Post-feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God. Nativity Fast.
VESPERS ON FRIDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
The appointed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 8, Samohlasnyy [Optional: Podoben “O all-glorious wonder…”]
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O wonder most glorious!* The Ineffable One is now prefigured.* She is known today in visible images* because the Divine Light shone forth for the world.* The betrothed is led into the holy temple.* Let us exalt her as the splendid and holy One,* the light-radiating Temple of Christ the Light-Giver.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
The wise Joachim and Anne* offered up a truly acceptable first fruit,* the heavenly fruit that God clearly desired to give to them,* the handmaiden of God, the Virgin Mary.* Her tribulations took away the debt.* Let us praise her and devoutly rejoice* because she is the mediatrix of joy for the whole world.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Come let us mystically gather together.* Adorned with the light of faith,* let us walk before the Virgin* who now gloriously enters the temple of God.* She is betrothed to Christ, the King of all.* We celebrate the beautiful feast of her entrance* which is a delight to everyone.
Tone 2, Samohlasnyy [Optional: Podoben “When from the tree…”]
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O glorious Philemon,* as a branch of the Living Vine,* you have rained the joy of the knowledge of God* upon those who have anguish of soul.* You made happy the hearts that were ensnared* and possessed by the darkness of idol worship.* Therefore, we rejoice and celebrate your God-loving memory.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O blessed one, the city of Gaza venerates you,* since It beheld the light of knowledge through you.* The Colossians hold onto your holy body as a rich possession* which overflows with the grace of healing.* Therefore, O glorious Philemon, we observe your memory* and are protected from dangers by your prayers.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
In faith let us praise the wise ones,* the hierarchs Archippus and the precious Apphias.* Let us honour the priestly preachers* and honourable teachers, Philemon and Onesimus.* They rooted out the cunning of idol worship by preaching* and planted the knowledge of truth* for all who devoutly honour them.
Tone 6, Glory… Now…
Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.
Aposticha
Tone 2, Samohlasnyy [option: Podoben “O house of Ephrata…”]
Today the assembly of virgins,* singing psalms and carrying candles,* brightly leads the procession* in honour of the all-Immaculate One.
She is led to the King with her maiden companions.
O prophet, receive the Spiritual Mountain,* the Sanctuary, the Divine Altar,* and the Ark which contained the manna,* the all-Immaculate One.
They are escorted amid gladness and joy; they pass within the palace of the King.
Open up the doors of the sanctuary, O prophet Zechariah;* truly receive the Mother of God.* She is the ever-Virgin.
Glory… Now…
Today the all-Immaculate Virgin* is being escorted into the temple* to become the abode of God, the King of all.* Today, as a three year old child,* the most pure holy One is being led into the Holy of Holies.* With the angel, let us cry out to her:* Rejoice, for you alone are blessed among women.
Troparia
Tone 3
O holy apostles, intercede with the all-merciful God,* that He may grant us forgiveness of our sins.
Tone 4, Glory… Now…
Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.
DIVINE LITURGY ON SATURDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.
Troparion, Tone 3: Holy Apostle, Philemon, intercede with the merciful God* to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 4: The Saviour’s pure temple,* the precious bridal chamber and Virgin,* the sacred treasury of the glory of God,* is brought today into the house of the Lord;* and with her she brings the grace of the divine Spirit.* God’s angels sing in praise of her:* She is indeed the heavenly dwelling-place.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: As a star most bright the Church forever possess you,* O Apostle Philemon,* for she is illumined by the frequent gift of your miracles.* And so we call out to Christ:* “Save those who venerate in faith the memory of Your apostle,* O most merciful One!”
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
2 Corinthians 11:1-6
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear.
verse: The rich among the people shall entreat your countenance. (Psalm 44:11,13)
Gospel
Luke 9:1-6
Hymn to the Mother of God
Seeing the entrance of the pure one, angels marvel in wonder how the Virgin could enter the holy of holies
And the Irmos, Tone 4: 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:* O pure Virgin,* you are truly higher than all.
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)