Feast of the Mother of God. Day 23 of the Great Fast.
FESTAL MATINS ON TUESDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 4
Troparia, 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! Thrice
Psalter Reading
According to schedule
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 1
The great commander of the immaterial angels,* standing forth in the city of Nazareth,* proclaims to you the King and Lord of the ages, O all-pure one,* saying to you: Rejoice, O blessed Mary,* unapproachable and ineffable mystery,* restoration of men!
Glory… Now…
The great commander of the immaterial angels,* standing forth in the city of Nazareth,* proclaims to you the King and Lord of the ages, O all-pure one,* saying to you: Rejoice, O blessed Mary,* unapproachable and ineffable mystery,* restoration of men!
Psalter Reading
According to schedule
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 3
Today all creation rejoices as the archangel says to you:* Rejoice! O blessed, honoured and all-pure Mother of Christ God.* Today the arrogance of the serpent is cast into darkness;* for the bond of our forefather’s curse is annulled.* Wherefore, we cry out to you unceasingly:* Rejoice, O joyous one!
Glory… Now…
Today all creation rejoices as the archangel says to you:* Rejoice! O blessed, honoured and all-pure Mother of Christ God.* Today the arrogance of the serpent is cast into darkness;* for the bond of our forefather’s curse is annulled.* Wherefore, we cry out to you unceasingly:* Rejoice, O joyous one!
Polyeleos
Magnification
O most pure One,* imitating the speech of the archangel, we cry out to you:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace,* the Lord is with you!
verse: O God, give judgment to Your king; to the son of the king justice.
verse: The fruit of your womb I shall set upon My throne.
verse: He shall descend like rain on the meadows, like raindrops on the earth.
verse: For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling.
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
Gabriel from heaven cries out “Rejoice!” to the honoured one;* for she conceives in her womb the pre-eternal God* who formed the ends of the earth by His word.* Wherefore, Mary replied: “I know not man: how then shall I give birth to a Son?” Who has ever seen a seedless birthgiving?”* And the angel, recounting, said to the Virgin Theotokos:* “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you,* and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you!”
Glory… Now…
Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary and announced to her ineffable joy;* for she would conceive without seed and not suffer corruption.* “For you shall give birth to a Son, the pre-eternal God,* and He will save His people from their sins.* And He who sent me bears witness, telling me to cry to you:* Rejoice, O blessed one!* O Virgin, you shall give birth,* and shall remain a virgin even after giving birth!”
Gradual Hymns, Tone 4
Antiphon 1
From my youth do many passions war against me;* but do You Yourself defend* and save me, O my Saviour.
You haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord;* for like grass, by the fire* shall you be withered.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit, every soul is quickened,* and, through cleansing, is exalted* and made radiant* by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Proclaim from day to day* the good tidings of the salvation of our God.
verse: O sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the earth.
Let everything that lives, Tone 4
Gospel
Luke 1:39-49, 56
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Tone 6, Glory…
Through the prayers of the holy apostles,* O Merciful One,* cleanse me from the multitude of my transgressions.
Now…
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Merciful One,* cleanse me from the multitude of my transgressions.
Tone 2
Have mercy on me, O God, in Your kindness. In Your compassion blot out my offense.
Today Gabriel announces to her who is full of grace:* “Rejoice, O Mother unwed, who knew not wedlock!* Be not amazed by my strange appearance, neither be afraid;* for I am an archangel!* The serpent once deceived Eve;* but now I announce joy to you:* you will remain incorrupt and will give birth to the Lord, O all-holy one!”
Canon
Ode 1
Irmos: I will open my mouth, and with the Spirit will it be filled,* and I shall utter discourse to the Queen and Mother;* and I shall be seen keeping splendid festival,* and, rejoicing, I will hymn her wonders.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O Mistress, let David your forefather chant to you, striking his spiritual harp: “Pay heed, O daughter, to the joyful voice of the angel; for he announces to you ineffable joy!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“I cry to you in gladness: Incline your ear, and hearken to me, who announce the seedless conception of God; for you have found before God favour which no one else has ever found, O most honoured one!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“That I may understand the power of your words, O angel, how shall what you have said come to pass? Speak more plainly: How shall I conceive, who am a virgin maiden? How shall I become the Mother of my Creator?”
