Event Information:
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Sun24Nov2024
Twenty-seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 2; The Holy Great-Martyr Catherine; The Holy Great-Martyr Mercurius.
Post-feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God. Nativity Fast.
GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man... is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 2
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Come, let us adore God the Word,* who was born of the Father before all ages,* and was incarnate of the Virgin Mary;* for of His own free will He suffered the Cross* and submitted Himself to burial,* and arose from the dead to save me, a sinful one.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Christ our Saviour cancelled the decree that was written against us,* by nailing it to the Cross;* and He abolished the dominion of Death.* Let us glorify His resurrection on the third day.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Let us, together with the archangels, sing of Christ’s resurrection;* for He is the Redeemer and Saviour of our souls.* He will come again in awesome glory and mighty power* to judge the world which He has fashioned.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Although You died and were buried,* the angel yet declared You as Master.* He said to the women: Come and see where the Lord was placed;* for He is risen as He foretold,* because He is almighty.* Therefore, we worship You, the only Immortal One,* and we beseech You to have mercy on us, O Giver of Life.
Tone 1
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
The city of Alexandria adorned today.* O Martyr, it your burial shroud in the holy church.* O Catherine, we also devoutly celebrate your precious memory.* Pray for all those who venerate you..
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Let us now celebrate the memory of Catherine,* for by word and deed she mightily defeated* the opposing orator and the powers of the enemy.* Deliver us, O God, from godless enemies.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Rejoice, O precious and all-glorious Catherine.* Mount Sinai has seen the unburnable bush of Moses.* Christ now preserves your body which is pleasing to God* until He comes again in glory.
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.
O sufferer of the passion, Mercurius,* by a fighting spirit you conquered the foe.* Like an invincible soldier,* by the armour of faith you cut down thousands of learned Moors.* Because you finished your battle* you have been crowned with all the martyrs,* O most blessed Martyr.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
At the command of the Divine Spirit,* and angel was sent from heaven to heal your wounds.* O worthy one, they were caused by the piercing of burning irons.* You also underwent a lashing and hanging.* O Martyr, your suffering body was covered with blood.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
O Mercurius, while waging war for your earthly king,* you were ordered to eat the sacrificial offerings.* O blessed and God-wise one,* you suffered tortures, burning by fire, and a wretched death.* You were carried as a crown-bearer to Christ.* Now joined to the ranks of martyrs, you pray for us.
Tone 8, Glory…
After your nativity, O Mistress, Bride of God,* you went to the Temple of the Lord to be raised in the Holy of Holies as a consecrated maiden.* Gabriel was then sent to you, the all-immaculate one, bringing food to you.* All of the heavenly powers marvelled, beholding the Holy Spirit abiding within you.* O all-pure and undefiled Mother of God, who are glorified in heaven and on earth,* save all of us.
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.
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
The Lord reigns,* He is clothed in majesty.
verse: Robed is the Lord and girt about with strength.
verse: For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
verse: Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
Aposticha
Tone 2
Your Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour,* has enlightened the whole universe;* and, through it, You call back to Yourself all Creation.* Almighty God, glory to You!
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
By the wood of Your Cross, O Saviour,* You have abolished the curse of the tree;* by Your burial You have destroyed the power of death;* and by Your resurrection You enlightened the human race.* We, therefore, cry out to You:* O Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O Christ, when You were nailed to the Cross,* the distorted nature of creation was made manifest.* The soldiers showed their inhumanity by piercing Your side with a lance,* and the people showed their ignorance of Your power* by asking that Your tomb be sealed.* But, in Your mercy, You accepted burial* and then arose on the third day.* O Lord, glory to You!
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Christ, Giver of Life,* You freely endured the Passion for the sake of mortals.* In Your power You descended into Hades;* and snatching, as from a mighty monster, the souls of those who awaited Your coming,* You placed them in Paradise.* Therefore, show Your great mercy to us who glorify Your resurrection,* and cleanse our souls.
