Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: festive antiphons, troparion and kontakion, prokeimenon, communion

On September 21, the Orthodox Church remembers the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - the birth of the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ from the righteous parents Joachim and Anna.

In the Orthodox calendar, this celebration belongs to the category of the twelfth feasts of the Mother of God and is celebrated on September 8/21.

Of course, we do not know the exact year, much less the historical birthday of the Virgin. This happened about two decades before the beginning of the era from the Nativity of Christ in which we now live. But since the birth of the future Mother of the Lord symbolically opens the history of the New, Christian era, it is logical that this particular holiday is placed at the beginning of the church year. It expresses the absolute meaning of the Birthday of the Virgin Mary as a participant in the history of our Salvation.

CONTENT OF THE HOLIDAY

The content of the holiday itself is the dramatic story of the last years of the life of a childless elderly couple, Joachim and Anna, who belonged to the “messianic family” of the Jewish king David.
It ended with the birth of a daughter, whose future no one could have foreseen. The circumstances of Her birth and Her subsequent life are conveyed to us by church tradition, that is, ancient legends, church historical works, as well as hymnographic liturgical heritage (texts of church services).

The Messianic expectations of the Jews, which reached their apogee during the Roman occupation (from 63 BC), were expressed for the descendants of the dynasty of King David in the hope of becoming the parents of the Messiah-Liberator. The rest hoped for the participation of their heirs in His future eternal Kingdom. Therefore, infertility was viewed not as a physical defect, but as God's punishment for obvious or secret sins. He who left no offspring disappeared from the face of the earth and from human memory without a trace.

Tradition tells that Joachim, who once wanted to make a sacrifice in the Jerusalem Temple, was publicly pointed out about his unworthiness. A certain temple scribe approached him and said: “You should not participate in the sacrifices offered to God, for God did not bless you and did not give you descendants in Israel!” “Shamed before the people,” the elder withdrew into the desert to his flocks, vowing not to return until he received a sign from Above.

Anna, who remained at home, having learned about the dishonor that had befallen her husband, went out into the yard in tears and confusion and saw a nest of barely fledged birds among the branches of a laurel tree. This visible reproach to her infertility was the last straw that overflowed the cup of suffering of the unfortunate woman. Sobbing, Anna raised her voice to God: “Lord God Almighty, who gave offspring and fertility to every creature, to beasts, and snakes, and fish, and birds, who gave them to rejoice in their young! I bring gratitude to You, for You ordered me alone to be deprived of the mercies of Your goodness, for You know, Lord, the secret of my heart, and I made a vow from the beginning of my path that if You give me a son or daughter, I will dedicate them to You in the Holy Thy temple."

The prayer was heard, and an angel who appeared announced to her the birth of a blessed Daughter. Having thanked God, Anna hurried to Jerusalem to meet Joachim at the Golden Gate, who received the same gospel at the same time as her.

The daughter, who was born soon, was named by the name given to her earlier by an angel - Mariam (Mary), which means “lady” or “princess.” The girl, asked from God, was supposed, according to the vow of her parents, to return to Him in order to be raised in an atmosphere of special ritual purity at the Jerusalem Temple, preparing for her only service in human history. Therefore, at the age of three, Her ceremonial “Introduction into the Temple” took place (this is the theme of the next twelfth feast of the Mother of God).

The unexpected and unspeakable birth of Mary from elderly parents repeats the miracle of the birth of Her distant ancestor Isaac from the elderly Abraham and Sarah and continues the biblical theme of children “asked” from God, who, precisely because of this, have a great future (Joseph the Beautiful, the prophet Samuel, and shortly before the birth of the Savior - John the Baptist). Therefore, the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is a holiday of universal joy, as is sung about this in the festive troparion (tone 4):

According to existing Tradition, the place where the Nativity of the Virgin Mary took place is located in Jerusalem. However, in the Russian Orthodox Church, a version, adhered to by St. Demetrius of Rostov, has become widespread that the parents of the Virgin Mary lived in Nazareth and it was there that she was born.

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Troparion of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, tone 4

Thy Nativity of the Virgin Mother of God, joy to proclaim to the whole universe: from Thee has arisen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, and having destroyed the oath, given blessing, and having abolished death, given us eternal life. [/td]

Kontakion of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, tone 4

The Greatness of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Your holy parents, and glorify Your birth all-gloriously.

