On Lord, I have cried, four stichera are sung:

Tone One

to the special melody, O purest Virgin, thou joy of the heavenly hierarchies…

Having received the fruit of the promise come from the Lord, today in the temple Joachim and Ann offered the Mother of God as an acceptable sacrifice; and Zacharias the great High Priest received her with his blessing (twice).

Into the holy places the Holy of Holies is fittingly brought to dwell, as a sacrifice acceptable to God. The virgins adorned by virtues go before her carrying torches, and offer her to God as a most sacred Vessel.

Let the gate of the temple wherein God dwells be opened: for Joachim brings within today in glory the Temple and Throne of the King of all, and he consecrates as an offering to God her whom the Lord has chosen to be his Mother.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Tone Six

David prophesied concerning thee, O Undefiled, foretelling thine entry and thy consecration in the temple. Keeping this feast today, the ends of the earth glorify thee, O far-famed Lady. Zacharias rejoices as he receives thee at thine entry this day into the temple, thou Mother of the Word of life, who, Virgin before childbirth, hast remained after childbirth Virgin. The Holy of Holies is filled with exultation as it welcomes thee, who dost sustain our life. Therefore we also cry to thee in song: Entreat thy Son and our God on our behalf, that we may be granted great mercy.

Aposticha:

Tone Two

to the special melody, O house of Ephratah…

O ye gates of the sanctuary, into the Holy of Holies receive ye a Virgin, the spotless Tabernacle of God the Almighty.

℣. Virgins shall be brought to the King after her: her companions shall be brought unto Thee (Psalm 44:15).

Ye virgins, joyfully bearing torches, attend the pure Virgin on her way, as she enters the Holy of Holies, the Bride of the King of all.

℣. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall be brought into the temple of the King (Psalm 44:16).

The living Bridal Chamber of God the Word receives bread from the hands of a divine angel, as she dwells in the Holy of Holies.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Same Tone

The three-lamped Light, making thee burn, O Theotokos, in the temple of His glory, sends thee heavenly food, and magnifies thee.

Apolytikion (troparion) of the feast:

Tone Four

Today is the foreshadowing of the good pleasure of God and the herald of the salvation of men. The Virgin is revealed in the temple of God, and beforehand she announces Christ to all. Let us therefore cry to her with mighty voice: Hail! Thou fulfilment of the Creator’s dispensation.

Dismissal.

We sing Blessed is the man (the first portion of the first kathisma).

On Lord, I have cried, eight stichera are sung:

Tone One

to the special melody, O marvellous wonder…

Today let us, the faithful, dance for joy, singing to the Lord with psalms and hymns, venerating His hallowed Tabernacle, the living Ark, that contained the Word who cannot be contained. For she, a young child in the flesh, is offered in wondrous fashion to the Lord, and with rejoicing Zacharias the great High Priest receives her as the dwelling place of God (twice).

Today the living Temple of the holy glory of Christ our God, she who alone among women is pure and blessed, is offered in the temple of the Law, that she may make her dwelling in the sanctuary. Joachim and Ann rejoice with her in spirit, and choirs of virgins sing to the Lord, chanting psalms and honouring His Mother (twice).

Thou, O Virgin Mother of God, art she whom the prophets proclaimed. Thou art the glory of the apostles and the pride of martyrs, the restoration of all who dwell on earth: for through thee we are reconciled to God. Therefore we honour thy coming into the temple of the Lord; and saved by thine intercession, with the angel we all cry to thee: ‘Hail! Most Holy’.

Tone Four

Led by the Holy Spirit, the holy Maid without spot is taken to dwell in the Holy of Holies. By an angel is she fed, who is in truth the most holy Temple of our Holy God. He has sanctified all things by her entry, and has made godlike the fallen nature of mortal men.

The young girls rejoice today, and with their lamps in hand they go in reverence before the spiritual Lamp, as she enters into the Holy of Holies. They foreshadow the brightness past speech that is to shine forth from her and to give light by the Spirit to those that sit in the darkness of ignorance.

Ann the all-blessed cried out rejoicing: ‘O Zacharias, take her whom the prophets of God proclaimed in the Spirit, and lead her into the holy temple, there to be brought up in reverence, that she may become the divine Throne of the Master of all, His Palace, His resting-place, and His dwelling filled with light.’

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Tone Eight

After thy birth, O Lady and Bride of God, thou hast gone to dwell in the temple of the Lord, there to be brought up in the Holy of Holies, for thou art thyself holy: and Gabriel then was sent to thee, O Virgin all-undefiled, to bring thee food. All the powers of heaven stood amazed, seeing the Holy Spirit dwell in thee. Therefore, O Mother of God without stain or blemish, glorified in heaven and on earth, save our kind.

Entrance, O joyful light, and prokimenon of the day.

Lessons:

Reading from Exodus (40:1–5, 9–10, 16, 34–35).

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the veil. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle. And thou shalt take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof; and it shall be holy. And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all the vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy. Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded him, so did he. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

Reading from the third book of Kings (1 Kings 7:50; 8:1, 3–4, 5, 6–7, 9–11).

So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the Lord. Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion. And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark. And they brought up the ark of the Lord, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up. And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark. And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto His place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims. For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above. There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt. And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.

Reading from the Prophet Ezekiel (43:27–44:4).

