Canon I, the composition of Andrew, in Tone I—

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “O Light immutable…”—

Irmos: Let us all chant a hymn of victory unto God, Who hath wrought marvelous wonders with His upraised arm and saved Israel, for He is glorious.

Katavasia: Christ is born…

Kontakion, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast appeared today…”—

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “O Thou Who wast lifted up upon the Cross…”—

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Theotokion: Dispel all the barrenness of my fruitless mind, and show forth my soul to be fruitful in the virtues, O most holy Theotokos, thou help of the faithful.

O divinely wise Anna, we celebrate thy conception today, for, loosed of the bonds of barrenness, thou didst conceive her who contained Him Who is in nowise contained.

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “Having fallen asleep in the flesh…”—

Irmos: Christ is born, give ye glory! Christ cometh from heaven, meet ye Him! Christ is on earth, be ye exalted! O all the earth, sing ye unto the Lord, and chant with gladness, ye people, for He hath been glorified!

Katavasia: I will open my mouth…

Kontakion, in Tone VI—

Sessional hymn, in Tone V—

Human nature, which before was sterile, trusting in God putteth forth the Virgin, the firstfruits of piety, in whom the fertility of those who are good is proclaimed in her conception on earth, to serve for the advent of Christ. Twice

Theotokion: O Virgin Theotokos, undefiled tabernacle, with the most pure sprinkling of the compassions cleanse me now who have been defiled by transgressions, and grant me a helping hand, that I may cry: Glory to thee, O pure and divinely glorious one!

Thou didst hearken to the supplication of the righteous ones, didst fulfill the vow of Thy holy forebears, O Lord, and didst give them a fruit: the pure one who gave Thee birth.

Irmos: Let my heart be made steadfast in Thy will, O Christ God, Who didst establish the second heaven above the waters and didst found the earth upon the waters, O Almighty One.

The impassable gate of Christ the King, by the counsel of God, receiveth conception in a barren womb. When she appeareth on earth, the portals of heaven are opened and permit the entry of mortals.

Theotokion: O pure Virgin Mother, we know thee to be the cloud, paradise and portal of light, the fleece, the jar bearing Manna within, the sweetness of the world.

The glorious Anna now conceiveth the pure one who conceived the all-good, incorporeal Lord, and who will give birth in the flesh unto Christ.

Irmos: To Christ God, the Son Who was begotten of the Father without corruption before time began, and in latter times without seed became incarnate of the Virgin, let us cry aloud: O Lord Who liftest up our horn, holy art Thou!

The conception of the pure and godly maiden, the firstfruits of faith, hath appeared, which before the ages was ineffably proclaimed by God in His divine and dread mysteries. Through her are the works of darkness and the passions brought to an end.

Theotokion: The threefold waves of wicked thoughts, the assaults of the passions and the abyss of sins bestorm my wretched soul. Help me, O holy Mistress!

From a corruptible womb didst thou shine forth, O Virgin, for in thine incorrupt womb thou didst bear the Sun of glory Who became as we are, save for change and confusion.

Irmos: Foreseeing in the Spirit the incarnation of the Word, O Prophet Habbakuk, thou didst announce, crying out: When the years draw nigh, Thou shalt be acknowledged; when the season cometh, Thou shalt be shown forth! Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Glory…, Now & ever…: the composition of Malax, in Tone VIII—

Theotokion: We glorify Thee as One of the Trinity, O Christ; for, incarnate of the Virgin without change, Thou didst assume full humanity, without separation from the Father’s nature, though Thou didst unite Thyself to us.

Anna, receiving in her womb the pure Virgin and divine Maiden who will become the Mother of the Creator, cried out with joy: “All ye tribes of Israel, rejoice with me! For, behold! I have conceived!”

