Month of February
THE
10TH DAY
Commemoration of Our Venerable Mother Anna,
Right-believing Great Princess of Russia,
Wonderworker of Novgorod
Composed by Reader Isaac Lambertson
At Vespers
After
the Introductory Psalm, we sing Blessed is the man, the first antiphon.
At Lord, I have cried, 8 stichera: 4 in Tone VIII
Through endurance and ascetic toils thou hast obtained the grace to heal infirmities of soul and body, O venerable Anna, and spiritually to drive away unclean spirits, and to make intercession for all who suffer. By thine intercessions pray thou that all be granted deliverance from great distress. Twice
The resting-place of thy body is a wellspring of sight for the blind and healing for all the infirm who approach it with faith and entreat thy protection, O venerable wonderworker Anna. Wherefore, by thine intercessions pray that great mercy be granted unto all.
O blessed and venerable Anna, thou didst receive from God the grace of the righteous, the Orthodox Faith and love divine; wherefore, the grace of the Holy Spirit ever abideth in thee. By thine intercessions protect those who honour thee with faith.
And 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: Joy of the ranks of heaven
O joy of the Swedish people, thou didst gladden the Russian realm, filling it with grace and purity, adorning its throne with majesty, lustrous in piety like a priceless gem set in a splendid royal crown.
Named Ingegerd in the baptismal waters, O venerable one, thou wast called Irene by thy Russian subjects, who perceived in thee the divine and ineffable peace; but when thou didst submit to monastic obedience, thou didst take the new name, Anna, after the honoured ancestor of Christ, the King of kings.
Wed in honourable matrimony, O holy Anna, thou didst live in concord with thy royal spouse, the right-believing and most wise Prince Yaroslav; and having born him holy offspring, after his repose thou didst betroth thyself unto the Lord as thy heavenly Bridegroom.
Disdaining all the allurements of vanity and donning the coarse robes of a monastic, O wondrous and sacred Anna, thou gavest thyself over to fasting and prayer, ever entreating Christ thy Master, that He deliver thy people from the all want and misfortune.
Glory: Idiomelon, in Tone II
O glorious Anna, the Orthodox peoples of Sweden and Russia praise thy name in their every generation, for, inclining thine ear to thy royal sire, thou didst leave thine own people and thy father's house, and didst go with gladness and rejoicing unto the Russian land, where the prince, delighting in thy great beauty and wisdom, took thee to wife, and thou didst bear for him and his dominion godly offspring, with whom thou standest now in paradise before the throne of the Most High, arrayed in the Christian virtues as in vesture of inwoven gold, making earnest supplication and entreaty in behalf of all who honour thee with faith and love.
Now & ever: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone
The shadow of the law passed away when grace arrived; for, as the bush wrapped in flame did not burn, so the Virgin gave birth and yet remained a Virgin. In place of the pillar of fire, the Sun of righteousness hath shone forth. Instead of Moses, Christ is come, the Salvation of our souls.
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings:
READING FROM THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON
The righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and
the care of them is with the Most High. Therefore shall they receive a
glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord¹s hand: for
with his right hand shall He cover them, and with His arm shall He protect
them. He shall take to Him His jealousy for complete armour, and make
the creature His weapon for the revenge of His enemies. He shall put on
righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgement for an invincible shield.
His severe wrath shall He sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight
with Him against the unwise. Then shall the right-aiming thunderbolts
go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they be
cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against
them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. Yea, a mighty wind shall
stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity
shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones
of the mighty. Hear, therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye
who be judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, ye who rule the people,
and glory in the multitude of nations. For power is given you by the Lord,
and sovereignty from the Most High.
READING FROM THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no
torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and
their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter
destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the
sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a
little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them,
and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried
them and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation
they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They
shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their
Lord shall reign for ever. They who put their trust in Him shall understand
the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace
and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.
READING FROM THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON
Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest.
For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that
is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the grey hair unto men,
and an unspotted life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of Him:
so that living among sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken
away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile
his soul. For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are
honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind.
He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: for his
soul pleased the Lord; therefore hastened He to take him away from among
the wicked. This the people saw, and understood not, neither laid they
up this in their minds: that His grace and mercy is with His saints, and
that He hath respect unto His chosen.
At Litia, the sticheron of the temple, and this sticheron of the venerable one, idiomelon, in Tone I
Let Uppsala of Sweden rejoice today in the memory of its glorious offspring, the wondrous and venerable Anna; and in her let the city of Kiev exult, wherein she reigned in piety; but above all let Novgorod the Great be glad, for therein lieth her holy tomb and her sacred remains repose, which like a wellspring pour forth healing of soul and body, and remission of transgressions and sins, upon those who humbly approach her with faith and reverence.