Glory… Now…
The Angel
“You think, I suppose, that I am making a false declaration. I rejoice, beholding your steadfastness. Yet be of good cheer, O Lady, for, God willing, all-glorious things will easily come to pass!”
Katavasia: The Irmoi of the feast, except for those odes which conclude with a Triodion, when the Katavasia is prescribed by the Triodion.
Ode 3
Irmos: O Theotokos, living and abundant fountain,* in your divine glory* spiritually unite those who hymn you into a choir,* and vouchsafe to them crowns of glory.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“A ruler has failed from Judah! The following time has come, wherein Christ, the hope of the nations, shall appear! But tell me: how shall I, who am a virgin, give birth to Him?”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“O Virgin, you seek to learn from me the manner of your conceiving; yet it is indescribable. The Holy Spirit, overshadowing you, shall accomplish it with His creative power.”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“My first mother, accepting the serpent’s knowledge, was driven away from divine sustenance; wherefore, I fear your strange salutation, wary lest I stumble.”
Glory… Now…
The Angel
“I am sent as a divine intercessor to convey to you the divine counsel. Wherefore fear me who am even more in fear of you, O most immaculate one? Why do you render homage to me who render homage to you with honour, O Mistress?”
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
The Word of God has now come down to the earth,* and the angel stood forth, crying out to the Virgin:* “Rejoice, O blessed one, receiving the pre-eternal Word and Lord in your womb, *that, as God, He might save the human race from deception!”
Glory… Now…
Gabriel, the supreme commander, was sent from heaven by God;* and he quickly presented himself before the animate city, manifestly saying to her:* ‘‘You shall receive the Creator in your womb, O Virgin,* and shall immutably give birth to Him in the flesh!* Wherefore, I am sent to announce to you your strange birth giving, O pure one,* and stand here, crying aloud to you: Rejoice, O bride unwedded!”
Ode 4
Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead,* Jesus most divine is come upon a light cloud,* and with His incorrupt hand has saved those who cry:* Glory to Your power, O Christ!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“I have heard the prophet who of old prophesied that Emmanuel would come when a certain sanctified virgin gives birth. Yet I wish to understand how human nature will endure mingling with divinity?”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“O joyous and most hymned one, the bush which was unconsumed when it received the flame revealed the all-glorious mystery which will be wrought in you, for you shall remain a pure Ever-virgin after giving birth.”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“Illumined with the radiance of God Almighty, O Gabriel, herald of the Truth, speak things most true: How shall I give birth to the incorporeal Word in the flesh, while remaining in my incorrupt purity?”
Glory… Now…
The Angel
“As a servant I stand with awe and fear before you, my Maiden Lady, and I am abashed to look upon you; for as the rain descended upon the fleece, so will the Word of the Father descend upon you, as is His good pleasure.”
Ode 5
Irmos: All things are filled with awe by your divine glory;* for you, O Virgin who knew not wedlock, conceived in your womb God who is over all,* and gave birth to the timeless Son,* granting peace to all who hymn you.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“I cannot understand the purport of your words; for there have been miracles in great numbers, wrought by divine power, and the signs and images of the law; yet never has a virgin given birth without knowing a man!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“You marvel, O most immaculate one, for strange is the miracle of you; for you alone shall receive the King of all incarnate in your womb. Yes, the sayings and indistinct images of the prophets and the types of the law prefigure you.”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“How can He whom nought can contain and is visible to no one make His abode in a virgin’s womb, which He Himself created? How shall I conceive God the Word, who with the Father and the Spirit is equally unoriginate?”
Glory… Now…
The Angel
“A promise was given to David, your ancestor, that the Fruit of your loins would sit upon the throne of his kingdom. And God has chosen you alone, the beauty of Jacob, to be His reason-endowed habitation.”
