Canon of the Feast, in Tone III

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “Hearken, ye women....”—

Irmos: The sun once passed over dry land born of the deep, for the water became firm as a wall on either side when the people traversed the sea, chanting in God-pleasing manner: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

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

Glory..., Now and ever...: The foregoing is repeated.

Sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity....”—

At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “On the third day....”—

Theotokion: He Who is full emptieth Himself; He Who is preëternal beginneth to be; the Logos becometh flesh; the Creator is formed; the Infinite confineth Himself to space, becoming incarnate in thy womb, O thou who art full of the grace of God.

Let the clouds pour forth rain, for Christ the Sun, Who is borne aloft upon a light cloud, is brought to the temple as a babe on the arm of the unblemished one. Wherefore, O ye faithful, let us cry aloud: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Exapostilarion of the holy hierarch: Spec. Mel.: “Set by the Spirit in the sanctuary…”—

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.

Kontakion of the feast, in Tone I—

Glory..., Now and ever...: that of the feast—

Sessional hymn of the holy hierarch, in Tone VII—

Take up in thine arms the Creator of all, O Symeon! O elder, take up Christ to Whom the Virgin Maiden gave birth without seed, unto the joy of our race!

Theotokion: As Symeon beheld the One incarnate of thy blood in manner past understanding, O all-immaculate one, rejoicing, he blessed thee, the noetic tongs which bore the divine Coal.

Be strong, ye hands of Symeon feeble with age; and ye weary legs of the elder, move quickly and straight to meet Christ, joining chorus with the incorporeal ones, chanting: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Exapostilarion of the feast: automelon—

Irmos: O Lord, Thou confirmation of those who trust in Thee, establish the Church which Thou hast acquired with Thy precious blood.

Kontakion of the feast, in Tone I—

Glory..., Now and ever...: in Tone II—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—

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

Theotokion: He Who bearest all things in His hand, Who is borne in the arms of the Ever-virgin, hath made her higher than the cherubim and the seraphim, in that she gave Him birth. Her do we hymn and piously call blessed.

O ye heavens stretched out in wisdom, be glad; and rejoice, O thou earth! For Christ the Artificer, having come forth from the most blessed womb of His Mother, is borne by the Virgin Mother to God the Father as a babe, He Who was before all the ages, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Irmos: Like a barren woman hath the Church of the nations given birth, and she could scarce bear the great assembly of children. Let us cry out to our wondrous God: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Kontakion of the holy hierarch, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “The steadfast…”—

O ye people, assembling, let us hymn the one Benefactor, the Bestower of the law, the Creator and God of the law, before Whom the multitudes of angels tremble, unto the salvation of our souls.

Theotokion: He Who is immutable of nature, born of thee, manifested Himself as man without burning thy womb, O thou who art more holy than the cherubim; and through thy birthgiving He hath joined to Himself those thrust aside by corruption, O Mother of God.

Canon of the saint, the acrostic whereof is: “Accept thou a hymn, O Symeon the God-receiver,” the composition of Joseph, in Tone IV—

Irmos: Thy virtue hath covered the heavens, O Christ; for having issued forth from Thine immaculate Mother, the ark of Thy holiness, Thou hast appeared in the Temple of Thy glory as a babe borne in arms, and all things have been filled with Thy praise.

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

Theotokion: The most evil one seeketh ever to ensnare me; but rescue me from his traps, O Mistress, and preserve me whole under the divine shelter of thy wings.

O righteous Symeon, who abidest in joy in the righteous mansions of the just Lord: pray thou, O all-blessed one, that they who celebrate thy divine repose may be justified.

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!

Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, as Thou didst say; for I have beheld Thee, O Christ, the preëternal Light of revelation for the Gentiles and Israel, Who hast bound me in fleshly bonds.

Theotokion: He Who filleth the all-pure bosom of the Father Who begat Him, without forsaking it sitteth in thy womb, O pure one, as a babe manifestly preparing a sacred throne for those whose form He desired to assume, O all-pure one.

As an observer of the law, O most sacred one, thou didst behold the Babe Whom the law proclaimed; and having died in accordance with the law of nature, O God-receiver, thou didst pass on, rejoicing, to life immortal.

Irmos: In a vision Isaiah beheld God exalted upon a throne borne aloft by angels of glory, and he cried: Woe is me! for I have beheld beforehand the incarnate God, the unwaning Light, Who reigneth with peace!

