Canon of the saint, in Tone VIII—

Exapostilarion—

Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Kontakion, in Tone VIII—

Thou Who hast upheld all things by Thy word hast hearkened to the prayer of the righteous ones. Wherefore, Thou hast loosed the infirmity of the barren woman, in that Thou art compassionate, and hast given them her who is the cause of joy.

Glory..., Now & ever…: Of the feast, in Tone VI—

Sessional hymn, in Tone II—

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone VIII—

Theotokion: Accept thou our supplications, O all-holy one; and that by thine all-powerful entreaty we may be delivered from enemies, visible and invisible, from sin and every torment, entreat thou Him Whom thou didst bear: God, Who loveth mankind.

Full of great despondency because of our many evils, we flee to thee, O Metrophanes, holy hierarch of Christ, and we now beg of thee speedy aid and assistance.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Exapostilarion of the feast: Spec. Mel.: “Hearken, ye women…”—

Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and abundant fountain: in thy divine glory establish those who hymn thee and spiritually form themselves into a choir; and vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.

Kontakion of the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Having been lifted up…”—

The choirs of virgins chanted a divine hymn as, bearing torches, they escorted the only most immaculate one into the house of God.

Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…”—

In thy life thou didst travel the narrow way, O venerable Metrophanes, fighting the good fight in the wilderness, and thou didst finish the good course in the rank of hierarch, laboring with all thy soul for God, and faithfully pleasing Him utterly, as a vessel chosen of God. Wherefore, generous recompense didst thou obtain from the just Bestower of rewards, the Lord and King of saints. Him do thou beseech, O holy one, that He grant peace to the Russian Church, and great mercy to our souls. Twice

Theotokion: O all ye hosts of angels, thou Forerunner of the Lord, ye twelve apostles and all saints: With the Theotokos make supplication, that we be saved.

Attacks of the passions confound us, O venerable pastor. Calm us by thy right acceptable mediation before God.

Exapostilarion of St. Amphilochius: Spec. Mel.: “When the disciples…”—

Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.

Kontakion of St. Gregory, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast appeared today…”—

Sessional hymn of St. Amphilochius, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…”—

Having acquired a pure life, patience, meekness and love unfeigned, perfect abstinence, divine compunction, faith, true hope and loving-kindness, O Metrophanes, thou didst live on earth like an angel and dost stand in heaven with the choirs of angels. Pray with them, O holy one, that peace be granted the Russian Church, and great mercy to our souls.

Theotokion: O Virgin, bridal chamber of the never-waning Light, we are not worthy of the heavenly banquet hall because of our sinful guilt. Yet, for the sake of thy sweet Son, our good Lord, Who was stripped naked upon the Cross, O Theotokos, cover thou the shame of our face and save us.

Having delivered us from misfortunes and sorrows, O holy Metrophanes, grant manly progress in the virtues unto all, that we may all rejoice in thee, O most sacred Metrophanes.

Glory…: Exapostilarion of St. Gregory—

Irmos: Perceiving the inscrutable counsel of God—the Incarnation of Thee, the Most High, from the Virgin—the Prophet Habbakuk cried aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Kontakion of St. Amphilochius, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “Seeking the highest…”—

Glory…: Sessional hymn of St. Gregory, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—

Illumined with the divine grace of the Holy Spirit, after death thou dost still pour forth the grace-filled myrrh of healing from thy precious relics. Wherefore, we rejoice in thee as is fitting, O Metrophanes, and, celebrating thy memory in sacred manner, we cry out to thee with sacred hymns: Glory to Him Who hath given thee strength! Glory to Him Who hath crowned thee! Glory to Him Who worketh healings for all through thee!

Theotokion: O thou who art far more pure than the ranks of the angels, thou of whom the Source of sanctity was incarnate for our sake, that He might hallow human nature: Through thy prayers, O Theotokos, deliver us from the miry clay of our impure deeds and unseemly words.

Receiving the pure and undefiled one, who is more splendid than all creation, the animate bridal chamber of God, the beautiful Temple and chamber doth today appear as that which adorneth the bride for her wedding.

Now & ever…: Exapostilarion of the feast: Spec. Mel.: “Hearken, ye women…”—

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.

Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…”—

O Virgin Bride of God, more holy than the saints, who gavest birth to the Master of all, Who is One of the Trinity, beseech Him, that He deliver from misfortunes all who hymn thee.

Theotokion: The prophets call thee the noetic mountain and the ladder of Jacob, whereby God hath come down to man, intent upon searching for the lost coin, which finding, He again ascended to heaven. Wherefore, we all magnify thee in Orthodox manner as the Mother of God.

David, preceding the chorus, doth leap and dance with us, and declareth thee, O all-pure one, the queen adorned, who standeth in the Temple before our King and God, O most pure one.

Irmos: All things are filled with awe at thy divine glory; for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, didst contain within thy womb Him Who is God over all, and gavest birth to the timeless Son, granting peace unto all who hymn thee.