Irmos: A rod from the root of Jesse and blossom therefrom, O Christ, Thou didst spring forth from the Virgin; from the mountain overshadowed and densely wooded hast Thou come, incarnate of her who knew not man, O Thou praised and immaterial God. Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Come, ye every rank and age of men, and together with the choirs of angels let us joyously celebrate today with splendor the all-glorious conception of the Theotokos. Ye patriarchs, praise the Mother of the King of all! Ye prophets, laud her whom ye preached! Ye forefathers, honor the Mother of God who is descended from you! Ye elders, acclaim the forebears of God! Ye ancestors of God, bless the divine Maiden! Ye virgins, honor the Ever-virgin! Ye faithful, exalt the root of faith! Ye priests, magnify the most sacred temple of God! Ye choirs of all the saints, acknowledge the cause of your assembling! Ye armies of angels, pay homage to her who gave birth to the Master of all creation, the Savior of our souls!

Theotokion: Raise me up who lie in the abyss of evils, and vanquish the enemies that engage me now in battle. Disdain me not who am wounded by countless pleasures, O good and pure one, but take pity and save me.

Anna, holding in her womb the book which the prophet foretold, which was sealed by the divine Spirit, cried out to all: “All the scriptures proclaim her! I am magnified, putting her forth this day!”

Irmos: Grant us Thy peace, O Son of God, for we know none other than Thee. We call upon Thy name, for Thou art the God of the living and the dead.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone IV—

Theotokion: Let the Virgin Theotokos be glorified: the purple which dyed the fleece of the ineffable incarnation of the Word, the golden lampstand, the table whereon Christ, the Bread of life, was set forth.

The temple of the divine Savior is contained and formed in her mother’s womb. The ladder is set up which leadeth all men on high, whose conception we celebrate with faith.

Irmos: As God of peace and Father of compassion, Thou didst send Thine Angel of Great Counsel, Who granteth us peace. Therefore, guided to the light of knowledge divine, and waking at dawn out of the night, we glorify Thee, Who lovest mankind.

Let heaven and earth join chorus; for, lo! the Mother standeth before her Son, earnestly entreating forgiveness of sins for a certain sinful man. At this the angels rejoice. With them let us also spiritually rejoice, magnifying the Theotokos with hymns. Twice

“If Thou wilt grant fruit to my womb,” Anna cried to the Lord, “I shall be magnified, and will offer it to Thee.” Therefore, she conceived the pure Mother of God.

Irmos: Emulating the Prophet Jonah, I cry out: O Good One, free me from corruption! O Savior of the world, save me who cry out: Glory to Thee!

O ye people, let us chant the hymn of David to the Maiden Bride of God, the Mother of Christ, the King of all: The Queen stood at Thy right hand, O Master, arrayed in vesture of gold and adorned with divine majesty; for, having adorned her, the chosen of women, above all the earth, He was well-pleased to be born of her in His great mercy, and hath given her, who alone is blessed, as a helper to His people, to protect His servants. Twice

Having observed the provisions of the law and served God blamelessly, O most honorable Anna, thou truly bearest in thy womb her who will give birth unto the Bestower of the law. Wherefore, we, the faithful, call thee blessed.

Irmos: The sea monster thrust forth, like a babe from the womb, Jonah whom it had swallowed; and the Word, Who dwelt within the Virgin and took flesh of her, issued forth, preserving her incorrupt. He kept her who gave Him birth unharmed, for He Himself was not subject to corruption.

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone VI—

When thou didst pray in the garden, thou heardest the voice of the Most High, O divinely wise Anna; and He giveth fruit to thy womb: the portal which by grace shall open paradise.

Irmos: The fire neither touched nor vexed Thy children in the furnace, O Savior; for then, as with one mouth, the three hymned and blessed Thee, saying: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

All the noetic ranks rejoice with us, beholding the Queen and Mistress of all glorified with many names by the faithful; and the souls of the righteous rejoice also, seeing the Mother of God extending her most honored hands toward her Son in behalf of the sinful people, and asking for them remission of sins, peace and great mercy.