And it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord God. Then He brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut. Then said the Lord unto me, This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same. Then brought He me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

At the Lity:

Tone One

by George of Nicomedia

Today let heaven above greatly rejoice and let the clouds pour down gladness at the mighty acts, exceeding marvellous, of our God. For behold, the Gate that looks towards the east, born according to the promise from a fruitless and barren womb, and dedicated to God as His dwelling, is led today into the temple as an offering without blemish. Let David greatly rejoice, striking his harp. ‘Virgins’, said he, ‘shall be brought to the King after her, her companions shall be brought unto Thee. Within the tabernacle of God, within His place of propitiation, she shall be brought up, to become the dwelling place of Him who was begotten of the Father without change before all ages, for the salvation of our souls.’

Tone Four

by the same

Today the Theotokos, the Temple that is to hold God, is led into the temple of the Lord, and Zacharias receives her. Today the Holy of Holies rejoices greatly, and the choir of angels mystically keeps feast. With them let us also celebrate the festival today, and let us cry aloud with Gabriel: Hail, thou who art full of grace: the Lord is with thee, He who has great mercy.

Same Tone

Come, all ye peoples, and let us praise her who alone is undefiled: she who was foretold by the prophets and offered in the temple, the Mother preordained before all ages, who in the last times has been shown forth as Theotokos. O Lord, at her intercession grant us Thy peace and great mercy.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Tone Five

by Leo the Master

A day of joy has dawned, and a feast worthy of all reverence. For today she who was Virgin before childbirth, and remained Virgin after bearing child, is offered in the temple. The venerable Zacharias, father of the Forerunner, cried aloud rejoicing: ‘The Expectation of those in affliction, herself holy, is come to the holy temple, there to be consecrated as dwelling-place of the Almighty.’ Let Joachim the forefather be glad and let Ann rejoice exceedingly, for they have offered unto God, as a three year old victim of sacrifice, the Queen without blemish. Rejoice with them, O ye mothers; ye virgins, dance for joy, and ye barren, be of good cheer. For the preordained Queen of all has opened the Kingdom of Heaven unto us. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, ye peoples.

Aposticha:

Tone Five

to the special melody, Hail, life-giving Cross…

Heaven and earth rejoice, beholding the spiritual Heaven, the only Virgin without blemish, enter the house of God, there to be reared in reverence. To her Zacharias in amazement cried: ‘O Gate of the Lord! Unto thee I open the gates of the temple: rejoice and go round it in gladness. For I know and believe that the deliverance of Israel shall now come to dwell openly in our midst, and that from thee shall be born God the Word, who grants the world great mercy.’

℣. Virgins shall be brought to the King after her: her companions shall be brought unto Thee (Psalm 44:15).

Ann, truly blessed by God’s grace, led with gladness into the temple of the Lord the pure and ever-Virgin, who is full of grace, and she called the young girls to go before her, lamps in hand. ‘Go, Child’, she said, ‘to Him who gave thee unto me; be unto Him an offering and a sweet smelling incense. Go into the place which none may enter: learn its mysteries and prepare thyself to become the pleasing and beautiful dwelling-place of Jesus, who grants the world great mercy.’

℣. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall be brought into the temple of the King (Psalm 44:16).

The most holy Virgin, Temple that is to hold God, is dedicated within the temple of the Lord; and young girls, bearing lamps, now go before her. Her noble parents, Joachim and Ann, leap for joy and dance, for they have borne her that is to bear the Creator; and she, the All-Pure, with rejoicing goes round the divine habitations and is fed by the hands of an angel. She it is that shall become Mother of Christ, who grants the world great mercy.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Tone Six

by Sergios of the Holy City

Today let us, the arrays of the assembled faithful, triumph in spirit and reverently praise the Child of God, Virgin and Theotokos, as she is offered in the temple of the Lord: she who was forechosen from all generations to be the dwelling-place of Christ, the Master and God of all. O virgins bearing lamps, go ye before her, honouring the majestic advance of the ever-Virgin. Ye mothers, setting aside every sorrow, follow them in gladness, singing the praises of her who became the Mother of God and mediator of joy for the world. With the angel joyfully let us all cry ‘Hail!’ to her that is full of grace and ever intercedes for our souls.

Apolytikion (troparion) of the feast:

Tone Four

Today is the foreshadowing of the good pleasure of God and the herald of the salvation of men. The Virgin is revealed in the temple of God, and beforehand she announces Christ to all. Let us therefore cry to her with mighty voice: Hail! Thou fulfilment of the Creator’s dispensation.

And the Dismissal.

After the first reading from the Psalter, sessional hymn:

Tone One

The fruit of righteous Joachim and Ann is brought as an offering to God in the holy sanctuary, she who sustains our life, a young child in the flesh; and she receives the blessing of Zacharias the priest. Let all of us in faith call her blessed, for she is the Mother of the Lord.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Repeat.

After the second reading from the Psalter, sessional hymn:

Tone Four

Before thy conception, O pure Virgin, thou wast consecrated to God; and now after thy birth thou art offered as a gift to Him, in fulfilment of thy parents’ promise. To the divine temple thou art brought, thyself a Temple truly divine, innocent from the time thou wast a babe; thou hast appeared in the sanctuary accompanied by brightly burning lamps, who art the Receiver of the Divine Light that no man can approach. Magnificent in truth is thine entry, O only Bride of God and ever-Virgin.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Repeat.

After the polyeleos, the megalynarion:

We magnify thee, O most holy Virgin, Maiden chosen of God, and we honour thine entry into the temple.

℣. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised: in the city of our God and in His holy mountain (Psalm 47:2).