First prayer for the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

Oh, Most Holy Lady, God-chosen Mother of Christ our Savior, asked of God with holy prayers, dedicated to God and beloved by God! Whoever does not please You or who does not sing Your glorious Nativity. Your Christmas was the beginning of the salvation of people, and we, sitting in the darkness of sins, see You, the dwelling of the Impregnable Light. For this reason, the florid tongue cannot sing songs about Thee according to its heritage. Thou art more exalted than the Seraphim, O Most Pure One. Otherwise, accept this present praise from Your unworthy servants and do not reject our prayer. We confess your greatness, we bow down to you in tenderness and boldly ask your child-loving and compassionate Mother, who is quick in intercession: beg your Son and our God to grant us, who have sinned a lot, sincere repentance and a pious life, so that we may be able to do everything pleasing to God and useful to our souls. Let us hate all evil, strengthened by Divine grace in our good will. You are our shameless hope in the hour of death, grant us a Christian death, a comfortable procession through the terrible ordeals of the air and the inheritance of the eternal and ineffable blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven, so that with all the saints we silently confess Your intercession for us and let us glorify the one True God, worshiped in the Holy Trinity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Second prayer for the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of heaven and earth, we bow down to Your miraculous image, with tenderness: look mercifully on Your servants and through Your omnipotent intercession send down what everyone needs. Save all the faithful children of the Holy Church, convert the unfaithful, guide those who have gone astray to the right path, support old age and weakness of strength, grow the young in the holy faith, guide courage for good, bring sinners to repentance and hear the prayers of all Christians, heal the sick, assuage sorrows, those traveling travel. You weigh, All-Merciful, as we are weak, as sinners, as embittered and unworthy of God’s forgiveness, otherwise be of help to us, so that by no sin of self-love, temptation and the devil’s seduction we anger God: Thee are the Imams, the Intercessor, Whom the Lord will not reject. If you so desire, you can bestow everything upon us, like a source of grace, who faithfully sing to You and extol Your glorious Nativity. Deliver, O Lady, from sins and misfortunes of all who piously call upon Thy holy name and worship Thy honorable image. You cleanse our tuna with your prayers of iniquity, so we fall down to You and cry again: drive away from us every enemy and adversary, every misfortune and destructive unbelief; Through Your prayers, giving timely rains and abundant fruitfulness to the earth, put Divine fear in our hearts to fulfill the commandments of the Lord, so that we may all live quietly and peacefully for the salvation of our souls, for the good of our neighbors and for the glory of the Lord, for He is the Creator, Provider and Savior All glory, honor and worship are due to us, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Third prayer for the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

