AT VESPERS ON SUNDAY EVENING 

At Psalm 140 

Tone 1, Podoben “Joy of the ranks of heaven…” 

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

Noetic beams of universal joy have shone forth upon the world,* heralding Christ God, the Sun of righteousness,* to all in your nativity, O all-pure one.* For you have been shown to be the mediatress* of true gladness and grace. 

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

This, the glory of your fore-feast, O all-pure one,* proclaims to all the people your benefactions which transcend description;* for you are now for us the mediatress of gladness* and the cause of joy to come,* O Ever-virgin Theotokos. 

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

The Maiden who held God within her womb, the pure Theotokos,* the glory of the prophets, the daughter of David* is born today of Joachim and the chaste Anna;* and the curse of Adam which lay upon us* is annulled by her nativity. 

Tone 4, Podoben “You have given a sign…” 

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

When He who of His own will took our weakness upon Him* strengthened your infirmity with power, O blessed one,* for His sake you ran the race of martyrdom, rejoicing,* and with your most beautiful feet crushed the impotent enemy.* Therefore, Jesus, who loves mankind, the Saviour of our souls,* has woven wreaths of victory for you. 

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

When you were wounded, O glorious one,* you wounded your enemies and cast them down to the ground,* armed with the Cross and manifestly arrayed in invincible armour,* made steadfast by the love of Him who has translated you to the noetic kingdoms* as an unvanquished martyr, a heavenly man. 

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

Manifestly emulating the Saviour and Lord* who for you underwent voluntary sufferings, O athlete Sozon,* you of your own will gave yourself over to wounds and stripes and unbearable torments.* Therefore, He has honoured you with heavenly gifts and showed you forth as a well-spring of healings* for those who love you. 

Tone 4, Glory… Now… 

O Virgin all-holy and pure,* we, the multitude of angels in heaven and the human race on earth,* bless your most honoured nativity,* in that you became the Mother of Christ God, the Creator of all.* Never cease to entreat Him, we pray,* in behalf of us who, after God, have placed our trust in you,* O most lauded Theotokos who knew not wedlock. 

Aposticha 

Tone 8, Podoben “O most glorious wonder…” 

O most glorious wonder!* The rod which is to bear the Flower springs forth today from the righteous Joachim and Anna,* from a barren mother and a fruitless womb,* O Mother of God who knew not wedlock.* Therefore, the council of the prophets and the whole festive assembly of the patriarchs* rejoice now in her nativity. 

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

Today David rejoices, Jesse now dances, Levi is magnified,* and the righteous Joachim rejoices in spirit:* for the childlessness of Anna is loosed* by your nativity, O all-pure Mary, divinely joyous one.* And all of us, the assembly of angels and men,* call blessed your divine womb. 

The rich among the people shall entreat your countenance. 

Rejoice, O assembly of men! Rejoice, O temple of the Lord!* Rejoice, holy mountain! Rejoice, divine table!* Rejoice, O lamp of the Light!* Rejoice, O honoured glory of the Orthodox!* Rejoice, O Mary, Mother of Christ God!* Rejoice, O most immaculate one!* Rejoice, offering of the Bread divine!* Rejoice, O tabernacle! Rejoice, O bush unburnt!* Rejoice, O hope of all! 

Tone 4, Glory… Now… 

Universal joy has shone forth upon us from the righteous Joachim and Anna,* O most lauded Virgin who, in your exceeding purity,* became the animate temple of God, and who alone are truly known to be the Theotokos.* Through her prayers, O Christ God,* send peace upon the world and great mercy upon our souls. 

Troparia 

Tone 4 

Today is born to us, from the stem of Jesse and the loins of David,* Mary, the Maiden of God.* Therefore, the whole creation rejoices and is renewed;* and you peoples of the world, sing to her a joyful hymn of praise.* Joachim is elated and Anne shouts for joy:* The barren one gives birth to the Mother of God,* the Sustainer of our life. 

Glory… 

O Lord our God, your holy martyr Sozon* has deserved the crown of immortality* on account of his good fight.* Armed with your strength, he has vanquished his persecutors* and crushed Satan’s dreadful might.* Through his supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

Now… 

To the One who was reared in the Temple,* close to the Holy of Holies,* and who was full of faith, wisdom, and perfect virginity,* Gabriel, the captain and leader,* offered esteem and greetings from heaven when he said:* Rejoice, O blessed One! Rejoice, O glorified One!* The Lord is with you. 

AT DIVINE LITURGY ON MONDAY MORNING 

Troparia and Kontakia 

Troparion, Tone 4: Today is born to us, from the stem of Jesse and the loins of David,* Mary, the Maiden of God.* Therefore, the whole creation rejoices and is renewed;* and you peoples of the world, sing to her a joyful hymn of praise.* Joachim is elated and Anne shouts for joy:* The barren one gives birth to the Mother of God,* the Sustainer of our life. 

Troparion, Tone 4: O Lord our God, your holy martyr Sozon* has deserved the crown of immortality* on account of his good fight.* Armed with your strength, he has vanquished his persecutors* and crushed Satan’s dreadful might.* Through his supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: Let us gather together and loudly sing to Sozon,* the holy and genuine martyr, expert fighter for the faith,* mystical seer of divine grace, generous provider of healing;* for he is our intercessor before God. 

Now and for ever and ever. Amen. 

Kontakion, Tone 3: Today the holy Virgin and God-bearer Mary* is born from a barren womb by divine counsel.* She is the everlasting bridal chamber of the heavenly bridegroom.* Today the chariot of the Word is adorned,* and the door for God is foretold;* she is called the Mother of Life. 

Prokeimenon, Tone 7 

The just man shall be glad in the Lord and shall hope in Him. (Psalm 63:11) 

verse: Hear, O God, my voice when I make my petition to You. (Psalm 63:2) 

Epistle 

Ephesians 6:10-17 

Alleluia, Tone 4 

verse: The just cried out and the Lord heard them, and delivered them out of their afflictions. (Psalm 33:18) 

verse: The afflictions of the just are many, and out of them all will the Lord deliver them. (Psalm 33:20) 

Gospel 

John 15:17-16:2 

Communion Hymn 

The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear. (Psalm 111:6)