We magnify thee…

℣. Holy is Thy temple, and wonderful in righteousness (Psalm 64:5–6).

We magnify thee…

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory be to Thee, O God (three times).

We magnify thee…

Sessional hymn:

Tone Eight

Let David the Psalmist greatly rejoice, let Joachim and Ann be glad, for a holy child has come forth from them, Mary the Lamp that bears the Divine Light; and she rejoices as she enters the temple. The son of Barachias, beholding her, gave her his blessing and cried out in joy: ‘Hail! Thou wonder of all the world.’

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Repeat.

The first antiphon of the hymn of degrees in Tone Four.

Prokimenon:

Tone Four

Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear (Psalm 44:11).

℣. My heart is inditing a good matter (Psalm 44:2).

Let everything that hath breath…

Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (1:39–49, 56).

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Psalm 50.

Glory be to the Father…

Tone Two

Today the living Temple of the great King enters the temple to be prepared as a divine dwelling-place for Him. O ye people, rejoice exceedingly.

Both now…

Repeat.

Have mercy upon me…

Tone Four

Today the Theotokos, the Temple that is to hold God, is led into the temple of the Lord, and Zacharias receives her. Today the Holy of Holies rejoices greatly, and the choir of angels mystically keeps feast. With them let us also celebrate the festival today, and let us cry aloud with Gabriel: Hail, thou who art full of grace: the Lord is with thee, He who has great mercy.

Two Canons are used, the first by George of Nicomedia and the second by Basil the Monk. Before the troparia we say Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Canticle One

First Canon

Tone Four

Irmos: I shall open my mouth and the Spirit will inspire it, and I shall utter the words of my song to the Queen and Mother: I shall be seen radiantly keeping feast and joyfully praising her entry.

We know that thou, O All-Undefiled, art a treasury of wisdom and a never-failing fountain of grace. We therefore pray thee, O Lady, let fall some drops of knowledge upon us, that we may sing thy praises for ever.

Thou who art honoured, O Most Holy, far above the heavens, thou who art both Temple and Palace, thou art dedicated in the temple of God, to be prepared as a divine dwelling-place for His coming.

She who made the light of grace shine forth, the Theotokos, has illuminated all men and brought them together to adorn with songs her most radiant triumph. O come, let us join them and hasten to her.

Having opened the gates of the temple of God, the Glorious Gate through which human thoughts cannot pass now urges us to enter with her and to delight in her divine marvels.

Second Canon

Tone One

Irmos: Let us all sing a triumphant song unto God who has done wondrous things with His mighty arm, and has saved Israel: for He has been glorified.

Let us this day hasten together to the Theotokos, honouring her in songs, and let us keep spiritual feast. For she is offered in the temple as a gift to God.

Let us praise in songs the glorious advance of the Theotokos. For today as a precious gift she is prophetically offered in the temple, who is herself a Temple of God.

Ann without reproach greatly rejoiced, offering her child in the temple as a precious gift to God, while Joachim, bright with joy, kept feast with her.

David the forefather praised thee of old in hymns, O Virgin Bride of God, calling thee Daughter of Christ the King: Him thou hast borne as Mother and thou hast fed Him as thy child.

The Theotokos, when she was three years old after the flesh, was led to the Lord; and Zacharias, the priest of God, received her in the temple with rejoicing and established her there.

Ye virgins carrying lamps, be of good cheer today and begin the song; ye mothers, join them in praises to the Queen and Mother, as she enters the temple of Christ the King.

Glory be to the Father…

O Trinity, one in essence, Father, Word, and Holy Spirit, with faith we glorify Thee as Maker of all, and in reverence we cry: Save us, O God.

Both now…

The King and God goes forth wearing the purple dyed from thy blood, O All-Undefiled. He has renewed all mankind in His compassion.

Katavasia: Christ is born, give ye glory. Christ comes from heaven, meet ye Him. Christ is on earth, be ye exalted. O all the earth, sing unto the Lord, and sing praises in gladness, O ye people, for He has been glorified.

Canticle Three

First Canon

Irmos: O Mother of God, thou living and plentiful fount, give strength to those united in spiritual fellowship, who sing hymns of praise to thee: and on this day of thy venerable entry, vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.

Today has the temple become a wedding adornment and a fair chamber for the Virgin, as it receives the living Bridal Chamber of God, pure and without spot, she who shines more brightly than all the creation.

David, leading the dance, leaps in gladness and rejoices with us, and thee, O undefiled and all-pure Virgin, he calls the Queen, clad in raiment of many-coloured needlework, standing in the temple before the King and God.

From Eve of old the transgression came upon mankind, and now from Eve’s stock has flowered forth our restoration and incorruption, even the Theotokos, who is brought today into the house of God.

The hosts of angels and the multitude of all mankind dance today before thy face, O all-pure Lady, and carrying lamps they go before thee, proclaiming thy greatness in the house of God.

Second Canon

Irmos: Let my heart be established in Thy will, O Christ my God, who hast established the second heaven above the waters, and hast founded the earth upon the floods, in Thine almighty power.

O ye who love the feasts, celebrate and be glad in spirit, exulting today in the holy feast of the Daughter of the King and the Mother of our God.

Be glad today, O Joachim, and rejoice exceedingly in spirit, O Ann, who now present unto the Lord your daughter, as a three-year old victim of sacrifice, holy and utterly without spot.