At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—

Theotokion: Through thee have we received great gifts from the Lord, O all-pure Virgin. Wherefore, we offer thee a hymn of thanksgiving, and cry out: Blessed art thou among women, O all-immaculate Mistress!

From her, from whom transgressions went forth among the human race, hath her correction and incorruption blossomed forth, the Theotokos, who is led today into the house of God.

Irmos: Enlighten us with Thy commandments, O Lord, and with Thine upraised arm grant us Thy peace, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

The middle wall of partition is truly removed by the divine entry of the Theotokos, and those below have now been united with those on high.

Theotokion: We magnify thy steadfast assistance; we confess the power of thy maternal entreaty; we give thanks unto the Lord Who hath magnified thee and was born of thee; Whom do thou beseech, O Mother of God, that our souls be saved.

The angelic armies and a multitude of all men leap for joy, and they advance as lamp-bearers before thy countenance, proclaiming thy majesty in the house of God.

Irmos: Celebrating this divine and most honored festival of the Mother of God, come, ye divinely wise, let us clap our hands and glorify God Who was born of her.

Stichos: The virgins that follow after her shall be brought unto the King, those near her shall be brought unto Thee.

Theotokion: O Mary, Bride of God, our hope and joy, shelter us beneath thy precious veil, that we may unceasingly praise and hymn thy name, magnifying thee with the bodiless choirs.

O our ever-glorious father Metrophanes, we honor thee as the protector of our life and intercessor for us before God. Guide us on the path of repentance, O adornment of hierarchs and confirmation of the faithful.

Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord, and to Him do I declare my grief; for my soul is full of evil and my life hath drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I pray: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

Stichos: They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing, they shall be brought into the temple of the King.

Theotokion: To the Word Who is equally without beginning and equally everlasting with the Father, and is the image of His essence, didst thou ineffably give birth, incarnate, O thou who knewest not wedlock.

We beseech thee to put an end to the turmoil of our souls and the demonic slanders within us. For to thee, O holy one, hath the grace of the Holy Spirit been given to expel evil spirits.

Irmos: The divinely wise youths worshipped not a creation rather than the Creator, but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot, they rejoice, chanting: Blessed art Thou, the all-hymned God of our fathers!

Into the Holy of holies, within the sanctuary, receive thou, O Zachariah, the Theotokos, who is the Holy of holies.

Theotokion: I truly and decisively confess thee to be the Theotokos; for thou didst ineffably give birth to the Lord Who is understood in two natures and wills, O all-pure Virgin.

Falling sick in body, we are afflicted also in soul, O divinely blessed one. Leave us not to perish in our sins, but as thou thyself wast tempted in body and soul as a man, so help us now who are tempted.

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone VI—

Theotokion: All of us, the faithful, declare thee to be the lustrous candlestand, the spiritually nourishing banquet of piety, and the ark, O all-pure one.

Thou didst live piously in the episcopal rank, O divinely revealed and holy hierarch, and didst guide the people to knowledge of God by word and deed, and wast utterly pleasing unto God. Wherefore, thou hast been honored by Him with incorruption and miracles, O father Metrophanes, as one that shareth in the grace of God.

Irmos: Hearken, O pure Virgin Maiden! Let Gabriel give utterance unto the true and ancient counsel of the Most High: “Make ready to receive God, for through thee hath the Infinite One come to dwell with men!” Wherefore, rejoicing, I cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Assembling today, ye councils of the faithful, let us keep spiritual festival, and let us piously praise the divine Maiden, the Virgin Theotokos, who is led into the temple of the Lord, who was chosen before out of all generations to be the habitation of Christ God, the King of all. Bearing candles, O virgins, go ye on before, doing homage to the honored entry of the Ever-virgin! Ye mothers, setting aside all grief, follow joyously her who is to become the Mother of God, the mediatress of joy for the world! And with the angel let us all joyfully cry out to the joyous one “Rejoice!”, for she ever prayeth for our souls.

Theotokion: The words of the divinely eloquent preachers have been fulfilled; for, lo! the Virgin hath given birth to a little Babe, Who is more ancient than Adam and equally enthroned with the Father.

O David, go thou before us into the Temple of God, and, rejoicing, receive thou our Queen, and cry out unto her: Enter thou, O Lady! Enter thou into the Temple of the King! Her glory is understood allegorically, for from her doth Christ the Light desire to pour Himself forth upon all!

Irmos: The King of heaven, Whom the hosts of angels hymn, praise and exalt ye supremely for all ages!

Theotokion: O Virgin, we know thee to be the new tabernacle and pure sanctuary of the Master of all; for thou gavest birth to Him in the flesh in two united hypostases, O most immaculate one.

The Temple of God, receiving today the portal through whom none may pass, hath ceased to perform any service of the Law, crying: Truly truth hath appeared to those who are on earth!

Irmos: The radiant cloud upon which the unoriginate Master of all descended from heaven, like rain upon the fleece, and of whom He was incarnate, becoming man for our sake, let us all magnify as the pure Mother of God.

