After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man...”
A Reading from Genesis
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera, idiomela, in Tone VI—
At the blessing of the loaves, the troparion of the feast, in Tone IV—
A Reading from the Prophecy of Ezekiel
The composition of Sergius the Patriarch: Today God, Who resteth on the noetic thrones, hath prepared for Himself a holy throne on earth. He Who hath established the heavens by His wisdom hath in His loving-kindness created an animate heaven. For the God of wonders, the Hope of the hopeless, hath caused His Mother to spring forth as a Life-bearing plant from a barren root. Glory to Thee, O Lord! Once
A Reading from Proverbs
This is the day of the Lord! Rejoice, O ye people! For, lo! the bridal-chamber of the Light and the book of the Word of life hath issued forth from the womb, and the portal which faceth toward the east, having been born, awaiteth the entry of the great High Priest. She alone leadeth the one Christ into the world, for the salvation of our souls. Once
Wisdom hath built a house for herself and set up seven pillars. She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine in a bowl and prepared her table. She hath sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying: “Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me.” And to those who want understanding, she saith: “Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you. Leave folly, that ye may reign forever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.” He that reproveth evil men shall get dishonor to himself; and he that rebuketh an ungodly man shall disgrace himself. Rebuke not evil men, lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give an opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more instruction. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of the law is the character of a sound mind. For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be added to thee.
Even though, by the will of God, famous barren women have produced offspring, yet in divine majesty Mary hath outshone all who have been born; for, having been all-gloriously born of a barren mother, she supernaturally gave birth in the flesh to the God of all, from a womb which knew not seed. She alone is the gate of the only-begotten Son of God; and He, passing through it, hath kept it closed, and, arranging all things wisely in accordance with His knowledge, hath wrought salvation for all men. Twice
And these stichera, in Tone III—
The composition of Stephen of Jerusalem: Today the gateway of the barren woman is opened, and the divine Virgin portal cometh forth! Today grace beginneth to bear fruit, revealing to the world the Mother of God, through whom those on earth are united to those in heaven, for the salvation of our souls. Twice
Glory..., Now and ever..., in Tone I—
Today is the pronouncement of universal joy! Today the winds have blown which herald salvation, and our nature is released from barrenness! For the barren woman is shown to be the mother of her who remaineth virgin even after giving birth to the Creator, from whom God taketh to Himself that which is alien to Him by nature, and Christ, the Deliverer of our souls, Who loveth mankind, doth accomplish salvation for the lost by means of flesh. Once
Reading from the Proverbs (9:1-11).
Today barren Anna giveth birth to the divine Maiden who was chosen beforehand out of all generations to be the dwelling-place of Christ our God, the King and Creator of all, in fulfillment of the divine dispensation. Thereby, O ye mortals, have we been fashioned anew and restored from corruption to life without end. Once
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: she hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him who wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
Glory…, Now & ever…, in the same tone—
Glory..., Now and ever..., in Tone VI—
Today God, Who resteth on the noetic thrones, hath prepared for Himself a holy throne on earth. He Who hath established the heavens by His wisdom hath created an animate heaven in His loving-kindness. For the God of wonders, the Hope of the hopeless, hath caused His Mother to spring forth as a Life-bearing plant from a barren root. Glory to Thee, O Lord!
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. 3 Readings:
Jacob went forth from the well of the oath, and departed into Haran. And he came to a certain place, and slept there, for the sun had gone down; and he took one of the stones of the place, and put it at his head, and lay down to sleep in that place, and dreamed: and behold a ladder fixed on the earth, whose top reached to heaven, and the angels of God ascended and descended on it. And the Lord stood upon it, and said: “I am the God of thy father Abraham, and the God of Isaac. Fear not; the land on which thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed. And thy seed shall be like the sand of the earth; and it shall spread abroad to the sea, and the south, and the north, and the east; and in thee and in thy seed shall all tribes of the earth be blessed. And behold I am with thee to preserve thee continually in all the way wherein thou shalt go; and I will bring thee back to this land; for I will not desert thee, until I have done all that I have said to thee.” And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and said: “The Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.” And he was afraid, and said: “How fearful is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!”
Thus saith the Lord: “It shall come to pass from the eighth day and onward, that the priests shall offer your wholeburnt-offerings on the altar, and your peace-offerings; and I will accept you,” saith the Lord. Then He brought me back by the way of the outer gate of the sanctuary that faceth eastward; and it was shut. And the Lord said to me: “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall pass through it; for the Lord God of Israel shall enter by it, and it shall be shut. For the Prince, He shall sit in it, to eat bread before the Lord; He shall go in by the way of the porch of the gate, and shall go forth by the way of the same.” And He brought me in by the way of the gate that faceth northward, in front of the house: and I looked, and, behold! the house was full of the glory of the Lord.