Oh, Most Pure and Most Blessed Virgin, Lady Theotokos, born from barrenness according to promise and for the sake of purity for the sake of Your soul and body, worthy to be the Matter of the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, with Him now residing in heaven and having great boldness towards the Most Holy Trinity, from the Unborn, Like a Queen, you are crowned with the crown of eternal reign. In the same way, we humbly resort to You and ask: intercede for us from the All-Merciful Lord God the forgiveness of all our sins, voluntary and involuntary; salvation, peace, silence and piety are restored to our suffering fatherland, times are peaceful and serene, the sedition of the evil is not involved; to the abundance of the fruits of the earth, the air of goodness, the rains are peaceful and well-timed. And ask us for everything that we need for life and salvation from Thy Son, Christ our God. Most of all, let us make haste to be adorned with good morals and good deeds, so that, as powerfully as possible, we will be imitators of Your holy life, with which You adorned yourself from your youth on earth, pleasing the Lord; For this reason you appeared, the most honest Cherub and the most glorious Seraphim. To her, Most Holy Lady, be our quick Helper in everything and the wise Teacher of salvation, so that by following You and being helped by You, we may be considered worthy of being the heir to the existence of the Heavenly Kingdom, through the sufferings of Your Intercessory Son, and fulfillers of His promised holy commandments. For You are, Lady, our only hope and hope according to God, and we commit our whole life to You, hoping for Your intercession and intercession that we will not be put to shame at the hour of our departure from this life, and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, Christ our God at His right hand to be worthy of standing, and there to rejoice forever with all those who have pleased Him from time immemorial, and to silently glorify, praise, thank and bless Him with the Father and the Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion 1 Chosen from the human race and born from barrenness, let us praise the Most Pure Virgin Mary, for with Her Nativity the beginning of our salvation was announced and the coming of the Savior into the world was announced. Let us also joyfully cry out to Her: Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, the Mother of the Savior of the world, chosen from time immemorial. Ikos 1 The heavenly angel standing before God was sent to the righteous Joachim and Anna to announce to them great joy, because through their barrenness they were about to give birth to the Most Blessed Daughter, from whom joy would come to the whole world. In the same way, we, who are partakers of the joy of sowing, will sing a song of praise to the Virgin: Rejoice, in the Trinity Council the Matter of the Son of God was chosen from time immemorial; Rejoice, thou who was foreshadowed by the ancient prophets and patriarchs in a variety of images and senech. Rejoice, you who have been faithful servants of God for five thousand years since the creation of the world, as the awaited Mother of the Deliverer; Rejoice, seen by Jacob's ladder, God's descent to man, foreshadowed. Rejoice, foreshadowed by the burning bush seen in the desert of Sinai by Moses; Rejoice, who gave a dry path to Israel by the Red Sea and drowned Pharaoh, figuratively written. Rejoice, thou who helpest us in the lower part of the Eternal Belly; Rejoice, interceding for us the unrestricted entrance of the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, the Mother of the Savior of the world, chosen from time immemorial. Kontakion 2 Seeing the righteous Joachim and Anna the Angel appear to them, proclaiming Your birth, O Most Holy Virgin, they gave thanks to God, who was ready to take away the reproach of their childlessness, and cried out warmly with all their hearts: Alleluia. Ikos 2 The All-Good Lord will fulfill the mind of Divine construction and His descent onto the earth, beginning with the message of His Angel to announce to Joachim and Anna about Your birth, Most Holy Virgin. We also cry out to You in praise: Rejoice, manifestation of the Divine mind; Rejoice, His fulfillment is marvelous to behold. Rejoice, predestined of old to serve the incarnation of the Son of God; Rejoice, pre-elected from all generations into the dwelling of all the King. Rejoice, you were already foreshadowed in paradise by the saying of the tempter of the serpent about the state of enmity between the Woman and Her Seed; Rejoice, after the fulfillment of times from unfruitfulness, by the will of God, you have become more glorious. Rejoice, who made the human race glad with Your birth; Rejoice, you who have offered the lament of those who sought the joy of Israel. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, the Mother of the Savior of the world, chosen from time immemorial. Kontakion 3 The Power of the Most High, resolve the barrenness of righteous Anna, who had become congested in her days: for Thee was conceived, O Most Pure One, and, awaiting Thy birth, joyfully sang a song of praise to the God of Israel: Alleluia. Ikos 3 Having without a husband to give birth to the Savior of our souls and bodies, You and Yourself, like a miracle before a great and incomprehensible miracle, were gloriously born from barren parents, the Most Holy Virgin. In the same way we sing to thee: Rejoice, thou who camet from the root of Jesse and David; Rejoice, you who were wondrously vegetated from the barren lies of righteous Anna. Rejoice, by the prophecy of Isaiah, the Virgin Mother was revealed before the ancient years; Rejoice, born according to the promise of an Angel. Rejoice, prefigured by the tabernacle of the meeting and the Ark of the Covenant; Rejoice, symbolized by the prosperous rod of Aaron. Rejoice, consecrated and prepared before Your birth as the Mother of God the Word. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, the Mother of the Savior of the world, chosen from time immemorial. Kontakion 4 The storms of human reproach about His barrenness, having been delivered at Thy conception, O Most Holy Virgin, Thy righteous parents rejoiced, and in honor of Thy birth I created a great institution with relatives and known ones, and they rejoiced at them, crying out to God, who has created His mercy, a song of praise: Alleluia. Ikos 4 The surrounding people heard that the daughter of Joachim and Anna was called Mary, the Lady, the Most Pure One, who foresaw that You would be great and glorious not only among people, but also among God. We, knowing this well, magnify thee: Rejoice, Most Holy Virgin, who received Your name not from man, but from an Angel even before conception; Rejoice, having been honored by this name as the Lady of all creation. Rejoice, for Thy righteous parents gave thanks to God for Thy birth, offering great gifts to Him; Rejoice, for as one who is related and known, you have created a supper of love for the poor too. Rejoice, for thou art blessed by the priests who were called to the house of Thy parents for the celebration; Rejoice, for you were praised and glorified from all those who gathered for the joy. Rejoice, appearing above all honor and praise; Rejoice, thou who hast been honored with the existence of the Matter of God the Word. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, the Mother of the Savior of the world, chosen from time immemorial. Kontakion 5 The God-bearing star, heralding the coming of the Sun of Truth, Christ our God, appeared at Your Nativity, O Most Holy Virgin; Likewise, the people of God, who had hoped for the coming of the Savior by faith, seeing You miraculously born of barrenness, mysteriously rejoiced and cried out: Alleluia. Ikos 5 Having seen the righteous Joachim and Anna, the Virgin Mary, who was born of them, the Angel of God, some wondrous and wondrous one, proclaimed that she was the ark of God, serving as the ark of God, educating and preserving You, like the apple of your eye. In the same way, we praise the Fathers of God, who were honored to be the parents of such Daughters, and joyfully sing to the Virgin Mary: Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, for at Thy Nativity, Thy parents rejoiced greatly; Rejoice, for at Your appearance into the world Angels and men rejoiced in agreement. Rejoice, for all the prophets spoke about You in many different ways; Rejoice, for you are the only one from them with the gates closed, and also with the mountain overshadowed by your name. Rejoice, for all that was glorious in ancient times was spoken of mysteriously about You; Rejoice, for the psalm lips called Thee the City and Village of God. Rejoice, thou who hast been a seven-luminous lamp, for she was filled with the seventh gifts of the Holy Spirit, and was fore-ordained; Rejoice, at the gilded table with the showbread, as the Bread of Life, Christ, who was foreordained to give birth. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, the Mother of the Savior of the world, chosen from time immemorial. Kontakion 6 Preacher of God-bearing broadcasts and fulfilling verbs, by the will of the Creator of creation, you appeared on earth, O Most Holy Virgin, the flower of our nature, the invocation of Adam and Eve and the erection of the first kindness. Moreover, all the faithful have found joy in Your Nativity, spiritually triumphant, singing to our wondrous God in His counsel: Alleluia. Ikos 6 The rise in Thy Nativity, O Most Pure One, the dawn of our salvation, in fulfillment of the Divine vision, to whom Thou alone of all generations is worthy, Thou didst appear, flesh to lend to Thy Creator, who came to save our race from the ancient forefathers’ oath. For this reason we cry out to You: Rejoice, call to Adam and Eve; Rejoice, permission of the ancient oaths. Rejoice, the end of the high law and the beginning of new grace; Rejoice, thou who providence of the Divine Mystery and ever instructing us in good deeds. Rejoice, thou who is alone in all kinds, worthy of being found to be the Matter of God the Word; Rejoice, the spiritual Mother who has appeared to us as new people in Christ. Rejoice, O Mother who leaves us no longer under Your care; Rejoice, thou who preparest us to be sons and daughters of Thy Son, worthy and acceptable. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, the Mother of the Savior of the world, chosen from time immemorial. Kontakion 7 Desiring to repay your vows to the Lord, Your righteous parents, the Most Holy Virgin, brought You in your thirteenth year to the temple of the Lord with glory and much joy, and the High Priest (Zechariah), embraced by the Spirit of God, led You into the Holy of Holies, who was also a prototype of Your Holy Place. . For You have not contained within Yourself the ark of the Covenant, but the saints of the Most Holy Son of God, who in Your womb received virgin flesh. To Him also You sang from the faces of the virgins: Alleluia. Ikos 7 A new and glorious Divine providence came about for You, Virgin Mary. In the temple of God, those living in the temple received food from the hands of Angels, O Most Holy One. We also pray to You: feed us with food of grace, so that we may grow spiritually into a perfect husband and to You, the All-Tsarina, we cry out in praise: Rejoice, adorned with virtues, O Young Lady, honored to live in the temple of God and be worthy to be an Angel of the Interlocutor; Rejoice, you who received the food sent to you by God from the Angels into the Holy of Holies. Rejoice, wonderfully raised by heavenly bread in the temple; Rejoice, you who were there prepared for the great mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God. Rejoice, for by the command of God the Angels on earth diligently serve You; Rejoice, for now in Heaven, as the Queen, they reverently serve You. Rejoice, for we also magnify Thee with unworthy songs of praise; Rejoice, for we always please the Godfathers who gave birth to You and call on them in our prayers. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, the Mother of the Savior of the world, chosen from time immemorial. Kontakion 8 Having seen the strange nativity of the Most Pure Virgin, let us withdraw from the vanity of the world, turning our minds to Heaven, where the Mother of God in glory stands before Her Son and God, interceding before Him for all the faithful, Her all-glorious nativity (and introduction into the temple) with the love of those celebrating and crying out to God: Alleluia . Ikos 8 All creation in Thy Nativity, O Most Pure One, will find joy, the sorrow of the forefathers that consumes: having come from Thee as Christ God, our nature fell into the sin of disobedience from the fall of the rise and was again created kindly to the Creator. The same touchingly we cry: Rejoice, forerunner of world joys; Rejoice, sacrament revealed from the ages of secrecy. Rejoice, Who rose from the fall; Rejoice, Our previously denied nature has now been appropriated to God. Rejoice, thou who Joachim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness; Rejoice, Who turned the barrenness of our hearts into fruitfulness. Rejoice, for an abundance of eternal blessings is given to the faithful from the Lord. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, the Mother of the Savior of the world, chosen from time immemorial. Kontakion 9 All the Angels of God, who did not know the secret of the God-Man in the Council of the Trinitarian Deity, hidden from the ages and finally revealed by the Virgin Mary, were greatly surprised, seeing how the Daughters of Joachim and Anna, unusual for the female nature, were introduced into the Holy of Holies. In the same bewilderment I embraced the former, reverently crying out: Alleluia. Ikos 9 Vetiah, the most ancient, the all-wise of the kings of Israel, Solomon, foreseeing Your birth, O Most Pure One, in the Song of Songs exclaimed with surprise: “Who is this, who penetrates, like the morning, good, like the moon, chosen, like the sun.” Moreover, the Church, rejoicing in Thy feast day, joyfully cries out to Thee: Rejoice, brightest morning of the unevening day of the knowledge of God, in the canopy of the law, as in darkness, shining forth; Rejoice, sun-shaped Virgin, the true Sun - Christ, who introduced Christ into the world with her virgin incarnation and thereby enlightened everything. Rejoice, light-like element, which has essentially accepted God, who lives in the unapproachable light; Rejoice, having declared with your small womb the Infinite One, who embraces all the ends of the universe. Rejoice, full moon, directly receiving the divine light and thereby illuminating us; Rejoice, purest mirror, in which the many perfections of God are wonderfully and faithfully depicted. Rejoice, you who also strive for us through the perfection of Your virtues; Rejoice, strengthening our weak strength to do good deeds. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, the Mother of the Savior of the world, chosen from time immemorial. Kontakion 10 To save the human race from the original curse, the Lord created His wondrous vision: for He chose You, the Most Pure One, from the race of Abraham and David, and from You He deigned to be incarnate without seed, having transcended the statutes of nature, but He also brought You forth from the matured and barren root of Joachim and Anna of the Righteous. Likewise, we celebrate Your birth (and your entry into the temple) today, and those who gave birth to You sing songs of praise, crying out to God: Alleluia. Ikos 10 O Heavenly King, for the sake of our salvation, although to appear on earth and live with men, the holy palace of Your incarnation, You, the Most Pure One, prepared in advance, giving fruit to the childless Anna, tearfully with Her husband, who prayed for the permission of his infertility. We also pray to Thee, Mother of God: resolve the barrenness of our souls, so that we may be able to bring to God the fruit of good deeds of virtue, crying out to Thee: Rejoice, most luminous Emblem of God’s seedless incarnation; Rejoice, animated Palato, prepared for the dwelling of all the King. Rejoice, brightest cloud, in whom He who sits on the throne of the Divine has descended to us; Rejoice, Mediatrix of law and grace, seal of the Old and New Testaments. Rejoice, unfading Lozo, beautiful flower - the Savior of the world, who brought forth; Rejoice, fragrant apple, which grew from being unfruitful and appeared pleasing to Christ. Rejoice, and we, Your singers, are pleased to be presented to Christ by your diligence; Rejoice, for you do not deprive us of spiritual consolation, who are unfruitful in our good deeds. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, the Mother of the Savior of the world, chosen from time immemorial. Kontakion 11 Do not reject the song of praise for Your birth (and for Your introduction into the temple), O Good Lady, but for those who gave birth to You, be blessed to us, praying for us to Your Son and our God, that He may grant forgiveness of sins and correction of life, which I take out in tearful repentance We sing to Him with gratitude: Alleluia. Ikos 11 Light-receiving and pre-worldly Light of the Divine Light, the only-begotten Daughter of Joachim and Anna, chosen to be the Mother of the Only Begotten Son of God, has now come forth gloriously from barrenness, and enlightens all Her birth (and entry into the temple) who faithfully celebrate and reverently cry: Rejoice, luminous Candle, kindled by divine flame; Rejoice, who thereby graciously enlightens and warms us. Rejoice, mystical Mite, who bore the Divine Coal of Christ the Lord in the womb and in Thy hands; Rejoice, making us worthy to receive Him in the Sacrament of Communion. Rejoice, living and adorned Temple of the Lord, about Him David sings: “Holy is Your Temple, wondrous in righteousness”; Rejoice, Holy Censer, not incense that spreads in the air, but Christ, who contained the eternal fragrance in Herself, and thereby made all creation fragrant. Rejoice, Throne, exalted with glory, the animated seat of the Great King, our Savior and Lord; Rejoice, Queen of Heaven and earth, reigning forever with Your Son and God and not forgetting us, the poor. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, the Mother of the Savior of the world, chosen from time immemorial. Kontakion 12 More grace than nature manifested itself in Your Nativity, O Most Pure One; For the Lord heard the prayer of Thy childless parents, and gave Thee to them as a consolation, as He did to Abraham and Sarah Isaac, desiring together and His looking upon Thee to perform the sacrament and prepare Thee to be the Mother of His Only Begotten Son, our promised Redeemer. To Him we sing gratefully: Alleluia. Ikos 12 Singing Your glorious birth from barren birth (and introduction into the temple of the Lord), we praise You, the Most Pure One, as the Mystery of God’s saving look upon us, the incarnation of God the Word revealed to You, and we cry out to Ti: Rejoice, pure Noah’s Dove, by Your birth the end heralding the stream of death; Rejoice, you who brought a branch of the gospel of Christ the Savior to the human race lost by sin. Rejoice, thou only blessed among women, who by Thy obedience to God corrected the disobedience of the foremother Eve; Rejoice, thou who transformed the sorrow of Adam and other forefathers (who were weary of waiting for the coming of the Savior) into joy through Thy Nativity. Rejoice, for Thy Christmas is the joy of proclaiming to the whole universe; Rejoice, for at Thy Nativity mothers rejoice and barrens rejoice (leading, for Thou also came from barrenness). Rejoice, for you grant grace-filled joy to all who faithfully and piously celebrate Your Nativity (and your entry into the temple); Rejoice, with Thy Son, at the right hand of the Father in His glory, make us sit, who beseech Him greatly. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, the Mother of the Savior of the world, chosen from time immemorial. Kontakion 13 Oh, All-Singing and Most Pure Mother of the Virgin, accept this song of praise of ours in honor of Thy glorious Nativity (and into the temple of presentation) brought, and revive in us the desire for eternal blessings, together and deliver us, Thy Holy Church, our Fatherland and monasteries monasticism from all troubles and misfortunes, from enemies visible and invisible, and from future torment and the Kingdom of Heaven, vouchsafe us, so that forever and ever we cry out to You: Alleluia. (This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

