Ode 9.

Megalynaria sung with this Ode. [75]

That which is fulfilled in you is beyond the understanding both of Angels and of mortals, O pure Virgin Mother.

Exapostilarion. Model melody.

Symeon the Elder embraces in his arms the Maker of the Law and Master of all.

At Lauds we insert 4 Stichera and sing three Prosomia, doubling the first.

The Creator, wishing to save Adam, took up his dwelling in your virgin womb.

Tone 4. You have given as a sign.

The whole race of mortals calls you blessed, pure Virgin, and glorifies you with faith as Mother of God.

Glory. Both now . Tone 6. By Germanos.

Come and see Christ, the Master of all, whom Symeon carries today in the temple.

Great Doxology and Dismissal.

You look upon the earth and make it tremble; [76] how then can I, aged and weary, hold you in my arms?

Symeon had lived for many years when he saw Christ, and cried aloud to him, ‘Now I seek my release.’

Mary, you are the mystic tongs who conceived in your womb Christ, the burning coal. [77]

O God, who are before all things, of your own will you became man, and are carried in the temple as a child of forty days.

Symeon the priest received the Master of all, come down from heaven.

Make bright my soul and the light of my senses, that I may see you in purity, and I will proclaim that you are God.

Pure Virgin Mother, why do you bring into the temple a new-born babe and commit him to Symeon’s hands?

From you, the Creator, I now seek release, for I have seen you, O Christ, my salvation and my light.

Him whom the ministers at the liturgy on high entreat with trembling, here below Symeon now takes in his arms.

In nature Unity, but in Persons Trinity, watch over your servants who put their faith in you.

Mother of God, hope of all Christians, protect, watch over, guard all those who put their hope in you.

‘In the shadow and letter of the Law, Let us the faithful discern a figure. ‘Every male child that opens the womb shall be holy to God.’ [78] Therefore the firstborn Word, Son of a Father who has no beginning, the firstborn child of a Mother who had not known man, we magnify.’

For those of old there was a pair of doves and two young pigeons. [79] In their place the godly Elder and Anna the sober prophetess, ministering to the One born from a Virgin and only offspring of the Father as he enters the temple, magnify him.

‘You have granted me, O Christ, the joy of your salvation’, cried Symeon, ‘Take your servant, wearied by the shadow, as a new initiate and preacher of grace, as with praise he magnifies you.’

Reverently holy Anna, sober and aged, openly confessed the Master, announcing him clearly in the temple. While as she proclaimed the Mother of God to all those present, she magnified her.

Coming to the Temple by the Spirit, the Elder received in his arms the Master of the Law and cried, ‘Now release me from the bond of the flesh in peace, as you said. For I have seen with my eyes the revelation of the Nations and the salvation of Israel’. **

Fulfilling the written Law, the Lover of mankind is now being brought into the Temple. And Symeon the Elder receives him in aged arms, crying, ‘Now you release me to the blessedness of the other world, for today I have seen you, clothed in mortal flesh, the Lord of life and Master of death.’

Light for revelation to the nations, you, Lord, the Sun of justice, appeared, seated on a light cloud [80] , bringing to completion the shadow of the Law and making manifest the beginning of the new Grace. [81] Therefore, as he looked on you, Symeon cried aloud, ‘Release me from corruption, for I have seen you today.’

Not parted in your Godhead from the bosom of your Begetter; incarnate, as you were well-pleased; held in the arms of the Ever-Virgin, you, who hold the universe in your hand, were given into the hands of Symeon, who received God [82] . And so he cried aloud with joy, ‘Now you release me, your servant, in peace, for I have seen you, Master.’

Christ God, who today were well-pleased to be laid in aged hands, as upon the chariot of the Cherubim, calling us, who sing your praise, back from the tyranny of the passions, deliver and save our souls.