Tone 8, Glory… Now…
David foretold you, O all-pure one,* as he foresaw the sanctification of your entry into the Temple.* Thus, all the ends of the earth feast today and glorify you, O all-praised one.* For, O Mother of the Word of Life,* a virgin before giving birth and remaining incorrupt after giving birth,* Zachariah is joyful and accepts you in the Temple, O Lady.* The Holy of Holies rejoices and receives you, the wellspring of our life.* Therefore, we also cry out in songs to you:* “Beseech your Son and our God in our behalf, that He grant us great mercy!”
Troparia
Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”
Tone 4
By your virtues as by rays of the sun you enlightened the unbelieving philosophers,* and like the most bright moon you drove away the darkness of disbelief from those walking in the night;* you convinced the queen, and also chastised the tyrant, God-summoned bride, blessed Catherine.* You hastened with desire to the heavenly bridal chamber of the fairest Bridegroom of Christ,* and you were crowned by Him with a royal crown;* Standing before Him with the Angels, pray for us who keep your most sacred memory!
Glory…
Having passed through martyrdom like a true soldier,* you have marched on to the King immortal, O Mercurius.* You have been welcomed into the choir of martyrs.* Receive our prayers and pray in turn for us,* for we hold fast to your precious memory.
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, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 2
Troparia, Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!” (2)
Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”
Tone 4
By your virtues as by rays of the sun you enlightened the unbelieving philosophers,* and like the most bright moon you drove away the darkness of disbelief from those walking in the night;* you convinced the queen, and also chastised the tyrant, God-summoned bride, blessed Catherine.* You hastened with desire to the heavenly bridal chamber of the fairest Bridegroom of Christ,* and you were crowned by Him with a royal crown;* Standing before Him with the Angels, pray for us who keep your most sacred memory!
Glory…
Having passed through martyrdom like a true soldier,* you have marched on to the King immortal, O Mercurius.* You have been welcomed into the choir of martyrs.* Receive our prayers and pray in turn for us,* for we hold fast to your precious memory.
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, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16Small Litany
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 2
The noble Joseph having taken down You most pure Body from the tree,* wrapped it in a fine linen shroud* covering it with fragrant spices* and placed it in a new sepulchre;* but on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world great mercy.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
The Angel standing by the tomb cried to the myrrh-bearing women,* ‘Myrrh is fitting for the dead,* but Christ has been revealed a stranger to corruption.* rather cry aloud: The Lord is risen,* granting the world great mercy!’
Glory… Now…
You are highly glorified, O Virgin Theotokos,* and we sing your praise,* for through the Cross of your Son Hades has been overthrown,* Death has been slain,* and we who were dead have arisen and been granted life.* We have received Paradise, our ancient delight,* therefore with thanksgiving we glorify Christ our God* as mighty and alone plenteous in mercy.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 2
You did not prevent the grave stone from being sealed,* and having arisen You granted to all the rock of the Faith.* O Lord, glory be to You!
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
The choir of Your Disciples rejoices in harmony with the Myrrh-bearing women;* for with them we celebrate a common feast to the glory and honour of Your Resurrection.* Through them, O Lord who loves mankind,* grant Your people Your great mercy.
Glory… Now…
You are highly blessed, O Virgin Theotokos,* for through Him who was incarnate of you* Hades has been taken captive, Adam recalled, the curse slain, and Eve set free,* death has been put to death and we have been given life;* therefore with hymns we cry to you:* Blessed are You O Christ our God who has been thus well-pleased, glory be to You!
Polyeleos
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 2
The women coming to Your grave after the Passion* to anoint Your body, O Christ God,* saw Angels in the tomb and were frightened,* for they heard a message from them:* The Lord has arisen, granting the world His great mercy.
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 2
Antiphon 1
I raise the eyes of my heart to You in heaven, O Saviour.* Save me by Your radiance.
Have mercy, O my Christ, on us who fail You every hour and in many ways,* and grant to us the means to return to You* in repentance before the end.
Glory… Now…
To the Holy Spirit belongs sovereignty,* sanctification and the quickening of creation,* for He is God, one in essence with the Father* and the Word.
Antiphon 2
If the Lord was not among us,* who could be kept safe from the one* who is both our foe and a manslayer?
Do not hand Your servant over to destruction, O my Saviour.* For like a lion they come up against me,* they who are my foes.
