New Texts arriving in the evening of April 17, 2024!
Event Information:
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Mon25Mar2024
Great Monday. 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 Week. Feast of the Mother of God. Holy Day of Obligation. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. Wine and oil allowed. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated in the evening today.
GREAT VESPERS WITH LYTIA ON SUNDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man… is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 6
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
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.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
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.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
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?
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
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?
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
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.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
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.
Tone 8
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Rejoice and be glad, O city of Sion;* exult and be exceedingly joyful, O Church of God.* For behold, your King has come in righteousness, seated on a foal,* and the children sing His praises: “Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed are You whom are abundantly compassionate:* Have mercy upon us.”
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Rejoice and be glad, O city of Sion;* exult and be exceedingly joyful, O Church of God.* For behold, your King has come in righteousness, seated on a foal,* and the children sing His praises: “Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed are You whom are abundantly compassionate:* Have mercy upon us.”
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The Saviour has come today to the city of Jerusalem, to fulfil the Scriptures;* and all have taken palms in their hands and spread their garments before Him,* knowing that He is our God, to whom the cherubim without ceasing sing:* “Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed are You who are abundantly compassionate:* Have mercy upon us.”
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
You who are seated upon the cherubim and praised by the seraphim,* was seated, O gracious Lord, like David upon a foal,* and the children praised You in Godly manner;* but the Jews unlawfully blasphemed against You,* thus prefiguring the manner by which the Gentiles, as yet untamed and uninstructed,* were to pass from unbelief to faith.* Glory be to You, O Christ,* who alone are merciful and love mankind.
Tone 8, Glory
Rejoice and be glad, O city of Sion;* exult and be exceedingly joyful, O Church of God.* For behold, your King has come in righteousness, seated on a foal,* and the children sing His praises: “Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed are You whom are abundantly compassionate:* Have mercy upon us.”
Tone 6, 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
And now bless the Lord,* all you servants of the Lord.
verse: Who stand in the temple of the Lord, in the courtyards of the house of our God.
Readings
(1) Genesis 28:10-17; (2) Ezekiel 43:27-44:4; (3) Proverbs 9:1-11
Lytia
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 marvelous 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!
Tone 8, Glory...
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice:* for the Son who is co-eternal with the Father,* sharing His throne, and equally without beginning,* has submitted Himself to emptying in His compassion and merciful love for mankind,* according to the good pleasure and the counsel of the Father;* and he has gone to dwell in a Virgin's womb, sanctified by the Spirit.* Wonder! God is come among men;* He who cannot be contained is contained in a womb;* the timeless enters time, and great mystery:* His conception is without seed, his emptying past telling!* So great is this mystery!* For God empties Himself, takes flesh,* and is fashioned as a creature,* when the angel tells the pure Virgin of her conception:* Rejoice, full of grace; the Lord who has great mercy is with you!
Tone 2, 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
Tone 2
From palms and branches, as passing from one divine Feast to another,* let us now make haste, O faithful,* to the mysterious and salvific celebration of Christ’s Passion.* Let us behold Him undergo voluntary suffering for our sake,* and let us sing a becoming hymn with thanksgiving to Him,* and with compunction let us cry aloud:* “O You who are the fount of goodness and the haven of salvation,* O Lord, glory be to You!”
Tone 3
O sing to the Lord a new song:* for the Lord has wrought wondrous things.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God:* for He is Judge of the meditations and thoughts of the heart.* Let no man draw near to tempt the Perfection of faith;* rather, let us come to Christ in meekness and in fear,* that we may receive mercy and find grace* to help us in our time of need.
Tone 7
All the ends of the earth* have seen the salvation of our God
O evil and adulterous synagogue,* you have not been faithful to your own husband.* Why do you then hold fast to the Testament of that which you are not an heir?* Why do you glory in the Father, since you have rejected the Son?* Why have you not accepted the prophets who proclaimed the Son?* Be ashamed when your own children cry aloud:* “Hosanna to the Son of David; * blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.”
Tone 2, Glory…
From palms and branches, as passing from one divine Feast to another,* let us now make haste, O faithful,* to the mysterious and salvific celebration of Christ’s Passion.* Let us behold Him undergo voluntary suffering for our sake,* and let us sing a becoming hymn with thanksgiving to Him,* and with compunction let us cry aloud:* “O You who are the fount of goodness and the haven of salvation,* O Lord, glory be to You!”
