Apostolic Reading – Hebrews 7:7-17

Gospel – Luke 2:22-40

Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 4)

The women disciples of the Lord, having learned from the angel the joyful announcement of the resurrection, and having rejected the ancestral sentence, proudly told the apostles: Death is despoiled. Christ God is risen, bestowing to the world great mercy.”

Troparion of the Feast (Tone 1)

Hail, O Full of grace, Virgin and Mother of God: for from you has arisen the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, enlightening those who stand in darkness. You too, O just Elder Simeon, rejoice, for you carried in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, our Resurrection.

Kondakion of the Feast (Tone 1)

O Christ our God, who through your birth have sanctified the virginal womb and have blessed the arms of Simeon, You have come today to save us. When wars prevail, keep your people in peace and strengthen our public authorities in every good deed, for you alone are the Lover of Mankind.

Prokimenon

My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

Stichon

Because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid, for, behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to Hebrews (7:7-17)

Brethren, certainly the lower is blessed by the higher. And in one case indeed mortal men receive tithes, while Scripture testifies that this man lives on. And even Levi, the receiver of tithes, was also, so to speak, through Abraham made subject to tithes (Cf.Gn. 14:20), for he was still in his father’s loins when Melchisedek 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 Meichisedek, and said not to be according to the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, it is necessary that a change of law be made also.

For the one of whom these things are said is from another tribe, from which no one has ever done service at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah (Cf.Is.1:2), and Moses said nothing at all about priests when referring to this tribe.

And it is yet far more evident if there arises another priest, according to the likeness of Meichisedek, who has become so not according to the law of carnal commandment, but according to a life that cannot end. For it is testified of him, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchisedek (Ps.109:4).”

Alleluia

Now you shall dismiss your servant, O Lord, according to your word in peace; because my eyes have seen your salvation.

Stichon

A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people, Israel.

The Holy Gospel According to St. Luke the Evangelist (2:22-40)

At that time the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord according to the Law of Moses, (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” And behold, there was in Jerusalem a man named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by inspiration of 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 received him into his arms and blessed God, saying, “Now you release your servant, O Lord, according to your word, in peace; because my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples: A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory for your people Israel.” And Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted. And your own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after she was first married and by herself as a widow to eighty-four years. She never left the temple, with fastings and prayers worshipping night and day. And coming up at that very hour, she began to give praise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had fulfilled all things prescribed in the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, into their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong in spirit. He was full of wisdom and the grace of God was upon him.