The sacred Virgin brought the Sacred One to the priest in the temple; and stretching forth his hands, Symeon received Him, rejoicing, and cried out: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord and Master, according to Thy word.”

Theotokion: Like a lily, like a fragrant rose, like a divine perfume did the All-divine Word find thee, O all-pure Bride of God; and He made His abode within thy womb, making fragrant our nature which through sin had become full of fœtor, O Mary Theotokos.

Thou didst behold Him Who holdest the ends of the universe in His arms borne in the arms of the Virgin; and taking Him into thine honored embrace, thou wast shown to be greater than Moses, O thou who art all-rich.

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.

On the Praises, 6 stichera: 3 of the feast, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “On the third day…”—

Theotokion: When he saw thee manifested as the Mother of God, O Theotokos, the elder said prophetically: “Behold, thy Son is set for the rise and fall of many, O Mistress, and for a sign which shall be spoken against.”

He that was first begotten of the Father before the ages hath appeared as the Babe of the undefiled Virgin, stretching forth His hand unto Adam.

Irmos: The elder, beholding with his own eyes the salvation which was come to me from God, cried out to Thee, O Christ! Thou art my God!

Take up in thine arms the Creator of all, O Symeon! O elder, take up Christ to Whom the Virgin Maiden gave birth without seed, unto the joy of our race!

Theotokion: All-blessed art thou, O Virgin Theotokos, for by thy birthgiving all men are saved from the deception of the wicked one, crying: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

God the Word hath appeared as a babe, setting aright the first-created man, who through deception had become childish of mind.

Irmos: Prefiguring Thy three-day burial, the Prophet Jonah, praying within the sea monster, cried out: Deliver me from corruption, O Jesus, King of hosts!

O ye people, assembling, let us hymn the one Benefactor, the Bestower of the law, the Creator and God of the law, before Whom the multitudes of angels tremble, unto the salvation of our souls.

Theotokion: Wrest us from the power of the dark prince of this world, O Mother of God, and by thy supplications shine forth in us the understanding of piety, and save us, granting us a place at the right hand of thy Son on the day of judgment.

The Creator, having become a Babe without undergoing change, hath shown forth our nature, the product of the earth to which it doth return again, to be like unto divinity.

Irmos: We hymn Thee, God the Word Who bedewed the theologizing children in the fire and dwelt within the incorrupt Virgin, and piously we chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, as Thou didst say; for I have beheld Thee, O Christ, the preëternal Light of revelation for the gentiles and Israel, Who hast bound me in fleshly bonds.

Theotokion: O pure Theotokos, who bore Emmanuel in thine arms, beseech Him to send His almighty aid to His faithful, that, having God with us, we may live in piety and all honesty.

Elevated by sacred activities, O divinely eloquent one, thou wast like a lofty, splendid tower of the All-holy Spirit, manifestly made steadfast. Wherefore, we praise thee.

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!

And 3 stichera of the holy hierarch, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…”—

Theotokion: Neither the great serpent nor his minions can tarnish thy glory on earth and in heaven, O Mother of God, for thou gavest birth to God, and from Him hast received the grace to trample all the power of the enemy underfoot; for all things soever thou desirest, thou canst do.

O Symeon, thou didst behold the Lord of the law, Who opened the Virgin’s womb, became a mortal babe, and granteth deliverance unto all.

Irmos: United in the unbearable fire, yet unharmed by its flame, the pious youths chanted a divine hymn in intercession: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O all-glorious wonder! From the stones of Japanese idolatry the holy hierarch Nicholas maketh children of Abraham, renewing them by holy baptism and acquiring them for the Orthodox Church. O what a pillar of Orthodoxy hath been given to Japan! By his prayers, O Christ, save Thou our souls, for Thou alone art good and lovest mankind.

Theotokion: We have thee as unashamed intercession before thy Son and our God, O Virgin Mother, whereby the swords of the enemy are shattered, and we receive the forgiveness of our transgressions and inherit life everlasting.

He Who fashioned man with His own hands is held in thine arms, incarnate, sanctifying thee ­manifestly; and He letteth thee depart to the life to come as thou hast requested, O blessed one.

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!

O all-glorious wonder! Having received the gift of pentecost, the holy hierarch Nicholas neither tired nor ceased until the ends of his days to translate all the books of piety into the Japanese tongue. O what a pillar of Orthodoxy hath been given to Japan! By his prayers, O Christ, save Thou our souls, for Thou alone art good and lovest mankind.

