The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary.

Great Vespers with Lytia

Priest: Glory be to the holy, consubstantial, life-creating, and undivided Trinity, always, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

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

Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life, come, and dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, and O Good One, save our souls.

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

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Trinity most holy, have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord* pardon our transgressions, O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your Name.

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Priest: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (12)

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Come, let us bow in worship before the King, our God.

Come, let us bow in worship before Christ, the King, our God.

Come, let us bow in worship and fall down before the very Lord Jesus Christ, our King and God.

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul! You are very great O Lord, my God;

Clothed in pomp and brilliance; arrayed with light as with a cloak.

Stretching out the sky as a tent-cloth, covering Your lofty halls with water.

You make the clouds Your conveyance. You surge on the wings of the wind.

You make spirits Your messengers, and flaming fires Your attendants.

You settle the earth on its firm foundation; it shall stand unmoved from age to age.

The abyss covers it like a garment; waters stand over the mountains.

At Your rebuke they will take flight; at the peal of Your thunder they will fear.

They hurdle the hills and run down the dales, to the place You have chosen for them.

You have set up a boundary not to be passed; they shall never return to cover the earth.

Down in the gullies You make springs to rise; water shall go down between the mountains.

They shall give drink to the beasts of the field; wild asses will seek them to quench their thirst.

The birds of the sky will abide by them; from among the rocks they will raise their song.

From Your lofty halls You refresh the mountains; the earth shall be fed with the fruit of Your works.

You make green pastures for the cattle and food-plants for the service of all,

So that bread may be brought forth from the earth, and wine that gladdens the heart of man.

So that oil may put a gleam upon his face; and that bread may strengthen the heart of all.

The trees of the plain will be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted.

The sparrows will build their nests in them; and the herons will call them their home.

To the deer belong high mountains, to rodents, the shelter of the rocks.

You have made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows the time of its setting.

You establish darkness, and it is night wherein the forest creatures prowl around.

Young lions roar for their prey, and call out to God for their meat.

As the sun rises, they will come together, and lay themselves down in their dens.

Man will go out to his labour and work until eventide.

How great are Your works, O Lord, in wisdom You have wrought them all.

The earth is filled with Your creatures. Even the wide and open sea itself, within it there are countless creeping things, living beings small and large.

Upon it there are ships a-sailing, and that great beast You made to have fun.

All of them look up to You, to give them their food in due time.

You provide and they gather up; You open Your hand and they are full.

You hide Your face and they cringe; You suspend their breath, and they die and return to their dust.

You send forth Your breath and they live; You renew the face of the earth.

May the Lord’s glory endure for ever: may the Lord rejoice in His works;

He looks upon the earth and makes it quake; He touches the mountains and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will praise my God as long as I last.

Would that my thoughts be pleasing to Him: and I will rejoice in the Lord.

May sinners vanish from the earth, and may the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

The sun knows the time of its setting. You establish darkness, and it is night.

How great are Your works, O Lord, in wisdom You have wrought them all.

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

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)

Litany of Peace

Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For peace throughout the world, for the well-being of God’s holy churches and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence, and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the most holy universal Pontiff, (name), the Pope of Rome, our most blessed Patriarch, (name), our most reverend Metropolitan, (name), our God-loving Bishop, (name), for the reverend priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For our nation under God, for our government, and for all the military, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this city, for every city and country and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For favourable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the seafarers and travellers, for the sick and the suffering, for those held captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and misfortune, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

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

All: Lord, have mercy.

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

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For all glory, honour, and worship befit You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

First Kathisma

Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly. Alleluia! (3)

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish. Alleluia! (3)

Serve the Lord with fear, exalt in Him with trembling. Alleluia! (3)

Blessed are those who trust in Him! Alleluia! (3)

Arise, O Lord, save me, my God! Alleluia! (3)

Salvation is of the Lord; may Your blessing be upon Your people! Alleluia! (3)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Alleluia! (3)

Now and for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia! (3)

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)

Small Litany

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

All: Lord, have mercy.

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

All: Lord, have mercy.

