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

Tone One

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

℣. From the morning watch until the night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord (Psalm 129:6).

Joachim and Ann keep festival, having brought into the world the only Theotokos, first fruit of our salvation. With them we celebrate the feast today, blessing the pure Virgin from the root of Jesse.

℣. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption: and He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities (Psalm 129:7–8).

From Ann today has sprung forth a rod, a branch given by God, even the Theotokos, salvation of men. From her, in manner past understanding, is born the Maker of all, who in His goodness purges all the indignity of Adam.

℣. O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people (Psalm 116:1).

The Maiden in whom God came to dwell, the pure Theotokos, glory of the prophets, the daughter of David, is born today of Joachim and Ann sober in spirit; and by her birthgiving she overthrows the curse of Adam that weighed upon us.

℣. For His merciful kindness is great towards us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever (Psalm 116:2).

The soil which formerly was barren gives birth to fertile ground, and nourishes with milk the holy fruit sprung from her sterile womb. Dread wonder: she who sustains our life, who received within her body the Bread of Heaven, feeds at her mother’s breast.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Tone Two

Come, all ye who love virginity, and who are friends of purity: come ye and welcome with love the boast of virgins. She is the fountain of life that gushes forth from the flinty rock; She is the Bush springing from barren ground and burning with the immaterial fire that cleanses and enlightens our souls.

Aposticha:

Tone Two

to the special melody, O house of Ephratah…

The Virgin, offspring of Joachim and Ann, has appeared to men, releasing all from the bonds of sin.

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

The barrenness of Ann has truly been revealed as an overshadowed mountain, from which salvation has been granted to all the faithful.

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

The most holy Virgin, having broken the bonds of the barrenness of Ann, has come forth to men, bestowing remission.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Same Tone

O ye faithful, let us come, glorifying the Maiden. For from a barren mother has she been born, renewing our nature that had grown barren.

Apolytikion (troparion) of the feast:

Tone Four

Thy birth, O Theotokos, has brought joy to all the inhabited earth: for from thee has shone forth the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God. He has loosed us from the curse and given the blessing; He has made death of no effect, and bestowed on us eternal life.

Dismissal.

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

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

Tone Six

by Sergios

℣. Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice (Psalm 129:1–2).

Today God who rests upon the spiritual thrones has made ready for Himself a holy throne upon earth. He who made firm the heavens in His wisdom has prepared a living heaven in His love for man. For from a barren root He has made a life-giving branch spring up for us, even His Mother. God of wonders and hope of the hopeless, glory be to Thee, O Lord.

℣. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication (Psalm 129:2).

Today God who rests upon the spiritual thrones…

℣. If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee (Psalm 129:3–4).

This is the day of the Lord: rejoice, ye people. For lo, the Bridal Chamber of the Light, the Book of the Word of Life, has come forth from the womb, and the East Gate, newly born, awaits the entrance of the Great Priest. She alone brings into the world the one and only Christ, for the salvation of our souls.

℣. For Thy Name’s sake have I waited for Thee, O Lord: my soul hath waited for Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord (Psalm 129:5–6).

Although by the will of God other women who were barren have brought forth famous offspring, yet among all such children Mary has shone most brightly with divine glory. For, herself born wondrously of a barren mother, she bore in the flesh the God of all, in fashion surpassing nature, from a womb without seed. She is the only gateway of the Only-begotten Son of God, who passed through this gate, yet kept it closed: and having ordered all things in His own wisdom He has wrought salvation for all mankind.

℣. From the morning watch until the night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord (Psalm 129:6).

by Stephen of the Holy City

Today the barren gates are opened and the virgin Door of God comes forth. Today grace begins to bear its first fruits, making manifest to the world the Mother of God, through whom things on earth are joined with heaven, for the salvation of our souls.

℣. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption: and He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities (Psalm 129:7–8).

Today the barren gates are opened…

℣. O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people (Psalm 116:1).

Today is the beginning of joy for all the world; today the winds blow that bring tidings of salvation. The barrenness of our nature has been loosed: for the barren woman is revealed as mother of her who, after bearing the Maker, still remained Virgin. From her He who is God by nature takes what is alien to Him and makes it His own; through her Christ works salvation for those gone astray in the flesh, He who loves mankind and is the Deliverer of our souls.

℣. For His merciful kindness is great towards us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever (Psalm 116:2).

