New Texts arriving in the evening of April 17, 2024!
Event Information:
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Fri25Mar2022
The Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary; Passing into Eternal Life (1944) of Blessed Omelian (Emil) Kovch, Priest of Peremyshliany and Martyr of Majdanek
GREAT VESPERS
ON THURSDAY EVENINGAt Psalm 140
In Tone 4
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Lord, You have enabled us to kiss Your ever-blessed Cross* by which You have saved us!* We praise Your goodness of heart, and we beseech You:* Restore to us all the joy of Your salvation, Saviour.* Grant us to behold in penitence* Your holy sufferings and Resurrection.
- Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
You endured death on the Cross,* destroying death by resurrecting the dead with Your life-bearing Word!* Now I beseech You to give life to my deadened soul.* Grant me compunction, deliverance from all evils* during the holy days of Your fast, Lover of mankind.
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
You have counted us worthy to behold and embrace Your holy Cross with joy.* Now we entreat You, God our Saviour,* enable us also to attain Your most pure sufferings* by being strengthened through fasting* so that we may bow down and sing of Your crucifixion,* the spear, the reeds, and the sponge* by which You have taken us from death,* returning us to the joyous life of Paradise.* Lover of mankind, we now thankfully glorify You!
In Tone 6
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Gabriel stood in your presence, O holy Virgin,* and revealed the eternal plan to you.* He greeted you and announced:* Rejoice, O earth that has not been sown!* Rejoice, O burning bush that was not consumed!* Rejoice, O unsearchable depth!* Rejoice, O bridge which leads to heaven;* O high ladder which Jacob saw!* Rejoice, O vessel of divine manna!* Rejoice, O invocation of Adam!* The Lord is with you.
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Gabriel stood in your presence, O holy Virgin,* and revealed the eternal plan to you.* He greeted you and announced:* Rejoice, O earth that has not been sown!* Rejoice, O burning bush that was not consumed!* Rejoice, O unsearchable depth!* Rejoice, O bridge which leads to heaven;* O high ladder which Jacob saw!* Rejoice, O vessel of divine manna!* Rejoice, O invocation of Adam!* The Lord is with you.
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
The blameless Maiden said to the captain of the heavenly hosts:* You appear to me as a mortal,* and your words go beyond human thought.* You have said that God is with me,* and that He shall take up abode in my womb.* Tell me then, how am I to become a holy temple for the Infinite One,* the Lord Who rides on the Cherubim?* Do not mislead me with deceit,* for I have known no pleasure and have not approached wedlock.* Therefore, how shall I give birth to a child?
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The blameless Maiden said to the captain of the heavenly hosts:* You appear to me as a mortal,* and your words go beyond human thought.* You have said that God is with me,* and that He shall take up abode in my womb.* Tell me then, how am I to become a holy temple for the Infinite One,* the Lord Who rides on the Cherubim?* Do not mislead me with deceit,* for I have known no pleasure and have not approached wedlock.* Therefore, how shall I give birth to a child?
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The archangel then said to her:* Whenever God wills, the order of nature is overcome,* and that which is beyond human power is accomplished.* Therefore, O most pure and everlasting One, believe my true words.* She then cried out, saying:* Let it now be done to me according to your word,* and I will give birth to the One Who is without flesh.* He will take flesh from me,* so that by the union He may raise the human race to the original dignity,* for He alone is all-powerful.
Glory... Now...
The archangel Gabriel was sent from heaven* to bring to the Virgin glad tidings of her conception.* When he came to Nazareth,* he marvelled at the miracle and thought to himself:* How is it that He Whom the heavens cannot comprehend* is now being born of a virgin?* The One Who has heaven for a throne and earth for a footstool* is being enclosed within a virgin’s womb.* He, upon whom the six-winged Seraphim and the many-eyed Cherubim cannot gaze,* wills to become incarnate of her by a single word.* The Word of God is at hand.* Then why do I stand by and not say to the Virgin:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace; the Lord is with you!* Rejoice, O pure Virgin and Maiden Bride!* Rejoice, O Mother of the Life!* Blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Pray and make your vows* before the Lord our God.
verse: In Judah God is known, His name is great in Israel!