Theotokion: The humble handmaid of God became the Queen of heaven and covereth all with her omnipotent intercession: she helpeth all who are in danger, concealeth all their offenses with her maternal love and mediateth, that all may be saved.

Today the elder asked to be loosed from the bonds of this life of corruption, receiving in his arms Christ, the Creator and Lord.

Irmos: In the shadow and the writings of the law do we behold an image, O ye faithful: every male child which openeth the womb is consecrated to God. Wherefore, we magnify the first-born Word of the unoriginate Father, the first-born Son of the Mother who knew not man.

O all-glorious wonder! The righteous man, though he be prevented with death, yet shall he be at rest. Yet what sorrow and lamentation there are for the living left orphaned! When the holy hierarch Nicholas reposed all Japan grieved with sorrow at their loss. O what a pillar of Orthodoxy hath been given to Japan! By his prayers, O Christ, save Thou our souls, for Thou alone art good and lovest mankind.

Theotokion: Thy glory, O Mother of God, is for now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages, unto generation of generations of men, on earth and in heaven, for the benefaction and salvation of the saved.

Rejoicing, the sacred Symeon took Thee up Who hadst become incarnate of the Virgin, O Christ, crying: Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, O Master! And Anna, the blameless and glorious prophetess, now offereth Thee confession and hymnody. And we, O Bestower of life, cry out to Thee: Glory to Thee Who hast thus been well pleased!

Irmos: Eve, through weakness, abode under the curse of disobedience; but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, hast put forth blessing for the world through the Offspring of thy child-bearing. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

Glory…, in Tone VIII—

Rejoicing, the Theotokos cried out: O Symeon, initiate of ineffable mysteries, take in thine arms Christ, the Word become a babe, of Whom thou wast informed of old by the Holy Spirit, and cry out to Him: All things are filled with Thy praise!

Irmos: O Lord, Thou confirmation of those who trust in Thee, establish the Church which Thou hast acquired with Thy precious blood.

The rich house of Boaz succored the poverty of Ruth, and devout Byzantium instilled Orthodoxy in pagan Bulgaria. And now Orthodox Russia, abounding exceedingly in piety, hath sent to Japan, which languished in the spirit of paganism, their own apostle Nicholas, who hath wrought wondrous things with the aid of grace; for he preached Christ to the Japanese, baptized them unto salvation, and established a firm foundation for the Church. He was to them a father, and they submitted to him like children. And, lo! the Church of Japan flourisheth now as it did before! Through his supplications, O Christ God, bestow upon it a goodly blessing, that it may prosper for all ages!

O Symeon, rejoicing, take up Christ, the little Child, on Whom thou hast set thy hope, the Consolation of the Israel of God, the Creator and Master of the law, Who fulfilleth the order of the law; and cry aloud unto Him: All things are filled with Thy praise!

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!

Now & ever…: Doxasticon of the feast, in Tone II—

Beholding the Word Who is without beginning, the Author of all, borne as a babe in the flesh by the Virgin as on the throne of the cherubim, Symeon marvelled and cried out to Him: All things are filled with Thy praise!

Irmos: Thy virtue hath covered the heavens, O Christ; for having issued forth from Thine immaculate Mother, the ark of Thy holiness, Thou hast appeared in the Temple of Thy glory as a babe borne in arms, and all things have been filled with Thy praise.

The sacred Virgin brought the Sacred One to the priest in the temple; and, stretching forth his hands, Symeon received Him, rejoicing, and cried out: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord and Master, according to Thy word!”

Though thou didst grow elderly in age, yet wast thou ever young in faith, desiring to behold the newborn Babe, the most Perfect One Who reneweth the world which hath grown old through the assault of the ancient enemy.

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!

Great Doxology. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.

Together let us bless the blessed Symeon, as the one who was counted worthy to behold our blessed God wrapped in the flesh, that He might make blessed those who before were accursed.

Irmos: In a vision Isaiah beheld God exalted upon a throne borne aloft by angels of glory, and he cried: Woe is me! for I have beheld beforehand the incarnate God, the unwaning Light, Who reigneth with peace!

Recognizing Thee as the Bestower of the law, Who, in manner outside the laws of nature had become incarnate, Symeon cried out: “O Thou Who alone art Lord, let me now go to life incorruptible!”

