Variable Portions of the Divine Liturgy
21 November
The Presentation of the Theotokos
Festal Antiphons
1st Antiphon Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
2nd Antiphon O Son of God, Who art wondrous in Thy saints,
save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
3rd Antiphon Today is the prelude of the good will of God
Troparion of the preaching of the salvation of mankind.
Feast The Virgin appears in the temple of God
(Tone 4) in anticipation proclaiming Christ to all.
Let us rejoice and sing to her:
Rejoice, O Fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation!
After the Little Entrance
Troparion Today is the prelude of the good will of God... (see above)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion The most pure Temple of the Savior,
Feast the precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin,
(Tone 4) the sacred Treasure of the glory of God,
is presented today to the House of the Lord.
She brings with her the grace of the Spirit,
Which the angels of God do praise:
"Truly this woman is the Abode of Heaven!"
Prokeimenon
(Tone 3) My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
Scripture Readings
Hebrews 9:1-7 Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28
Instead of the Hymn to the Theotokos on page 24:
(Tone 6) The Angels beheld the entrance of the Pure One
and were amazed!
How has the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies?
As you are a living Temple of God,
Let no impure hand touch you, O Theotokos.
But let the lips of all believers sing,
Constantly magnifying you in joy with the angelic salutation:
Truly you are above all creatures,
O Pure One!
Special verse of the Communion Hymn on page 29:
I will receive the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
Epistle
Priest: Let us attend! Peace be unto all!
Reader: And to your spirit.
Priest: Wisdom!
Reader: The Prokeimenon in the 3rd Tone: My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
People: My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
Reader: For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden, for behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
People: My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
Reader: My soul magnifies the Lord!
People: And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
Priest: Wisdom!
Reader: The Reading is from the Epistle of holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews.
Priest: Let us attend!
(Hebrews 9:1-7)
Reader: Brethren, indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance.
Priest: Peace be unto you, Reader!
Reader: And to your spirit. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
People: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Reader: Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear.
People: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Reader: Before your face, the rich among the people shall pray.
People: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Gospel
Priest: The Reading is from the holy Gospel according to St. Luke.
People: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee!
(Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28)
Priest: Let us attend! At that time, Jesus entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!" But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"
People: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee!
This content has been provided by Fr. Jerome Cwiklinski, CAPT, CHC, USN