day 8

September 8: Nativity of the All-holy Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Troparion, in Tone IV—

The 8th Day of the Month Of September

Joachim and Anna hold festival, having given birth to the only Theotokos, the beginning of our salvation; and with them we also celebrate today, blessing the pure Virgin who sprang forth from the root of Jesse.

The Nativity of Our All-holy Mistress,

Today the Theotokos hath sprung forth from Anna as a flower, a divinely wrought garden, the salvation of men; and in His beneficence the Creator of all, Who was born of her in manner past understanding, washeth away all the defilement of Adam, in that He is good.

the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary

Who is sufficiently worthy to hymn the Virgin who ineffably became a babe through Anna? Ye mountains and hills, therefore, let sweetness fall today; for the pure Theotokos, the life and cleansing of all, is nourished on milk.

(the service for the Kursk-Root Icon is also provided under this date)

She who before was as a barren land giveth birth to fertile ground, and, having given forth a holy fruit from her fruitless womb, she nurtureth her with milk. O awesome wonder! the nourisher of our Life, who received the Bread of heaven in her womb, is nourished with milk at her mother’s breasts!

AT LITTLE VESPERS

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone IV—

September 8: Finding of the Wonderworking Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos Known As the Kursk-Root Icon of the Sign

O all-holy and pure Virgin, the multitude of angels in heaven, and we, the race of men on earth, bless thy most honored nativity, for thou hast become the Mother of Christ God, the Creator of all. We pray thee: cease not to beseech Him in behalf of us who have set our hope on thee, after God, O most hymned Theotokos who knewest not wedlock.

The 8th Day of the Month of September

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

Commemoration of the Finding of the Wonderworking Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos

Rejoice, O Joachim and Anna! Rejoice, for the Virgin, the Mediatress of joy and salvation is born unto us from a barren woman!

Known As the Kursk-Root Icon of the Sign

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

Thou alone hast been shown to be the salvation of mortals, having given birth to the Word in manner transcending discourse and nature. Wherefore, we call thee blessed.

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

Put away all grief, O Adam and Eve; for the Mother of Joy springeth forth today all-gloriously from a barren woman.

Glory…, Now & ever…, in the same melody—

The temple of God, the only Theotokos, doth issue forth from a barren woman who hath not given birth; and Adam rejoiceth, crying aloud.

Thy nativity, O Virgin Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to all the world; for from thee hath shone forth Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness, Who, having annulled the curse, hath given His blessing, and having abolished death, hath granted us life everlasting.