Source:

Text:

https://www.molitvoslov.org/text988.htm

Image:

Icon from the workshop of E. Ilyinskaya,

https://www.icon-art.ru/

Series of messages “Prayer”:
Part 1 - Prayer for accepting prosphora and holy water Part 2 - Psalm 90. Psalter. Kathisma 12 ... Part 13 - Troparia, kontakia, prayers and magnifications. Akathist to the Holy Blessed and Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky, in the schema of Alexy Part 14 - About prayer. Thoughts of St. Theophan the Recluse Part 15 - Troparion, kontakion, magnification, prayers, Akathist to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Part 16 - St. Sergius of Radonezh. Akathist. Canon. Prayers Part 17 - Akathist to the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. Prayer... Part 27 - Oh, mothers, during sleepless nights pray for your inheritance. Part 28 - Prayers for children. Mother's prayers... Part 29 - Prayers during pregnancy and before childbirth

ICONOGRAPHY

The iconography of the holiday begins to take shape soon after the appearance of the church celebration. In the 8th - early 9th centuries, the Eastern Church experienced a tragic period of struggle against the heresy of iconoclasm, during which the creation of new iconographic subjects was practically impossible. Obviously, this is why the first image of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary that has survived to this day - a fresco of one of the churches in Cappadocia - dates back to the 9th century.