Tone 4, 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, 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
FESTAL MATINS
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 4
Troparia, 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
Psalter Reading
According to schedule
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 1
The great commander of the immaterial angels,* standing forth in the city of Nazareth,* proclaims to you the King and Lord of the ages, O all-pure one,* saying to you: Rejoice, O blessed Mary,* unapproachable and ineffable mystery,* restoration of men!
Glory… Now…
The great commander of the immaterial angels,* standing forth in the city of Nazareth,* proclaims to you the King and Lord of the ages, O all-pure one,* saying to you: Rejoice, O blessed Mary,* unapproachable and ineffable mystery,* restoration of men!
Psalter Reading
According to schedule
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 3
Today all creation rejoices as the archangel says to you:* Rejoice! O blessed, honoured and all-pure Mother of Christ God.* Today the arrogance of the serpent is cast into darkness;* for the bond of our forefather’s curse is annulled.* Wherefore, we cry out to you unceasingly:* Rejoice, O joyous one!
Glory… Now…
Today all creation rejoices as the archangel says to you:* Rejoice! O blessed, honoured and all-pure Mother of Christ God.* Today the arrogance of the serpent is cast into darkness;* for the bond of our forefather’s curse is annulled.* Wherefore, we cry out to you unceasingly:* Rejoice, O joyous one!
Psalter Reading
According to schedule
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 1
The great commander of the immaterial angels,* standing forth in the city of Nazareth,* proclaims to you the King and Lord of the ages, O all-pure one,* saying to you: Rejoice, O blessed Mary,* unapproachable and ineffable mystery,* restoration of men!
Glory… Now…
The great commander of the immaterial angels,* standing forth in the city of Nazareth,* proclaims to you the King and Lord of the ages, O all-pure one,* saying to you: Rejoice, O blessed Mary,* unapproachable and ineffable mystery,* restoration of men!
Polyeleos
Magnification
O most pure One,* imitating the speech of the archangel, we cry out to you:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace,* the Lord is with you!
verse: O God, give judgment to Your king; to the son of the king justice.
verse: The fruit of your womb I shall set upon My throne.
verse: He shall descend like rain on the meadows, like raindrops on the earth.
verse: For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling.
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
Gabriel from heaven cries out “Rejoice!” to the honoured one;* for she conceives in her womb the pre-eternal God* who formed the ends of the earth by His word.* Wherefore, Mary replied: “I know not man: how then shall I give birth to a Son?” Who has ever seen a seedless birthgiving?”* And the angel, recounting, said to the Virgin Theotokos:* “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you,* and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you!”
Glory… Now…
Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary and announced to her ineffable joy;* for she would conceive without seed and not suffer corruption.* “For you shall give birth to a Son, the pre-eternal God,* and He will save His people from their sins.* And He who sent me bears witness, telling me to cry to you:* Rejoice, O blessed one!* O Virgin, you shall give birth,* and shall remain a virgin even after giving birth!”
Gradual Hymns, Tone 4
Antiphon 1
From my youth do many passions war against me;* but do You Yourself defend* and save me, O my Saviour.
You haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord;* for like grass, by the fire* shall you be withered.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit, every soul is quickened,* and, through cleansing, is exalted* and made radiant* by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Proclaim from day to day* the good tidings of the salvation of our God.
verse: O sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the earth.
Let everything that lives, Tone 4
Gospel
Luke 1:39-49, 56
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Tone 6, Glory…
Through the prayers of the holy apostles,* O Merciful One,* cleanse me from the multitude of my transgressions.
Now…
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Merciful One,* cleanse me from the multitude of my transgressions.
Tone 2
Have mercy on me, O God, in Your kindness. In Your compassion blot out my offense.
Today Gabriel announces to her who is full of grace:* “Rejoice, O Mother unwed, who knew not wedlock!* Be not amazed by my strange appearance, neither be afraid;* for I am an archangel!* The serpent once deceived Eve;* but now I announce joy to you:* you will remain incorrupt and will give birth to the Lord, O all-holy one!”