Glory… Now…
To the Holy Spirit belongs the source of life and its honour,* for, being God, He preserves all creation* by His power* in the Father through the Son.
Antiphon 3
Those who trust in the Lord are like the holy mountain:* they are utterly unshaken* by the assaults of the enemy.
Let not those who live for God* stretch out their hands in iniquity;* for with the rod of His word Christ forbids such things.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit all wisdom flows forth,* grace to the Apostles,* crowns to the Martyrs,* and to the Prophets, prophetic vision.
Prokeimenon, Tone 2
Lord, rise up in Your anger, rise against the fury of my foes; my God, awake! You will give judgment. Let the company of nations gather round You.
verse: Lord God, I take refuge in You. From my pursuers save me and rescue me.
Let everything that lives, Tone 2
Gospel
Luke 24:12-35
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Canon, Tone 2
Ode 1
Irmos: Once his overwhelming power overturned the whole of Pharaoh's army in the deep;* but the Word made flesh, the Lord of glory, blotted out the wholly wretched sin.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The prince of this world in whose books we, who disobeyed your commands, were inscribed, O Good One, has been judged by your cross; attacking you as a mortal, he fell back from the power of your might and was exposed in his weakness.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Deliverer of the race of mortal men and author of incorruptible life, you came into the world: for you tore in pieces the grave clothes of death in your resurrection, and this we glorify. Gloriously he is glorified.
Glory… Now…
O pure one, and ever-Virgin, you are shown to be higher than all creatures seen and unseen; for you bore the Creator since he willed to take flesh in your womb; with boldness pray to him to save our souls.
Irmos: I shall open my mouth, and it will be filled with the Spirit,* and I shall utter praise to the Queen and Mother;* I shall appear radiantly keeping festival,* and joyously shall I hymn her Entry.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O all-pure one, we know you to be a treasury of wisdom and an ever-flowing fountain of grace; and we pray that you rain down drops of knowledge upon us, that we may praise you forever.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Being a temple and palace more exalted than the heavens, O all-pure one, you were set apart in the Temple of God to be prepared as a divine dwelling place for His advent.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Shining with the Light of grace, the Theotokos has illumined all and assembled them to adorn her most splendid festival. Come, let us draw nigh to her!
Glory… Now…
The glorious portal which thoughts cannot pass, having opened the doors of the Temple of God, now commands us that have assembled to delight in her divine wonders.
Katavasia: Christ is born; let us glorify Him.* Christ comes down from heaven; let us go out to meet Him.* Christ lives on earth; let us exalt in joy.* All you faithful, sing to the Lord, for He has been glorified.
Ode 3
Irmos: The desert, the barren Church of the nations, has blossomed as a lily at your coming, O Lord;* in this my heart is made firm.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Creation at your Passion was put to confusion to see you in mean disguise and mocked by the lawless, you whose lightest nod had established the universe.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You fashioned me with your hands from the dust in your image; and when, through sin, I was crushed again into the dust of death, you, O Christ, went down with me to Hell and raised me up with yourself.
Glory… Now…
The ranks of angels were amazed and the hearts of men trembled, All-pure, at your giving birth; wherefore we reverence you in faith, O Mother of God.
Irmos: O Theotokos, living and abundant fount,* in your divine glory establish them that hymn you* and that spiritually form themselves into a choir;* and vouchsafe to them crowns of glory.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Receiving the pure and undefiled one, who is more splendid than all creation, the animate bridal chamber of God, the beautiful Temple and chamber today appears as that which adorns the bride for her wedding.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
David, preceding the chorus, leaps and dances with us, and declares you, O all-pure one, the queen adorned, who stands in the Temple before our King and God, O most pure one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
From her, from whom transgressions went forth among the human race, have her correction and incorruption blossomed forth, the Theotokos, who is led today into the house of God.
Glory… Now…
The angelic armies and a multitude of all men leap for joy, and they advance as lamp-bearers before your countenance, proclaiming your majesty in the house of God.
Katavasia: To Christ our God,* who is the only-begotten Son of the Father from before all ages,* and in these latter times* has become flesh of the Virgin without seed,* let us cry aloud:* You are our strength; glory to You, O Lord!