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

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For Yours is the might and Yours are the kingdom, the power, and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Psalm 140

O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me. Hear me, O Lord! O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me. Receive the voice of my prayer when I call upon You. Hear me, O Lord!

Let my prayer rise like incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord!

Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth and a portal around my lips.

Incline my heart away from evil dealings, from finding excuses for sinful deeds.

In company with those who work iniquity, let me not partake of what they choose.

May the just chasten me with justice and reprove me; may the oil of the wicked never touch my head.

Yet even then shall I pray for their welfare. Their rulers were swallowed near the rock.

My words will be heard, for they were sweet. As a lump of clay broken on the ground, so their bones were strewn near the grave.

On You, Lord, O Lord, my eyes are fixed. In You have I trusted; take not my life.

Keep me from the snare that was set for me, and from the stumbling-blocks of the wicked.

The wicked shall fall into their own nets, while I remain alone until I can escape.

Psalm 141

With my voice I cried to the Lord; with all my voice I implored the Lord.

Before Him I pour out my supplications; before Him I declare my distress.

When my breath was escaping me, then You knew my paths;

On the road upon which I was walking, they set up snares for me.

I looked to my right and observed there was no one friendly to me;

Even flight was denied me; there was no one to take care of my life.

I cried out to You, O Lord, and said: You are my hope, my share in the land of the living.

Listen to my supplication, for I am laid very low.

Deliver me from my oppressors, for they have overwhelmed me.

At Psalm 140

Tone 6

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

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!

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

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 souls.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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 Anne, 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… Now…

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!

Entrance

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Priest: O gracious King, You love mankind and bless all things. With contrite heart and humble spirit, we pray to You, O Christ our true God: Bless our comings and our goings. For Your coming and ascension and dwelling among us are blessed, always, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

The deacon points eastward with his orarion and says:

Deacon: Master, bless the holy entrance.

Priest: Blessed be the entrance of Your saints, always, now and for ever and ever.

Deacon: Amen.

Deacon: Wisdom! Stand aright!

Hymn of Light

Tranquil Light, of the holy glory of the immortal heavenly, holy blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: as we come upon the sunset, as we see the evening light, we sing to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. At all times You are worthy of being hymned by joyful voices; O Son of God, You are the giver of life. For this the whole world glorifies You.

Prokeimenon

Deacon: Let us be attentive!

Priest: Peace be with all.

Deacon: Wisdom! Let us be attentive!

Monday Evening, Psalm 4, Tone 4

The Lord hears me* when I cry out to Him.

v. Whenever I called, the God of my justice heard me.

Readings

The prescribed readings are taken here. Before each reading, the deacon remains at the closed holy doors.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Lector: A reading from the book of…

Deacon: Let us be attentive!

Readings

(1) Genesis 28:10-17; (2) Ezekiel 43:27-44:4; (3) Proverbs 9:1-11

Litany of Supplication

Deacon: Let us all say with our whole soul and our whole mind, let us say:

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Almighty Lord, God of our Fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, in the greatness of Your compassion, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy. (3)

Deacon: We also pray the most holy universal Pontiff, (name), Pope of Rome, our most blessed Patriarch, (name), our most reverend Metropolitan, (name), our God-loving Bishop, (name), for those who serve or have served in this holy church, for our spiritual fathers, and for all our brethren in Christ.

All: Lord, have mercy. (3)

Deacon: We also pray for our nation under God, for our government, and for all the military.

All: Lord, have mercy. (3)

Petitions may be added here.

Deacon: We also pray for the people here present who await Your great and bountiful mercies, for those who have been kind to us, and for all orthodox Christians.

All: Lord, have mercy. (3)

Priest: For You are a merciful and loving God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Deign, O Lord

Deign, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name for ever. Amen.

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us because we have set our hope in You.

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your commandments.

Blessed are You, O Master, make me understand Your commandments.

Blessed are You, O Holy One, enlighten me with Your laws.

O Lord, Your mercy endures forever; do not despise the work of Your hands.

It is proper to praise You, and hymns belong to You.