Canon
Ode 1
Irmos: I will open my mouth, and with the Spirit will it be filled,* and I shall utter discourse to the Queen and Mother;* and I shall be seen keeping splendid festival,* and, rejoicing, I will hymn her wonders.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O Mistress, let David your forefather chant to you, striking his spiritual harp: “Pay heed, O daughter, to the joyful voice of the angel; for he announces to you ineffable joy!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“I cry to you in gladness: Incline your ear, and hearken to me, who announce the seedless conception of God; for you have found before God favour which no one else has ever found, O most honoured one!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“That I may understand the power of your words, O angel, how shall what you have said come to pass? Speak more plainly: How shall I conceive, who am a virgin maiden? How shall I become the Mother of my Creator?”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“You think, I suppose, that I am making a false declaration. I rejoice, beholding your steadfastness. Yet be of good cheer, O Lady, for, God willing, all-glorious things will easily come to pass!”
Irmos: Let us sing to the Lord, who by His divine command* dried up the billowing and impassable sea,* and through it led the Israelite people on foot:* for gloriously has He been glorified.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Ineffable is the condescension of the Word of God, for Christ himself is both God and man; as God he hid not this condescension, when He appeared to His disciples in the form of a servant: for gloriously has He been glorified.
Glory… Now…
I who am rich in Godhead have come to minister to Adam who has grown poor. I who fashioned him have of My own will put on his form. I who am impassable in My divinity have come to lay down My life as a ransom for him.
Katavasia: Let us sing to the Lord, who by His divine command* dried up the billowing and impassable sea,* and through it led the Israelite people on foot:* for gloriously has He been glorified.
Ode 3
Irmos: O Theotokos, living and abundant fountain,* in your divine glory* spiritually unite those who hymn you into a choir,* and vouchsafe to them crowns of glory.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“A ruler has failed from Judah! The following time has come, wherein Christ, the hope of the nations, shall appear! But tell me: how shall I, who am a virgin, give birth to Him?”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“O Virgin, you seek to learn from me the manner of your conceiving; yet it is indescribable. The Holy Spirit, overshadowing you, shall accomplish it with His creative power.”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“My first mother, accepting the serpent’s knowledge, was driven away from divine sustenance; wherefore, I fear your strange salutation, wary lest I stumble.”
Glory… Now…
The Angel
“I am sent as a divine intercessor to convey to you the divine counsel. Wherefore fear me who am even more in fear of you, O most immaculate one? Why do you render homage to me who render homage to you with honour, O Mistress?”
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
The Word of God has now come down to the earth,* and the angel stood forth, crying out to the Virgin:* “Rejoice, O blessed one, receiving the pre-eternal Word and Lord in your womb, *that, as God, He might save the human race from deception!”
Glory… Now…
Gabriel, the supreme commander, was sent from heaven by God;* and he quickly presented himself before the animate city, manifestly saying to her:* ‘‘You shall receive the Creator in your womb, O Virgin,* and shall immutably give birth to Him in the flesh!* Wherefore, I am sent to announce to you your strange birth giving, O pure one,* and stand here, crying aloud to you: Rejoice, O bride unwedded!”
Ode 4
Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead,* Jesus most divine is come upon a light cloud,* and with His incorrupt hand has saved those who cry:* Glory to Your power, O Christ!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“I have heard the prophet who of old prophesied that Emmanuel would come when a certain sanctified virgin gives birth. Yet I wish to understand how human nature will endure mingling with divinity?”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“O joyous and most hymned one, the bush which was unconsumed when it received the flame revealed the all-glorious mystery which will be wrought in you, for you shall remain a pure Ever-virgin after giving birth.”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“Illumined with the radiance of God Almighty, O Gabriel, herald of the Truth, speak things most true: How shall I give birth to the incorporeal Word in the flesh, while remaining in my incorrupt purity?”
Glory… Now…
The Angel
“As a servant I stand with awe and fear before you, my Maiden Lady, and I am abashed to look upon you; for as the rain descended upon the fleece, so will the Word of the Father descend upon you, as is His good pleasure.”
