Post-feast of the Encounter.
VESPERS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
The appointed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 1
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
The Creator of all things, and our God,* is being brought into the Temple by the virgin Mother.* The aged Simeon receives Him and cries out with joy:* Now You may dismiss your servant in peace,* according to your will, O good One.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Receiving from the Virgin the One begotten before all ages,* Simeon took Him in his arms and cried out:* I have seen the Saviour,* the Illumination of your glory to the ends of the earth.* Now You may dismiss your servant in peace, O good One,* since I have seen You today.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Near the end of his long life,* Simeon carried in his arms the Saviour* who was born for the salvation of all* Rejoicing, he cried out:* I have seen the Light of the Gentiles and the Glory of Israel.* Now You may dismiss your servant from here, O God,* according to your command.
Tone 6
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
You glistened with the light of sanctifying virtues, O priestly one.* You mystically placed the light on the lampstand of the divine Church.* You illuminate it by your sacred teachings, O Father.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The Holy Spirit sanctified you, O priestly Bucolus.* Through you, O Godbearer,* He gives sanctity, enlightenment, and deliverance* to all those who approach through faith.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Preaching the utter goodness of our God,* you bless the afflicted, O wise one.* Since you are a very holy priest,* you lead the people to the Saviour through grace.
Tone 5, Glory… Now…
Search the Scriptures as Christ our God said in the Gospels;* for in them we find Him who was born and wrapped in swaddling clothes,* the One laid in a manger and fed upon milk,* who received circumcision and was carried by Simeon.* Not in fancy nor in imagination,* but in very truth has He appeared to the world.* Let us cry out to Him:* Glory to You, O pre-eternal God!
Aposticha
Tone 2
The immaculate and most pure Virgin* is carrying the Creator and Master* as an infant in her arms,* and she is entering the Temple today.
Now You may dismiss your servant, O Lord, according to your word, in peace.
O Simeon, receive the Lord of glory,* as it was made known to you by the Holy Spirit.* Behold, He now comes into the Temple.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people, Israel.
My eyes have seen You, the Promised One.* Quickly release me, your servant,* O Gracious God and Lover of Mankind.
Tone 5, Glory… Now…
He who is ancient of days and young in the flesh* is being brought to the Temple by his virgin Mother.* He fulfils the promise of his own law.* Simeon receives Him and says:* Now You may dismiss your servant, according to your word, in peace,* for my eyes have seen your salvation, O Lord.
Troparia
Tone 4
The sincerity of your deeds has revealed you to your people* as a teacher of moderation,* a model of faith, and an example of virtue.* Therefore, you attained greatness through humility,* and wealth through poverty.* O Father and Archbishop Bucolus,** ask Christ our God to save our souls.
Tone 1, Glory… Now…
Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,** who grants is resurrection.
DIVINE LITURGY ON THURSDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 1: Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,* who grants us resurrection.
Troparion, Tone 4: Having shared the way of life of the apostles,* and having become a successor to their thrones,* labouring you found the divinely inspired way to contemplation.* Therefore, forthrightly ministering the word of truth,* you shed your blood for the faith, O hieromartyr, Boucolus.* Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 4: Having piously lived among the hierarchs,* and having trod the path of suffering,* you extinguished the sacrifices to idols* and were a defender for your flock, O godly one.* Therefore, venerating you, we sincerely cry to you:* “Rescue us from dangers by your prayers, O our father, Boucolus.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 1: By Your birth, You sanctified a virgin womb* and fittingly blessed the hands of Simeon.* You have come also now and saved us, O Christ our God;* give peace to Your community in time of war,* and strengthen its rulers, whom You love,* for You alone,* are the Lover of mankind.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
My soul magnifies the Lord,* and my spirit has rejoiced in God, My Saviour.
verse: Because he has regarded the humility of His handmaid; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. (Luke 1:46,48)
Epistle
1 Peter 4:12-5:5
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Now, O Master, You dismiss Your servant in peace according to Your word.
verse: For my eyes have seen Your salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people, Israel. (Luke 2:29,32)
Gospel
Mark 12:38-44
Hymn to the Mother of God
O God-bearing Virgin, hope of Christians, protect and guard and save all those who put their trust in you.
and the Irmos, Tone 3: In the law, the shadow, and the scriptures, we the faithful see a figure: every male child that opens the womb shall be sanctified to God. Therefore do we magnify the first-born Word and Son of the Father who is without beginning, the first-born Child of a Mother who had not known man.
Communion Hymn
I will take the chalice of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 116:13)