Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
Two canons of the Theotokos: the first with 8, the irmos being chanted twice, followed by 6 troparia; and the second like the first, with 8, the irmos being chanted twice, followed by 6 troparia.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “The choir of angels…”—
The fruit of the righteous Joachim and Anna is offered to God in the holy sanctuary, the nourisher of our Life who became a babe in the flesh, whom the sacred Zachariah blessed. With faith let us all bless her as the Mother of God.
At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion, thrice.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—
Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “That which was mystically commanded…”—
Even before thy conception thou wast consecrated to God, O pure one, and, having been born on earth, thou hast now been offered to Him as a gift, fulfilling thy parents’ vow; and having been presented in the divine temple, accompanied as a babe by lighted lamps in purity, thou hast been shown to be the receptacle of the unapproachable and divine light, as the temple of God. Truly great is thy going forth, O only Ever-virgin Bride of God!
Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
We magnify thee, O all-holy Virgin, divinely chosen Maiden, and we honor thine entry into the temple of the Lord.
Selected Psalm verses—
A Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. [Ps. 47: 2]
B In the well-rooted joy of all the earth. [Ps. 47: 2]
A Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. [Ps. 86: 3]
B The city of the great King. [Ps. 47: 3]
A Even as we have heard, so too we have seen. [Ps. 47: 9]
B In the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God. [Ps. 47: 9]
A God hath laid her foundations unto eternity. [Ps. 47: 9]
B The Most High hath hallowed His tabernacle. [Ps. 45: 5]
A Holiness and majesty are in His sanctuary. [Ps. 95: 6]
B Holy is Thy temple, wondrous in righteousness. [Ps. 64: 5, 6]
A This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous shall enter in thereat. [Ps. 117: 20]
B At Thy right hand stood the Queen. [Ps. 44: 10]
A Arrayed in a vesture of inwoven gold, adorned in varied colors. [Ps. 44: 10]
B The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance. [Ps. 44: 13]
A They the daughters of kings in Thine honor. [Ps. 44: 10]
B All the glory of the daughter of the King is within. [Ps. 44: 14]
A With gold-fringed garments is she arrayed, adorned in varied colors. [Ps. 44: 14]
B The virgins that follow after her shall be brought unto the King. [Ps. 44: 15]
A Those near her shall be brought unto Thee. [Ps. 44: 15]
B They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing, they shall be brought into the temple of the King. [Ps. 44: 16]
A Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear. [Ps. 44: 11]
B And forget thine own people and thy father’s house. [Ps. 44: 11]
A And the King shall greatly desire thy beauty. [Ps. 44: 12]
B I shall commemorate thy name in every generation and generation. [Ps. 44: 18]
A We have thought, O God, of Thy mercy in the midst of Thy people. [Ps. 47: 10]
B Therefore shall peoples give praise unto thee forever, and unto the ages of ages. [Ps. 44: 18]
Glory…, Now & ever…
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice
Let David the psalmist rejoice, and let Joachim and Anna join chorus, for the radiant Mary, the divine lamp, issued forth from them as a holy fruit, and she rejoiceth, entering the temple. Beholding her, the son of Barachiah blessed her, and, rejoicing, cried out: “Rejoice, O wonder of the universe!” Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV—
Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear.
Stichos: My heart hath poured forth a good word; I shall speak of my works to the king.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
The Gospel According to Luke §4 (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 Zachariah, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth 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 who 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 Who 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, instead of “Through the prayers of the Theotokos…”, we chant:
Glory…: Today the animate temple of the great King entereth the temple to prepare herself as a divine dwelling-place for Him. Be glad, O ye people!
Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.
And after Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone IV—
Today the Theotokos, the temple who contained God, was led into the temple of the Lord, and Zachariah received her. Today the Holy of holies rejoiceth, and the choir of angels keepeth mystic festival. And with them we also, celebrating today, cry out with Gabriel: Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee, Who hath great mercy!
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.