Holy Day of Obligation.
GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is taken only if the feast falls on a Sunday or Monday.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 1
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
O Simeon, tell us whom you are joyfully carrying into the Temple.* To whom are you saying:* Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord,* because my eyes have seen my Saviour.* He is the child born of the Virgin.* He is the Word and God of God.* O Lord, who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,* to You we bow in worship.
- Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
O Simeon, tell us whom you are joyfully carrying into the Temple.* To whom are you saying:* Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord,* because my eyes have seen my Saviour.* He is the child born of the Virgin.* He is the Word and God of God.* O Lord, who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,* to You we bow in worship.
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O Simeon, tell us whom you are joyfully carrying into the Temple.* To whom are you saying:* Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord,* because my eyes have seen my Saviour.* He is the child born of the Virgin.* He is the Word and God of God.* O Lord, who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,* to You we bow in worship.
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
O Simeon, now receive the One* Whom Moses the lawgiver had foreseen through the cloud on Sinai.* He has become a child and submits Himself to the Law.* This is He who spoke through the Law and whom the prophets foretold.* O Lord, who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,* to You we bow in worship.
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
O Simeon, now receive the One* Whom Moses the lawgiver had foreseen through the cloud on Sinai.* He has become a child and submits Himself to the Law.* This is He who spoke through the Law and whom the prophets foretold.* O Lord, who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,* to You we bow in worship.
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O Simeon, now receive the One* Whom Moses the lawgiver had foreseen through the cloud on Sinai.* He has become a child and submits Himself to the Law.* This is He who spoke through the Law and whom the prophets foretold.* O Lord, who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,* to You we bow in worship.
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O faithful, come let us welcome Christ* and receive Him with hymns of praise and glory.* He is the salvation Simeon has seen.* He is the One whom David foretold* and of whom the prophets have spoken.* O Lord, who for our sake was incarnate and inspired the Law,* to You we bow in worship.
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
O faithful, come let us welcome Christ* and receive Him with hymns of praise and glory.* He is the salvation Simeon has seen.* He is the One whom David foretold* and of whom the prophets have spoken.* O Lord, who for our sake was incarnate and inspired the Law,* to You we bow in worship.
In Tone 6
Glory… Now…
Today the gates of heaven swing open,* for the Word of the Father who has no beginning* has received beginning in time* without any loss to His divinity.* As a child of forty days He is offered by a virgin Mother* in the Temple according to the Law.* The Elder Simeon receives Him in his arms and cries out:* Dismiss me, O Master, for my eyes have seen Your salvation;* O Lord, who came into the world to save us, glory to You!
Readings
(1) Exodus 13:1-3, 11-12, 14-16; (2) Isaiah 6:1-12; (3) Isaiah 19:1-5, 12, 19-21
At the Lytia
In Tone 1
The Ancient of Days, who of old gave the Law to Moses on Sinai* appears this day as an infant.* The Creator of the Law fulfils the Law.* He is brought into the Temple* and is given over to the Elder.* The just Simeon receives Him,* and beholding the fulfilment of the divine promise, joyfully cries out:* My eyes have seen the mystery hidden from all eternity.* It has been revealed in these latter days.* The Light has radiated the darkness of unbelieving Gentiles* and gives glory to the newly chosen Israel.* Therefore, let Your servant depart from the bonds of this flesh* to the wondrous unending life that knows no age.* And we pray You to grant great mercy to the world.
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.
In Tone 2
Simeon now receives below in his earthly arms* the One whom the ministers at the liturgy on high entreat with trembling,* and who was prophesied to become incarnate.* Seeing the heavenly God as mortal man,* he is ready to withdraw from earthly things and joyfully cries out:* Glory to You, O Lord, the unsetting Light,* that uncovers those in darkness.
Today Simeon takes in his arms the Lord of Glory,* the One whom Moses formerly saw in the darkness* when he received the tablets of the Law on Mount Sinai.* This is He who speaks through the prophets;* He is the Creator of the Law.* This is He whom David announced.* He is awesome to all, yet He has great and abundant mercy.
The pure Virgin brings the Sacred One* into the sanctuary to the holy priest.* Simeon extends his hands,* receives Him joyously in his arms, and cries out:* O Master, now You let Your servant go in peace,* according to Your word, O Lord.
The Creator of heaven and earth is carried today* in the arms of the Elder Simeon.* Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he cried out:* Now I am set free, for I have beheld my Saviour.
