Canon of the Forefeast

Exapostilarion of the martyr: Spec. Mel.: “Hearken, ye women…”—

Irmos: Like a barren woman hath the Church of the nations given birth, and she could scarce bear the great assembly of children. Let us cry out to our wondrous God: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Kontakion of the martyr, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “The steadfast…”—

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

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

Theotokion: O Mother of God, thou alone hast in manner transcending nature shown thyself to be the mediatress of good things. Wherefore, we cry out to thee: Rejoice!

A fertile land is born of a barren land, bearing as fruit the Husbandman of all good things, the life-bearing Grain Who nourisheth all by His divine gesture.

Glory…, Now & ever…: exapostilarion of the forefeast—

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

Kontakion of the forefeast, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: sessional hymn of the forefeast, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “That which was mystically ordained…”—

Come, ye descendants of Adam, let us hymn the Virgin, the all-pure Mary, who hath sprung forth from David and given birth to Christ.

Theotokion: Thou gavest birth unto the Lord without knowing wedlock, O Virgin, and after thy birthgiving wast shown to be a Virgin still. Wherefore, with unwavering faith and voices unstilled we cry out to thee, O Mistress: Rejoice!

Today hath the rod of virginity sprouted forth, from whence our God, the Gardener, doth blossom forth as a flower, cutting down the branches of wickedness by His extreme beauty.

Exapostilarion—

Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine hath come on a light cloud, and with His incorrupt arm hath saved those who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

Kontakion of the forefeast, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin…”—

Sessional hymn of the venerable martyr, in Tone VIII—

Stichos: Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear.

Theotokion: We hold thee as an invincible weapon against the enemy, and we have thee as the foundation and hope of our salvation, O Bride of God.

Lo! the mountain unquarried, which arose from a barren rock, produceth the noetically quarried Stone, Who crusheth the falsehood of all graven idols.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Exapostilarion of the forefeast—

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!

Kontakion of the venerable martyr, in Tone II—

Glory…, Now & ever…: sessional hymn of the forefeast, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “That which was mystically ordained…”—

Let us offer praise unto our Deliverer and Lord, Who from a barren woman hath given us the Theotokos, the only Ever-virgin.

Theotokion: O wonder more recent than all wonders! The Virgin, having conceived in her womb, without knowing man, Him Who sustaineth all things, did not confine Him.

The streams of thy blood, flowing forth like a river for Christ’s sake, have quenched the fire of the impious, O ever-hymned martyr and athlete.

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.

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

Theotokion: Rejoice, O hallowed and divine habitation of the Most High! For through thee, O Theotokos, hath joy been given to those who cry out: Blessed art thou among women, O most immaculate Mistress!

The infliction of wounds didst thou patiently bear, like an impregnable tower, O glorious one, bringing down the fortress of deception.

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.

The Mother of the King of all, the joy of all the universe, is born today most gloriously from a barren womb.

Theotokion: Among all generations, O pure Virgin, thou alone hast been shown to be the Mother of God. Thou wast the receptacle of God, O most immaculate one, who wast not consumed by the fire of the unapproachable Light. Wherefore, we all call thee blessed, O Mary, Bride of God.

Like David thou didst bring low the noetic Goliath, the tyrant and his army, with the stone of faith, O most glorious one.

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.

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

Theotokion: Loose thou now the chains of mine offenses, O Virgin Theotokos who gavest birth to the Source of loving-kindness; and fill me with joy, O thou who alone art blessed of God, that I may magnify thee as is meet.

Assembling today, with a loud voice let us praise Sozon, the true and divinely wise martyr, the skilled athlete of piety, the initiate of the mysteries of grace, the most generous bestower of healings: for he entreateth Christ God in behalf of us all.

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.

The Queen of all, the dwelling-place of God foretold of old, the divine habitation of the ever-existent Essence, hath come forth today from the barren womb of the glorious Anna. Because of her hades hath been trampled underfoot, and Eve, the mother of us all, is led into steadfast life. Let us cry out to her as is meet: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb!

Theotokion: Heal thou the wounds of my soul, O Mistress, for I flee unto thine aid; and beseech thy Son, that He deliver me from perils, for thou didst ineffably give birth to the Deliverer of the world.

