Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

Festal Matins & Divine Liturgy

Hymns & Readings

(TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MATINS SERVICE BOOK)

31 August
By the Grace of God
COMPILED, ADAPTED, EDITED & PRINTED
BY
MARGUERITE PAIZIS
ARCHONDISSA & TEACHER BY DIVINE GRACE
GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA & ALL AFRICA
ARCHDIOCESE OF GOOD HOPE
HOLY CHURCH OF THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

The Deposition of
the Venerable
Girdle of
our Lady Theotokos
Also the Feast of St Cyprianos, Bishop &
Hieromartyr of Carthage St Gennadios of
Constantinople St Aidan of Lindesfarne St
Eanswythe, Abbess of Folkestone

PO BOX 28348
SUNRIDGE PARK
6008
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
writers@telkomsa.net or marguerite.paizis@gmail.com
OR DOWNLOAD DIRECTLY FROM MARGUERITE PAIZIS ON SCRIBD

KATAVASIAS

OF OUR

LADY THEOTOKOS

Our Eternal Gratitude to Pater Seraphim Dedes & all the contributing Translators
elsewhere for the original Greek & English texts and for making our Worship a
little easier to understand, to participate and to appreciate.
Glory to God for His Great Mercy!
www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs
RE-EDITED & PUBLISHED - 17 JULY 2015

NOT FOR MATERIAL PROFIT

12. D E P O S I T I O N

OF THE

ZONI

OF OUR

LADY THEOTOKOS

- 31 AUGUST

THE VENERABLE ZONI (BELT, SASHA, CINCTURE OR GIRDLE)

At the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos, there is a Great Treasure of
Orthodoxy that has survived. It is one of two Most Priceless and Precious Holy
Relics of our Ever Blessed All Holy Theotokos Her Esthitos a garment or robe
and Her Zoni. Each of these are commemorated by separate Feasts 2 July for
her Esthitos (Robe) and 31 August, Her Zoni.
The common Festal Apolytikion mentions both, as both were present in
Constantinople and preserved the faithful for centuries.)
The Zoni of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was divided into three pieces, is the only
remaining Holy Relic of Her Earthly Life - made out of camel hair by the Ever
Blessed Virgin Mary Herself. After Her Dormition, She presented it to St Thomas
the Holy Apostle of Christ who arrived three days after Her interment and, on
opening Her Tomb witnessed to the Truth that She had been bodily taken up to
Heaven.
During the early centuries of Christianity the Venerable Zoni was kept at Jerusalem.
However, in the 4th century, it was located at Zela in Cappadocia by Emperor
Theodosios the Great who returned it to Jerusalem. Later, his son, Arcadios,
took the Precious Holy Relic to Constantinople, where was originally deposited in
the Chalcoprateia Church.
Emperor Leo subsequently transferred it to the Vlachernae Church in 458 and
during the reign of Emperor Leo VI Leo the Wise the Venerable Zoni was
taken to the Imperial Palace in order to miraculously Cure Empress Zoe, his
seriously ill wife, who had been possessed by an unclean spirit.
Empress Zoe had had a Vision instructing her to place the Sanctified Zoni of our Ever
Blessed Lady Theotokos upon her, which would instantly exorcise the unclean
spirit and Heal her. So Emperor Leo the Wise requested the Patriarch to open the
sealed Reliquary in which the Holy Relic was kept.
At that time the Zoni of the Mother of God was completely intact and undamaged by
the passage of time.
As soon as the Patriarch placed the Zoni on Empress Zoe, she was immediately
restored to her former good health, and all the Faithful sang Hymns of
Thanksgiving to the Most Holy Theotokos. The Patriarch reverently returned the
Holy Relic to the Reliquary and resealed it.
Some time afterwards, however, Empress Zoe embroidered the whole Girdle with
gold thread as an act of Gratitude and Thanksgiving to the All Holy Theotokos,
which gives it the appearance it bears to this day.
In the 12th century, during the reign of Emperor Manuel I Comnenos (1143-1180), the
Feast of the Holy Girdle on 31 August was officially introduced. Previously it had
shared the Feast of the Vesture (Esthitos or Robe) of the Ever Blessed Holy Virgin
on 1 July.
The Zoni itself remained in Constantinople until the 12th century, when Emperor
Isaakios was conquered by the Bulgar King, Asan, (1185). Being part of the great
plunder of Constantinople, the Miracle Working Zoni was carried off to Bulgaria,
and from there it later passed into the possession of the Serbs, whose Prince
Lazaros I (1372-1389) presented it to the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos,
together with a large piece of the True Life-giving Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Since then, the Holy Zoni has been kept in the Sanctuary of the Katholikon of the
Vatopedi Monastery.
During the Turkish Occupation, the Brethren of the Monastery took it on Journeys to
Crete, Macedonia, Thrace, Constantinople and Asia Minor - to distribute its
Blessing, to Strengthen the morale of the enslaved Greeks and to bring Freedom
from infectious diseases.
The Miracles performed through the Holy Zoni throughout the ages are
innumerable. The following are a few examples:

2. D E P O S I T I O N

OF THE

ZONI

OF OUR

LADY THEOTOKOS

- 31 AUGUST

Ieris tas Latrias epitelountes.

Is

into the first part of the Tabernacle,

performing the Services.

de tin defteran apax tou eniaftou

monos O Arhierefs - ou horis ematos,
O prosferi iper eaftou ke ton tou laou
agnoimaton.

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING

ON

TO

THIN

Into

the second part only the High

Priest went
- once a year, not
without blood, which he offered for
himself and for the peoples sins.

ST LUKE 10: 38-42 & 11 27 28

N

G IS

EEDED

To kero ekino, isilthen O Iisous is komin At

tina.

that time, He entered a certain

village.

Gyni

de tis, onomati Martha, ipedexato

Afton is ton ikon aftis.

A woman named Martha welcomed Him

Ke

tide in adelphi kaloumeni Maria, i

ke parakathisasa para tous Podas tou
Iisou, ikoue ton Logon Aftou.

And she had a sister called Mary, who

de Martha
diakonian.

Martha

periespato

peri

pollin

into her house.

sat at Jesus Feet, listening to His
Word.
was
serving.

Epistasa

She

Apokrithis

Jesus

de ipe: Kyrie, ou meli Si oti i

Adelphi mou monin me katelipe
diakonin?
Ipe oun afti in mi
sinantilavite!
de ipen afti O Iisous:
Martha! Martha!
Merimnas ke
tirvazi peri polla. Enos de esti hria.

Maria de tin agathin merida eelzato,

itis ouk aferethisete ap aftis.

...Egeneto de en to legin afton tafta,

epasa tis gyni fonin ek tou ohlou,
ipen Afto: Makaria i Kilia i vastasasa
Se, ke Masti ous ethilasas!

Aftos

de ipe:
Menounge Makarii i
akouontes ton logon tou Theou, ke
filassontes afton.

DEPOSITION

OF THE

ZONI

OF OUR

distracted

with

much

approached and said: Lord, dost

Thou not care that my sister has left
me to serve alone? Therefore tell her
to help me!
answered and said to her:
Martha! Martha! You are worried
and troubled about many things.
One thing is needed.

Mary has chosen that good part,

which will not be taken away from
her.
...

As

He

He spoke these things, a certain

woman from the crowd raised her
voice and said to Him: Blessed is the
Womb that bore Thee, and the
Breasts that nursed Thee!

replied: More than that: Blessed

are those who hear the Word of
God and keep It!

LADY THEOTOKOS

- 31 AUGUST

11.

FESTAL DIVINE LITURGY THEOTOKOS ZONI

FESTAL APOLYTIKION THEOTOKOS GIRDLE -

Theotoke

Aiparthene, ton anthropon i

Skepi, Esthita ke Zonin tou Ahrantou
Sou somatos, kratean ti poli Sou
pervolin edoriso, to asporo Toko Sou
aftharta diaminanta, epi Si gar ke fisi
kenotomi ke hronos, dio disopoumen
Se, Irinin ti politia Sou dories, ke tes
psihes imon to Mega Eleos.

TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Ever

Virgin Theotokos, the Shelter of

mankind: Thou hast given Thy City
as a Protective Wall the Garment and
Girdle that Thou worn upon Thine
Immaculate Body. By Thy seedless
Childbirth, they have remained
incorrupt. For in Thee both nature
and time are made novel. Therefore,
we implore Thee, grant Peace to Thy
Commonwealth, and Great Mercy to
our souls.

FESTAL KONTAKION - THEOTOKOS ZONI

Tin

Theodohon gastera Sou Theotoke,

perlavousa i Zoni Sou i Timia, kratos
ti poli Sou aprosmahiton, ke thisafros
iparhi, ton Agathon anekliptos, i Moni
Tekousa Aiparthenos.