Glory belongs to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Litany of Supplication

Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

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

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That this whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

All: 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.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

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

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: That we may spend the rest of our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: For a Christian end to our lives, one that is painless, unashamed, and peaceful; and for a good defence at the awesome tribunal of Christ, let us ask.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

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

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For You, O God, are gracious and You love mankind, and we glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Priest: Peace to all of you.

All: And with your spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: O Lord our God, You lowered the heavens when You came down for the salvation of the human race. Now look upon Your servants and upon Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads to You, the Judge, both awesome and loving. They do not await human help but look for Your mercy and are ready to receive Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and tonight, against all enemies, against the devil’s assaults, against vain thoughts and evil dreams. May the might of Your kingdom be blessed and exalted, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Lytia

After the Litany of Supplication and the Prayer at the Bowing of Heads, the stichera of Lytia are sung. The royal doors are opened. The priest (vested in phelonion) and bearing the handcross, and the deacon with censer proceed to the narthex (or outside the church) where the deacon censes the icons, the priest, and the people. Then the deacon takes the following Litany. The following is an extended lytia prayer as used in our parish in Ottawa, Ontario and MASI]

Deacon: Save your people, O God, and bless Your inheritance; visit Your world with mercy and compassion; raise up the strength of orthodox Christians and send down upon us Your abundant mercies. Through the prayers of our immaculate Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary; through the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the protection of the honourable, heavenly, incorporeal powers; of the honourable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles; and of our fathers among the saints, the great universal teachers and hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; of our father among the saints, Nicholas the Wonderworker, archbishop of Myra in Lycia; of the holy Cyril and Methodius, equals-to-the-apostles, teachers of the Slavs; of the holy right-believing and equal-to-the-apostles grand prince Volodymyr, and of the blessed grand princess Olha. By the prayers of the holy hieromartyr Josaphat, archbishop of Polotsk; of the holy new-martyrs and confessors of Ukraine: the hieromartyrs Nicholas (Charnetsky), exarch and wonderworker of Volhynia, Gregory (Khomyshyn) of Stanyslaviv, Josaphat (Kotsylovsky) of Peremyshl’ and Sambir; Theodore (Romzha) of Mukachevo, Nicetas (Budka), first Exarch of Canada; Basil (Velychkovsky) of Lutsk and elder of Winnipeg; Gregory (Lakota) of Peremyshl’, Ivan (Sleziuk) of Stanyslaviv, and Symeon (Lukach), bishop and passion-bearer; of the hieromartyrs Leonid (Feodorov), exarch of Russia, and Clement (Sheptytsky), archimandrite of Univ; Severian (Baranyk), Joachim (Sen’kivsky) and Vitaly (Bayrak), innocently slain in Drohobych; of the holy passion-bearers Zynoviy (Kovalyk) and Ivan (Ziatyk); of the hieromartyrs Andriy (Ishchak), Mykolai (Tsehelsky), Roman (Lysko), Petro (Verhun) and Oleksii (Zarytsky); of the hieromartyr Emilian (Kovch), pastor of prisoners at Majdanek; the hieromartyr Mykola (Konrad) and the cantor Volodymyr (Pryima), passion­bearers of Stradch; of the holy nun-martyrs: Tarsykia (Matskiv), Olimpia (Bida), and Lavrentia (Harasymiv); of Vincent (Levoniuk) and those martyred with him in Pratulin: Nicetas, John, Constantine, Michael, Onuphrius, Philip, Maxim, Daniel, Constantine, Bartholomew, Luke and Ignatius—and all the martyred men and women of the land of Rus’-Ukraine; of the North American martyrs: Jean (de Brébeuf), Noël (Chabanel), Antoine (Daniel), Charles (Gamier), Isaac (Jogues), Gabriel (Lalemant), René (Goupil), and Jean (de Lalande), enlighteners of the Huron-Wendat nation; and of all the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing fathers, Anthony and Theodosius of the Monastery of the Caves at Kyiv; of our venerable father Job, hegumen of Pochaiv, and Makary, archimandrite of Kaniv; of our venerable fathers John Nepomucene (Neumann) of Philadelphia, Damien (De Veuster), the leper of Molokai, François (de Montmorency-Laval), Basile (Moreau), Louis-Zéphirin (Moreau), Frédéric (Janssoone) and brother André of Montreal; of our venerable mother Josaphata (Hordashevska) of Zhuzhelyany; of our venerable mothers of North America: Marguerite (Bourgeoys), Kateri (Tekakwitha), Marie of the Incarnation, Marguerite (d’Youville), Eulalie (Durocher), Marie-Catherine (Simon de Longpré), Dina (Bélanger), Esther (Blondin), Émilie (Tavernier-Gamelin), Marie-Élisabeth (Turgeon) and Marie-Léonie (Paradis); and the venerable mothers Frances (Cabrini), Elizabeth Ann (Bayley Seton), Rose-Philippine (Duchesne), Katharine (Drexel), Anne-Thérèse (Guérin) and Marianne (Cope) of Molokai; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anne; of Saint (name), the patron(ness) of this holy house; of Saint (name), whose memory we keep this night; and of all the saints; we beseech You, O all-merciful Lord, hear us sinners praying to You, and have mercy.