Ikos: Come ye, and with hymns let us all now earnestly praise Sozon, the great athlete who hath manifestly shone forth in the honored and divine Church of Christ, offering worthy hymns unto him: for he truly laid low the savagery of the idolaters, and, bestowing salvation, ever abideth with the faithful. Wherefore, drawn by love, O mortals, let us now call him blessed, honoring the precious and glorious memory of the athlete, and crying aloud: O most blessed Sozon, entreat Christ God in behalf of us all!

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!

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone IV—

Theotokion: By thy supplications, O Mistress, heal thou our grievous infirmities of soul and body, for thou art the Mother of all the faithful who trust in thy help and protection.

Saved by faith, O much-suffering Sozon, thou art become a refuge for the tempest-tossed through the providence of Christ God; for thou pourest forth rivers of healings upon those who honor thee, and ever drivest out sickness and fever. Wherefore, we honor thy divine memory with faith.

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!

Be glad, ye Orthodox people! Hold festival, ye who love Sion! For, lo! Christ the Savior hath glorified Macarius of Pereaslavl’, the earthly angel and heavenly man, and hath revealed him to all as a fervent advocate for men, who healeth ailments of soul and body among the people.

Theotokion: O Mistress, Mother of the Deliverer: give life to our souls, we who have been slain by sin entreat thee, that we may hymn thee who gavest birth to the Life and Resurrection of all.

Let heaven rejoice and let the earth be glad! For the heaven of God is born on earth: this divine Bride born of the promise. A barren woman nourisheth the babe Mary, and Joachim rejoiceth in her nativity, saying: “The rod is born to me, from whence Christ, the Flower, is arisen out of the root of David! Truly this is a most glorious wonder!

Irmos: The birthgiving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the furnace — then in figure, but now in deed — and it moveth all the world to chant to Thee: Hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Thou wast shown to be a zealous champion of the Orthodox Faith on earth, O Macarius, and wast not afraid of the wiles of the enemy, for thou didst ever behold before thine eyes the Lord Almighty Who hath dominion over the living and the dead, and Who ever leadeth His good and faithful servants into His joy.

Theotokion: Rouse me from the dark sleep of sin by thy mediation before thy Son, O Mistress, that He may teach me ever to follow His divine words.

The Maiden who is more exalted than the angels is born on earth, in holiness and purity beyond compare; and she giveth birth unto Christ, the purification, sanctification and perfect deliverance of all.

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!

Thou wast shown to be a wise husbandman of the vineyard of Christ, O Macarius, teaching the virtuous life to monks and layfolk, leading sinners to repentance by thy reproof, ever abiding on high in thy thoughts; and after thy departure from the earth thou wast accounted worthy of the kingdom of heaven, having endured voluntary suffering for Christ, O divinely blessed one.

Theotokion: O Mother, entreat Him Who broke asunder the bonds of death and hell by His sufferings, death and resurrection, and hath saved the human race from everlasting condemnation, that He grant forgiveness of sins unto all.

Blessed was the fruit of Anna; for she bore in her womb her who would contain the blessed and infinite Word Who bestoweth regeneration upon all the faithful.

Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, honoring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!

After thine earthly life thou didst attain everlasting joy, O Macarius, for in thy life thou didst walk the straight path through the narrow gate, considering the glory of the corruptible world to be as nought; and thou didst lay down thy life for Christ the Lord, Who bestowed upon thee a crown of incorruption, and imparteth healings of infirmities of soul and body through thy precious relics.

Theotokion: O Mistress and Mother of the Deliverer, hearken unto us who entreat thee and beg thy help and assistance. Beseech thy Son, Christ our God, that He forgive us our transgressions and deliver us from eternal condemnation and torment, and that He have mercy upon us on the day of judgment.

Now doth the gloom of evil begin to break, for the most immaculate one, the animate cloud of the Sun, hath shone forth from a barren womb. Her radiant nativity do we celebrate.

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.

Glory…, in Tone VIII—

Theotokion: As many as hasten to thine aid, O Mistress, never depart ashamed; for thou art shown to be the hope of all the ends of the earth, as the Mother of the Deliverer of our souls, Who in His loving-kindness came down to men on earth.

As a fruitful olive-tree sprung forth from the root of Jesse, O Virgin, hath Anna first given birth unto thee who will cause the merciful Word to spring forth. His mercy and truth abide forever.

