Canon of the Forefeast, in Tone IV—

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “By the Spirit in the holy place…”—

Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.

Kontakion of the martyr, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “As first-fruits…”—

If it be Sunday, the katavasia are the irmoi of the feast of the Meeting.

Sessional hymn of the martyr, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…”—

At the aposticha, the stichera of the forefeast, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—

Theotokion: O all-pure Mistress, the old temple, understanding thee to be the pure dwelling-place of the Master and God of all, called forth a choir, magnifying thy glory.

Having made ready our hearts as though they were arms, in purity let us all receive Christ Who is coming today, and let us spiritually delight in His divine gifts.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Exapostilarion of the forefeast—

Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Kontakion of the forefeast, in Tone VI—

The choirs of the righteous dance in chorus with the venerable Bridget, especially those who labored apostolically: Mary Magdalene who, on reaching Rome, preached the resurrection of Christ, the holy Nina who planted the Christian Faith in the land of Iberia, the righteous Princess Olga who ordered the first church in the land of Russia to be built, and Cyril and Methodius who were shown to be the enlighteners of the Slavic lands. Wherefore, we honor Bridget as one who shareth in their ways and, celebrating her feast, with gladness we cry out: Rejoice, O thou who didst bring the Orthodox Faith from the East even unto the West! Rejoice, thou who didst raise up congregations of monastics! Pray thou unceasingly, O venerable one, that our souls be saved!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the forefeast, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “When the stone had been sealed by the Jews…”—

Christ, the Son Who was begotten of the Father incorruptibly before the morning-star, is born of the Virgin without defilement, delivering Adam.

Theotokion: With noetic radiance thou dost illumine me, O most immaculate one who gavest birth to the Effulgence of the Father’s glory. Dispel thou the darkness of sin.

Opening its gates beforehand today, the temple of the law giveth splendid entry to the Giver and Creator of the law and prepareth divine praise for Him as precious gifts.

Exapostilarion—

Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!

Kontakion of the forefeast, in Tone VI—

Glory...; Now and ever...: Sessional hymn of the Forefeast, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “When the stone had been sealed by the Jews…”—

Sessional hymn, in Tone VIII—

Stichos: Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word.

Theotokion: The proclamation in shadows and descriptive images hath now ceased; for Truth, O pure one, hath been manifested through thee to the ends of the earth.

I hymn Thee, O Lord my God Who becamest a babe in the flesh, submitted to the law and hast saved man, for whose sake Thou becamest a man.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Exapostilarion of the forefeast—

Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who have recourse to Thee, O Lord; Thou art the light of the benighted; and my spirit doth hymn Thee.

Kontakion, in Tone VI—

Glory..., in Tone VI—

Open wide, ye gates of heaven, for, in the temple, Christ is offered as a babe to God the Father by the Virgin Mother.

Theotokion: Having thee as my help, I am not put to shame, O all-pure Mother of God; and having thee as the intercessor for my life, I am saved.

“O Tryphon, vouchsafe that I may partake of sweetness”, in Tone VIII—

Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Stichos: A Light to enlighten the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.

Theotokion: O all-glorious Theotokos, the tabernacle of the law, desiring to receive thee, the tabernacle bearing the Lord of the law in thine arms, was made radiant by thy grace.

Truly delighting in divine sweetness in the heavens, as an invincible athlete deliver my soul from the vexation of the passions by thy supplications.

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.

O Symeon, receive thee the Lord of glory, as thou wast told by the Holy spirit; for, behold, He is come!

Theotokion: In thee do I place all my hope, O Mother of God. Preserve my soul, O thou who gavest birth to God my Savior!

Having taught with divine words, O all-glorious one, thou didst perfect them with action, loving holiness and embracing chastity.

Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Idiomelon, in the same tone—

Theotokion: Delivered for thy sake from the worship of the temple, O pure one, we glorify thee with true understanding and steadfast faith, as is meet.

Truly thou wast a shepherd, tending the thoughts of thy soul in wisdom, and returning lost souls to God and leading them to Him, O glorious one.

Irmos: Waking at dawn, we cry to Thee: Save us, O Lord! For Thou art our God, and we know none other than Thee.

The Creator of heaven and earth hath been borne by the holy Symeon in his arms today. For by the Holy Spirit he said: Now have I been released, for I have seen my Savior!