Dwelling-place of God, the Theotokos Mary, three years old after the flesh, is offered in the holy temple, and the virgins her companions, carrying lamps, go before her.

The ewe-lamb of God without spot, the dove without blemish, the tabernacle that is to hold God, the sanctuary of the glory, has chosen to dwell in the holy temple.

Three years old in the flesh and many years old in spirit, more spacious than the heavens and higher than the powers above, let the Bride of God be praised in song.

Celebrating the coming of the Theotokos into the sanctuary, let us too, carrying lamps today in spirit, go in joy with the virgins to the temple.

Ye priests of God, clothe yourselves by grace in righteousness, going in joy to meet the Daughter of the King and God as she enters the Holy Place.

Glory be to the Father…

The Father is Light, His Son is Light, and the Spirit, the Comforter, is Light: for, shining forth as from one sun, the Trinity divinely illuminates and preserves our souls.

Both now…

The prophets proclaimed thee in ages past, speaking of thee as ark of holiness, golden censer, candlestick, and table; and we sing thy praises as the Tabernacle that held God.

Katavasia: To the Son who was begotten of the Father without change before all ages, and in the last times was without seed made flesh of the Virgin, to Christ our God let us cry aloud: Thou hast raised up our horn, holy art Thou, O Lord.

Sessional hymn

Tone Four

Cry out, O David, what is this present feast? Is it for her of whom thou hast sung in the Book of Psalms, calling her Daughter, Child of God and Virgin, saying: ‘Her companions the virgins that follow her shall be mystically led unto the King?’ Make this feast to be held in honour throughout all the world by those who cry: The Theotokos is come among us, mediator of salvation.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Repeat.

Canticle Four

First Canon

Irmos: Perceiving the unsearchable purpose of God concerning Thine Incarnation from a Virgin, O Most High, the prophet Habakkuk cried: Glory to Thy power, O Lord.

Today the house of God receives the Gate through which none may pass; so it has brought an end to the worship commanded by the shadow of the Law, and it cries aloud: ‘Verily the truth has appeared to those on earth.’

The overshadowed mountain that Habakkuk foresaw and announced prophetically in days of old, has come to dwell within the sanctuary of the temple; there she has put forth flowers of virtue and with her shadow she covers the ends of the earth.

Let us, with all the earth, look upon these marvellous, strange, and wonderful events: how the Virgin, receiving food from an angel, offers us an image of the divine dispensation.

Appearing as a Temple and a Palace and living Heaven, thou art dedicated today in the temple of the Law, to be kept therein, O undefiled Bride of God.

Second Canon

Irmos: O prophet Habakkuk, thou hast foreseen in spirit the Incarnation of the Word, and hast proclaimed crying: ‘Thou shalt be acknowledged when the years draw nigh; Thou shalt be made manifest when the times come. Glory to Thy power, O Lord.’

O prophet Isaiah, prophesy to us: who is the Virgin that shall conceive? ‘It is she who has come forth from the root of Judah and who was born of David the King, glorious fruit of a holy seed.’

O ye virgins, begin your songs, and with lamps in hand praise the advance of the pure Theotokos, who now enters the temple of the Lord, and keep ye feast with us.

Be glad, O Joachim and Ann, who now present unto the Lord in the temple, as a three-year old victim of sacrifice, your daughter that shall be the pure Mother of Christ our God, the King of all.

O venerable Holy of Holies, thou dost love to dwell in the holy temple; and thou abidest, O Virgin, in converse with angels, receiving bread most marvellously from heaven, O thou who dost sustain our life.

When all hope was gone, Joachim and Ann gave birth to the undefiled Virgin, and in piety they promised to offer her to God. Today they fulfil their promise, giving their child as a sacrifice in the house of God.

The rod of Aaron once put forth shoot, prefiguring, O undefiled Virgin, thy divine childbirth. For without seed shalt thou conceive and not suffer corruption; and after bearing child shalt thou remain Virgin, giving suck to a babe who is God of all.

Ye virgins, with piety hasten to the Virgin, and ye mothers to the Mother: together let us honour the Child born to Joachim and Ann, as a blameless Sanctuary, and the Mother that bore Christ, as a holy Tree bringing forth fruit to God. Let us all joyously keep feast.

Glory be to the Father…

Three in Persons, One in nature, in reverence we glorify the true God whose praises the hosts of angels and archangels sing as Master of the Creation; and in faith we all worship Him for ever.

Both now…

O pure and undefiled Virgin, pray without ceasing to thy Son and God, whom thou hast conceived in the flesh, that He may deliver all thy servants from the manifold snares of the devil and from every temptation that assails us.

Katavasia: Rod of the root of Jesse, and flower that blossomed from his stem, O Christ, Thou hast sprung from the Virgin. From the Mountain overshadowed by the forest Thou hast come, made flesh from her that knew not wedlock, O God who art not formed from matter. Glory to Thy power, O Lord.

Canticle Five

First Canon

Irmos: The whole world was amazed at thy venerable entry. For thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, thyself a Temple most pure, hast gone within the temple of God, bestowing peace upon all who sing thy praises.

Glorious sanctuary and holy offering, today the most pure Virgin is dedicated in the temple of God; and in ways which He alone understands, she is kept as a dwelling-place for our God, the King of all.

Seeing the beauty of thy soul, O undefiled Virgin, Zacharias cried out with faith: ‘Thou art our deliverance, thou art the joy of all. Thou art our restoration, through whom the Incomprehensible appears comprehensible to me.’

