July 2
The deposition of the venerable robes of our Most Holy Lady, the Mother of God at Blachernae in the reign of the Emperor Leo and his consort Irene (457-474).
At Vespers
We sing “Blessed is the man.” There are eight stichera at "O Lord, I have cried."
Tone 4, special melody Dal jesi znamenie. Since you are compassionate, * O Lover of all of us, * you have given your Mother to your servants as an aid, * and through her you have wrought * you ineffable and awesome dispensation * and restored our pristine and divine estate. * Wherefore, honoring her most honored feastday, * we hymn your might, O almighty Jesus, Savior of our souls. (twice)
O all-hymned one, * with your precious robe you ever protect the city * that honors and glorifies you, as is meet, * from godless barbarians, famine, earthquake, and civil strife, * O pure Virgin who knows not wedlock. * Wherefore, the city glorifies you, O all-holy Bride of God.
O Lady, full of divine grace, * you have given your precious robe to your city * as a treasure which cannot be taken away, * as a protection and glory, * an impregnable rampart, * an ever-flowing fount of miracles, a treasury of healings, * and an ever-saving haven for the storm-tossed. * Wherefore we hymn you, O all-hymned and pure one.
All people, draw forth healing of soul and body * for before us lies the shrine * wherein the precious robe of the Ever-Virgin has been placed. * It pours forth upon us streams of wonders* and washes away the darkness of our hearts * and the defilement of the passions, * and sanctifies the souls of the faithful with grace divine.
Glory – Tone 2. Let us purify our hearts and minds * that we may joyfully celebrate this feast with the angels, * intoning the psalm which David sang * for the young Bride of the King of all, Christ our God. * He said: "Go up to your resting-place, O Lord, * you and the ark of your holiness!" * You have adorned her, O Lord, as a palace of delights * and have given her as an inheritance to your city, * to surround and protect it, * delivering it from all enemies by your power * and thanks to the prayer which she r raises to you!
Now and ever – the dogmatikon of Saturday evening, in the same tone, or (on Saturday night) in the Tone of the week
Entrance with censer, and prokeimenon of the day. Then three readings:
A reading from Genesis (Genesis 28:10-17).
A reading from the Prophecy of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 43:27 - 44:3).
A reading from Proverbs (Proverbs 9:1-11).
The Slavonic menaion as aposticha are for the feast.
Troparion, Tone 8. Ever-virgin Theotokos and protection of the human race, * you gave the robe and cincture of your most pure body to your city as a powerful protection. * These garments remained incorrupt * because of your virginal chldbirth. * For in you, both time and nature have been renewed. * Therefore we pray that you grant peace to the universe and great mercy to our souls.
At the Divine Liturgy
music - see the July Menaion
Troparion, Tone 8. Ever-virgin Theotokos and protection of the human race, * you gave the robe and cincture of your most pure body to your city as a powerful protection. * These garments remained incorrupt * because of your virginal chldbirth. * For in you, both time and nature have been renewed. * Therefore we pray that you grant peace to the universe and great mercy to our souls.
Glory, now and ever – Kontakion, Tone 4. As a mantle of immortality, * you have given to the faithful the garment that covered your most pure body, * O Virgin whom God himself has blessed * and divine protection of the human race. * With love we celebrate the feast of the deposition of your mantle, and we sing with faith: * Rejoice, O Virgin, for you are the pride of Christians.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3 (Luke 1:46-48).
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
V. For he has looked with favor upon the humility of his servant; from this day forward, all generations will call me blessed.
Epistle: Hebrew 9:1-7
Alleluia, Tone 8 (Ps. 131:8,11). Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. Go up, Lord, to your rest, you and your holy ark.
V. The Lord swore a true oath to David; he will not go back on his word
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28
Communion Hymn (Ps. 115:4). I shall take the chalice of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!