Theotokion: Ineffable was thy conception and indescribable thy birthgiving; for thou didst remain Ever-virgin, O pure one.

Those who went about in the house of God have leapt up noetically to receive Christ the King Who is coming in the flesh.

Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Thy side.

On the Praises, 6 stichera: 3 of the forefeast, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—

Theotokion: The prophets, writing of thee in godly manner with the pen of the Spirit, O Virgin, described thee as a temple, the tabernacle, the divine home of the Master of all; and in thee were they adorned.

Making ready beforehand precious gifts acceptable to Christ, O ye faithful, let us greet Him with joy today.

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.

Christ, the Son Who was begotten of the Father incorruptibly before the morning-star, is born of the Virgin without defilement, delivering Adam.

Theotokion: As an animate ark thou didst receive the Word Who is without beginning; as a holy sanctuary thou didst contain the Creator; as a fiery throne thou bearest the Master of all creation, O Mother of God.

Now hath the tabernacle passed on, and truth come forth as grace hath arrived! Take Christ up now, O Symeon.

Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

Open wide, ye gates of heaven, for, in the temple, Christ is offered as a babe to God the Father by the Virgin Mother.

Theotokion: All the nations have seen thy glory, O only pure one; wherefore, they piously bless thee as the Queen of all creation and unceasingly glorify thee as the Mother of God in manner transcending nature.

Invested with power from on high, O glorious martyr of Christ, thou didst blunt the power of the prideful one.

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

O Symeon, receive thee the Lord of glory, as thou wast told by the Holy Spirit; for, behold, He is come!

Theotokion: O most immaculate one, who bearest the little Babe Who was God before time began, yet became incarnate of thee: cease thou never in thy supplications, that thou mayest save those who chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Clad in the flesh, thou didst burn up the insolence of the incorporeal foe and didst preach God, the incarnate Word.

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

And 3 stichera of the saint, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel: “O most glorious wonder....”—

Theotokion: Christ, Who is all-pure and all-immaculate, and Who in His surpassing goodness became a man through thee, O all-pure one, for our sake offereth to the Father today acceptable purification, preserving thee, the most pure one, alone as all-holy.

By thine arrival alone are evil spirits driven out, put to flight by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O most glorious vision! O wondrous report! A monastic community is sheltered within a grove of oaks and a temple of God is fashioned of the wood of oaks unto the glory of the Life-creating Trinity, for the preaching of the Orthodox Faith, erected by thy labors, O Bridget, and protected by thy fervent supplications unto the salvation and enlightenment of many.

Theotokion: Following thy words, O all-pure one, we bless thee, the blessed one who truly gavest birth in the flesh to the Blessed One, the living and never-waning Light, the Master, the Luminary and Bestower of light, Whom the children bless, and the priests hymn and exalt supremely for all ages.

With the steadfastness of the Trinity thou didst uproot polytheism from the ends of the earth, O most glorious one; and, honored in Christ, thou didst vanquish the tyrants in Christ the Savior and receive a crown for thy martyrdom and gifts of divine healings, in that thou art invincible.

Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Desirous of serving the King of kings, thou didst spurn thy princely rank, O venerable mother Bridget, most gloriously vanquishing the prince of darkness, exchanging purple vesture for monastic rags, and choosing the convent of Kildare over princely palaces. Wherefore, Christ God, the Judge of the contest, hath crowned thee, and we all now cry out to thee: Pray thou, O righteous Bridget, in behalf of our souls!

Theotokion: The Word of the Most High, Who transcendeth all that existeth, received flesh of thee; and in that He is pure He offereth purification to the unoriginate Father and cleanseth those who magnify thee, the Mother of God, with love.

Delighting in the pangs of thy flesh, O blessed one, thou didst receive divine and painless sustenance as is meet, invested by God with a crown of immortality. Wherefore, thou pourest forth rivers of healings upon those who lovingly have recourse to thy protection, O martyr.

Irmos: With unceasing glorification we magnify thee, the Mother of the Most High, who knewest not wedlock, who didst truly give birth unto God the Word in manner past understanding, and art more highly exalted than the all-pure hosts.

