Post-feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God.

VESPERS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

The appointed psalms are chanted.

At Psalm 140

Tone 4, Podoben “As one valiant among the martyrs…”

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

In a woman’s body but in the guise of a man,* you undertook manly struggles, living in the midst of men,* causing the passions to wither,* and utterly restraining the raging of lust by fasting and constant supplications, O Theodora,* and by your divine and never-ceasing contemplation of God.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

The sun, setting beneath the earth, never saw you sin;* and the Lord, who knows men’s hearts and sees things hidden,* knew you to be untiring and illumined the eyes of your heart with the light of repentance.* Therefore, you diligently strove to please Him through painful abstinence* and the perfection of the virtues.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

In no way understanding the ways of the enemy’s thoughts,* you love the child whom you did not beget* and nurtured him with paternal kindness, O Theodora,* enduring with true piety of mind the undeserved abuse and censure of men.* Therefore, we celebrate your honoured solemnity.

Tone 4

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Shining with the virtues, adorned with piety, you were a godly hierarch,* and you passed over the world like the brilliant sun,* sowing the preaching of the Faith everywhere* and cutting down falsehood with the scythe of your tongue,* O divinely wise hierarch Autonomus,* O great preacher.

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

You did not hesitate to endure painful sufferings,* manly struggles, wounds and sores;* for, buried under a multitude of stones, O Autonomus,* you made them into a stairway and ladder,* ascending thereby to God as one crowned;* and youjoined the armies of the incorporeal ones,* praying for the world.

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

You made your vesture bright through the blood of your martyrdom* and the grace of the divine Spirit;* and in sacred manner entered into the holy of holies on high,* where Jesus, our Forerunner, entered,* receiving from God a crown of victory* with all who died by shedding their blood in martyrdom,* O Autonomus.

Tone 4, Glory… Now…

In accordance with the angel’s prophecy,* you issued forth from the righteous Joachim and Anna,* as an all-pure fruit, heaven and the throne of God,* a receptacle of purity, heralding forth joy to all the world,* O Virgin, mediatress of our life,* removal of the curse, bestowal of blessing.* Therefore, on the feast of your nativity, O divinely called Virgin,* ask peace for the world and great mercy for our souls.

Prokeimenon, Tone 5

O Lord, save me by Your name,* and in Your power be a judge for me.

verse: O God, hear my prayer; listen to the words of my mouth.

Aposticha

Tone 2, Podoben “O house of Ephratha…”

You wept tears from the depths of your soul,* lamenting your childlessness, desiring children;* yet you have given birth to a babe* who is the boast of our whole race.

Listen, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear.

With voices of hymnody* let us honour the honoured nativity of the most holy Virgin,* because of whom the world has been renewed.

The rich among the people shall entreat your countenance.

Rejoice, O wise prophets, you divinely eloquent ones;* for the Virgin is born,* through whom the Salvation of the world will be given birth.

Tone 4, Glory… Now…

Today let the barren and childless Anna clap her hands with splendour,* let those on earth bear lamps,* let kings leap for joy, let hierarchs be glad in blessing,* and let us hold festival;* for, behold, the Queen, the immaculate Bride of the Father,* has sprung forth from the root of Jesse.* No longer will women bear children in grief,* for Joy has blossomed forth and Life shall live in the world for all men.* No longer will the offerings of Joachim be rejected,* for the lamentation of Anna has been changed to joy,* and she says: Rejoice with me, all you chosen Israel,* for, lo! the Lord has given me the animate palace of His divine glory,* for our common gladness and joy,* and the salvation of our souls!

Troparia

Tone 8

The divine image was faithfully preserved in you, O mother,* for taking up the Cross you followed Christ.* By your deeds you have taught us to see beyond flesh which passes* and care for the soul, a thing immortal.* And so, O venerable woman, Theodora,* your spirit rejoices with the angels.

Tone 4, Glory… Now…

Your nativity, O Virgin Mother of God,* has made joy known to all the world,* for from you dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God.* He abolished the curse and gave the blessing;* and by making death of no effect He bestowed on us eternal life.

DIVINE LITURGY ON THURSDAY MORNING

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 4: Your nativity, O Virgin Mother of God,* has made joy known to all the world,* for from you dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God.* He abolished the curse and gave the blessing;* and by making death of no effect He bestowed on us eternal life.

Troparion, Tone 8: The divine image was faithfully preserved in you, O mother,* for taking up the Cross you followed Christ.* By your deeds you have taught us to see beyond flesh which passes* and care for the soul, a thing immortal.* And so, O venerable woman, Theodora,* your spirit rejoices with the angels.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 2: For love of the Lord, O venerable woman,* you scorned the desire for rest and enlightened your soul through fasting,* for you have mightily conquered the beasts.* Through your prayers thwart the rage of fiends.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4: By your birth, O immaculate one,* Joachim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness,* and Adam and Eve* from the corruption of death.* And your people, redeemed from the guilt of their sins,* celebrate as they cry out to you:* “The barren one gives birth to the Mother of God* and nourisher of our life.”

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, all generations shall call me blessed. (Luke 1:46-48)

Epistle

Galatians 1:1-10; 1:20-2:5

Alleluia, Tone 8

verse: Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear. (Psalm 44:11)

verse: The rich among the people shall entreat your countenance. (Psalm 44:13)

Gospel

Mark 5:1-20

Hymn to the Mother of God

O my soul, magnify the Virgin Mary, born from a barren womb.

And the Irmos, Tone 8: Virginity is alien to mothers* and childbearing is foreign to virgins;* yet in you, O Mother of God, both of them came together.* Therefore we and all the nations of the earth* without ceasing magnify you.

Communion Hymn

I will take the cup of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 115:13)