Irmos: Like a barren woman hath the Church of the nations given birth, and she could scarce bear the great assembly of children. Let us cry out to our wondrous God: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

O Lord, when thou didst abide with men on earth, thou didst teach them not to lay up earthly treasures for themselves, for such are subject to corruption and theft, whereas the treasures of heaven cannot be stolen. And following Thy words in his life, Macarius of Pereaslavl’ said unto the godless Moslems: “My treasure is not on earth, but in heaven!” Through the supplications of Thy venerable martyr, O Christ, vouchsafe unto Thy servants the kingdom of heaven.

Set afire by the love of God, O most blessed one, with thy words thou didst utterly consume all the tinder-like fuel of the ungodly; and, rejoicing, thou didst cry out: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

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.

Now & ever…, idiomelon of the forefeast, in Tone II—

As a sanctified temple of the Lord, thou didst run into the temple of the ungodly and manfully break the objects of their worship, O all-lauded athlete and martyr.

Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine hath come on a light cloud, and with His incorrupt arm hath saved those who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

The Queen of all, the dwelling-place of God foretold of old, the divine habitation of the ever-existent Essence, hath come forth today from the barren womb of the glorious Anna. Because of her hades hath been trampled underfoot, and Eve, the mother of us all, is led into steadfast life. Let us cry out to her as is meet: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb!

Thy sacred temple hath been shown to be the healing of all manner of illness for those who have recourse to it in faith and who honor thy valiant deeds therein, O all-praised athlete Sozon.

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

Now is the sealed book born, which it is impossible for mortals to read by the nature of the law, and which is kept in the dwelling-place of the Word. For the books of the divinely eloquent have revealed her through the Spirit.

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.

The vine of salvation is born today, which blossometh forth the divine Cluster of incorruption, which poureth forth sweetness; and everyone, drinking mystically thereof, bringeth forth divine and salvific gladness as fruit.

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

Leap up, O men, joining chorus with the angels! As the Virgin is born today of the barren woman, sadness cometh to an end and is transformed into joy for those who celebrate her divine nativity.

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.

Most manifestly did the prophet describe thee as a new and divine scroll, whereon the Word is written by the finger of the Father, O Virgin, in His goodness inscribing in the Book of Life all who submit to His authority.

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!

Thou, O martyr, illumined by the light of the Trinity, didst destroy the gloom of the ungodliness of polytheism, as an ever-radiant beacon.

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!

Shown to be a rose of comely blossom by the flow of thy blood, O blessed one, thou hast perfumed the world with the sweet fragrance of thy miracles.

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!

As a noetic cluster of the vineyard of Christ, thou hast poured forth the right-compunctionate wine of martyrdom upon those who glorify thee with faith.

Irmos: The birthgiving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the furnace — then in figure, but now in deed — and it moveth all the world to chant to Thee: Hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Today is born the bridge which leadeth mankind to the Light, the ladder of heaven, the most manifest mountain of God, the Virgin Theotokos, whom we call blessed.

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

Anna, the shell, hath given rise to the purple which later will dye the fleece of the King’s incarnation. Her do we all hymn as is meet.

Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, honoring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!

A wellspring hath now issued forth from a little drop: the most immaculate one who, having given birth to the Abyss of salvation, causeth the boundless streams of polytheism to cease.

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

Thou didst spring forth from a barren root, O ever-blessed Virgin Theotokos, and by thy divine budding forth hast severed the thorns of wickedness at the root.

Desiring to be slain as an unblemished sacrifice, for the sake of God’s love, thou didst offer thyself up on His altar. Wherefore, we piously honor thee, O all-lauded one.

Having sailed over the deep of deception without foundering, thou didst attain unto the haven of the kingdom on high, O blessed martyr, enjoying everlasting calm.

The tormentor pitilessly raked thy sides with claws of iron; but thou didst gloriously commit thy spirit into the hands of God, O ever-memorable and most blessed one.

Today Mary, the Virgin and Theotokos, the boundless chamber of the heavenly Bridegroom, is born! From a barren woman, by the counsel of God, the chariot of the Word is rightly adorned; for she was foretold as the divine portal and Mother of life.

Ikos: The divine Maiden Mary, whom once the prophets of God foresaw in the Spirit, hath been given as the fruit of a barren woman. Beholding her today rising up in the womb of Anna, with the faithful Joachim we noetically make haste to the appointed feast, and, standing afar off, cry aloud, saying: The restoration of this world hath now sprouted forth from the womb of the barren woman: the divine portal and Mother of life!

