The Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary; Blessed Omelian Kovch, Priest.

When

March 25, 2026

All Day

Day 38 of the Great Fast. Feast of the Theotokos. Abstention from meat and foods that contain these ingredients.

GREAT VESPERS ON TUESDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

There are no psalms appointed for this evening.

At Psalm 140

Tone 2

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

My heart, beset by a multitude of passions,* has been weakened by the wiles of the evil one,* shamefully laying in the tomb of slothfulness,* covered by a lack of feeling as with a tombstone, O Saviour.* By the Wood of Your lifegiving Cross* by which You have enlivened all those in Hades,* awaken me and grant me life,* that with reverent fear I may glorify Your Divinity.

Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Through the machinations of the evil one,* I ever covet the riches of corrupting pleasure,* thoughtlessly delighting in vanity.* Having neglected my mind, when it groaned like Lazarus,* I hunger for the divine food, O Word.* Deliver me in Your compassionate goodness from the future flames,* that I may glorify You, O Lover of mankind.

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

Today, Lazarus has passed away* and Bethany laments for him:* whom You, our Saviour, shall awaken from the dead.* Confirming through Your friend, an assurance of Your own awesome Resurrection,* and of the end of Hades and Adam’s restoration to life;* therefore we hymn Your praises.

Tone 6

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.

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.

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.

Prokeimenon I, Tone 4

The fear of the Lord* is the beginning of wisdom.

verse: I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart: in the council of the upright and in the congregation.

Reading I

Genesis 31:3-16

Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to your father’s land and to your family, and I will be with you.”

So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field where the flocks were, and said to them, “I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. Now you know that with all my might I served your father. Yet your father deceived me and changed my wages ten times with respect to the male lambs, but God did not allow him to harm me. If he said thus, ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore speckled. But if he said thus, ‘The white shall be your wages,’ then all the sheep bore white. So God has taken away all your father’s cattle and given them to me. Now it came to pass, when the flocks conceived, I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats and the rams that were speckled, spotted, and ash-colored speckled were mating with the sheep and the goats. Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.’ Thus I said, ‘Here I am.’ So He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see, all the male goats and the rams mating with the sheep and the goats are speckled, spotted, and ash-colored speckled; for I have seen everything Laban is doing to you. I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a vow to Me. Now then, arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your nativity, and I will be with you.’ “

Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? Are we not considered strangers by him? For he sold us, and also completely consumed our money. For all the riches and glory God has taken from our father are really ours and our children’s; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it.”

Prokeimenon II, Tone 4

He is merciful, and compassionate,* and righteous.

verse: Blessed is the man that fears the Lord: in His commandments shall he greatly delight.

Reading II

Proverbs 21:3-21

To do righteous things and to speak the truth
Are more pleasing before God than the blood of sacrifices.
A high-minded man is bold-hearted in his arrogance,
And the lamp of the ungodly is sin.
He who produces treasures with a lying tongue
Pursues worthless things upon the snares of death.
Destruction shall entertain the ungodly,
For they are not willing to do righteous things.
To the crooked, God sends crooked ways,
For His works are pure and upright.
It is better to dwell in a corner in the open air
Than with wrongdoing in plastered rooms and in a shared house.
The soul of the ungodly will not be shown mercy by anyone among men.
When the intemperate man is punished, the simple man becomes more astute,
And a wise man of understanding shall receive knowledge.
A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly,
And he despises the ungodly in their evils.
He who closes his ears that he might not listen to the weak,
He will also call upon someone, and there will be no one listening.
A secret gift calms anger,
But he who refrains from giving gifts stirs up strong anger.
It is the joy of the righteous to do judgment,
But a holy man is unclean before evildoers.
A man who wanders from the way of righteousness
Shall rest in an assembly of giants.
A man in need loves merriment,
Loving wine and oil as wealth.
A lawless man is the outcast of a righteous man.
It is better to live in a desert
Than with a contentious, talkative, and quick-tempered woman.
A treasury of desire will rest upon the mouth of a wise man,
But men without discernment shall swallow it.
The way of righteousness and mercy shall find life and glory.
A wise man assaults fortified cities
And pulls down the stronghold the ungodly trust.

