Day 22 of the Great Fast. Saint with Six Stichera. Abstention from meat and foods that contain these ingredients.
MONDAY MORNING MATINS
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 3
At the dread Judgement I shall be convicted without accusers, and condemned without witnesses; for the book of my conscience will be opened and my hidden works revealed. O God, before You examine my actions in the presence of the whole creation, be merciful to me and save me.
O Lord, rebuke me not in Your anger, neither chasten me in Your wrath.
How long, O my soul, will you continue in sin? How long will you delay repentance? Call to mind the coming Judgement and cry to the Lord: I have sinned, O sinless Lord, save me.
God is wonderful in His saints, the God of Israel.
Who does not marvel at the victorious struggles of the holy martyrs? Who is not astonished that they remained forever undefeated? Burned with fire and scourged, cast to the wild beasts and slaughtered, they were victorious over the opposing enemy. With loathing they rejected the flattery of kings, and they scorned the tyrants’ threats; therefore they received crowns from Christ our God, who grants great mercy to the world.
Glory… Now…
With good reason each man turns to the place where he can find salvation. And what other refuge have we such as you, O Theotokos, the protection of our souls?
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 8
With the fire of abstinence let us burn up the thorns of the passions,* and with the streams of our tears let us extinguish the unquenchable flame;* and let us cry aloud to Him who shall come to judge all the world:* O Saviour and tenderly-compassionate Lord, preserve us uncondemned* and grant us the forgiveness of sins.
Glory… Now…
O pure and blessed one, who are full of the grace of God,* with the powers on High, the archangels and all the incorporeal ones,* beseech Him who was born from you* out of the loving-kindness of His compassion;* that before the end He grant us forgiveness,* the cleansing of our sins and amendment of life,* that we may find mercy.
Sessional Hymn III, Tone 8
O holy and venerable Trinity, as we enter now upon the third week of the Fast,* preserve us safe from harm and condemnation.* Count us worthy to pass through the time that yet remains,* fulfilling all Your commandments;* that offering up our hymns of praise with a pure conscience,* we may behold the glorious Resurrection.
Glory… Now…
You are the protection of the faithful, O Birthgiver of God,* the joy of the suffering, and comforter of those who mourn;* O all-pure Virgin, pray on our behalf to Him who was supra-naturally born from your womb,* together with the angels and the principalities,* that in the hour of judgment* we may be delivered from condemnation.
Canon
Ode 1
Irmos: Israel of old, having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet,* conquered the might of Amalek in the wilderness* through Moses’ hands stretched forth* in the form of the Cross.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
With gladness does the world rejoice, sensing the descent of the Lord upon you; for He descends to make His abode in the womb of the Virgin in the loving-kindness of His mercy.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Behold! the divine archangel is sent to You, the Queen, to proclaim the arrival of God the King of all, and to exclaim to you: Rejoice, restoration of the first father!
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
A lustrous and golden jar is prepared to receive the Manna of life; for at the voice of the archangel He comes upon you, making His abode within you supernaturally.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The Lord who dwells ever in heaven desires to make His abode in Your pure womb; for He comes to make heavenly the nature of mortal men, wisely clothing Himself therein.
Irmos: Let us, O you people, send up a hymn to our wondrous God* who has freed Israel from bondage,* chanting a hymn of victory and crying aloud:* We sing to You, O only Master.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
In Your divine compassion, accept me in repentance. I have wasted my life like the Prodigal, but cry aloud to You: “I have sinned and have no need of accusers; for I myself bring before You all my shameful deeds.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have forsaken the food of angels, and like a beast, fed upon evil wickedness. But now that I have turned back, receive me as one of Your hired servants, O heavenly Father.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O faithful, let us forsake the night of pleasures, and hasten to the light of truth, that we be deemed worthy to share in the radiant feast of joy.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice, most holy Temple, the Fleece upon which the dew of God has fallen, the sealed Fount of the waters of immortality. Preserve your flock, O Lady, from the attacks of every enemy.
Irmos: Let us sing to God,* who delivered Israel from the bitter bondage of Pharaoh,* guiding them with a pillar of fire and a cloud of light,* for He has been glorified.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
As of old Israel fasted for three days, so let us sanctify ourselves, O brethren, during the first three weeks of the Fast; let us draw near to the mount of prayer and, harkening to the divine voice, let us sing in praise of Christ.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Come, O people, and strengthened by fasting like Samson, let us destroy the demon of gluttony, as he once destroyed the lion; but let us take heed lest the Delilah of our passions deceive us.