Reading I
Genesis 10:32-11:9
These were the tribes of Noah’s sons, according to their genealogy, in their nations; and from these the coastal nations were divided on the earth after the flood. Now the whole earth was one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and dwelt there. Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them with fire.” They had brick for stone and asphalt for mortar. They also said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower, whose top will reach to heaven; and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the sons of men built. Then the Lord said, “Indeed, the people are one race and one language, and they have begun to do what they said. Now they will not fail to accomplish what they have undertaken. Come, let Us go down there and confuse their language, so they may not understand one another's speech.” So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city and the tower. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the languages of all the earth; and from there the Lord God scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
I cried to the Lord with my voice,* with my voice I made supplication to God, and He heard me!
verse: In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord!
Reading II
Proverbs 13:20-14:6
Instruction removes poverty and dishonour,
And he who gives heed to rebukes will be glorified.
The desires of the godly gladden the soul,
But the works of the ungodly are far from knowledge.
He who walks with the wise shall be wise,
But he who walks with those without discernment will be known.
Evil things shall pursue sinners,
But good things will overtake the righteous.
A good man will inherit sons of sons,
But the wealth of the ungodly will be stored up for the righteous.
The righteous shall live in wealth many years,
But the unrighteous will be destroyed suddenly.
He who spares the rod hates his son,
But he who loves him instructs him with care.
A righteous man eats and satisfies his soul,
But the souls of the ungodly are in want.Wise women build houses,
But those without discernment destroy them with their hands.
He who walks uprightly fears the Lord,
But he who is crooked in his ways will be dishonoured.
From the mouth of a man without discernment comes a rod of arrogance,
But the lips of wise men guard themselves.
Where there are no oxen, the stalls are clean,
But where there are abundant crops, the strength of an ox is evident.
A faithful witness does not lie,
But an unrighteous witness kindles lies.
You will seek wisdom in the company of evil men, and you will not find it;
But perception is easily found with the discerning.Readings for the Feast
Genesis 28:10-17
Jacob left Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. And he came to a certain place, and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your descendants; and your descendants shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and by you and your descendants shall all the families of the earth bless themselves. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done that of which I have spoken to you.” Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I did not know it.” And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Ezekiel 43:27-44:4
And when they have completed these days, then from the eighth day onward the priests shall offer upon the altar your burnt offerings and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, says the Lord God.” Then he brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, which faces east; and it was shut. And he said to me, “This gate shall remain shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it; for the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered by it; therefore, it shall remain shut. Only the prince may sit in it to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gate, and shall go out by the same way.” Then he brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple; and I looked, and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple of the Lord; and I fell upon my face.
Proverbs 9:1-11
Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who is without sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave simpleness, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” He who corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
Lytia
In Tone 1
In the sixth month, the leader of the heavenly armies* was sent to you, O holy Virgin,* to announce the word of salvation to you and say:* Rejoice, O Woman Full of Grace; the Lord is with you!* You shall give birth to the Son Who was begotten of the Father before all ages.* He is the One Who will save His people from their sins.
In the sixth month, the archangel Gabriel was sent from heaven* to Nazareth, a village of Galilee,* to bring the good news of joy to the Virgin.* Drawing near to her, he cried out, saying:* Rejoice, O Woman Full of Grace; the Lord is with you!* Rejoice, O vessel of the infinite nature,* for your womb contains the One Whom even the heavens could not contain.* Rejoice, O holy Virgin, through whom Adam is called back to Paradise,* Eve is freed from bondage, and the world filled with joy;* for in you the human race now rejoices.
The archangel Gabriel was sent by God from heaven* to the spotless Virgin in Nazareth of Galilee* to joyfully announce her marvellous conception.* The bodiless servant was sent to the living City and the spiritual Door* to reveal the coming of the Master and His descent among us.* The heavenly soldier was sent to the living Palace of Glory* to prepare a dwelling place for her eternal Creator.* Drawing near to her, he cried out, saying:* Rejoice, O throne of fire which surpasses the chariot of the Lord in glory.* Rejoice, O heavenly seat of our King.* Rejoice, O precious chalice and uncut mountain,* for the fullness of the divinity comes to dwell in you* through the good will of the Father and the operation of the most Holy Spirit.* Rejoice, O Woman Full of grace; the Lord is with you!
