Books - Sources
Octoechos - Mode 2.
On Sunday Morning
Menaion - September 8
The Nativity of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos
__________
MATINS
CHOIR
Mode 2.
God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]
Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.
Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.
Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.
From Octoechos - - -
Resurrectional Apolytikion.
Mode 2.
When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory to You!” [GOASD]
Glory. For the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4.
Your Nativity, O Theotokos, imparted joy to the entire earth, for out of you has risen the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God. He nullified the curse and instead gave His blessing; and causing death to be neutralized, He granted us eternal life. [SD]
Both now. Repeat.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4.
Your Nativity, O Theotokos, imparted joy to the entire earth, for out of you has risen the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God. He nullified the curse and instead gave His blessing; and causing death to be neutralized, He granted us eternal life. [SD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Kathisma I.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 2.
When he took down Your immaculate Body from the Cross, the honorable Joseph wrapped it in a clean linen shroud with spices and laid it for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day You rose, O Lord, and granted to the world the great mercy. [GOASD]
Glory.
Mode 2.
The Angel who had come to the sepulcher said to the Myrrh-bearing women, “Ointments are appropriate for mortal men; but Christ is indeed a stranger to decay. Now go proclaim that the Lord has risen and granted to the world the great mercy.” [GOASD]
From Menaion - - -
Both now. For the Feast.
Mode 4. Joseph marveled.
Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.
Shout, O David, and declare, * what oath did God swear to you? * And he answers, “What He swore, behold, He also has fulfilled, * for He has given the Virgin as the fruit of my loins. * From her has Christ the new Adam and Fashioner * been born, as it is written, to be King on my throne. * And He whose reign is unshakable is reigning today and forevermore. * The barren woman bears the Theotokos, * the nourisher of our Life.” [SD]
From Octoechos - - -
Kathisma II.
Mode 2.
Not preventing the sealing of the stone of the tomb, with Your rising You gave to all the rock of the faith. Glory to You, O Lord. [GOASD]
Glory.
Mode 2.
The choir of Your disciples and the Myrrh-bearing Women are greatly rejoicing together with us. For we are celebrating one and the same feast, which glorifies and honors Your resurrection. By their intercessions, O benevolent Lord, grant to us Your people the great mercy. [GOASD]
From Menaion - - -
Both now. For the Feast.
Mode 4. Joseph marveled.
Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.
Unto us is born today Mary the child of God, * as the branch from Jesse’s root, and as the fruit of David’s loins, * and all creation is re-created and deified. * O heaven and the earth, rejoice in unison. * Sing praises unto her, O all you Gentile clans. * Joachim is exultant, and Anna is keeping festival, crying out: * “The barren woman bears the Theotokos, * the nourisher of our Life.” [SD]
Kathisma III. For the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.
Τὸ προσταχθέν.
Exult, O Heaven, and you also, Earth, be joyful. * Because the very Bride of God and God’s own heaven * has been born on the earth fulfilling thus the promise. * The barren woman is nursing Mary the babe, * and joyous is righteous Joachim at the birth, * and he says, From the root of David unto me is born a Rod, * from which has bloomed the flower Christ. * Truly wondrous the miracle! [SD]
Glory. Both now. Repeat.
Exult, O Heaven, and you also, Earth, be joyful. * Because the very Bride of God and God’s own heaven * has been born on the earth fulfilling thus the promise. * The barren woman is nursing Mary the babe, * and joyous is righteous Joachim at the birth, * and he says, From the root of David unto me is born a Rod, * from which has bloomed the flower Christ. * Truly wondrous the miracle! [SD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
READER
From Octoechos - - -
Hypakoe. Mode 2.
After Your Passion, O Christ God, the women went to the tomb to anoint Your body. They saw Angels in the sepulcher, and they were amazed. For they heard them saying that You the Lord had risen, granting to the world the great mercy. [GOASD]
CHOIR
Anavathmoi.
Antiphon 1. Mode 2.
I direct the eyes of my heart to You in heaven, O Savior. Save me, I pray, shining on me Your resplendence. [GOASD]
Have mercy on us who hourly offend You in many things, O my Christ; and before the end, give us ways to return to You in repentance. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
To the Holy Spirit it is proper to rule, to sanctify, and to move all creation; for He is God, one in essence with the Father and the Logos. [GOASD]
Antiphon 2.