Tell us, O blessed Bridget: Why hast thou fled princely honors? Why hast thou chosen voluntary poverty? Why dost thou consider all the beauties of this world as of no account? The venerable one maketh answer: “I have loved my Savior and God more than a life of vanity; I strive to serve Him, planting the true Faith, and to make steadfast the newly enlightened people, entreating Him that we may glorify Him together.”

Theotokion: O Theotokos, mortify my carnal-mindedness and revive the deadness of my soul by the activity of the true Life Who was born of thee in the flesh, in His ineffable compassion, for the salvation of those who hymn thee.

O eternal repository of the Life of all, Who of old inscribed the law on tablets on Mount Sinai, and Who for my sake hast become a babe, that Thou mayest release all from bondage to the ancient law: Glory to Thy compassion, O Savior! Glory to Thy condescension! Glory to Thy dispensation, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind!

Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.

Having set aside the cares of the world, thou didst earnestly follow after Christ, O venerable Bridget, battling against the evil spirits with prayer and fasting. Wherefore, thou art shown to be a helper of Christians in battle and a great mediator before God. Forsake us not, therefore, O mother, in thy care.

Theotokion: O all-pure Mistress, the old temple, understanding thee to be the pure dwelling-place of the Master and God of all, called forth a choir, magnifying thy glory.

He Who is upborne on a radiant cloud, corporeally, as the Sun of righteousness, giveth forth His divine rays today and illumineth His temple beforehand.

Irmos: Traversing the impassable, uncommon path of the sea dryshod, Israel the chosen cried aloud: Let us chant unto the Lord, for He hath been glorified!

Now & ever…, of the Forefeast, in Tone II—

Theotokion: O Lady Theotokos, accept thou the faithful Bridget who prayeth for us, that, possessed of her intercession, we may hymn and glorify thee.

Today the Church offereth festal laudation beforehand to Christ the Master, doth splendidly make ready to receive Him as its Bridegroom, and rejoiceth with Symeon. The ranks of angels are stricken with awe, beholding in the elder’s arms Him Who with the Father and the Spirit is praised as the Son and our God.

Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!

The Creator of heaven and earth hath been borne by the holy Symeon in his arms today. For by the Holy Spirit he said: Now have I been released, for I have seen my Savior!

Theotokion: The proclamation in shadows and descriptive images hath now ceased; for Truth, O pure one, hath been manifested through thee to the ends of the earth.

With the steadfastness of thine endurance thou didst astonish those who looked on, O blessed one; for thou didst endure torments, suffering as though in the body of another, O wise Tryphon.

Irmos: The bow of the mighty hath been broken by Thy might, O Christ, and the strengthless have girded themselves with power.

Theotokion: O Mother and Virgin, not in wisdom, strength or riches do we boast, but in thee who hast raised up the human race to the heights.

Afflicted with stripes, thou didst partake of pain, O blessed one, and now dost enjoy pure delight, partaking of everlasting glory.

Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Theotokion: O all-glorious Theotokos, the tabernacle of the law, desiring to receive thee, the tabernacle bearing the Lord of the law in thine arms, was made radiant by thy grace.

By grace divine was the strength of thy soul fortified, O wondrous one, when thy body was lacerated with sharp implements of iron.

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, of Thy glorious dispensation, and I have glorified Thine unapproachable power, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Theotokion: Cover us with thy precious veil, O Mistress, delivering us from all want and grief, that together we may glorify thy loving-kindness and thine inaccessible power.

The Church, desiring to receive Thee in the flesh, O Lord, hath been gloriously enlightened by the divine and ineffable radiance of Thy divinity.

Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.

Theotokion: Delivered for thy sake from the worship of the temple, O pure one, we glorify thee with true understanding and steadfast faith, as is meet.

O Lord, vouchsafe that those who praise Thy dispensation may receive Thee with spiritual hands; and accept us who hymn Thee with faith, in that Thou lovest mankind.

Irmos: Night hath passed; the day hath drawn nigh, and light hath shone upon the world. Wherefore, the ranks of angels praise Thee, and all things glorify Thee.

Theotokion: To whom shall we flee, if not to thee, O Theotokos, thou light of our benighted souls? For thou art the hope of the hopeless and the help of the embattled, and on thee do we set all our hope.