Today, Simeon the Elder enters the Temple, rejoicing in spirit,* to receive in his arms the One who gave the Law to Moses,* the One who fulfils the Law in Himself.* For Moses was counted worthy to see God,* although in darkness and sounds that were not clear;* and with covered face he rebuked the unbelieving people.* But Simeon carried the pre-eternal Word of the father in bodily form,* and he revealed the Light of the Gentiles, the Cross, and the Resurrection.* Anna was shown to be a prophetess,* announcing the Saviour and Deliverer of Israel.* Unto Him let us cry aloud:* Through the Theotokos have mercy on us, O Christ our God.
In Tone 4
Today, the holy Mother who is higher than any temple* has herself come into the Temple* to show the world the Creator and Giver of the Law.* Simeon the Elder receives Him in his arms;* he venerates Him and cries aloud:* Now let Your servant depart in peace,* for I have seen You, the Saviour of our souls.
In Tone 5
Glory…
Search the Scriptures as Christ our God said in the Gospels;* for in them we find Him who was born and wrapped in swaddling clothes,* the One laid in a manger and fed upon milk,* who received circumcision and was carried by Simeon.* Not in fancy or imagination,* but in very truth has He appeared to the world.* Let us cry out to Him:* Glory to You, O pre-eternal God!
Now…
He Who is Ancient of Days and young in the flesh* is being brought into the Temple by His virgin Mother.* He fulfils the promise of His own Law.* Simeon receives Him and says:* Now You may let Your servant go in peace,* for my eyes have seen Your salvation, O Lord.
Aposticha
In Tone 7
Adorn your bridal chamber, O Zion, and welcome Christ the King.* Welcome Mary, the gate of heaven,* for she has appeared as a cherubic throne* on which the King of Glory is seated.* Indeed, the Virgin has become a cloud of light,* bearing in her arms the eternal Son.* Simeon received Him in his arms* and proclaimed to the people that He is the Master,* the Master of life and death, and the Saviour of the world.
Now You may let Your servant go in peace, O Lord, according to Your word.
The all-pure Mother carried into the Temple* the One who comes forth from the Father in all eternity* and from the womb of a Virgin in time.* The Lawmaker of Mount Sinai submits to the Law* and is presented to the elderly and holy one* so that he may see the Promised One.* When Simeon received Him in his arms, he joyfully cried out:* This is God, co-eternal with the Father,* and the Saviour of our souls.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel.
Mary, the Mother of God, carried in her arms* the Lord who rides the chariot of the Cherubim* and is praised with the hymns of the Seraphim.* He was incarnate of her without human seed;* He is the Lawgiver who fulfils the precepts of the Law.* She handed Him over into the arms of the aged priest.* Holding the Life in person,* Simeon asked to be delivered from his present life, saying:* Dismiss me now, O Master, that I may tell Adam* how my eyes have seen the eternal God* who was made man without undergoing change,* and who brought about the salvation of the world.
In Tone 8
Glory… Now…
He who rides on the Cherubim and is praised by the Seraphim* is now being brought into the holy Temple according to the Law.* He is sitting in the arms of an old man as though upon a throne.* From Joseph He receives God-pleasing gifts, a pair of turtle doves,* and from the newly-chosen people of the Gentiles, and undefiled Church.* the two doves indicate that He is the head both of the Old and New Testaments.* As for Simeon, when he saw what had been revealed come to pass,* he received the child and blessed the virgin Mother of God,* pointing out to her the sufferings that she would bear.* He asked the Lord to be released from life, saying:* Now You may dismiss me, O Lord, as You have promised;* for my eyes have seen You, the eternal Light,* the Lord and Saviour of all Christian people.
Troparion
In Tone 1
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. (thrice)
DIVINE LITURGY
Entrance
The Lord has made known His salvation;* He has revealed His truth before the nations.
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 1: 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.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 1: By Your birth, You sanctified a virgin womb* and fittingly blessed the hands of Simeon.* You have come also now and saved us, O Christ our God;* give peace to Your community in time of war,* and strengthen its rulers, whom You love,* for You alone,* are the Lover of mankind.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
My soul magnifies the Lord,* and my spirit has rejoiced in God, My Saviour.
verse: Because he has regarded the humility of His handmaid; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. (Luke 1:46,48)
Epistle
Hebrews 7:7-17
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Now, O Master, You dismiss Your servant in peace according to Your word.
verse: For my eyes have seen Your salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people, Israel. (Luke 2:29,32)
Gospel
Luke 2:22-40
Hymn to the Mother of God
O God-bearing Virgin, hope of Christians, protect and guard and save all those who put their trust in you.
and the Irmos, Tone 3: In the law, the shadow, and the scriptures, we the faithful see a figure: every male child that opens the womb shall be sanctified to God. Therefore do we magnify the first-born Word and Son of the Father who is without beginning, the first-born Child of a Mother who had not known man.
Communion Hymn
I will take the chalice of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 116:13)