Today Ann the barren gives birth to the Child of God, foreordained from all generations to be the habitation of the King of all and Maker, Christ our God, in fulfilment of the divine dispensation. Through her we children of earth have been formed anew, and restored from corruption to life without end.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Today God who rests upon the spiritual thrones has made ready for Himself a holy throne upon earth. He who made firm the heavens in His wisdom has prepared a living heaven in His love for man. For from a barren root He has made a life-giving branch spring up for us, even His Mother. God of wonders and hope of the hopeless, glory be to Thee, O Lord.

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

Lessons:

Reading from Genesis (28:10–17).

And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

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.

Reading from Proverbs (9:1–11).

Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: she hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

At the Lity:

Tone One

by Stephen of the Holy City

O ye people, today is come to pass the first fruit of our salvation. For lo, she who was foreordained from generations of old as Mother and Virgin and Receiver of God, comes forth in birth from a barren woman: a flower has blossomed from Jesse, and from his root a branch has sprung. Let Adam our forefather be glad and let Eve rejoice with great joy. For behold, she who was made from the rib of Adam plainly declares her daughter and descendant blessed. ‘For’, says she, ‘unto me is born deliverance, through which I shall be set free from the bonds of hell.’ Let David rejoice, striking upon the harp, and let him bless God: for lo, the Virgin comes forth from a barren rock, for the salvation of our souls.

Tone Two

Come, all ye who love virginity, and who are friends of purity: come ye and welcome with love the boast of virgins. She is the fountain of life that gushes forth from the flinty rock; she is the Bush springing from barren ground and burning with the immaterial fire that cleanses and enlightens our souls.

Same Tone

by Anatolios

What is this sound of feasting that we hear? Joachim and Ann mystically keep festival. ‘O Adam and Eve’, they cry, ‘rejoice with us today: for if by your transgression ye closed the gate of Paradise to those of old, we have now been given a glorious fruit, Mary the Child of God, who opens its entrance to us all.’

Same Tone

She who was preordained to be the Queen of all and habitation of God, has come forth today from the barren womb of joyful Ann. She is the divine sanctuary of the eternal Essence; through her cruel hell has been trampled under foot, and Eve with all her line is established secure in life. It is meet and right that we should cry aloud to her: ‘Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.’

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Tone Eight

by Sergios of the Holy City

On this solemn day of our feast let us strike the spiritual harp: for today is born of the seed of David the Mother of Life, who destroys the darkness. She is the restoration of Adam and the recalling of Eve, the fountain of incorruption and the release from corruption: through her we have been made godlike and delivered from death. Let us, the faithful, cry to her with Gabriel: ‘Hail, thou who art full of grace: the Lord is with thee, through thee granting us great mercy.’

Aposticha:

Tone Four

by Patriarch Germanos

The Joy of all the world has shone forth upon us, the far-famed Virgin sprung from righteous Joachim and Ann. On account of her exceeding goodness she is become the living Temple of God, and is in truth acknowledged as the only Theotokos. At her prayers, O Christ our God, send down peace upon the world and on our souls great mercy.

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

As foretold by the angel, today hast thou come forth, O Virgin, the all-holy offspring of righteous Joachim and Ann. Thou art a heaven and the throne of God, and a vessel of purity, proclaiming joy to all the world, O Protector of our life. Thou dost destroy the curse and givest blessing in its place. Therefore on this feast of thy birth, O Maiden called by God, intercede that our souls be given peace and great mercy.

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

Today let Ann, barren and childless, clap her hands with joy. Let things on earth put on their bright array; let kings dance and priests make glad in hymns of blessing; let the whole world keep feast. For lo, the Queen and spotless Bride of the Father has blossomed from the root of Jesse. No more shall women bear children in sorrow: for joy has put forth its flower, and the Life of men has come to dwell in the world. No more are the gifts of Joachim turned away: for the lament of Ann is changed to joy. ‘Let all the chosen Israel rejoice with me’, she says: ‘for behold, the Lord has given me the living Pavilion of His divine glory, unto the joy and gladness of us all and the salvation of our souls’.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Tone Eight

by Sergios of the Holy City

Come, all ye faithful, and let us run to the Virgin: for lo, today is born she who was foreordained before the womb as Mother of our God. She is the treasure of virginity, the rod of Aaron springing from the root of Jesse, the preaching of the prophets, offshoot of the righteous Joachim and Ann. She is born, and with her is the world become new again. She is born, and the Church clothes herself in majesty. She is the holy Temple, the Receiver of the Godhead: the instrument of virginity, the Bridal Chamber of the King, wherein was accomplished the marvellous mystery of the ineffable union of the natures which come together in Christ. Worshipping Him, we sing the praises of the all-spotless birth of the Virgin.