Theotokion: The human race hath been saved by thy birthgiving, which passeth understanding; and those in the darkness of corruption have seen the Light Which shone forth from thy womb, the Author of our restoration, O all-pure Mistress and Maiden.

The mountain overshadowed, which Habbakuk beheld of old, prefigured her who hath made her abode in the inaccessible chambers of the Temple, flourishing with virtues, for she doth cover the ends of the earth therewith.

Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.

Theotokion: O all-pure Mother of God, magnificent adornment of all the faithful, by thy supplications wash away the defilement of my soul.

All the earth hath seen most glorious things, things strange and marvelous; for the Virgin, receiving food from an angel, doth receive tokens of God’s dispensation.

Irmos: Let us all chant a hymn of victory unto God, Who hath wrought marvelous wonders with His upraised arm and saved Israel, for He is glorious.

Theotokion: Without leaving the bosom of the Father to become incarnate, the Word is seen held at thy bosom as a babe, O most immaculate one. Him do thou render merciful unto those who honor thee piously, O Virgin Bride of God.

Revealed as temple and palace and animate heaven, O divine bride of the King, thou art brought today to the Temple of the Law to be kept for Him, O all-pure one.

Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.

Theotokion: Knowing thee to be the pure habitation of the King of glory and the temple and throne of the Most High, we pray: Save thou our souls, O most hymned one!

Extinguish within us the flame of carnal turmoil and our impure thoughts, that by thy prayers, O Metrophanes, we may be delivered from the flame of the fire of Gehenna.

Irmos: To Him Who crushed battles with His arm and led Israel across the Red Sea, let us chant, as to God our Deliverer, for gloriously hath He been glorified.

Theotokion: The mind is at a loss how to understand the great mystery of thy birthgiving; for thou gavest birth to the incomprehensible God Who become man, O Ever-virgin.

We stretch forth to thee our soul and mind, O divinely chosen and holy hierarch: Warm thou our faith and love for God, that, earnestly following His law, we may run the course of our salvation unhindered.

Irmos: Let my heart be made steadfast in Thy will, O Christ God, Who didst establish the second heaven above the waters and didst found the earth upon the waters, O Almighty One.

Theotokion: Come and, saved by faith in the Almighty Who was born of her, let us all fervently praise the Theotokos, crying: Blessed art thou among women, O most immaculate one!

Having obtained thee from God as a tower of strength, free from danger are we protected by thee from enemies, visible and invisible. Wherefore, as is meet, we all bless thee, O Metrophanes.

Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!

Theotokion: As a Mother thou gavest birth to the Creator of all and bore in thine arms, as thou wast the throne of the cherubim, Him Who holdeth all things, O thou who knewest not wedlock.

The all-pure Virgin, the glorious sanctity and sacred offering which is brought today to the Temple of God, is preserved as a habitation for our one God, the King of all, as He Himself doth know.

Irmos: My heart is established in the Lord; my horn is exalted in my God; my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies. I am glad in Thy salvation.

Theotokion: Behold, the tribe of Judah shall not now lack for a guide and leader; for thou, O most immaculate one, gavest birth to Christ, the long-awaited Expectation of the nations. To Him do we chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Zachariah, beholding once the beauty of thy soul, cried out in faith: Thou art the deliverance, thou art the joy of all, thou art our restoration, through whom the Uncontainable One shall appear unto me contained.

Irmos: Foreseeing in the Spirit the incarnation of the Word, O Prophet Habbakuk, thou didst announce, crying out: When the years draw nigh, Thou shalt be acknowledged; when the season cometh, Thou shalt be shown forth! Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Theotokion: Thine all-glorious birthgiving filleth our thoughts with awe, O thou who alone art blessed; for God received flesh from thee, while remaining immutable in essence, as He was, O Theotokos. Him do we exalt supremely forever.

O, thy wonders which pass understanding, O all-pure one! Strange is thy birthgiving; strange is the manner of thy growth; strange also, most glorious and unutterable by men, are all thy wonders, O Bride of God.

Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Theotokion: Thou wast shown to be the descendant of Adam and art known to be the Mother of God; for from ages past thou wast revealed as more holy than all creation, O all-pure and blessed one. Wherefore, we magnify thee.

A most radiant lamp, O Bride of God, thou hast shone forth today in the house of the Lord and dost illumine us with the precious gifts of thy wonders, O pure and all-hymned Theotokos.

Irmos: I heard report of Thee, O Lord, and was afraid; for by the ineffable Counsel of the Godhead, Thou, Who art God eternal, didst issue forth, incarnate, from the Virgin. Glory to Thy condescension, O Christ! Glory to Thy power!

Theotokion: O Virgin Maiden who gavest birth to the timeless Light Who shone forth from the Father: Illumine my soul and mind, driving far from me the darkness of the passions, that I may bless thee, the ever-blessed hope of the faithful.