FESTAL PROKEIMENON ODE

OF

THEOTOKOS (LUKE1) TONE 3

My

Oti

For

epevlepsen epi tin tapinosin tis

doulis Aftou.
THE EPISTLE

OF

ST PAUL

soul magnifies the Lord, and my

spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!

He regarded the low estate of His

Handmaiden!

TO THE

HEBREWS 9: 1 - 7

Adelphi:

Brethren:

Skini gar kateskevasthi -

ihen i proti Skini Dikeomata

Latrias to te Agion kosmikon.

i proti en i ite
Lihnia ke i Trapeze ke i Prosthesis ton
Arton, itis legete Agia.

Precious Girdle that Thou wore

around Thy Body that hosted God, O
All Blessed Theotokos, truly is Power
unassailable for Thy City and a
Treasure
whose
Blessings
are
perpetual, O Only Child-bearing Ever
Virgin.

Megalini

i psihi mou ton Kyrion ke

igalliase to pnevma moue pi to Theo
to Sotiri Mou.

TONE

The

the First Covenant had

Ordinances of Divine Service, and a
worldly Sanctuary.

Tabernacle was prepared: the first

part, in which was the Lampstand,
the Table, and the Showbread, which
is called the Sanctuary.

Meta de to defteron katapetasma skini i Behind the Second Veil, was the part of
legomeni Agia Agion, Hrisoun
ehousa Thimiatirion ke tin Kivoton tis
Diathikis
perikekalimmenin
pantothen hrisio, en i Stamnos Hrisi
ehousa to Manna ke i Ravdos Aaron i
Vlastisasa ke e Plakes tis Diathikis.

Iperono,

de aftis Herouvim
Kataskiaonta to Ilastrion.

Doxis

Peri on ouk esti nin legin kata meros.

the Tablernacle, which is called Holy

of Holie, which had the Golden
Censer and the Ark of the Covenant,
overlaid on all sides with gold, in
which was the Golden Pot that had
the Manna, Aarons Rod that budded,
and the Tablets of the Covenant.

Above

it were the Cherubim of Glory

overshadowing the Mercy Seat.

Of these we can no longer speak these

days.