Glory, in Tone III
In thy meekness and righteousness, O venerable Anna, thou, the daughter of a Christian king, didst make glad the Mighty One Who sitteth upon the throne of the ages, Whose footstool is the earth, and Who wieldeth the sceptre of kingship; wherefore, thou standest at His right hand with the Queen in His holy temple on high, arrayed in thy reverence and piety as in garments adorned with threads of gold and varied colours, and all approach thee, even the rich among the people, entreating thy countenance, that thou beseech Him to take pity on every sinner.
Now & ever: Theotokion, in the same tone
Without seed didst thou conceive of the Holy Spirit; and glorifying thee, we sing: Rejoice, O all-holy Virgin!
Aposticha stichera, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: On the third day
Thou wast the hallowed receptacle of the all-holy Spirit, O venerable mother Anna; wherefore, the Lord made His abode within thee, enlightening thy mind and soul, leading thee unto His Father on high.
Stichos: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
In Kiev thou didst build an almshouse to shelter all the destitute, O right laudable Anna; wherefore, thou hast received inexhaustible riches from the hand of Christ for thy great mercy to the least of His brethren.
Stichos: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?
Even in childhood thou wast an abode of the Christian virtues, O venerable mother Anna; wherefore, thou hast passed over to the mansions of the saints, where thou dost delight in everlasting bliss.
Glory: Idiomelon, in Tone IV
Blessed art thou, O venerable Anna, for with thy pious spouse, the right-believing Prince Yaroslav, thou didst walk in the ways of the Lord all the days of thy life, and becamest for him as a fruitful vine; for the children thou didst bear him grew in the fear of God and holiness, flourishing like young olive trees round about thy table the holy Vladimir of Novgorod, the pious Izyaslav of Kiev and Svyatoslav of Chernigov, and with them the wondrous Vsevolod of Pereyaslavl who together form a choir with thee before the throne of God, praying that His peace be granted to the Orthodox people, the New Israel, that we may receive the blessings of the heavenly Sion and the good things of the Jerusalem on high, all the days of our lives.
Now & ever: Theotokion, in the same tone
Mercifully regard the supplications of thy servants, O all-immaculate one, quelling the uprisings of the cruel demons against us, delivering us from every sorrow; for thee alone have we as a steadfast and sure confirmation, and we have acquired thine intercession; let not us who call upon thee be put to shame, O Mistress. Haste thou to answer the entreaty of those who cry out to thee with faith: Rejoice, thou help, joy and protection of all, and salvation of our souls!
Troparion, in Tone I
Having shone forth from the West like a star of heavenly radiance, thou wast vouchsafed to receive the Orthodox Faith; and having brought forth right glorious fruit for the Russian land therein, O holy right-believing Princess Anna, thou didst love Christ with all thy heart, keeping His statutes and laws. Wherefore, celebrating thy most holy memory today, through thy supplications we receive remission of sins.
Glory, Now & ever: Resurrectional theotokion.
At Matins
At God is the Lord, the troparion of the venerable one, twice; Glory, Now & ever: Resurrectional theotokion, in the same tone
After the first reading of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone V
Valiantly persevering in ascetic labour, thou didst put the great deceiver to shame; and having lived a life of modesty and forbearance, O venerable Anna, thou hast now passed over to God, and prayest for all who piously celebrate thy feast. Twice
Glory, Now & ever: Theotokion
O all-immaculate Mother, let the radiance of repentance illumine me, dispelling the darkness of mine exceedingly wicked deeds, and dispel thou the evil thoughts of my heart, O Virgin.
After the second reading of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV
Thou didst truly crucify thy flesh and its lusts, O Anna, and didst set all thy love upon Christ, thy heavenly Bridegroom. Wherefore, thou didst receive a crown from Him and hast joined the choirs of the angels. O venerable one, entreat Him earnestly on behalf of those who honour thee. Twice
Glory, Now & ever: Theotokion
The tempest of sin besetteth me, as doth the tumult of unseemly thoughts. But have pity on me, O all-immaculate one, and extend to me thy helping hand, that, saved, I may exalt thee, O thou who art full of grace.
Polyeleos, and this magnification
We bless thee, O venerable mother Anna, and we honour thy holy memory, for thou dost entreat Christ God on our behalf.
Selected Psalm verses
A
With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive unto
me, and He hearkened unto my supplication. [Ps.