We beseech thee and cry out most earnestly: Fill our life with gladness, O divinely inspired one, protecting us beneath the mighty shelter of thy defense from famine, plague and civil strife; for what thou wishest, thou canst do, O father.

Irmos: Shine forth thy radiant and everlasting light upon us who rise early unto the judgments of Thy commandments, O Master Christ our God, Who lovest mankind.

Drive away the gloom of our offenses and the pride of our life with the radiance of thy prayers, O Metrophanes, that, receiving remission of sins through thine aid, we may obtain mercy from Christ God.

Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.

Grant thy helping hand to me who lie upon the bed of affliction and despondency, O pastor beloved of God, and leave me not bereft of thine enlightenment, which saveth by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Irmos: O Christ God, Bestower of light, Who didst dispel the primeval darkness of the abyss: disperse the gloom of my soul, and grant me the light of Thy commandments, O Word, that, rising early, I may glorify Thee.

Desiring to make His salvation known to the gentiles, the Lord hath now taken from among men her who hath not known wedlock, as a sign of reconciliation and renewal.

Irmos: Emulating the Prophet Jonah, I cry out: O Good One, free me from corruption! O Savior of the world, save me who cry out: Glory to Thee!

As a house of grace, wherein treasures of the ineffable dispensation of God are laid up, O most pure one, thou didst share in unfading delight in the Temple.

Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Thy side.

Receiving thee as a royal diadem, O Bride of God, the Temple hath been made splendid and hath mounted to higher things, beholding in thee the fulfillment of the prophecies.

Irmos: As Thou didst deliver the prophet from the uttermost abyss, O Christ God, in that Thou lovest mankind deliver me from my sins, and direct my life, I beseech Thee.

Be thou an aid to thy city and a protector of thy monastery; with the invincible intercession of thy supplications defend thou the cities and lands of those who honor thy memory with love, that in thee we all may boast, O divinely wise Metrophanes.

Irmos: The furnace was bedewed, O Savior, and the children, dancing, chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Knowing thee to be a defender sent by God, and one who hath great authority over unclean spirits, we entreat thee to preserve our souls unharmed by the evil activity of evil spirits.

Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

As is meet, the faithful bless thee, crying out: Rejoice, O Metrophanes, for thou art truly the joy and boast of the Church of Russia and a victory over all enemies for those who honor thee, O right wondrous one!

Irmos: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers, Who by Thine Angel didst save the youths from the fire and transformed the thundering furnace into dew!

Having enslaved thy body to thy spirit through abstinence, and rendered thy soul angelic, thou wast robed in hierarchical vestments as the crown of the priesthood; and standing now before the Master of all, entreat Him, O most blessed Metrophanes, to calm and save our souls.

Irmos: Him of Whom the angels and all the hosts of heaven stand in awe as their Creator and Lord, hymn, ye priests; glorify, ye children; bless, ye people, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Ikos: Adorning thyself in the wilderness, like a flower of paradise, with lofty humility of mind thou wast adorned on the throne of the Church of Voronezh with exalted adornments, O most wise one. For thou wast a true hierarch, a model for the faithful in word and life. Wherefore, God hath raised thee up as His favorite, glorifying thee in His Church with incorruption and miracles, that with faith we may cry out to thee: Rejoice, thou boast of Voronezh, ever memorable Metrophanes!

Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions’ mouths in the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Lo, today a joyous spring hath burst forth upon the ends of the earth, enlightening our souls, thoughts and minds with grace: the festival of the Theotokos. Let us mystically hold feast this day!

Irmos: O Thou Who coverest Thy chambers with waters and settest the sands as a bound for the sea: Thee doth the sun hymn; Thee doth the moon glorify; and unto Thee doth all creation offer a hymn forever, as to the Creator of all.

Let all things—heaven and earth, the ranks of angels and the multitude of men—bear gifts today unto the Queen and Mother of God; and let them cry out: Our joy and deliverance is brought to the Temple!

Irmos: The radiant cloud upon which the unoriginate Master of all descended from heaven, like rain upon the fleece, and of whom He was incarnate, becoming man for our sake, let us all magnify as the pure Mother of God.

The Scriptures have come to pass, the Law hath faded like a shadow, and rays of grace have shone forth upon thee who hast entered into the Temple of God, O pure Virgin Mother, wherein thou art blessed.

Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Heaven and earth and the netherworld are subject to thine Offspring as Creator and God, O most pure one, and every nation of mortals doth confess that the Lord and Savior of our souls hath appeared.

Irmos: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, Who hath exalted the horn of salvation for us in the house of David His child, wherein the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, and directed us to the path of peace.