Glory…
Like the cherubim I sing Your praises, O Holy Divinity: three Lights and one Light, one Life and three; God who begets, God the begotten, and the Spirit of Life proceeding from the Father.
Now…
Rejoice, joy of Eve: for through your childbearing, O pure One, her sorrow has ended. Rejoice, radiant cloud of the never-waning Light, from which Christ our God has dawned forth.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
As David once armed himself with faith, so let us arm ourselves with humility; and as he overthrew Goliath, so let us overthrow our proud mind, and slay the hosts of sensual passions.
Katavasia: Let us sing to God,* who delivered Israel from the bitter bondage of Pharaoh,* guiding them with a pillar of fire and a cloud of light,* for He has been glorified.
Ode 3
Irmos: Not in wisdom, nor in power, nor yet in riches do we boast,* but in you, the hypostatic Wisdom of the Father, O Christ;* for none is more holy than You,* who love mankind.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O earth so sadly overgrown with the thorns of the passions, dance, leaping up; for, lo! the immortal Husbandman now comes, removing the curse from you.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Prepare yourself, O undefiled Virgin, divine fleece; for upon you will God descend like rain, to dry up the torrents of transgression.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Be well adorned, O divine scroll; for by the finger of the Father will the divine Word incarnate be written upon you, annulling the transgression of my irrationality.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O golden lamp, bear aloft the fire of the Godhead which shines forth through you, bestowing light upon the world; for thereby is the darkness of our evils broken.
Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
With the descent of the all-holy Spirit and at the cry of the archangel* You conceived Him who is equally enthroned with the Father* and of one essence with Him, O Theotokos,* O restoration of Adam.
Tone 3, Glory… Now…
Today all creation rejoices, for the angel cries out to you “Rejoice!”* O blessed Mary, all-pure Mother of Christ God.* Today the arrogance of the serpent is cast into darkness;* for the bond of the forefather’s curse has been broken.* Therefore, we cry out to you for all things: Rejoice, O joyous one!
Ode 4
Irmos: Beholding You lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness,* the Church stood rooted in place,* crying out as is meet:* Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The mystery appointed from of old before time began begins to be manifest; and the earth and the heavens rejoice together and joyously cry aloud.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O palace of the great King, unstop the divine openings of your ears, for Christ the Truth is come already and makes His abode in the midst of you.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The Deliverer appears, setting aright the stumbling of our first mother, making His abode within the womb of her who knew not wedlock; to Him let us cry out: Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Of old Habakkuk called you the mountain overshadowed by the virtues, from which our God desires to manifest Himself, O all-immaculate Virgin, only restoration of men.
Ode 5
Irmos: You have come into the world as a light, O my Lord,* a holy light which turns from the gloom of ignorance those who hymn You with faith.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O unblemished ewe-lamb! Our God, the Lamb, maketh haste to enter your womb, taking away our offenses.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
As is written, the mystic rod gradually blossoms forth a divine Flower, manifesting it to us from the root of Jesse.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Ripening like a vineyard at the cry of the angel, O Virgin, prepare to put forth the ripe and incorrupt Cluster.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Be glad, O Isaiah, greatest of the prophets, for the Virgin of whom prophesied conceived the Angel of great counsel in her womb.
Ode 6
Irmos: I shall sacrifice to You with a voice of praise, O Lord,* the Church cries out to You,* cleansed of the blood of demons* by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Your side.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The Archangel Gabriel proclaims to you, “Rejoice!”, for you ineffably received in your womb the joy which Eve lost through her transgression, O Virgin.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The fire of the Godhead neither consumes nor in anywise affrighted your womb, O Maiden, for the bush of old, which burned yet was in nowise consumed, prefigured you, O most pure one.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice, O Virgin, mountain which Daniel foresaw in the Spirit! For from you was the noetic Stone cut which shall demolish the inanimate temples of the demons.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The King of peace comes to you, and through you He shall reconcile those who have been assailed and deceived by the wicked counsel of the serpent, O Mother of God.
Kontakion, Tone 8
You are the beginning of salvation* for all those born on earth, O virgin Theotokos.* The prince of the heavenly legions has been sent* to stand before you with a message of joy.* We join the chorus and call out to you:* Rejoice, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure.
Ode 7
Irmos: O all-hymned Lord, God of our fathers,* who saved the children of Abraham in the furnace and slew the Chaldeans,* whom justice rightly overtook:* Blessed are You!