Blessed are Joachim and Anna, who manifestly gave birth to the blessed and pure Mother of God who gave birth to the blessed Word Who maketh all the faithful blessed.

As a precious gift did thy parents acquire thee who conceived God, Who hath enriched with better gifts those who cry out: O Lord and God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

More blessed than wine are thy breasts, O divinely called Anna; for with sacred breasts thou didst nurture with milk her who gave suck to the all-blessed Word, the Bestower of milk, the Nourisher of all things that breathe.

O divinely inspired David, leap up, strike thy psaltery and dance! For, lo! the ark which of old thou didst proclaim cometh forth from a barren womb, reserved for the King and God of creation.

Cast into the furnace of painful torments, O martyr, thou didst receive from God the dew of endurance, and didst cry out in thanksgiving: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

Possessed of a soul more luminous than any gold, thou didst in no wise desire to sacrifice to the soulless god of beaten gold, and didst offer thyself to the Lord as a sacrifice of sweet savor.

The great Shepherd appointed thee, His unblemished lamb, as shepherd for the sheep of his true flock, O martyr, showing thee undevoured by the noetic wolves, O most lauded one.

Let us give movement to our tongue in hymnody, honoring the divine nativity of her who, through the Spirit, made incarnate the all-divine Word; and let us cry aloud: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Leap up, ye prophets of God, honoring the nativity of the Virgin; for she hath fulfilled the prophecy of all of you, giving birth to Christ, the God of all, Who is foretold by you. Him do ye exalt supremely for all ages!

Ye mountains, resound with gladness! O apostles and martyrs, join chorus! Ye venerable and righteous, rejoice today in the nativity of the Mother of the Lord, cry out: Hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The most pure Mother of the Word hath blossomed forth as a fragrant apple; she hath appeared as a divine rose, perfumed the ends of the world today and banished the fœtor of our sin. Her do we exalt supremely for all ages!

Human nature, bereft of the precious gifts of the divine Spirit, was made glad on this day, seeing the divine Maiden born of a barren woman; and it cried out: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Removing the arm of the golden idol, O wise one, thou didst distribute it among the poor, securing for thyself the truly incalculable riches of martyrdom, O ever-memorable one who cried out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

When the incorporeal foe wrestled with thee, thou didst cast him down with the assistance of Christ. Wherefore, He Himself hath bestowed honors upon thee: the ability to work miracles. To Him didst thou cry out, rejoicing: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Opening thy mouth, thou didst fill it with the Spirit, O most lauded Sozon, and the mouths of those who blaspheme the Creator didst thou fill with all manner of shame; and, rejoicing, thou didst cry out to Christ: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Lo! the holy place of God hath been shown forth! The all-glorious city of the King hath been erected! The luminous garden of paradise hath splendidly blossomed forth her who is the mediatress of paradise, the point of reconciliation between God and man.

Today hath the lamp of the Light appeared, in which the preëternal golden Light, having taken up His abode, illumineth those who languish in the night of evils, destroyeth the gloom of ungodliness, and truly causeth all to share in the day, because of their faith.

Today the earth joineth in chorus, for it hath seen the new and most comely heaven of God born. And dwelling therein in the flesh, He raiseth men up higher than the heavens and deifieth all in His goodness. Chanting, we magnify Him with faith.

Joachim and Anna, the all-comely pair, have given rise to the unblemished heifer. And the fatted Calf Who came forth from her was slain for the world, taking upon Himself the transgressions of men and destroying the sacrifices offered to the demons.

O Theotokos who gavest birth to the Light, illumine us who in the Spirit celebrate thy radiant nativity, and show us to have a share of the light which is to come; and by thy maternal supplications, O all-pure one, grant us peace and deliverance from evils.

Cast down to the ground, thou wast shown to be a chosen stone of Christ the Chief Cornerstone, O martyr, destroying the fortress of deception, and making firm the hearts of the faithful.

The Church of Christ, having now acquired thee as a stream of life, is ever adorned with the majesty of thy sufferings and miracles, O martyr, having quenched its thirst with thy blood as with water.

Thou didst find the kingdom of heaven to be the reward of thy struggles and labors, O divinely wise Sozon. Joining chorus therein, O most glorious one, be thou mindful of those who with faith keep thy sacred memory.