Ode 6
Irmos: Prefiguring Your three-day burial, the Prophet Jonah cried aloud, praying within the sea monster:* Deliver me from corruption, O Jesus, King of hosts!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“Accepting the joyous sound of your words, O Gabriel, I have been filled with divine gladness! For you tell of joy, and announce gladness without end!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“To you have divine joy been given, O Mother of God! To you all creation cries out “Rejoice!” O Bride of God! For you alone have been called beforehand the Mother of the Son of God, O pure one!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“Let the condemnation of Eve now be annulled! Let her debt now be repaid by me! Through me let the ancient loan be rendered up in full!”
Glory… Now…
The Angel
“God promised to your ancestor Abraham that the nations would be blessed in his seed, O pure one; and through you has this promise found its fulfilment this day!”
Kontakion, Tone 8
To You, O Mother of God,* the invincible leader,* we, your servants, ascribe these victory hymns* in thanksgiving for our deliverance from evil.* With your invincible power free us from all dangers* that we may cry out to you:* Hail, O Bride and pure Virgin!
Ikos
An angelic chieftain was sent from heaven to cry to the Mother of God: “Rejoice!” with his incorporeal voice. And, beholding You incarnate, O Lord, he was filled with awe and stood, crying to her such things as these:
Rejoice, through whom Joy shines forth!
Rejoice, through whom the curse is lifted!
Rejoice, restoration of fallen Adam!
Rejoice, deliverance from tears for Eve!
Rejoice, height difficult for human thoughts to scale!
Rejoice, depth hard even for the eyes of angels to fathom!
Rejoice, for you are the throne of the King!
Rejoice, you who bore Him who bears all!
Rejoice, star heralding the Sun!
Rejoice, womb of the divine incarnation!
Rejoice, through whom creation is made new!
Rejoice, thou through whom we worship the Creator!
Rejoice, O Bride unwedded!
Ode 8
Irmos: The divinely wise youths would not worship a created things instead of the Creator,* but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot,* they rejoiced, chanting:* O all-hymned Lord God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“Declaring the radiant tidings, the divine announcement, that the immaterial Light who, in His great loving-kindness, is uniting Himself to a material body, you cry to me: “Blessed is the Fruit of your womb, O most pure one!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“Rejoice, O Virgin Mistress! Rejoice, O all-pure one! Rejoice, O receptacle of God! Rejoice, O lampstand of the Light, restoration of Adam, deliverance of Eve, holy mountain, all-manifest sanctuary and bridal-chamber of immortality!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“My soul has been cleansed, my body sanctified; I am made a temple fit to hold God, a divinely adorned tabernacle, a temple rendered animate through the visitation of the all-holy Spirit, and the pure Mother of the Life!”
Glory… Now…
The Angel
“I see you now as a lamp of surpassing radiance, a bridal-chamber made by God, a golden ark. O Bride of God, receive the Giver of the law, whose good pleasure it is to deliver corrupt human nature through you!”
Ode 8
Irmos: Hearken, O pure Virgin Maiden,* that Gabriel may recount to you the ancient counsel of the Most High.* Make ready to receive God; for through you has the Infinite One come to dwell with men.* Wherefore, rejoicing, I cry: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“Every earthly mind is vanquished, pondering the all-glorious things you declare to me,” answered the Virgin; “I have heard your words, yet am in fear and terror, lest through deception you send me far away from God. Yet, behold! I cry out: ‘‘Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely forever!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“Behold, your perplexity has been resolved,” Gabriel said to this; “for you have said well that this is a matter hard to comprehend. Yet, submitting to the words of your mouth, doubt not that this is true, but believe it. For, rejoicing, I cry: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely forever!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Theotokos
“This is God’s law for men,” the immaculate one straightway said, “Birthgiving comes from common love. I am utterly ignorant of the pleasure of a spouse. How then can you say that I will give birth? I fear that you speak falsehood. Yet do I cry out: ‘‘Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely forever!”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Angel
“The words you declare to me, O pure one, apply in general to the birthgiving of mortal men,” the angel said again; “I promise you that the true God, incarnate in manner past recounting and comprehension, as He knows, will come forth from you. Wherefore, rejoicing, I cry aloud: “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely forever!”