Wishing to renew us and to hasten our salvation, O Savior, thou didst raise up a new beacon for Thy Church—Metrophanes, who crieth to Thee: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

O holy hierarch of Christ, in our behalf entreat thou the Savior, Who loveth mankind, that we be freed from our transgressions and defilements of soul, and that we may cry out to Him as our Almighty Deliverer: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Thou hast been shown to us by God as a wonderworker and a holy hierarch arrayed in the glory of God, O all-praised Metrophanes, that, illumined by the splendor of thy miracles more greatly than with the rays of the sun, we may cry out to Him Who worketh wonders through thee: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Anna, once, leading the all-pure temple to the house of God, faithfully said unto the priest, crying aloud: Now accept thou this child, given me by God; lead her into the Temple of the Creator; and, rejoicing, chant unto Him: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

And Zachariah then, beholding them in the Spirit, said unto Anna: Thou dost bring hither the true Mother of Life, whom the prophets of God have clearly foretold as the Theotokos! How, therefore, can the Temple hold her? Wherefore, marvelling, I cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

The handmaid of God have I been, answered Anna unto him, and I call upon Him with faith and prayer to accept the fruit of my birth-pangs, that, having received this child, I might bring her who was born unto Him Who bestowed her. Wherefore, I cry aloud: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Truly this is a matter of the Law, the priest said to her, and strange doth this thing seem unto me, beholding her who doth most gloriously surpass the holy ones in grace led into the house of God. Wherefore, rejoicing, I cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Having recourse to thy precious relics as to an unassailable shelter, we ask thine unceasing intercession, O venerable and God-bearing one. Disdain not those who ask help of thee, but hearken and help all who hymn thee and exalt Christ supremely forever.

O father Metrophanes, who dost graciously transform bodily weakness and spiritual affliction by the power of thy prayers, do thou transform all the infirmity of those who hymn thee and exalt Christ supremely forever.

Thou dost wipe away the tears of those who weep, O most blessed pastor, and dost bestow a hand of salvation upon those who are in danger. Wherefore, at the throne of the Master remember us who with faith hymn thee and exalt Christ supremely forever.

The divine maiden Mary, the fruit of the promise, issued forth from the righteous Joachim and Anna, and, a babe in the flesh, she is brought into the holy sanctuary like pleasing incense, to dwell in the Holy of holies.

With hymns let us praise her who was a babe by nature and was supernaturally revealed as the Mother of God; for she is led unto the Lord in the temple of the law, as the fragrance of sweet savor for the righteous, as the spiritual fruit of her righteous parents.

O ye faithful, with the angel let us as is meet cry out to the Theotokos “Rejoice!” Rejoice, O most comely Bride! Rejoice, O radiant cloud, from whom the Lord hath shone forth upon us who sit in the darkness of ignorance! Rejoice, thou hope of all!

O Thou Who plantest Thy favorites in Thy house like olive trees and cedars, through the supplication of Metrophanes Thy favored one, O Savior, plant within us a virtuous life, that in due season we may bring forth the fruits of repentance for Thee.

Rejoice with the angels, O Metrophanes most wise, thou servant of the Holy Trinity, and by thy prayers grant that we that bless thee in faith may rejoice in the Holy Spirit.

Though we are weak and sin exceedingly, unworthy as we are, yet may we not lose the hope of thy mighty protection, O right glorious one. Praying to Christ God, do thou help us all to find a place with the choirs of the righteous on the day of judgment.

Show forth the wonder of the power of thy prayers upon me who am brought low in misery in the place of affliction, O holy wonderworker Metrophanes; and according to the grace of healing given thee, transform thou my sickness into health.

With hymns let us praise Metrophanes, the blessed pastor, the radiant beacon of faith which divinely and most gloriously shone forth from the Trinity, the Origin of light, and hath enlightened us with his wonders which are more radiant than the sun.

With faith let us praise the divine Maiden Mary, whom the company of the prophets of old proclaimed to be the jar, the staff, the tablet and the unquarried mountain; for she is led today into the Holy of holies to be raised for the Lord.

Great Doxology. Troparia. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.

Let us hasten today, honoring the Theotokos with hymns, and let us celebrate a spiritual feast; for she is offered to God in the temple as a gift.

With songs let us hymn the glorious arrival of the Theotokos; for today, as the prophets foretold, she is borne into the temple as a gift of great price, though she is herself the temple of God.

The blameless Anna rejoiced, maternally bringing a gift of great price to God in the temple; and with her Joachim keepeth splendid festival.

Of old, David, thine ancestor, hymned thee, O Virgin Bride of God, calling thee the daughter of Christ the King; and, having given birth to Him, as a Mother thou didst feed Him with milk as a babe.

Canon of the holy Amphilochius, the acrostic whereof is, “I hymn the pastor who put falsehood to shame”, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone IV—

Illumined with the radiance of Orthodoxy, thou didst easily destroy the words and insolence of heresies. O thou who art manifestly sacred, preserve us therein who honor thee.

The Lord Who ever desireth the salvation of all appointed thee as a guide for His sacred flock, O hierarch, seeing thee shining excellently in word and life.

Having chosen to contend lawfully for the Church of Christ, O glorious father, thou didst protect thyself with the sword of the Cross, and through grace wast shown to be a victor and crown-bearer.