There are other ancient images of the holiday: frescoes in the Kiev St. Sophia Cathedral (first half of the 11th century) and in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Mirozh Monastery (12th century), a composition in the Church of Joachim and Anna of the Serbian monastery of Studenica (1304).

Traditionally, in early icons and frescoes, icon painters depicted righteous Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary, in the center of the composition. The woman in labor reclines on a high bed, in front of her are women with gifts, a midwife and maids who wash the Virgin Mary in the font.

With each century, this iconographic plot was enriched with more and more new details. For example, they began to depict a table with gifts and treats brought, a pond, and birds.

Nowadays, the icon of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is often made hagiographic, that is, they supplement the main plot with separate compositions (stamps) - scenes from the history of the event: the cry of Joachim in the desert, the gospel to Joachim and the gospel to Anna, the meeting of the spouses at the Golden Gate of the Jerusalem Temple, and so on.

Troparion and Kontakion for the Presentation of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple

Forefeast, tone 4

Anna now betroths joy to everyone, the opposite fruit of the vegetated sorrow, the only Ever-Virgin, and brings, fulfilling prayers, now rejoicing, to the temple of the Lord, as the real temple of God the Word and the Pure Mother.

To the holiday, voice 4

On the day of God's favor, the transfiguration, and the preaching of salvation to men, the Virgin clearly appears in the temple of God, and announces Christ to everyone. To that we too will cry out loudly: Rejoice in seeing the Creator’s fulfillment.

Greatness

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, /God's chosen Youth, and we honor Your entry into the Temple of the Lord.

Kontakion, tone 4

The Most Pure Temple of the Savior, the valuable Chamber and the Virgin, the sacred Treasure of the glory of God, is today introduced into the house of the Lord, bringing grace, even in the Divine Spirit, even as the Angels of God sing: This is the village of heaven.

CELEBRATION OF THE NATIVITY OF THE VIRGIN IN Rus'

Temples and monasteries in honor of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary were built in the 12th–14th centuries in Bogolyubovo and Vladimir, Suzdal, Novgorod, and Pskov.

The patronage of the Mother of God in the liberation of Russian lands from the Tatar-Mongol yoke was reflected in the massive construction of churches dedicated to the feasts of the Mother of God. The Cathedral of the Bobrenev Monastery (1381) near Kolomna and the gate church of the Andronikov Monastery were dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.

The widow of Grand Duke Dimitri Donskoy, Princess Euphrosyne, founded the Ascension Monastery in the Moscow Kremlin in 1392 and erected a white-stone church in honor of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in the traditions of Vladimir-Suzdal architecture. The church was painted in 1395 by the outstanding icon painters Theophanes the Greek and Simeon the Black.

Troparion and Kontakion to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Forefeast, tone 4

The life-giving Cross of Your goodness, which You have given to us unworthy, Lord, we offer to You in prayer, save the people and your praying city, the Mother of God, the One Lover of Mankind.

To the holiday, voice 1

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thy inheritance, granting victories to Orthodox Christians against resistance and preserving Thy life through Thy Cross.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor Your Holy Cross, through which You saved us from the work of the enemy.

Kontakion, tone 4

Having ascended to the Cross by will, grant Thy bounty to Thy new residence of the same name, O Christ God, making us glad with Thy power, giving us victories as counterparts, aid to those who have Thy weapon of peace, invincible victory.

Troparion and Kontakion to the Transfiguration of the Lord

Forefeast, tone 4

The Transfiguration of Christ is foreshadowed, the light and triumphant pre-feast day is faithful, and we cry out: the day of Divine joy has come: the Lord ascends to Mount Tabor, to envelop the beauty of His Divinity.

To the holiday, tone 7

Thou art transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, showing Thy disciples Thy glory, as unto a man: may Thy ever-present light shine upon us sinners, through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Light-Giver, glory to Thee.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor Your most pure flesh, the glorious Transfiguration.

Kontakion, tone 7

You were transfigured on the mountain, and as if You were the recipient of Your disciples, O Christ God, you saw: so that when they see You crucified, they will understand free suffering, and the world will preach that You are truly the Father’s radiance.

Troparion and Kontakion for the Baptism of the Lord

Forefeast, tone 4

Get ready, Zebulun, and show off, Naphtali, River of Jordan, stand, rise, leap, be baptized by the coming Master. Rejoice, Adam with the primordial matter, do not cover yourself, as you did in paradise before, for, having seen you naked, appearing, let him put on the first garment: Christ has appeared, although he will renew all creation.

