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.
Katavasia: The irmoi of the feast, except for those odes which conclude with a triodion, when the katavasia is prescribed by the Triodion.
Canon of the feast, the acrostic whereof is (up to Ode VIII) the [Greek] alphabet,
the composition of Theophanes, in Tone IV—
O Mistress, let David thy forefather chant to thee, striking his spiritual harp: “Pay heed, O daughter, to the joyful voice of the angel; for he announceth to thee ineffable joy!”
The Angel: “I cry to thee in gladness: Incline thine ear, and hearken unto me, who announce the seedless conception of God; for in God’s sight thou hast found favor which no one else hath ever found, O most honored one!”
The Theotokos: “That I may understand the power of thy words, O angel, how shall what thou hast said come to pass? Speak more plainly: How shall I conceive, who am a virgin maiden? How shall I become the Mother of my Creator?”
The Angel: “Thou thinkest, I suppose, that I am making a false declaration. I rejoice, beholding thy steadfastness. Yet be thou of good cheer, O Mistress, for, God willing, all-glorious things will easily come to pass!”
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.