Books - Sources

Menaion - March 25

Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos

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MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 4.

God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.

Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Today is the summary of our salvation, and the revelation of the age-old mystery. For the Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces the good news of grace. Therefore, let us join him, and cry aloud to the Theotokos: “Rejoice, Maiden full of grace! The Lord is with you.” (3) [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 4. Then the short litany.

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

The great commanding Chief of the bodiless powers * in Nazareth appears and announces the coming * to you, O Immaculate, of the King of the ages and Lord, * saying unto you, “Rejoice, O all-blessed Mary, * incomprehensible and inexplicable wonder, * the restoration of humanity.” [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

The great commanding Chief of the bodiless powers * in Nazareth appears and announces the coming * to you, O Immaculate, of the King of the ages and Lord, * saying unto you, “Rejoice, O all-blessed Mary, * incomprehensible and inexplicable wonder, * the restoration of humanity.” [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 5. Then the short litany.

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

For You are good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

Today creation all exults with greatest joy, * for the Archangel came and said to you, “Rejoice! * Blessed are you, all-blameless Maid, and undefiled and dignified.” * And today the insolence * of the serpent is mortified. * The fetters of the curse once laid * on our forefather now are loosed. * And so with all the world we cry out to you: * Rejoice, O Maiden full of grace. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

Today creation all exults with greatest joy, * for the Archangel came and said to you, “Rejoice! * Blessed are you, all-blameless Maid, and undefiled and dignified.” * And today the insolence * of the serpent is mortified. * The fetters of the curse once laid * on our forefather now are loosed. * And so with all the world we cry out to you: * Rejoice, O Maiden full of grace. [SD]

The Polyeleos.

Psalm 134 (135).

Psalm 135 (136).

Selected Psalm Verses

Selected Psalm Verses for the Annunciation of the Theotokos

To the King’s Son. Alleluia.

1. O God, give Your judgments to the King, and Your righteousness to the King’s Son. Alleluia. (71:1) [SAAS]

2. That He may judge Your people in righteousness and Your poor with judgment. Alleluia. (71:2) [SAAS]

3. Let the mountains raise up peace for Your people and the hills in righteousness. Alleluia. (71:3) [SAAS]

4. Proclaim from day to day the salvation of our God. Alleluia. (95:2) [SAAS]

5. The Lord will give His word to those proclaiming the gospel with great power. Alleluia. (67:12) [SAAS]

6. He who is the King of hosts of the beloved. Alleluia. (67:13) [SAAS]

7. The Lord swore to David this truth, and He shall not reject it. Alleluia. (131:11) [SAAS]

8. I shall set upon your throne one from the fruit of your loins. Alleluia. (131:11) [SAAS]

9. And He shall come down like rain on the fleece, like raindrops falling on the earth. Alleluia. (71:6) [SAAS]

10. O Lord, bow down Your heavens and descend. Alleluia. (143:5) [SAAS]

11. He bowed heaven and descended. Alleluia. (17:10) [SAAS]

12. The Lord has chosen Zion; He chose her for His dwelling. Alleluia. (131:13) [SAAS]

13. The Most High sanctified His tabernacle. Alleluia. (45:5) [SAAS]

14. God established her forever. Alleluia. (47:9) [SAAS]

15. God will come openly. He is our God, and He shall not be silent. Alleluia. (49:3) [SAAS]

16. In His days, righteousness and abundance of peace shall flourish, until the moon is removed. Alleluia. (71:7) [SAAS]

17. All the kings of the earth shall worship Him. Alleluia. (71:11) [SAAS]

18. All the kings of the earth shall worship Him. Alleluia. (71:11) [SAAS]

19. For He rescued the poor from the hand of a strong man, and the needy, for whom there was no helper. Alleluia. (71:12) [SAAS]

20. Let His name be blessed unto the ages. Alleluia. (71:17) [SAAS]

21. Let His name be blessed unto the ages. Alleluia. (71:17) [SAAS]

22. Blessed is the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Alleluia. (71:18) [SAAS]

23. And blessed is the name of His glory forever and unto ages of ages. Alleluia. (71:19) [SAAS]

24. And all the earth shall be filled with His glory. Amen! Amen! Alleluia. (71:19) [SAAS]

Glory. For the Trinity.

Mode 1.