Entreating the Lord, Joachim receiveth from on high the message he desired when an angel appeared before him and said: “Depart, O righteous man, for the God of all hath fulfilled thy petitions.”

Irmos: The children raised together in piety, disdaining the ungodly command, feared not the threat of the fire, but, standing in the midst of the flame, they chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Calling upon the God of all, Anna once, standing in the garden, beheld an angel, who appeared before her, saying: “Be thou not downcast, for thou shalt become the mother of the Mother of God!”

Irmos: Him of Whom the angels and all the hosts of heaven stand in awe as their Creator and Lord, hymn, ye priests; glorify, ye children; bless, ye people, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

When thou, O Anna, full of zeal, didst offer up supplications to God, thou didst conceive in thy womb the pure one who without seed hath received the infinite Word, and thou hast imparted grace to us all in thy fertility.

Irmos: The dew-bearing furnace showed forth the image of a supernatural wonder; for it burned not the youths whom it had received, just as the fire of the Godhead burned not the Virgin, whose womb it entered. Wherefore, chanting, let us sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The sacred Joachim and Anna offered a gift to the priests of old; but it was not accepted, for they were barren. Yet they made entreaty to the Giver of all things, and, hearkening to their prayer, He granteth them the Tree of Life, whose holy conception we honor.

Irmos: O ye faithful, let us magnify the Theotokos, the ever-flowing, life-receiving wellspring, the light-bearing lamp of grace, the animate temple, the all-pure tabernacle which is more spacious than heaven and earth.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—

Irmos: A strange and most glorious mystery do I behold: the cave is heaven; the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim; the manger, the place wherein lay Christ God, Whom naught can contain, Whom praising, we magnify.

The divinely adorned Mary, the unblemished ewe-lamb and all-pure bridal-chamber, now most gloriously beginneth to issue forth from the righteous ones, O ye faithful. Be glad henceforth, O heaven and earth; and all ye born on earth, exult! For this day hath God wrought most glorious things, showing forth in the womb the one Virgin, the fruit of a barren woman. Her do we hymn with faith.

Irmos: I will open my mouth, and with the Spirit will it be filled; and I shall utter discourse unto the Queen and Mother, and shall appear, keeping splendid festival; and, rejoicing, I will hymn her wonders.

“O the divine proclamation! O the strange report, if I shall conceive!” Anna cried out, amazed, to the angel who was sent to her. “Glory be to my God, Who hath wrought marvellous things!”

Irmos: Taking up the hymn of Moses, cry aloud, O my soul: My Helper and Protector hath He been for my salvation! He is my God, and I shall glorify Him!

“Rejoice with me, all ye tribes of Israel! I have conceived in my womb a new heaven, whence Jesus, the Bestower of life, shall in time shine forth!” Anna cried, rejoicing.

Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and abundant fountain: in thy divine glory establish those who hymn thee and spiritually form themselves into a choir; and vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.

God hearkened to the sighs of Anna; the Lord attended to her supplication and, dispelling the cloud of her childlessness, He most gloriously illumineth her with the light of fertility. Wherefore, she conceiveth her who alone is pure.

Irmos: Establish me, O Lord my God, that mine enemy may not boast concerning me; for Thou, O Lord, art my confirmation, my refuge and power.

Thy womb, which before bore no children, hath been opened, O Anna, and receiveth the heavenly cloud, from whence the radiant Sun, shining forth upon us, hath illumined all with the light of truth and driven away the profound darkness of ungodliness.

Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine hath come on a light cloud, and with His incorrupt arm hath saved those who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

The fiery throne of God hath been set up in thy womb, O blessed Anna, acceptable to God, and, seated thereon, He hath rested and taken away the labors of all the pious; and He hath planted the pure knowledge of God on earth.

Irmos: I hymn Thee, O Lord, for I heard report of Thee, and I was afraid; for Thou comest to me, seeking me who have strayed. Wherefore, I glorify Thy great condescension toward me, O greatly Merciful One.