O Virgin all-undefiled, past understanding are thy wonders! Strange is the manner of thy birth: strange is the manner of thy growing. Strange and most marvellous are all things concerning thee, O Bride of God, and they are beyond the telling of mortal man.

Thou candlestick with many lights, O Bride of God, thou hast shone forth today in the house of the Lord, and thou dost give us light through the holy gifts of grace from thy wonders, O pure and far-famed Theotokos.

Second Canon

Irmos: O Christ our Master and God who lovest man, cause the radiant and everlasting light to shine upon us, who ponder early in the morning upon the judgements of Thy commandments.

Let us, the Orthodox, all hasten together with our lamps and glorify the Mother of God, for today she is offered to the Lord as an acceptable sacrifice.

Let the forefathers rejoice exceedingly today, O Lady, and let her that bore thee make glad with thy father: for their fruit is led unto the Lord.

Let us all, keeping feast in faith, sing the praises of the undefiled Maiden, most glorious and of many names, for she conceived in the flesh the divine Victim and sacrificial Offering.

The contract of thy betrothal, the divine tokens of thy Motherhood past understanding, O pure Virgin, are written today by the Holy Spirit in the house of God.

Let the forecourt of the glory of our God be opened and let it receive, as a victim of sacrifice three years old and without blemish, the Mother of God who was never to know wedlock.

Let us sing the praises of that greatly venerated and overshadowed mountain, the ever-Virgin who became the Mother of God. For she has made light shine to the ends of the earth.

Glory be to the Father…

Let us glorify and worship the one Godhead in three Persons, undivided by nature and equal in glory, that was before the beginning and ever shall be.

Both now…

We have thine intercession, O Mother of God, as a fair haven and an unassailable rampart in times of trouble, and we are ever delivered from danger and affliction.

Katavasia: As Thou art God of peace and Father of mercies, Thou hast sent unto us Thine Angel of great counsel, granting us peace. So are we guided towards the light of the knowledge of God, and watching by night we glorify Thee, O Lover of mankind.

Canticle Six

First Canon

Irmos: As we celebrate this sacred and solemn feast of the Mother of God, let us come, clapping our hands, O people of the Lord, and give glory to God who was born of her.

He who supports all things with His word, in His mercy has hearkened unto the prayer of righteous Joachim and Ann: He has loosed them from the disease of barrenness and given them her that is the cause of our joy.

The Lord, wishing to make known to the Gentiles His salvation, has now chosen from among men her that knew not wedlock, to be a sign of reconciliation and renewal.

Being thyself, O Undefiled, a house of grace, in which are laid the treasures of the ineffable dispensation of God, thou dost partake of boundless joy in the temple.

Having received thee as a royal diadem, O Bride of God, the temple shone with beauty and gave place to better things, seeing in thee the fulfilment of the prophecies.

Second Canon

Irmos: With the prophet Jonah I shout: O Thou who art good, deliver my life from corruption and save me, O Saviour of the world, as I cry: Glory to Thee.

Ye faithful, let us feast in spirit the Mother of God, singing her praises with piety. For she is indeed more holy than the heavenly powers.

Ye faithful, let us praise in spiritual songs the Mother of the Light, for today has she been manifested to us as she enters the temple of God.

The ewe-lamb without blemish, the pure dove, is brought as an offering to dwell in the house of God: the undefiled Virgin who was foreordained to become the Mother of God.

The Temple of God, the heavenly Tabernacle, accomplished her entry into the temple of the Law, and from her the Light has shone on us in darkness.

A child in the flesh but perfect in soul, the holy Ark enters into the house of God, there to feed upon divine grace.

By thine intercessions set us free from every temptation and danger of soul, for we run to thee, O far-famed Mother of Christ our God.

Glory be to the Father…

Father, Son, and Spirit of righteousness, Unity in three persons and undivided Trinity, have mercy upon those who worship Thy divine power.

Both now…

He whom nothing can contain was contained in thy womb, O undefiled Mother of God, and from thee He has come forth double in nature, God and Man.

Katavasia: The sea monster spat forth Jonah as it had received him, like a babe from the womb: while the Word, having dwelt in the Virgin and taken flesh, came forth from her yet kept her uncorrupt. For being Himself not subject to decay, He preserved His Mother free from harm.

Kontakion

Tone Four

The all-pure Temple of the Saviour, the precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of the glory of God, is led today into the house of the Lord, and with her she brings the grace of the divine Spirit. Of her God’s angels sing in praise: ‘She is indeed the heavenly Tabernacle.’

Ikos

Seeing the grace of the secret mysteries of God made manifest and clearly fulfilled in the Virgin, I rejoice; and I know not how to understand the strange and secret manner whereby the Undefiled has been revealed as alone chosen above all creation, visible and spiritual. Therefore, wishing to praise her, I am struck dumb with amazement in both mind and speech. Yet still I dare to proclaim and magnify her: She is indeed the heavenly Tabernacle.

Canticle Seven

First Canon

Irmos: The Holy Children bravely trampled upon the threatening fire, preferring not to worship created things rather than the Creator, and they sang in joy: ‘Blessed art Thou and praised above all, O Lord God of our fathers.’

Lo, a glad springtime has shone now to the ends of the earth, making our soul and understanding and mind bright through grace: for today is the feast of the Theotokos. Let us rejoice mystically.

Today let all things, heaven and earth, the ranks of angels and the multitude of mortal men, attend the Queen and Mother, and let them cry aloud: ‘Joy and deliverance is led into the temple.’

