The Meeting of our Lord

 

It should go without saying that if one has any possible means of traveling to a Church to attend the liturgy for the feast, 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.

 

Beatitudes: 4 from Ode 3, and 4 from Ode 6 of the Feast

 

1 & 2.  The firstborn of the Father before all ages has appeared from an undefiled Maiden is a firstborn child and He stretches out His hands to Adam.

 

3.  That He might restore the first-formed man, who through beguilement had become childish in his mind, God the word has appeared as a child.

 

4.  The Creator, having become a young child without undergoing change, has reshaped according to the form of His divinity our nature, taken from the earth and destined to return to earth once more.

 

5 & 6.  Thou hast been set up in Zion as a stumbling stone and rock of offense for the disobedient, but unto the faithful Thou art salvation which cannot be broken.

 

7.  Bearing faithfully the image of Him who begat Thee before all ages, Thou hast now from pity put on the weakness of mortal man.

 

8.  Now lettest Thou depart in peace him who worships Thee as Son of the Most High and Son of the Virgin, God become a child.

 

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

 

The Lord hath made known His salvation, in the sight of the nations hath He revealed His righteousness.

 

Troparion:

 

Tone 1:  Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, /

for from thee hath risen the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, /

enlightening those in darkness. /

Rejoice, thou also, O righteous Elder, /

as thou receivest in thine arms the Redeemer of our souls, //

Who also granteth unto us the Resurrection.

 

The Epistle

 

Reader: The Prokimenon in the 3rd Tone:  My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

Choir:  My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

Reader:  For He hath looked upon the lowliness of His handmaiden; for behold, from

henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Choir:  My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

Reader: My soul doth magnify the Lord

Choir:  and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

 

Reader: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews: 

[Hebrews 7:7-17]

 

Reader: Alleluia in the 8th Tone.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Reader:  Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Reader:  A light of revelation for the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

 

Gospel [Luke 2:22-40]

 

Kontakion

 

Tone 1:  Thou Who didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb by Thy birth, /

and didst bless Symeon’s hands as was meet, /

by anticipation didst even now save us, O Christ God. /

But grant peace in the midst of wars unto Thy commonwealth, /

and strengthen Orthodox Christians //

whom Thou hast loved, O only Lover of mankind.

 

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

 

Refrain:  O Virgin Theotokos, thou hope of Christians: //

Do thou protect, preserve, and save those that hope in thee.

 

Irmos:  In the shadow and the letter of the Law, /

let us, the faithful, discern a figure: /

every male child that opens the womb /

shall be sanctified to God.  /

Therefore do we magnify the firstborn Word and Son of the Father without beginning, /

the firstborn Child of a Mother //

who hath not known a man.

 

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