Behold, thou hast received in thy womb the bower which Solomon described beforehand, most truly preserved for the true King, for the divine restoration and conversion of the human race. Wherefore, O Anna, we bless thee with joy.

Irmos: All things are filled with awe at thy divine glory; for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, didst contain within thy womb Him Who is God over all, and gavest birth to the timeless Son, granting peace unto all who hymn thee.

Having sprung forth from the root of Jesse and David, Anna now beginneth to put forth the divine shoot which will give rise to Christ, the mystic Flower, the Creator of all.

Irmos: O Christ my Savior, enlightenment of those who lie in darkness and salvation of the despairing: rising early unto Thee, O King of the world, may I be enlightened by Thy radiance, for I know none other God than Thee.

“The people look upon me who am become a mother, and marvel;” Anna cried, “for, lo! I shall give birth, as is the good pleasure of Him Who loosed the bonds of my barrenness!”

Irmos: Celebrating this divine and most honored festival of the Mother of God, come, ye divinely wise, let us clap our hands and glorify God Who was born of her.

“The voices of the prophets proclaimed from afar the Maiden whom I have conceived, to be the mountain and the impassable gate!” Anna cried out most joyfully to those who came to her.

Irmos: Stuck fast am I in the abyss of sin, O Savior, and tempest-tossed on the deep of life; yet lead me up from the passions and save me, as Thou didst Jonah from the sea monster.

Joachim descended from the mountain, receiving not tablets of the law, but her whom the law prefigured and whom all the sayings of the prophets revealed: the Mother of God. And, dancing, he cried aloud: “My heart hath been magnified!”

Irmos: The divinely wise youths worshipped not a creation rather than the Creator, but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot, they rejoice, chanting: Blessed art Thou, the all-hymned God of our fathers!

When Anna felt in her womb the divinely fruitful branch which had been planted there, from whom the ripe Cluster would spring forth which abundantly poureth forth upon us the wine of immortality, she exclaimed: “What shall I render unto Thee, O compassionate Lord?”

Irmos: The fiery bush on the mount and the dew-bearing furnace of Chaldæa manifestly prefigured thee, O Bride of God; for in thy material womb thou didst receive the divine and immaterial Fire without being consumed. Wherefore, to Him Who was born of thee do we chant: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Joachim, unable to endure the sight of creation bereft of piety, prayed that the barrenness of Anna might pass, and that she would conceive that Maiden to whom a Son would be given: the Most Exalted One Who effecteth the adoption of all by His Father.

Irmos: The birthgiving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the furnace—then in figure, but now in deed—and it moveth all the world to chant to Thee: Hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

How can she who contained God in her womb be contained? How can she who gave birth unto Christ in the flesh be born? How can she who nourished the Creator with milk take nourishment at a woman’s breast?

Irmos: Refusing to obey the edict of the tyrant, the three venerable children were cast into the furnace, and confessed God, chanting: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

Hearkening unto your entreaty, O most lauded Joachim and Anna, God now granteth you fertile fruit this day.

Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, honoring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!

Having conceived the pure dove in her womb, Anna was truly filled with spiritual joy, offering hymns of thanksgiving unto God.

Irmos: We hymn thee, O Virgin Theotokos who didst contain the uncontainable God in thy womb, and hast given birth to Joy for the world.

“The shadows of the law are manifestly transcended; for, lo! the ray of divine grace is shown forth: the cloud who is the Virgin, from whence the radiant Sun of the Godhead shall truly shine forth!” Anna cried out, rejoicing and magnifying the God of Israel.

“A strange sight will it be if I, who before was barren and childless, conceive,” Anna said when she heard the angel announce that she would give birth to a child; and she cried aloud: “Better than any good report will be the fulfillment of thy words!”