Armed with the weapon of thy precious Cross, O Word, Thine athlete soundly vanquished the hosts of the adversary and put the tyrants to shame; he suffered for Thee, O my Christ, King of all, and ever reigneth with Thee.

Be renewed, O Adam, and be thou magnified, O Eve! Ye prophets, join chorus with the apostles and the righteous! For the common joy of angels and men hath shone forth today from the righteous Joachim and Anna: Mary the Theotokos.

A fertile land is born of a barren land, bearing as fruit the Husbandman of all good things, the life-bearing Grain Who nourisheth all by His divine gesture.

Today hath the rod of virginity sprouted forth, from whence our God, the Gardener, doth blossom forth as a flower, cutting down the branches of wickedness by His extreme beauty.

Lo! the mountain unquarried, which arose from a barren rock, produceth the noetically quarried Stone, Who crusheth the falsehood of all graven idols.

The Creator of angels and men gave thee the wisdom to forsake this vain world and struggle in the monastic life, O blessed Macarius. Entreat our Savior, O Macarius, that He grant that we may have steadfast love for Him, and may lead a virtuous life.

Desiring with all thy heart to labor for Christ alone, after the repose of thy parents, O Macarius, thou didst go to the Monastery of Ovruch, and there, guided by the Spirit of God, thou didst make the divine Scriptures thy food. Entreat our Savior, O Macarius, that we sinners may also love them as a divinely inspired wellspring.

Today Mary, the Virgin and Theotokos, the boundless chamber of the heavenly Bridegroom, is born! From a barren woman, by the counsel of God, the chariot of the Word is rightly adorned; for she was foretold as the divine portal and Mother of life.

Ikos: The divine Maiden Mary, whom once the prophets of God foresaw in the Spirit, hath been given as the fruit of a barren woman. Beholding her today rising up in the womb of Anna, with the faithful Joachim we noetically make haste to the appointed feast, and, standing afar off, cry aloud, saying: The restoration of this world hath now sprouted forth from the womb of the barren woman: the divine portal and Mother of life!

Thou didst bear upon thine own shoulders the Cross of the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sins of the world, O Macarius, which the cities of Ovruch and Kanev perceived in thy deeds with their own eyes. Pereaslavl’ by the Dnieper boasteth in thee, for there thy relics poured forth many miracles; and the city of Cherkassa rejoiceth, possessing thy relics at this time. And kissing them with reverence, with sacred hymns we send up praise to Christ God.

Let heaven rejoice and let the earth be glad! For the heaven of God is born on earth: this divine Bride born of the promise. A barren woman nourisheth the babe Mary, and Joachim rejoiceth in her nativity, saying: “The rod is born to me, from whence Christ, the Flower, is arisen out of the root of David! Truly this is a most glorious wonder!

The Maiden who is more exalted than the angels is born on earth, in holiness and purity beyond compare; and she giveth birth unto Christ, the purification, sanctification and perfect deliverance of all.

Blessed was the fruit of Anna; for she bore in her womb her who would contain the blessed and infinite Word Who bestoweth regeneration upon all the faithful.

Now doth the gloom of evil begin to break, for the most immaculate one, the animate cloud of the Sun, hath shone forth from a barren womb. Her radiant nativity do we celebrate.

As a fruitful olive-tree sprung forth from the root of Jesse, O Virgin, hath Anna first given birth unto thee who will cause the merciful Word to spring forth. His mercy and truth abide forever.

O Macarius, thou didst teach the life of the virtues unto the many people who came to thee at thy monastery, to listen to thy discourse and to find consolation for their souls. Comfort us also, O thou who art full of loving-kindness, amid the sorrows and evil circumstances which beset us.

From thy youth concerning thyself solely with pleasing God, and not with any earthly thing, O Macarius, and having received the authority to guide and instruct monks, thou didst zealously teach the word of God not only to them, but to people in the world as well. O father, by thy supplications help us, that we also may seek for the words of the Lord as treasures which cannot be taken away.

Now is the sealed book born, which it is impossible for mortals to read by the nature of the law, and which is kept in the dwelling-place of the Word. For the books of the divinely eloquent have revealed her through the Spirit.

