After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
Glory..., Now and ever..., in Tone V: the composition of Germanus—
On “Lord, I have cried...,” 3 stichera of the feast, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven...”—
Troparion of the feast, in Tone I—
Glory..., Now and ever..., the composition of the Monk John, in Tone I—
The Creator of all and our Deliverer is borne into the temple by the Virgin Mother; wherefore, the elder, receiving Him, cried aloud with joy: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Good One, as Thou hast been pleased.”
After the blessing of the loaves, the troparion of the holy hierarch, in Tone IV—
A Reading from Proverbs
Symeon, receiving in his arms from the Virgin the Savior of all Who was begotten before all the ages, cried aloud to the ends of the earth: “I have seen the effulgence of Thy glory!” Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Good One, for I have beheld Thee today!”
And the troparion of the feast, in Tone I—
A Reading from Proverbs
Symeon, bearing in his arms the Savior Who for the salvation of men was born in the fullness of time, cried aloud, rejoicing: “I have beheld the light of the nations and the glory of Israel! Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, at Thy command, from among those here, as Thou didst say, in that Thou art God!”
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
And 3 stichera of the saint, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign....”—
As one righteous and perfect and glorious in all, O divinely inspired one, thou didst take up in thine arms the one perfect God, incarnate, Who came to justify the world; and thou didst cry out to Him, that thou mightest be released from thy body: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, for I have beheld Thee today, O Thou Who lovest mankind!”
Young in spirit, yet elderly of body, O Symeon, thou hadst received the promise that thou wouldst not see death until thou wouldst behold a young Babe Who before time is the Creator and God of all, yet humbled Himself by assuming flesh; and beholding Him, thou didst cry out and didst ask to be loosed of the flesh, passing over, rejoicing, to the mansions of God.
The divinely inspired Anna and the all-rich Symeon, resplendent in prophecy, manifest as blameless according to the law, beholding the Bestower of the law manifest among us as a Babe, now have worshipped Him. Their memory do we now joyously celebrate, glorifying Jesus Who loveth mankind, as is meet.
The Ancient of days, having become a babe, is borne into the temple by the Virgin Mother, fulfilling the promise of His own law; and Symeon, receiving Him, said: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, O Holy One!”
At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven....”—
Now let us celebrate the saving grace of the ineffable manifestation of God; for Christ God, having without change become a babe through the Virgin Maiden, is borne by His Mother into the temple of God the Father, and Symeon, receiving Him, embraceth Him in his arms.
Stichos: Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word.
Of old Thou wast seen by the prophets, insofar as they were able to see Thee, O Jesus; but now, O Word of God, Thou hast of Thine own will revealed Thyself to the whole world, in the flesh, through the Virgin Mary, O Christ, and Thou hast manifested Thy salvation to all who are descended from Adam, in that Thou lovest mankind.
Stichos: A light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.
O Christ Who of old laid down the law on Mount Sinai, now, fulfilling the provisions of the law on Mount Sion, Thou hast desired to be borne into the temple in the flesh, in the arms of the Theotokos, together with doves for sacrifice, and to be held in the arms of Symeon.
Today, He Who gave the law to Moses on Sinai submitteth to the commands of the law, having become like us for our sake, in that He is full of loving-kindness. Now our pure God, as a holy Infant, having opened the womb of the pure one, is offered to Himself, as God, freeing our souls from the curse of the law and enlightening them.
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee hath shone forth Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness, Who doth illumine those in darkness. Be glad, thou also, O righteous elder who receivest in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, Who granteth us resurrection.
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 3 of the feast, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—
The Creator of all and our Deliverer is borne into the temple by the Virgin Mother; wherefore, the elder, receiving Him, cried aloud with joy: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Good One, as Thou hast been pleased.”
Symeon, receiving in his arms from the Virgin the Savior of all Who was begotten before all the ages, cried aloud to the ends of the earth: “I have seen the effulgence of Thy glory!” Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Good One, for I have beheld Thee today!”
Symeon, bearing in his arms the Savior Who for the salvation of men was born in the fullness of time, cried aloud, rejoicing: “I have beheld the light of the nations and the glory of Israel! Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, at Thy command, from among those here, as Thou didst say, in that Thou art God!”