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O noetic tabernacle, which the true Bestower of the law, loving, desires to make His habitation, you have been filled with sweet fragrance; for through you He renews those who have become corrupt.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The divine choir of the prophets, perceiving the peaceful coming of the Deliverer upon you, cries out to you: Rejoice, deliverance of all! Rejoice, who alone are the salvation of men!
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Fear not the voice, neither marvel at him who speaks; for he is the servant of God. He has come to reveal a mystery to you which is ineffable even to the angels, O blessed Virgin who knows not wedlock.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
You behold all creation enslaved by the enemy, O Virgin; but He whose good pleasure it is desires through you to have mercy upon it, in the lovingkindness of His mercy. Therefore, do not discount the words of the angel.
Ode 8
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 you works of the Lord!
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Prepare yourself, O you who knowest not wedlock, light cloud of the Light! For the never-setting Sun shines forth upon you from on high, which, hidden within you for a time, shall be revealed to the world and shall dispel the darkness of evil.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The first minister among the angels cried out to you a voice of joy, O pure one, announcing to you the Angel of great counsel who, in His goodness, is incarnate of you. To Him do we cry: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The Transcendent One who sits at the right hand of the Father desires to make His habitation within you, O pure one, that He may set you, the beloved and comely one, at His own right hand like a Queen, and extend His right hand to all the fallen, and save us.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The Lord our Creator, recognizing you as a pure rose of the valley, as a fragrant lily, has now desired your beauty, O pure one, and wishes to become incarnate of your blood, that He may dispel the stench of deception with goodness.
Irmos: Treading down the fiery flame in the furnace, the divinely eloquent children sang:* “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have wasted the riches the Father has given me with harlots and have been cast out from the forecourt of grace; but receive me back, O Father, according to Your immeasurable mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us shine with the effulgent radiance of prayer and fasting, and so escape from the darkness of sin.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The choir of the noetic powers entreats You, the cherubim pray to You together with the company of the saints: O most merciful Christ, save our souls.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin Theotokos, who has conceived the un-husbanded Vine, bring me who am darkened by the drunkenness of sin, back to sobriety, for you are the hope of our souls.
Irmos: O You who have covered Your high places with the waters,* who hast set the sands to bound the sea and upholds all things:* the sun sings Your praises, the moon gives You glory, every creature offers a hymn to You,* as the Fashioner of all, throughout the ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Come, O brethren, and let us delight in the Fast, for it is the Father’s treasury, a thing of wonder, and the mother of all who worship Christ the Master. It gives strength to the body and enlightens the mind and heart.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Emulate the wondrous example of Gideon, O my soul, and bearing as your weapons the three virtues of faith, hope, and love for Christ, go out and slay the alien passions, as he did, conquering the people of Midian with three hundred men.
We bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord.
I glorify You as the Trinity, and I sing Your praises as a single Unity: one Godhead, the almighty Father, the Sovereign Son, and the Holy Spirit; One Power ruling over all, one Nature, and one Kingdom, worshipped in three Hypostases.
Now…
She who in a manner transcending nature escaped the pain of labour, Your Mother, suffered at Your Holy Passion, for she was overcome with agony upon seeing You willingly nailed upon the Cross by the Jews, O You who suspended the earth upon the waters.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
When You shall come again in glory with thousands and ten thousands of Your heavenly powers to judge all the earth, O Lord, spare me then, forgive me, and deliver me from condemnation. Put me not to shame; condemn me not to the never-ending fire.
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
Katavasia: O You who have covered Your high places with the waters,* who hast set the sands to bound the sea and upholds all things:* the sun sings Your praises, the moon gives You glory, every creature offers a hymn to You,* as the Fashioner of all, throughout the ages.
Ode 9
Irmos: Eve, through weakness, dwelt under the curse of disobedience;* but you, O Virgin Theotokos,* have budded forth blessing upon the world with the Offspring of your pregnancy.* Therefore, we all magnify you.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Eve laid hold of the fruit, which resulted in all-destroying death; but in the midst of you, O Mistress, the mediating Fruit of immortality grows: Christ our sweetness. And chanting to Him, we glorify you.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Bowing down Your heavens, O Word, You have come down to us, and the womb of the Virgin has already been prepared for You as a throne; and seated thereon as a most mighty King, You lift up the creation of Your right hand from its fallen position.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O pure one, unsown field, receive at the angel’s word the Word of heaven, who springs forth from you like fruitful wheat and nourishes the ends of the earth with the grain of understanding. Worshiping Him, we glorify you.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Christ desired your beauty, O all-immaculate one, and made His abode within your womb, that He might deliver the human race from the ugliness of the passions and bestow upon it its ancient comeliness. Worshipping Him, we glorify you.