Canon of Saint Gregory, the acrostic whereof is, “I marvel at the wonder-working Gregory”, the composition of Joseph, in Tone VIII—

Ever illumined with the rays of the Spirit and having become a brilliant star, O sacred Gregory, by thy supplications enlighten me wholly, that I my hymn thee.

He Who knoweth all things beforehand, having shown grace to thy mind with divinely imparted effulgence, from thine earliest infancy hallowed thee, who desireth to shine forth with godly virtues and miracles, O father.

Casting off the slumber of despondency from thine eyelids, thou didst show thyself to be a vigilant luminary, O God-bearer, showing forth thy calling which is confirmed as true by material things, O Gregory.

O ye who love the feasts of the Church, let us keep festival and rejoice together in spirit, revelling today on the holy feast of the daughter of the King, the Mother of our God.

Rejoice today, O Joachim! Be thou glad in spirit, O Anna, leading to the Lord the three-year old child born of thee, as though she were a pure and most immaculate heifer.

Mary, the Theotokos, the habitation of God, is led into the holy temple, being three years of age in the flesh; and, going before her, virgins bear lighted lamps.

The pure ewe-lamb of God, the undefiled turtle-dove, the tabernacle containing God, the sanctuary of glory, hath chosen to dwell within the holy tabernacle.

The divine and luminous effulgence of thy dogmas laid low the evil hordes of the heretics, O glorious Amphilochius.

As a high priest, like a river filled by God with life-creating waters, thou givest us thy piety to drink.

Illumined with abundant radiance, thou didst illumine thy mind with the mystic splendor of thy teachings, O venerable one.

The Creator, accepting thy labor for His sake, O father Gregory, led thee to an elder in the desert, who taught thee the utterance of every Scripture.

Passing a whole week without food, O father, thou wast nourished with heavenly food, drinking the rain of thy tears, divinely filled to repletion.

To thee, O hierarch, was breadth of heart given by God; for thou didst richly pour forth the most pure waters of teachings which water the hearts of the faithful.

The most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasury of the glory of God, is on this day brought into the house of the Lord, bringing with her the grace that is in the divine Spirit. To her do the angels of God chant the hymn: She is the heavenly tabernacle!

Ikos: Beholding the grace of the ineffable and divine mysteries of God made plainly manifest in and filling the Virgin, I rejoice; yet I know not how to understand this strange and ineffable image. How hath the pure one alone been shown to be above all creation, visible and noetic? Wherefore, wishing to praise her, I am greatly in awe in mind and word; yet, making bold, I proclaim and magnify her, saying: She is the heavenly tabernacle!

With effulgence of splendid radiance the Church of the Holy Spirit illumineth those who celebrate thy splendid repose, O venerable and most blessed father Gregory.

Thou dost enlighten the ends of the earth at thy memorial, O wise and glorious Amphilochius; for thy body poureth forth a wellspring of healings. Wherefore, thou deliverest from every infirmity those who with faith approach thine honored temple. For this cause, pray thou now, that we be saved.

Offered to the Lord from earliest infancy, as the all-glorious Samuel had been of old, thou didst likewise hear the Savior calling thee, and, having purified thy soul with gifts of good things, thou didst worthily receive the grace of the priesthood. Wherefore, shepherding thy flock in the pasture of divine knowledge, thou didst shine forth acts of healing, O Gregory. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who celebrate thy holy memory with love.

O David, go thou before us into the Temple of God, and, rejoicing, receive thou our Queen, and cry out unto her: Enter thou, O Lady! Enter thou into the Temple of the King! Her glory is understood allegorically, for from her doth Christ the Light desire to pour Himself forth upon all!

O Prophet Isaiah, prophesy unto us: Who is the Virgin who will conceive in her womb, who, springing forth from the root of Judah, shall give birth to the right glorious Fruit of the holy seed of King David?

O virgins, commence ye to chant hymns, holding candles in your hands, and praising the arrival of the pure Theotokos who now cometh to the temple of God, and celebrating with us!

Rejoice now, O Joachim and Anna, leading into the temple of the Lord, like a heifer three years of age, the pure one born of you, who will become the Mother of God.

As the holy of holies, O pure one, thou didst love to dwell in the holy temple, and thou dost remain, conversing all-gloriously with the angels, receiving bread from heaven, O Virgin, thou nourisher of Life.

Come, ye divinely wise, let us clap our hands with faith on the sacred festival of the godly and divinely eloquent Amphilochius, strengthened by his doctrines and theology.

As an escort of the Church as bride in Christ, O God-bearer, thou didst adorn her with the beauty of thy discourses and didst make her radiant with the comeliness of Orthodoxy.

Thy divinely eloquent tongue of theology hath made clear to all the dominion of the Trinity One in honor, that they may worship the one Godhead in three Hypostases.

Like goodly soil thou didst put forth grain an hundredfold, O father, and with the axe of thy teachings thou didst cut down the ungodly opinions of the heretics, showing thyself to be a champion of the Council, O venerable Gregory.

