December 12
The Theotokos of Guadalupe, who first appeared on Dec. 9, 1591 in Mexico to St. Juan Diego, bestowing on him an icon “not made with human hands,” and requesting that a church be built in her honor on that mountain. Her shrine there is one of the most celebrated places of pilgrimage in the Americas. Pope John Paul II named her the Patroness of the Americas.
At Vespers
We sing “Blessed is the man.” There are six stichera at "O Lord, I have cried".
Tone 5. Come, O faithful, let us rise early with humble Juan Diego, * and seek Wisdom where she is to be found. * She does not lie buried with the earth's gold and silver, * nor deep beneath the waves of the sea. * But she sits at the gates of our hearts, * as on the hill of Tepeyac, saying: * Praise the Lord of Heaven who gives life to all!
Where you you go at first light, O humble Juan Diego? * Do you seek the Temple of the Mysteries? * Do you look for the one Solomon sought from his youth? * Do you desire to take Her for your bride? * Go no further than your own barren hill * and behold Paradise bowed down in the Maiden's form, as she cries: * Praise the Lord of Heaven who gives life to all!
"Am I arising from my sleep?" asked humble Juan Diego. * "Do I behold what prophets and kings looked for but did not see? * Do I stand in the earthly paradise of which my parents dreamed? * Have I entered the courts of Heaven? * Before me I see, treading the grasses of my own land, * the one who is upborne by angels in her train; * she says to me: * Praise the Lord of Heaven who gives life to all!
Tone 6. Amid the Mexican mesquite, the Rose of Sharon buds; * on a bare hilltop, the Lily of the Valley blooms. * Strengthen our weak hands, O Lady, * make firm our feeble knees, * for our God has come to grant us great mercy.
As a sign of his covenant before the Law, * the Lord set his bow in the clouds. * Now rainbows attend the Lady of Tepeyac, * like maidens in her company; * in her womb she fulfills their ancient promise * bearing the God who grants us great mercy.
The Americas call to their Mother and Queen: * You have ravished our hearts, our sister and bride! * You have ravished our hearts with the glance of your eyes! * Under your tongue is honey and milk, * with which you feed your poor and hard-pressed people; * putting all their deadly foes to flight * by the power of the God who grants them great mercy.
Glory – Tone 8. Know, all my smallest and most humble children, * that I am the Virgin who gave birth to God, * the Word through whom everything has the breath of life! * He has given you to me as your Mother, * all you peoples of the Americas! * I will hear all your weeping and your complaints; * I will heal all your sorrows, hardships, and sufferings. * Repent, and believe in the Gospel! * And together we will worship the Lord and Lover of us all.
Now and ever – the dogmatikon of Saturday evening, in the same tone, or (on Friday night or Saturday night) in the Tone of the week
Entrance with censer, and prokeimenon of the day. Then three readings:
A reading from Genesis (Genesis 28:10-17).
A reading from the Prophecy of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 43:27 – 44:4).
A reading from Proverbs (Proverbs 9:1-11).
Stichera at the Litija:
Tone 4 Bolhar. Sound the trumpet for the festival * and honor the Lady of Guadalupe. * She is the eagle sent from the fiery Throne: * bearing up her beloved children, * crushing the serpent's devouring head, * pouring our her Son's great mercy.
The Lady of Guadalupe cries aloud: * "Do not touch my anointed ones, * those innocent ones who lie in the womb * or stretched out in pain and illness. * For the Lord will avenge his servants' blood * and cleanse the land for his people.
You are, O Mother of Life, * the rib that made whole our wounded side. * You bind up the hurts and pour out the oil * soothing every heartache and sighing soul. * Pierce our flesh with the love of your Son, * you who received in your heart sorrow's mending sword.
Glory, now and ever – Tone 6. Two continents cry out to their Mother and Queen: * "Save your people, and protect your inheritance! * Gather the poor and the hungry, * stay the hand of the oppressors, spread your mantle over coast, mountain, and plain. * Beseech your Son and God * tohave great mercy on your people
The aposticha are for the feast:
Tone 2, special melody Jehda ot dreva. Wisdom has built her house, * she has hewn its seven pillars; * she has prepared the table and mxed the wine. * She cries out from the city's heights: * You simple ones, turn in here! * Eat the Bread which is the Body of my Son! * Drink the Wine which is his Blood! * Lay aside all cares, and walk in the way of insight * for the Wisdom of the Father draws all to himself!
Listen, O daughter, and see and incline your ear.
Hear all you in the Americas who fear God: * the Queen descends to raise the pauper from the dust * and to lift on high the lowly. * "Do not cheat the poor, not grieve the hungry. * Do not anger anyone in need. * Do not trouble those in despair. * Saved from the wicked the oppressed. * Hear me and become a son of the Most High* and He will surpass in love even your Mother.*
The rich among the people will seek your favor.
How the gold of injustice has grown dim! * We have joined house to house; * and have crowded out the poor and hungry. * We are consumed in drunkenness. * No sin has escaped our grasp. * Hell grinds us in its mouth of fire. * Draw us, O Lady, back to the Father's kingdom, * open wide the narrow gate: * Beseech your Son to show us his great mecry!
The rich among the people will seek your favor.
In wisdom You created all things, * O Word of the Father before all ages; * by your almighty word You arranged all creation. * Bless the beginning of the year by your goodness, * and through the prayers of the Theotokos, overthrow all heresy; * for you are good and the Lover of us all.
Glory, now and ever – Tone 8. "Listen, my most beloved children; * the things that afflict you are nothing! * For I have given birth to the Conqueror of Hades, * the Lord who removes the sting of Death. * Let not your faces be abashed * not your hearts be disturbed. * Am I not here, I who am your Mother? * Are you not under my shadow and protection? * Am I not the source of your joy? * Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? * Then return to the Lord and He will make all things new!
Troparion, Tone 4. When you appeared in the New World, O Theotokos, * you fixed your image on Juan Diego's rose-laden tilma. * All the poor, hungry, and oppressed seek you, Lady of Guadalupe. * We gaze upon your miraculous icon and find hope, * crying out to your Son concealed in your womb: * Hear our plea for justice, O most merciful Lord.
At the Divine Liturgy
Troparion, Tone 4. When you appeared in the New World, O Theotokos, * you fixed your image on Juan Diego's rose-laden tilma. * All the poor, hungry, and oppressed seek you, Lady of Guadalupe. * We gaze upon your miraculous icon and find hope, * crying out to your Son concealed in your womb: * Hear our plea for justice, O most merciful Lord.
Glory, now and ever – Kontakion, Tone 7. No longer shall the New World lie wounded in useless blood-sacrifice, * for she who is clothed with the sun has revealed the Son to us. * O Mother of the Americas, imprint his name upon our hearts, * just as you wove your image into the cactus cloth. * Teach your children to cry out: * O Christ God, our hope, glory to you!
Prokeimenon, 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.
Epistle: Hebrews 9:1-7
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 1:39-56
Communion Hymn (Ps. 115:4). I shall take the chalice of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!