November 23
Postfestive day of the Entrance
Our holy fathers Amphilocius, bishop of Iconium, in Lycaonia, who, a companion of Saints Basil and Gregory of Nazianzus in the desert and a colleague in the episcopate, famous for his holiness and teaching, underwent many trials for the Catholic faith (395) and Gregory, bishop of Agrigento, a great wonderworker and bishop who took part in the Fifth Ecumenical Council at Constantinople in 553. (7th century)
At Vespers
There are six stichera at "O Lord, I have cried": three for Amphilocius, and three for Gregory.
Tone 4, special melody Dal jesi znamenie. O all-blessed one, * you disciplined your mind and controlled your passions, * thereby choosing good rather than evil. * You used a just measure to make the comparison, O Father. * Because of that you were able to see and know God, * O inspired Hierarch.
O venerable one, * you tore the nets and destroyed the catches of heresy. * With true dogmas and theology * you escaped from disunity and evil confusion, O Father. * You preached the Trinity in the oneness of the Divinity * and remained in the bounds of our true faith.
Having given wisdom to the Emperor Theodosius * who was reigning on earth, * you rebuked his obstinate son. * O venerable one, you taught him that the Lord of the universe * abhors those who are ungrateful towards his Son, * their Savior and Benefactor.
Tone 8, special melody O preslavnaho čudese. O priest Gregory, you held fast to the mantle of the Lord * who unceasingly beckoned. * With his strength, you passed through the night of passions. * You shone forth the light of healings and the graces of miracles. * You cured longsuffering illnesses * and cast out wicked spirits.
O wondrous Father Gregory, * your mind reflected the light of revelations, * and you lived a most chaste life. * Serenely you passed to the place of ineffable beauty. * Always pray for us who honor you.
O Father of fathers, Gregory, * you are the model of the priesthood and self-control. * You are the strength of those who lead monastic lives, * a firmament of the Church, a counselor of love, * a throne of affection, and a wellspring of miracles. * With your fervent tongue you spoke sweetly. * You were an instrument of the Divine Spirit * and a spiritual paradise, O blessed one of God.
Glory, now and ever – Tone 4. Come all you people, * and let us praise the only-Immaculate One * who was foretold by the prophets * and is being led into the Temple. * She was chosen from eternity to be the Mother; * and in time she was revealed as the Theotokos. * O Lord, by her prayers * grant us your peace and great mercy.
The aposticha are for the post-feast:
Tone 1, special melody Nebesnych činov. David, the ancestor of the Lord, spoke out: * Let the virgins be brought into the temple of the Lord to the King. * O Virgin, they merrily rejoice * and escort you into the Holy of Holies with lighted lamps * since you are the holy Throne of God, O most pure one.
She is led to the King with her maiden companions.
Let the doors of the Temple of the Lord be prepared; * let the house of glory be opened. * Let them joyfully receive the One who is greater than the heavens * and who is beyond understanding. * Let them glorify Christ the Savior.
They are escorted amid gladness and joy; they pass within the palace of the king.
Let the doors of the Divine Temple be opened. * Let them receive the Heavenly Door inside; * let human nature rejoice. * Let the angels leap for joy, * for they celebrate the entrance of the Mother of God * together with all of us.
Glory, now and ever – Tone 5. A day of joy has truly dawned. * It is a most precious feast for us, * because she who was virgin before and after childbirth, * today is offered in the temple. * The aged Zechariah, father of the Forerunner, cries aloud, rejoicing: * The intercessor of those in affliction * comes into the holy temple, since she herself is holy. * She will be sanctified in the abode of the King of all. * Let her father, Joachim, be glad * and let Anna rejoice exceedingly, * because they have offered to God * the immaculate Queen as a three year old child. * Rejoice with them, all you women; " all you virgins and barren ones, dance for joy * and celebrate with them, * for the Queen of all has opened the kingdom of heaven for us. * Let all people be glad and rejoice.
Troparion of the hierarchs, Tone 4. God of our fathers, you always deal with us in your kindness. * Take not your mercy away from us; * but through their prayers guide our life in peace.
Glory, now and ever – Troparion of the feast, Tone 4. Today is the prelude of God's benevolence * and the herald of our salvation, * for the Virgin openly appears in the temple of God * and foretells Christ to all. * Let us also with full voice exclaim to her: * Rejoice, fulfillment of the Creator's plan.
At the Divine Liturgy
music - see the November Menaion
Troparion of the feast, Tone 4. Today is the prelude of God's benevolence * and the herald of our salvation, * for the Virgin openly appears in the temple of God * and foretells Christ to all. * Let us also with full voice exclaim to her: * Rejoice, fulfillment of the Creator's plan.
Troparion of the hierarchs, Tone 4. God of our fathers, you always deal with us in your kindness. * Take not your mercy away from us; * but through their prayers guide our life in peace.
Glory – Kontakion of Amphilocius, Tone 2. Divine thunder, spiritual trumpet, * sower of faith and destoyer of heresies, servant of the Trinity, * O great bishop Amphilocius, you stand forever with the angels. * Pray without ceasing for all of us.
(or)
Kontakion of Gregory, Tone 4. The Church shines with the splendor of the Holy Spirit * upon those who celebrate * your joyful passage into eternal life, * O most blessed father Gregory.
Now and ever – Kontakion of the feast, Tone 4. The most pure Temple of the Savior, * the most precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, * the Treasury of the glory of God, * is led today into the house of the Lord, * bringing grace in the Spirit of God. * God's angels praise her in song; she is the Heavenly Ark.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7 (Ps. 115:6,3).
Precious in the eyes of the Lord * is the death of his faithful.
V. What can I return to the Lord for all he has given me?
Epistle: Hebrews 13:7-16
Alleluia, Tone 2 (Ps. 131:9,13). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. Your priests will be clothed with righteousness and your saints will rejoice.
V. The Lord has chosen Zion; he prefers her for his dwelling.
Gospel: Matthew 24:42-47
Magnification. The angels were struck with amazement, * beholding the entrance of the Most Pure, * seeing how the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.
Irmos, Tone 4. Let no uninitiated hand * touch the living Ark of God; * but let faithful lips, singing without ceasing * the words of the angel to the Theotokos, * cry aloud in great joy: * O pure Virgin, you are truly exalted over all.
Communion Hymn (Ps. 32:1). Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones; praise from the upright is fitting. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!