Ode 5
Irmos: All things are filled with awe by your divine glory;* for you, O Virgin who knew not wedlock, conceived in your womb God who is over all,* and gave birth to the timeless Son,* granting peace to all who hymn you.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“I cannot understand the purport of your words; for there have been miracles in great numbers, wrought by divine power, and the signs and images of the law; yet never has a virgin given birth without knowing a man!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“You marvel, O most immaculate one, for strange is the miracle of you; for you alone shall receive the King of all incarnate in your womb. Yes, the sayings and indistinct images of the prophets and the types of the law prefigure you.”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“How can He whom nought can contain and is visible to no one make His abode in a virgin’s womb, which He Himself created? How shall I conceive God the Word, who with the Father and the Spirit is equally unoriginate?”
Glory… Now…
The Angel
“A promise was given to David, your ancestor, that the Fruit of your loins would sit upon the throne of his kingdom. And God has chosen you alone, the beauty of Jacob, to be His reason-endowed habitation.”
Ode 6
Irmos: Prefiguring Your three-day burial, the Prophet Jonah cried aloud, praying within the sea monster:* Deliver me from corruption, O Jesus, King of hosts!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“Accepting the joyous sound of your words, O Gabriel, I have been filled with divine gladness! For you tell of joy, and announce gladness without end!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“To you have divine joy been given, O Mother of God! To you all creation cries out “Rejoice!” O Bride of God! For you alone have been called beforehand the Mother of the Son of God, O pure one!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“Let the condemnation of Eve now be annulled! Let her debt now be repaid by me! Through me let the ancient loan be rendered up in full!”
Glory… Now…
The Angel
“God promised to your ancestor Abraham that the nations would be blessed in his seed, O pure one; and through you has this promise found its fulfilment this day!”
Kontakion, Tone 8
To You, O Mother of God,* the invincible leader,* we, your servants, ascribe these victory hymns* in thanksgiving for our deliverance from evil.* With your invincible power free us from all dangers* that we may cry out to you:* Hail, O Bride and pure Virgin!
Ikos
An angelic chieftain was sent from heaven to cry to the Mother of God: “Rejoice!” with his incorporeal voice. And, beholding You incarnate, O Lord, he was filled with awe and stood, crying to her such things as these:
Rejoice, through whom Joy shines forth!
Rejoice, through whom the curse is lifted!
Rejoice, restoration of fallen Adam!
Rejoice, deliverance from tears for Eve!Rejoice, height difficult for human thoughts to scale!
Rejoice, depth hard even for the eyes of angels to fathom!
Rejoice, for you are the throne of the King!
Rejoice, you who bore Him who bears all!Rejoice, star heralding the Sun!
Rejoice, womb of the divine incarnation!
Rejoice, through whom creation is made new!
Rejoice, thou through whom we worship the Creator!Rejoice, O Bride unwedded!
Ode 8
Irmos: The divinely wise youths would not worship a created things instead of the Creator,* but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot,* they rejoiced, chanting:* O all-hymned Lord God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“Declaring the radiant tidings, the divine announcement, that the immaterial Light who, in His great loving-kindness, is uniting Himself to a material body, you cry to me: “Blessed is the Fruit of your womb, O most pure one!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“Rejoice, O Virgin Mistress! Rejoice, O all-pure one! Rejoice, O receptacle of God! Rejoice, O lampstand of the Light, restoration of Adam, deliverance of Eve, holy mountain, all-manifest sanctuary and bridal-chamber of immortality!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“My soul has been cleansed, my body sanctified; I am made a temple fit to hold God, a divinely adorned tabernacle, a temple rendered animate through the visitation of the all-holy Spirit, and the pure Mother of the Life!”
Glory… Now…
The Angel
“I see you now as a lamp of surpassing radiance, a bridal-chamber made by God, a golden ark. O Bride of God, receive the Giver of the law, whose good pleasure it is to deliver corrupt human nature through you!”