O Lord, vouchsafe that we who receive with joyous soul Thee Who dost desire to come in the flesh for our sake, may give thanks to Thee with Symeon.

Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Thy side.

Theotokion: The prophets, writing of thee in godly manner with the pen of the Spirit, O Virgin, described thee as a temple, the tabernacle, the divine home of the Master of all; and in thee were they adorned.

Thou didst smash the idols of falsehood, O athlete; for thou didst love to bow down before the image of Christ alone.

Irmos: Hearkening to the sound of the cries of entreaty which issue forth from a soul in pain, O Master, deliver me from my grievous sins, for Thou alone art the Cause of our salvation.

Theotokion: O all-pure, all-blessed and all-merciful Virgin Theotokos: look upon us that languish in the abyss of evils, and grant surcease unto us thy servants.

Having come to know the all-radiant grace of our God, O glorious athlete, thou didst suffer for it.

Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

Theotokion: All the nations have seen thy glory, O only pure one; wherefore, they piously bless thee as the Queen of all creation and unceasingly glorify thee as the Mother of God in manner transcending nature.

Illumined by divine grace, O athlete, thou didst suffer zealously for the sake of Christ.

Irmos: The all-wise children did not worship the golden body, but entered into the flame themselves and mocked the gods of the heathen. They cried aloud in the midst of the flame, and the Angel bedewed them, saying: The prayer of your mouths hath already been heard.

Theotokion: Thee alone do we have as a protection and aid, O most holy and all-immaculate Theotokos; for mightily hast thou done battle against the enemies, visible and invisible, which war against us.

Weaving hymns like flowers today, let us with faith prepare a divine wreath of thanksgiving for the Master Who shall come noetically.

Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions’ mouths in the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Theotokion: Christ, Who is all-pure and all-immaculate, and Who in His surpassing goodness became a man through thee, O all-pure one, for our sake offereth to the Father today acceptable purification, preserving thee, the most pure one, alone as all-holy.

Let us prepare the arms of our soul for God, like Symeon the elder, and with gladness let us receive Him Who cometh to the temple of His divine glory.

Irmos: Hymn and bless Him Who, on Mount Sinai of old, prefigured the miracle of the Virgin in the bush for Moses, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Theotokion: In supplications do we call upon the all-pure Theotokos, whom the unburnt bush prefigured for Moses; and we cry aloud: Quench thou the flame of the passions and of grievous temptations, that we may hymn and supremely exalt thee, O Queen, for all ages.

Receiving the Creator of the ages as a babe, the elder understood Him to be the preëternal God, the Light of the nations, the Christ, the glory of Israel.

Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Theotokion: The Word of the Most High, Who transcendeth all that existeth, received flesh of thee; and in that He is pure He offereth purification to the unoriginate Father and cleanseth those who magnify thee, the Mother of God, with love.

Causing the abominable sacrifices, vile offerings and idolatrous savagery to dry up by thy blood, O glorious Tryphon, thou didst water all the noble plants of the Church.

Irmos: Thou art all desire, all sweetness, O Word of God, Son of the Virgin, God of gods, all-holy Lord of the saints. Wherefore, we magnify Thee and her who gave Thee birth.

Theotokion: Possessed of a maternal boldness before thy Son, O pure one, disdain not the supplications we offer unto thee, but bear them to Christ God Whom, with thee, O Mistress, we magnify.

The sores of the martyrs are as fragrant as perfume, the blood of those who suffer pour forth healings, and the remains of their bodies sanctify the souls of those who touch them with faith.

The Word Who is invisibly with the Father is now seen in the flesh, ineffably born of the Virgin; and He is given to the high priest on the arm of the elder. Let us worship Him as our true God!

Ikos: A sacred banquet is set forth! Today the assembly of those who love the feasts of the Church, bearing tokens of the forefeast, sing to our true God the praises of the forefeast, hymning the awesome nativity from the Virgin of the forty-day old Lord, the embrace of the honorable elder and the memory of the honored martyr.

The Church, adorned with noetic radiance and the love of the Master and Creator of all, maketh ready to receive Him and weaveth for Him joyous ascents.

In obedience to the law, the Mother beareth in her arms her only-begotten Son in the flesh, Who is the Word Who abideth in the Father’s bosom, and she carrieth Him as a babe.