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.

The divine elder, comprehending the glory that was manifested of old to the prophet, beholding the Word held in His Mother’s arms, cried out: “Rejoice, O pure one, for as a throne dost thou hold God, the Light unwaning, Who reigneth with peace!”

Irmos: The elder, beholding with his own eyes the salvation which was come to me from God, cried out to Thee, O Christ! Thou art my God!

The elder, bowing low and divinely touching the feet of the Mother of God who knew not wedlock, said: “O pure one, thou dost bear Fire! I fear to hold the infant God, the Light unwaning, Who reigneth with peace!”

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.

“Isaiah was purified by the burning ember brought by the seraph,” the elder cried to the Mother of God, “and thou dost illumine me, giving me Him Whom thou dost bear in thine arms as with tongs, the Light unwaning, Who reigneth with peace.”

Irmos: We hymn Thee, God the Word Who bedewed the theologizing children in the fire and dwelt within the incorrupt Virgin, and piously we chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Serving God Almighty in purity of mind like an angel, O blessed one, of old thou didst cleanse the people of Israel with bloody sacrifices, clearly prefiguring the blood of the Savior.

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!

With godly deeds didst thou make of thyself a most holy temple for God, O divinely inspired one. Wherefore, in the holy temple thou didst behold God as a babe in the flesh, Who transfereth thee to the divine habitations.

Irmos: We hymn Thee, God the Word Who bedewed the theologizing children in the fire and dwelt within the incorrupt Virgin, and piously we chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Joining chorus spiritually today, let us all hymn Symeon the God-receiver, and with him the chaste Anna, who were prophets of God and beheld Him Who for our sake became a Child.

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!

In Sion wast Thou set as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense for the disobedient, and the inviolate salvation of the faithful.

Irmos: In the shadow and the writings of the law do we behold an image, O ye faithful: every male child which openeth the womb is consecrated to God. Wherefore, we magnify the first-born Word of the unoriginate Father, the first-born Son of the Mother who knew not man.

Manifestly bearing the lineaments of Him Who begot Thee before the ages, Thou hast now been clothed in the weakness of mortals in Thy loving-kindness.

Irmos: Ineffable is the mystery of the Virgin! For she hath been shown forth as heaven, the throne of the cherubim, and the light-bearing bridal chamber of Christ God Almighty. Her do we piously magnify as the Theotokos.

Now Thou lettest depart in peace him who worshipped Thee as the Son of the Most High, the Son of the Virgin, God become a Child.

When thou didst behold the Lord as thou was promised, O Symeon, thou didst cry out: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, O Savior, to proclaim Thy divine incarnation to all in hades!”

Thou wast adorned and wast more splendid than Moses, taking in thine arms Him Who is beauteous in comeliness, Who for our sake became a babe like us, O elder Symeon.

Those confined below, beholding thee full of divine waters and descended into the nether regions of hades, O Symeon, were filled with divine dew.

O Thou Who didst hallow the Virgin’s womb by Thy birth and didst bless the hands of Symeon as was meet, by anticipation Thou hast now saved even us, O Christ God. But in the midst of battle grant peace to Thy community, and strengthen the hierarchs whom Thou hast loved, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.

Ikos: Let us make haste to the Theotokos, desiring to behold her Son borne to Symeon. Looking upon Him from heaven, the bodiless hosts are amazed, saying: Things wondrous, most glorious, unapproachable and ineffable do we behold, for He Who created Adam is borne as an infant; He Whom nought can contain is held in the elder’s arms; He Who is in the boundless bosom of His Father is of His own will limited by the flesh, but not in His divinity, He Who alone loveth mankind.

“I go to announce the glad tidings unto Adam who dwelleth in hades and unto Eve,” cried Symeon, joining chorus with the prophets, singing: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

God Who doth deliver the mortal race shall go even unto hades; He shall grant remission to all, sight to the blind, and even the mute shall chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

And Symeon foretold to the Virgin: “A sword shall pierce thy heart, O incorrupt one, beholding thy Son upon the Cross, to Whom we cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers!”

As one truly righteous and blameless in the law, O blessed one, thou didst serve the Lord Almighty in accordance with the law. Wherefore, thou dost chant: O all-hymned Lord and God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

The joy of the sorrowful, the deliverance of Israel hath truly appeared as a babe in His own temple! Let me depart unto the life to come! Symeon cried out, rejoicing.

