Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—
With divine rays illumine those who hymn thee and make their minds steadfast, O immaculate Virgin, mighty ally of the whole world. Wherefore, hymning thee with love, we all celebrate thee, glorifying the arrival of thine image, O Virgin. Cease not in thy supplications, saving thy servants from all misfortunes, O thou who alone art blessed.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the icon, thrice.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”—
O Bride who knewest not wedlock, thy womb was shown to be the habitation of the Word, the Wisdom of God; for as thou hast been revealed as the mediatress of good things, O Mother of God, from all sufferings deliver thy servants who hymn thy glory without ceasing.
Canon of the Supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including its irmos; and that of the meeting of the icon, with 8 troparia, in Tone IV—
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone I—
Like a star of great splendor hath thine image passed from the east to the west, O Mother of God. Illumine those held fast in the darkness of sorrow, and deliver them from the threats of the enemy, breaking all their snares asunder. O mighty intercessor, show thyself to be an invincible weapon for the whole world against the enemy; for the Master of all, receiving flesh from thee, hath deified all men.
Both canons from the Octoechos, and that of the martyrs, with 4 troparia, in Tone VI—
Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
It is meet to magnify thee, O Theotokos, who art more honorable than the cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim.
Selected Psalm verses—
A O God, give Thy judgment to the king. [71: 1]
B And Thy righteousness to the son of the king. [71: 1]
A That he may judge Thy people with righteousness. [71: 2]
B And Thy poor with judgment. [71: 2]
A He shall judge the beggars among the people, and shall save the sons of the poor. [71: 4]
B Proclaim from day to day the good tidings of the salvation of our God. [cf. 95: 2]
A The Lord shall give speech with great power to those who bring good tidings. [67: 12]
B The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David, and He will not annul it. [131: 11]
A Of the fruit of thy loins will I set upon thy throne. [131: 11]
B He shall come down like rain upon a fleece. [71: 6]
A And like rain-drops that fall upon the earth. [71: 6]
B And He bowed the heavens and came down, and thick darkness was under His feet. [17: 10]
A For the Lord hath elected Sion, He hath chosen her to be a habitation for Himself. [131: 13]
B The Most High hath hallowed His tabernacle. [45: 5]
A God is in the midst of her, she shall not be shaken. [45: 6]
B He shall spare the poor man and the pauper, and the souls of the poor shall He save. [71: 13]
A All the nations shall serve Him. [71: 11]
B All the day long shall they bless Him [71: 15]
A He shall be a support in the earth on the summits of the mountains. [71: 16]
B His name shall be blessed unto the ages. [71: 17]
A And in Him shall be blessed all the tribes of the earth. [71: 17]
B Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, Who alone doeth wonders. [71: 18]
A And blessed is the name of His glory forever, and unto the ages of ages. [71: 19]
B And all the earth shall be filled with His glory. So be it. So be it. [71: 19]
Glory…, Now & ever…
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice
Blessed art thou, O pure Theotokos! Who can hymn thy magnitude, O thou who hast wrought an awesome wonder and a great miracle? By thy supplications, O Mother of God, is the city which honoreth thee ever freed from all misfortunes, darkness and the sword, from captivity under the heathen and all wrath. Wherefore, beholding the honored arrival of thine image, we, the faithful, praise thee as Queen, hymning thee, O pure one, and blessing thee with words, we say: O pure Theotokos, entreat Him Who became incarnate through thee, that our souls be saved.
Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV—
I shall commemorate 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 Ghost: 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, in Tone II—
Make ready to greet the Virgin Mother of God, O most honored city of Moscow! For, lo! the great and radiant Sun cometh to thee through the gate which was shut. Wherefore, the darkness of thy tribulation is driven away, the light of thy joy is fulfilled, the storm of adverse winds is quelled, men and priests receive sweet consolation amid their griefs, bowing down before her who alone is Queen, and offering supplication, saying: O all-pure Virgin, by thine entreaties deliver thy servants from all misfortune and grief!
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.