And 5 stichera of the holy hierarch, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “With what wreaths of praise…”—
How can we hymn thee, O holy hierarch Nicholas, equal of the apostles? For thou didst dare to leave thy pious homeland, thy parents, thy home and thy friends, and like the apostles of Christ thou didst depart unto an unknown and far-away land, where thou didst meet with wrath and malice, and those who, out of hatred for Christ and thy preaching, desired to slay thee. Yet Christ preserved thee, Who sent thee forth and hath great mercy. Twice
How can we hymn thee, O holy hierarch Nicholas, equal of the apostles? For, as a latter-day disciple of Cyril and Methodius, the enlighteners of the Slavs, thou didst tread their narrow and difficult path, with great labor translating all the books of Orthodox piety, and giving the people of Japan a priceless treasure, that, enlightened with knowledge, they might pray to God in their own language, and that the Church of Christ our God might flourish among them, for He hath great mercy. Twice
How can we hymn thee, O holy hierarch Nicholas, equal of the apostles? For the Lord hath crowned thee with wreaths of holiness, hierarchy and apostleship: for, forsaking the world, thou didst dedicate thyself wholly to the service of God, and, performing the mystic sacrifice of thanksgiving as heavenly food for thy children, thou didst preach the word of Christ. And, dwelling now with the apostles, thou dost entreat Christ in our behalf, for He hath great mercy.
Glory…, in Tone VIII—
As Thou art the Orient from on high, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, illumine with Thy never-waning light the whole land of the rising sun, and pour forth Thine enlightening grace, that all nations, moved to compunction, may enter the door of the sheep-fold of the Orthodox Church and bring to Thee the fruits of piety in abundance, and may thus repay the onerous labors of the equal of the apostles of their land, the holy hierarch Nicholas. Through his supplications save the souls of all who honor his venerable memory.
Now & ever…, the composition of Germanus, in Tone V—
The Ancient of days, having become a babe, is borne into the temple by the Virgin Mother, fulfilling the promise of His own law; and Symeon, receiving Him, said: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, O Holy One!”
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. 3 Readings:
The memory of the just is praised, and the blessing of the Lord is upon his head. Blessed is the man who hath found wisdom, and the mortal who knoweth prudence. For it is better to traffic for her, than for treasures of gold and silver. And she is more valuable than precious stones: no precious thing is equal to her in value. For length of existence and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory: out of her mouth righteousness proceedeth, and she carrieth law and mercy upon her tongue. Hearken to me, O children, for I will speak solemn truths. Blessed is the man who shall keep my ways; for my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and in them is prepared favor from the Lord. Ye, O men, do I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men. I, wisdom, have built up; upon counsel, knowledge and understanding have I called. Counsel and safety are mine; prudence is mine, and strength is mine. I love those who love me; they who seek me shall find grace. O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untutored, imbibe knowledge. Hearken unto me again; for I will speak solemn truths. For my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse. They are all evident to those who understand, and right to those who find knowledge. For I will instruct you in truth, that your hope may be in the Lord, and ye may be filled with the Spirit.
The mouth of the righteous droppeth wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish. The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse. False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto Him. Wherever pride entereth, there will also disgrace: but the mouth of the humble doth meditate wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the overthrow of the rebellious shall spoil them. Possessions shall not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. When a just man dieth, he leaveth regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy and causeth joy. Righteousness traceth out blameless paths: but ungodliness encountereth unjust dealing. The righteousness of upright men delivereth them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. At the death of a just man his hope doth not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perisheth. A righteous man escapeth from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare for citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous. In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospereth, but at the destruction of the wicked there is exultation. At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted, but by the mouths of ungodly men it is overthrown. A man void of understanding sneereth at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.
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 gray 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 lust 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 are with His saints, and that He doth visit His chosen.
At Litia, these stichera—
The composition of Anatolius, in Tone I: The Ancient of days, Who of old gave the law to Moses on Sinai, is seen today as a babe, and as the Creator of the law, under the law and fulfilling the law, He is borne into the temple and given to the elder. And the righteous Symeon, receiving Him, and seeing the utter fulfillment of the promises, cried out with joy: “Mine eyes have seen the mystery hidden from before time, which hath been revealed in these latter days: the Light illumining the darkness of the unbelieving nations, giving glory to the newly-chosen Israel! Wherefore, release Thy servant from the bonds of this flesh to the wondrous life which ageth not and is without end, granting the world great mercy!”
In Tone VI: The joyous day of the memorial of the God-seer and God-receiver Symeon hath dawned! For today he standeth in prayer before the majestic throne of Him Whom, in life, he bore in his arms, Whom he announced in prophecy, saying: “Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel!” And to her who bore Him he exclaimed: “And thou, O all-pure one: a sword shall pierce through thy heart!” Honoring his holy festival and annual commemoration, O ye faithful, let us cry out to him: O divinely wise God-bearer, O righteous Symeon, who bore witness as a herald of the mysteries of the Gospel and wast full of the Holy Spirit: cease thou never to entreat Him Whom thou didst bear as an infant in thine arms, in our behalf, that He deliver us from standing on the left side on the day of judgment, and that He free us from everlasting torment and save our souls, in that He is compassionate and loveth mankind!