Touton de outo kateskevasmenon is men When

tin protin skinin da pantos Isiasin i
10. D E P O S I T I O N

OF THE

ZONI

OF OUR

these Things had been thus

prepared, the Priests always went

LADY THEOTOKOS

- 31 AUGUST

At one time when the inhabitants of Ainos had requested the Blessings of the Holy
Zoni, the Vatopedi Monks who were put in charge of its protection had
accepted hospitality at the home of a Priest, whose wife surreptitiously removed
a piece of it. When the Holy Fathers wanted to depart, the ship remained
immobile, despite the sea and the weather being calm, and no fault being
found with the workings of the ship.
Watching this strange phenomenon, the priests wife realised that she had done
something very wrong and, repenting and begging their forgiveness, she
returned the stolen piece of the Holy Relic to the distraught Monks, whereupon
they were able to depart without further incident.
A second silver Reliquary was made, which contains the stolen piece of the Holy
Zoni of our Lady Theotokos.
During the Greek War of Independence of 1821, the Holy Girdle was taken to Crete
at the request of the Faithful, who were afflicted by a terrible plague. When,
however, the Monks were preparing to return to Vatopedi Monastery on Mount
Athos, they were arrested by the Turks and taken off to be hanged, while the
Holy Relic was eventually redeemed from the Turks in 1831 by the British Consul,
Domenikos Santantonio, who took it to his new home in Santorini.
News of this quickly spread throughout the island. The local Bishop informed the
Vatopedi Monastery, and the Abbot, Dionysios, was sent hurriedly to Santorini.
The British Consul asked for the sum of 15,000 piastres before he was prepared to
hand over the Holy Zoni, so the Faithful Christians of the island, with touching
eagerness, managed to collect together the ransom, and return the precious
Relic to the Vatopedi Monastery, accompanied by Abbot Dionysios.
Meanwhile, similar to the Ainos Priests wife, the British Consuls wife also cut off a
small piece of the Holy Zoni before it was returned to its rightful place. Within a
very short period her husband died suddenly, and her mother and sister
became gravely ill. In 1839, she wrote to the Monastery beseeching them to send
Monks to fetch the ill-gotten piece which she had stolen.
In 1864, the Holy Zoni was taken to Constantinople, for there was a cholera
epidemic among the inhabitants. As soon as the ship bearing it approached the
harbour, the cholera ceased and none of those already suffering from it died.
This Divine Miracle excited the curiosity of the Sultan, who had the Girdle brought to
the Palace so that he could reverence it.
During its sojourn at Constantinople, a Greek of Galata requested the Sanctified
Zoni to be taken to his home where his son lay seriously ill, but when they
arrived, his son had already Reposed. Refusing to give up hope, the Monks
placed the Holy Relic on his body, whereupon the beloved son was restored to
life and full recovery.
In 1894, the inhabitants of Madytos, Asia Minor, requested the Vatopedi Monastery
to send the Holy Zoni to them, due to a devastating infestation of locusts that
destroyed all vegetation in the region. As soon as the ship that conveyed the
Monks and the Holy Relic entered the harbour, the sky was darkened by thick
clouds of locusts, which suddenly dropped into the sea and drowned, the extent
of which made it difficult for the vessel to anchor.
Having witnessed such a great and unique Miracle, the people of Madytos,
spontaneously as one voice chanted over and over again, with Joy and
Thanksgiving: Kyrie eleison! (Lord have mercy!)
The Sanctified Zoni of our Ever Blessed, All Holy and Pure Theotokos has continued
to work many Divine Miracles, particularly in the case of infertile women, who when presented with a piece of cord from the Reliquary that holds the Holy Relic
and, having Faith and Love for God and His All Holy Mother, as well as for all
His Holy Saints - by the Will and Grace of God, are Blessed in due time,with
children.
HTTP://FULL-OF-GRACE-AND-TRUTH.BLOGSPOT.COM/2009/06/HOLY-BELT-ZONI-OF-THEOTOKOS-AND.HTML

DEPOSITION

OF THE

ZONI

OF OUR

LADY THEOTOKOS

- 31 AUGUST

3.

PSALM 117 /118 TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE

Enite

Afton en kimvalis evihis; enite

Afton en kimvalis
alalagmou.
Pasa pnoi inesato ton Kyrion.

Praise

Naos Sou Panahrante, os pigi

anexantlitos, ton Thavmaton simeron
anadedikte, i potami gar tis Haritos,
afthonos proheonte, tis Agias Sou
Sofou, ke Piston
tin
dianian,
katevfrenousi, ton en Pisti ke potho Si
voonton. I Hara ke Evfrosini, ke i Zoi
Si iparhis imon.

O Pure Virgin, Thy Holy Shrine has been

PRAISE TO GOD FOR HIS EVERLASTING MERCY

Theos

Kyrios ke
Evlogimenos O
Onomati Kyriou!

Epefanen imin.
erhomenos en

Exomologisthe

to Kyrio, oti
Agathos, oti is ton eona to Eleos
Aftou!*

STIHOS

1:

Theos

Kyrios ke
Evlogimenos O
Onomati Kyriou!

Epefanen imin.
erhomenos en

Panta ta Ethni ekiklosan me, ke

to Onomati Kyriou iminamin aftous.

STIHOS 2:

Theos

Kyrios ke
Evlogimenos O
Onomati Kyriou!

STIHOS 3:

Epefanen imin.
erhomenos en

Para Kyriou egeneto afti, ke esti

Thavmasti en ofthalmis imon.

Theos

Kyrios ke
Evlogimenos O
Onomati Kyriou!

Epefanen imin.
erhomenos en

The Lord is God, and has Appeared to

us. Blessed is He Who comes in the
Name of the Lord!

Give

Thanks to the Lord, for

He is Good;
His Mercy endures
forever!

VERSE 1:

The Lord is God, and has Appeared to

us. Blessed is He Who comes in the
Name of the Lord!

All the Nations surrounded me,

but in the Name of the Lord I drove
them back.

VERSE 2:

The Lord is God, and has Appeared to

us. Blessed is He Who comes in the
Name of the Lord!
VERSE 3:

This is the Lords doing, and it

is Marvellous in our eyes.

The Lord is God, and has Appeared to

us. Blessed is He Who comes in the
Name of the Lord!