Reading III

Genesis 28:10-17;

Jacob left Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. And he came to a certain place, and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your descendants; and your descendants shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and by you and your descendants shall all the families of the earth bless themselves. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done that of which I have spoken to you.” Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I did not know it.” And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

Reading IV

Ezekiel 43:27-44:4

And when they have completed these days, then from the eighth day onward the priests shall offer upon the altar your burnt offerings and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, says the Lord God.” Then he brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, which faces east; and it was shut. And he said to me, “This gate shall remain shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it; for the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered by it; therefore, it shall remain shut. Only the prince may sit in it to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gate, and shall go out by the same way.” Then he brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple; and I looked, and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple of the Lord; and I fell upon my face.

Reading V

Proverbs 9:1-11

Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who is without sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave simpleness, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” He who corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.

Aposticha

Tone 1

O my soul, you were clothed in the divinely-woven purple of self-restraint,* and in the fine linen of incorruption,* but having mocked your own dignity,* you have made sin your wealth and your delight;* looking scornfully upon your brothers,* like the rich man who despised Lazarus the beggar.* So that you not share in the punishment of the rich man* become poor in spirit as did the Lord* who for your sake became poor Himself* and cry out to Him saying:* Before Your Crucifixion You clothed Yourself with the purple of mockery,* and for my sake You were nailed upon the Cross naked;* O Christ, clothe me in the raiment of Your Kingdom,* and deliver me from eternal shame.

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.

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.

Wise was the exchange that you made, O saints!* giving your blood, and receiving as your reward heaven;* you suffered tribulation for a time, and now you rejoice eternally.* Wise indeed was the trade you made:* forsaking things corruptible, you have received things incorruptible;* and rejoicing with the choirs of angels* you hymn without ceasing the consubstantial Trinity.

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!

Ektenia

Prayer of Saint Ephraim (with only 3 prostrations)

Great Dismissal

FESTAL MATINS ON WEDNESDAY MORNING

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 4

Troparia, Tone 4

Psalter Reading I

The appointed psalms are chanted.

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 2

Weighed down by many sins as if by a stone,* I lie in the tomb of negligence O compassionate One:* but lead me up from there, O lovingly compassionate Lord.

Glory… Now…

Guarded by the precious Cross of your son, O pure Sovereign Lady Theotokos,* we easily turn away all the assaults of the enemy!* Therefore we rightly call you blessed, for you are the mother of light* and the only hope of our souls!

Psalter Reading II

The appointed psalms are chanted.

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn II, 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…

Psalter Reading III

The appointed psalms are chanted.

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn III, 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…

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
Canon of the Annunciation

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!

“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!

“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…

“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: 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.

Ode 3
Canon of the Annunciation

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!

“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!

“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!

“My first mother, accepting the serpent’s knowledge, was driven away from divine sustenance; wherefore, I fear your strange salutation, wary lest I stumble.”

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

“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?”

Canon from the Triodion

Irmos: My mind has not brought forth good fruit,* but show me to be fruitful in Your compassion O God, husbandman of all good things.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

By the power of the Cross strengthen my mind, weakened by the wiles of the evil One, and guide me, O Lord, that I may carry out Your will.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Sunk in the drowsiness of sloth, I lay sleeping on the bed of pleasure. Raise me up, O Christ, and make me a worshipper at Your Passion.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

With our souls cleansed and illumined by fasting, let us make haste to meet Christ as He comes incarnate to Jerusalem.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O pure Virgin, who remained unconsumed by the fire of the Godhead, burn up the material urgings of my passions, that with faith I may glorify you.

Irmos: O barren and infertile soul,* bring forth a crop of glorious fruit and joyously cry aloud:* I have been firmly established by You, O God;* there is none holy and none righteous save You, O Lord.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

The death of Lazarus on this day could not escape the all-seeing eye of Jesus, therefore He spoke of it to His disciples, saying: “My friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to raise him.”

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

“Let us go into Judaea again,” You said, O Lord, and Your words filled the disciples with great trepidation, but Thomas boldly cried aloud: “He is the Life, let us go also; for if we die we shall return to life again.”

