At Matins

Hymn of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV

Canon of the Theotokos, with 12 troparia, the irmos being chanted twice, in Tone IV —

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III —

Surrounded by the divine radiance of the angelic armies and with the ranks of the prophets and apostles, and receiving their worshipful ministrations as Mother of God, visit us, thy servants, entreating Christ our God, that He grant us great mercy.

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

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

Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

One canon from the Octoechos, with 6 troparia; and two canons for the saints, with 8 troparia.

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

O all-pure Mother of God, thou art truly the strength of the helpless. Wherefore, we who have been cast down are raised up by thee, and in thee are we borne aloft, for thou art the protection of all and our mediator before God.

Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Polyeleos, and this magnification —

It is meet to magnify thee, O Theotokos, who art more honorable than the cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim.

Or this magnification —

We magnify thee, O all-immaculate Mother of Christ our God, and we honor thy labors and thy precious omophorion, for the holy Andrew beheld thee in the air, entreating Christ in our behalf.

Selected Psalm verses —

A He that dwelleth in the help of the Most High shall abide in the shelter of the God of heaven. [Ps. 90: 1]

B With His shoulders will He overshadow thee, and under His wings shalt thou have hope. [Ps. 90: 4]

A For He hid me in His tabernacle, in the day of my troubles He sheltered me. [Ps. 26: 5]

B Let the sons of men hope in the shelter of Thy wings. [Ps. 35: 8]

A For I shall go to the place of the wondrous tabernacle, even to the house of God. [Ps. 41: 5]

B And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove? And I will fly, and be at rest. [Ps. 54: 7]

A My soul trusted in Thee; and in the shadow of Thy wings will I hope. [Ps. 56: 2]

B With length of days will I satisfy him, and I will show him My salvation. [Ps. 90: 16]

Glory… Now & ever…

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice

Spread out on thine all-pure and incorrupt hands, thine all-precious omophorion—shining immaterially, spiritually, with greater luster than electrum, truly more honorable than the ark of old—doth mercifully preserve those who honor the right beauteous feast of thy protection, O Mistress, which, having assembled, we celebrate with fervor.

Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Prokimenon, in Tone IV —

I shall commemorate thy name in every generation and generation.

Stichos: The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.

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 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, this sticheron, in Tone VIII —

All the ranks of the noetic beings rejoice with us who spiritually form a material choir, seeing the Queen and Mistress of all most famously glorified by the faithful. And the spirits of the righteous rejoice, beholding her stretching forth her most precious hands in supplication, asking peace for the world, might and confirmation for kings, and salvation for our souls.