The written Law has passed away and vanished as a shadow, and the rays of grace have shone forth at thine entry into the temple of God, O undefiled Virgin Mother, who art for ever blessed.

O undefiled Lady, heaven and earth and the things beneath the earth have been brought into subjection to thy Son as Maker and God, and all mortal tongues confess that the Lord has appeared, the Saviour of our souls.

Second Canon

Irmos: The furnace was sprinkled with dew, O Saviour, and the Children danced for joy as they sang: ‘O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.’

Let us exult today in the joy of the feast; let us honour, as is meet, Joachim and Ann, and let us sing the praises of the undefiled Virgin.

Let David prophesy, who said in the spirit: ‘Virgins shall be brought after thee; they shall be brought into the temple to the Queen and Mother.’

The ranks of angels rejoiced exceedingly and spirits of the righteous were glad, when the Mother of God was led into the sanctuary.

Mary without spot rejoiced in body and spirit, dwelling as a sacred vessel in the temple of the Lord.

Receiving heavenly food, she who was to become the Mother of Christ the Saviour according to the flesh, increased in wisdom and grace.

Thy wise parents led thee to the innermost part of the temple, O undefiled Virgin, there to be brought up in strange fashion and prepared as dwelling-place for Christ our God.

Glory be to the Father…

Let us glorify the undivided Trinity, let us sing the praises of the one Godhead, the Father, the Word, and the Most Holy Spirit.

Both now…

Pray the Lord whom thou hast borne, for He is compassionate by nature, to save the souls of those that sing thy praises, O Mother of God.

Katavasia: Scorning the impious decree, the Children brought up together in godliness feared not the threat of fire, but, standing in the midst of the flames, they sang: ‘O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.’

Canticle Eight

First Canon

Irmos: Hearken, O pure Virgin Maid: let Gabriel tell thee the counsel of the Most High that is ancient and true. Make ready to receive God: for through thee the Incomprehensible comes to dwell with mortal men. Therefore I cry rejoicing: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.

As Ann led the undefiled Temple into the house of God, she cried aloud and said with faith to the priest: ‘Take the child given to me by God and lead her into the temple of thy Creator, and sing unto Him with joy: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.’

When he saw Ann, Zacharias said to her in spirit: ‘Thou dost lead here the true Mother of life, whom the prophets of God heralded from afar as the Theotokos: and how shall the temple contain her? Therefore in wonder I cry: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.’

‘I stand here as the suppliant of God,’ answered Ann to him, ‘calling upon Him with faith and prayer to receive the fruit of my travail. For I promised that after childbirth I would present my child to Him who gave her to me. Therefore, leaping for joy, I cry: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.’

‘Truly this act is in accordance with the Law’, said the priest to her. ‘I perceive that this is a thing wholly strange: for I see led into the house of God her who wondrously surpasses the sanctuary in grace. Therefore I cry in joy: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.’

‘Hearing thy words,’ said Ann to him, ‘I am filled with new strength. For thou dost understand these things by the Spirit of God, and hast clearly announced what shall come to pass in the Virgin. Take, then, the Undefiled into the temple of thy Creator, and sing unto Him in joy: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.’

‘A Lamp that gives light has been kindled for us,’ cried the priest, ‘and has made mighty joy shine in the temple. Let the souls of the prophets make glad with me, as they see strange wonders accomplished in the house of God, and let them now cry out: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.’

Second Canon

Irmos: Him before whom the angels and all the hosts of heaven are afraid, their Creator and Lord, O ye priests praise, O ye children glorify, O ye people bless and exalt above all for ever.

Bright with joy today, Joachim makes glad; and Ann, without reproach, offers unto the Lord God the sacrifice given to her according to the promise, her holy daughter.

The saints David and Jesse exult today and Judah is filled with pride. For from their root a branch has sprung, the pure Virgin from whom pre-eternal God is to be born.

Today Mary, the undefiled and living Tabernacle, is offered up in the house of God, and Zacharias receives her in his hands as a holy treasure of the Lord.

As a Gate of salvation and a spiritual Mountain, as a living Ladder, let us, the faithful, honour the true Virgin and Mother of God, who is blessed by the hands of the priests.

Prophets, apostles and martyrs of Christ, ranks of angels and all the dwellers upon earth, let us honour with hymns the pure Virgin, for she is the blessed Mother of the Most High.

They that divinely bore thee, O Undefiled and Pure, offered thee in the temple as a spotless sacrifice; and in strange fashion thou dost lodge in the sanctuary of God, there to be prepared as a dwelling-place for the Word.

We bless the Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Let ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ be sung to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, indivisible Unity, one Godhead, that holds all creation in the hollow of the hand unto all ages.

Both now…

He who is without beginning, begins: from a Virgin Maid the Word is born in the flesh according to His good pleasure, God and mortal man, and in His extreme compassion He refashions us who had fallen.

We praise, bless, and worship the Lord; we extol and exalt Him above all for ever.

Katavasia: The furnace moist with dew was the image and figure of a wonder past nature. For it burnt not the Children whom it had received, even as the fire of the Godhead consumed not the Virgin’s womb into which it had descended. Therefore in praise let us sing: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.

Canticle Nine

The Magnificat and Greater in honour than the cherubim are not sung, but are replaced by the following megalynaria:

First Canon

Beholding the entry of the All-Pure, the angels were struck with amazement, seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.