Glory…

O Trinity one in Essence, Almighty Father, co-beginningless Son, and co-enthroned Spirit of God, uncreated Godhead worshipped in a single Unity: with all mankind we hymn Your praises.

Now…

O most pure Mother, you are the root of Jesse from which has sprung forth Christ the Flower that renews life in all mortal mankind. Through you we have been delivered from corruption, therefore we all hymn you, O pure one.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Rejoice, O Sion! Your King comes now, as the Prophet has proclaimed: meek, and carried in the flesh upon the foal of an ass; let us hymn the power of Him who holds all creation in the hollow of His hand.

Katavasia: O barren and infertile soul,* bring forth a crop of glorious fruit and joyously cry aloud:* I have been firmly established by You, O God;* there is none holy and none righteous save You, O Lord.

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
Canon of the Annunciation

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!

“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!

“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!

“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…

“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.”

Katavasia: 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!

Ode 5
Canon of the Annunciation

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!

“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…

“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.”

Katavasia: 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.

Ode 6
Canon of the Annunciation

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!

“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!

“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!

“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…

“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!”

Katavasia: Prefiguring Your three-day burial, the Prophet Jonah cried aloud, praying within the sea monster:* Deliver me from corruption, O Jesus, King of hosts!

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 7
Canon of the Annunciation

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!

“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!

“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!

“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…

“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!”

Katavasia: 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!

Ode 8
Canon of the Annunciation

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 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!”

Most holy Theotokos, save us!

“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!”

Canon from the Triodion

Irmos: To Him who of old prefigured the miracle of the Virgin,* to Moses in the burning-bush on Mount Sinai,* let us sing, bless, and supremely exult* throughout all ages.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Roll back from my humble soul, O Christ, the heavy stone of grievous despair, and raise me up from the tomb of insensitivity, that I may glorify You, O Word.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

You foretold to Your friends the death of Your friend, for the sake of Your compassionate mercy, O all-foreseeing God, raising him on the fourth day, to Your glorification.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

You came again O Christ, to Judaea, which seeks to murder You the Tree of Life, upon the Tree; for it is Your will to render immortal those who had been slain by eating from the tree.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

In you, pure Virgin, the ways of God have been clearly made manifest: for He kept your virginity intact after childbirth throughout all ages.

Canon from the Triodion

Irmos: He who was begotten of God the Father before all ages,* and in these later times assumed flesh from the Theotokos,* as both perfect man and truly God,* praise, bless, and exalt Him above all throughout all ages.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Lazarus, the friend of Christ having died today, is carried forth, and all those with Mary and Martha sorrowfully lament for their brother. But Christ shall joyously come to him, showing the people that He Himself is the Life of all.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Raised on high by acts of compassion, as though upon the Mount of Olives, let us make ready for the noetic coming of Christ, praising, blessing, and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.

We bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord.

O Unity in three Hypostases, the Father, Son, and living Spirit, one Godhead and one Kingdom, the hosts of angels glorify You as the never-waning Light; and we on earth praise, bless, and supremely exalt You throughout all ages.

Now…

Behold, with all generations we call you blessed, O most pure one, beholding your excellence. For in a manner transcending nature, you have given birth to the Maker of all, who is both God and man. Therefore we bless and supremely exalt you throughout all ages.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

With the children let us also hasten to meet Christ God, bearing works of compassion instead of palms, and with prayer of the heart instead of branches; let us cry aloud: Hosanna! Bless and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.

We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!

Katavasia: He who was begotten of God the Father before all ages,* and in these later times assumed flesh from the Theotokos,* as both perfect man and truly God,* praise, bless, and exalt Him above all throughout all ages.

Ode 9
Canon of the Annunciation

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!

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

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!

Canon from the Triodion

Irmos: Who born on Earth has ever heard of, or beheld,* a Virgin miraculously conceiving in her womb,* and painlessly giving birth to a child,* therefore we magnify you, O pure Virgin.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

With fasting as his rampart, Daniel stopped the mouths of the wild beasts. Emulate him, O my soul, and by the Cross drive away the serpent who ever goes about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour souls.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

O Word of God, my soul has been slain by sin and imprisoned in the tomb of transgression; by Your life-giving word raise me up and deem me worthy to offer to You, the Conqueror of death, palms of virtue.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The Word of God the Father, whose throne is heaven and His footstool the earth, now enters the Holy City riding upon a foal; and, as King of all, He has appointed perfect praise from the mouths of babes.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O pure and most wondrous one, you alone are fair among women, for you have conceived the Word who is more comely than all mankind. Entreat Him, then, to cleanse the filth of my heart.

