AT VESPERS

The usual kathisma.

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 10 stichera: From the Triodion, the idiomela of the day, twice, and the martyricon; 3 stichera prosomia; then these 4 stichera of the forefeast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

The Archangel Gabriel confirmeth the mystery hidden and unknown even to the angels; and he is now come to thee who alone art incorrupt, the comely turtledove, the restoration of our race, and crieth out to thee, O all-holy one: “Rejoice! Be thou made ready by my words to receive in thy womb God the Word!” Twice

A splendid palace hath been prepared for thee, O Master: the pure womb of the divine Maiden! Come Thou and enter therein, have pity on thy creation which in envy undertook to oppose Thee, is held in thrall to the deceiver, hath lost its primal beauty and awaiteth thy saving descent.

The Archangel Gabriel manifestly cometh to thee, O all-immaculate one, and crieth out to thee: “Rejoice, thou annulment of the curse, restoration of the fallen! Rejoice, thou who alone hast been chosen by God! Rejoice, chariot of the Sun of glory! Receive thou the Incorporeal One Who desireth to make His abode within thy womb!”

Glory…, Now & ever…, Idiomelon, in Tone II—

Today Gabriel maketh announcement to her who is full of grace: “Rejoice, O unwedded Mother who knewest not wedlock! Be not amazed at mine awesome appearance, neither be thou afraid; for I am an archangel! The serpent once deceived Eve; but now I announce joy to thee: Thou shalt remain incorrupt, and shalt give birth to the Lord, O all-pure one!”

Entrance. Prokimenon. Readings of the day (from the Triodion), and the rest of the liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

But where there is no liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, on “Lord, I have cried…” we chant the 3 stichera prosomia from the Triodion, and 3 stichera for the forefeast; Glory…, Now & ever…: “Today Gabriel…”

At the Aposticha, the idiomela of the Triodion, and the martyricon; Glory…, Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in Tone II—

Today is the mystery hidden from before time began revealed, and the Son of God becometh the Son of man, that, taking upon Himself that which is below Him, He might bestow upon me that which is higher. Of old Adam was deceived, and, desiring to become a god, he failed; but God becometh man, that He might make Adam a god. Let creation be glad! Let nature dance! For the archangel standeth in fear before the Virgin and offereth her his “Rejoice!”, the antidote to grief. O our God Who art become man in the loving-kindness of Thy mercy, glory be to Thee!