Menaion

September 8

Great feastTHE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY, of the seed of Abraham, born from the tribe of Judah, from the line of King David. From her, the Son of God was born in the flesh that he might free people from the ancient slavery of sin.

At Vespers

music

“Blessed is the man” is sung. There are eight stichera at "O Lord, I have cried":

Tone 6.  Today God who dominates the spiritual thrones of heaven * welcomes on earth the holy throne which he had prepared for himself. * In his love for the human race, * he who established the heavens in wisdom has established a living heaven. * From a barren stem he has brought forth for us his Mother * as a branch full of life. * O God of miracles and hope of those who have no hope, * O Lord, glory to you!

This is the day of the Lord: * Rejoice, therefore, O nations! * Behold, the chamber of Light and the scroll of the living Word * has come forth from the womb. * The gate that opens to the Rising Sun * and is ready for the entrance of the High Priest, is here today. * She is the only one who introduced Christ, and Christ alone, into the world * for the salvation of our souls.

Indeed some famous barren women have given birth by the will of God * but the nativity of Mary surpasses all nativities * in honor and splendor * as it is worthy of the majesty of God. * For she was born in a miraculous way of a barren mother, * and she herself gave birth in the flesh to the God of all, * incarnate in her womb without human seed * against the laws of nature. * She alone is the door through which the only-begotten Son of God * has passed while leaving it sealed * as he had planned in his eternal wisdom. * Thus did he bring salvation to all. (twice)

Today the barren gates are opened, * and the Virgin, the Gate of God, comes forth. * Today grace begins to bear fruit, * showing forth to the world the Theotokos, * through whom earth is united to heaven * for the salvation of our souls. (twice)

Today glad tidings go forth to the whole world. * Today sweet fragrance is sent forth * by the proclamation of salvation. * Today is the end of the barrenness of our nature; * for the barren one becomes a mother, * the mother of the one who will not cease to be a virgin, even after giving birth to the One who by nature is Creator and God. * He it is who took flesh by which he brought salvation to the lost; * he is Christ, the Lover of us all, * and the Savior of our souls.

Today Anna, the barren one, gives birth to the maiden of God * who had been chosen from all the human generations * to become the dwelling place of the Creator, * Christ our God and the King of all. * In her he fulfilled his divine plan * through which our human nature was renewed * and by which we were to be transferred * from corruption to eternal life.

Glory, now and ever –  Tone 6.  Today God who dominates the spiritual thrones of heaven * welcomes on earth the holy throne which he had prepared for himself. * In his love for the human race, * he who established the heavens in wisdom has established a living heaven. * From a barren stem he has brought forth for us his Mother * as a branch full of life. * O God of miracles and hope of those who have no hope, * O Lord, glory to you!

Entrance 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 – 44:4).

A reading from Proverbs (Proverbs 9:1-11).

Stichera at the Litija:

Tone 1 Bolhar. Today is the beginning of our salvation, O people; * for behold, the Mother and Virgin who was chosen from all generations * to be the habitation of God * is born and
comes forth from the barren one. * She is the flower from Jesse and possesses the rod from his root. * May our forefather Adam rejoice and be full of joy; * for behold, she who was created from the rib of Adam * declares that her daughter and descendant is blessed. * She says: My deliverance has been born to me. * Through her, I will be freed from the bonds of Hades. * May David rejoice, play on his harp, and bless God; * for behold, the Virgin comes forth from the womb of the barren woman * for the salvation of our souls.

Tone 2. Come all you lovers of virginity and chastity, * lovingly hold aloft the boast of virginity, * the fountain of life springing up from the solid stone. * She is the bush which grows in the barren land, * the bush of the non-material fire, * who cleanses and illumines our souls.

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

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

Glory, now and ever –  Tone 8. Let us play the spiritual flute on this noteworthy feast, * because from the seed of David * is born the Mother of the Life who dispels the darkness. * She is the renewal of Adam and the answer to Eve, * the source of incorruption and the transformation of corruption. * Because of her, we have been divinized and delivered from death. * We cry out to her with Gabriel: * Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you. * Because of you, He has granted to us great mercy.

The aposticha are for the feast:

Tone 4.  On this day a great joy has shone upon us * from the two just ones, Joachim and Anne; * and this joy is the most honorable Virgin. * Because of her purity, she will become a living temple of God. * She alone will be recognized as the Mother of God. * Through her intercessions, 0 Christ our God, * send down peace upon the world * and your great mercy upon our souls.

Listen, O daughter, and see and incline your ear.

O Virgin, today you were born a most noble child * from the two just ones, Joachim and Anne, * as the angel had promised in his announcement. * To God you are a heaven, a throne, and
a vessel of holiness; * to the whole world, a herald of joy, * the cause of our life, the blessing that wiped out the curse. * You are the reason for all the blessings of God. * O Maiden whom
God has chosen, * on this day of your nativity * obtain peace and great mercy for our souls.

The rich among the people will seek your favor.

Today Anna, the barren one, claps her hands for joy. * The earth is bathed in light and kings sing their happiness, * priests enjoy all blessings and the whole universe rejoices; * for the Queen and immaculate Bride of the Father * comes forth from the root of Jesse. * Behold, no woman will ever again bear a child in sorrow or anxiety, * for joy has come forth in abundance and life has filled the world. * Joachim's offerings shall no more be rejected, * for the tears of Anne have now been turned into joy. * And now Anne can say: * Rejoice with me, all you chosen ones of Israel, * for the Lord has given me the palace of his divine and living glory * to be a place of joy and happiness for the whole universe * and for the salvation of our souls.

Glory, now and ever – Tone 8.  Come all you faithful, and let us hasten to the Virgin; * for long before her conception in the womb, * the one who was to be born of the root of Jesse * was destined to be the Mother of our God. * The one who is the treasury of virginity, * the flowering rod of Aaron, the object of the prophecies, * the child of Joachim and Anne is born today, * and the world is renewed in her. * Through her birth, the Church is clothed with splendor. * O holy Temple, vessel of the Godhead, * model of virgins and strength of kings, * in you the wondrous union of the two natures of Christ was realized. * We worship Him and glorify your most pure birth, * and the whole world extols you.

Troparion of the Nativity,  Tone 4.  Your birth, O Virgin Theotokos, * heralded joy to the universe; * for from you arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God. * Removing the curse, he gave the blessing, * and by destroying death, * he granted us eternal life. (three times)

At the Divine Liturgy

music

Troparion of the Nativity,  Tone 4.  Your birth, O Virgin Theotokos, * heralded joy to the universe; * for from you arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God. * Removing the curse, he gave the blessing, * and by destroying death, * he granted us eternal life.

Glory, now and ever – Kontakion of the Nativity, Tone 4.   At your holy birth, O Immaculate One, * Joachim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness * and Adam and Eve * from the corruption of death. * Your people, delivered from the guilt of their faults, * celebrate your birth and cry out: * The barren woman gives birth to the Theotokos * and the Sustainer of our Life.

Prokeimenon of the Nativity, 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:  Philippians 2:5-11

Alleluia of the Nativity , Tone 8 (Ps. 44:11,13). Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. Listen, O daughter, and see and incline your ear.
V. The rich among the people will seek your favor.

Gospel:  Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28

Magnification. Extol, O my soul, the Virgin Mary born of the barren woman.

Irmos, Tone 2. Virginity is something foreign to mothers, * and child-bearing is strange for virgins. * But in you, O Theotokos, * both the one and the other have come to pass. * Therefore, we, the peoples of the earth, * unceasingly extol you.

Communion Hymn (Ps. 115:4). I shall take the chalice of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!