If the Lord had not been with us, who would be sufficient to preserve himself uninjured from the enemy and murderer of mankind? [GOASD]
Do not deliver me to the teeth of my enemies, O Savior, for in the manner of a lion they move against me Your servant. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
In the Holy Spirit is the principle of life, and to Him belongs the honor. He is God, and in the Father through the Son He strengthens and sustains every creature. [GOASD]
Antiphon 3.
Those who trust in the Lord are like the holy mountain. They are in no way shaken by the devil’s assaults. [GOASD]
Let those who live for God never stretch out their hands in lawlessness. For Christ will not permit the rod to be upon His inheritance. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
From the Holy Spirit all wisdom gushes forth, as does grace to Apostles. By Him Martyrs are awarded for their contests, and Prophets have visions. [GOASD]
Prokeimenon. Psalm 44.
I will remember your name from generation to generation. (2)
Verse: My heart overflowed with a good word; I tell my works to the King.
I will remember your name from generation to generation. [SAAS]
Stand for the Gospel reading.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Mode 2.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.
PRIEST: Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
PRIEST
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
PRIEST (from the gate)
Lk. 1:39 – 49, 56
In those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. [RSV]
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
READER
Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death. [GOA]
Psalm 50 (51).
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]
From Menaion - - -
CHOIR
Glory. Mode 2.
At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]
Both now.
At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]
Idiomelon. Mode 4.
Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. [SAAS]
Joy for all the world has dawned on us of righteous parentage; of Joachim and Anna comes the all-lauded Virgin. Through a super-excellent kindness, a soul-endowed temple of God she comes to be, and she alone in truthfulness as Theotokos is known to be. At her supplication, O Christ our God, to the world send down Your peace and tranquility, and to our souls Your great mercy. [GKD]
PRIEST
O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies:
through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, whose nativity we celebrate; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints:
We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy. (12)
PRIEST
Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
READER
From Octoechos - - -
Resurrectional Kontakion.
Omnipotent Lord, You rose from the sepulcher. * The netherworld saw the miracle and was stupefied, * for the dead were also raised. * But creation saw it and rejoiced with You; * Adam also greatly rejoiced. * O my Savior, the world forever sings Your praise. [GOASD]
Oikos.
You, O Word of God, are the light of those in the darkness. You are the resurrection and the life of all humanity. When You destroyed the power of death and smashed the gates of Hades, You raised everyone with yourself. Mortals saw the miracle and marveled, All creation rejoices with You in Your resurrection, O benevolent Lord. So we all now glorify and extol Your condescension, O my Savior, and the world forever sings Your praise. [GOASD]
Kontakion of the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4.
Both Joachim and Anna from their sterility’s stigma, and Adam and Eve from their mortality’s ruin have been set free, O immaculate Maid, by your holy nativity. For this do your people hold celebration, redeemed from the guilt of transgression as they cry to you, “The barren one bears the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life.” [GKD]
Oikos.
The prayer with the sigh, sterile and barren, of Joachim and of Anna, was well-received in the ears of the Lord. It unbound them and they blossomed the fruit that brings life to the world. For while he on the mountain did offer a prayer, she in the garden the reproach did bear. But then with joy the barren one bears the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life. [GKD]
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On September 8 is the Nativity of our most holy Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.
By the intercessions of Your saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Katavasias Odes 1-8
CHOIR
Katavasias of the Cross
Ode i. Mode pl. 4.
Moses prefigured the Cross. * Lifting up the rod, he stretched out his hand and split the Sea for Israel to cross on land. * Then he stretched it out again, * and the sea returned and covered Pharaoh’s chariots. * The Cross was thus portrayed as our invincible armor. * So let us sing to the Lord, * Christ our God, for He is greatly glorified. [GOASD]
Ode iii.
The rod of Aaron is seen as typifying the mystery; * for it budded, and thus was the priest selected. * Now in the Church, that was barren once, the Cross of Christ, like a tree, * has blossomed forth, * as power and a firm support. [GOASD]
Ode iv.
I have heard the report, O Lord, * of Your incarnation, which is a mystery. * I considered Your astounding works, * and I glorified Your divinity. [GOASD]
Ode v.
Tree of the Cross, you are thrice-blessed, * for Jesus Christ, who is King and Lord, was crucified on you. * Through you fallen is the one who by a tree deceived us, * for he was lured by God who in the flesh indeed * was hung and nailed to you, * and who grants to our souls His peace. [GOASD]
Ode vi.
In the belly of the sea beast * the prophet Jonah prayed with his arms extended crosswise; * thus he clearly prefigured the saving Passion of Christ. * When after three days he emerged, * he was depicting the supernal resurrection from the dead * of Christ God, who was physically nailed to the Cross * and by His third-day arising illumined the universe. [GOASD]
Ode vii.