Apolytikion (troparion) of the feast:

Tone Four

Thy birth, O Theotokos, has brought joy to all the inhabited earth: for from thee has shone forth the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God. He has loosed us from the curse and given the blessing; He has made death of no effect, and bestowed on us eternal life.

And the Dismissal.

After the first reading from the Psalter, sessional hymn:

Tone Four

Cry out, O David: what has God sworn to thee? ‘What God swore to me He has now fulfilled,’ said he: ‘from the fruit of my loins He has given the Virgin. From her the Creator, Christ the New Adam, is born, a King to sit upon my throne. Today He reigns, whose rule cannot be shaken.’ The barren woman bears the Theotokos who sustains our life.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Repeat.

After the second reading from the Psalter, sessional hymn:

Same Tone

From the root of Jesse and from the loins of David, Mary, the Child of God, is born unto us today, and the whole creation is made new and godlike. Rejoice together, heaven and earth: praise her, ye kindreds of the nations. Joachim is glad and Ann rejoices as she cries: ‘The barren woman bears the Theotokos who sustains our life.’

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Repeat.

After the polyeleos, the megalynarion:

We magnify thee, O most holy Virgin, and we honour thy holy parents and praise thine all-glorious Nativity.

℣. Lord, remember David and all his meekness (Psalm 131:1).

We magnify thee…

℣. Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest: Thou and the Ark of Thy holiness (Psalm 131:8).

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 the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad. For the Heaven of God, the divine Bride, is born on earth according to the promise. The barren woman gives suck to her child Mary, and Joachim rejoices at this birth, saying: ‘A rod is born unto me, and from it the flower that is Christ shall blossom from the root of David. Marvellous in truth is this wonder.’

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Repeat.

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

Prokimenon:

Tone Four

I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations (Psalm 44:18).

℣. 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…

At the prayers of the Theotokos…

Both now…

At the prayers of the Theotokos…

Have mercy upon me…

The Joy of all the world has shone forth upon us, the far-famed Virgin sprung from righteous Joachim and Ann. On account of her exceeding goodness she is become the living Temple of God, and is in truth acknowledged as the only Theotokos. At her prayers, O Christ our God, send down peace upon the world and on our souls great mercy.

Two Canons are used: the first, by St. John of Damascus, in eight troparia, including the irmos, and the second, by St. Andrew of Crete, in six, likewise including the irmos. Before the troparia we say Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Canticle One

First Canon

Tone Two

Irmos: Come, O ye people, and let us sing a song to Christ our God, who divided the sea and through it led His people, whom He had brought out of Egyptian bondage: for He has been glorified.

Come, O ye faithful, rejoicing in the divine Spirit, and let us honour in hymns the ever-Virgin Maid, who has come forth today from a barren woman, for the salvation of mortal men.

Hail, holy Mother and handmaid of Christ our God, who hast restored to mankind its original blessedness. We all glorify thee in song as is right.

Today the Bridge of Life is born. Through her mortal men, fallen into hell, find their way up again, and they glorify in song Christ the Giver of life.

Second Canon

Tone Eight

Irmos: He who shattered the enemy with His mighty arm and made Israel pass through the Red Sea, His praises let us sing as our Deliverer and God, for He has been glorified.

Let all the creation dance for joy and let David also be glad: for of his tribe and seed has come forth a rod that bears as flower the Lord and Deliverer of all.

The Holy of Holies is placed as an infant in the holy sanctuary, to be reared by the hands of an angel. Let us all feast with faith the day of her nativity.

Ann, the barren and sterile, was not childless before God: for she was foreordained from many generations to become mother of the pure Virgin, from whom the Maker of all creation sprang forth in the form of a servant.

Thou alone, O Sheep without blemish, from thy womb hast offered to Christ, the Lamb of God, our substance to be His fleece: therefore in our hymns we all honour thee on this day of thy nativity from Ann.

Glory be to the Father…

I glorify the Three without beginning, I sing the praises of the Holy Trinity, I proclaim Three coeternal in one essence: for a single God is glorified in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Both now…

Who has ever beheld a child whom no father begat reared on His Mother’s milk? Or where has a virgin Mother ever been seen? Truly, O pure Mother of God, in manner past understanding thou hast fulfilled both these marvels.

Katavasia: Inscribing the invincible weapon of the Cross upon the waters, Moses marked a straight line before him with his staff and divided the Red Sea, opening a path for Israel who went over dry-shod. Then he marked a second line across the waters and united them in one, overwhelming the chariots of Pharaoh. Therefore let us sing to Christ our God, for He has been glorified.

