The Nativity of the Mother of God: September 8th

Apolytikion: Your Birth, O Theotokos, brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God. Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His Blessings. Abolishing death, He granted us Eternal Life.

Kontakion: In your Holy Birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: “The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life.”

Hymn: Today has come the beginning of our Salvation, O people, for behold, she who was chosen beforehand from the ancient generations, the Mother and Virgin, and the Container for God, comes forth to be born from a barren woman. O Flower from the Root of Jesse, and his rod which sprouted forth. Rejoice, O Forefather Adam, and let Eve rejoice with gladness, for behold, she who was formed from the rib of Adam, the daughter and offspring, is blessed openly. For [Adam] says, “From me is born deliverance, from whom will come for me freedom from the bonds of Hades.” Let David rejoice, striking the harp, and let him bless God, for behold, the Virgin comes forth from [a Mother] barren as stone, for the Salvation of our Souls.

Hymn: What a paradoxical miracle! That the Fountain of Life from a barren wife is born, that Grace, fulgent, may commence to bear its fruit henceforth. Be joyous, O Joachim, having become the God-Bearer’s progenitor! There is no one else like you in generations of paternity, O Godly one, for the Godreceiving Maiden, the Tabernacle of our God the Mountain All-Holy, unto us has been bestowed through you.

Hymn: What a paradoxical miracle! The barren one’s fruit is brought forth at the command of Him who has made all things, and our Almighty God; and deftly He has redeemed the worldly realm that was sterile of His good things. O mothers, in chorus join the Theotokos’ own mother and cry aloud, “Lady full of grace, rejoice, for the Lord is with you, and at your intercession, He bestows great mercy on the world.”

Hymn: Anna the renowned, appearing as an animate pillar of chastity and a bright container shining with Grace, has truly given birth to progeny of her own, the efflorescence Divine of virginity. And manifestly the Maid awards virginityʹs beauty to virgins all and to those who truly long for the grace of virginity, and she freely is granting unto all the faithful great mercy.

Doxastikon: This is the Lord’s Day, O people, be filled with gladness! Behold! The Bridal Chamber of Light and the Book of the Word of Life has come forth from the womb. The Temple Gate that faces East has been born, and she awaits the entry of the Great High Priest. Only she introduces Christ to the whole world, for the Salvation of our Souls.

Joachim is exultant and Anna is keeping festival.

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