Let the mountains and hills, the fields and the sea, the multitude of the angels and all human nature be glad; for Anna received the divine temple of the Master, the beginning of our reconciliation. And when she sensed that she had conceived, she cried aloud.

Today the whole world doth celebrate Anna’s conceiving, which was brought about by God; for she gave birth unto her who ineffably gave birth unto the Word.

Ikos: The wondrous Joachim and the divinely wise Anna, living together in all piety according to the law of Moses, were childless; and they prayed to God with all their heart, saying: “O all-good Lord of hosts, Thou help of all: Thou knowest the pain, reproach and grief of childlessness. Wherefore, grant us fruit of the womb, and we will bring to Thy temple as a sacred gift and perfect offering her who ineffably giveth birth unto the Word!”

Anna entreated the Master of all, that she might escape the reproach of childlessness; and, hearkening unto her pitiful cry, He granted her as fruit her who gave birth to Him, as was His good pleasure.

O Anna, the weaving of the robe of royal purple beginneth in thy womb, wherewith God, the King of all, having clothed Himself, appeareth unto men and layeth low the enemies which war against us.

In thy womb, O Anna, didst thou conceive the fragrant myrrh who, in manner transcending nature, received the Master, the Myrrh of life, Who perfumeth our thoughts with the wafted scents of grace.

The fire-bearing bush of old, which Moses beheld upon Sinai, hath Anna conceived in her childless womb, and it consumeth the fire to impiety, for those who chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

A drop, O Anna, hath now been all-gloriously poured into thy womb, which hath contained all the Water of life within it, bedewing those who cry out with faith thereto: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

As thou didst behold the bird’s nest, thou wast furnished with wings by the Spirit and prayer; and thou didst receive the unblemished turtle-dove who beareth Christ, the olive-branch Who freeth us from the noetic deluge, O Anna.

“Behold! I receive in my womb the Queen whom David foretold,” cried Anna; “and I shall give birth unto the intercessor for all the faithful, who will give birth unto Christ the King!”

The ground in which the Creator of earth made His abode, the holy scepter, the new ark, the jar of Manna who gave birth to Him, beginneth to spring forth in her mother’s womb.

The unburnt bush, the golden candlestand, the animate bridal-chamber of the Lord God, the precious staff who gave birth to Him, beginneth to spring forth in her mother’s womb.

As Thou didst foretell through the prophets, O Master, Anna once cried out: “Why hast Thou made for me a childless womb and withered breasts? Loose Thou the disgrace of my childlessness and grant me a fruit with whom I may cry out: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!”

O Anna, the lampstand hath entered thy womb, who mystically contained the divine Lamp Who illumineth every creature with the mystic effulgence of the knowledge of God. Wherefore, rejoicing, thou didst cry out: “Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!”

Joachim and Anna, as most comely husband and wife, bear the divine heifer, from whom the beautiful Bullock hath shone forth Who was slaughtered for all, and they chant: “Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!”

Conceiving the Life-receiving wellspring, O divinely wise Anna, receive joy now, taking the holy temple into thy womb, magnifying her who is radiant with the light of the Creator’s righteousness.

Let Joachim and Anna be honored: the honorable and all-glorious twain, the forebears of the preëternal Son, the renowned observers of the law, who gave birth to the firstfruits of joy.

Let us hymn the Virgin Theotokos, whom Daniel beheld as a great mountain, whom Joel saw as a holy land, whom Isaiah perceived as an impassable gate, and another prophet foretold as a sealed fountain and a divine fleece.

Dance ye all and leap up! Now hath the earth been prepared which, without being ploughed, will produce the life-bearing Grain, eating whereof those who magnify His goodness will hunger no longer.

O David, take up thy psaltery and harp and chant! Behold, the ark of God hath appeared which thou didst foretell would be for our edification. Thereby have we arisen from our fall into sin.

Like two magnificent stars ye emitted the most radiant beam who shineth forth the great Sun upon the world. Wherefore, we praise and glorify you, O Joachim and Anna, as divinely wise.