Canticle Three

First Canon

Irmos: O Lord, who hast put sin to death by the wood of the Cross, establish us in Thee and graft Thy fear in our hearts, as we sing Thy praise.

Having lived without reproach before the Lord, the holy parents brought forth the salvation of all, giving birth to her that bore our Creator and our God.

The Lord, who is a spring of life to all, led forth the Virgin from a barren womb. Into her He deigned to enter, preserving her virginity inviolate after childbirth.

Today let us exalt the fruit of Ann, Mary, who brought forth the life-giving Cluster: let us sing her praises as Theotokos, Protector and Helper of us all.

Second Canon

Irmos: My heart is established in the Lord, my horn is exalted in my God, my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies: I have rejoiced in Thy salvation.

Blessed is thy womb, O Ann sober in spirit, for it brought forth the fruit of virginity, even her that without seed bore Jesus, the food and the Deliverer of creation.

The whole creation calls thee blessed, O ever-Virgin born today of Ann: thou spotless branch of the root of Jesse, that brought forth Christ as flower.

O undefiled Theotokos, thy Son has set thee higher than all creation; He magnifies thy birth from Ann and fills all with gladness on this day.

Glory be to the Father…

We worship Thee, O Father, who in essence art without beginning, we sing the praises of Thine everlasting Son, and we venerate the coeternal Spirit: for the Three are by nature One God.

Both now…

O undefiled Theotokos, who hast borne the Light-giver and the Cause of the Life of men, thou art revealed as the Treasure of our Life and Gateway of the Light which no man can approach.

Katavasia: The rod of Aaron is an image of this mystery, for when it budded it showed who should be priest. So in the Church, that once was barren, the wood of the Cross has now put forth flower, filling her with strength and steadfastness.

Ypakoë

Tone Two

The Prophet spoke of the holy Virgin as the Gate through which none might pass, save our God alone. Through her did the Lord go, from her did the Most High come forth, yet left her still sealed, delivering our life from corruption.

Alternatively, this sessional hymn may be said:

Tone Four

Mary, the Virgin and in truth the Theotokos, has shone upon us today as a cloud of light, and from her righteous parents she goes forth unto our glory. Adam is no more condemned, Eve is set free from bonds. Therefore with boldness we cry aloud to her who alone is pure: ‘Thy birth brings tidings of joy to all the inhabited earth.’

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Repeat.

Canticle Four

First Canon

Irmos: I have heard the tidings of Thy dispensation, O Lord, and I have glorified Thee, who alone lovest mankind.

We sing Thy praises, O Lord, who hast given to all the faithful a haven of salvation, even her that bore Thee.

Christ shewed thee forth to all, O Bride of God, as the boast and strength of those who sing with faith the praises of Thy mystery.

Absolved of sin by thy supplications, O Lady who hast not known wedlock, gratefully we call thee blessed.

Second Canon

Irmos: I heard tidings of Thee, O Lord, and was afraid: that Thou, the eternal God, in Thine ineffable counsel hast taken flesh and gone forth from the Virgin. Glory to Thee, O Christ, glory to Thy might.

Let us, the faithful, glorify the all-holy birth of the Theotokos in psalms and hymns: let us worship with faith the God who never lies, and who swore of old to David to give him a fruit of his loins.

O Lord, Thou hast opened the womb of Sarah, giving her Isaac as fruit in her old age. Today, O Saviour, Thou hast likewise given to godly Ann a fruit born from her womb, even Thine own Mother without spot.

‘O Lord, Thou hast hearkened to my prayer,’ let Ann exclaim. ‘Thou hast granted me today the fruit of the promise, her that among all generations and women was foreordained to be Thy pure and undefiled Mother.’

Today the inhabited earth rejoices with thee, O holy Ann. For thou hast borne as blossom the Mother of its Redeemer, even her who brought forth the Rod of our strength from the root of Jesse, and who bore Christ as flower.

Glory be to the Father…

O Trinity without beginning, I glorify Thee, undivided in essence, and with my tongue of clay I cry aloud as the cherubim: Holy, Holy, Holy, is He who is and remaineth ever the one eternal God.

Both now…

O Undefiled, in thy birth are now fulfilled the prophecies of those inspired by God, who in their faith called thee Tabernacle and Gate, spiritual Mountain, Bush and Rod of Aaron sprung from the root of David.

Katavasia: O Lord, I have heard the mystery of Thy dispensation: I have considered Thy works, and I have glorified Thy Godhead.

Canticle Five

First Canon

Irmos: Thou hast scattered the dim shades of dark sayings, and hast illuminated the hearts of the faithful by the coming of the truth through the Child of God: guide us also by Thy light, O Christ.