The judgment of heaven showed thee forth as a hierarch, to guide well the flock which Christ, Who perceived the radiance of thy soul, obtained through His blood, O father, favorite of God.

Thou wast a temple of God cleansed of the defilement of the passions, and, standing before Him in the sacred temple, thou didst manifestly receive the advent of the Spirit in the form of a pure dove, when Christ glorified thee.

O all ye Orthodox, let us take up lamps, hastening to glorify the Mother of God, for she is led to the Lord today as a right acceptable sacrifice.

Let thine ancestors be glad today, O Mistress; and let her who gave thee birth rejoice with thy father, for their fruit is offered to the Lord.

Celebrating with faith, let us all hymn the unblemished heifer, most glorious and of great renown, for she gave birth to the divine Bullock in the flesh.

The divine tokens of thy betrothal, of thy birthgiving which passeth understanding, O pure Virgin, are recorded today by the Holy Spirit in the house of God.

Illumined with the light of the threefold Sun of the Godhead, O divinely wise Amphilochius, thou didst take thy seat upon thy hierarchal cathedra.

Thou didst dedicate thyself wholly to God and wast a clarion-voiced divine herald, O most blessed father Amphilochius.

The joyous and most sacred feast of the divine and wise teacher hath dawned for us, sanctifying the world.

With thy word thou didst once cleanse the vile infirmity of the leper who came to thee with faith; for, like the godly Elisha, O divinely wise Gregory, thou didst receive from God the grace of miracles.

By thine entreaty thou didst open the mouth and ears of the deaf-mute, O most blessed Gregory; thou wast enriched with the ability to work healings, and didst plumb the depths of theology, drying up the sea of the ungodly.

Having cleansed thyself of every passionate earthly attachment, O father, like Peter, the first-chosen of the apostles, thou workest healings by thy shadow, divinely curing those held fast by the cruel assaults of illness.

O ye faithful, let us celebrate the spiritual feast of the Mother of God, chanting piously; for she is more holy than the heavenly intelligences.

With spiritual hymns let us praise the Mother of the Light, O ye faithful, for she hath appeared to us today, going forth into the temple of God.

The unblemished ewe-lamb, the pure turtle-dove, is brought to dwell in the house of God, for, as immaculate, she was chosen beforehand to be the Mother of God.

The temple of God, the heavenly tabernacle, maketh entry into the temple of the law, and from her hath the Light shone forth upon us who are in darkness.

Having mortified the base mind in the flesh, thou didst array thyself in the grace of dispassion, O father, initiate of the sacred mysteries, and didst proclaim the Trinity in most pure teachings. Twice

Protected by the fear of God, O venerable God-pleaser, having rendered thy soul pure of defilement, thou wast shown to be the most sacred instrument of theology.

The maiden whose body had been paralyzed for many years, coming to thee with faith was strengthened by thy prayer, O venerable one, and magnified Christ, the Author of all things.

Following in the steps of the Master with a blameless life, O glorious one, unjustly oppressed and slandered, thou didst remain impervious to thine ill treatment.

Seizing thee like savage beasts, as thou wert an innocent lamb, O father, those who lived together in wickedness condemned thee to prison; but thou wast preserved by divine grace.

O hierarch Amphilochius, thou divine thunder, clarion of the Spirit, husbandmen of the garden of Faith, scythe cutting down heresies, great favorite of the Trinity: Standing ever with the angels, pray thou unceasingly in behalf of us all.

Ikos: Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the all-wise hierarch of Christ sealed the Church; for, possessed of the working of power, the glorious initiate of the mysteries, the acceptable teacher of the Faith, having hearkened to the reading of the divine Scriptures, drove away Eunomius by making the sign of the life-bearing and precious Cross; and, explaining the Faith and preaching Christ, he prayeth unceasingly in behalf of us all.

O ye who love the feasts of the Church, let us join chorus and hymn the pure Mistress, honoring Joachim and Anna as is meet.

Prophesy, O David, giving utterance in the Spirit: The virgins that follow after thee shall be brought to thee into the temple of the Queen and Mother.

The ranks of the angels rejoiced and the souls of the righteous were gladdened, for the Mother of God is led into the Holy of holies.

Receiving heavenly food, she who was to become the Mother of Christ God in the flesh excelled in wisdom and grace.

Heeding thy most mystical and divine admonitions, O father, we avoid Arius’ division of the Godhead, glorifying with faith the uncreated and consubstantial Trinity.

Beholding Macedonius denounced by thy teachings, O father, with faith we glorify the good Spirit, Who is equally worshipped and equally beginningless with the Father and the Son.

Explaining by thy words the incarnation of the Word in manner transcending speech, O God-pleaser, with divine wisdom thou didst teach us to worship the one God in two natures and to avoid division and confusion.

The Creator worked a miracle when thou wast condemned, O blessed one; for the adulterous woman fell prey to the assault of the demons and showed thee to be pure, O Gregory.