In Tone 2
Glory… Now…
Today Gabriel announces the good news to the Woman Full of Grace:* Rejoice, O Virgin who has not known wedlock;* do not fear the strangeness of my appearance,* for I am an archangel.* Formerly, the serpent was the cause of grief to Eve,* but now it is great joy that I announce:* You shall remain a virgin, and yet you shall give birth to the Lord.
Aposticha
In Tone 4
In the sixth month the Archangel was sent to the pure Virgin* and with his greeting “Rejoice!” he brought good tidings,* that the Deliverer would come forth from her.* And so, accepting his salutation with faith,* she conceived You, the pre-eternal God,* who was pleased to become man ineffably,* for the salvation of our souls.
Sing to the Lord, bless His Name. Proclaim His help day by day.
The Theotokos heard a voice she knew not,* when the Archangel brought her the glad tidings of the Annunciation;* and accepting the salutation with faith, she conceived You, the pre-eternal God.* Therefore in great rejoicing we also cry to You:* O God, who without change has been made flesh from her,* grant peace to the world, and to our souls great mercy.
Sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord all the earth.
Lo, our restoration is now made manifest to us:* God is ineffably united to men.* At the words of the Archangel error is laid low;* for the Virgin receives joy, and the things of the earth have become heaven.* The world is loosened from the ancient curse.* Let the creation rejoice exceedingly and raise its voice to sing:* O Lord, our Maker and Deliverer, glory to You.
Glory… Now…
Today there come glad tidings of joy: it is the feast of the Virgin.* Things below are joined to things above.* Adam is renewed, Eve set free from her ancient sorrow;* and the Tabernacle of the human nature which the Lord took upon Himself,* making divine the substance He assumed, is consecrated as a Temple of God!* O mystery! The manner of emptying is unknown,* the fashion of His conceiving is ineffable.* An angel ministers at the wonder; a virgin womb receives the Son.* The Holy Spirit is sent down; the Father on high gives His consent;* and so the covenant is brought to pass by common counsel.* In Him and through Him are we saved,* and together with Gabriel let us cry aloud to the Virgin:* “Rejoice, you who are full of grace: the Lord is with you.* From you has Christ our God and our Salvation taken human nature,* rising it up to Himself.* Pray to Him that our souls may be saved.”
Troparion
In Tone 4
Today is the crown of our salvation,* and the unfolding of the eternal mystery;* the Son of God becomes the Virgin’s Son,* and Gabriel brings the tidings of grace.* With him let us also cry to the Mother of God:* Rejoice, Full of grace! The Lord is with you! Thrice
VESPERS AND DIVINE LITURGY
ON FRIDAY EVENINGAt Psalm 140
In Tone 7
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
I have enslaved the dignity of my soul to the passions,* and have become like the beasts;* I can no longer raise my eyes to You, O God most high.* But, like the Publican I bow to the earth,* and I cry to You in supplication:* Forgive me, O Lord, and save me.
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
I have enslaved the dignity of my soul to the passions,* and have become like the beasts;* I can no longer raise my eyes to You, O God most high.* But, like the Publican I bow to the earth,* and I cry to You in supplication:* Forgive me, O Lord, and save me.
In Tone 2
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Since You did not love earthly delights, O martyrs,* you were worthy of the blessings of heaven,* and now you abide with the angels.* O Lord, through their prayers, have mercy on us and save us.
- Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Through the prayers of the holy martyrs* and their songs of praise to Christ,* all error has come to an end,* and all people are saved by faith.
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
As they withstood the tortures,* the company of martyrs said:* We serve in the forces of the King.* Though you deliver us to fire and torment,* we shall not deny the power of the Trinity.
In Tone 4
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
In the sixth month, the archangel was sent to the pure Virgin.* Telling her to rejoice, he announced the good tidings* that the Saviour would be born of her.* Having accepted his greeting, she conceived the eternal God* who ineffably deigned to become incarnate* for the salvation of our souls.
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The Mother of God, upon hearing, did not understand* the message of the archangel* because he was speaking the words of glad tidings to her.* She accepted his greeting with faith* and conceived You, the eternal God.* Therefore, we joyfully sing to You:* O God, You became incarnate, without change, from her;* and You grant peace and great mercy to the world.