Forefeast (Evening Eve), tone 4

Sometimes the Jordan River returned by the mercy of Elissa, Elijah ascended, and the waters parted here and there, and the path was dry for him, even if it was wet, in the image of truly Baptism, by which we pass through the procession of our current life: Christ appeared in the Jordan to sanctify the waters.

To the holiday, voice 1

In the Jordan I am baptized to Thee, O Lord, the Trinitarian adoration appeared, for the voice of the Parents testified to Thee, naming Thy beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove, telling the affirmation of Thy words. Christ our God appears, and the world is enlightened, glory to You.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, for our sake now in the flesh Baptized by John in the waters of the Jordan.

Kontakion, tone 4

Thou hast appeared this day to the universe, and Thy light, O Lord, has appeared upon us, in the minds of those who sing Thee: Thou hast come, and Thou hast appeared, an unapproachable light.

Troparion and Kontakion for the Presentation of the Lord

Forefeast, tone 1

The heavenly face of the Heavenly Angel, descending to the earth, having come to see like a Child, is carried to the temple. The first-born of all creation from Mater, the Unskilled One, sings the pre-feast song with us, rejoicing.

To the holiday, voice 1

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, for from You has risen the Sun of Truth, Christ our God, enlighten those in darkness. Rejoice also, O righteous elder, received into the arms of the Liberator of our souls, who gives us resurrection.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor Your Most Pure Mother, Who, according to the law, has now been brought into the temple of the Lord.

Kontakion, tone 1

You sanctified the womb of the Maiden with Your birth, and blessed the hand of Simeon, as befitting, having preceded it, and now you have saved us, O Christ God, but die in battle, the only one who loves mankind.

Troparion and Kontakion for the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, tone 1

Before Thy passion, assuring the general resurrection, Thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God. Likewise, we, like the youths of victory bearing signs, cry out to You, the Conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, Hosanna in the highest, and we cry out to You, Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.

Troparion, tone 4

Having been buried in You through baptism, O Christ our God, immortal life is made like Your resurrection, and we sing in praise: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.

Kontakion, tone 6

On the throne in heaven, borne on earth as a lot, O Christ God, Thou didst receive the praise of Angels and the children’s singing of those calling Thee: Blessed art Thou, who cometh to call Adam.

Ascension of the Lord, tone 4

Thou art exalted in glory, O Christ our God, having brought joy to the disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit, informed by the former blessing, for Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor You in heaven, with Your Most Pure flesh, the Divine Ascension.

Kontakion, tone 6

Having fulfilled your concern for us, and having united us on earth with the heavenly, you ascended in glory, Christ our God, in no way departing, but remaining persistent, and crying out to those who love You: I am with you and no one is against you.

Troparion and Kontakion to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Forefeast, tone 4

On this day of universal joy, the first fruits of the pre-feast command to be sung: behold, Gabriel comes, bringing good news to the Virgin, and cries out to Her: Rejoice, O full of grace, the Lord is with Thee.

To the holiday, voice 4

The day of our salvation is the main thing, and since the beginning of time the mystery has been revealed, the Son of God, the Son of the Virgin, is born, and Gabriel preaches the good news, and we also cry out to the Mother of God with him: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Greatness

The Archangel's voice cries out to You, Pure One: Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You.

Kontakion, tone 8

To the chosen victorious governor, as having been delivered from the evil, let us write thanks to Thy servants, the Mother of God, but as having an invincible power, free us from all troubles, let us call Thee: Rejoice, Unmarried Bride.

Troparion and Kontakion to the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Forefeast, tone 4

People, lead the way, splash your hands faithfully, and gather together in love, today rejoicing and brightly exclaiming with all joy: For the Mother of God has to pass gloriously from earthly to the Highest, even with songs we glorify the Mother of God.

To the holiday, voice 1

At Christmas you preserved your virginity, at your dormition you did not abandon the world, O Mother of God: you reposed yourself to the belly, Mother of the Being of the Belly, and through your prayers you delivered our souls from death.

Greatness

We magnify Thee, Most Immaculate Mother of Christ our God, and glorify Thy Dormition all-gloriously.

Kontakion, tone 2

In the prayers of the never-sleeping Mother of God, and in intercessions, the immutable hope, the grave and mortification cannot be restrained: like the Mother of the Life, repose to the life, into the womb of the Ever-Virgin One.