Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
Glory..., Now & ever..., Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Thrice
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII—
The beloved disciple, standing before the Cross of Christ, and suffering with the Mother of the Lord, received adoption as her son from the lips of God, and with him all who call themselves Christians. Wherefore, we now dare to cry: O Mother of God and Mother of Christians, take pity on thy children, covering us with thy precious veil, stretching out to us thine all-pure hands, and leading us into the eternal mansions!
At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the Theotokos, thrice.
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 III—
O cup of delight unexhausted! O heavenly garden of fragrant flowers! O sweetness more radiant than the day-star! O warmth more beloved than the sun! O Ever-virgin Mary, adornment of creation: as thou art the Mother of our Creator and God, unceasingly beseech Him to save all who lovingly magnify thee in Orthodox manner!
Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
Meet it is to magnify thee, O Theotokos, who art more honorable than the cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim.
Selected Psalm verses—
A Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness. [Ps. 131: 1]
B How he made an oath unto the Lord, and vowed unto the God of Jacob. [Ps. 131: 2]
A Lo, we have heard of it in Ephratha, we have found it in the plains of the wood. [Ps. 131: 6]
B Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. [Ps. 86: 3]
A God is in the midst of her, and she shall not be shaken. [Ps. 45: 6]
B The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David, and He will not annul it. [Ps. 131: 11]
A Of the fruit of thy loins will I set upon thy throne. [Ps. 131: 11]
B For the Lord hath elected Sion, He hath chosen her to be a habitation for Himself. [Ps. 131: 13]
A The Most High hath hallowed His tabernacle. [Ps. 45: 5]
B Holiness and majesty are in His sanctuary. [Ps. 93: 6]
A Holy is Thy temple, wonderful in righteousness. [Ps. 64: 5,6]
B Holiness becometh Thine house, O Lord, unto length of days. [Ps. 92: 6]
A I shall commemorate thy name in every generation and generation. [Ps. 44: 18]
B Blessed is the Lord forever, and unto the ages of ages. [cf. Ps. 88: 53]
Great is the steadfast power of faith! For it bringeth down grace, healeth infirmities, driveth away the hordes of aliens, raiseth the dead to life and saveth our souls.
Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV—
I shall commemorate thy name in every generation and generation.
Stichos: Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
Gospel according to Luke, §4
[Lk. 1: 39-49, 56]
In those days Mary arose, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zechariah, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said: “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” And Mary said: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He Who is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name.” And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VIII—
Dost thou hear our groaning, O Mistress? Dost thou see our utter affliction? For we have fallen among thieves: ten thousand wounds have been inflicted upon us, and there is none to help us; for, lo! priest and levite have passed us by. Wherefore, do thou, O all-merciful one, grant us a word of comfort and pour forth the oil of mercy upon our wounds, that with thankful mouths we may hymn thee forever.
Canon of the Theotokos, the acrostic whereof is: “I hymn the richness of thy mercy, O Mother of God”, the composition of Valeria, in Tone VIII—
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.