All: Господи, помилуй (Hospody, pomyluy). (12)

Deacon: We also pray for the most holy universal Pontiff (name), Pope of Rome, and for our most blessed Patriarch (name), that the Lord God will grant them health and salvation, ever directing them and assisting them in all they do; and for our most reverend Metropolitan (name), our God-loving Bishop (name), for our spiritual fathers and mothers, and all our brothers and sisters in Christ, and for every Christian soul that is afflicted and maltreated and in need of God’s mercies and help; for the protection of this city, or village; or this holy place, and for those who live here; for the peace and serenity of the whole world; for the welfare of God’s holy Churches; for the salvation and assistance of our fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters who, with diligence and in the fear of the Lord, labour and serve; for the repose, blessed memory, and remission of sins of our departed loved ones of the orthodox faith all over the world; for the deliverance of captives; for all those taking part in these holy services, and for all who serve and have served in this holy church, let us pray:

All: Κύριε ελέησον. (Kyrie, eleison). (12)

The practice of always singing Kyrie, eleison (that is, Lord, have mercy, in Greek) in response to this petition for the hierarchy, derives from the fact that the first bishops in Rus’-Ukraine were Greek speaking.

Priest: Hear us, O God our Saviour, hope of all bounds of the earth and those far away at sea. In Your graciousness be merciful to us sinners, O Master. For You are a merciful God and You love mankind, and we glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Priest: Peace be with all!

All: And with your spirit.

Deacon: Let us bow our your heads to the Lord.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: O most merciful Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, through the prayers of our most pure Lady, the Mother of God, and ever-Virgin Mary; through the might of the precious and life-giving Cross, through the protection of the honourable, heavenly, incorporeal powers; of the honourable, glorious prophet, forerunner, and baptiser, John; of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles (or: of the holy apostle and evangelist (name), and of all the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles); and of our fathers among the saints, the great ecumenical teachers and hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; of our father among the saints, Nicholas the Wonderworker, archbishop of Myra in Lycia; of the holy Cyril and Methodius, equals-to-the-apostles, teachers of the Slavs; of our holy priest-martyr Josaphat, of the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing fathers Anthony and Theodosius of the Monastery of the Caves at Kyiv; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anne; through the prayers of Saint (name), the patron(ess) of this Church; of Saint (name), whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints. Make our prayer acceptable. Grant us remission of our transgressions; protect us with the shadow of Your wings; drive far from us every foe and adversary; and make our life peaceful, O Lord. Have mercy on us and on Your world and save our souls; for You are gracious and You love mankind.

All: Amen.

Lytia

Tone 1

Today is the beginning of our salvation, O people;* for behold, the Mother and Virgin who was chosen from all generations* to be the habitation of God* is born and comes forth from the barren one.* She is the flower from Jesse and possesses the rod from his root.* May our forefather Adam rejoice and be full of joy;* for behold, she who was created from the rib of Adam* declares that her daughter and descendant is blessed.* She says: “My deliverance has been born to me.* Through her, I will be freed from the bonds of Hades.”* May David rejoice, play on his harp, and bless God;* for behold, the Virgin comes forth* from the womb of the barren woman* for the salvation of our souls.

