Glory..., in Tone VI—
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 for the forefeast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—
Troparion, in Tone IV—
A Reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah
The honored temple maketh ready to receive within itself the Lord Who cometh as a Babe and noetically illumineth with grace His most faithful assembly beloved of God; wherefore it crieth out: “Thou art the glory, the boast and the adornment of my fullness, O Word Who for my sake becamest a Babe in the flesh!”
Glory…, Now & ever…: Troparion of the forefeast, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “The choir of angels…”—
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
The most splendid bridal-chamber, the all-precious tabernacle, the holy and spacious temple, bearing the Lord within the chambers of the temple, doth betroth herself beforehand to His honored Church and ever prayeth, that those who unceasingly glorify her as the true Theotokos be delivered from corruption and misfortunes.
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Let us now offer unto Christ the praise of the forefeast, glorifying His condescension; for, carried in the Virgin’s arms as an infant, He cometh to lie in the arms of Symeon, crying out to all men, and to deify their nature, as Benefactor and Lord.
Glory..., in Tone IV—
And 3 stichera of the martyr, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O most lauded martyrs…”—
Now and ever...: Theotokion, in the same tone—
O most lauded Tryphon, in the heavens thou didst partake most splendidly of incorruptible delight, and didst contend, O glorious one, in valorous struggles. As thou wast a witness to the truth, entreat Christ, that He grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
O all-glorious Tryphon, thou wast wholly illumined by rays of everlasting light, casting down all the gloom of falsehood and bringing low the prince of darkness by grace divine. Wherefore, make entreaty, that peace and great mercy be granted to our souls.
O most blessed Tryphon, thou wast counted worthy of angelic joy and gladness, having spurned the beautiful things of life; and, considering them all as nought, with strength of soul thou didst complete thy martyrdom most steadfastly, and prayest for our souls.
Glory…, the composition of Cyprian, in Tone II—
Thou didst disdain that which is on the earth, O most blessed and honored martyr Tryphon, and didst manfully hasten to the tribunal; and, having cast down the prideful one with skill and the blood of thy contest, thou hast received a crown of victory. Cease thou never to entreat Christ our God, O athlete, that our souls be saved.
Now & ever…, the composition of Germanus, in the same tone—
Today Symeon taketh in his arms the Lord of glory, Whom Moses beheld before in the darkness when He gave him the tablets of the law on Mount Sinai. He is the Creator of the law Who speaketh through the prophets. He is the One Whom David proclaimed, of Whom all are in awe, Who hath great and rich mercy.
At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—
Receive, O Symeon, the Lord of glory as thou wast told by the Holy Spirit. For, lo! He is come!
Stichos: Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word.
Bearing the Creator and Master as a Babe in her arms, the pure and all-pure Virgin entereth the temple.
Stichos: A Light of revelation to the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.
Great and awesome and strange is the mystery of God’s dispensation: He Who embraceth all things and createth infants is borne in arms as a Babe.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Idiomelon, in the same tone—
The sacred Virgin brought the Sacred One to the high priest in the temple, and Symeon, stretching forth his hands, received Him, rejoicing, and cried out: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to Thy word!”
In his suffering, O Lord, Thy martyr Tryphon received an imperishable crown from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, he cast down the tormenters and destroyed the feeble audacity of the demons. By his supplications save Thou our souls.
The celestial choir of the angels of heaven, coming to earth, behold the Firstborn of all creation Who is come, borne into the temple as a Babe in the arms of the Mother who knew not man. Wherefore, with us they chant hymns of the forefeast, rejoicing.
At “Lord, I have cried...,” 8 stichera; 3 of the Forefeast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—
The honored temple maketh ready to receive within itself the Lord Who cometh as a Babe and noetically illumineth with grace His most faithful assembly beloved of God; wherefore it crieth out: “Thou art the glory, the boast and the adornment of my fullness, O Word Who for my sake becamest a Babe in the flesh!”
The most splendid bridal-chamber, the all-precious tabernacle, the holy and spacious temple, bearing the Lord within the chambers of the temple, doth betroth herself beforehand to His honored Church and ever prayeth, that those who unceasingly glorify her as the true Theotokos be delivered from corruption and misfortunes.
Let us now offer unto Christ the praise of the forefeast, glorifying His condescension; for, carried in the Virgin’s arms as an infant, He cometh to lie in the arms of Symeon, crying out to all men, and to deify their nature, as Benefactor and Lord.