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Behold, the promised One now manifests himself to us.* It is beyond comprehension that God unites himself to the human race.* At the word of the archangel, deceit is cast out* because the Virgin receives the Joy.* The things of the earth become like heaven;* the world is freed of the original curse.* Let creation rejoice,* and may voices cry out:* O our Creator and Deliverer,* O Lord, glory to You!
In Tone 1
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The archangel Gabriel, the spirit who sees God face to face,* gazes upon the brilliant, saving, and gleaming Light.* He sings heavenly and awesome hymns with the ranks on high.* He implores God to grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The great mystery, previously unknown to the angels and hidden from eternity,* is made known to you alone, O Gabriel.* When you came to Nazareth, you told it to the pure One.* Together with her, implore God to grant peace* and great mercy to our souls.
You made the winds your messengers, and flaming fire your ministers.
O prince of angels, all-perfect Gabriel, * you are filled with the divine brightness.* You fulfill the wishes and commands of the Almighty.* Save those who lovingly venerate you.* Always ask God to grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
In Tone 6
Glory… Now…
The archangel Gabriel was sent from heaven* to bring to the Virgin glad tidings of her conception.* When he came to Nazareth,* he marveled at the miracle and thought to himself:* How is it that He whom the heavens cannot comprehend* is now being born of a virgin?* The One who has heaven for a throne and earth for a footstool * is being enclosed within a virgin’s womb.* He, upon whom the six-winged Seraphim and the many-eyed Cherubim cannot gaze,* wills to become incarnate of her by a single word.* The Word of God is at hand. * Then why do I stand by and not say to the Virgin:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace; the Lord is with you!* Rejoice, O pure Virgin and maiden bride!* Rejoice, O Mother of the Life!* Blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 6
O Shepherd of Israel, hear us,* You who lead Joseph’s flock.
verse: Shine forth from Your Cherubim throne.
Reading I
Genesis 12:1-7
The Lord said to Abram, “Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father's house, to a land I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you; and in you all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed.” Then Abram departed as the Lord said to him, and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he de-parted from Haran. So Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son and all their possessions and every soul they acquired in Haran, and they departed for the land of Canaan. Thus they came to the land of Canaan. Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the oak of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your seed I will give this land.” And there Abram built an altar to the Lord, who appeared to him.
Prokeimenon II, Tone 4
Ring out your joy to God, our strength,* shout in triumph to the God of Jacob.
verse: Raise a song and sound the timbrel, the sweet-sounding harp and lute.
Reading II
Proverbs 14:15-26
A simple man believes in every word,
But an astute man comes to repentance.
A wise man fears and turns away from evil,
But a man without discernment persuades himself to mingle with a lawless man.
A quick-tempered man acts with recklessness,
But a man with discernment bears many things.
Men without discernment will share in evil,
But the astute will take hold of perception.
Evil men will slip and fall in the presence of good men,
And the ungodly shall serve at the gate of the righteous.
Friends will hate poor friends,
But the friends of the rich are many.
He who dishonors the poor sins,
But he who has mercy on the poor is very blessed.
Deceivers devise evil things,
But good men devise mercy and truth.
Devisers of evil things do not understand mercy and faithfulness,
But mercies and faithfulness are with devisers of good things.
To everyone who is careful there is an abundance,
But he who is pleasure-taking and slothful shall be in want.
The crown of the wise is astuteness,
But the pastime of the undiscerning is evil.
A faithful witness will rescue a soul from evil men,
But a deceitful man kindles lies.Small Ektenia and Trisagion Hymn
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Proclaim from day to day* the good tidings of our God’s salvation.
verse: Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. (Psalm 95:2,1)
Epistle
Hebrews 2:11-18
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: He will descend like rain on a fleece, and like drops dripping on the earth.
verse: Let His name be blessed through the ages; His name exists before the sun. (Psalm 71:6, 17)
Gospel
Luke 1:24-38
Hymn to the Mother of God
O earth, announce good news of great joy; praise God’s glory, O heavens.
and the Irmos: 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:* Hail, O Full of Grace! The Lord is with you.
Communion Hymn
For the Lord has chosen Sion;* He has chosen it for His dwelling. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. (Psalm 131:13)