At Litia, these stichera, idiomela—
The composition of Stephen of Jerusalem, in Tone I:
Today is the beginning of our salvation, O ye people! For, lo! the Virgin Mother, who was foretold from generations of old as the receptacle of God, cometh forth to be born of a barren woman. The flower of Jesse and the rod of his root have sprung forth. Let Adam our forefather rejoice, and let Eve revel in jubilation! For, behold! she who was fashioned of the rib of Adam manifestly blesseth her daughter and descendant, saying: “Deliverance hath been born in me, for which cause I am freed of the bonds of hades!” Let David rejoice, striking his harp, and let him bless God: for, lo! the Virgin issueth forth from the womb of the barren woman, unto the salvation of our souls!
In Tone II: Come, all ye who love virginity, ye zealots of purity! Come, and with love take up the praise of the Virgin: the wellspring of Life which floweth from a hard rock, the bush which grew from barren ground, unconsumed by the immaterial Fire, which doth purify and illumine our souls.
The composition of Anatolius the Patriarch: What is this noise of revelers? Joachim and Anna keep festival mystically, saying: “Rejoice with us today, O Adam and Eve!” For by their transgression was paradise shut, but a right glorious fruit is now given unto us: Mary, the divine Maiden, who throweth open its gates unto all.
The Queen of all who hath been foretold, the habitation of God, the divine dwelling place of the eternal Essence, hath come forth today from the barren womb of the glorious Anna, and by her shameless hades hath been trampled down, and Eve, the mother of our race, is led into everlasting life. To her do we cry out, as is meet: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!
Glory…, Now & ever…, the composition of Sergius the Patriarch, in Tone VIII—
On the right excellent day of our feast let us strike the spiritual harp; for the Mother of Life is born today of the seed of David, dispelling the darkness: the renewal of Adam, the restoration of Eve, the Well-spring of incorruption, our release from corruption. Because of her we have been deified and delivered from death. And we, the faithful, cry out to her with Gabriel: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee, granting us great mercy for thy sake!
At the aposticha, these stichera, idiomela, the composition of Germanus the Patriarch, in Tone IV—
The joy of the whole world hath shone forth upon us from the righteous Joachim and Anna: the most laudable Virgin who, because of her surpassing purity, becometh the animate temple of God and is known as the one true Theotokos. Through her prayers, O Christ God, send down peace upon the world and great mercy upon our souls.
Stichos: Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear.
In accordance with the angel’s prophecy, thou didst issue forth from the righteous Joachim and Anna, as an all-pure fruit, heaven and the throne of God, a receptacle of purity, heralding forth joy to all the world, O Virgin, mediatress of our life, removal of the curse, bestowal of blessing. Wherefore, on the feast of thy nativity, O divinely called Virgin, ask peace for the world and great mercy for our souls.
Stichos: The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.
Today let the barren and childless Anna clap her hands with splendor, let those on earth bear lamps, let kings leap for joy, let hierarchs be glad in blessing, and let all the world keep festival; for, behold, the Queen, the immaculate Bride of the Father, hath sprung forth from the root of Jesse. No longer will women bear children in grief, for Joy hath blossomed forth and Life shall live in the world for all men. No longer will the offerings of Joachim be rejected, for the lamentation of Anna hath been changed to joy, and she saith: “Rejoice with me, all ye chosen Israel, for, lo! the Lord hath given me the animate palace of His divine glory, for our common gladness and joy, and the salvation of our souls!”
Glory…, Now & ever…, the composition of Sergius the Patriarch, in Tone VIII—
Come, all ye faithful, let us make haste to the Virgin! For, lo! she is born who was foreseen before the womb as the Mother of our God, the vessel of virginity, the rod of Aaron which sprang forth from the root of Jesse, the proclamation of the prophets, the offspring of the righteous Joachim and Anna! She is born, and with her the world is restored! She is born, and the Church adorneth herself in her majesty! She is the holy temple and receptacle of the Godhead, the vessel of virginity, the bridal-chamber of the King, wherein was wrought the all-glorious and perfect mystery of the ineffable union of the natures which have come together in Christ! And worshipping Him, we hymn the nativity of the most immaculate Virgin.
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. Thrice
At “Lord, I have cried...,” eight stichera; five in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel: “O most glorious wonder...”—
O all-hymned Virgin, immaculate Mother of God the Word, angels’ astonishment, help of Christians, be thou unto us an unassailable wall against the assaults of enemies, visible and invisible, stretching forth unto thy Son thy hands which held God, destroying by thine almighty supplication the counsels of the impious, and revealing the sign of thy mercy unto us.
O Lady Theotokos, our hope unashamed, bowing the knee of our hearts at this time, we cry to thee in compunction: The Russian land, which of old was called thy home, do thou snatch from the hands of the devil, stretching forth unto thy Son thy hands which held God, by thy supplication consuming all the dominion of the enemy, and revealing the sign of thy mercy unto us.