O ye people, let us sing the praises of the Cause of all things, who caused Himself to become like unto us. Counted worthy to behold the images that prefigured Him, the prophets rejoiced: and now they enjoy as fruit His manifest salvation.

The shoot of the sapless rod revealed unto Israel the chosen priest; and now in fashion marvellous the all-glorious Offspring from a barren womb shows forth the shining glory of her parents.

Second Canon

Irmos: O Lord our God, grant us peace; O Lord our God, make us Thine own. O Lord, none other do we know save Thee, and we call upon Thy Name.

Undefiled was thy Nativity, O Virgin undefiled: ineffable was thy conception and thy travail. Past speech was thy child-bearing, O Bride unwedded; for it was God, who has entirely clothed Himself in me.

Let the ranks of angels make glad today; let the children of Adam dance and sing. For the Rod is born, from whom as flower sprang forth Christ, the only Deliverer of Adam.

Today at thy birth Eve is loosed from her condemnation; Adam also is loosed from the ancient curse and he cries to thee, O undefiled Maiden: ‘Through thee have we been delivered from corruption.’

Glory be to thee, who today hast glorified her that was barren. For she has borne, according to the promise, the ever-green Rod from which Christ, the flower of our life, sprang forth.

Glory be to the Father…

We worship Thee, O undivided Trinity, without beginning, uncreated, coeternal, one in nature, marvellously proclaimed to all eternity in one essence and three Persons.

Both now…

Thy womb has become a Holy Table; thy purity has remained untouched, O Virgin, as it was before. Christ the Sun has come forth from thee as a bridegroom from his chamber.

Katavasia: O thrice-blessed Tree, on which Christ the King and Lord was stretched! Through thee the beguiler fell, who tempted mankind with the tree. He was caught in the trap set by God, who was crucified upon thee in the flesh, granting peace unto our souls.

Canticle Six

First Canon

Irmos: Jonah cried aloud unto the Lord from the belly of the whale: ‘Do Thou lead me up from the bottom of hell, I pray, that with a voice of praise and in the spirit of truth I may sacrifice to Thee as my Deliverer.’

In their barren affliction the holy parents of the Mother of God cried aloud unto the Lord; and they brought her forth for the common salvation and glory of all generations.

The holy parents of the Mother of God received from heaven a gift worthy of God, a Throne higher than the very cherubim—she who in childbirth bore the Word and the Creator.

Second Canon

Irmos: As the waters of the sea, the waves of life toss me, O Thou who lovest man. But as Thou hast brought Jonah from the whale, O compassionate Lord, do Thou bring my life out of corruption.

We sing the praises of thy holy birth and venerate thy conceiving without seed, O Maiden, Bride of God and Virgin; and with us the ranks of angels and the souls of the saints dance for joy.

Thy wise parents, O Undefiled, brought thee, who art the Holy of Holies, as an offering to the house of the Lord, there to be reared in holiness and made ready to become His Mother.

Let both barren and mothers dance for joy; make bold and leap up in gladness, O ye childless. For the barren and childless woman brings forth the Theotokos, who is to deliver Eve from her pains in travail and Adam from the curse.

I hear David singing to thee: ‘Virgins shall be brought after thee, they shall be brought into the temple of the King.’ And with him I also sing thy praises, O daughter of the King.

Glory be to the Father…

In thee, O Undefiled, is the mystery of the Trinity praised and glorified. For the Father was well pleased with thee, and in thee the Word made His tabernacle among us, and the Holy Spirit overshadowed thee.

Both now…

Thou art become a golden censer, for the Fire made His tabernacle in thy womb, even the Word from the Holy Spirit; and He was seen in the form of a man, O pure Mother of God.

Katavasia: Jonah stretched out his hands in the form of a cross within the belly of the sea monster, plainly prefiguring the redeeming Passion. Cast out from thence after three days, he foreshadowed the marvellous Resurrection of Christ our God, who was crucified in the flesh and enlightened the world by His Rising on the third day.

Kontakion

Tone Four

by Romanos the Melodist

O Undefiled, by thy holy Nativity Joachim and Ann were set free from the reproach of childlessness, and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death. Delivered from the guilt of sin, Thy people keep the feast as they sing unto thee: The barren woman bears the Theotokos who sustains our life.

Ikos

The prayer and groaning of Joachim and Ann at their barrenness and childlessness have proved acceptable, and have come unto the ears of the Lord; and they have put forth a fruit that brings life to the world. The one offered his prayer in the mountain, the other bore her reproach in the garden. But with joy the barren woman bears the Theotokos who sustains our life.