Ode 4
Irmos: You came forth from the Virgin,* not an ambassador, not an angel,* but the Lord himself made flesh,* and saved my whole humanity.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You were standing, my God, before the judgment seat as one judged, not crying out, bringing, O Lord, judgment upon the nations. Thus, through your Passion, O Christ, you wrought salvation for the world.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
By your Passion the weapons of the enemies failed, by your descent into Hell the cities of the foe were destroyed and the insolence of the tyrant overthrown.
Glory… Now…
All we the faithful know you a haven of salvation, a fortified city unshaken, Lady Mother of God; for by your prayers you deliver our souls from danger.
Irmos: Perceiving the unfathomable counsel of God,* the incarnation from the Virgin of You, the Most High,* the prophet Habbakuk cried out:* Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
The Temple of God, receiving today the portal through whom none may pass, has ceased to perform any service of the Law, crying: Truly truth has appeared to them that are on earth!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
The mountain overshadowed, which Habbakuk beheld of old, prefigured her that has made her abode in the inaccessible chambers of the Temple, flourishing with virtues, for she covers the ends of the earth therewith.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
All the earth has seen most glorious things, things strange and marvellous, for the Virgin, receiving food from an angel, receives tokens of God’s dispensation.
Glory… Now…
Revealed as temple and palace and animate heaven, O divine bride of the King, you are brought today to the Temple of the Law to be kept for Him, O all-pure one.
Katavasia: O Christ, You have come forth from the Virgin* as the rod of the root of Jesse and the flower that blossomed from his stem.* You became flesh from her that knew not wedlock,* from the Mountain overshadowed by the forest;* O God, You are not formed from created substance.* Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Ode 5
Irmos: Christ God, you are mediator between God and man:* through you, O Lord, we have access from the night of ignorance to your Father, the author of light.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You broke as the cedars, O Christ, the insolence of the enemy when, of your own will, O Lord, you were pleased to be lifted up in the flesh on the cypress, the pine and the cedar.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
They laid you in the lowest pit, O Christ, dead, without breath; but with your stripes you raised with yourself, O Saviour, the wounded and forgotten who slept in the graves.
Glory… Now…
Pray to your Son and Lord, pure Virgin, to grant deliverance to prisoners and peace from the hostile forces surrounding those who trust in you.
Irmos: All things are filled with awe at your divine glory,* for you, O Virgin that have not known wedlock, had within your womb Him that is God over all,* and gave birth to the timeless Son,* granting peace to all that hymn you.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
The all-pure Virgin, the glorious sanctity and sacred offering which is brought today to the Temple of God, is preserved as a habitation for our one God, the King of all, as He Himself knows.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Zechariah, beholding once the beauty of your soul, cried out in faith: You are the deliverance, you are the joy of all, you are our restoration, through whom the Uncontainable One shall appear to me contained.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O, your wonders which pass understanding, O all-pure one! Strange is your birthgiving; strange is the manner of your growth; strange also, most glorious and unutterable by men, are all your wonders, O Bride of God.
Glory… Now…
A most radiant lamp, O Bride of God, you have shone forth today in the house of the Lord and illumine us with the precious gifts of your wonders, O pure and all-hymned Theotokos.
Katavasia: Since You are a God of peace and a Father of mercies,* You have sent your angel of great counsel to us to bring us peace.* Thus, we are directed towards the light of the knowledge of God,* and at the night vigil we glorify You, O Lover of mankind.
Ode 6
Irmos: Engulfed in sin's unfathomed depths* I cry to the fathomless deeps of your tender compassion;* God has brought me up* from corruption.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The righteous was judged as a criminal and nailed to the tree with the lawless with his own blood granting forgiveness to the guilty.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
As by one man, the first Adam, death came of old to the world, so by one, the Son of God, resurrection has been revealed .
Glory… Now…
You knew no man, O Virgin, you bore a child and remained for ever virgin, revealing thus the signs of true divinity of your Son and God.