O thou joy of all joys! Most sweet consolation of those who sorrow! Surety of sinners! Salvation of the faithful! Lead us to the heavenly Kingdom, compensating for our weakness with thine intercession; intercede for us before the dread judgment seat of Christ, delivering us from everlasting torment, and revealing the sign of thy mercy unto us.
O wondrous tidings! O most glorious sight! An icon of the Theotokos hid within a grove, and pouring forth a spring of living water ever flowing to life eternal! Wherefore, having found it, let us form a chorus, and, clapping our hands with gladness, let us cry: Rejoice, O most blessed one, for thou hast come unto us who are poor!
Sanctified by the wood of the Cross, the trees of the forest pay homage to the immaculate Mother of Him Who stretched forth His hands upon the Tree; for they preserved the image of thy face most pure, that when it was wondrously discovered, the Church might be robed in its comeliness, and the faithful be partakers of grace divine.
O all ye generations of the earth, bless Mary the Theotokos: Ye righteous and sinners, form one choir for her; ye virgins, hymn the ever-Virgin, the boast of virginity; ye mothers, praise the Mother of our Creator and God; ye elders, bow down before her who gave flesh to the Ancient of Days; ye babes, glorify her who holdeth the preëternal Infant in her arms; ye poor, magnify her who doth possess a wealth of mercy and grace; ye kings, exalt the Queen of heaven and earth; and kissing her precious image, let us cry out: Rejoice, O inexhaustible joy and salvation of our souls!
O Mistress, thy most precious icon hath appeared as a sign of thy good pleasure unto us, whereat, bending down as to a life-bearing spring, we draw forth the water of immortality, and freely receive divers healings; and bowing down before thee, the prototype, we cry in faith: O most holy Theotokos, save us!
O most pure Virgin: the light, joy and protection of our souls, the estrangement from sorrows and remission of sins, the fulfillment of humble requests and ever-flowing fount of grace art thou, O immaculate one. Wherefore, falling down before thee, we pray: Cease not to cry to thy Son and God for us, that being delivered by thee from misfortunes, we may obtain great mercy from Christ the Lord.
Forming a most festive choir today, come ye, let us hymn the Virgin Theotokos; and, kissing her most pure image, let us cry: O most holy Mistress, deliver thy heritage from cruel enemies, and strengthen the faithful in the doing of good, entreating thy Son and God for all.
Entrance. Prokimenon of the Day. And three Lessons:
Reading from the First Book of Moses, called Genesis (28:10-17).
And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth; and thou shalt be spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
Reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (43:27-44:4).
And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings: and I will accept you, saith the Lord God. Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut. Then said the Lord unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the Lord the God of Israel hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same. Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord: and I fell upon my face.
At the Litia, these stichera, in Tone I—
Come, all ye peoples of our native land, let us hasten to the temple of the Lord; let us praise the all-hymned Mother of our God, and bow down before her most pure image in faith, for it hath now been given to the Russian land as a pledge of salvation. Wherefore, radiantly keeping the feast thereof, let us unceasingly cry out to the Theotokos: Rejoice, ready help of the world, thou joy and salvation of our souls!
Laying aside all earthly care, and forsaking the vanity of the world, let us lift up our eyes unto the holy hill, from whence cometh our help; for lo! the Queen of heaven, standing at the right hand of her Son and God, doth pray without ceasing. Wherefore, let us, who have been delivered from misfortune through her intercession, be glad, saying: Rejoice, our fervent helper, thou salvation of our souls!
Let us be filled today with great joy, and giving thanks with compunction let us cry in fear and trembling: Why is this granted to us, that the Mother of our God hath come to us? For lo! her healing icon abideth in our midst, and we dare to touch it, to bow down before it, to kiss it, and to offer entreaty to its prototype, as to one who is truly with us. Wherefore, marvelling at her condescension, we cry: Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace!
In Tone VII—
Come, all ye who labor and are heavy laden; come, ye who weep and mourn; come, ye who have lacked patience; come, ye poor and afflicted! Fall down before the icon of the all-pure Virgin, and receive ye, each according to his need; for lo! the all-hymned Theotokos giveth all to each abundantly. She is the healing of the infirm, the most sweet consolation of those who grieve, the forgiveness of sinners and the salvation of all who have recourse to her in faith.
When the fullness of time shall come; when the trumpet of the archangel shall sound; when the thrones of judgment shall be set, and the rivers of fire make a fearsome noise; when the dead arise and the living are caught up, and the sign of the Son of man shall appear in heaven, all the inhabitants of the earth shall weep, and all the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Then shall the Virgin Theotokos, the salvation of sinners and hope of the hopeless, appear, standing at the right hand of the Judge, stretching forth her most pure hands to her Son, mercifully bedewing her cheeks with tears, and delivering from everlasting torment those who call upon her all-hymned name. Therefore, brethren, let us now make haste, and delay not in approaching the Theotokos, that she, upon whom we place all our hope, may help us at that dreadful hour.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.