God Who made His abode in the womb of the Virgin today doth sit in the arms of Symeon as on a throne of fire.

The crowned martyr joineth the choir of martyrs, rejoicing; for, having vanquished falsehood by the word of truth, he chanteth in gladness: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

With His own sufferings the Master of all crowneth the martyr and causeth him to dwell in the mansions of heaven, crying out and saying: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Stretching forth his hands, and cleansing his soul with divine activity, Symeon received the Lord Who in His goodness had become an infant; and he cried out to Him with gladness: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

The light of the grace of Christ hath shone upon us, desiring to be brought into His temple; and as restorer He transformeth all the shadowy images for those who cry out in truth: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord, the preëternal God Whose good pleasure it hath been to become a babe for our sake and to be received by the arms of the elder Symeon!

Unto beheading and immolation, unto the shedding of thy blood, and even unto death didst thou suffer, opposing sin, O martyr of Christ; and now, receiving the life hidden in Christ, thou criest out: Ye priests, bless; ye people, exalt God supremely for all ages!

Thou didst struggle upon the earth, doing battle with the ungodly, against deceitful and God-opposing falsehood, against bitter oppressors; and thou delightest in the heavens, O Tryphon, wearing thy crown, and joinest chorus with the angels, chanting: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt God supremely forever!

Thou didst denounce the ungodliness of the tyrants, O most wise one, and with the streams of thy blood didst extinguish the demons’ opposition to God; and, meetly and in purity proclaiming the one God in Trinity, thou didst cry out: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt God supremely forever!

O Benefactor, vouchsafe that, like Symeon of old, I may receive Thee in the hands of my soul and delight in Thy grace; for Thou alone art the desire and sweetness for which I most yearn.

Having noetically lighted all the lamps of the virtues, with love let us lamp-bearers go forth with Symeon and Anna to meet Christ Who will come to sanctify those who hymn Him.

In the temple the elder Symeon received Christ our God in his arms and cried aloud, saying: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, O Master!”

The expectation of the martyrs is beyond visible things and is full of the enjoyment of immortality; their hope is seen to be full of sweet fragrance, joy and ineffable radiance. Wherefore, they are called blessed, as it meet.

Having drawn nigh to the primal Light, O wise Tryphon, thou becamest a secondary luminary, illumined and transformed by His effulgence, and shining with the splendors He imparteth. Wherefore, we all call thee blessed.

Thou wast shown to be undaunted in thy struggles, O athlete, and wast truly manifest as the namesake of divine and holy sustenance; and receiving it now and manifestly delighting therein, entreat salvation for us who honor thee.

Delighting in all-glorious and divine sustenance, O blessed one, thou hast made thine abode with the angels. Herding geese in the meadows, O great-martyr Tryphon, thou didst receive from God the grace to heal the weakness and infirmities of men.

When the most immaculate Maiden bore her Babe into the sanctuary to fulfil the law, the righteous Symeon received Him in his arms and said to the Virgin: “This Child is set for the fall and rising again of many, and for a sign in the world!”

Having made ready our hearts as though they were arms, in purity let us all receive Christ Who is coming today, and let us spiritually delight in His divine gifts.

Opening its gates beforehand today, the temple of the law giveth splendid entry to the Giver and Creator of the law and prepareth divine praise for Him as precious gifts.

I hymn Thee, O Lord my God Who becamest a babe in the flesh, submitted to the law and hast saved man, for whose sake Thou becamest a man.

Canon of the venerable one, the acrostic whereof is: “Let us hymn Bridget who hath come to us from the West,” in Tone II—

Led by the providence of God, O venerable one, as were the chosen people in the wilderness, fleeing the darkness of unbelief as though it were the army of Pharaoh, thou didst cry aloud: I shall sing unto the Lord, for He hath been glorified!

Burning with apostolic zeal, O honored Bridget, and planting the Orthodox Faith in thy homeland, rejoicing thou didst chant: I shall sing unto the Lord, for He hath been glorified!

Desirous of the monastic life, thou didst offer up fervent supplication unto God. Wherefore, having found that which thou hadst desired, thou didst cry out: I shall sing unto the Lord, for He hath been glorified!