39: 2]
B He set my feet upon a rock, and He ordered
my steps aright. [Ps. 39: 3]
A Lo, I have fled afar off and have dwelt
in the wilderness. [Ps. 54: 8]
B I am become like a pelican of the wilderness.
[Ps. 101: 7]
A I have watched, and am like a sparrow that
sitteth alone upon the housetop. [Ps. 101: 8]
B My knees are grown weak through fasting.
[Ps. 108: 24]
A And my flesh is changed for want of oil.
[Ps. 108: 24]
B With tears will I water my couch.
[Ps.. 6: 4]
A For many dogs have encircled me, the congregation
of evil doers hath surrounded me. [Ps. 21: 17]
B They have bent their bow, a bitter thing.
[Ps. 63: 4]
A That they may shoot in secret at the blameless
man. [Ps. 63: 4]
B I beheld the Lord ever before me, for He
is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. [Ps.
15: 8]
A All the nations compassed me round about,
and by the name of the Lord I warded them off. [Ps.
117: 10]
B Blessed be the Lord Who hath not given
us to be a prey to their teeth. [Ps. 123: 6]
A Let all Thy works, O Lord, give praise
to Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]
B And let the righteous ones bless Thee.
[Ps. 144: 10]
A Know also that the Lord hath made wondrous
His righteous one. [Ps. 4: 4]
B He hath laboured forever, and shall live
to the end. [Ps. 48: 9-10]
A The Lord preserveth the souls of His saints.
[Ps. 96: 10]
B The saints shall boast in glory and shall
rejoice upon their beds. [Ps. 149: 5]
A Precious in the sight of the Lord is the
death of His saints. [Ps. 115: 6]
B Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His,
and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. [Ps.
29: 5]
Glory, Now & ever
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII
Having been chosen beforehand by God and fearlessly weathered the tempests of life, O honoured mother, thou hast now attained unto the haven of life, where thou dost hymn the Saviour with the angels and prayest unceasingly for us to Christ, crying aloud:. Preserve Thou Thy flock, O Master, which Thou hast redeemed by Thy sufferings. Twice
Glory, Now & ever: Theotokion
Rejoice, O thou who, having received from the angel the proclamation which is joy to the world, didst bear thy Creator and Lord! Rejoice, O thou who wast vouchsafed to become the Mother of God!
Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV
Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.
Stichos: In congregations bless ye God, the Lord from the well-springs of Israel.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW, § 104
The Lord spake this parable: The Kingdom of heaven is likened unto ten
virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They who were foolish
took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in
their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all
slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold, the
bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose,
and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise: Give us of
your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying: Not
so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to those
who sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom
came; and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the
door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord,
open to us. But he answered and said: Verily I say unto you, I know you
not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein
the Son of man cometh.
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI
The spiritual snares and carnal lusts didst thou cut asunder with the sword of abstinence, and thou didst dispel sinful thoughts with the stillness of asceticism. Watering the whole wilderness with the streams of thy tears, thou didst cause the fruits of repentance to burgeon forth for us. Wherefore, we celebrate thy memory, O venerable Anna.
Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclesis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the saint, with 8 troparia, the composition of the priest Ignatius, in Tone VIII
Ode I
Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, singing a hymn unto God.
I am beset on every side by the tempests of the passions, and my soul is disquieted by the assaults of vile fantasies. O venerable Anna, by thine intercessions guide me to the calm haven of the will of Christ, that I may praise thee as is meet.
Made splendid by the virtues of chastity and leading a life of holy abstinence, O blessed Anna, thou didst betroth thyself to the all-holy Word; and walking in His life-giving steps thou didst cause the passions to wither away.
O venerable Anna, thou didst follow the teachings of the holy fathers and didst endeavour to imitate their life of purity, living in abstinence, purity, chastity and true humility, in manner nigh unto that of a bodiless being, seeking the life of the fathers.
Theotokion: With songs of praise do we hymn the Virgin Theotokos, the tabernacle of God, the table of oblation bearing the Bread of life, the untilled field, the holy mountain.
Katavasia: I will open my mouth
Ode III
Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.
Thou hast made thine abode in the splendid bridal-chambers of heaven, O Anna, chosen bride of the Ruler of all, who art replete with miracles of healing and driest up the streams of our passions.
Seeking after Christ, and filled with profound yearning for Him, through the mortification of thy flesh thou wast truly filled with compassion. And heeding His words of life, thou didst spurn all the glory of this world. Wherefore, having obtained the golden pinions of the virtues, thou hast soared aloft to the heights of heaven like an innocent dove, O blessed Anna.
Theotokion: From within thy womb hath man been redeemed by the mercy which transcendeth the flesh. Wherefore, we venerate thee and do thee homage, O most glorious Maiden, who hast received joy from God.