Glory… Now…
The Theotokos
“You show yourself to me as a herald of the truth,” the Virgin said, “for you have come as a harbinger of common joy. I have therefore cleansed soul and body. Be it unto me according to your word, that God may dwell in me, to whom I cry out with you: ‘‘Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely forever!”
At Ode 9, the faithful again light their candles. We do not chant the Magnificat; rather, the right choir chanteth instead the refrain of the feast and the Irmos, and then the left choir doeth the same. The refrain is also used to introduce each of the troparia of Ode IX of the festal canon, but for the troparia of the Triodion, we use the refrain: “Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!”, and for the Theotokion of the Triodion we use the festal refrain.
Refrain: O earth, announce glad tidings of great joy! Ye heavens, praise the glory of God!
Ode 9
Irmos: Let no hand of the profane touch God’s living ark,* but instead let the lips of those who are believers* sing out ceaselessly in the words of the angel,* crying out with great joy to the Mother of God:* Hail, O Full of Grace! The Lord is with you.”
O earth, announce good news of great joy; praise God’s glory, O heavens.
Conceiving God in manner past understanding, O Mistress, you eluded the custom of nature; for in giving birth you escaped corrupt maternal nature, transcending it. Wherefore, you hear as is meet: Rejoice, O who are full of grace! The Lord is with you!
O earth, announce good news of great joy; praise God’s glory, O heavens.
No earthly tongue can explain how pour forth milk, O pure Virgin; for you show forth a thing strange to nature and transcend the rule of lawful birthgiving. Wherefore, you hear as is meet: Rejoice, O who are full of grace! The Lord is with you!
O earth, announce good news of great joy; praise God’s glory, O heavens.
Mystically were you spoken of in the sacred Scriptures, O Mother of the Most High; for Jacob of old, seeing you in figure as a ladder, said: “This is the ladder of God!” Wherefore, you hear as is meet: Rejoice, O who are full of grace! The Lord is with you!
O earth, announce good news of great joy; praise God’s glory, O heavens.
The bush and the fire showed forth a wondrous miracle to Moses, who was manifest in sanctity; and seeking the end thereof in the passage of time, he said: “I perceive it in the pure Maiden!” To her, as to the Theotokos, let it be said: Rejoice, O who are full of grace! The Lord is with you!
Glory… Now…
Daniel called you the mystical mountain, and Isaiah called you the birth-giver of God. Gideon saw you as a fleece, David called you a sanctuary, and another called you a door. But Gabriel cries out to you: Rejoice, O who are full of grace! The Lord is with you!
Small Litany
Hymn of Light
The supreme commander of the angelic hosts was sent by God Almighty to the pure Virgin, to announce a strange and ineffable wonder; for God, who watches over the whole human race, as man became a babe through her without seed. O people, tell forth the glad tidings of the restoration of the world! (Twice)
Glory… Now…
The mystery of God which was from before time is made known today: God the Word becomes the Son of the Virgin Mary in His loving-kindness, and Gabriel proclaims the joy of the annunciation. And with him we cry out to her: Rejoice, O Mother of the Lord!
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 1
Flying down to Nazareth from the circles of heaven,* Gabriel came to the Virgin Mary, crying to her:* “Rejoice! You shall conceive a Son who is older than Adam,* the Creator of the ages and the Deliverer of those who cry to you:* “’Rejoice, O pure one!”
The Word Who with the Father is equally eternal and all-unoriginate,* without separating Himself from those on high,* has now come before those below in His extreme loving-kindness,* taking pity on us for our stumbling;* and, accepting the poverty of Adam,* He has assumed a form alien to Himself.