Let us bow in worship and adore * the Father; likewise let us glorify * the Son; and also let us praise * the all-holy Spirit faithfully, * crying out in unison, * “Save us all, we implore, all-holy Trinity.” [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 1.

We Your people now invoke the name * of Your holy Mother entreating for us. * O Good One, at her fervent prayers, * send to us Your tender mercies, O Christ, * so that we may glorify * You, the hope of our souls, O Lord. [SD]

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For hallowed and glorified is Your all-honored and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Kathisma III.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

To the noble Maiden cried * heaven-sent Gabriel, “Rejoice! * For in your womb you shall conceive * the pre-eternal God, * Who by a word created the universe.” * Therefore Mary said * in reply to him, * “I have not known man. * So how can I bear a son? * Who has ever seen a seedless childbirth?” * And the Angel explained to the Virgin Theotokos, * “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, * and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.” [SD]

Glory. Both now.

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

To the pure and virgin Maid * the Angel Gabriel was sent. * He announced to her the grace * and inexpressible joy: * “You will conceive without seed and remain inviolate. * For pre-eternal God is the Son you will bear; * and He will save His people from their iniquities. * He who sent me here to call you blessed, * and to say to you, ‘Rejoice,’ so testifies. * O Virgin, you will give birth, and after childbirth * you will remain a Virgin.” [SD]

Stand for the Gospel reading.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

Mode 2.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

PRIEST

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST (from the gate)

Lk. 1:39 – 49, 56

In those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

READER

Psalm 50 (51).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Glory. Mode 2.

At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]

Both now.

At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 2.

Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. [SAAS]

Gabriel annunciates good tidings today to her who is full of grace: “Rejoice, O Maiden unmarried and unwed. Be not astonished by my strange appearance, nor be dismayed. For an Archangel am I. The serpent once beguiled Eve, but I am now announcing to you the joy. You shall remain inviolate, and yet shall bear the Lord, O Immaculate.” [SD]

PRIEST

O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies:

through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, whose Annunciation we celebrate; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints:

We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (12)

PRIEST

Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Ode i.

Canon for the Feast.

Heirmos. Mode 4.

Ἀνοίξω τὸ στόμα μου.

I open my mouth and pray the Spirit fill it, like David said, * to pour out a good word to the Queen and Mother of God. * I will celebrate * her feast with joy and gladness * and sing to her merrily, lauding her Conceiving. (2) [SD]

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

O Lady, let David your forefather sing to you as he strikes * the harp of the Spirit: “Listen, O Daughter, to the voice * that is filled with joy, of Gabriel the Angel. * For he is announcing joy ineffable to you.” [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Rejoicing, I speak to you. Incline your ear and give heed to me, * as I am announcing the seedless conception of God. * For before the Lord, you found exceeding favor, * all-pure one, as no one else before you ever found. [SD]

Glory.

O Angel, make known to me the full significance of your words. * How shall what you say occur? Clearly explain to me. * How shall I conceive and thus become the mother * of God my Creator, when I am a virgin still? [SD]

Both now.

It seems that you think I am possibly speaking deceitfully. * And seeing your cautiousness causes me to rejoice. * But be not afraid, O Lady; for when God wills, * then wonderful miracles easily come to pass. [SD]

Ode 1: Katavasia

Ode i. Katavasia. Mode 4.

I open my mouth and pray the Spirit fill it, like David said, * to pour out a good word to the Queen and Mother of God. * I will celebrate * her feast with joy and gladness * and sing to her merrily, lauding her Conceiving. [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Ode iii.

Canon for the Feast.

Heirmos. Mode 4.

Τοὺς σοὺς ὑμνολόγους.

Establish your servants who extol you, * O Mother of God, for they have formed * a spiritual choir for you * the living and abundant fount; * in your divine Conception now also give glorious crowns to them. (2) [SD]

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

From Judah the scepter has departed; the time has indeed therefore arrived, * when Christ, the expectation and hope of all the nations, should appear. * But you, explain to me how I, a virgin girl, shall give birth to him. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

O Maiden, you seek an explanation of how you, a virgin, will conceive. * But this is inexplicable. Yet when He overshadows you * with His creative energy, the Holy Spirit will accomplish it. [SD]

Glory.