Ode 8
Irmos: Hearken, O pure Virgin Maiden,* that Gabriel may recount to you the ancient counsel of the Most High.* Make ready to receive God; for through you has the Infinite One come to dwell with men.* Wherefore, rejoicing, I cry: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“Every earthly mind is vanquished, pondering the all-glorious things you declare to me,” answered the Virgin; “I have heard your words, yet am in fear and terror, lest through deception you send me far away from God. Yet, behold! I cry out: ‘‘Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely forever!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“Behold, your perplexity has been resolved,” Gabriel said to this; “for you have said well that this is a matter hard to comprehend. Yet, submitting to the words of your mouth, doubt not that this is true, but believe it. For, rejoicing, I cry: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely forever!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“This is God’s law for men,” the immaculate one straightway said, “Birthgiving comes from common love. I am utterly ignorant of the pleasure of a spouse. How then can you say that I will give birth? I fear that you speak falsehood. Yet do I cry out: ‘‘Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely forever!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“The words you declare to me, O pure one, apply in general to the birthgiving of mortal men,” the angel said again; “I promise you that the true God, incarnate in manner past recounting and comprehension, as He knows, will come forth from you. Wherefore, rejoicing, I cry aloud: “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely forever!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“You show yourself to me as a herald of the truth,” the Virgin said, “for you have come as a harbinger of common joy. I have therefore cleansed soul and body. Be it unto me according to your word, that God may dwell in me, to whom I cry out with you: ‘‘Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely forever!”
Irmos: The relentless fire, fed with endless fuel,* drew back in fear before the pious children, pure in body and in soul;* and as the flame waned in strength, they sang an everlasting song:* O all you works, praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
“All men shall know that you are My disciples, if you keep My commandments”, says the Saviour to His friends, as He went to His Passion. “Be at peace one with another and with all men; think humbly of yourselves and you shall be exalted; acknowledge Me as Lord, and praise and supremely exalt Me throughout all ages.”
Let us bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: the Lord.
“Let your rule over others be different from that of the Gentiles: it is not my will that their tyranny and self-willed ways be followed. He, therefore, who would be the first among you, let him be as the last, and acknowledge Me as the Lord, and praise and supremely exalt Me throughout all ages.”
Now…
“Let your rule over others be different from that of the Gentiles: it is not my will that their tyranny and self-willed ways be followed. He, therefore, who would be the first among you, let him be as the last, and acknowledge Me as the Lord, and praise and supremely exalt Me throughout all ages.”
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
Katavasia: The relentless fire, fed with endless fuel,* drew back in fear before the pious children, pure in body and in soul;* and as the flame waned in strength, they sang an everlasting song:* O all you works, praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
We do not chant the Magnificat.
Ode 9
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."
O earth, announce good news of great joy; praise God’s glory, O heavens.
Conceiving God in manner past understanding, O Mistress, you eluded the custom of nature; for in giving birth you escaped corrupt maternal nature, transcending it. Wherefore, you hear as is meet: Rejoice, O who are full of grace! The Lord is with you!
O earth, announce good news of great joy; praise God’s glory, O heavens.
No earthly tongue can explain how pour forth milk, O pure Virgin; for you show forth a thing strange to nature and transcend the rule of lawful birthgiving. Wherefore, you hear as is meet: Rejoice, O who are full of grace! The Lord is with you!
O earth, announce good news of great joy; praise God’s glory, O heavens.
Mystically were you spoken of in the sacred Scriptures, O Mother of the Most High; for Jacob of old, seeing you in figure as a ladder, said: “This is the ladder of God!” Wherefore, you hear as is meet: Rejoice, O who are full of grace! The Lord is with you!
O earth, announce good news of great joy; praise God’s glory, O heavens.
The bush and the fire showed forth a wondrous miracle to Moses, who was manifest in sanctity; and seeking the end thereof in the passage of time, he said: “I perceive it in the pure Maiden!” To her, as to the Theotokos, let it be said: Rejoice, O who are full of grace! The Lord is with you!
O earth, announce good news of great joy; praise God’s glory, O heavens.
Daniel called you the mystical mountain, and Isaiah called you the birth-giver of God. Gideon saw you as a fleece, David called you a sanctuary, and another called you a door. But Gabriel cries out to you: Rejoice, O who are full of grace! The Lord is with you!
Irmos: You have magnified, O Christ, the Theotokos who bore You:* from her, O our Creator, You have taken a body of like passions to our own,* and released us from all our transgressions.* Wherefore with all generations we call her blessed and we magnify You.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
“Cast away all the impurity of the passions and thereby gain a wise understanding, worthy of God’s Kingdom,” You said to Your apostles, O Wisdom of all, “and you shall be glorified, and shine forth more brightly than the sun.”