Bearing glad tidings to the Virgin from heaven, Gabriel cried aloud:* “Rejoice! You shall conceive in your womb Him who will be contained by you,* though He cannot be contained by anything;* and in giving birth you shall show forth* Him who shone forth from the Father before the day-star!”
The transcendent Word has made His abode within you in the flesh* at the counsel of the Father, O Virgin Theotokos;* becoming like us, He has built up the race which fell through the ancient curse.* Wherefore, with the angel we all cry out to you with faith:* “Rejoice, O Mother of Christ!”
Tone 2, Glory… Now…
Today the mystery is revealed which was hidden from before time began,* and the Son of God becomes the Son of the man,* that, taking upon Him that which is worse,* He might grant me that which is higher.* Of old Adam was deceived,* and though he desired to become a god, he could not;* yet God becomes man that He might make Adam a god.* Let creation be glad, let nature dance!* For the archangel stands with fear before the Virgin and offers her “Rejoice!”—an antidote to grief.* O our God who has become man in the loving-kindness of Your mercy,* glory be to You!
On Saturdays and Sundays, Great Doxology and following
On weekdays, Lesser Doxology and the following at the Aposticha
Tone 8, Now…
Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice!* For He who with the Father is equally everlasting, equally unoriginated, and equally enthroned,* taking to Himself His loving mercy toward mankind,* has appointed for Himself an abasement,* by the good pleasure and counsel of the Father,* and has made His abode within the Virgin’s womb, which was wholly purified by the Spirit.* O the wonder! God is among men, the Infinite One is contained in a womb,* the Timeless One has entered into time!* And what is more glorious: His conception is seedless, His abasement is ineffable.* So great is this mystery!* For God empties Himself and becomes incarnate,* He took on form when the angel spoke of His conception to the pure one, saying:* “Rejoice, O joyous one, the Lord is with you,* who has great mercy!”
Great Doxology
Trisagion Prayers
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!
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
VESPERS WITH DIVINE LITURGY ON TUESDAY EVENING
At Psalm 140
Tone 6
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
O compassionate Lord, in the midst of the earth You endured the Cross and Passion,* granting redemption and freedom from the passions to all mankind. * Wherefore, on this middle day of the Fast,* all are invited to fall down and worship You, and with great joy, adore You.* Radiant with the effulgence of the divine virtues,* may we all be deemed worthy to behold Your Passion and life-giving Resurrection, O Word of God,* who alone are abundantly merciful.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
A lifeless corpse affixed to the Cross,* Your side pierced by the spear, and given gall to drink, O long-suffering Master,* who by the hand of Moses made sweet the waters of Marah;* I entreat You and pray to You:* cast the bitter passions away from my understanding,* and sweeten my mind with the honey of repentance,* and grant me to worship Your precious Passion.
Tone 1
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Before our eyes today* we see set before us the mighty Cross* that Moses once prefigured with outstretched hands,* putting Amalek to flight.* Wherefore with trembling, O ye peoples,* let us touch it with pure minds and lips,* for upon it Christ hath been raised slaying death;* that we all may be worthy of His grace,* and, praising the Savoir of all with hymns inspired by God,* let us pray that we may arrive at His saving Resurrection.
Tone 4
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Come, let us worship the Cross of Christ God,* the Wood that brings us life,* which is placed before us this day.* For by the Cross death has been wounded* and the power of Your Resurrection has been revealed to us the fallen ones,* having been delivered let us cry aloud:* You have willingly suffered for our sake,* to save the whole of creation;* O our God, glory be to You.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Your Cross, O Saviour, has been given to us Christians, as an invincible power:* for by it the hosts of the enemy are put to flight* and Your Church, O Christ, rightly confessing the true faith, is overshadowed with peace.* Adoring it, we raise our fervent cry to Your:* Count us also worthy of the inheritance of Your saints.