In Tone I: The divine Comforter, the Holy Spirit of truth, enlightened thy heart and understanding, that thou mightest serve those who knew not Christ; and thou didst arrive in the land of Japan, proclaiming the incarnate Savior of the world by the truth of thine acts and words. Him do thou entreat, O Nicholas equal of the apostles, that we all be saved.
Be thou enlightened and rejoice, O land of Japan, having the holy hierarch Nicholas as thine apostle, who standeth before the throne of the heavenly Father and prayeth for thee and thy people, that they may receive the Gospel in their heart and mind, and live with Christ forever.
Glory…, in Tone VIII—
O holy hierarch Nicholas, living and laboring tirelessly in heathen Japan with wisdom and righteousness, all the days of thy life thou didst turn the malice of the hard-hearted people into meekness and love. Wherefore, when thou didst reach the end of thine ever-memorable struggle, and didst pass from hence to the eternal mansions, all wept at being deprived of thee, and even to this day fall down before thy tomb, asking the assistance of the supplications of thee, who preserved well the apostolic covenant and who, as a bishop of the Church, won the recognition of those outside the Faith, and not only his own. Wherefore, cease not to keep watch over thy flock, that thy baptized children may advance in piety, and that the unbaptized may find mercy and enter the bosom of the Orthodox Church, and that all may be saved who celebrate thy holy memory with love.
Now & ever…, the composition of Andrew of Crete, in the same tone—
He Who is borne upon the cherubim and is hymned by the seraphim, borne into the temple of God today in accordance with the law, sitteth in the arms of the elder as on a throne, and as God receiveth gifts from Joseph: a pair of turtle-doves—the undefiled Church and the people newly-chosen from among the gentiles; and two young pigeons—the Ruler of the Old and the New. And Symeon, finally receiving the fulfillment of the promise made to him and blessing the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, foretold in imagery the sufferings she would endure and asked from God deliverance, crying out: “Now let me depart, O Master, as Thou didst tell me before; for I have seen Thee, the preëternal Light, the Savior and Lord of the Christian people!”
At the Aposticha, these stichera of the feast, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—
Now let us celebrate the saving grace of the ineffable manifestation of God; for Christ God, having without change become a babe through the Virgin Maiden, is borne by His Mother into the temple of God the Father, and Symeon, receiving Him, embraceth Him in his arms.
Stichos: Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word.
Of old Thou wast seen by the prophets, insofar as they were able to see Thee, O Jesus; but now, O Word of God, Thou hast of Thine own will revealed Thyself to the whole world, in the flesh, through the Virgin Mary, O Christ, and Thou hast manifested Thy salvation to all who are descended from Adam, in that Thou lovest mankind.
Stichos: A light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.
O Christ Who of old laid down the law on Mount Sinai, now, fulfilling the provisions of the law on Mount Sion, Thou hast desired to be borne into the temple in the flesh, in the arms of the Theotokos, together with doves for sacrifice, and to be held in the arms of Symeon.
Glory…, in Tone II—
The beloved and only-begotten Son, the Image of the hypostasis of the preëternal Father, Who came to save the human race, called thee, O holy hierarch Nicholas, to serve Him by spreading the glad tidings of the Gospel; for He hath commanded His disciples to teach all nations. And, made steadfast by the grace of the Holy Spirit, thou didst teach and baptize the people of Japan, planting the kingdom of God in that country.
Now & ever…, the composition of John the Monk, in Tone I—
Today, He Who gave the law to Moses on Sinai submitteth to the commands of the law, having become like us for our sake, in that He is full of loving-kindness. Now our pure God, as a holy Infant, having opened the womb of the pure one, is offered to Himself, as God, freeing our souls from the curse of the law and enlightening them.
O holy hierarch Nicholas, equal of the apostles, O thou who didst share in the ways of the apostles and sit upon their throne, O faithful and divinely wise servant of Christ, chosen harp of the divine Spirit, vessel overflowing with the love of Christ, enlightener of the land of Japan: Pray thou to the life-bestowing Trinity in behalf of all thy flock and for the whole world. Twice
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee hath shone forth Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness, Who doth illumine those in darkness. Be glad, thou also, O righteous elder who receivest in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, Who granteth us resurrection.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.