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Event Information:
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Sat03Feb2024
All Souls Saturday. Post-feast of the Encounter. Holy and Just Simeon Who Received God and the Prophetess Anna.
VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
The prescribed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 1
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
The Creator of all things, and our God,* is being brought into the Temple by the virgin Mother.* The aged Simeon receives Him and cries out with joy:* Now You may dismiss your servant in peace,* according to your will, O good One.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Receiving from the Virgin the One begotten before all ages,* Simeon took Him in his arms and cried out:* I have seen the Saviour,* the Illumination of your glory to the ends of the earth.* Now You may dismiss your servant in peace, O good One,* since I have seen You today.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Near the end of his long life,* Simeon carried in his arms the Saviour* who was born for the salvation of all.* Rejoicing, he cried out:* I have seen the Light of the Gentiles and the Glory of Israel.* Now You may dismiss your servant from here, O God,* according to your command.
Tone 4
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
You are righteous, perfected, and glorified beyond everyone,* O God-inspired Simeon.* You took into your hands the incarnate and only perfect God.* He came into the world in order to justify it,* and that you might be released from the body which cried out to Him:* Now You may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lover of Mankind,* since I have seen You today.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
While remaining young in spirit, you became old in body, O Simeon.* You received the promise not to see death until you had seen the young infant.* He was of God the Father before all ages,* yet He humbled himself through the flesh.* You beheld Him and danced for joy* and asked for release from the flesh.* Then you joyfully passed to the heavenly abode.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The God-inspired Anna and the wealthy Simeon shone with prophecy.* They manifested themselves as spotless in the Law.* They saw the Giver of the Law revealing himself* as an infant according to our nature.* Therefore, let us joyfully celebrate today* and glorify Christ, the Lover of Mankind.
Tone 25, Glory…
He who is ancient of days and young in the flesh* is being brought to the Temple by his virgin Mother.* He fulfils the promise of his own law.* Simeon receives Him and says:* Now You may dismiss your servant, according to your word, in peace,* for my eyes have seen your salvation, O Lord.
Tone 2, 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.
Aposticha
Tone 1
Now we are celebrating the saving grace* of the ineffable manifestation of God* because Christ our God became man without change from the Virgin Maiden.* He is now being brought into the Temple* and offered to God the Father by his mother.* Simeon receives Him and takes Him into his arms.
Now You may dismiss your servant, O Lord, according to your word, in peace.
Of old You were seen in the prophets, O Jesus,* as much as it was possible to see You.* But now, O Word of God, by your will,* You manifest yourself to the whole world.* O Christ, You took flesh from the Virgin Mary.* Since You are the Lover of Mankind,* You manifested your salvation to all those who come from Adam.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people, Israel.
Of old You established the Law on Mount Sinai.* Now in the city of Sion* You fulfil the prescriptions of the Law.* You wished to be brought into the Temple as an infant in the flesh.* O Christ, You were carried in the arms of the Theotokos,* in order to be an offering in the arms of Simeon.
Tone 1, Glory… Now…
He, who once gave the Law to Moses on Sinai,* today submits himself to the prescriptions of the Law.* In his compassion He has become like us for our sakes.* Now the pure God, as a holy infant having opened a pure womb,* is being offered as God to himself.* He is freeing us from the curse of the Law* and granting light to our souls.
Troparia
Tone 4
The elderly Simeon is filled with happiness today,* receiving the eternal God as an infant into his arms.* He begs to be released from the bonds of the flesh,* for he cries: My eyes have seen* Your salvation for the world.
Tone 1, Glory... Now...
Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,* who grants us resurrection.
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: With profound wisdom and love for mankind, You arrange all things* and bestow beneficial things upon all, O only Creator and Lord.* Grant rest to the souls of your servants,* for they have placed their hope in You,* our God Who made and shaped us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 8: To the souls of Your servants, O Christ* grant rest among the saints* where there is no pain,* no sorrow, no mourning,* but only life without end.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Theotokion, Tone 8: In you we have a rampart and a haven, and an intercessor* most acceptable to God,* whom you bore, o Virgin Mother of God,* salvation of the faithful
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
Their souls shall dwell amidst good things.
verse: To You, O Lord, I have lifted up my soul. (Psalm 24:13,1)
Epistle
1 Corinthians 10:23-28; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: Blessed are they whom You have chosen and taken to Yourself, O Lord.
verse: And let their memory be from generation to generation. (Psalm 64:5)
Gospel
Luke 21:8-9, 25-27, 33-36; John 5:24-30
Communion Hymn
Blessed are they whom You have chosen and taken to Yourself, O Lord;* and let their memory be from generation to generation.* Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. (Psalm 64:5)