Canticle Seven

First Canon

Irmos: The bush on the mountain that was not consumed by fire, and the Chaldean furnace that brought refreshment as the dew, plainly prefigured thee, O Bride of God. For in a material womb, unconsumed thou hast received the divine and immaterial fire. Therefore we cry aloud unto Him who was born of thee: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.

Of old the giver of the Law was unable to understand the invisible manifestation of thy great mystery, O all-holy Lady, though he was taught through symbols not to think earthly thoughts: therefore, astonished at this wonder, he said: ‘O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.’

Inspired by God, the divine choir spoke of thee in prophecy as the Mountain, the Gate of heaven, and the spiritual Ladder: for out of thee was hewn a stone, not cut by hand of man; and thou art the gate through which passed the Lord of wonders, the God of our fathers.

Second Canon

Irmos: The furnace of the Chaldeans, flaming with fire, was bedewed by the presence of the Spirit of God, and the Children sang aloud: ‘O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.’

O Undefiled, we feast and venerate with faith thy holy birth according to the promise: for thereby, through Christ’s appearance, we have been delivered from Adam’s ancient curse.

Now Ann makes glad and cries aloud exulting: ‘Though barren, I have given birth to the Mother of God, through whom the condemnation of Eve has been remitted, and all her pains in travail.’

Adam is set free and Eve dances for joy, and in spirit they cry aloud to thee, O Theotokos: ‘By thee, through Christ’s appearance, we have been delivered from Adam’s ancient curse.’

O ye that are barren and without posterity, O ye unfruitful souls, make haste, for Ann has many children now and she is full of joy. O ye mothers, dance and exult with the Mother of God.

Glory be to the Father…

Let us glorify the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, in unity of Godhead, the most holy Trinity, undivided, uncreated, coeternal and in essence one.

Both now…

Thou alone, a Virgin after childbirth, hast borne God; thou hast renewed our nature by thy bearing, O Mary. Thou hast released Eve from the ancestral curse, O pure Mother of God.

Katavasia: The senseless decree of the wicked tyrant, breathing forth threats and blasphemy hateful to God, confused the people. Yet neither the fury of wild beasts nor the roaring of the fire could frighten the three Children: but standing together in the flame, fanned by the wind that brought refreshment as the dew, they sang: ‘Blessed art Thou and praised above all, O our God and the God of our fathers.’

Canticle Eight

First Canon

Irmos: Long ago in the furnace of the Children hast Thou prefigured Thine own Mother, O Lord. For this image delivered them from the fire, and they walked in the midst of it unconsumed. Thou hast manifested her today to the ends of the earth: her praises do we sing and we exalt her above all for ever.

The preordained tabernacle of our reconciliation with God now begins to be. It is she who shall bear unto us the Word, appearing in the material substance of the flesh. He has brought us from not being into being: His praises do we sing and we exalt Him above all for ever.

Ann’s barrenness was transformed, thereby destroying the world’s barrenness in good things; and this wonder plainly foreshadowed Christ’s coming to dwell with mortal men. He has brought us from not being into being: His praises do we sing and we exalt Him above all for ever.

Second Canon

Irmos: Thou who coverest Thy high places with the waters, and settest the sand as a bound to the sea, Thou who dost compass all things, the sun sings Thy praises, the moon gives Thee glory, every creature offers his hymn unto Thee, his Author and Creator, for ever.

Thou who hast wrought wonders for the barren womb of Ann, Thou who hast opened her childless side and given her fruit, Thou art the holy God, Thou art the Son of the Virgin: Thou hast taken flesh from her, the ever-flowering Virgin and Theotokos.

Thou who dost seal the deep and open it again, who bringest water in the clouds and givest showers of rain, Thou, O Lord, hast made to flower an undefiled fruit from the barren root of holy Ann, even the Rod that is the Theotokos.

Thou hast loosed the unbreakable bonds of childlessness. Thou hast given the barren woman a fertile offspring and a glorious fruit. Of that same offspring Thou hast Thyself become the Son and shoot: when Thou camest to dwell among us, O merciful Lord, Thou hast chosen her as Thy Mother according to the flesh.

Husbandman of our thoughts and gardener of our souls, Thou hast made the barren earth fertile. Thou hast turned the ground that once was parched into fruitful land, rich in corn and bearing fruit. From holy Ann Thou hast made to blossom an undefiled fruit, the Theotokos.

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

O Trinity supreme in being, Unity without beginning, the multitudes of angels sing Thy praises and tremble before Thee. Heaven, earth, and the depths stand in awe of Thee, men bless Thee, fire is Thy servant, all things created obey Thee in fear, O Holy Trinity.

