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Event Information:
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Thu01Feb2024
Fore-feast of the Encounter. Holy Martyr Tryphon (249-51).
VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
The prescribed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 2
You were nailed to the cross, O Saviour;* the sun veiled its face from the terrible sight,* and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.* The earth quaked, and the stones themselves crumbled in fear,* seeing their Creator and God, who cannot suffer,* bearing the insults of the lawless ones,* and willingly suffering unjustly on the wood.
O Christ, the Lover of mankind,* after the serpent of all evil had lifted You unlawfully upon the wood* he was cast down upon the earth; utterly overthrown he lay as a fallen corpse.* Because of this, the curse of Adam was loosed,* and he who once had been condemned was saved.* Therefore, we entreat You to save us and take pity on all of us;* and make us worthy of Your kingdom.
When You were raised on the cross* and Your side was pierced with a lance,* the sun hid itself, not wishing to behold You, O Sinless Saviour.* The earth quaked and the rocks split in fear* at the shameful treatment You endured,* and all creation cried out to You:* Glory to Your crucifixion!* O Word, Lover of mankind, You have saved us.
Tone 4
The honoured temple prepares to receive within herself* the Lord who comes as an Infant.* With grace she spiritually illumines the faithful and God-loving assembly. * She cries out: You are my glory, my boast and the adornment of my fullness,* Word who became an Infant in the flesh for my sake!
The most splendid bridal-chamber,* the all-honourable tabernacle,* the holy and spacious temple* bears the Lord within the chambers of the Temple.* She betroths Him beforehand to His honoured Church.* She prays to Him that those who fittingly glorify her as the Theotokos* may be delivered from corruption and dangers.
Let us now offer to Christ the praise of the prefeast,* glorifying His condescension!* For He is brought as an Infant in the Virgin's arms.* He comes to lie in the arms of Simeon* who prophesies to all mankind* that as Benefactor and Lord He makes their nature divine!
Tone 2, Glory… Now…
Today Simeon receives in his arms* the Lord of glory whom Moses saw of old on Sinai* when in the cloud and darkness he was given the tables of the law. * This is He Who has spoken through the prophets!* He is the Creator of the law!* This is He Whom David foretold:* He is fearful to all yet shows us great mercy!
Aposticha
Tone 6
The Light that knows no evening is made manifest,* shining forth from the Virgin in the fullness of time.* He has revealed all things hidden in darkness,* by the lightning of His divinity!
Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation!
Through the transgression of Adam,* corruption reigned among mortals.* Now Christ is made manifest and we are healed,* without change the Child of the Virgin is born!
A light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel!
The Lord and Giver of the law,* a divine Child born of a Virgin Mother,* today is brought to the Temple of the law, fulfilling the scriptures.
Tone 2, Glory… Now…
The holy Lord is brought to the Temple, offered by the Virgin.* Simeon received Him in his outstretched arms with exceeding joy.* He cried out: Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace,* for my eyes have seen Your salvation!
Troparion
Tone 1
The heavenly choir of angels* has come down to the earth* to behold the First-born of creation* born from an unwedded Mother* brought to the Temple as an Infant,* as the angels join us in our expectant song.
Glory… Now…
O pure One, we have obtained your protection.* Through your intercession, we have been kept from harm* and surrounded at all times with the grace of your Son’s cross.* Therefore, we exalt you with great devotion.
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion: Tone 1: The heavenly choir of angels* has come down to the earth* to behold the First-born of creation* born from an unwedded Mother* brought to the Temple as an Infant,* as the angels join us in our expectant song.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 6: The Word invisible with the Father is now beheld in the flesh.* He is born ineffably of the Virgin* and given to the high priest on the arms of the elder.* Let us worship Him as our true God!
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The just man shall be glad in the Lord and shall hope in Him.
verse: Hear, O God, my voice when I make my petition to You. (Psalm 63:11,2)
Epistle
Romans 8:28-39
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; and he shall grow like the cedar in Lebanon.
verse: They who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish the courts of our God. (Psalm 91:13,14)
Gospel
Luke 10:19-21
Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)