Tone 4
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
In the sixth month, the archangel was sent to the pure Virgin.* Telling her to rejoice, he announced the good tidings* that the Saviour would be born of her.* Having accepted his greeting, she conceived the eternal God* who ineffably deigned to become incarnate* for the salvation of our souls.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The Mother of God, upon hearing, did not understand* the message of the archangel* because he was speaking the words of glad tidings to her.* She accepted his greeting with faith* and conceived You, the eternal God.* Therefore, we joyfully sing to You:* O God, You became incarnate, without change, from her;* and You grant peace and great mercy to the world.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Behold, the promised One now manifests himself to us.* It is beyond comprehension that God unites himself to the human race.* At the word of the archangel, deceit is cast out* because the Virgin receives the Joy.* The things of the earth become like heaven;* the world is freed of the original curse.* Let creation rejoice,* and may voices cry out:* O our Creator and Deliverer,* O Lord, glory to You!
Tone 1
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The archangel Gabriel, the spirit who sees God face to face,* gazes upon the brilliant, saving, and gleaming Light.* He sings heavenly and awesome hymns with the ranks on high.* He implores God to grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The great mystery, previously unknown to the angels and hidden from eternity,* is made known to you alone, O Gabriel.* When you came to Nazareth, you told it to the pure One.* Together with her, implore God to grant peace* and great mercy to our souls.
You made the winds your messengers, and flaming fire your ministers.
O prince of angels, all-perfect Gabriel, * you are filled with the divine brightness.* You fulfill the wishes and commands of the Almighty.* Save those who lovingly venerate you.* Always ask God to grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
Tone 6
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.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 6
Sing to God,* chant to His name.
verse: Prepare the way for Him that rides upon the setting of the sun.
Vespers Reading I
Genesis 9:8-17
God spoke to Noah and his sons with him, saying, “Behold, I am establishing My covenant with you and with your seed after you, and every living creature with you: the birds, the cattle, and all the wild animals of the earth, of all that came out of the ark with you. Thus I will establish My covenant with you, and never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; nor shall there ever again be a flood to destroy the earth.” Then the Lord God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you, and every living creature with you, for perpetual generations: I am setting My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. My rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will certainly remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh on the earth.” Again God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I established between Me and all flesh on the earth.”
Prokeimenon II, Tone 6
Poor and in sorrow am I;* may Your salvation, O God, be quick to help me.
verse: Let beggars behold it and be glad; seek after God, and your soul shall live.
Vespers Reading II
Proverbs 12:8-22
I, wisdom, dwell with counsel,
And I call upon knowledge and understanding.
The fear of the Lord hates unrighteousness,
And both rudeness and arrogance, and the ways of wicked men;
And I hate the perverted ways of evil men.
Counsel and safety are mine;
Discernment is mine, and strength is mine;
By me, kings reign,
And princes write of righteousness;
By me, noblemen become great,
And by me, monarchs have power in the land.
I love those who love me,
And those who seek me shall find me.
Riches and glory belong to me,
And abundant possessions, and righteousness;
It is better to enjoy my fruits than gold and precious stones,
And my fruits are better than choice silver.
I walk in the ways of righteousness,
And I am conversant with the paths of judgment;
That I may distribute substance to those who love me,
And may fill their treasuries with good things.
“If I declare to you the things that happen daily,
I will also remember to recount the things of old.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Proclaim from day to day* the good tidings of our God’s salvation.
verse: Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. (Psalm 95:2,1)
Epistle
Hebrews 2:11-18
Brethren, both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying:
“I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
And again:
“I will put My trust in Him.”
And again:
“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: He will descend like rain on a fleece, and like drops dripping on the earth.
verse: Let His name be blessed through the ages; His name exists before the sun. (Psalm 71:6, 17)
Gospel
Luke 1:24-38
At that time, Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Hymn to the Mother of God
O earth, announce good news of great joy; praise God’s glory, O heavens.
and the Irmos: Let no hand of the profane touch God’s living ark,* but instead let the lips of those who are believers* sing out ceaselessly in the words of the angel,* crying out with great joy to the Mother of God:* Hail, O Full of Grace! The Lord is with you.
Communion Hymn
For the Lord has chosen Sion;* He has chosen it for His dwelling. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. (Psalm 131:13)