The vine of salvation is born today, which blossometh forth the divine Cluster of incorruption, which poureth forth sweetness; and everyone, drinking mystically thereof, bringeth forth divine and salvific gladness as fruit.

Leap up, O men, joining chorus with the angels! As the Virgin is born today of the barren woman, sadness cometh to an end and is transformed into joy for those who celebrate her divine nativity.

Most manifestly did the prophet describe thee as a new and divine scroll, whereon the Word is written by the finger of the Father, O Virgin, in His goodness inscribing in the Book of Life all who submit to His authority.

Seeking the peace of which our Savior spake unto the apostles, saying: “My peace I leave you; My peace I give unto you”, O Macarius, amid difficult circumstances thou didst quell the anger of the brethren in the Monastery of Ovruch, having received authority, in that thou didst commit thyself to the will of the Lord.

Thou didst give thy divinely wise instruction unto all who came to thee, as it were sweet honey to imbibe, O Macarius; for, following the words of the apostle, thou didst ever teach the people to ponder things above, and not the things of this earth.

Today is born the bridge which leadeth mankind to the Light, the ladder of heaven, the most manifest mountain of God, the Virgin Theotokos, whom we call blessed.

Anna, the shell, hath given rise to the purple which later will dye the fleece of the King’s incarnation. Her do we all hymn as is meet.

A wellspring hath now issued forth from a little drop: the most immaculate one who, having given birth to the Abyss of salvation, causeth the boundless streams of polytheism to cease.

Thou didst spring forth from a barren root, O ever-blessed Virgin Theotokos, and by thy divine budding forth hast severed the thorns of wickedness at the root.

Thou didst show thyself to be a most excellent warrior of Christ the Savior, the Vanquisher of hell and death, O Macarius, when the followers of the Latin heresy strove by evil words and deeds to turn thee from the right path; but the Savior of all helped thee, and thou didst prevail over all their wiles.

A multitude of Moslems desired to destroy the city of Ovruch and its monastery, O holy Macarius; yet thou didst save the city from its enemies, not by sword, or spear, or cauldrons of fiery pitch, but by thy prayer unto the Lord

Thou didst illumine thine angelic life of fasting with ascetic struggles, and wast shown to be a converser with the angels, O divinely blessed Macarius. With them cease thou never to pray to Christ God in behalf of us all.

Ikos: Rejecting the corruptible glory of this world, thou didst desire to please Christ alone thy whole life, O blessed Macarius; wherefore, nurturing thy soul with constant labors, fasting and prayer to the Savior, thou wast not afraid of bodily sufferings and death, as thou didst show when the ungodly Moslems destroyed the city of Kanev and subjected thee to tortures and beheading; for thou didst not think about this corrupt world, but didst ever set thy mind upon that which is above, O Macarius, for thou didst strive to be a friend to both angels and men. With them do thou unceasingly pray for us all.

Blessed are Joachim and Anna, who manifestly gave birth to the blessed and pure Mother of God who gave birth to the blessed Word Who maketh all the faithful blessed.

As a precious gift did thy parents acquire thee who conceived God, Who hath enriched with better gifts those who cry out: O Lord and God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

More blessed than wine are thy breasts, O divinely called Anna; for with sacred breasts thou didst nurture with milk her who gave suck to the all-blessed Word, the Bestower of milk, the Nourisher of all things that breathe.

O divinely inspired David, leap up, strike thy psaltery and dance! For, lo! the ark which of old thou didst proclaim cometh forth from a barren womb, reserved for the King and God of creation.

Looking to the loving-kindness and help of the Lord and Savior, O Macarius, when the Moslems razed the Monastery of Ovruch thou didst depart to struggle in the Lavra of the Caves of Kiev. And praising thy boldness, we cry aloud: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

When thou wast the abbot of the monastery in the city of Kanev, O Macarius, as when thou wast in Ovruch thou didst teach both monks and layfolk to live in accordance with the commandments of God, unceasingly caring for men’s souls, that the God of our fathers might be blessed.

The slothful and immoral son of a pious woman thou didst diligently strive to teach how to pray to the Lord; and thine efforts set the negligent one aright and turned him to the Lord, to Whom all of us, the faithful, cry: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Let us give movement to our tongue in hymnody, honoring the divine nativity of her who, through the Spirit, made incarnate the all-divine Word; and let us cry aloud: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Leap up, ye prophets of God, honoring the nativity of the Virgin; for she hath fulfilled the prophecy of all of you, giving birth to Christ, the God of all, Who is foretold by you. Him do ye exalt supremely for all ages!

