Hymn of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.
B Chant ye unto His name. [Ps. 65: 2]
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—
The most honorable choir of the all-wise apostles was gathered together miraculously to bury thine all-pure body gloriously, O most hymned Theotokos. With them a multitude of the angels sang, with honor praising thy repose which we celebrate with faith.
On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the feast, thrice.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”—
Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.
Two canons, with a total of 12 troparia, including the irmoi.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—
Thy seedless conception in thy birthgiving and thine incorrupt mortality in thy dormition, a twofold wonder within a wonder, have merged in thee, O Theotokos. For how art thou who hast not known man a pure nourisher of an Infant? And how dost thou, the Mother of God, perfume with myrrh a mortal body? Wherefore, with the angel we cry to thee: Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace!
Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.
Polyeleos, and magnification—
We magnify thee, O all-immaculate Mother of Christ our God, and we glorify thy most glorious dormition.
Selected Psalm verses—
A Shout with jubilation unto the Lord all the earth. [Ps. 65: 2]
A Shout with jubilation before the Lord our King. [Ps. 97: 6]
B Give thanks unto Him; praise His name. [Ps. 99: 4]
A In the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God. [Ps. 47: 9]
B His place hath been made in peace, and His dwelling in Sion. [Ps. 75: 3]
A Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. [Ps. 86: 3]
B God hath laid her foundations unto eternity. [Ps. 47: 9]
A The Most High hath hallowed His tabernacle. [Ps. 45: 5]
B Holiness and majesty are in His sanctuary. [Ps. 95: 6]
A I will sing and chant in my glory. [Ps. 107: 1]
B I will take the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. [Ps. 115: 4]
A In peace in the same place I shall lay me down and sleep. [Ps. 4: 9]
B Return, O my soul, unto thy rest, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. [Ps. 114: 6]
A The Lord is righteous; He hath cut asunder the necks of sinners. [Ps. 128: 4]
B Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest, Thou and the ark of Thy holiness. [Ps. 131: 8]
A Holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, unto length of days. [Ps. 92: 6]
B I shall commemoration thy name in every generation and generation. [Ps. 44: 18]
Glory…, Now & ever…
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice
Cry aloud, O David! What is this feast of which thou didst sing of old in the book of psalms? For Christ, Who was born of her without seed, hath translated thy daughter, the divine Maiden and Virgin, to His mansions. Wherefore, mothers and daughters, and the brides of Christ rejoice, crying: Rejoice, O thou who hast been translated to the kingdom on high!
Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV—
I shall commemoration thy name in every generation and generation.
Stichos: Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
Gospel according to Luke, § 4
[Lk. 1: 39-49, 56]
In those days, Mary arose, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zechariah, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said: “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” And Mary said: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name.” And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, the composition of Byzantius, in Tone VI—
When the repose of thine all-pure body drew nigh, the apostles, standing about thy bed, looked upon thee with trembling; and, gazing at thy body, they were seized with awe. And Peter cried aloud to thee, weeping: “ O Virgin, I behold thee clearly stretched out, the life of all, and I am amazed, for in thy body the Delight of the life to come made His abode!” O all-pure one, earnestly entreat thy Son and God, that thy flock be saved unharmed.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.