My ancestral mother was evicted of old from the Garden of delight, * when she accepted bad advice from the serpent. And therefore I * am cautious of your curious greeting, lest I make the same mistake. [SD]

Both now.

I who stand before the Lord in heaven was sent to reveal His will to you. * But why are you afraid of me, when I am here in awe of you? * And why are you in awe of me revering you, O immaculate? [SD]

Ode 3: Katavasia

Ode iii. Katavasia. Mode 4.

Establish your servants who extol you, * O Mother of God, for they have formed * a spiritual choir for you * the living and abundant fount; * in your divine Conception now also give glorious crowns to them. [GOASD]

Ode 3: Short Litany

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Kathisma.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. The army of the Angels.

Αὐλῶν Ποιμενικῶν.

The Logos of the Father to earth has descended. * The Angel has appeared crying out to the Virgin, * “Rejoice, O blessed Maiden, who alone retain the seal of virginity, * while in your womb accepting the pre-eternal Logos and Lord, * so that as God He might thereby redeem the human race from error.” [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Ode iv.

Canon for the Feast.

Heirmos. Mode 4.

Ὁ καθήμενος ἐν δόξῃ.

He who sits in holy glory * on the throne of divinity, * Jesus our most high God, * on a swift and light cloud has come to us, * and by the might of His undefiled hand has saved * those who cry to Him: Glory to Your strength, O Christ. (2) [SD]

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

I have heard the holy Prophet; he foresaw and proclaimed of old * that a sacred Virgin shall conceive and bring forth Emmanuel. * But what I earnestly long to know is how shall man’s * mortal nature sustain the mingling with the Divinity. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Bride unwedded, Virgin Mary, you remember the burning bush: * while sustaining fire, it was not consumed, Maiden full of grace. * It thus prefigured your own amazing mystery: * after giving birth, you shall remain ever-virgin pure. [SD]

Glory.

You, O Gabriel, illumined by the light of almighty God, * since you are the herald of the truth, do tell me most truly how * I shall give birth in the flesh unto the bodiless Word, * with my purity remaining wholly inviolate. [SD]

Both now.

As a slave before his mistress, I respectfully wait on you. * Maiden, I am awestruck, and with fear and reverence I gaze on you, * on whom the Word of the Father shall softly come down * like rain on a fleece, as was His perfect good will to do. [SD]

Ode 4: Katavasia

Ode iv. Katavasia. Mode 4.

He who sits in holy glory * on the throne of divinity, * Jesus our most high God, * on a swift and light cloud has come to us, * and by the might of His undefiled hand has saved * those who cry to Him: Glory to Your strength, O Christ. [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Ode v.

Canon for the Feast.

Heirmos. Mode 4.

Ἐξέστη τὰ σύμπαντα.

Amazed was the universe by your divine magnificence. * You who were perpetually virgin * carried the heavenly God of all in your womb * and gave birth to the eternal Son, * who awards salvation to all who sing hymns of praise to you. (2) [SD]

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Unable am I to grasp the total meaning of your words. * For while often miracles have happened, * wrought by divine power, which were symbols and types * in the Law and in the sacred Books, * never has a virgin borne without agency of a male. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

You marvel, all-blameless one. Your miracle is strange indeed. * As the King of all becomes incarnate, * you will receive Him into your virginal womb. * The types and the symbols of the Law, * and the words and riddles of the Prophets prefigure you. [SD]

Glory.

The Lord is invisible to all and uncontainable. * He is, with the Father and the Spirit, * without beginning. So, I do not understand: * How can I conceive the Word of God? * How can the Creator dwell in my womb, which He made himself? [SD]

Both now.

To David your Forefather the Lord once swore an oath in truth, * to set upon the throne of his kingdom * one from the fruit of his loins forevermore. * And you, Jacob’s beauty, which He loved, * He has chosen over all as His animate dwelling place. [SD]

Ode 5: Katavasia

Ode v. Katavasia. Mode 4.

Amazed was the universe by your divine magnificence. * You who were perpetually virgin * carried the heavenly God of all in your womb * and gave birth to the eternal Son, * who awards salvation to all who sing hymns of praise to you. [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Ode vi.

Canon for the Feast.

Heirmos. Mode 4.

Ἐβόησε προτυπῶν.