Irmos: Celebrating this divine and most honoured festival of the Mother of God,* come, divinely wise, let us clap our hands and glorify God who was born of her.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
You that have upheld all things by Your word have hearkened to the prayer of the righteous ones. You have loosed the infirmity of the barren woman, in that You are compassionate, and have given them her that is the cause of joy.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Wishing to make His salvation known to the Gentiles, the Lord has now taken from among men her that has not known wedlock, as a sign of reconciliation and renewal.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
As a house of grace, wherein treasures of the ineffable dispensation of God are laid up, O most pure one, you shared in unfading delight in the Temple.
Glory… Now…
Receiving you as a royal diadem, O Bride of God, the Temple has been made splendid and has mounted to better things, beholding in you the fulfilment of the prophecies.
Katavasia: Jonah had dwelt like a babe in the womb before the sea monster spew him forth;* the Word dwelt in the womb of the Virgin, taking flesh from her.* Although born from her, He kept her all-pure.* Since Christ Himself was not subject to incorruptibility, He kept His Mother free from the same.
Kontakion, Tone 2
You rose from the tomb, O almighty Saviour;* and Hades, seeing this wonder, was stricken with fear; and the dead arose.* Creation saw and rejoices with You, and Adam exults.* And the world, my Saviour, sings Your praises for ever.
Ikos
Light you are to those endarkened, resurrection you are to all and life to mortal man; and when you, the Saviour, raised up all with yourself and despoiled the might of death, when you, O Word, shattered the gates of Hell, the dead saw it and marvelled at the marvel and all creation rejoiced together in your resurrection, O Lover of man. For all of this we glorify and sing your coming down to us and all the universe, my Saviour, hymns you for ever.
Ode 7
Irmos: The godless decree of the lawless tyrant* re-kindled the soaring flames,* Christ let fall on the God-fearing children the dew of the Spirit.* He is blessed and glorious above all.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Your tender compassion, O Lord, would not allow you to see mankind beneath the sway of death but you came and saved him by your own blood, becoming man. He is blessed and glorious above all.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Seeing you clothed in the robe of vengeance, O Christ. Hell’s doorkeepers cowered in fear for you came to master, O Lord, the slave, the reasonless tyrant. He is blessed and glorious above all.
Glory… Now…
We know you the Holy of Holies, Virgin unspotted, Mother unwedded, for you alone bore the unchangeable God: by your divine giving birth you have shed incorruption on all the faithful.
Irmos: The divinely wise youths worshipped not a creation rather than the Creator,* but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot, they rejoiced, chanting:* Blessed are You,* the all-hymned Lord and God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Lo, today a joyous spring has dawned upon the ends of the earth, enlightening our souls, thoughts and minds with grace: the festival of the Theotokos. Let us mystically feast this day!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Let all things, heaven and earth, the ranks of angels, and the multitude of men, bear gifts today to the Queen and Mother of God; and let them cry out: Our joy and deliverance is brought to the Temple!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
The Scriptures have come to pass, the Law has faded like a shadow, and rays of grace have shone forth upon you who have entered into the Temple of God, O pure Virgin Mother, wherein you are blessed.
Glory… Now…
Heaven and earth and the netherworld are subject to your Offspring as Creator and God, O most pure one, and every nation of mortals confesses that the Lord and Saviour of our souls has appeared.
Katavasia: The youths who had been raised to fear God were not threatened by the fiery torments.* They denounced the wicked decree of the tyrant,* and standing in the midst of the flames,* they sang: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.
Ode 8
Irmos: Once in Babylon by divine command* the blazing furnace divided its work,* the Chaldaeans consuming, the faithful bedewing,* who sang: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The ranks of angels saw the garment of your flesh empurpled with your blood, in trembling amazement at the magnitude of your longsuffering, crying: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Through your rising, O Merciful, you have clothed my mortality with deathlessness; therefore in glad thanksgiving your chosen people raise to you a song of praise, crying: Truly death is swallowed up in victory.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The One inseparable from the Father and humanly, divinely, dwelling in your womb, you conceived without seed and brought forth inexpressibly, Birth-giver of God, all-pure. By this we know you the salvation of us all.