Her who gave birth unto the Light which illumineth all creation doth Anna begin to put forth today from her barren womb. Wherefore, let us all make haste, for our deliverance from the condemnation of Eve is come.

Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Great Doxology. Trisagion through Our Father. The troparion, once. Litanies and dismissal.

O thou who opened the portals of God’s loving-kindness when the archangel offered thee his salutation, close not His love for mankind off from us who hymn thee.

Wondrous was thy life on earth, O all-glorious Virgin Mother, yet even more wondrous is thy dwelling in heaven; for thou dost unceasingly reveal the wonders of thy maternal loving-kindness toward those who hymn thee.

The Son Who was timelessly begotten of the Father before time began didst thou in latter times conceive through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, giving birth to eternal joy for the world.

Rejoice, O sea which drowned the devil, the noetic pharaoh! Rejoice, O stone which gave drink to those thirsting for the life of the Spirit! For thou hast given to the human race the Deliverer of those held captive and the Guide of those who are lost.

Thou hast delivered the whole human race from slavery to the enemy, having given birth to the Savior of all the world. Him do thou beseech, that He save us from the assaults of the evil one.

O all-holy Virgin, in the midst of our perils be thou a mediatress and intercessor for us before thy Son, that, delivered from them, we may glorify Him with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

O thou who art more exalted than the angels and archangels, and higher in honor than all creation, thou art the great intercessor of the Christian race.

Confirm thou in the virtuous life those who fervently hymn thee, and earnestly entreat Him Who was born of thee, that we not be deprived of crowns of glory because of our sins.

In our life we anger thy Son by our sins more than any other iniquitous man; yet be thou our mediatress, O loving Mother.

May Jesus Who loveth mankind, Who was born of thee and hast the authority to forgive men their sins, vouchsafe unto us crowns of glory in His divine glory.

Rejoice, O virgin who contained the infinite God within thy womb, who carried Him as a babe and fed Him at thy breast!

Hearken unto our entreaties, O Virgin Mother, and give ear unto our sighs; and make supplication to thy Son in our behalf.

In that thou art full of loving-kindness, give ear to our supplications, and grant us deliverance from grievous and evil circumstances and sorrows.

Still thou the tempest of the threefold waves of life, and drive away our evil passions, O all-pure one, that we may glorify thee in peace and dispassion.

Come, ye people of God, let us now praise the Queen of heaven, who gazeth down upon us from her holy heaven and leadeth us up to the heavens.

O pure Ever-virgin, thou fervent and invincible intercessor, renowned and unashamed hope, bulwark, rampart and refuge of those who have recourse unto thee: With the angels beseech thy Son and God, that He grant peace to the world, salvation and great mercy.

Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

O Mother who gavest birth to the Savior, do thou thyself save from the misfortunes and griefs of life those who confess thee to be the Theotokos.

O Mother of the Son and Deliverer Who lifted up our sins upon the Cross, heal all our grievous and well nigh incurable sicknesses.

God the Word, the hypostatic Wisdom, chose thee to be His dwelling-place. Him do thou earnestly entreat, that He save us by the judgments which He knoweth.

Rejoice, O all-comely, beauteous Bride! Rejoice, O pure turtledove! Rejoice, O Mother of Emmanuel, ever-virgin Theotokos!

Even though our tongue is at a loss how to praise thee worthily, yet, moved by love for thee, with all our heart and all our mind we glorify and praise thee, the mediatress of all good things.

Who can plumb the depths of the sea? And who is able to number the great mercies and compassions which thou hast for us?

O Father and Lord of heaven and earth, what thanks shall we offer Thee? For thou hast given to the Christian race a good and powerful mediatress.

Stretching forth thy hands toward Him Who was born of thee, O all-loving Mother, cease not to make supplication for us, that by thine entreaties we may be counted worthy of earthly and heavenly gifts.