FESTAL APOLYTIKION THEOTOKOS ZONI

Theotoke

Aiparthene, ton anthropon i

Skepi, Esthita ke Zonin tou Ahrantou
Sou Somatos, Kratean ti Poli Sou
perivolin edoriso, to Asporo Toko Sou
aftharta diaminanta, epi Si gar ke fisi
kenotomite
ke
hronos,
dio
disopoumen Se, Irinin ti Politia Sou
dories, ke tes psihes imon to Mega
Eleos.

Ever

Virgin Theotokos, the Shelter of

mankind, Thou hast given to Thy
City as a Protective Wall the Garment
and Girdle that Thou wore upon
Thine Immaculate Body.
By Thy
seedless Childbirth, they have
remained incorrupt. For in Thee,
both nature and time art made
novel. Therefore, we implore Thee:
Grant peace to Thy Commonwealth,
and to our souls Great Mercy.

Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati,

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

Amin
Theotoke

Amen
Ever Virgin

ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton

eonon.
Aiparthene, ton anthropon i
Skepi, Esthita ke Zonin tou Ahrantou
Sou Somatos, Kratean ti Poli Sou
perivolin edoriso, to Asporo Toko Sou
aftharta diaminanta, epi Si gar ke fisi
kenotomite
ke
hronos,
dio
disopoumen Se, Irinin ti Politia Sou
dories, ke tes psihes imon to Mega
Eleos.

SMALL LITANY

4. D E P O S I T I O N

OF THE

ZONI

OF OUR

and to the Holy Spirit, now and

forever, and to the Ages of ages.
Theotokos, the Shelter of
mankind, Thou hast given to Thy
City as a Protective Wall the Garment
and Girdle that Thou wore upon
Thine Immaculate Body.
By Thy
seedless Childbirth, they have
remained incorrupt. For in Thee,
both nature and time art made
novel. Therefore, we implore Thee:
Grant peace to Thy Commonwealth,
and to our souls Great Mercy.

LADY THEOTOKOS

- 31 AUGUST

Him with tuneful cymbals;

praise Him with loud cymbals. Let
everything that has breath praise
the Lord.

clearly shown to be like an

inexhaustible Well of Miracles.
Today the Rivers of Divine Grace
pour out most abundantly from Thy
Splendid Holy Reliquary, and they
fill the Believers minds with Godly
Joy. We, the Faithful, with loyalty
and longing cry aloud to Thee, O
Lady: Thou art our Joy, Life, and
Happiness!

Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati,

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

Amin

Amen

ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton

eonon.

and to the Holy Spirit, now and

forever, and to the Ages of ages.

FESTAL THEOTOKION TONE 2

Os

Stephanon iperlampron, Panarante

Theotoke, tin Zonin Sou tin Agian, i
Ekklisia tou Theou perietheto, ke
fedrineta
herousa
simeron,
ke
Mystikos horevi, Despina, ekvoosa Si.
Here Diadima Timion, ke Stephane
tis Thias Dosix! Here, i Moni Doxa
tou pliromatos, ke eonios evfrosini!
Here, ton is Se prstrehonton, limin ke
Prostasia, ke Sotiria imon!

All

Immaculate Theotokos, the Church

of God dons Thy Holy Girdle as
though a most splendid Crown.
Today She is exultant and beams
with Joy, as She dances mystically,
crying out to Thee, O Lady: Rejoice
O Precious Diadem and Crown of
Divine Glory! Rejoice, the Only Glory
and Eternal Joy of my complement!
Rejoice, O Haven and Protection and
Salvation for us who run to Thee!

GREAT DOXOLOGY

FESTAL APOLYTIKION THEOTOKOS GIRDLE -

Theotoke

Aiparthene, ton anthropon i

Skepi, Esthita ke Zonin tou Ahrantou
Sou somatos, kratean ti poli Sou
pervolin edoriso, to asporo Toko Sou
aftharta diaminanta, epi Si gar ke fisi
kenotomi ke hronos, dio disopoumen
Se, Irinin ti politia Sou dories, ke tes
psihes imon to Mega Eleos.

DEPOSITION

OF THE

ZONI

OF OUR

TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Ever

Virgin Theotokos, the Shelter of

mankind: Thou hast given Thy City
as a Protective Wall the Garment and
Girdle that Thou worn upon Thine
Immaculate Body. By Thy seedless
Childbirth, they have remained
incorrupt. For in Thee both nature
and time are made novel. Therefore,
we implore Thee, grant Peace to Thy
Commonwealth, and Great Mercy to
our souls.