Tone 2

Come all you lovers of virginity and chastity,* lovingly hold aloft the boast of virginity,* the fountain of life springing up from the solid stone.* She is the bush which grows from the barren land,* the bush of the non-material fire,* who cleanses and illumines our souls.

What is the festive hymn that is heard today?* Joachim and Anne are mystically observing this day with honour, saying:* “Adam and Eve, rejoice with us today!* Through their transgression of old, Paradise was closed.* Now, Mary the maiden of God is being given to us as a blessed fruit.* She opens up the entrance of Paradise to all of us.”

The chosen one of the King of All,* the abode of God and divine dwelling of the ever-existing One,* comes forth today from the barren and glorious Anne.* It is through her that the shameless Hades is crushed,* and the first Eve is lead into a faithful life.* Let us worthily cry out to her:* “Blessed are you among women,* and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

Tone 8, Glory… Now…

Let us play the spiritual flute on this noteworthy feast,* because from the seed of David* is born the Mother of the Life who dispels the darkness.* She is the renewal of Adam and the answer to Eve,* the source of incorruption and the transformation of corruption.* Because of her, we have been divinized and delivered from death.* We cry out to her with Gabriel:* “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you.* Because of you, He has granted us great mercy.”

Aposticha

Tone 4

On this day a great joy has shone upon us* from the two just ones, Joachim and Anne;* 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.

Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words.

O Virgin, today you were born a most noble child* from the two just ones, Joachim and Anne,* 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 richest of people shall seek your favour.

Today Anne, 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 Anne have now been turned into joy.* And now Anne 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 Anne 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.

Hymn of Simeon

Now, O Master, You have kept Your promise; let Your servant go in peace. With my own eyes I have seen the salvation which You have prepared in the sight of every people; a Light to reveal You to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel!

Trisagion Prayers

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

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Trinity most holy, have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord; pardon our transgressions, O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your Name.

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in heaven,* hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Priest: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

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. (3)

Blessing of the Loaves, Wine, and Oil

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Lord Jesus Christ, our God, as You blessed the five loaves in the wilderness and fed five thousand, so bless these loaves, this wheat, wine, and oil. Make them plentiful in this city and throughout Your world and sanctify the faithful who partake of them. For it is You who bless and sanctify all things, O Christ our God, and we give glory to You with Your beginningless Father and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord, now and for ever. (3)

Psalm 33

I will bless the Lord at all times;* His praise shall be constantly in my mouth.

My soul shall glory in the Lord;* let the meek hear and rejoice.

Magnify the Lord with me,* and let us exalt His name together.

I sought the Lord and He heard me,* and delivered me from all my fears.

Approach the Lord and be enlightened,* and your face shall never be shamed.

The poor cried out, and the Lord heard them* and delivered them from all their afflictions.

The angel of the Lord will set up camp around those who fear the Lord* and save them.

Taste and see how good is the Lord;* blessed is the one who hopes in Him.

Fear the Lord, all you His saints,* for there is no privation for those who fear Him.

The rich have become poor and hungry* but those who seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good.

Priest: The blessing of the Lord be upon you through His grace and loving kindness, always, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Great Dismissal

Deacon: Wisdom!

All: Give the blessing.

Priest: Blessed is the One-Who-Is, Christ our God, always, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen. O God, make firm the holy orthodox faith now and for ever and ever.

Priest: O most holy Mother of God, save us.

All: More honourable than the cherubim* and by far more glorious than the seraphim;* ever a virgin, you gave birth to God the Word,* O true Mother of God, we magnify you.

Priest: Glory be to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory be to You.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,* now and for ever and ever. Amen.* Lord, have mercy. (3)* Give the blessing.

Priest: Christ our true God, (risen from the dead) through the prayers of His immaculate Mother; the holy, glorious, and all-praiseworthy apostles; of Saint, (name, whose church it is), and of Saint, (name, whose day it is) and of all the saints, will have mercy and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.

All: Amen.