Prefiguring * in the whale the divine three-day burial, * Prophet Jonah cried aloud, * in affliction beseeching God: * From corruption save me, * O Lord Jesus the King of angelic hosts. (2) [SD]

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

O Gabriel, I believe and accept your most joyful words * and I am completely filled with divine joy and happiness. * For you are a herald of joy, announcing a joy that will never end. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

The godly joy has been given to you, O Mother of God. * All creation cries rejoice to you who are the Bride of God. * O pure one, for only you were preordained Mother of the Son of God. [SD]

Glory.

Let mother Eve’s condemnation, through me, be rescinded now, * and through me let what she owed to Adam be returned today. * Let her ancient debt be more than fully repaid through my childbirth, [SD]

Both now.

God made a vow to your forefather Abraham, promising * that the nations would be blessed in his descendant, O Maiden pure; * and today the promise is through you now beginning to come to pass. [SD]

Ode 6: Katavasia

Ode vi. Katavasia. Mode 4.

Prefiguring * in the whale the divine three-day burial, * Prophet Jonah cried aloud, * in affliction beseeching God: * From corruption save me, * O Lord Jesus the King of angelic hosts. [GOASD]

Ode 6: Short Litany

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

The Kontakion is sung. Then the priest, wearing stole and phelonion, stands before the icon of the Theotokos and intones the Oikos.

CHOIR

Kontakion.

Mode pl. 4. Automelon.

Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ.

O Champion General, I your City now inscribe to you

Triumphant anthems as the tokens of my gratitude,

Being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos.

Inasmuch as you have power unassailable,

From all kinds of perils free me, so that unto you

I may cry aloud: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride. [SD]

PRIEST

Oikos.

An Angel of supreme rank was sent down from heaven to say to the Theotokos, Rejoice. And perceiving You take bodily form at the sound of his bodiless voice, O Lord, he was astounded and he stood shouting to her such salutations: [SD]

Rejoice, through whom is the joy to shine forth. Rejoice, through whom is the curse to vanish.

Rejoice, restoration of Adam the fallen one. Rejoice, liberation of Eve from tears.

Rejoice, height to which the thoughts of men are hardly able to ascend. Rejoice, depth which for the Angels’ eyes is very hard to apprehend.

Rejoice, for you are a throne for the King. Rejoice, for you hold the One who holds everything.

Rejoice, the star causing the Sun’s manifestation. Rejoice, the womb of the divine incarnation.

Rejoice, through whom is creation re-created. Rejoice, by whom is the Creator procreated.

Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.

READER

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On March 25 is the Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary.

To God be glory and dominion forever. Amen.

CHOIR

From Menaion - - -

Ode vii.

Canon for the Feast.

Heirmos. Mode 4.

Οὐκ ἐλάτρευσαν.

Godly-minded three * did not adore created things in the Creator’s stead; * rather, disdaining the threat * of fire, they trampled it, and joyfully they sang: * “O supremely praised * and most exalted Lord and God * of the fathers, You are blessed.” (2) [SD]

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

You declare to me * the bright good tidings that the Light the immaterial * shall for great mercy unite * with physical matter. And divine announcements now * you cry out to me, * saying, “O blessed is the fruit * of your womb, O purest Maiden.” [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Virgin Maid, rejoice. * Rejoice, O Mistress wholly pure. Rejoice, container of God. * Rejoice, O lampstand of Light, * Adam’s restoration and deliverance of Eve. * Holy mountain, rejoice, * chamber of immortality, * and resplendent holy temple. [SD]

Glory.

The coming on me * of the All-holy Spirit now has purified my soul; * my body it sanctified. * It made me a living shrine, a Tent adorned by God, * the pure Mother of God, * a Temple that is capable * of containing the Creator. [SD]

Both now.

As a burning torch * emitting light I see you, and a chamber built by God. * And as the gold-covered ark * receive now, O Bride of God, the Giver of the Law, * Who was thus well pleased * through you to grant deliverance * to corrupted human nature. [SD]

Ode 7: Katavasia

Ode vii. Katavasia. Mode 4.

Godly-minded three * did not adore created things in the Creator’s stead; * rather, disdaining the threat * of fire, they trampled it, and joyfully they sang: * “O supremely praised * and most exalted Lord and God * of the fathers, You are blessed.” [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Ode viii.

Canon for the Feast.

Heirmos. Mode 4.

Ἄκουε Κόρη.