And 5 stichera of the saint, in Tone I—
Come, ye faithful, from the west and from the north, from the sea and from the east: and let us make haste to the radiant feast, glorifying the wise enlightener of the Irish land and praising her struggles; and, clapping our hands, let us cry aloud: Glory to Thee, O Christ God, Who art wondrous in Thy saints!
Having brought to thy homeland the light of Orthodoxy, which is that of the threefold Sun, and which heralded the day of salvation, O venerable one, by thy life didst thou instruct the people who, enlightened by faith, cried out: Glory to Thee, O Christ God, Who art wondrous in Thy saints!
Forsaking princely rank and spurning earthly glory, thou didst choose slavery to Christ and voluntary poverty, desiring the angelic rank. Wherefore, having found thee to be a new and fervent intercessor, we cry out in thanksgiving: Glory to Thee, O Christ God, Who art wondrous in Thy saints!
In Tone II: The Lord said to His disciples: “It is better to enter life with one eye, rather than, having two eyes, to destroy the soul.” Wherefore, having destroyed one eye, O venerable one, thou didst rejoice, for thus didst thou smooth thy way to the monastic life.
Like unto the evening star, which appeareth to the west of the sun, thou didst shine, O venerable one, illumining the night of unbelief and heralding the spiritual dawn of the right Faith. Wherefore, we cry aloud to thee: Rejoice, O Bridget, thou instructor in Orthodoxy!
When the host of unbelievers besieged thy city, desiring to destroy it and set it afire, and the Christians were beset with fear and trembling, and earnestly besought thine aid, O venerable one, thou didst show thyself to be a dread commander, turning the enemy’s own deadly weaponry against themselves, and wreaking confusion in the camp of the foe. Wherefore, saved by thine intercessions, the people cried out: Rejoice, O most glorious Bridget, who hast hastened to our aid!
Now & ever…, the composition of Germanus, in Tone II—
Today Symeon taketh in his arms the Lord of glory, Whom Moses beheld before in the darkness when He gave him the tablets of the law on Mount Sinai. He is the Creator of the law Who speaketh through the prophets. He is the One Whom David proclaimed, of Whom all are in awe, Who hath great and rich mercy.
O gladsome Light. Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three readings:
Thus saith the Lord: all the nations are gathered together, and princes shall be gathered out of them. Who will declare these things, or who will declare to you things from the beginning? Let them bring forth their witnesses, and be justified; and let them hear, and declare the truth. Be ye My witnesses, and I too am a witness, saith the Lord God, and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know, and believe, and understand that I am He; before Me there was no other God, and after Me there shall be none. I am God; and beside Me there is no Savior. I have declared, and have saved; I have reproached, and there was no strange god among you. Ye are My witnesses, and I am the Lord God, even from the beginning; and there is none that can deliver out of My hands. I will work, and who shall turn it back? Thus saith the Lord God Who redeemeth you, the Holy One of Israel.
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign forever. They that put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.
Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. For honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the grey hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of Him: so that living among sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time; for his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked. This the people saw, and understood not, neither laid they up this in their minds, that His grace and mercy is with His saints, and that He hath respect unto His chosen.
At Litia, the sticheron of the temple, and these stichera—
In Tone IV: Having found the straight path which leadeth to eternal life, O venerable one, thou didst lead to Christ those who sought the monastic life, and didst shepherd them wisely in the convent of Kildare, which flourished like a spiritual garden, watered by thy tears before God and protected from adverse winds by the wall of thy prayers.
In Tone V: Emulating the apostles of Christ, as the disciple of the holy Patrick thou didst diligently plant the Orthodox Faith in thy homeland, O most honorable Bridget. Wherefore, celebrating thy commemoration, we now piously honor thy labors, glorifying Christ Who gave thee strength.
In Tone VIII: Establishing thyself upon the rock of the Orthodox Faith, and casting down hard-hearted unbelief, thou didst found thy house upon a rock, O venerable one, and the floods came and the winds of temptation blew, but it did not fall; yet more hast thou been manifest as a calm haven for all who have recourse to thee, O mother, and learn from thee the word of God, glorifying Christ the Savior Who hath bestowed thee upon us as an instructor.
Beholding the multitudes of those who sought salvation and knocked at the gates of the convent of Kildare, thou didst open unto them the portals of the monastic life with joy, and with humility of mind didst instruct those who came to struggle with thee, giving thanks to Christ God and crying out: Lo! here am I and the children which God hath given me!
Having obtained the adoption of the human race from the lips of Christ, O all-immaculate one, deprive us not of thy maternal care, O Theotokos, for though we are unworthy to call ourselves thy children, yet take pity on us, the lowly and condemned, for thee do we have as our only hope, O all-holy Virgin Mother.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.