In the loving-kindness of Thy compassions, O Savior, let me Thy servant depart, who have been worn out with the writing of the law and am bowed down with old age; for I have seen Thee bearing flesh on earth! Symeon cried out.

O people of Israel, beholding your glory, Emmanuel, the Babe born of the Virgin, join ye chorus now in the presence of the Ark of God, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Behold, cried Symeon, this One Who is both God and Babe shall be a sign of contradiction. O ye faithful, let us cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

God the Word, being Life itself and having become a Babe, shall be the downfall of the disobedient, but the restoration of those who chant with faith: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The all-praised widow Anna, resplendent with the grace of prophecy, glorified the all-divine One Who had come to adorn the bride, the world which was bereft of divine glory, and she manifested the divine deliverance which was to come to all present.

O blessed priest, thou didst offer up the lambs as sacrifices of the law, for ineffable mercy, proclaiming beforehand the blood of the Savior; and receiving Him incarnate, O Symeon, thou wast shown to be more glorious than Moses and all the prophets.

Having beheld Him Whom thou didst desire, thou didst receive release from thy body, O divinely inspired one, and like a twittering bird thou didst pass over to the fathers, O glorious one, nurtured in goodly old age. Wherefore, with spiritual joy we celebrate thy most festive memory.

The ancients were wont to offer a pair of new-born doves and two young birds, but the godly elder and the chaste prophetess Anna serve in their stead, magnifying the only-begotten Son of the Father, Who was born of the Virgin and is borne into the temple.

Thou hast imparted unto me the joy of Thy salvation, cried Symeon. Accept Thou Thy servant, for I am weary of the shadow, as a mystic and sacred preacher of the new grace, magnifying Thee in praise!

The aged Anna, chaste and venerable, prophesying in sacred manner, openly confessed the Lord in the temple, and she magnified the Theotokos, proclaiming her to all present.

Precious indeed are thy hands which were touched by the divine limbs of Him Who touched the mountains so that they smoked, as David chanteth, O God-receiver; yea, truly blessed wast thou. Wherefore, we praise thee as is meet.

Thy shrine poureth forth healings upon the faithful, and thy blessed memory outshineth the sun, illumining the souls of all and dispelling the noetic darkness, O most honored initiate of the mysteries.

The chaste Prophetess Anna and the glorious elder Symeon illumine the earth with noetic radiance, like the sun and the moon. For their sake, O Lord Who lovest mankind, deliver us from the darkness of sin.

The Word. Who is immutable in Hypostasis, in thee, O Theotokos, united Himself to the flesh without seed, becoming a babe; and bearing Him in thine arms, like the throne of the cherubim, thou hast now offered Him to God the Father; and the elder Symeon, rejoicing, hath received Him.

Set by the Spirit in the sanctuary, the elder doth take the Master of the law in his arms, crying out: “Now loose Thou the bonds of my flesh in peace, as Thou didst say, for with mine eyes have I beheld the revelation of the gentiles and the salvation of Israel.”

He that was first begotten of the Father before the ages hath appeared as the first-born Babe of the undefiled Virgin, stretching forth His hand unto Adam.

God the Word hath appeared as a babe, setting aright the first-created man, who through deception had become childish of mind.

The Creator, having become a Babe without undergoing change, hath shown forth our nature, the product of the earth to which it doth return again, to be like unto divinity.

Boastful words did not issue forth from thy mouth, for thou wast humble; but, making thy heart steadfast in the Lord, thou didst accomplish mighty deeds, crying out with patience: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

As much as the infidels opposed thy words, all the more didst thou make thy spirit steadfast in the Lord, and, unafraid and without turning back, thou didst save those seeking salvation, crying: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Preaching the holiness of God, having acquired it thyself, thou didst finally move the hard-hearted to compunction and didst lead to the Lord a multitude of them, who cry out: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

O Thou Who didst hallow the Virgin’s womb by Thy birth and didst bless the hands of Symeon as was meet, by anticipation Thou hast now saved even us, O Christ God. But in the midst of battle grant peace to Thy community, and strengthen the hierarchs whom Thou hast loved, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.

Ikos: Let us make haste to the Theotokos, desiring to behold her Son borne to Symeon. Looking upon Him from heaven, the bodiless hosts are amazed, saying: “Things wondrous, most glorious, unapproachable and ineffable do we behold: for He Who created Adam is borne as an infant; He Whom nought can contain is held in the elder’s arms; He Who is in the infinite bosom of His Father is of His own will limited by the flesh, but not in His divinity, He Who alone loveth mankind.”