The impious tyrant’s preposterous decree disturbed the populace, * breathing threats and blasphemous pronouncements hateful to God. * His brutal anger did not intimidate * the three Servants, nor did the consuming fire. * But when the dew-laden breeze whistled against the fire, they joined it and together sang, * “Blessed are You, O Lord. You are highly praised, O God, the God of our fathers.” [GOASD]
Ode viii.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
You three pious Servants, * same in number as the Trinity, * bless God the Father, Maker of all; * sing a hymn to the Word who condescended * and who changed the fire in the furnace into dew; * as for the all-holy Spirit, who gives life to all, exalt Him * beyond measure unto the ages. [GOASD]
Stand for the singing of Ode ix.
DEACON
Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
CHOIR
From Menaion - - -
Ode ix.
Canon 1 of the Feast.
Mode 2. Heirmos.
Ἡ τὸν πρὸ ἡλίου φωστῆρα.
Lady, from your virginal belly * you ineffably embodied God, * the luminary who arose before the sun, * and the One who came down to us * and dwelt among us bodily. * O blessed and all-holy one, * you, O Theotokos, do we magnify. (2)
Troparia.
Most-holy Theotokos, save us.
To the disobedient peoples * He poured out water from a rock, * but to the nations that obey, He gives a gift: * from the loins of one barren comes the fruit that brings us cheerfulness, * you, the pure Mother of our God, * whom as is fitting we do magnify. [SD]
Most-holy Theotokos, save us.
You are she, who has rescinded * the severe decree of ancient times; * and you are she, who raised up our Progenitrix; * you are she, who has caused our race to be adopted back by God, * a bridge to our Creator you, * blessed Theotokos, do we magnify. [SD]
From Menaion - - -
Canon 2 of the Feast.
Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.
Ἀλλότριον τῶν μητέρων.
Virginity is a state alien to mothers, * and childbirth is foreign to those who are virgins. * But in you, Theotokos, have both of these been accomplished. * Indeed all generations everywhere * now call you blessed evermore.
Troparia.
Most-holy Theotokos, save us.
O Mother of God, as deserving of your pure virtue, * your birth comes in fulfillment of a solemn promise. * Unto her, the infertile, a fruit from God has been given; * Indeed all generations everywhere * now call you blessed evermore. [SD]
Glory. For the Trinity.
Estranged indeed from the lawless is glorifying, * the Trinity eternal, the Father and the Son, who * with the all-Holy Spirit, is uncreated God almighty, * through whom the whole wide world is held in sway, * by order of His awesome might. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
You carried within your womb -- you, the Virgin Mother -- * a Person of the Trinity, Christ the King and Master. * All creation sings His praises as Thrones above are seized with trembling. * Entreat Him fervently, all-honored Maid, * to grant salvation to our souls. [SD]
Ode 9: Katavasia
Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode pl. 4.
Theotokos, you are mystical Paradise, * for without husbandry you have blossomed Christ, * by whom on earth the Cross, as a life-bearing tree, has been planted and watered. * As it is now exalted, * we adore Him and worship Him and magnify you. [GOASD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Mode 2.
Holy is the Lord our God. [SAAS] (2)
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet.
For He is holy.
From Octoechos - - -
Exaposteilarion.
Eothinon 11.
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.
After He rose as God, the Lord * ascertained whether Peter * loved Him, by asking him three times, * “Do you love Me?” then named him * to be chief shepherd of His sheep. * Peter saw following them * the disciple whom Jesus loved, * and he asked Jesus, “Lord, and what about him?” * Jesus said, “What is it to you if it is * my will that he remain until * I come again, friend Peter?” [GOASD]
For the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2. O Women, hearken.
Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.
Today the reaches of the world * are festive and most jubilant * because of your birth, O Mary, * the Maiden and Theotokos, * and Virgin Bride who knew no man. * In being born, you have reversed * the sad reproach of barrenness * on your parents and the curse in childbirth * on Eve our ancestral mother. [SD]
Another.
Mode 2. O Women, hearken.
Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.
O Adam, be renewed today, * and you, O Eve, be magnified. * O Prophets with the Apostles * together dance with the Righteous. * A common joy in all the world * is shared by Angels and mankind. * Today from righteous parentage, * from Joachim and Anna, * is born the true Theotokos. [SD]
Lauds. Mode 2.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Show Stichologia
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name.