Hearken, O Damsel, let Gabriel say. * Incline your ear, O Virgin pure, * and hear the counsel of the Most High, ancient and true; * and make ready for your own reception of God. * For through you the Uncontainable associates with mortal men. * And I am therefore rejoicing and shouting: * O all you works of the Lord, * praise and bless the Lord. [SD]

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Answered the Virgin, “Every mortal mind * is overwhelmed which seeks to grasp * the wondrous tidings that you now announce to me. * I delight in your words, yet am also perplexed, * fearing lest as Eve through trickery you send me far away from God. * But even so am I already shouting: * O all you works of the Lord, praise and bless the Lord.” [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Gabriel uttered responding, “Behold, * the problem has been solved for you * who rightly called it a thing hard to demonstrate. * Persuaded, therefore, by the word of your own lips, * no more doubt it as factitious, but believe it to be factual. * For I myself am rejoicing and shouting: * O all you works of the Lord, praise and bless the Lord.” [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

“There is for mortals a God-given law,” * replied the blameless one again, * “that gamic union must precede a child’s birth. * But the pleasure of a mate I know not at all. * So, how do you say that I shall bear? I fear lest now you speak with deceit. * But, notwithstanding, behold I am shouting: * O all you works of the Lord, praise and bless the Lord.” [SD]

Glory.

“O chaste one,” the Angel cried out once again, * “the maxim you declare to me * is the convention for childbirth of mortal men. * But I announce unto you that the very God, * past conception and intelligence, as He knows, shall take flesh from you. * And I am therefore rejoicing and shouting: * O all you works of the Lord, praise and bless the Lord.” [SD]

Both now.

The Virgin assented, “To me you appear * to be a herald of the truth. * For you came as an Angel of universal joy. * Since, then, by the Spirit my soul is purified, * be it unto me according to your utterance, and God dwell in me. * For unto Him now with you am I shouting: * O all you works of the Lord, praise and bless the Lord.” [SD]

Ode 8: Katavasia

Ode viii. Katavasia. Mode 4.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Hearken, O Damsel, let Gabriel say. * Incline your ear, O Virgin pure, * and hear the counsel of the Most High, ancient and true; * and make ready for your own reception of God. * For through you the Uncontainable associates with mortal men. * And I am therefore rejoicing and shouting: * O all you works of the Lord, * praise and bless the Lord. [GOASD]

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

CHOIR

From Menaion - - -

Ode ix.

Mode 4. Heirmos.

Ὡς ἐμψύχῳ Θεοῦ κιβωτῷ.

O earth, announce the good tidings of great joy; You heavens, praise the glory of God.

Now let no uninitiated hand * approach the living Ark of God to touch it. * Rather let believers’ lips sing out in exultation * the Angel’s salutation unceasingly * to the Theotokos and cry out: * Rejoice, Maiden full of grace! The Lord is with you. [SD]

Troparia.

O earth, announce the good tidings of great joy; You heavens, praise the glory of God.

O pure Maid, you eluded nature’s laws, * conceiving God in ways past understanding. * You evaded things proper to mothers in childbirth, * even if by nature you were prone to change. * Therefore you are worthily hearing: * “Rejoice, Maiden full of grace; the Lord is with you.” [SD]

O earth, announce the good tidings of great joy; You heavens, praise the glory of God.

How can you, O pure Virgin, nurse with milk? * No human tongue is able to explain it. * For you are displaying something alien to nature, * transcending the order of lawful childbirth. * Therefore you are worthily hearing: * “Rejoice, Maiden full of grace; the Lord is with you.” [SD]

O earth, announce the good tidings of great joy; You heavens, praise the glory of God.

It is mystically spoken of you * in Sacred Writ, O Mother of the Most High. * For of old when Jacob saw the ladder that prefigured you, * he said, “This is none other than the base of God.” * Therefore you are worthily hearing: * “Rejoice, Maiden full of grace; the Lord is with you.” [SD]

Glory.

O earth, announce the good tidings of great joy; You heavens, praise the glory of God.

The bush and the fire revealed * to hierophantic Moses a strange portent. * Seeking its fulfillment in the course of time, he uttered, * “I shall see it fully in a Damsel pure, * to whom as Theotokos be it spoken: * Rejoice, Maiden full of grace; the Lord is with you.” [SD]

Both now.

