AT VESPERS ON FRIDAY EVENING

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

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

Today God who dominates the spiritual thrones of heaven* welcomes on earth the holy throne which He had prepared for Himself.* In His love for mankind,* He who established the heavens in wisdom has fashioned a living heaven.* From a barren stem He has brought forth for us His Mother* as a branch full of life.* O God of miracles and hope of those who have no hope;* O Lord, glory to You!

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

This is the day of the Lord:* Rejoice, therefore, O nations!* Behold, the chamber of Light and the scroll of the living Word* has come forth from the womb.* The gate that opens to the Rising Sun* and is ready for the entrance of the High Priest, is here today.* She is the only one who introduced Christ, and Christ alone, into the world* for the salvation of our souls.

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

Indeed some famous barren women have given birth by the will of God;* but the nativity of Mary surpasses all nativities* in honour and splendour* as it is worthy of the majesty of God.* For she was born in a miraculous way of a barren mother,* and she herself gave birth in the flesh to the God of all,* incarnate in her womb without human seed* against the laws of nature.* She alone is the door through which the only-begotten Son of God* has passed while leaving it sealed* as He had planned in His eternal wisdom.* Thus did He bring salvation to all.

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

Today the barren gates are opened,* and the Virgin, the Gate of God, comes forth.* Today grace begins to bear fruit,* showing forth to the world the Mother of God* through whom earth is united to heaven* for the salvation of our souls.

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

Today glad tidings go forth to the whole world.* Today sweet fragrance is sent forth* by the proclamation of salvation.* Today is the end of the barrenness of our nature;* for the barren one becomes a mother,* the mother of the one who will not cease to be a virgin,* even after giving birth to the One who by nature is Creator and God.* He it is who took flesh by which He brought salvation to the lost;* He is Christ, the Lover of mankind,* and the Saviour of our souls.

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

Today Anna, the barren one, gives birth to the maiden of God* who had been chosen from all the human generations* to become the dwelling place of the Creator,* Christ our God and King of all.* In her He fulfilled His divine plan* through which our human nature was renewed,* and by which we were to be transferred from corruption to eternal life.

Glory…

Today God who dominates the spiritual thrones of heaven* welcomes on earth the holy throne which He had prepared for Himself.* In His love for mankind,* He who established the heavens in wisdom has fashioned a living heaven.* From a barren stem He has brought forth for us His Mother* as a branch full of life.* O God of miracles and hope of those who have no hope;* O Lord, glory to You!

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 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

In Tone 4

On this day a great joy has shone upon us* from the two just ones, Joachim and Anna;* and this joy is the most honourable Virgin.* Because of her purity, she will become a living temple of God.* She alone will be recognized as the Mother of God.* Through her intercessions, O Christ our God, * send down peace upon the world* and your great mercy upon our souls.

Hear, O daughter, and see,* and incline your ear.

O Virgin, today you were born a most noble child* from the two just ones, Joachim and Anna,* as the angel had promised in his announcement.* To God you are a heaven, a throne, and a vessel of holiness;* to the whole world, a herald of joy,* the cause of our life, the blessing that wiped out the curse.* You are the reason for all the blessings of God.* O Maiden who God has chosen,* on this day of your nativity* obtain peace and great mercy for our souls.

The rich among the people* shall entreat your countenance.

Today Anna, the barren one, claps her hands for joy.* The earth is bathed in light and kings sing their happiness,* priests enjoy all blessings and the whole universe rejoices;* for the Queen and immaculate Bride of the Father* comes forth from the root of Jesse.* Behold, no woman will ever bear again a child in sorrow or anxiety,* for joy has come forth in abundance and life has filled the world.* Joachim’s offerings shall no more be rejected,* for the tears of Anna have now been turned into joy.* And now Anna can say:* Rejoice with me, all you chosen ones of Israel,* for the Lord has given me the palace of His divine and living glory* to be a place of joy and happiness for the whole universe* and for the salvation of our souls.

Tone 8, Glory… Now…

Come all you faithful, and let us hasten to the Virgin;* for long before her conception in the womb,* the one who was to be born of the root of Jesse* was destined to be the Mother of God.* The one who is the treasury of virginity,* the flowering rod of Aaron, the object of prophecies,* the child of Joachim and Anna is born today,* and the world is renewed in her.* Through her birth, the Church is clothed with splendour* O holy Temple, vessel of the Godhead,* model of virgins and strength of kings,* in you the wondrous union of the two natures of Christ was realized.* We worship Him and glorify your most pure birth,* and the whole world extols you.

Troparion

In 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.

AT DIVINE LITURGY ON SATURDAY 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.

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

Sing to our God, sing; sing to our King, sing.

verse: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 46:7,2)

Epistle

1 Corinthians 2:6-9

Alleluia, Tone 5

verse: Your mercies, O Lord, I will sing for ever; from generation to generation I will announce Your truth with my mouth.

verse: For You have said: Mercy shall be built up for ever; in the heavens Your truth shall be prepared. (Psalm 88:2,3)

Gospel

Matthew 10:37-11:1

Communion Hymn

Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous. (Psalm 33:1)* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.