The light-bestowing divine disciples of the Savior, standing before thee, O venerable one, loosed the bonds which bound thee to the tree, kissing them with joy.

Taking heed of thy patience, O father, the Master sacredly adorned thee with yet greater miracles, and thou drivest away the gloom of infirmities.

Joachim rejoiceth today in splendor, and the blameless Anna offereth to the Lord God a sacrifice: the holy daughter given her according to God’s promise.

The holy David and Jesse render praise, and Judah offereth homage; for the pure Virgin, of whom the preëternal God was born, grew forth as fruit from their root.

The all-pure Mary, the animate tabernacle, is brought today into the house of God; and Zachariah taketh her in his arms as the sanctified treasure of the Lord.

O ye faithful, let us truly honor the Virgin Mother of God, who is blessed by the hands of the priests, as the portal of salvation, the noetic mountain and the animate ladder.

Adorned with hymns was thy mouth which manifestly theologized concerning the uncreated, unoriginate, consubstantial Trinity unconfused in three Hypostases, O divinely wise father. And to the Trinity do we cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

The hypostatic Wisdom gave thee riches and the glory of honor, O all-wise one, when thou didst piously theologize, didst cast down the arrogance of heresies and chant with love: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

He Who bestoweth life upon all leadeth thee into the church of the firstborn as a faithful and divinely eloquent hierarch who exercised thy priestly office mystically and chantest with faith: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

The maiden who slandered thee, a righteous man, because of the wickedness of all-iniquitous men, is freed from the dreadful wounding of the demons by thy supplication, O blessed one, and in the midst of the council God, the Judge of the contest, glorified thee for all ages.

Those who through wickedness taught against thee are filled with gloomy darkness, O father Gregory, and thy radiant life shined forth before the fathers, in whose presence thou didst work a miracle, holding a burning coal in thy hand.

Thou hast truly shown thyself to be like a most brilliant star in the firmament of the Church, O father, and dost ever illumine with virtues and rays of miracles us who hymn thy luminous memory, O divinely wise and holy hierarch Gregory.

The divine maiden Mary, the fruit of the promise, issued forth from the righteous Joachim and Anna, and, a babe in the flesh, she is brought into the holy sanctuary like pleasing incense, to dwell in the Holy of holies.

With hymns let us praise her who was a babe by nature and was supernaturally revealed as the Mother of God; for she is led unto the Lord in the temple of the law, as the fragrance of sweet savor for the righteous, as the spiritual fruit of her righteous parents.

O ye faithful, with the angel let us as is meet cry out to the Theotokos “Rejoice!” Rejoice, O most comely Bride! Rejoice, O radiant cloud, from whom the Lord hath shone forth upon us who sit in the darkness of ignorance! Rejoice, thou hope of all!

Most piously theologizing concerning the one Essence in three Hypostases, the most holy, divine and unapproachable Trinity, thou hast been honored thereby, O Amphilochius manifest in sanctity.

Possessing boldness before God as a hierarch, O God-bearer, standing before thy Master be thou ever mindful of those who celebrate thy sacred and luminous memory, O blessed one.

O divinely wise and venerable father Amphilochius, as a most faithful hierarch thou givest abundant grace unto me who with ardent heart weave praises for thee and ask remission of sins.

Behold, the radiant festival! Behold, the sacred memorial! Behold, the grace which is upon all the faithful who have assembled, pouring forth healings in abundance! Let us draw nigh, for the shrine of Gregory poureth forth ever-flowing enlightenment and immortality upon us.

Like a river full of the waters of Christ, like an olive-tree pouring forth the oil of life, like a date-palm wast thou exalted, O Gregory. Like a vine thou bearest the grapes of thy virtues for us, and we drink the wine of incorruption therefrom.

Let the council of the sanctified, the multitude of the venerable and the ranks of all the angels rejoice with us today in thy memory, O father. Standing with them, illumined, before the Creator, be thou mindful of those who hymn thee with love.

Thou wast the sanctified vessel of Christ, O father, a pillar of the Church, the haven of the faithful, a sword cutting down falsehood, a wellspring of healings, an abyss of divine understandings, an inextinguishable lamp and a shepherd of shepherds.

Becoming divine through immaterial communion with the nature of God, O most wise one, thou wast anointed by angels as a high priest for the clergy of God, mediating between the Creator and creation, O God-pleasing father Amphilochius. Wherefore, celebrating thy memory, we hymn thee, delivered by thy prayers from corruption and perils.

Having adorned thy life with fasting, O wise and blessed father Gregory, thou wast shown to be a hierarch of the honored Church of Christ, illumining the Orthodox with the rays of thy teachings and ineffable miracles. Wherefore, through thy supplications ask salvation of soul for those who celebrate thine all-holy repose.

With faith let us praise Mary, the divine Maiden, whom the company of the prophets proclaimed of old as the jar and the staff, the tablets and the unquarried mountain; for she is led today into the Holy of holies, to be raised for the Lord.