Thou gavest thy youth to Christ, and didst wholly dedicate thyself to Him, O glorious ­Nicholas, equal of the apostles; and, shining forth with the light of God, thou wast a beacon set upon the heights, showing forth the path of eternal life, to which, through the deep of the sea of life, thou didst lead thy many sons and daughters in the land of Japan.

Of old, on Mount Sinai, Moses beheld the back-parts of God, and in the midst of the darkness and whirlwind he was counted worthy to hear the still small voice of God; and now Symeon hath received in his arms God Who hath become immutably incarnate for our sake. And he hastened to leave things here below for life everlasting; therefore, he cried out: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, O Master!”

Rejoicing, the Theotokos cried out: O Symeon, initiate of ineffable mysteries, take in thine arms Christ, the Word become a babe, of Whom thou wast informed of old by the Holy Spirit, and cry out to Him: All things are filled with Thy praise!

O Symeon, rejoicing, take up Christ, the little Child, on Whom thou hast set thy hope, the Consolation of the Israel of God, the Creator and Master of the law, Who fulfilleth the order of the law; and cry aloud unto Him: All things are filled with Thy praise!

Beholding the Word Who is without beginning, the Author of all, borne as a babe in the flesh by the Virgin as on the throne of the cherubim, Symeon marvelled and cried out to Him: All things are filled with Thy praise!

Even though at first thou didst not desire it for thyself, yet when, lifting up thine arms, in the temple of God thou didst hear the voice of the Lord calling thee, He girded thee about and led thee to struggle in a distant land.

The Lord sat upon thee as upon a mighty steed, and rode thee to Japan; and His riding was salvation for it, for He accomplished His work through thee, in thine obedience who wast divinely inspired.

“I am glad and rejoice in the Lord!” said Japan, “for in times past and even unto this day the salvation of my children hath been wrought through the apostolic labors of the holy hierarch Nicholas!”

The divine elder, comprehending the glory that was manifested of old to the prophet, beholding the Word held in His Mother’s arms, cried out: “Rejoice, O pure one, for as a throne dost thou hold God, the Light unwaning, Who reigneth with peace!”

The elder, bowing low and divinely touching the feet of the Mother of God who knew not wedlock, said: “O pure one, thou dost bear Fire! I fear to hold the infant God, the Light unwaning, Who reigneth with peace!”

“Isaiah was purified by the burning ember brought by the seraph,” the elder cried to the Mother of God, “and thou dost illumine me, giving me Him Whom thou dost bear in thine arms as with tongs, the Light unwaning, Who reigneth with peace.”

The light of God’s precepts shone forth on the land of Japan through thine apostolic ­labors, and those who live there have learned the righteousness of Christ: they have acted virtuously according to the law, and have glorified the name of God.

As thou wast mindful of the Lord amid thy tribulations, He therefore hearkened unto thee and helped thee, that thou mightest increase in number thy labors, books and the multitude of thy spiritual children.

Ungodliness ceased among thy chosen flock, and apostolic inspiration touched their hearts, for when the deacon intoned the prayers, moved wholly to compunction they prayed on their knees with lamentation before God, and with them the whole Church prayeth.

In Sion wast Thou set as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense for the disobedient, and the inviolate salvation of the faithful.

Manifestly bearing the lineaments of Him Who begot Thee before the ages, Thou hast now been clothed in the weakness of mortals in Thy loving-kindness.

Now Thou lettest depart in peace him who worshipped Thee as the Son of the Most High, the Son of the Virgin, God become a Child.

Thy guardian angel guided thee on thy thorny path. Wherefore, through the meekness of thy Christ and the wisdom of the Spirit thou didst win thine enemies over as thy friends.

The people waged war upon one another—thy flock against thy homeland; but the Prince of peace made thee wise, that thou mightest hold to reasonable measures, so that both sides praised thee.

Thou gavest rest neither to thy body nor to thy spirit, exhausting them utterly, until thou didst complete thy wondrous work, as no one before thee had done.

As God Thou hast rewarded the steadfast and divinely eloquent preacher of Thy Gospel, O Lord; for Thou hast preferred his labors and pangs over all the sacrifices and wholeburnt offerings of the law. Through his supplications preserve us from evil.