Irmos: Hearken, O pure Virgin Theotokos!* Let Gabriel give utterance to the true and ancient counsel of the Most High:* Make ready to receive God!* For through you has the Boundless One come to dwell with men:* Wherefore, rejoicing, I cry out:* Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Anna, once, leading the all-pure temple to the house of God, faithfully said to the priest, crying aloud: Now accept this child, given me by God; lead her into the Temple of the Creator; and, rejoicing, chant to Him: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
And Zechariah then, beholding them in the Spirit, said to Anna: You bring here the true Mother of Life, whom the prophets of God have clearly foretold as the Theotokos! How, therefore, can the Temple hold her? Wherefore, marvelling, I cry out: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
The handmaid of God have I been, answered Anna to him, and I call upon Him with faith and prayer to accept the fruit of my birth-pangs, that, having received this child, I might bring her that was born to Him that bestowed her. I cry aloud: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Glory… Now…
Truly this is a matter of the Law, the priest said to her, and strange does this thing seem to me, beholding her that most gloriously surpasses the holy ones in grace led into the house of God. Rejoicing, I cry out: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord. We extol and exalt Him above all for ever.
Katavasia: The dew-moistened furnace was the image of an incomprehensible wonder.* It did not burn the youths entrapped there,* just as the fire of the Godhead did not consume the Virgin’s womb in which He dwelt.* Therefore, let us praise God, saying: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all forever.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: The Son of the unbegun Begetter, God and Lord, made flesh of the Virgin,* has appeared among us to bring light to the darkened places* and to gather the scattered together.* Therefore, we magnify the all-praised Mother of God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
On Golgotha, as in Paradise, there was planted, O Saviour, the thrice-happy tree of your pure cross, nourished by your blood divine and water; so from the wellspring of your holy side, O Christ, life has blossomed for us.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The crucified, the all-powerful, laid low the strong man armed, and the nature of man, lying below in the dungeon of Hell, he raised and placed on the Father's throne; coming in the midst of which we, worshipping, magnify you.
Glory… Now…
In the true faith singing, let us the faithful glorify the Trinity, three in number, one in substance, indivisible nature, supremely divine, triply shining light and never-setting radiance, the only uncompounded shedding light upon all.
Irmos: May the hands of the profane* in no wise touch the Theotokos, the animate ark of God;* but let the lips of the faithful, unceasingly chanting the cry of the angel, joyfully cry out:* Truly you are more highly exalted than all, O pure Virgin!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O pure Theotokos, as you have the most radiant beauty of purity of soul and are full of the grace of God from heaven, with the ever-existent light you ever enlighten them that cry out with joy: Truly you are more highly exalted than all, O pure Virgin!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Your wonder surpasses the power of words, O pure Theotokos, for in you I perceive a body impervious to the movement of sin. Thankfully I cry out to you: Truly you are more highly exalted than all, O pure Virgin!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Most gloriously did the Law prefigure you, O pure one, as the tabernacle, the divine jar, the awesome ark, the veil, the staff, the inviolable temple and portal of God. All these things teach us to cry to you: Truly you are more highly exalted than all, O pure Virgin!
Glory… Now…
In hymnody David cried out to you prophetically, calling you the daughter of the King in the comeliness of your virtues, beholding you standing, elaborately adorned, at the right hand of God. In prophecy he cried out: Truly you are more highly exalted than all, O pure Virgin!
Katavasia: 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.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
Christ our Way and our Life,* after His resurrection from the dead,* accompanied Luke and Cleopas,* who had recognized Him at Emmaus in the breaking of the bread.* Their hearts and souls were inflamed as He spoke to them on the way,* explaining to them all the Scriptures that pertained to Him.* Let us, therefore, shout with them, saying:* Truly, the Lord is risen and has appeared to Peter.
Glory…
Aflame with wisdom, O virgin Catherine, most honourable of women, glory of passion-bearers, through God you denounced the skill of the philosophers as foolishness and fables, having acquired the truly all-immaculate Mother of God as companion.