Glory… Now…
“Look upon Me as your example,” You said to Your disciples, O Lord, “think not highly but be content with what is humble, and drink of the cup that I drink of, that you be glorified with Me in the Kingdom of the Father.”
Katavasia: You have magnified, O Christ, the Theotokos who bore You:* from her, O our Creator, You have taken a body of like passions to our own,* and released us from all our transgressions.* Wherefore with all generations we call her blessed and we magnify You.
Small Litany
Hymn of Light
The supreme commander of the angelic hosts was sent by God Almighty to the pure Virgin, to announce a strange and ineffable wonder; for God, who watches over the whole human race, as man became a babe through her without seed. O people, tell forth the glad tidings of the restoration of the world!
Glory…
Your bridal chamber do I see all-adorned, O my Saviour, yet I have no wedding garment that I may enter therein. Make the robe of my soul to shine forth, O Giver of Light, and save me.
Now…
The mystery of God which was from before time is made known today: God the Word becomes the Son of the Virgin Mary in His loving-kindness, and Gabriel proclaims the joy of the annunciation. And with him we cry out to her: Rejoice, O Mother of the Lord!
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 1
Flying down to Nazareth from the circles of heaven,* Gabriel came to the Virgin Mary, crying to her:* “Rejoice! You shall conceive a Son who is older than Adam,* the Creator of the ages and the Deliverer of those who cry to you:* “'Rejoice, O pure one!”
The Word Who with the Father is equally eternal and all-unoriginate,* without separating Himself from those on high,* has now come before those below in His extreme loving-kindness,* taking pity on us for our stumbling;* and, accepting the poverty of Adam,* He has assumed a form alien to Himself.
Bearing glad tidings to the Virgin from heaven, Gabriel cried aloud:* “Rejoice! You shall conceive in your womb Him who will be contained by you,* though He cannot be contained by anything;* and in giving birth you shall show forth* Him who shone forth from the Father before the day-star!”
The transcendent Word has made His abode within you in the flesh* at the counsel of the Father, O Virgin Theotokos;* becoming like us, He has built up the race which fell through the ancient curse.* Wherefore, with the angel we all cry out to you with faith:* “Rejoice, O Mother of Christ!”
Tone 2, Glory…
Today the mystery is revealed which was hidden from before time began,* and the Son of God becomes the Son of the man,* that, taking upon Him that which is worse,* He might grant me that which is higher.* Of old Adam was deceived,* and though he desired to become a god, he could not;* yet God becomes man that He might make Adam a god.* Let creation be glad, let nature dance!* For the archangel stands with fear before the Virgin and offers her “Rejoice!”—an antidote to grief.* O our God who has become man in the loving-kindness of Your mercy,* glory be to You!
Tone 5, Now…
O Lord, coming to Your Passion,* You strengthened Your disciples,* taking them aside and saying to them:* “How is it that you have forgotten that which I told you beforehand?* That in accordance with the Scriptures,* it cannot be that a prophet should perish save in Jerusalem.* Now is the time at hand, of which I spoke to you:* for see, I am betrayed into the hands of sinners who shall mock Me* and nail Me upon the Cross* and deliver Me up for burial,* and with loathing, look upon Me as a man dead.* Yet be of good cheer:* for on the third day I shall arise,* bringing unto the faithful joy and life eternal.”
Lesser Doxology
Aposticha
Tone 5
O Lord, the mother of the sons of Zebedee,* not understanding the hidden mystery of Your plan,* asked of You to grant the honour of a temporal kingdom to her sons.* But instead of this You promised to Your friends that they would drink of the cup of death;* and that before them, this cup would be partaken of by You,* to cleanse mankind from their sins.* Wherefore we cry aloud to You:* O salvation of our souls, glory be to You.
In the morning, fill us with Your love; we shall exult and rejoice all our days. Give us joy to balance our affliction for the years when we knew misfortune. Show forth Your work to Your servants; let Your glory shine on their children.
O Lord, teaching Your disciples to think the most perfect thoughts,* You said them: “Be not like the Gentiles, who exercise authority over those who are weak.* But it shall not be so among you, O My disciples,* for of My own will I am a pauper.* Let him, then, who is first among you be the servant of all.* Let him who rules be as one ruled,* and let the first be as the last.* For I Myself have come to minister to Adam in his poverty,* and to give my soul as a ransom for many who cry aloud to Me:* Glory be to You.”