Kontakion, in Tone IV
Today Novgorod the Great rejoiceth in thy radiant memory, calling all the faithful to celebrate thy memorial with splendour; and we, now joining chorus in spirit, glorify and beseech thee: O holy right-believing Princess Anna: Standing before the Holy Trinity, pray that Novgorod the Great and the whole land of Russia may be delivered from all misfortunes and evil circumstances, and that we all be saved.
Sessional hymn, in Tone IV
O handmaid of Christ, adorned with the beauty of the sanctifying pangs of ascetic life, thou didst appear in chastity as the innocent bride of Christ, and with Him hast entered the ageless bridal chamber and wast favoured with His comeliness. Wherefore, pray that we who sing to thee with love may be delivered from all tribulations. Twice
Glory, Now & ever: Theotokion
Thou, O pure, truly immaculate and unwedded one, who alone didst within time give birth to the timeless Son, the Word of God, with the holy and all-praised apostles, with the martyrs and the prophets, and with thy handmaid, the venerable Anna, beseech Him to bestow upon us cleansing and great mercy.
Ode IV
Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.
Thy joyous feast, radiant with the effulgence of the Holy Spirit, doth enlighten the souls of us who hymn thee with faith, O venerable Anna.
By thy pious deeds thou hast led those who are lost, to faith in the Master, and thou bringest them to knowledge of Him, that they may escape the gloom of the passions, O holy Anna.
As gifts thou didst offer unto Christ the mortification of thy body and ascetic feats, O saint of God; wherefore, thou hast attained the kingdom of heaven and its delights, which fade not away.
Theotokion: O thou who art all-pure, save me who, though I live in pride, am yet humbled, O thou who didst bear Him Who hath exalted our lowly nature.
Ode V
Irmos: Waking at dawn, we cry to Thee: Save us, O Lord! For Thou art our God, and we know none other than Thee.
With thy hands uplifted unto the Creator in reverence, O mother Anna, thou didst elude the beguilements of the enemy.
Taking thy right hand, O mother, the Most High led thee up to the joys of heaven.
O most venerable mother Anna, having trodden the narrow path with fasting, thou hast attained unto the broad expanse of paradise.
Theotokion: They who do not acknowledge that thou art the Theotokos cannot see the Light Who was born of thee, O all pure one.
Ode VI
Irmos: Grant me a robe of light, O Thou Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment, O most merciful Christ our God.
Restraining the lusts of the flesh, thou didst overcome many diverse passions, O honoured Anna, and dwellest now in the light of dispassion.
O blessed one, thou didst delight to venerate the Savior¹s image, for thou didst embrace His redeeming acts and teachings.
O highly honoured mother Anna, Christ hath revealed thee to be a cloud which poureth forth living water upon those who with faith pray for thine aid.
Theotokion: More comely than all mankind was thy Son, O all-pure one, when, in His divine condescension, He assumed human flesh for our sake.
Kontakion, in Tone II
In thy love for thy Lord Thou didst suppress all longing for rest, and by the patient endurance of afflictions thou didst bring thy soul to divine enlightenment, repelling all the assaults of the demons, O venerable mother Anna; wherefore, in thine intercessions pray that we also may overcome the wiles of the enemy of our race.
Ikos: Grant me streams of divine discourse, O my God, and make my mind a wellspring of piety. Bless Thou my tongue, that I may hymn Thy ewe-lamb Anna, whom thou hast endued with Thy goodness. For if Thou wilt not give me fitting words, how shall I, wretch that I am, be able to offer ought that is worthy unto her who is rich beyond words? Wherefore, grant me the ability to describe her struggles, for by her intercessions she prayeth that we also may overcome the wiles of the enemy of our race.
Ode VII
Irmos: In the furnace the Hebrew children boldly trod the flame underfoot and transformed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!
Thou didst spurn the good things of this life, O venerable Anna, yearning instead for the mansions on high, for divine rewards and the never-waning light of God's everlasting glory and beauty.
Thou didst exchange this fleeting life for that which is above, which groweth not old, and earthly food for the heavenly manna which never corrupteth, and an earthly husband for the heavenly Bridegroom.
Thy mind full of love for God, O Anna, thou becamest like an angel in the flesh, keeping vigil with fervent love, and singing: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!
Theotokion: Behold my grief, whereunto my manifold sins have brought me, O Maiden, and deliver me from the fires of Gehenna, that I may sing, Blessed art Thou, O Lord God! forever.
Ode VIII
Irmos: Trampling down the fire and flame in the furnace, the divinely eloquent youths did sing: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!
