Aug 31: The Placing of the Precious Sash of Our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God

Polyeleos Feast.

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

The shrine which holds your belt, O Theotokos,* is ever known by your servants to be an ark of sanctification.* It is our glory and boast; a sacred wall surrounding us;* a fountain of healings!* Therefore being divinely gathered today,* we hymn your mighty acts* and the vast abyss of your wonders!

7. Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

The shrine which holds your belt, O Theotokos,* is ever known by your servants to be an ark of sanctification.* It is our glory and boast; a sacred wall surrounding us;* a fountain of healings!* Therefore being divinely gathered today,* we hymn your mighty acts* and the vast abyss of your wonders!

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

The shrine which holds your belt, O Theotokos,* is ever known by your servants to be an ark of sanctification.* It is our glory and boast; a sacred wall surrounding us;* a fountain of healings!* Therefore being divinely gathered today,* we hymn your mighty acts* and the vast abyss of your wonders!

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Behold the all-glorious place!* Behold the ever-radiant temple in which a treasure has been laid:* the belt of the Mother of the divine Son!* People, come!  Draw forth enlightenment and mercy,* and shout with a grateful heart: all-holy Virgin, we bless you,* for we have been saved by your childbearing!

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Behold the all-glorious place!* Behold the ever-radiant temple in which a treasure has been laid:* the belt of the Mother of the divine Son!* People, come!  Draw forth enlightenment and mercy,* and shout with a grateful heart: all-holy Virgin, we bless you,* for we have been saved by your childbearing!

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Behold the all-glorious place!* Behold the ever-radiant temple in which a treasure has been laid:* the belt of the Mother of the divine Son!* People, come!  Draw forth enlightenment and mercy,* and shout with a grateful heart: all-holy Virgin, we bless you,* for we have been saved by your childbearing!

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

We rejoice and keep the feast of the placing of your belt, O Theotokos,* for today you have granted it to your people,* it is a sacred garment, wealth that cannot be stolen,* a precious gift and river of healings* overflowing with spiritual treasures!

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

We rejoice and keep the feast of the placing of your belt, O Theotokos,* for today you have granted it to your people,* it is a sacred garment, wealth that cannot be stolen,* a precious gift and river of healings* overflowing with spiritual treasures!

In Tone 2

Glory… Now…

All-pure Theotokos, the Church of God is robed in your holy belt,* as with a supremely shining diadem!* It is radiant today and cries out to you rejoicing,* rejoice, sovereign Lady!* Precious diadem and crown of divine glory!* Rejoice, for you alone are the fullness of glory and everlasting gladness!* Rejoice, refuge of those who run to you:* our intercessor and salvation!

Readings

(1) Genesis 28:10-17; (2) Ezekiel 43:27; 44:1-4; (3) Proverbs 9:1-11

Aposticha

In Tone 4

You bestowed your belt upon your city, O all-glorious one,* as a firm bulwark,* protecting it from every misfortune by divine acts,* and preserving it unvanquished by the foe;* for it cries out with love:* Your Son and Lord, Who alone is compassionate,* is my strength and might,* and the cause of my great rejoicing!

Arise, O Lord, into Your rest, You and the ark of Your holiness.

They who reign piously are splendidly adorned by your belt,* as with a precious crown, O all-pure one.* And they boast in your divine greatness* and are known to inspire terror in the enemy which ever wars against us,* and they praise you, crying out* to Him Who was born of you in manner past recounting:* O all-glorious Jesus,* save us all, in that You are compassionate!

The rich among the people shall entreat your countenance.

You enwrap us with the power of your belt, O Virgin,* strengthening us against the enemy,* subduing the passions* which ever torment and war against us,* and ever granting us victorious dispassion,* that we may glorify you in purity and ardently cry to your Son:* O almighty Jesus, save us all,* in that You are compassionate!

In Tone 2

Glory… Now…

Having cleansed our heart and mind,* let us keep feast together with the angels,* joyfully addressing the song of David* to the maiden Bride of the King of all, Christ our God,* saying: arise, Lord, into your resting place,* both You and the ark of Your holiness!* For You have adorned her as a beautiful palace,* giving her as an inheritance to Your people, O Master,* to preserve and shelter them from their enemies,* by Your mighty power, through her supplications!

Troparion

In Tone 8

Protection of humans, ever-Virgin Mother of God* as a mighty bulwark for your city* you gave your pure body’s robe and sash.* They remained incorrupt by your giving birth without seed.* For in you are nature and time made new.* Therefore, we pray you, give peace to your city** and to our souls great mercy.

Glory… Now…

O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people!

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 8: Protection of humans, ever-Virgin Mother of God* as a mighty bulwark for your city* you gave your pure body’s robe and sash.* They remained incorrupt by your giving birth without seed.* For in you are nature and time made new.* Therefore, we pray you, give peace to your city** and to our souls great mercy.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 2: Your womb which received divinity* was girded about by your precious sash, O Mother of God.* It became an unconquerable force for your city* and a generous treasury of good things:* O you, the only virgin who ever gave birth.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.

verse: Because he has regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, all generations shall call me blessed. (Luke 1:46-48)

Epistle: Hebrews 9:1-7

Alleluia, Tone 8

verse: Rise up, O Lord, to the place of Your rest, You and the ark of Your holiness.

verse: The Lord swore an oath to David, and will not go back on His word. (Psalm 131:8,11)

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28

Communion Hymn

I will take the cup of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 115:13)