Those who went about in the house of God have leapt up noetically to receive Christ the King Who is coming in the flesh.

Making ready beforehand precious gifts acceptable to Christ, O ye faithful, let us greet Him with joy today.

Now hath the tabernacle passed on, and truth come forth as grace hath arrived! Take Christ up now, O Symeon.

Let us glorify Patrick and Bridget, the enlighteners of the Irish land, who, girded about with the strength of Christ, shattered the idols of unbelief.

Having deprived thyself of a bodily eye, thou didst acquire the vision of things heavenly and unknown, O venerable one; for the power of God is made perfect in weakness.

Strengthened by the grace of God, O Bridget, Thou didst resolve to journey to the heavenly ­kingdom by the narrow way, crying aloud: Thou, O Christ, art the strength of the weak!

The Word Who is invisibly with the Father is now seen in the flesh, ineffably born of the Virgin; and He is given to the high priest on the arm of the elder. Let us worship Him as our true God!

Ikos: A sacred banquet is set forth! Today the assembly of those who love the feasts of the Church, bearing tokens of the forefeast, sing to our true God the praises of the forefeast, hymning the awesome nativity from the Virgin of the forty-day old Lord, the embrace of the honorable elder and the memory of the honored martyr.

O eternal repository of the Life of all, Who of old inscribed the law on tablets on Mount Sinai, and Who for my sake hast become a babe, that Thou mayest release all from bondage to the ancient law: Glory to Thy compassion, O Savior! Glory to Thy condescension! Glory to Thy dispensation, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind!

He Who is upborne on a radiant cloud, corporeally, as the Sun of righteousness, giveth forth His divine rays today and illumineth His temple beforehand.

Today the Church offereth festal laudation beforehand to Christ the Master, doth splendidly make ready to receive Him as its Bridegroom, and rejoiceth with Symeon. The ranks of angels are stricken with awe, beholding in the elder’s arms Him Who with the Father and the Spirit is praised as the Son and our God.

Considering the beauty of the body as of no account, and destroying one of thine eyes, thou didst rejoice, O venerable one, desiring to behold the splendor of heaven and to glorify God with the choirs of the righteous.

Spurning an earthly betrothed and praying that the refusal of thy parents be changed beyond hope, thou didst find aid from on high, depriving thyself of the beauty of thy body.

Thou didst emulate the apostles, didst imitate the venerable, and in patience didst follow after the passion-bearers, O blessed Bridget.

The Church, desiring to receive Thee in the flesh, O Lord, hath been gloriously enlightened by the divine and ineffable radiance of Thy divinity.

O Lord, vouchsafe that those who praise Thy dispensation may receive Thee with spiritual hands; and accept us who hymn Thee with faith, in that Thou lovest mankind.

O Lord, vouchsafe that we who receive with joyous soul Thee Who dost desire to come in the flesh for our sake, may give thanks to Thee with Symeon.

The ranks of angels rejoiced, beholding thee, O Bridget, laboring in the field of Christ and bringing fruit unto God an hundredfold. Wherefore, they chanted glorification unto the Creator of all.

Let us honor the two glorious enlighteners: Patrick, apostle of the Irish land, and Bridget, who founded the first convent in her native country; for they have been shown to be planters of the Orthodox Faith.

When thou didst drive the hosts of hell unto the outermost darkness by thy labors, O venerable mother, the Christian Faith of the threefold Sun shone forth in thy homeland. Wherefore, lifting up our voices, we glorify thee.

Weaving hymns like flowers today, let us with faith prepare a divine wreath of thanksgiving for the Master Who shall come noetically.

Let us prepare the arms of our soul for God, like Symeon the elder, and with gladness let us receive Him Who cometh to the temple of His divine glory.

Receiving the Creator of the ages as a babe, the elder understood Him to be the preëternal God, the Light of the nations, the Christ, the glory of Israel.

Though thou wast but a frail woman, O venerable one, yet didst thou fell invisible foes, as David did Goliath, with the sling of thy prayers to the Savior, God Almighty.

Bringing thine eye to the incorrupt heavenly Bridegroom as a dowry, O Bridget, thou didst truly betroth thyself to Him, and didst go forth, lighting the lamp of faith and love, to meet Him Who cometh at midnight.