Ye mountains, resound with gladness! O apostles and martyrs, join chorus! Ye venerable and righteous, rejoicing today in the nativity of the Mother of the Lord, cry out: Hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The most pure Mother of the Word hath blossomed forth as a fragrant apple; she hath appeared as a divine rose, perfumed the ends of the world today and banished the fœtor of our sin. Her do we exalt supremely for all ages!

Human nature, bereft of the precious gifts of the divine Spirit, was made glad on this day, seeing the divine Maiden born of a barren woman; and it cried out: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

By the secret sending of money and a written admonition to the judge of the city, O divinely wise Macarius, thou didst correct the bribe-taker who was rendering unjust judgments for the people; for in thy mind, O blessed one, thou didst behold the Judge of the living and the dead, Who knoweth the deeds and thoughts of men. Him do we, the faithful, hymn and exalt supremely for all ages.

By the permission of God it was given thee, because of thy piety, O blessed Macarius, to foresee the incursion of enemies against the city of Kanev, and to disclose this to the faithful, that, without growing despondent, they might be found to be vigilant when our Savior sent a trial down upon them. Him do we hymn and exalt supremely for all ages.

Triadicon: O Trinity in three Hypostases, deliver us from the grievous passions whereby we sinners are beset, and help us to do good works in our lifetime, that we may obtain eternal salvation.

Lo! the holy place of God hath been shown forth! The all-glorious city of the King hath been erected! The luminous garden of paradise hath splendidly blossomed forth her who is the mediatress of paradise, the point of reconciliation between God and man.

Today hath the lamp of the Light appeared, in which the preëternal golden Light, having taken up His abode, illumineth those who languish in the night of evils, destroyeth the gloom of ungodliness, and truly causeth all to share in the day, because of their faith.

Today the earth joineth in chorus, for it hath seen the new and most comely heaven of God born. And dwelling therein in the flesh, He raiseth men up higher than the heavens and deifieth all in His goodness. Chanting, we magnify Him with faith.

Joachim and Anna, the all-comely pair, have given rise to the unblemished heifer. And the fatted Calf Who came forth from her was slain for the world, taking upon Himself the transgressions of men and destroying the sacrifices offered to the demons.

O Theotokos who gavest birth to the Light, illumine us who in the Spirit celebrate thy radiant nativity, and show us to have a share of the light which is to come; and by thy maternal supplications, O all-pure one, grant us peace and deliverance from evils.

The multifarious enemies were able to break down the gates of the Monastery of Kanev, yet they were unable to break thy courage, O Macarius, when they beheld thee standing before the gates, clad in a hair-shirt, with the Cross in thy hand and on thy breast. Entreat the Savior in our behalf, O holy one, that He drive away from us the spirit of the fear of sufferings and bodily death.

Thou wast mocked and subjected to ill treatment, O Macarius, by the ungodly Moslems who, having beaten and lacerated thy body, cut off thy head; yet thou hast appeared in heaven, adorned with glory and honor. Pray thou, O Macarius, that our Savior deprive not us sinners of His heavenly kingdom.

All throughout thy life thou didst follow Christ God, Who broke the gates and bars of hell, O venerable martyr Macarius; wherefore, thou wast not afraid to receive death at the hands of the enemy, for thou didst fearlessly say unto them: “My treasure is in the heavens!”, where thou dwellest with the host on high, O blessed one.

Thou hast been shown to be a radiant beacon for the whole world, O Macarius, for even during thy lifetime on earth multifarious healings were worked for the sick through thy supplications; and we likewise behold them now, pouring forth from thy holy relics, unto the glory of Christ the Savior, Whose good and faithful servant thou wast shown to be.

Let us praise the venerable martyr Macarius, the struggler of great faith and piety, for by preaching the word of God he saved many from everlasting death, and as a good warrior of Christ he endured ill treatment, following the words of the apostle, and showeth the faithful the way to the kingdom of heaven.

Be renewed, O Adam, and be thou magnified, O Eve! Ye prophets, join chorus with the apostles and the righteous! For the common joy of angels and men hath shone forth today from the righteous Joachim and Anna: Mary the Theotokos.