Imbued with the splendour of purity and the lustre of chastity, O mother, thou standest before thy Bridegroom, Christ our God.
O venerable one, thy holy body, which is gloriously hidden in the grave, healeth the divers ills of mankind and dispelleth the uncleanness of the demons.
Thou didst offer holy gifts and splendid sacrifice like fragrant incense to Christ our God, the Master of all, O venerable mother Anna.
Theotokion: Without being consumed, thou didst bear the Word Who is above every word, and Who delivereth us from all destruction. Wherefore, we honour thee with faith, O Maiden.
Ode IX
Irmos: Every ear trembleth to hear of the ineffable condescension of God, for the Most High willingly came down even to the flesh, becoming man through the Virgin's womb. Wherefore, we, the faithful, magnify the all-pure Theotokos.
Thou didst long for the spiritual comeliness of the Bridegroom, and didst love Him in purity, O Anna. Wherefore, wherever thou didst dwell, in whatever place thou didst sojourn, thou didst cry out to Him: Let me abide with Thee and rejoice in Thy habitations, praising Thy beneficence!
In thy soul thou didst set wisdom, humility, godly obedience, and ineffable faith, together with hope and love for God, Whom thou didst constantly address when thou didst pray at night, being illumined by the light which is in Him, O blessed Anna.
They who have gathered here today praise the Lord with hymns, rendering thy holy festival magnificent, O venerable and most honoured Anna; wherefore, be thou mindful of us who commemorate thee thereon, O thou who standest now before thy Bridegroom.
Theotokion: Have mercy on me, O God Who wast born of the Virgin, and Who didst preserve, inviolate after childbirth, her who bore Thee; and when Thou shalt sit to judge my deeds, overlook my transgressions and sins, in that Thou art the sinless, merciful God, Who lovest mankind.
Exapostilarion
Thou hast put the evil prince of this world to shame, and in his rage he furiously dashed himself against the rock of thy godly wisdom, for thou who wast like a virgin in soul and body hadst become strong in understanding and faith, O venerable Anna, thou strength of the chaste and adornment of monastics.
Glory, Now & ever:Theotokion
Let the dawning of spiritual joy shine forth for me; for thou, O pure one, art light and life for those who are benighted. For strong is thy desire, and thou hast the power to accomplish it, in that thou art the Queen of all. Wherefore, deliver all from tribulation and the passions, and from the beguilements of the evil one.
At the Praises, these stichera, in Tone IV
Loving purity, by ascetic feats thou didst trample down within thy soul all the carnal lusts; and, dwelling in piety among the ascetic women, thou didst follow Christ without wavering, O Anna; wherefore, quenching the fire of sensual pleasures with God-given torrents of tears, thou wast set afire with the most profound yearning for thy Creator. Twice
A holy habitation for the benefit of many didst thou build for God, O thou who in spiritual purity wast a temple of the all-wise Spirit, O Anna; and by ascetic feats thou didst guide souls to profitable works, and hast offered them, saved, unto the Creator. With them we honour thee with faith.
As a woman thou didst learn to love thy Bridegroom and Lord, and didst submit to the teaching which thou didst receive from Him; and ignoring the weakness of thy body, thou didst by piety overcome the burning of the passions; wherefore, O Anna, thou dost escort into the divine mansions of heaven those who rejoice forever.
Glory, in Tone VIII
O all-glorious wonder! As thou didst eagerly commit thyself to God in the pangs and tears of ascetic feats, so hast thou also been filled with love divine, having overcome the desires of the flesh and by abstinence trampled the demons underfoot, becoming the bride of the Almighty.
Now & ever: Theotokion, in the same tone
O Mistress, accept the supplications of thy servants, and deliver us from all want and grief.
Great Doxology. Troparion. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.
At the Liturgy
Prokimenon, in Tone IV
Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.
Stichos: In the congregations bless ye God, the Lord from the well-springs of Israel.
Epistle to the Galatians, §208
Brethren: Before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterward be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.. And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Alleluia, in Tone I
Stichos: The salvation of the righteous is
from the Lord, and He is their defender in time of affliction.
Stichos: All the day long the righteous showeth
mercy, and lendeth, and his seed shall be unto blessing.
Gospel according to Matthew, § 104
The Lord said this parable: The kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten
virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish
took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in
their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all
slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold, the
bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose,
and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise: Give us of
your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying: Not
so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to those
who sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom
came; and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the
door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord,
open to us. But he answered and said: Verily I say unto you, I know you
not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein
the Son of man cometh.
Communion Verse
In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings.