Heaven and earth are amazed, beholding thy loving-kindness toward the Christian race, O all-glorious Virgin Mother, for thou dost stoop down even to the sinners who have fallen lowest, O most good one.

Save thy servants from evils and tribulations, O Theotokos, and grant unto those who hymn thee the peace of God which transcendeth any earthly peace.

Thou gavest birth unto Him Who hath reconciled those above and those below, Who descended to earth for this purpose, yet hath not separated Himself from the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, O Queen of heaven and earth! Rejoice, thou who dost surpass the angels and archangels! Rejoice, for through thee the Reconciler foretold to us by Jacob hath come down!

From the spheres of the celestial lights the Archangel Gabriel brought to thee the joy of the annunciation; and obeying that ineffable counsel of God, O thou who art wondrous among women, thou thyself dost bring joy unto all who hymn thee with faith.

Thou hast truly given unexpected joy to the whole universe—the world below and the world above,—for He Who issued forth from thee hath brought peace and united those above with those below. Him do thou now beseech, that we be delivered from malice and misfortunes.

The poison of sin entered the whole human race through our ancient forefather, but He Who was born of thee hath cleansed, hallowed and saved all. Him do thou now beseech, that we be delivered from sinful and unseemly passions.

Thy compassions are beyond number and are like unto the goodness of the Word thy Son. This we know, and know well. Yet what shall we render unto thee for them, O all-loving Virgin Mother?

Spiritually celebrating a sacred festival now, O ye who love the feasts of the Church, come, let us hymn the Mother of God with songs, glorifying her Son, Who hath bestowed such grace upon His Mother.

Look upon the hymnody of thy servants, O Theotokos, casting down the overweening pride of our enemies, visible and invisible, and pouring forth thine exalted mercies upon the humble.

Thou art the root from whence Christ, the Rod of Jesse, sprang forth: a Man from the house of David, and God Who is coëternal with the Father and the Spirit.

Rejoice, O joyous Mother! Rejoice, O thou who dost surpass in beauty all the daughters of men! Rejoice, O noble scion of the divinely chosen race of David!

By thy birthgiving thou hast saved the human race from hell, death and corruption; wherefore, as is meet, all the ranks of heaven and earth bless thee as the Mother of the Destroyer of hell and our Liberator from death.

Turn not away from us because of our sins, O all-holy Virgin, but by thy supplications mediate for us liberation from hades and everlasting death.

O the slothfulness, O the indifference toward our salvation, wherein we have wasted our whole life! What torment, what flames lie before us! Yet by the grace given thee, O Mother, save us!

Thou didst bear Christ, the divine Fire, in thine arms without being consumed; wherefore, standing now before the fiery throne of His glory, pray thou, that He enflame us with the desire to do good.

We have none other help, we have none other hope than thee, O Mistress. Do thou help us! In thee do we trust, and in thee do we boast; for we are thy servants. Let us not be put to shame.

Ikos: Entrust me not to the intercession of men, O all-holy Mistress, but accept the entreaty of thy servant; for I am held fast by sorrow and cannot endure the arrows of the demons. I have no protection, neither have I any place to flee, wretch that I am. Ever vanquished, I have no consolation save thee, O Mistress of the world. O hope and intercession of the faithful, disdain not mine entreaty, but render it profitable.

Thou didst spurn all the beautiful things of this world, O pure one, desiring to serve God alone; and to Him thou didst chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

O Mistress, to the one God do thou guide us who have failed utterly to follow the pious children, but have instead cleaved unto creation instead of the Creator; and teach us to chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

With noetic eyes, O Christ, Daniel foresaw Thee as the Stone uncut by human hands, destroying the vain kingdoms of men, for the salvation of those who sing of Thee, and the Father and the Spirit: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Rejoice, O mountain overshadowed by the grace of God, from whence was quarried Christ, the Stone set by God the Father as the Cornerstone of His Church, to Whom we chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

God the Word, the Creator and Fashioner of all, in latter times made His abode within thy womb, O all-glorious divine Maiden, and hath taught all to chant: Blessed art Thou O God of our fathers!