Irmos: The prophetic vision of the lawgiver on the mountain, in the fire of the burning bush,* prefigured thy birth-giving, O Ever-Virgin,* the salvation of us the faithful,* wherefore with never silent hymns we magnify you.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Father, I have departed far from Your love, and have enslaved myself to sensual desires. But receive me now who have returned to You, as did the Prodigal, for You alone are plenteous in mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
In my wretchedness I am like the withered fig tree, for the only fruit I have borne is wickedness; and I deserve to be cast into the fire. Show me to be fruitful O Lord, that I may offer You the fruit of my good actions.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O my soul, abstain from wickedness and evil; refrain from anger, wrath, and every sin. For such is the fast desired by Jesus, the Lover of mankind.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Theotokos, you are our defence and rampart; you are the help of those who flee to you, and we implore you now, that we be delivered from our enemies.
Irmos: We magnify you, O all-undefiled One, Mother of Christ our God,* for you were overshadowed by the Holy Spirit.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
As an acceptable gift, let us offer to Christ God a pure fast and abstinence from evil.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O my soul, seeing how Elisha fed the prophets in the days of old, partake of whatever food there be, giving thanks to Christ.
Glory…
I sing Your praises, O Godhead, one Form in three Hypostases, the beginningless Father, the Son, and the Spirit of Life.
Now…
O Maiden, Mother of God, bridal chamber of Christ the heavenly King, save by your intercessions those who praise you with love.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Daniel in the lion’s den tamed the wild beasts with the muzzle of abstinence: let us also subdue the passions by fasting.
Katavasia: We magnify you, O all-undefiled One, Mother of Christ our God,* for you were overshadowed by the Holy Spirit.
Aposticha
Tone 4
Clothed in the fetid garment of my sins,* I have been cast out from the bridal chamber of joy;* but in accordance with Your ineffable compassion, take pity on me,* as You took pity on the Prodigal Son,* and be merciful to me.
In the morning, fill us with Your love; we shall exult and rejoice all our days. Give us joy to balance our affliction for the years when we knew misfortune. Show forth Your work to Your servants; let Your glory shine on their children.
Clothed in the fetid garment of my sins,* I have been cast out from the bridal chamber of joy;* but in accordance with Your ineffable compassion, take pity on me,* as You took pity on the Prodigal Son,* and be merciful to me.
Let the favour of the Lord be upon us: give success to the work of our hands, give success to the work of our hands.
Who is not filled with wonder,* at beholding the good struggle of the holy martyrs?* How, armed with the Cross and confessing Christ,* while yet in the body, they defeated the bodiless foe;* whereby, they put to flight the demons and conquered the barbarian enemies.* Pray without ceasing that our souls be saved.
Tone 4, Glory… Now…
The Theotokos heard a tongue which she knew not;* for the archangel spoke to her the words of the annunciation.* And accepting his salutation with faith,* she conceived You, the pre-eternal God.* Wherefore, rejoicing, we cry out to You:* O God who was immutably incarnate of her,* grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls!
GREAT VESPERS ON MONDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
There are no appointed psalms for this evening.
At Psalm 140
Tone 1
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Let us love the Fast:* for by the power of the Spirit it withers the most wicked passions,* giving us strength to do godly works;* it enables our mind to ascend to heaven,* and gains the forgiveness of sins,* from our compassionate God.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
In my wretchedness I have shamefully wasted my life with harlots, O Lord,* but like the Prodigal, I cry out to You with compunction:* I have sinned, O heavenly Father;* cleanse and save me.* Reject me not who have departed far from You and am now destitute of blessed deeds.
Tone 3
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Come, let us with cymbals and songs of praise* greet the season of honourable abstinence;* for through the Fast we noetically trample underfoot the serpent, the origin of evil.* Wherefore with boldness let us cry out to Christ:* Grant us, O Saviour, to gaze upon Your all-holy Cross without condemnation * and to venerate it, radiantly keeping festival* with psalms and hymns.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Gabriel stood in your presence, O holy Virgin,* and revealed the eternal plan to you.* He greeted you and announced:* Rejoice, O earth that has not been sown!* Rejoice, O burning bush that was not consumed!* Rejoice, O unsearchable depth!* Rejoice, O bridge which leads to heaven;* O high ladder which Jacob saw!* Rejoice, O vessel of divine manna!* Rejoice, O invocation of Adam!* The Lord is with you.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Gabriel stood in your presence, O holy Virgin,* and revealed the eternal plan to you.* He greeted you and announced:* Rejoice, O earth that has not been sown!* Rejoice, O burning bush that was not consumed!* Rejoice, O unsearchable depth!* Rejoice, O bridge which leads to heaven;* O high ladder which Jacob saw!* Rejoice, O vessel of divine manna!* Rejoice, O invocation of Adam!* The Lord is with you.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
The blameless Maiden said to the captain of the heavenly hosts:* You appear to me as a mortal,* and your words go beyond human thought.* You have said that God is with me,* and that He shall take up abode in my womb.* Tell me then, how am I to become a holy temple for the Infinite One,* the Lord Who rides on the Cherubim?* Do not mislead me with deceit,* for I have known no pleasure and have not approached wedlock.* Therefore, how shall I give birth to a child?
