Variable Portions of Typika for the Annunciation

One way of celebrating the feast for those who cannot attend the appointed Liturgy

 

It should go without saying that if one has any possible means of traveling to a Church to attend the liturgy for the Annunciation, they should do so.  However, if it is not possible for one to do so, the following is provided so that at least they can participate in the feast to the extent possible, under such circumstances.  The most correct way of doing reader services for Annunciation would be to do the portions appointed for the Vesperal Liturgy, but to do them as Vespers only.  However, for those who lack the service books, and/or the knowledge needed to put that service together; and also for those who follow Byzantine practice, I present the following texts that can be done in conjunction with Reader’s Typika.

 

In place of the usual antiphons, use the festal antiphons:

 

The First Antiphon

 

Stichos 1:  O God, give Thy judgment to the king, and Thy righteousness to the son of the king.

Refrain:  Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

Stichos 2:  Let the mountains receive peace for the people, and let the hills receive righteousness.

Refrain:  Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

Stichos 3:  Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; proclaim from day to day the good tidings of His salvation.

Refrain:  Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

Stichos 4:  The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David, and He will not annul it: of the fruit of thy loins will I set upon thy throne.

Refrain:  Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.  Amen.

Refrain:  Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

 

The Second Antiphon

 

Stichos 1:  He shall come down like rain upon a fleece, and like rain-drops that fall upon the earth.

Refrain:  O Son of God, incarnate of the Virgin, save us who sing to Thee:  Alleluia.

Stichos 2:  The Most High hath hallowed His tabernacle.

Refrain:  O Son of God, incarnate of the Virgin, save us who sing to Thee:  Alleluia.

Stichos 3:  God shall come visibly, yea, our God, and shall not keep silence.

Refrain:  O Son of God, incarnate of the Virgin, save us who sing to Thee:  Alleluia.

Stichos 4:  In His days shall righteousness dawn forth an abundance of peace, until the moon be taken away.

Refrain:  O Son of God, incarnate of the Virgin, save us who sing to Thee:  Alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.  Amen.

            O only-begotten Son and Word of God, Who art immortal, yet didst deign for our salvation to be incarnate of the Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and without change didst become man, and was crucified, O Christ God, trampling down death by death.  Thou Who art one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.

 

The Third Antiphon

 

Reader: Stichos 1:  His name shall be blessed unto the ages, before the sun doth His name continue.

Choir: (Troparion, Tone 4):

Today is the fountainhead of our salvation * and the manifestation of the mystery which was from eternity. *  The Son of God becometh the Virgin’s Son, * and Gabriel proclaimeth the good tidings of grace; * wherefore, we also cry to the Theotokos with him: * Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, * the Lord is with thee.

            Stichos 2:  Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, Who alone doeth wonders.

            Choir:  Repeat Troparion

            Stichos 3:  And blessed is the name of His glory forever, and unto the ages of ages.

            Choir:  Repeat Troparion

           

Instead of “O come let us worship…” the Choir signs the entry verse:

 

Proclaim from day to day the good tidings of the salvation of our God.

 

And immediately after that, the choir sings the Troparion of the feast again.

 

The Epistle

 

Reader: The Prokimenon in the 4th Tone: Proclaim from day to day the good tidings of the salvation of our God.

Choir:  Proclaim from day to day the good tidings of the salvation of our God.
Reader: O sing unto the Lord a new song, sing unto the Lord all the earth.
Choir:  Proclaim from day to day the good tidings of the salvation of our God.

Reader. Proclaim from day to day

Choir: the good tidings of the salvation of our God.

 

Reader: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews:  [Hebrews 2:11-18]

 

Reader: Alleluia in the 1st Tone.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Reader:  He shall come down like rain upon a fleece, and like raindrops that fall upon the earth.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Reader:  His name shall be blessed unto the ages, before the sun doth his name continue.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

 

Gospel [Luke 1:24-38]

Kontakion

 

Tone 8:  To Thee, the Champion Leader, we Thy servants dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos: but as Thou art one with might which is invincible, from all dangers that can be do Thou deliver us, that we may cry to Thee: Rejoice, Thou Bride Unwedded!

Instead of “It is truly meet…” we chant the Irmos of the 9th Ode of the Canon of the feast, Fourth Tone:

            Refrain:  Proclaim, O earth, good tidings of great joy; ye heavens, praise the glory of God.

                Irmos:  Let no profane hand touch the living Ark of God, but let the lips of the faithful, chanting unceasingly the words of the angel to the Theotokos, with joy cry out: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

 

But according to other texts (such as the Festal Menaion), after the above refrain, we chant instead (also in the fourth tone):

 

Let every mortal born on earth, radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy; and let the host of the angelic powers celebrate and honor the holy feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry: Rejoice!  Pure and blessed Ever-Virgin, who gavest birth to God.

 

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