Menaion

September 9

Six sticheraThe Synaxis of the holy and just Grandparents of God, Joachim and Anna, parents of Mary the immaculate Virgin mother of God, the names of whom were preserved by the ancient traditions of Christians from the Jews.

Post-festive day of the Nativity of the Theotokos.

At Vespers

music (samohlasen)

There are six stichera at "O Lord, I have cried": three for the the feast, and three for the saints.

Tone 1, special melody Nebesnych činov. Joachim and Anna are rejoicing * since they have given birth to the source of our salvation, * the only Theotokos. * Let us also celebrate today with them * and bless the pure Virgin * who comes from the root of Jesse.

The Virgin in whom God came to dwell, * the pure Theotokos, the glory of prophets, and the daughter of David, * is born today of Joachim and Anna. * She is full of wisdom. * By her birth she crushes the curse of Adam which weighed upon us.

She who was barren land gave birth to the fruitful earth; * and after having borne holy fruit from the unfruitful womb, * she nourished it with milk. * It is an awesome miracle. * She is
the nourisher of our life * since she received the Heavenly Bread into her womb * and gave Him milk from her breast.

Tone 4, special melody Dal jesi znamenie. O lovers of feasts, come, let us now sing and dance. * Let us celebrate in faith * and venerate the memory of the precious couple, Joachim and Anna. * For us they gave birth to the Mother of God and pure Virgin. * Because of her purity * she was taken from the earthly to the heavenly mansions. * She now prays for the salvation of all of us.

All creation is joyfully being enriched today, * 0 everpraised Theotokos. * It calls to mind the memory of your parents, * the wonderful Joachim and the celebrating Anna. * They are remembered because they sought you, * the Joy who blossomed forth the Light. * You are the nourisher of our life * and radiant beyond hope.

Today Anna rejoices through the Spirit. * She happily celebrates because she obtained the desire of her yearning. * She produced the heavenly fruit of the promise and of the blessing, * the all-immaculate Mary, * who gave birth to our God. * He is the Sun who illumines those sleeping in darkness.

Glory, now and ever – Tone 5.  O blessed couple, you surpass all parents * because you produced her who is above all creation. * You are truly blessed, O Joachim, * since you are the father of such a maiden. * Blessed is your womb, O gracious Anna, * since you have brought forth the Mother of our life. * Blessed are the breasts by which He was nourished, * He who feeds every living creature. * We pray to you, O blessed ones, * entreat Him to have mercy on our souls.

The aposticha are for the post-feast:

Tone 2, special melody Jehda ot dreva.  When Anna, truly filled with the wisdom of God, saw the bird's nest, * she thought of her former barrenness and cried out: * Woe is me, O Lord! * I, a sinful one, am nothing * since I did not bring forth fruit from You. * Then God, the Lover of us all, gave to her the Virgin. * She is a fruit more honorable than all creation.

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

When Anna, who was filled with the wisdom of God * thought of her former anguish of barrenness, * she prayed and cried out: * Tear apart the distressing and barren shackle, * and I shall give birth to the holy one. * O Master, Christ the Giver of Life, * you will grant her to give birth to you, * for you are the Word and the Savior of all.

The rich among the people will seek your favor.

Truly the Master and God heard your prayer * as he formerly heard the prayer of Sarah. * When you heard the voice of the angel * telling that you will give birth to the Mother of God, * you cried out with great happiness: * The Master and Lord, my God and Creator, * has taken away the shame from me, * for I will give birth to the ever-Virgin.

Glory, now and ever– Tone 8.  The root has blossomed forth, * and the holy Theotokos is born from the barren loins. * From her, Christ our God, the salvation of the world, shines forth. * The holy couple, Joachim and Anna, * have been carried to the heavenly abode * with their daughter, the most pure Virgin. * They celebrate with the angels and offer prayers for the world. * We also gather together with them and devoutly sing out: * Through the Maiden of God, the most pure Mary, * you have been chosen as grandparents of Christ. * We beseech you to pray for our souls.

Troparion of Joachim and Anna,  Tone 1. The just couple who lived in a state of grace, * Joachim and Anne, gave birth to this holy child for us. * The holy Church solemnly honors this feast in glory * and celebrates your precious memory today. * She glorifies God who has lifted up our horn of salvation in the house of David.

Glory, now and ever – 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.

At the Divine Liturgy

music - see the September Menaion

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.

Troparion of Joachim and Anna,  Tone 1. The just couple who lived in a state of grace, * Joachim and Anne, gave birth to this holy child for us. * The holy Church solemnly honors this feast in glory * and celebrates your precious memory today. * She glorifies God who has lifted up our horn of salvation in the house of David.

Glory – Kontakion of Joachim and Anna, Tone 3.   The chains of sterility are broken and Anna rejoices. * She nurses the most pure Lady and invites us to sing with her * to the Virgin Mother who is born for all peoples.

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.

and then immediately:
Prokeimenon of Joachim and Anna, Tone 4
(Ps. 67:36,27). God is wondrous in his saints, the God of Israel
V. In the churches bless God; from Israel's wellsprings bless the Lord.

Epistle:  Galatians 4:22-31

Alleluia, Tone 1 (Ps. 36:39,40). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. The salvation of the just is from the Lord, their refuge in time of distress.
V. The Lord will help them and deliver them and rescue them from sinners and save them, for they have hoped in him.

Gospel:  Luke 8:16-21

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. 32:1). Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones; praise from the upright is fitting. Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!