Holy-Icons

“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″

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,

0 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

Troparion (Tone 4)

Your Nativity, O Virgin,

Has proclaimed joy to the whole universe!

The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,

Has shone from You, O Theotokos!

By annulling the curse,

He bestowed a blessing.

By destroying death, He has granted us eternal Life.

Kontakion (Tone 4)

By Your Nativity, O Most Pure Virgin,

Joachim and Anna are freed from barrenness;

Adam and Eve, from the corruption of death.

And we, your people, freed from the guilt of sin, celebrate and sing to you:

The barren woman gives birth to the Theotokos, the nourisher of our life!

Forefeast hymns

Troparion (Tone 4)

Today from the stem of Jesse and from the loins of David,

The handmaid of God Mary is being born for us.

Therefore all creation is renewed and rejoices!

Heaven and earth rejoice together.

Praise her, you families of nations,

For Joachim rejoices and Anna celebrates crying out:

“The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, the Nourisher of our life!”

Kontakion (Tone 3)

Today the Virgin Theotokos Mary

The bridal chamber of the Heavenly Bridegroom

By the will of God is born of a barren woman,

Being prepared as the chariot of God the Word.

She was fore-ordained for this, since she is the divine gate and the true Mother of Life.

http://orthodoxwiki.org/Nativity_of_the_Theotokos