AT MATINS

Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV

Canon of the forefeast, with 8 troparia, including its irmos; and that of the martyr, with 4 troparia.

Glory...; Now and ever...: Sessional hymn of the forefeast, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”—

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”—

Rejoicing, the sacred Symeon embraced Thee, Who wast incarnate of the Virgin, O Christ; and he cried out: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, O Master!” And Anna, the blameless and glorious prophetess, now offereth thee confession and hymnody. And we cry out to Thee, O Bestower of life: Glory to Thee Who hast thus been well pleased!

At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the forefeast, twice; Glory…, that of the martyr; Now & ever…, that of the forefeast.

Glory...; Now and ever...: Sessional hymn of the forefeast, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the shepherds’ pipes…”—

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the shepherds’ pipes…”—

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

At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the forefeast, twice; Glory…, that of the saint; Now & ever…, that of the forefeast, once.

Glory...; Now and ever...: Theotokion—

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone I—

Thou wast born on earth, O Thou Who with the Father art equally without beginning, and wast carried into the temple, O Unapproachable One. And, rejoicing, the elder took Thee in his arms, crying: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, whom Thou hast visited according to Thy word, O Thou Whose good pleasure it hath been, as God, to save the human race!”

Canon of the Forefeast of the Meeting, with 6 troparia; and that of the saint, with 8 troparia.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone VII—

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

After the Polyeleos, this Sessional hymn, in Tone II—

“We know not what we should pray for as we ought, but do Thou Thyself, O Lord, teach us to pray!” didst thou cry, O venerable mother. Wherefore, God hath bestowed upon thee the grace to pray for us; and now, having acquired thine intercession, we glorify Him.

Rejoicing, the sacred Symeon embraced Thee, Who wast incarnate of the Virgin, O Christ; and he cried out: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, O Master!” And Anna, the blameless and glorious prophetess, now offereth thee confession and hymnody. And we cry out to Thee, O Bestower of life: Glory to Thee Who hast thus been well pleased!

“What shall separate us from the love God that is in Christ our Lord? Neither death, nor life, nor height, nor depth, nor things present, nor things to come!” didst thou cry with the Apostle Paul, O venerable one, surrendering thy life into the hands of God and serving Him with boldness. Wherefore, thou hast now found consolation in His kingdom.

Thou wast born on earth, O Thou Who with the Father art equally without beginning, and wast carried into the temple, O Unapproachable One. And, rejoicing, the elder took Thee in his arms, crying: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, whom Thou hast visited according to Thy word, O Thou Whose good pleasure it hath been, as God, to save the human race!”

Polyeleos, and this Magnification—

We bless thee, O venerable mother Bridget, and we honor thy holy memory, O instructor of nuns and converser with the angels.

Selected Psalm verses—

A With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive unto me, and He hearkened unto my supplication. [Ps. 39: 2]

B He set my feet upon a rock, and He ordered my steps aright. [Ps. 39: 3]

A Lo, I have fled afar off and have dwelt in the wilderness. [Ps. 54: 8]

B I am become like a pelican of the wilderness. [Ps. 101: 7]

A I have watched, and am like a sparrow that sitteth alone upon the housetop. [Ps. 101: 8]

B My knees are grown weak through fasting. [Ps. 108: 24]

A And my flesh is changed for want of oil. [Ps. 108: 24]

B With tears will I water my couch. [Ps. 6: 4]

A For many dogs have encircled me, the congregation of evil doers hath surrounded me. [Ps. 21: 17]

B They have bent their bow, a bitter thing. [Ps. 63: 4]

A That they may shoot in secret at the blameless man. [Ps. 63: 4]

B I beheld the Lord ever before me, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. [Ps. 15: 8]

A All the nations compassed me round about, and by the name of the Lord I warded them off. [Ps. 117: 10]

B Blessed be the Lord Who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth. [Ps. 123: 6]

A Let all Thy works, O Lord, give praise to Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]

B And let the righteous ones bless Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]

A Know also that the Lord hath made wondrous His righteous one. [Ps. 4: 4]

B He hath labored forever, and shall live to the end. [Ps. 48: 9-10]

A The Lord preserveth the souls of His saints. [Ps. 96: 10]

B The saints shall boast in glory and shall rejoice upon their beds. [Ps. 149: 5]

A Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. [Ps. 115: 6]

B Chant unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. [Ps. 29: 5]

Glory…, Now & ever…

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice

“O God Who art mighty in battle, rout Thou the foe that warreth against us!” didst thou cry, O Bridget, praying fervently for the salvation of thy city.

Having thine aid as a shield and rampart, O Theotokos, mighty commander, let us not fear the enemy, visible or invisible.

Prokimenon, in Tone IV—

Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.

Stichos: In congregations bless ye God, the Lord from the wellsprings of Israel.

Let every breath praise the Lord...

Gospel according to Matthew, §104 [25:1-13].

The Lord spake this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise: ‘Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.’ But the wise answered, saying: ‘Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying: ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered and said: ‘Verily I say unto you, I know you not.’ Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI—

With the apostle the venerable Bridget saith these things: “The remaining time is short; let those who weep therefore be as though they wept not; those who buy, as though they possessed not; and those who need this world, as not in need thereof. For the fashion of this world passeth away.” And, laying up incorruptible treasures in heaven, let us serve the Lord with love, strengthening one another, and crying out: O Savior, deprive us not of Thy kingdom!