O earth, announce the good tidings of great joy; You heavens, praise the glory of God.

You are called, by Daniel, spiritual Mountain; * and the Mother of God, by Isaiah. * Gideon perceives you as a Fleece. And by David * you are called Holy Place, and Gate by Ezekiel. * Gabriel addresses you, saying: * “Rejoice, Maiden full of grace; the Lord is with you.” [SD]

Ode 9: Katavasia

Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode 4.

O earth, announce the good tidings of great joy; You heavens, praise the glory of God.

Now let no uninitiated hand * approach the living Ark of God to touch it. * Rather let believers’ lips sing out in exultation * the Angel’s salutation unceasingly * to the Theotokos and cry out: * Rejoice, Maiden full of grace! The Lord is with you. [GOASD]

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Exaposteilaria.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

The chief Commander of the hosts * of the Angels was sent down * by God, the Ruler over all, * to a pure virgin Maiden; * and he announced the good tidings * of the strange secret wonder, * namely that God will be from her * procreated as man, without human seed, * to refashion all of our human nature. * Announce the good tidings, peoples all, * that the world is refashioned. [SD]

Another.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

Rejoice, redemption from the curse * on Adam, Theotokos. * Noble Mother of God, rejoice. * Rejoice, living unburnt bush. * Rejoice, O lamp stand; throne, rejoice. * Rejoice, O gate and ladder. * Rejoice, all-holy vehicle. * Rejoice, temple; O cloud, swift and light, rejoice. * Golden jar of manna, rejoice, O mountain. * Rejoice, the table and the tent. * Rejoice, Eve’s absolution. [SD]

Lauds. Mode 1.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.

Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name.

For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.

He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.

Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.

Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.

Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.

Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted.

His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.

A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.

Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.

Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.

Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.

For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.

The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.

The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.

To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.

To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.

To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Hide Stichologia

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.

Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]

Gabriel flew down from heaven * and came to Nazareth; * and to the Virgin Mary * he appeared and he cried out, * “Rejoice, O blessed woman, for you will conceive * a Son, more ancient than Adam is. * He has created the ages, and He redeems * those who cry to you, O pure one, Rejoice!” [SD]

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]

Gabriel flew down from heaven * and came to Nazareth; * and to the Virgin Mary * he appeared and he cried out, * “Rejoice, O blessed woman, for you will conceive * a Son, more ancient than Adam is. * He has created the ages, and He redeems * those who cry to you, O pure one, Rejoice!” [SD]

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]

Bringing good tidings from heaven, * Gabriel cried out, “Rejoice,” * unto the Virgin, saying, * “You shall conceive and will carry * Him, who is containable in your womb, * and whom the whole world cannot contain. * You shall be seen as the Mother of Him who rose * from the Father before the morning star.” [SD]

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

In His exceeding compassion, * viewing with mercy our fall, * the co-eternal Logos * of the beginningless Father * came down and appeared to the things below, * never leaving the things on high. * Having assumed Adam’s poverty to Himself * He has taken on the other’s form. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2.

The age-old mystery is revealed today, and the Son of God becomes the Son of man, so that by partaking of what is lower He may impart to me what is superior. Of old, Adam was deceived; and he did not become God, though this was his desire. But now, God becomes man, to make Adam god. Let creation sing for joy, and let nature be exultant. For the Archangel is standing with awe before the Virgin and is delivering the salutation, “Rejoice,” the reverse of the pain and sorrow. O our God, who in Your tender mercy became man, glory to You! [SD]

Stand for the Great Doxology.

Great Doxology

Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind. [SD]

We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.

Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world.

Accept our supplication, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.

For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.

Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.

Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.

For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we shall see light.

Continue Your mercy to those who know You.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

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

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Apolytikion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Today is the summary of our salvation, and the revelation of the age-old mystery. For the Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces the good news of grace. Therefore, let us join him, and cry aloud to the Theotokos: “Rejoice, Maiden full of grace! The Lord is with you.” [SD]

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the hierodeacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere.

Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy.

PRIEST

For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

DEACON

Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.

PRIEST (aloud)

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST

Wisdom.

( Father, bless! )

Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Dismissal

PRIEST

Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.

May He who for us men and for our salvation condescended to become incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, whose Annunciation we celebrate; the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Conclusion, i.e. “Through the prayers…”

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Amen.