Both now…

O strangest of tidings! God has become the Son of a woman. The birth was without seed, the Mother knew not a man, and the Child she bore is God. O dread sight! O strange conceiving by the Virgin! O nativity beyond speech! Indeed all these things are past sight and mind.

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

Katavasia: O ye Children, equal in number to the Trinity, bless ye God the Father and Creator; sing ye the praises of the Word who descended and changed the fire to dew; and exalt ye above all for ever the most Holy Spirit, who gives life to all.

Canticle Nine

First Canon

The Magnificat and Greater in honour than the cherubim are not sung. Before the irmos and each of the troparia we sing the megalynarion:

Magnify, O my soul, the most glorious birth of the Mother of God.

Irmos: From thy virgin womb the Light that was before the sun, even God who has shone forth upon us, took flesh ineffably, coming to dwell among us in the body. Thee, then, O blessed and all-holy Theotokos, do we magnify.

He who made springs of water gush forth from the rock for the disobedient people, unto our joy gives thee to the obedient gentiles as fruit from a barren womb. Thee, then, O undefiled Mother of God, as is meet and right, do we magnify.

Thou art our deliverer from the sharp punishment of old, the restoration of our mother Eve, the cause of the reconciliation of our kind to God, the bridge that leads us to the Maker; thee, then, O Theotokos, do we magnify.

Second Canon

Megalynarion sung before the irmos and the troparia:

Magnify, O my soul, the Virgin Mary, born of a barren womb.

Irmos: Virginity is alien to motherhood, and childbearing is a thing strange to virgins: yet in thee, O Theotokos, both are to be found. Therefore we and all the nations of the earth without ceasing call thee blessed.

O Mother of God, thou hast inherited according to the promise a birth worthy of thy purity. For as a God-given fruit hast thou been granted to her who before was fruitless. Therefore we and all the nations of the earth without ceasing call thee blessed.

Fulfilled is the prophecy of him that cried aloud, saying: ‘I will raise up the tabernacle of holy David that is fallen.’ Thee, O Undefiled, did his words prefigure, through whom the dust of man has been wholly refashioned into a body for God.

We venerate thy swaddling clothes, O Theotokos: we glorify the Lord who gave thee as fruit to her that before was childless. He has opened by a miracle the barren womb of Ann: for, as almighty God, He does whatsoever pleases Him.

O holy Ann, mother of the Virgin, thou hast put forth from thy womb, against all hope, a virgin flower according to the promise, a divine bud pure and beautiful. Therefore as the root of our life do we call thee blessed.

Glory be to the Father…

It is alien to evil-doers to glorify the Trinity that has no beginning, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the uncreated and sovereign Power that founded the whole world by an act of His might.

Both now…

Thou hast contained in thy womb, O Virgin Mother, one of the Trinity, Christ the King, whose praises all creation sings and before whom the thrones on high tremble. O all-venerated Lady, entreat Him for the salvation of our souls.

Katavasia: O Theotokos, thou art a mystical Paradise, who untilled hast brought forth Christ. He has planted upon earth the life-giving Tree of the Cross: therefore at its Exaltation on this day, we worship Him and thee do we magnify.

Another Katavasia: Today the death that came to man through eating of the tree, is made of no effect through the Cross. For the curse of our mother Eve that fell on all mankind is destroyed by the fruit of the pure Mother of God, whom all the powers of heaven magnify.

Exapostilarion:

The ends of the inhabited earth greatly rejoice today at thy birth, O Mary, Maiden, Mother of God and Bride who knowest not wedlock: for thereby thou hast removed the painful reproach of thy parents’ childlessness and the curse on childbirth which our mother Eve brought on herself (twice).

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Be renewed, O Adam, and be magnified, O Eve; ye prophets, dance with the apostles and the righteous; let there be common joy in the world among angels and mankind. For the Theotokos is born today of righteous Joachim and Ann.

Lauds. Four stichera are sung:

Tone Eight

to the special melody, O marvellous wonder…

℣. Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness (Psalm 150:2).

O marvellous wonder! The fount of life is born of a barren woman, and grace begins gloriously to bear its fruit. Rejoice, O Joachim, inspired by God, who hast become the father of the Theotokos: there is no other father in mankind like unto thee. For through thee has been given to us the Maiden in whom God came to dwell, the Tabernacle of God, the most holy Mountain.

℣. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp (Psalm 150:3).

O marvellous wonder! The fount of life…

℣. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with the stringed instruments and organs (Psalm 150:4).

