AT VESPERS

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 of the feast, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Troparion of the righteous ones, in Tone II—

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.

Or this troparion, in Tone I—

The Maiden who contained God, the pure Theotokos, the glory of the prophets, the daughter of David, is born today of Joachim and the chaste Anna; and the curse of Adam which lay upon us is annulled by her birthgiving.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Troparion of the feast, in Tone IV—

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!

And 3 stichera of the righteous ones, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—

Come, let us now join chorus with hymnody, O ye who love the feasts of the Church, and with faith let us hold festival, honoring the memory of Joachim and Anna, the honored couple; for they gave birth to the Mother of God for us, the pure Virgin. Wherefore, they have passed from transitory things over to that which is incorrupt, to the mansions of everlasting life, praying that we be saved.

Today all creation is adorned with gladness, O most hymned Theotokos, offering up, with oneness of mind, the annual commemoration of thy parents, celebrating together the wondrous Joachim and Anna; for they have become the mediators of joy, having past hope put thee forth, the nourisher of our Life, who hast caused the Light to shine forth.

Today Anna rejoiceth, leaping up in spirit, and she is filled with joyful gladness, having obtained her desire, the fertility which she had long desired; for she put forth the fruit of the promise and blessing, the most immaculate Mary who gave birth to our God, and shone forth the Sun upon those who sleep in darkness.

Glory…, Now & ever…: the composition of Ephraim of Karyes, in Tone V—

O blessed twain, ye have surpassed all parents, in that ye gave rise to her who transcendeth all creatures. Truly blessed art thou, O Joachim, having become the father of such a maiden! And blessed is thy womb, O Anna, for thou hast put forth the Mother of our Life! Blessed are the breasts wherewith thou didst nourish with milk her who nurtured Him Who sustaineth every creation! Him do ye entreat, we beseech you, O most blessed one, that our souls find mercy!

But if this service is celebrated on Friday evening: Glory…, the foregoing doxasticon of the saints; Now & ever…: the dogmaticon of the current tone.

At the aposticha, these stichera of the feast, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “When from the Tree…”—

Of a truth, the divinely wise Anna, when she beheld a nest of birds in a tree, she was reminded of her own barrenness, and cried aloud: “Woe is me, O Lord! I alone, a sinner, am left bereft of fruitfulness by Thee, O Lord!” Then God, Who loveth mankind, gave her the Virgin as fruit, the most precious of all creation.

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

Of a truth, the divinely wise Anna, conscious of her barren state and childlessness, cried out to God in supplication: “Loose Thou the grievous bond of my barrenness, that I may give birth to a child who will give birth to Thee, the Word!” And Thou didst grant her this, O Master Christ, Bestower of life; for her offspring gave birth to Thee, the Savior of all men.

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

God the Master truly hearkened to thy supplication, as He did that of Sarah of old, when thou didst hear the voice of the angel announcing joyous tidings unto thee: “Thou shalt give birth to the Mother of God!” And thou didst cry out in gladness of soul: “The Master and Lord, my God and Creator, hath of a truth lifted my reproach, for I shall give birth to the Ever-virgin!”

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone VIII—

Joachim and Anna, the holy couple and holy mates, who from a barren womb put forth the holy Theotokos as a staff, from whom Christ God shone forth salvation upon the world, having been translated to the mansions of heaven, with their all-pure Virgin daughter, join chorus with the angels, making supplication for the world. And we, assembling with them, say, piously chanting: O ye who were called the ancestors of Christ by the divine Maiden and all-pure Mary, pray for our souls.

Celebrating the memory of Thy righteous ones, O Lord, through them we entreat Thee: Save Thou our souls!

Joachim and Anna, who were righteous in the law of grace, have for us given birth unto a God-given babe. Wherefore, the divine Church keepeth splendid festival today, celebrating their honored memory with gladness, glorifying God Who hath lifted up the horn of salvation for us in the house of David.

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.