended, as dew from heaven upon the fleece,’ and for our sake took flesh and was made man, He who is without beginning: for she is the pure Mother of our God.
From the righteous Joachim and Ann a fruit came forth according to the promise, Mary the Child of God. A young girl after the flesh, as acceptable incense she is offered in the holy temple, that she who is herself holy may dwell in the Holy Place.
Let us praise in hymns the child by nature who was shown forth as Mother beyond nature. For today she is offered to the Lord in the temple of the Law as a sweet-smelling savour, the spiritual fruit of her righteous parents.
O faithful, offering to the Theotokos the salutation of the angel, let us raise our cry: Hail! O Bride most beautiful. Hail! bright cloud; from thee the Lord has shone forth upon us as we sat in the darkness of ignorance. Hail! you Hope of all.
All the creation joins the angel Gabriel, crying out to the Theotokos in fitting song: Hail! undefiled Mother of God. Through you we have been delivered from the ancient curse and have become partakers of incorruption.
O Holy of Holies and pure Mother of God, Mary, from the snares of the enemy and from every heresy and affliction, at your intercessions set us free who venerate with faith the ikon of your holy form.
Far greater than the cherubim, high above the seraphim, and more spacious than the heavens, are you shown forth, O Virgin, for you have contained in your womb our God whom nothing can contain, and have ineffably borne Him: entreat Him earnestly on our behalf.
O my soul, magnify the power of the indivisible Godhead in three Persons.
Let us glorify the one Nature in three Persons, the one indivisible glory, the undivided Trinity in one Godhead that is praised without ceasing in heaven and on earth; in piety let us worship the Father, with the Son and the Spirit.
O my soul, magnify her who is greater in honour and more glorious than the hosts above.
O Virgin Mother of God, intercede for those who with faith seek refuge beneath thy compassion, and who piously worship thy Son as God and Lord of the world, that they be delivered from corruption and danger and manifold temptations.
Beholding the entry of the All-Pure, the angels were struck with amazement, seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.
Katavasia A strange and most wonderful mystery do I see: the cave is heaven; the Virgin the throne of the cherubim; the manger a room, in which Christ, the God whom nothing can contain, is laid. Him do we praise and magnify.

Hymn Of Light, Tone 3
Let us praise in faith Mary the Child of God,* whom long ago the assembly of prophets foretold,* speaking of her as jar of manna and Aaron’s rod,* tablet of the Law and uncut mountain.* For she is led today into the Holy of Holies, there to be brought up to the Lord.

Glory…

Let us praise in faith Mary the Child of God,* whom long ago the assembly of prophets foretold,* speaking of her as jar of manna and Aaron’s rod,* tablet of the Law and uncut mountain.* For she is led today into the Holy of Holies, there to be brought up to the Lord.

Now…

Let us praise in faith Mary the Child of God,* whom long ago the assembly of prophets foretold,* speaking of her as jar of manna and Aaron’s rod,* tablet of the Law and uncut mountain.* For she is led today into the Holy of Holies, there to be brought up to the Lord.

At The Praises, Tone 1
The virgins bearing lamps, who with their light accompany the ever-Virgin,* verily prophesy the future in Spirit.* For the Temple of God, the Theotokos, with virginal glory enters* as a little child into the temple.

The Theotokos, glorious fruit of a sacred promise,* is truly revealed unto the world as higher than all creation.* Piously led into the house of God,* she fulfils the vow of her parents* and she is preserved by the Holy Spirit.

O Virgin, fed in faith by heavenly bread in the temple of the Lord,* you have brought forth unto the world the Bread of life that is the Word;* and as His chosen Temple without spot, you were betrothed mystically through the Spirit,* to be the Bride of God the Father.

Let the gate of the temple wherein God dwells be opened:* for Joachim brings within today in glory the Temple and Throne of the King of all,* and he consecrates as an offering to God* her whom the Lord has chosen to be His Mother.

In Tone 2, Glory… Now…

Today the Virgin without blemish is led to the temple,* to become the habitation of God the King of all, who sustains our life.* Today as a three-year-old victim of sacrifice the most pure Sanctuary is led into the Holy of Holies.* To her let us cry out with the angel:* Hail! you who alone are blessed among women.

Troparion, Tone 4
Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4: The Saviour’s pure temple,* the precious bridal chamber and Virgin,* the sacred treasury of the glory of God,* is brought today into the house of the Lord;* and with her she brings the grace of the divine Spirit.* God’s angels sing in praise of her:* She is indeed the heavenly dwelling-place.

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: Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear.
verse: The rich among the people shall entreat your countenance. (Psalm 44:11,13)

Gospel
Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28

Hymn to the Mother of God
Seeing the entrance of the pure one, angels marvel in wonder how the Virgin could enter the holy of holies.
And the Irmos, Tone 4: Let no hand of the profane touch God’s living ark,* but instead let the lips of those who are believers* sing out ceaselessly in the words of the angel,* crying out with great joy to the Mother of God:* O pure Virgin,* you are truly higher than all.

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)