Irmos: Upon Mount Sinai Moses saw you in the bush,* as one who conceived the fire of the Godhead within your womb, and yet remained unconsumed.* Daniel saw you as a mountain not cut by the hand of man,* and Isaiah proclaimed you as the Rod that blossomed forth from the root of David.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

The sisters of Lazarus shed copious tears of mourning upon beholding their brother beneath the bitter tombstone. Perceiving this from afar, my Christ, You spoke of it to Your apostles, saying: “I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there in the flesh.”

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

O murderous Judaea, Christ, whom you have sought to stone, comes to you again, wishing to fulfil as God His saving Passion. Willingly shall He accept a violent death at your hands that He may save us.

Glory…

The Godhead is both Unity and Trinity, wondrous to contemplate, mingled in Essence, yet distinguished in Hypostases; though indivisible, it is divided; though one, it is three; the Father, Son, and the Spirit of Life, together watching over all things.

Now…

Who has ever heard of a virgin that gave birth to a child and a mother that knew not a man? O Mary, this miracle has been wrought in you, but pray tell how? “Do not enquire into the mystery of my divine childbearing: it is altogether true yet transcends the understanding of man.”

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Weaving noetic and material branches of palms, let us make ready to meet the Master who comes to us: for blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord and Father, as the true Son.

Katavasia: Upon Mount Sinai Moses saw you in the bush,* as one who conceived the fire of the Godhead within your womb, and yet remained unconsumed.* Daniel saw you as a mountain not cut by the hand of man,* and Isaiah proclaimed you as the Rod that blossomed forth from the root of David.

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!

Small Doxology

Aposticha

Tone 1

Israel was clothed in purple and fine linen,* arrayed in the radiance of priestly and royal garments;* rich in the Law and the Prophets, it rejoiced in the services of the Law.* But it crucified You outside the gates, O Benefactor, who made Yourself poor,* and rejected You who are ever in the bosom of God the Father* who was seen alive after the Crucifixion,* and now thirsting for but a single drop of grace,* Israel, like the rich man clothed in purple and fine linen,* who was unmerciful to the beggar Lazarus,* and was therefore punished in the unquenchable flames,* is filled with anguish* beholding the Gentile peoples who once lacked even a crumb of the truth,* but are now warmed in the bosom of the faith of Abraham,* wearing the purple of Your blood and the fine linen of Baptism;* and they make glad and rejoice in Your gifts of grace, saying:* O Christ our God, glory be to You.

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.

Israel was clothed in purple and fine linen,* arrayed in the radiance of priestly and royal garments;* rich in the Law and the Prophets, it rejoiced in the services of the Law.* But it crucified You outside the gates, O Benefactor, who made Yourself poor,* and rejected You who are ever in the bosom of God the Father* Who was seen alive after the Crucifixion,* and now thirsting for but a single drop of grace,* Israel, like the rich man clothed in purple and fine linen,* who was unmerciful to the beggar Lazarus,* and was therefore punished in the unquenchable flames,* is filled with anguish* beholding the Gentile peoples who once lacked even a crumb of the truth,* but are now warmed in the bosom of the faith of Abraham,* wearing the purple of Your blood and the fine linen of Baptism;* and they make glad and rejoice in Your gifts of grace, saying:* O Christ our God, glory be to You.

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.

O all-praised martyrs, neither tribulation nor distress nor hunger nor persecution,* neither scourging nor the fury of wild beasts* nor the sword nor threat of fire, could separate you from God.* But suffering out of love for Him, as though your bodies were no longer yours,* you forgot your mortal nature and despised death.* Having received the reward due you for your sufferings and travail,* you have become heirs of the heavenly Kingdom;* intercede on behalf of our souls.

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!”

Trisagion Prayers

Troparion, Tone 4

Insistent Litany

Prayer of St. Ephraim (with three prostrations)

Great Dismissal