AT MATINS

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 II—

Canon of the Hieromartyr, the acrostic whereof is: “A gift of God splendidly given wast thou, O blessed one,” the composition of Joseph, in Tone IV—

At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the Theotokos, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…, the troparion again.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VII—

The sound of weeping is heard in Sion, and great lamentation is raised in its holy streets. O Virgin Mistress, hearken unto them, for they are poured forth by thy people; and save the desolate city.

After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV—

Glory…, Now & ever…, in the same tone—

We are in reproach of mouth and constraint of tongue, for we have all embittered the King, thy Son, and He hath visited His menace upon us; yet do thou, O all-pure Virgin, beseech Him Who was born of thee, and, if He hath not become utterly wroth with us, let Him cause the desolate city to flourish.

Arise, arise, O Mistress, and Sion shall be arrayed in its might, and the bitter water shall be unto us like honey! We are replete with the straits which the Creator hath brought upon us, O ye people, and, chanting, we entreat thy dominion, for it will have no end.

Glory…, Now & ever…, in the same tone—

Dreadful is the stumbling-block set in our path by the serpent, for he is a liar and murderer from of old; therefore, O Queen and Virgin, we entreat thee and cease not to pray, for we know of thee that his head shall be bruised by thy Seed, and thy dominion will have no end.

Polyeleos, and this Magnification—

We magnify thee, O all-holy Virgin, divinely chosen Maiden, and we honor the Reigning image of thy holiness, whereby thou bestowest great mercy upon all who have recourse to it with faith.

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]

Though thou lettest fall a single drop of thy mercy upon me, O all-pure one, my tongue would be unable to magnify thee as is meet; yet ineffable and beyond measure is thy goodness, and I hymn thy glory, for thou art truly the Mother of God.

Glory…, Now & ever…, the foregoing is repeated.

Prokimenon, in Tone IV—

I shall commemorate thy name in every generation and generation.

Stichos: My heart hath poured forth a good word; I speak of my works to the King.

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 Elizabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth 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 that 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 VI—

We have no other help, we have no other hope than thee, O Mistress. Do thou help us. On thee do we set our hope, and in thee do we boast, for we are thy servants. Let us not be put to shame.

Canon of the Theotokos, the acrostic whereof is: “Save the Orthodox land, O Theotokos, and preserve thy people”, in Tone IV—