LADY THEOTOKOS

- 31 AUGUST

9.

ton imnon, Sou tis Agnis Theotokou.

with His Light and Knowledge and

with Divine Grace when I complete
this Translation for Thee, O Pure
Theotokos.

LAUDS: THE PRAISES

TO GOD -PSALM
ALL CREATION PRAISES THE LORD OUR GOD

148

Pasa

Let

Enite

Praise Him, all His Angels; praise Him,

pnoi enesato ton Kyrion. Enite

ton Kyrion ek ton Ouranon. Enite
Afton en tis Ipsistis. Si prepi imnos
to Theo.
Afton, pantes i Angelli Aftou.
Enite Afton, pase e Dinamis Aftou.
Si prepi imnos to Theo.

everything that has breath praise

the Lord. Praise the Lord from the
Heavens; praise Him in the Highest.
To Thee praise is due, O God.

all His Powers. To Thee praise is

due, O God.

PSALM 150 FESTAL VERSES THEOTOKOS ZONI TONE 4

LET

ALL THINGS PRAISE THE LORD!

Enite

Afton epi tes Dinasties Afton.

Enite Afton kata to plithos tis
Megalosinis Aftou.

Praise Him for His Mighty Acts.

Os

iperlampron Stephanon, Theotoke

Pnahrante, tin Agian Zonin Sou
peretheto, i Ekklisia ke Herousa,
fedrinete simeron, ke horevi Mystikos,
ekvoosa Si Despina: Here, Stephane,
ke Diadima Thion! Here, Moni, tou
pliromatos mou Doxa, ke evfrosini
eonios.

Enite

Afton en iho salpingos; Enite

Afton en psaltirio ke kithara.

Os

iperlampron Stephanon, Theotoke

Pnahrante, tin Agian Zonin Sou
peretheto, i Ekklisia ke Herousa,
fedrinete simeron, ke horevi Mystikos,
ekvoosa Si Despina: Here, Stephane,
ke Diadima Thion! Here, Moni, tou
pliromatos mou Doxa, ke evfrosini
eonios.

Enite Afton en timpano ke horo.

Enite

Afton en hordes ke organo.

Si

Panahrante Despina, Krateon

peritihisma, arrages te stirigma ke
diasosma, to So Lao ke ti poli Sou,
iparhousa
dedokas,
os
fedran
pervolin, tin ipertimon Zonin Sou,
perisozousan, simforon ek pantion,
tous en Pisti, ke zeousi prothimia,
taftin Timontas Theonymphe.

8. D E P O S I T I O N

OF THE

ZONI

OF OUR

Praise
Him according to the greatness of
His Majesty.
Immaculate Virgin and Theotokos,
the Church of God dons Thy Holy
Girdle as though a shiny Crown. She
is exultant and beams with Joy today
and She mystically dances as She
cries aloud to Thee, O All Holy:
Rejoice, O Holy Crown and Divine
Diadem!
Rejoice, my only Glory,
Eternal Joy of my complement!

FIRST FESTAL KATHISMA THEOTOKOS ZONI TONE 1

Tin

We

Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati,

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

Amin
Tin Zonin

Amen
We Faithful

Zonin tin Septin, tou ahrantou Sou

Skinous, imnoumen i Pisti, Panagia
Parthen, ex is ariometha nosimaton
tin iasin, ke kravgazomen, Miter
Theou tou Ipsistou, Si i Litrosis, ton Se
Timonton iparhis, Maria Theklite.

ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton

eonon.
tin Septin, tou ahrantou Sou
Skinous, imnoumen i Pisti, Panagia
Parthen, ex is ariometha nosimaton
tin iasin, ke kravgazomen, Miter
Theou tou Ipsistou, Si i Litrosis, ton Se
Timonton iparhis, Maria Theklite.

Immaculate Virgin and Theotokos,

the Church of God dons Thy Holy
Girdle as though a shiny Crown. She
is exultant and beams with Joy today
and She mystically dances as She
cries aloud to Thee, O All Holy:
Rejoice, O Holy Crown and Divine
Diadem!
Rejoice, my only Glory,
Eternal Joy of my complement!

Praise

Him with timbrel and dance;

praise Him with strings and flute.

