The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2 February

Entry Verse, sung according to the Tone 1 Troparion melody.
Psalm 97:2.
The Lord hath made known His salvation: He hath revealed His justice in the sight of the Gentiles.

Troparion, Tone 1.
Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, O Virgin Mother of God; for from thee hath arisen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, giving light to those in darkness. Be glad, also, thou righteous Elder, as thou didst receive in thine arms the Liberator of our souls, Who bestoweth upon us resurrection.

Glory. Now and ever.

Kontakion, Tone 1.
O Thou Who didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb by Thy birth, and didst bless Simeon’s hands as was meet, now Thou hast also gone before us and saved us, O Christ our God; but grant peace to our lives amidst wars, and strengthen Orthodox Christians, whom Thou lovest, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3.
Saint Luke 1:46-48.
My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Verse: Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

The Lesson of the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews.
Hebrews §316 (7:7-17).
Brethren: Without all contradiction, that which is less, is blessed by the better. And here indeed, men that die, receive thithes: but there he hath witness, that he liveth. And (as it may be said) even Levi who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham: for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedech met him. If then perfection was by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchisedech, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being translated, it is necessary that a translation also be made of the law. For he, of whom these things are spoken, is of another tribe, of which no one attended on the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprung out of Juda: in which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. And it is yet far more evident: if according to the similitude of Melchisedech there ariseth another priest, who is made not according to the law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indissoluble life: for he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech.

Alleluia, Tone 8.
Saint Luke 2:23,32.
Alleluia.
Verse 1: Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord: according to Thy word in peace. Alleluia.
Verse 2: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles: and the glory of Thy people Israel.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

The Lesson of the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke.
Saint Luke §7 (2:22-40).
At that time: The parents of Jesus carried Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord: as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: and to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when His parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace; because my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. And His father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning Him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother: Behold this Child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; and thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of Him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth. And the Child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in Him.

Zadostoinik.
O Virgin Mother of God, thou hope of Christians, preserve, watch, and save those who trust in thee.
Verse: O God-bearing Simeon, come thou and take up Christ, to Whom the pure Virgin Mary hath given birth.
Irmos: In the shadow and the writings of the law do we behold an image, O ye faithful: every male child which openeth the womb is consecrated to God. Wherefore, we magnify the firstborn Word of the unoriginate Father, the first-born Son of the Mother who kneweth not man.

Communion.
Psalm 115:4.
I will take the chalice of salvation: and I will call upon the name of the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.