Irmos: Let no profane hand touch the living Ark of God, but let the lips of the faithful, singing without ceasing the words of the Angel to the Theotokos, cry aloud in great joy: O pure Virgin, thou art truly high above all.

Beholding the entry of the All-Pure, the angels were struck with amazement, seeing how she entered with glory into the Holy of Holies.

O pure Theotokos, thou hast a clean and shining beauty of soul, and art filled from heaven with the grace of God. Thou dost ever enlighten with eternal light those who cry aloud in gladness: O pure Virgin, thou art truly high above all.

Beholding the entry of the All-Pure, the angels were struck with amazement, seeing how she entered marvellously into the Holy of Holies.

Thy wonders, O pure Theotokos, surpass the power of words. For in thee I see something beyond speech: a body that was never subject to the taint of sin. Therefore in thanksgiving I cry to thee: O pure Virgin, thou art truly high above all.

Angels and men, let us honour the entry of the Virgin, for in glory she has gone into the Holy of Holies.

The Law prefigured thee most wonderfully as tabernacle, jar of manna, strange ark, veil of the temple, rod of Aaron, temple never to be destroyed, and gate of God; and so it teaches us to cry to thee: O pure Virgin, thou art truly high above all.

Beholding the entry of the All-Pure, the angels were struck with wonder, seeing how she entered, by God’s good pleasure, into the Holy of Holies.

David sang in honour of thee, calling thee the daughter of the King, for he saw thee in the beauty of the virtues, in raiment of many-coloured needlework, at the right hand of God; therefore in prophecy he cried aloud: O pure Virgin, thou art truly high above all.

O ye angels, dance with the saints: O ye virgins, make glad with them. For the Child of God has entered into the Holy of Holies.

Solomon, foreseeing how thou wast to receive God, spoke of thee in dark sayings as the gate of the King and the living fountain sealed, from which came forth untroubled waters unto us who cry aloud with faith: O pure Virgin, thou art truly high above all.

Angels and men, let us magnify the Virgin in hymns, for she has entered into the Holy of Holies, as was divinely fit.

Grant to my soul, O Theotokos, the calm peace that comes from thy gifts of grace. Thou art a fountain of life unto those that honour thee as is due; thou dost surround, protect, and preserve us that we may cry aloud to thee: O pure Virgin, thou art truly high above all.

Second Canon

Megalynarion (sung before the irmos and the troparia):

O my soul, magnify her who was led into the temple of the Lord and blessed by the hands of the priests.

Irmos: Let us all magnify the radiant cloud, in which the Master of all descended, as dew from heaven upon the fleece, and for our sake took flesh and was made man, He who is without beginning: for she is the pure Mother of our God.

From the righteous Joachim and Ann a fruit came forth according to the promise, Mary the Child of God. A young girl after the flesh, as acceptable incense she is offered in the holy temple, that she who is herself holy may dwell in the Holy Place.

Let us praise in hymns the child by nature who was shown forth as Mother beyond nature. For today she is offered to the Lord in the temple of the Law as a sweet-smelling savour, the spiritual fruit of her righteous parents.

O ye faithful, offering to the Theotokos the salutation of the angel, let us raise our cry: Hail! O Bride most beautiful. Hail! bright cloud; from thee the Lord has shone forth upon us as we sat in the darkness of ignorance. Hail! thou Hope of all.

All the creation joins the angel Gabriel, crying out to the Theotokos in fitting song: Hail! undefiled Mother of God. Through thee we have been delivered from the ancient curse and have become partakers of incorruption.

O Holy of Holies and pure Mother of God, Mary, from the snares of the enemy and from every heresy and affliction, at thine intercessions set us free who venerate with faith the ikon of thy holy form.

Far greater than the cherubim, high above the seraphim, and more spacious than the heavens, art thou shown forth, O Virgin, for thou hast contained in thy womb our God whom nothing can contain, and hast ineffably borne Him: entreat Him earnestly on our behalf.

O my soul, magnify the power of the indivisible Godhead in three Persons.

Let us glorify the one Nature in three Persons, the one indivisible glory, the undivided Trinity in one Godhead that is praised without ceasing in heaven and on earth; in piety let us worship the Father, with the Son and the Spirit.

O my soul, magnify her who is greater in honour and more glorious than the hosts above.

O Virgin Mother of God, intercede for those who with faith seek refuge beneath thy compassion, and who piously worship thy Son as God and Lord of the world, that they be delivered from corruption and danger and manifold temptations.

Beholding the entry of the All-Pure, the angels were struck with amazement, seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.

Katavasia: A strange and most wonderful mystery do I see: the cave is heaven; the Virgin the throne of the cherubim; the manger a room, in which Christ, the God whom nothing can contain, is laid. Him do we praise and magnify.

Exapostilarion:

Let us praise in faith Mary the Child of God, whom long ago the assembly of prophets foretold, speaking of her as jar of manna and Aaron’s rod, tablet of the Law and uncut mountain. For she is led today into the Holy of Holies, there to be brought up unto the Lord (three times).

Lauds. Four stichera are sung:

Tone One

to the special melody, O purest Virgin, thou joy of the heavenly hierarchies…

The virgins bearing lamps, who with their light accompany the ever-Virgin, verily prophesy the future in Spirit. For the Temple of God, the Theotokos, with virginal glory enters as a little child into the temple.

The Theotokos, glorious fruit of a sacred promise, is truly revealed unto the world as higher than all creation. Piously led into the house of God, she fulfils the vow of her parents and she is preserved by the Holy Spirit.