Tone 8
Let the favour of the Lord be upon us: give success to the work of our hands, give success to the work of our hands.
Let us fear the punishment of the fig tree,* which withered because it was unfruitful, O brethren; let us bring* fruits worthy of repentance to Christ,* who grants us His great mercy.
Glory…
A second Eve did the serpent find in the words of the Egyptian woman,* who with flattery sought to lead Joseph to succumb to sin.* But, leaving his garment behind him, Joseph,* like the first created man before his disobedience,* fled naked yet not ashamed.* By his prayers, O Christ, have mercy on us.
Tone 8, Now…
Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice!* For He who with the Father is equally everlasting, equally unoriginated, and equally enthroned,* taking to Himself His loving mercy toward mankind,* has appointed for Himself an abasement,* by the good pleasure and counsel of the Father,* and has made His abode within the Virgin’s womb, which was wholly purified by the Spirit.* O the wonder! God is among men, the Infinite One is contained in a womb,* the Timeless One has entered into time!* And what is more glorious: His conception is seedless, His abasement is ineffable.* So great is this mystery!* For God empties Himself and becomes incarnate,* He took on form when the angel spoke of His conception to the pure one, saying:* “Rejoice, O joyous one, the Lord is with you,* who has great mercy!”
Trisagion Prayers
Troparion, 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!
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
VESPERS WITH THE DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
ON MONDAY EVENINGAt Psalm 140
Tone 1
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Going freely to His Passion,* the Lord said to His disciples along the way:* Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,* and the Son of man shall be delivered up, as it is written.* Come, let us purify our thoughts that we may go with Him;* let us be crucified with Him;* in Him we shall die to the pleasures of this life,* that we may live with Him and hear Him say to us:* I am no longer going to the earthly Jerusalem to suffer,* but I am going to My Father and your Father,* to My God and your God;* you shall go with Me to the heavenly Jerusalem* in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Tone 5
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O faithful, let us hasten to the saving Passion of Christ our God;* let us glorify His long-suffering which is beyond expression,* that He may save us from sin and death,* and that He may also raise us in His goodness and love for humankind.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
When You were going to Your Passion, O Lord,* You reassured Your disciples by taking them aside and saying:* How can you forget the words I have spoken to you?* The Scriptures say that all the prophets die only in Jerusalem!* Now the time of which I have spoken to you has arrived:* Behold, I shall be delivered into the hands of sinners;* they shall mock Me and nail Me to the Cross;* and after burying Me, they shall number Me among the dead.* Take courage, however, for I shall rise on the third day,* to bring joy and eternal life to all the faithful.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Not understanding the depth of the ineffable mystery of Your plan of salvation,* the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to You, O Lord;* she asked You to grant them the places of honour in a temporal kingdom.* But in place of these honours,* You proclaimed to Your friends that they would drink from the cup of death,* the same cup from which You shall first drink* to cleanse us of our sins.* Therefore, we cry out to You:* O Saviour of our souls, glory to You!
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
When You taught Your disciples to seek that which is higher,* You said to them, O Lord:* Do not imitate the pagans by lording over those who are weak;* it shall not be that way with you.* For I have chosen to be poor;* so the first among you shall become the servant of the rest;* the one who commands shall be as the one who obeys;* the most noble shall be as the lowest.* For I Myself have come to serve the poverty of Adam* and to give My life as a ransom for the many* who now sing: O Lord, glory to You!
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!
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 fulfil 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.
Tone 8, Glory…
O faithful, let us fear the punishment of the fig tree* which was dried up for not having borne any fruit;* let us offer worthy fruits of repentance to Christ,* who grants us His great mercy.
Tone 6, 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 I, Tone 6
May the Lord bless you from Sion,* and may you see prosperity of Jerusalem.
verse: Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.
Reading 1
Exodus 1:1-20
Prokeimenon II, Tone 8
We bless you* in the name of the Lord.
verse: They have oppressed me from my youth,—this is the song of Israel.
Reading II
Job 1:1-12
Reading III
Exodus 3:1-8
Reading IV
Proverbs 8:22-30
Small Ektenia
Trisagion
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)
Prokeimenon, Tone
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; Matthew 24:3-35
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)