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The blameless Maiden said to the captain of the heavenly hosts:* You appear to me as a mortal,* and your words go beyond human thought.* You have said that God is with me,* and that He shall take up abode in my womb.* Tell me then, how am I to become a holy temple for the Infinite One,* the Lord Who rides on the Cherubim?* Do not mislead me with deceit,* for I have known no pleasure and have not approached wedlock.* Therefore, how shall I give birth to a child?
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The archangel then said to her:* Whenever God wills, the order of nature is overcome,* and that which is beyond human power is accomplished.* Therefore, O most pure and everlasting One, believe my true words.* She then cried out, saying:* Let it now be done to me according to your word,* and I will give birth to the One Who is without flesh.* He will take flesh from me,* so that by the union He may raise the human race to the original dignity,* for He alone is all-powerful.
Glory… Now…
The archangel Gabriel was sent from heaven* to bring to the Virgin glad tidings of her conception.* When he came to Nazareth,* he marvelled at the miracle and thought to himself:* How is it that He Whom the heavens cannot comprehend* is now being born of a virgin?* The One Who has heaven for a throne and earth for a footstool* is being enclosed within a virgin’s womb.* He, upon whom the six-winged Seraphim and the many-eyed Cherubim cannot gaze,* wills to become incarnate of her by a single word.* The Word of God is at hand.* Then why do I stand by and not say to the Virgin:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace; the Lord is with you!* Rejoice, O pure Virgin and Maiden Bride!* Rejoice, O Mother of the Life!* Blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Vespers Reading I
Genesis 6:9-22
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
I shall commemorate your name* in every generation and generation
verse: My heart is inclined unto a good word.
Vespers Reading II
Proverbs 8:1-21
Vespers Reading III
Genesis 28:10-17
Vespers Reading IV
Ezekiel 43:27-44:4
Vespers Reading V
Proverbs 9:1-11
Aposticha
Tone 2
O good Father, in my madness I am stripped bare of Your good gifts.* I have wandered far from You and enslaved myself to a strange citizen.* I lead unclean beasts to pasture,* and eating of their food I remain hungry.* But, knowing Your loving-kindness, I flee to You:* in Your love for mankind, cover my nakedness and save me.
I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.
O good Father, in my madness I am stripped bare of Your good gifts.* I have wandered far from You and enslaved myself to a strange citizen.* I lead unclean beasts to pasture,* and eating of their food I remain hungry.* But, knowing Your loving-kindness, I flee to You:* in Your love for mankind, cover my nakedness and save me.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.
Because the holy martyrs intercede for us* and sing in praise of Christ,* all deception has ceased,* and humanity saved been saved by faith.
Tone 4, Glory… Now…
Today there come glad tidings of joy: it is the feast of the Virgin.* Things below are joined to things above.* Adam is renewed, Eve set free from her ancient sorrow;* and the Tabernacle of the human nature which the Lord took upon Himself,* making divine the substance He assumed, is consecrated as a Temple of God!* O mystery! The manner of emptying is unknown,* the fashion of His conceiving is ineffable.* An angel ministers at the wonder; a virgin womb receives the Son.* The Holy Spirit is sent down; the Father on high gives His consent;* and so the covenant is brought to pass by common counsel.* In Him and through Him are we saved,* and together with Gabriel let us cry aloud to the Virgin:* “Rejoice, you who are full of grace: the Lord is with you.* From you has Christ our God and our Salvation taken human nature,* rising it up to Himself.* Pray to Him that our souls may be saved.”
Troparion, Tone 4
Today is the crown of our salvation,* and the unfolding of the eternal mystery;* the Son of God becomes the Virgin’s Son,* and Gabriel brings the tidings of grace.* With him let us also cry to the Mother of God:* Rejoice, Full of grace! The Lord is with you!
Litany
Three great prostrations
Great Dismissal