November 25
The leave-taking of the Entrance
Our holy fathers and martyrs Clement, pope of Rome, and Peter, bishop of Alexandria. Clement ruled the Church of Rome third after blessed Peter the Apostle and wrote an outstanding letter to the Corinthians to strengthen the peace and concord among themselves. The burial of his body on this day in Rome is honored, his relics having been restored to the Eternal City by Saints Cyril and Methodius. (101) Peter came to the throne of Alexandria in the year 299, and died a martyr by the grave of the holy Apostle Mark. He fought against Arius and his teaching, and drove him out of the city. (311)
At Vespers
There are six stichera at "O Lord, I have cried": three for the the feast, and three for Clement.
Tone 8, special melody O divnoje čudo. O faithful, let us leap for joy today, * singing psalms and hymns of praise * in honor of Mary, his mother, * the holy Tabernacle and Ark that contained the Word * whom nothing can contain. * She is offered to God as a child in a marvelous way, * and Zechariah the high priest receives her with great joy, * for she is the dwelling place of the Most High.
Today the living Temple of the holy glory of Christ our God, * Mary, the pure and blessed one, * is being brought into the temple according to the Law * to live in its holy precincts. * Joachim and Anna and all the virgins * rejoice with her in spirit. * They sing hymns of praise to the Lord * and honor his Mother.
O Virgin Mother of God, * you are the one foretold by the prophets. * You are the glory of the apostles * and the pride of the martyrs * and the cause of renewal for the entire human race. * Through you we have been reconciled with God. * Therefore, we honor your entrance into the temple of the Lord. * Together with the angels, * all of us who are saved by your prayers sing to you: * Rejoice, O most holy one.
Tone 2, special melody Jehda ot dreva. O Father and Bishop, * you were a branch of the living vine. " O wise one, through the Spirit you produced beautiful clusters of dogmas. " The spirit of the knowledge of God brings salvation. * Our hearts rejoice as we venerate you, * O God-bearing, all-blessed Clement.
O Father, you were a disciple of Peter. * On his rock you formed yourself like a rock, O praiseworthy one. * By the strength of your words * you overturned belief in many gods. * You built heavenly churches in honor of the Trinity. * You struggled in behalf of the Trinity, O blessed one, * and you received the crown of martyrdom.
O Father, as a light-giving sun, * you glowed from the West, brightly illuminating the earth * by the radiance of your dogmas and your wounds. * You reached the regions of the East, O most blessed one. * Your death was like the setting of the sun. * You have shone for Christ, O Clement. * Now you richly and unceasingly are illumined * by the rays in the heavenly kingdom
Glory, now and ever – Tone 8. O Lady and Bride of God, * you entered the temple of God in your infancy * to be brought up in the Holy of Holies, * for you are holy. * The archangel Gabriel was sent to serve you and bring you food. * All the heavenly powers were amazed * at the sight of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you. * Therefore, O most pure and immaculate Mother of God, * since you are glorified in heaven and on earth, * through your prayers save our human race.
The aposticha are those of the feast:
Tone 5, special melody Radujsja živonosnyj Kreste. Heaven and earth together rejoice today * at the sight of the mystical heaven; * the immaculate and pure Virgin * is coming into the holy temple * to be brought up in honor. * Zechariah, rejoicing in her and leaping for joy, * cried out in awe: * O Door of the Lord, I open the doors of the temple to you, * because I know and believe * that the salvation of Israel is already coming, * that the Word of God will be born from you, * and that He will grant great mercy to the world.
She is led to the King with her maiden companions.
When Anna, which means grace, was graced with the pure and ever-Virgin Mary, * she presented her into the temple of God. * She called maidens to carry candles * and walk before her as she said: * O child, go to be an offering * and a fragrant incense for the One who sent you to me. * Enter into the veiled places and learn the mysteries of God. * Prepare yourself to be a delightful dwelling place for Jesus * who will give great mercy to the world.
They are escorted amid gladness and joy; they pass within the palace of the king.
The all-holy Virgin is handed over into the temple. * Maidens carrying candles go before her. * Her parents, the devoted couple, Joachim and Anna, * joyfully celebrate, * for they have given birth in the flesh * to the One who will bear the Creator. * She will dance for joy in the temple of God * and will be fed by the hand of an angel. * The all-immaculate Mother of Christ has appeared, * and He will grant great mercy to the world.
Glory, now and ever – Tone 6. O assembly of the faithful, * let us celebrate this day as a spiritual feast. * With great love, let us honor the maiden of God, * the Virgin and Theotokos, * as she is presented into the temple of the Lord; * for she has been chosen from among all generations * to be the dwelling place of Christ our God * who is the King of all. * O virgins, carry candles and lead the way * for the entrance of the ever-Virgin. * Follow after her who is the Mother of God * and mediatrix for the joy of the world. * Therefore, let us all cry out together with the angels: * Rejoice, for you are full of grace, * and you continually pray for our souls.
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 saints, 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 the saints, Tone 4. Heavenly and immovable pillars of the Church, * heavenly and strong pillars of holiness, * O Clement and Peter, * save all of us by your prayers.
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 of the feast, 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.
Prokeimenon of the saints, Tone 7 (Ps. 115:6,3). Precious in the eyes of the Lord * is the death of his faithful.
Epistle: Hebrews 9:1-7 (for the feast) and Philippians 3:20 - 4:3 (for the saints)
Alleluia, Tone 8 (Ps. 44:11,13). Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. Listen, O daughter, and see and incline your ear.
V. The rich among the people will seek your favor.
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28 (for the feast) and Matthew 5:14-19 (for the saints)
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 of the feast (Ps. 115:4). I shall take the chalice of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Communion Hymn of the saints (Ps. 111:6,7). The just man will be remembered forever; evil news he will not fear. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!