O marvellous wonder! At the behest of the Almighty Maker of all, a fruit has shone forth from a barren womb, that has wholly ended the world’s barrenness in good. Ye mothers, dance with the mother of the Theotokos and cry: ‘Hail, thou who art full of grace: the Lord is with thee, granting great mercy to the world through thee.’

℣. Praise Him upon the well-tuned cymbals: praise Him upon the loud cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord (Psalm 150:5–6).

Living pillar of chastity and bright vessel shining with grace, Ann the glorious has brought into the world an offspring that is truly the divine flower of virginity, and who bestows the beauty of virginity on all who are virgins and desire this gift of grace, granting great mercy to the faithful.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Tone Six

This is the day of the Lord: rejoice, ye people. For lo, the Bridal Chamber of the Light, the Book of the Word of Life, has come forth from the womb, and the East Gate, newly born, awaits the entrance of the Great Priest. She alone brings into the world the one and only Christ, for the salvation of our souls.

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.

Having lived without reproach before the Lord, the holy parents brought forth the salvation of all, giving birth to her that bore our Creator and our God (twice).

The Lord, who is a spring of life to all, led forth the Virgin from a barren womb. Into her He deigned to enter, preserving her virginity inviolate after childbirth.

Today let us exalt the fruit of Ann, Mary, who brought forth the life-giving Cluster: let us sing her praises as Theotokos, Protector and Helper of us all.

We sing the praises of thy holy birth and venerate thy conceiving without seed, O Maiden, Bride of God and Virgin; and with us the ranks of angels and the souls of the saints dance for joy.

Thy wise parents, O Undefiled, brought thee, who art the Holy of Holies, as an offering to the house of the Lord, there to be reared in holiness and made ready to become His Mother.

Let both barren and mothers dance for joy; make bold and leap up in gladness, O ye childless. For the barren and childless woman brings forth the Theotokos, who is to deliver Eve from her pains in travail and Adam from the curse.

I hear David singing to thee: ‘Virgins shall be brought after thee, they shall be brought into the temple of the King.’ And with him I also sing thy praises, O daughter of the King.

Thou art become a golden censer, for the Fire made His tabernacle in thy womb, even the Word from the Holy Spirit; and He was seen in the form of a man, O pure Mother of God.

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

Antiphon One

Tone Two

℣ 1. Lord, remember David and all his meekness (Psalm 131:1).

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

℣ 2. Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood (Psalm 131:6).

At the prayers of the Theotokos…

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

At the prayers of the Theotokos…

℣ 4. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early (Psalm 45:6).

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 Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; and He will not turn from it (Psalm 131:11).

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

℣ 2. Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne (Psalm 131:11).

O Son of God…

℣ 3. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed (Psalm 131:17).

O Son of God…

℣ 4. For the Lord hath chosen Zion: He hath desired it for His habitation (Psalm 131:13).

O Son of God…

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

O Only-begotten Son and Word of God…

Antiphon Three

Tone Four

℣ 1. Here will I dwell: for I have desired it (Psalm 131:14).

The troparion of the feast:

Thy birth, O Theotokos, has brought joy to all the inhabited earth: for from thee has shone forth the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God. He has loosed us from the curse and given the blessing; He has made death of no effect, and bestowed on us eternal life.

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

The troparion of the feast.

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

The troparion of the feast.

After the introit, the troparion of the feast:

Tone Four

Thy birth, O Theotokos, has brought joy to all the inhabited earth: for from thee has shone forth the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God. He has loosed us from the curse and given the blessing; He has made death of no effect, and bestowed on us eternal life.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Kontakion of the feast:

Tone Four

O Undefiled, by thy holy Nativity Joachim and Ann were set free from the reproach of childlessness, and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death. Delivered from the guilt of sin, Thy people keep the feast as they sing unto thee: The barren woman bears the Theotokos who sustains our life.

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 of Paul to the Philippians (2:5–11).

Brethren, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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 megalynarion and the irmos from Canticle Nine of the second Canon.

Magnify, O my soul, the Virgin Mary, born of a barren womb.

Irmos: Virginity is alien to motherhood, and childbearing is a thing strange to virgins: yet in thee, O Theotokos, both are to be found. Therefore we and all the nations of the earth without ceasing call thee blessed.

Communion verse:

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

If the feast falls on a day of fasting (i.e. a Wednesday or Friday), fish, wine, and oil are allowed, but meat and animal products (eggs, milk, butter, and cheese) are not permitted.

Because of its nearness to the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, the feast of the Birth of the Theotokos is observed for five days only, the apodosis falling on 12 September. 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.