Sorrows, tribulations and sicknesses have, like the waves of the sea, brought our souls down in the abyss because of the great multitude of our sins; yet setting our hope on thine aid, O Mother of God, we do not despair, but cry aloud to thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Who in heaven can describe thy power, which He Who issued forth from thee hath given thee? And who on earth can render audible all the praises made to thy great protection and thine assistance to mortals, who chant: “O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!”?

O pure Maiden who knewest not wedlock, cleanse thou our minds of vain thoughts and our hearts of wicked lusts, that with pure souls and undefiled lips we may chant unto thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Hearken, O pure Virgin Maiden, unto the words announced to thee by Gabriel: Thou shalt bear a Son Who saveth those who chant: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

He Who issued forth from thee in the flesh saved from fire the children who gazed upon Him with faith. Him do thou entreat, that He save us also who burn with the flame of the passions and sing to Him, the Son: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O Christ, Thou wast seen in the Babylonian furnace as a radiant Angel like in appearance unto the Son of God: Unto Thee, with the Father and the Spirit, do we chant: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Rejoice, O bush seen by Moses, that in latter times didst spring forth from the root of David and gavest birth ineffably to the Savior of all, to Whom we chant: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The fleece wet with dew, which Gideon beheld, mystically prefigured thee, the Virgin Mother, who without knowing man gavest birth to God the Word by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. To Him do we chant: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

The mindless rage of the tyrant cast the pious children into the furnace kindled with fire, but thy Son quenched the power of the flame with mystic dew. Him do thou entreat, O all-holy one, that He deliver us from everlasting fire and deprive us not of the dew-bearing kingdom, that we may chant there: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

Thou didst serve the ineffable mystery of the incarnation of Christ, didst love Him with all a mother’s love, and didst maternally lament Him as He hung upon the Cross. Him do thou entreat, that He not reject even the most inveterate of sinners, that they may chant: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

We glorify and hymn thee as is meet, O all-loving Mother; for thou art the great helper of the Christian race, our all-good and speedy aid.

God, Who became incarnate of thee and hath come unto us, made thy womb more spacious than the heavens. O wondrous marvel! The Infinite is contained in the Virgin’s womb, that we may hymn her for all ages!

Entreat Him Who was ineffably conceived by thee in latter times, O Virgin Theotokos, that He transform all our griefs into joy and vouchsafe us His never-waning light, that we may hymn thee for all ages.

Thou art the throne of the glory of God which Ezekiel mystically beheld, for thou didst receive into thine all-pure womb the Son of God Who is equally enthroned with the Father and the Spirit, and didst hold Him in thy maternal arms.

Rejoice, O animate temple wherein God dwelt in the flesh! Rejoice, O ark overshadowed by the glory of the Son of God! Rejoice, O most blessed and pure Ever-virgin Theotokos!

Thou hast given to the world the good Shepherd Who sought the lost sheep, and with Him thou now reignest. Lead unto Him all the sheep that have gone astray.

The Father, Who passeth all understanding in His love for those who have fallen in Adam, hath through thee revealed the Lamb Who taketh away the sins of the whole world. Cease thou never to make supplication before Him, that by the Blood of His Son we may be sanctified and cleansed.

O Son of God Who art equally glorified with the Father and the Spirit, by the supplications of her who gave Thee birth forsake us not who are perishing.

He Who was incarnate and became man through thee hath set thee higher than all the angelic ranks. Standing there, lead us also up to the heights of heaven, taking away our every sin.

The Dayspring from on high hath visited us, O Theotokos, and amid our sorrowful circumstances hath given thee to us as a beam of surpassing radiance, a Mediatress for sinners, imparting unexpected joy unto us.

Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Great Doxology and Troparion. Litanies and dismissal. First Hour.