Shown forth as the victor in spiritual battle, thou didst rise up against the hosts which besieged thy great city, O venerable one, and didst cast them into consternation by thine intercession before God for the people who cried out to Him in the pain of their souls.

Rejecting thy noble rank, and loving the godly monastic life, from the wood of the oak didst thou raise up a convent, the first in thy land; and having there united a multitude of nuns to God, thou didst teach the surrounding lands to cry to the Lord: Have mercy on us!

Ikos: Be thou mindful of the people whom thou didst enlighten, O venerable Bridget, guiding them to the straight path. Go forth to save the stray lambs, leading them back from the wilderness to the fold of the Church, that with one heart and one mouth we may cry: O almighty Savior, have mercy on us!

The Church, adorned with noetic radiance and the love of the Master and Creator of all, maketh ready to receive Him and weaveth for Him joyous ascents.

In obedience to the law, the Mother beareth in her arms her only-begotten Son in the flesh, Who is the Word Who abideth in the Father’s bosom, and she carrieth Him as a babe.

God Who made His abode in the womb of the Virgin today doth sit in the arms of Symeon as on a throne of fire.

Stretching forth thy venerable hands unto God, O Bridget, thou didst still the bestial raging of the enemy as Daniel stilled the savagery of the lions. Wherefore, saved, the people cried out one to another: The prayer of our lips hath been heard!

The blessed God of our fathers, Who delivered the youths out of the hands of the Chaldæan tyrant, delivered thy city from the incursion of barbarians, moved to mercy by thy supplications, O Bridget.

Whilst the tumult of battle raged and the people wept, thou didst lift up thy voice to Him Who alone is mighty in battle, O venerable one; and answering thee as He did Moses, He said: “Wherefore criest thou unto Me? I will yet again save the people, taking pity on them!”

Stretching forth his hands, and cleansing his soul with divine activity, Symeon received the Lord Who in His goodness had become an infant; and he cried out to Him with gladness: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

The light of the grace of Christ hath shone upon us, desiring to be brought into His temple; and as restorer He transformeth all the shadowy images for those who cry out in truth: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord, the preëternal God Whose good pleasure it hath been to become a babe for our sake and to be received by the arms of the elder Symeon!

The two glorious preachers of Christ proclaimed the worship of the Trinity and the Orthodox Faith; wherefore, the newly-enlightened people cried out: Hymn and bless ye the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

From a place on the left hand at the dread tribunal of Christ, and from everlasting and unquenchable fire, do thou deliver us by thine intercession, O glorious Bridget, that we may hymn and exalt the Lord supremely for all ages.

Beholding thee who fended off the deadly sword from the city and cast the hordes of the foe into confusion, the people, saved beyond hope, cried out: Hymn and bless ye the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O Benefactor, vouchsafe that, like Symeon of old, I may receive Thee in the hands of my soul and delight in Thy grace; for Thou alone art the desire and sweetness for which I most yearn.

Having noetically lighted all the lamps of the virtues, with love let us lamp-bearers go forth with Symeon and Anna to meet Christ Who will come to sanctify those who hymn Him.

In the temple the elder Symeon received Christ our God in his arms and cried aloud, saying: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, O Master!”

Hymning thy struggles and celebrating thy commemoration with splendor, O Bridget, with all our soul we magnify thee as one who planted the right Faith in the lands of the West.

By thy coming hallow thy temple, O venerable one, accepting the entreaties offered up therein, and bestowing gifts of grace upon the people, that we may magnify Christ Who hath given thee to us as an intercessor.

Have we glorified thee as is meet, O venerable mother? Have we offered thee fitting praise? Yet do thou accept our hymnody as a drop of dew upon the blossoms of thy virtues, that we may magnify thy lowliness of mind.

Having lit the lamp of the Orthodox Faith, thou wast not able to hide it or thyself beneath a bushel, O glorious Bridget; wherefore, Christ God placed thee upon the lampstand of thy homeland, and thou dost illumine all who have recourse to thee from the west, from the north and from the east.

When the most immaculate Maiden bore her Babe into the sanctuary to fulfill the law, the righteous Symeon received Him in his arms and said to the Virgin: “This Child is set for the fall and rising again of many, and for a sign in the world!”