O Virgin, fed in faith by heavenly bread in the temple of the Lord, thou hast brought forth unto the world the Bread of life that is the Word; and as His chosen Temple without spot, thou wast betrothed mystically through the Spirit, to be the Bride of God the Father.

Let the gate of the temple wherein God dwells be opened: for Joachim brings within today in glory the Temple and Throne of the King of all, and he consecrates as an offering to God her whom the Lord has chosen to be His Mother.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Tone Two

by Leo the Master

Today the Virgin without blemish is led to the temple, to become the habitation of God the King of all, who sustains our life. Today as a three-year-old victim of sacrifice the most pure Sanctuary is led into the Holy of Holies. To her let us cry out with the angel: Hail! thou who alone art blessed among women.

Great Doxology and Dismissal.

The Typika (Psalms 102 and 145) and the Beatitudes. With the Beatitudes are sung four troparia from Canticle Three of the first Canon of the Feast and four troparia from Canticle Six of the second Canon.

Today has the temple become a wedding adornment and a fair chamber for the Virgin, as it receives the living Bridal Chamber of God, pure and without spot, she who shines more brightly than all the creation.

David, leading the dance, leaps in gladness and rejoices with us, and thee, O undefiled and all-pure Virgin, he calls the Queen, clad in raiment of many-coloured needlework, standing in the temple before the King and God.

From Eve of old the transgression came upon mankind, and now from Eve’s stock has flowered forth our restoration and incorruption, even the Theotokos, who is brought today into the house of God.

The hosts of angels and the multitude of all mankind dance today before thy face, O all-pure Lady, and carrying lamps they go before thee, proclaiming thy greatness in the house of God.

The Temple of God, the heavenly Tabernacle, accomplished her entry into the temple of the Law, and from her the Light has shone on us in darkness.

A child in the flesh but perfect in soul, the holy Ark enters into the house of God, there to feed upon divine grace.

By thine intercessions set us free from every temptation and danger of soul, for we run to thee, O far-famed Mother of Christ our God.

He whom nothing can contain was contained in thy womb, O undefiled Mother of God, and from thee He has come forth double in nature, God and Man.

Alternatively, according to the modern Greek practice, the following antiphons may be sung:

Antiphon One

Tone Two

℣ 1. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised: in the city of our God and in His holy mountain (Psalm 47:2).

At the prayers of the Theotokos, save us, O Saviour.

℣ 2. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God (Psalm 86:3).

At the prayers of the Theotokos…

℣ 3. God is known in her palaces for a refuge (Psalm 47:4).

At the prayers of the Theotokos…

℣ 4. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God (Psalm 47:9).

At the prayers of the Theotokos…

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

At the prayers of the Theotokos…

Antiphon Two

Same Tone

℣ 1. The Most High hath sanctified His tabernacle (Psalm 45:5).

O Son of God, wonderful in Thy saints, save us who sing to Thee: alleluia.

℣ 2. Holiness and majesty are in His sanctuary (Psalm 95:6).

O Son of God…

℣ 3. This is the gate of the Lord, by which the righteous shall enter (Psalm 117:20).

O Son of God…

℣ 4. Holy is Thy temple, and wonderful in righteousness (Psalm 64:5–6).

O Son of God…

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

O Only-begotten Son and Word of God…

Antiphon Three

Tone Four

℣ 1. Even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour (Psalm 44:13).

The troparion of the feast:

Today is the foreshadowing of the good pleasure of God and the herald of the salvation of men. The Virgin is revealed in the temple of God, and beforehand she announces Christ to all. Let us therefore cry to her with mighty voice: Hail! Thou fulfilment of the Creator’s dispensation.

℣ 2. The King’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold (Psalm 44:14).

The troparion of the feast.

℣ 3. Virgins shall be brought to the King after her: her companions shall be brought unto Thee (Psalm 44:15).

The troparion of the feast.

After the introit, the troparion of the feast; Glory be to the Father… Both now…; the kontakion of the feast.

Prokimenon:

Tone Three

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour (Luke 1:46–47).

℣. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed (Luke 1:48).

Reading from the Epistle to the Hebrews (9:1–7).

Brethren, the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; and over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy-seat: of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people.

Alleluia:

Tone Eight

℣ 1. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear (Psalm 44:11).

℣ 2. Even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour (Psalm 44:13).

Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (10:38–42; 11:27–28).

At that time Jesus entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. And it came to pass, as He spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto Him, Blessed is the womb that bare Thee, and the paps which Thou hast sucked. But He said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

In place of It is meet, we sing the first megalynarion and the irmos from Canticle Nine of the first Canon.

Beholding the entry of the All-Pure, the angels were struck with amazement, seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.

Irmos: Let no profane hand touch the living Ark of God, but let the lips of the faithful, singing without ceasing the words of the Angel to the Theotokos, cry aloud in great joy: O pure Virgin, thou art truly high above all.

Communion verse:

I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord (Psalm 115:4).

On the day of the feast, fish, wine, and oil are allowed: but since it is the Christmas fast, meat and animal products may not be eaten.

Because it occurs within the Christmas fast, the feast is observed for five days only, the apodosis falling on 25 November. On that day all the office of the feast is repeated, omitting only the entrance, lessons, lity, and blessing of bread at Vespers; and the polyeleos and Gospel at Mattins. In the reading of the Psalter at Vespers, the normal kathisma appointed for the day is used.