Now…
The ranks of angels and choir of martyrs celebrate with us today on the divine entry of the godly Maiden and Mother of the Lord, together with Joachim and Anna, and the steadfast Mercurius and the all-glorious Catherine. By their prayers may we find remission of our offenses, we pray.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 2
Everything that breathes and every creature glorifies You, O Lord,* for through Your Cross You destroyed death* and thus shown the multitude of peoples Your Resurrection from the dead,* as You alone love mankind.
Let the Jews tell how the soldiers lost the King they were guarding.* Why then did the stone not guard the rock of life?* Either let them give up the one who was buried or adore Him as risen,* exclaiming together with us:* Glory to the multitude of Your mercies:* O Saviour, glory be to You!
Rejoice O peoples and be glad!* for an Angel sat upon the grave stone* and gave us good tidings saying:* Christ is risen from the dead* and has filled the universe with sweet fragrance.* Rejoice O peoples and be glad!'
Before Your conception, O Lord,* an Angel brought the greeting ‘Rejoice’ to the one full of grace:* at Your Resurrection an Angel rolled away the stone from Your glorious grave.* The one revealed the signs of joy instead of sorrow;* the other instead of death has proclaimed to us the Master, and giver of life.* Wherefore we cry to You:* O Benefactor of all mankind,* Lord, glory be to You!
Tone 4
Celebrating the most sacred memory of your honoured suffering, O all-praised Catherine,* with unceasing cries we glorify Jesus, the Lover of mankind,* our Saviour and Lord, who gave you steadfast patience* and showed you forth as victorious,* and granted you discourse, and awed the rhetors.
Celebrating the most sacred memory of your honoured suffering, O all-praised Catherine,* with unceasing cries we glorify Jesus, the Lover of mankind,* our Saviour and Lord, who gave you steadfast patience* and showed you forth as victorious,* and granted you discourse, and awed the rhetors.
O willing martyr, most glorious Catherine,* you appeared earnestly denouncing the tyrant and the wicked madness of polytheism,* setting them at naught with the radiance of knowledge of God and divine grace.* Thus, Christ, the Saviour of our souls, has crowned her as a martyr* and an immaculate virgin.
With the opening of your mouth, O most glorious Catherine,* you received the grace of the Spirit;* and having cleansed yourself by your life and patient thought,* you trampled down the audacity of the tyrant,* and with divine wisdom preferred spiritual beauty to the beauty of the body,* O adornment of passion-bearers.
Tone 5, Glory…
How wise are Your judgments, O Christ!* You granted Peter the understanding of Your resurrection by the burial wrappings alone.* Even though You accompanied Luke and Cleopas and conversed with them,* yet You did not reveal Yourself.* You were taunted by them as though You alone were a stranger in Jerusalem,* not knowing what had recently happened there.* But since You ordained all things for the good of each,* You explained to them what the prophets had spoken concerning You.* In the breaking of the bread they recognized You* because their hearts were already burning with the desire to know You.* When they came together with the disciples,* they proclaimed openly Your divine resurrection* by which we ask that You have mercy upon us.
Tone 2, Now…
You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!
Great Doxology
Trisagion Prayers
Troparion, Tone 2
You came forth from death, destroying the eternal bonds of Hades, O Lord.* You broke the curse of Death* and thus delivered us from the snares of the Evil One.* Then You appeared to your apostles and sent them forth to preach,* and through them You have bestowed your peace upon all the world,* for You alone are rich in mercy.
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 2: When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”
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.
Kontakion, Tone 2: You rose from the tomb, O almighty Saviour;* and Hades, seeing this wonder, was stricken with fear; and the dead arose.* Creation saw and rejoices with You, and Adam exults.* And the world, my Saviour, sings Your praises for ever.
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 2
The Lord is my strength and my song of praise, and He has become my salvation.
verse: The Lord has indeed chastised me, but He has not delivered me to death. (Psalm 117:14,18)
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Epistle
Ephesians 6:10-17
Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: The Lord will hear you in the day of tribulation; the name of the God of Jacob will shield you.
verse: Lord, grant victory to the king and hear us in the day that we shall call upon You. (Psalm 19:2,10)
verse: Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear.
Gospel
Luke 13:10-17
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
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* I will take the cup of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 115:13)