Ikos: Like David, the peer of Thine apostles, the holy hierarch Nicholas gave neither sleep to his eyes, nor slumber to his eyelids, until he had translated for the Japanese all the words of the Old and New Testaments, all Thy services, and Thy theology in great measure, O Lord. And, behold! now, giving thanks for his tireless efforts, the Orthodox Church of Japan doth flourish in piety and increaseth in fullness. Wherefore, through his supplications preserve us from evil.

“I go to announce the glad tidings unto Adam who dwelleth in hades and unto Eve,” cried Symeon, joining chorus with the prophets, singing: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

God Who doth deliver the mortal race shall go even unto hades; He shall grant remission to all, sight to the blind, and even the mute shall chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

And Symeon foretold to the Virgin: “A sword shall pierce thy heart, O incorrupt one, beholding thy Son upon the Cross, to Whom we cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers!”

Burning with love for God and man, thou didst not fear the fire of the malice and hatred of perverse men; but, strengthened by God, thou didst tread thy thorny path, crying: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Immediately on thine arrival thou didst begin to study the Japanese language, that thy tongue might not be alien to the people; and, receiving the gift of the apostles’ pentecost, thou didst achieve speedy success, crying: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Going everywhere and casting forth seed as a sower, with faith thou didst commit it to the care of the Lord; wherefore, the field of thy labors grew beyond measure in fertility, and with the multitude of thy flock thou didst cry: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

“I go to announce the glad tidings unto Adam who dwelleth in hades and unto Eve,” cried Symeon, joining chorus with the prophets, singing: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

God Who doth deliver the mortal race shall go even unto hades; He shall grant remission to all, sight to the blind, and even the mute shall chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

And Symeon foretold to the Virgin: “A sword shall pierce thy heart, O incorrupt one, beholding thy Son upon the Cross, to Whom we cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers!”

One against thousands, thou didst go forth, unarmed save with meekness and love and the grace of Christ, and didst vanquish the enemy and lead the elect into the church of God, teaching all: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Like a wise architect thou didst build the Church of Japan upon the firm rock of the Faith, for no-one can establish any other foundation than that which hath been laid by Christ. Wherefore, that which hath been established by thee for eternity doth chant: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The day came when thou wouldst go the way of all flesh, and, blessing thy people and receiving the Mysteries of Christ, thou didst reach the end of thine earthly labor, leaving all to lament thy passing; yet even after thy death thou dost instruct them to chant: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Even though thou hast died, yet thou remainest alive in the Lord, working miracles for those who have recourse to thy tomb and call upon thy name; and throughout all Japan thou dost offer up glory, crying out to Christ with a mystic voice: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The ancients were wont to offer a pair of new-born doves and two young birds, but the godly elder and the chaste prophetess Anna serve in their stead, magnifying the only-begotten Son of the Father, Who was born of the Virgin and is borne into the temple.

Thou hast imparted unto me the joy of Thy salvation, cried Symeon. Accept Thou Thy servant, for I am weary of the shadow, as a mystic and sacred preacher of the new grace, magnifying Thee in praise!

The aged Anna, chaste and venerable, prophesying in sacred manner, openly confessed the Lord in the temple, and she magnified the Theotokos, proclaiming her to all present.

We offer incense to thee before thy precious tomb, that therewith thine entreaties for the prosperity of thy flock and great Japan may ever be upborne unto the Lord.

Having preached the one God all the days of thy life, thou wast glorified by Him with the struggle of apostleship and the gift of clairvoyance, with a holy life and eternal rewards.

On the death-bed of thy much-laboring body, all Japan, as well as thine own sovereign, honored thee; and even to the present day it honoreth thy holy memory and asketh gracious help at thy tomb.

Having the all-sweet name of Jesus ever in thy mouth and heart, thou wast aided by Him in thy work and struggles, and He hath given thee rest in the everlasting mansions after thy ­repose.

At the behest of the Spirit thou didst go to Japan, and, having preached the Gospel to the ungodly, thou didst acquire multitudes for Christ. Wherefore, with love they celebrate thy memory and invoke thee as their intercessor before the Lord.

Set by the Spirit in the sanctuary, the elder doth take the Master of the law in his arms, crying out: “Now loose Thou the bonds of my flesh in peace, as Thou didst say; for with mine eyes have I beheld the revelation of the gentiles and the salvation of Israel!” Thrice