Holy-Icons

This icon was patterned after the icon of the Mother of God at St. Anthony’s Monastery in Arizona. That particular icon is based on the Cyprus-Stromyn icon of the Theotokos, a miracle-working icon from Cyprus.

Troparion (Tone 4)

Today is the beginning of our salvation,

The revelation of the eternal mystery!

The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin

As Gabriel announces the coming of Grace.

Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos:

Rejoice, O Full of Grace,

The Lord is with You!

Kontakion (Tone 8)

O Victorious Leader of Triumphant Hosts!

We, your servants, delivered from evil, sing our grateful thanks to you, O Theotokos!

As you possess invincible might, set us free from every calamity

So that we may sing: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!

Forefeast hymns

Troparion (Tone 4)

Today is the prelude of joy for the universe!

Let us anticipate the feast and celebrate with exultation:

Gabriel is on his way to announce the glad tidings to the Virgin;

He is ready to cry out in fear and wonder:

Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with You!

Kontakion (Tone 8)

You are the beginning of salvation for all of us on earth, Virgin Mother of God.

For the great Archangel Gabriel, God’s minister,

Was sent from heaven to stand before you to bring you joy:

Therefore, we all cry to you: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.

http://orthodoxwiki.org/Annunciation

“Open my mouth and it shall be filled with the Spirit; and I shall declare a saying overflowing towards the Mother Queen. I shall shine forth, celebrating the season with rejoicing, and shall sing her wonders with gladness.” — First Ode of the Canon of the Akathist

The Akathist is a set of hymns praising the Theotokos. The Akathist is celebrated on Fridays during Great Lent.

The original of this icon, celebrated on 21 January, takes its name from the ancient Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos. On the Holy Mountain it is also known as The Comforter. “Vatopedi” means “Boy’s Bush”; the young Byzantine Crown Prince Arkadios fell off a ship in the Aegean Sea, and miraculously was found safe ashore, under a bush near the church in which the icon was housed. His father, Emperor Theodosius the Great, in gratitude richly endowed the monastery. On the icon, the Theotokos glances to her left; tradition says that in 807 she looked leftward to the Abbot to warn him of an impending robbery, enabling him to prevent it. — 8″ x 10″

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Troparion (Tone 4)

Today is the preview of the good will of God,

Of the preaching of the salvation of mankind.

The Virgin appears in the temple of God,

In anticipation proclaiming Christ to all.

Let us rejoice and sing to her: Rejoice,

O Divine Fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.

Kontakion (Tone 4)

The most pure Temple of the Savior;

The precious Chamber and Virgin;

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,

Therefore, the angels of God praise her:

“Truly this woman is the abode of heaven.”

Forefeast hymn

Troparion (Tone 4)

Today Anna bequeaths joy to all instead of sorrow by bringing forth her fruit, the only ever-Virgin.

In fulfillment of her vow,

Today with joy she brings to the temple of the Lord

the true temple and pure Mother of God the Word.

Kontakion (Tone 4)

Today the universe is filled with joy

At the glorious feast of the Mother of God, and cries out:

“She is the heavenly tabernacle.”

http://orthodoxwiki.org/Presentation_of_the_Theotokos

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September 8

According to Tradition, Saints  Joachim and Anna, who were unable to have children,  received an angelic visitation announcing the conception of their daughter, the Theotokos. From birth, their daughter was looked after until she could be dedicated in the temple to the service of God. St. John of Damascus, extolling the work she was destined to do for the sake of humanity, writes: “Blessed pair, all creation is indebted to you. Indeed, it is by you that she could offer to the Creator a gift above all gifts, the chaste mother, who alone was worthy of this Creator. Rejoice, Joachim, as the Son is born to us by your daughter.”

Troparion (Tone 4)

Thy Nativity, O Virgin,
has proclaimed joy to the whole universe!
the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,
has shone from thee, O Theotokos!
By annulling the curse,
He bestowed a blessing.
by destroying death, He has granted us eternal Life.