For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.
He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.
Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.
Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.
Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted.
His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.
A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.
Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.
Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.
Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.
For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.
The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.
The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.
To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.
To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.
Hide Stichologia
From Octoechos - - -
Resurrectional Stichera.
Mode 2.
To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones. [SAAS]
Everything that breathes and all creation glorifies You, O Lord, for by the Cross You made death powerless, to demonstrate to all people Your resurrection from the dead, as our only benevolent God. [GOASD]
Mode 2.
Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power. [SAAS]
Let the Jewish leaders explain it. How did the soldiers lose the King, whom they were guarding? Why couldn’t the stone secure the rock of life? Either produce Him who was buried, or else worship Him as risen from the dead, then join us and say, “Glory to the abundance of Your tender mercies, our Savior, glory to You!” [GOASD]
Mode 2.
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]
Rejoice and be glad, all people! An Angel sat on the stone of the tomb. And he announced to us the good news and said, “Christ has risen from the dead, as the Savior of the world; and He has filled the universe with fragrance.” Rejoice and be glad, all people! [GOASD]
Mode 2.
Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]
Before Your conception, an Angel brought the salutation, “Rejoice!” to the Maiden full of grace. Again, at Your resurrection, an Angel rolled away the stone from Your glorious tomb, O Lord. The one brought a promise of joy, replacing the pain and sorrow. The other declared that the Master gives life, reversing the threat of death. Therefore we sing to You: Lord and benefactor of all, glory to You! [GOASD]
For the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 1. Marvel at the wondrous paradox.
Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύματος.
Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]
What a paradoxical miracle! * That the fountain of life from a barren wife is born, * that grace, fulgent, may commence to bear its fruit henceforth. * Be joyous, O Joachim, * having become the God-bearer’s progenitor! * There is no one else like you * in generations of paternity, O godly one, * for the God-receiving Maiden, the tabernacle of our God * the mountain all-holy, unto us has been bestowed through you. [SD]
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]
What a paradoxical miracle! * That the fountain of life from a barren wife is born, * that grace, fulgent, may commence to bear its fruit henceforth. * Be joyous, O Joachim, * having become the God-bearer’s progenitor! * There is no one else like you * in generations of paternity, O godly one, * for the God-receiving Maiden, the tabernacle of our God * the mountain all-holy, unto us has been bestowed through you. [SD]
Verse: Listen, O daughter, behold and incline your ear, and forget your people and your father’s house. For the King desired your beauty. [SAAS]
What a paradoxical miracle! * The barren one’s fruit is brought forth at the command * of Him who has made all things, and our almighty God; * and deftly He has redeemed * the worldly realm that was sterile of His good things. * O mothers, in chorus join * the Theotokos’ own mother and cry aloud, “Lady full of grace, rejoice, * for the Lord is with you, and at your intercession, He bestows great mercy on the world.” [SD]
Verse: The rich among the people shall entreat your favor. [SAAS]
Anna the renowned, appearing as * an animate pillar of chastity and a bright * container shining with grace, has truly given birth * to progeny of her own, * the efflorescence divine of virginity. * And manifestly the Maid * awards virginity’s beauty to virgins all * and to those who truly long for * the grace of virginity, * and she freely is granting * unto all the faithful great mercy. [SD]
Glory. For the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 2.
This is the Lord’s Day, O people, be filled with gladness! Behold! The bridal chamber of the Light and the book of the Word of Life has come forth from the womb. The Temple Gate that faces east has been born, and she awaits the entry of the Great High Priest. She alone introduces the only Christ to the world, for the salvation of our souls. [GKD]
From Octoechos - - -
Both now. Theotokion.
You are supremely blessed, O Virgin Theotokos. For through Him who from you became incarnate, Hades has been captured, and Adam has been called back; the curse has been killed, and Eve has been freed; death has been put to death, and we have been brought back to life. Therefore we extol Him and cry out, “O Christ our God, You are blessed, for so was Your good pleasure. Glory to You!” [GOASD]
Stand for the Great Doxology.
Great Doxology
Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind. [SD]
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world.
Accept our supplication, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.
For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.
Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.
Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.
Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.
For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we shall see light.
Continue Your mercy to those who know You.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
After the Doxology, sing the following Resurrectional Troparion.
Mode 4. (or the Mode of the week)
Today has salvation come to pass in the world. Let us sing to Him who resurrected from the tomb and is the Author of our life. For, destroying death by death, He gave us the victory and the great mercy. [SD]