Chapter 36

The Falling-asleep (Assumption) Of

MOST HOLY BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD

(august 15)

(This Feast is preceded by a Fast of two weeks’ 1 duration.) At Vespers.

The Stanza {Stikhira) for : Lord, I have cried: In Tone L O marvel wonderful ! The Source of life is laid in the grave, and the tomb becometh the ladder unto heaven. Rejoice, O Gethsemane, thou holy abode of the Birth-giver of God ! In that we have Gabriel for our chieftain, let us cry aloud, ye faithful : Hail, thou that art full of grace ! The Lord is with thee, through thee granting unto the world great mercy. {Twice.)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

At the sovereign command of God were the God-bearing apostles caught up on high in the clouds from everyplace ; and when they were come to thine all-holy and life-originating body, they kissed the same with love. The heavenly powers most high also, when thev were come with their Master, were seized with dread as they escorted the all-pure body which had received God ; with stately mien, also, they went before, and invisibly cried aloud unto the Powers most high : Lo, the Queen over all, and the Maiden of God cometh. Be ye lifted up, O gates, and lift ye up, in more than earthly wise, Her who is the Mother of the Everlasting Light. For through her was salvation universal brought to pass for men : and we cannot gaze upon her, and it is not possible to render unto her the honour that is meet : for her surpassing merit exceedeth all understanding. Wherefore, O Birth-giver of God most pure, who abidest ever with the life-bearing King, who also is thy Son, entreat thou him that he will ever preserve thy new people, and save them from every hostile assault ; for we have acquired thine intercession, blessing thee both in light and darkness forever.

The Gradual (Prokimen) for the Day.

The Parables (Paremif), the same as for the Nativity of the Birth-giver or God.

The Stanza at the Litiyd, in Tone V. Sing, O ye people, sing the Mother of our God ; for to-day she doth yield up her all-radiant soul into the palms most pure of Him who, without seed, was incarnate of her : Whom, also, she doth unceasingly entreat that he will give unto the world peace and great mercy.

The Hymn for the Day (Tropdr), in Tone L In Birth-giving thou