day 3

February 3: Holy and Righteous Simeon the God-receiver and Anna the Prophetess

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera of Saint Symeon, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—

After “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart…”, the troparion of the feast, in Tone I—

The 3rd Day of the Month of February

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!” Twice

Commemoration of the Holy and Righteous Symeon

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 God-receiver, and the Holy Anna the Prophetess

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.

(for this day we provide also the service in honor of St. Nicholas of Japan)

Glory…, in Tone VI—

February 3: St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Japan

O prophet and preacher of Christ, thou art never separated from the throne of Majesty, and ever intercedest for any who is infirm; and, ministering in the highest, thou fillest the whole world with healings. O thou who art everywhere glorified, ask thou illumination for our souls.

Also on The 3rd Day of the MONTH OF FEBRUARY

Now & ever…, in Tone IV—

Afterfeast of the Meeting of the Lord

Today the sacred Mother, who is more exalted than the sanctuary, hath entered into the holy place, showing forth to the world the Law-giver and Creator of the law. And the elder Symeon, receiving Him in his arms, cried out, rejoicing: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, for I have seen Thee, the Savior of our souls!”

Commemoration of Our Father Among the Saints, Nicholas, Archbishop of Japan,

At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “When from the Tree…”—

the Equal of the Apostles

The spiritual radiance of thy mind revealed itself, O Prophet Symeon, resplendent in purity. Like a mirror thou didst manifestly illumine the world with the effulgence of divine knowledge, shining forth and lighting the way for Him Who is to come, Who granteth grace unto all men through thy supplications, O all-wondrous one.

AT LITTLE VESPERS

Stichos: Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.

As the mouth of God, thou didst manifestly denounce the workers of impiety, condemning them with inescapable judgment, O wondrous Symeon, following the teaching of righteousness and the judgments of God. Wherefore, perceiving the sublimity of thine all-wise words, O blessed one, we praise thee with hymns as is meet.

Stichos: Moses and Aaron are among His priests, and Samuel among those who call upon His name.

Standing before the throne of the Master, delighting in ineffable glory, beholding heavenly beauty and full of light, O divinely eloquent Prophet Symeon, be thou mindful of those who honor thee with faith, asking salvation of soul and remission of offenses for them all, O thou who art close to God.

Glory…, in Tone I—

Symeon cried out: “Behold! This Child, Who is both God and man, shall be a sign which shall be spoken against! To Him let us cry out, O ye faithful: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!”

Now & ever…, in Tone VII—

Submitting to the precepts of the law, O Mary Theotokos, thou dost offer unto God the High Priest of all: the only-begotten Son, Who with the Father is equally without beginning, Who in latter times became incarnate without seed, Who opened the womb of thee, His Mother, and dwelt among men. And Symeon, receiving Him in his arms, announced to the people: “This is God, Who with the Father is equally without beginning, the Deliverer of our souls!”

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.