An

Unbreachable Battlement and

Buttress unshakable, O All Holy
Lady, and sure Deliverance hast
Thou become for Thy Faithful Flock
and City, O Bride of God Thou hast
given them Thine own Precious
Girdle, adorning them like a splendid
gown. O All Immaculate Virgin, as
we honour it with Faith and Pious
Fervour, we are preserved from
calamity.

LADY THEOTOKOS

- 31 AUGUST

and to the Holy Spirit, now and

forever, and to the Ages of ages.
now extol the venerable
Holy Girdle that Thou Thyself had
worn, O Immaculate Virgin. From it
we derive the Cures of diseases, O
All Holy. Hence we cry to Thee, who
truly bore God the Highest: O Mary,
Chosen One, Thou art indeed the
Redemption of all who honour Thee.

SECOND FESTAL KATHISMA THEOTOKOS ZONI TONE 4

Tis Timias Zonis Sou ti katathesi, eortazi On

simeron, O Sos panimnite laos, ke
ektenos anakrazi Si. Here, Parthene,
Hristianon to kavhima!

Praise

Him with the sound of the

trumpet; praise Him with lute and
harp.

Faithful now extol the venerable

Holy Girdle that Thou Thyself had
worn, O Immaculate Virgin. From it
we derive the Cures of diseases, O
All Holy. Hence we cry to Thee, who
truly bore God the Highest: O Mary,
Chosen One, Thou art indeed the
Redemption of all who honour Thee.

Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati,

ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton

eonon.

this day, O All Lauded One, Thy

Faithful people gaily celebrate the
Feast of the Deposition of Thy
Girdle, and we intently cry to Thee:
Rejoice, O Virgin, the Boast of
Christians everywhere!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit, now and

forever, and to the Ages of ages.

Amin
Amen
Tis Timias Zonis Sou ti katathesi, eortazi On this
simeron, O Sos panimnite laos, ke
ektenos anakrazi Si. Here, Parthene,
Hristianon to kavhima!

day, O All Lauded One, Thy

Faithful people gaily celebrate the
Feast of the Deposition of Thy
Girdle, and we intently cry to Thee:
Rejoice, O Virgin, the Boast of
Christians everywhere!

PSALM 50/51

FESTAL KONTAKION - THEOTOKOS ZONI

Tin

Theodohon gastera Sou Theotoke,

perlavousa i Zoni Sou i Timia, kratos
ti poli Sou aprosmahiton, ke thisafros
iparhi, ton Agathon anekliptos, i Moni
Tekousa Aiparthenos.

TONE

The

Precious Girdle that Thou wore

around Thy Body that hosted God, O
All Blessed Theotokos, truly is Power
unassailable for Thy City and a
Treasure
whose
Blessings
are
perpetual, O Only Child-bearing Ever
Virgin.

FESTAL IKOS THEOTOKOS ZONI TONE 2

Tis

gigenon ta Sa Megalia diigisete

Logos pia glossa vroton Nous gar
oude Ouranios. All i tekousa tis
simpathias to ametriton melagos,

DEPOSITION

OF THE

ZONI

OF OUR

No

human speech, nor mortal tongue

can express Thy Greatness neither
can the Intellectuals of Heaven. But,
O Mother of the infinite Sea of

LADY THEOTOKOS

- 31 AUGUST

5.

dexe ke nin ex akarpon hileon ta

asmata, ke didou mi thian harin,
evfimise tin Sin Zonin Despina, di is
kosmos agallete, Sin Angelis imnon
Sou ta Thavmata, i moni tekousa
Aiparthenos.

Sympathy, I pray Thee: accept these

songs from my unfruitful lips, and
grant me Divine Grace to celebrate
Thy Girdle, because of which the
world today exults and joins the
Angels in extolling Thy Miracles, O
Only Child-bearing Ever Virgin.

Sotirian vravevousa.

Tin Thian Taftin ke Pantimon Telountes As

Eortin i Theofrones tis Theomitoros,
defte tas hiras
krotisomen, ton ex
aftis
tehthenta Theon Doxazontes.

SYNAXARION 31 AUGUST

the 31st day of this month, we

Commemorate the Deposition of the
Girdle of our Most Holy Lady
Theotokos in the Holy Shrine at her
Venerable Church at Chalcoprateia
the Brass Market when it had been
recovered from the Diocese of Zela
during the reign of Emperor
Arkadios. We also Commemorate
the Miracle that was wrought when
the Girdle was placed upon Empress
Zoe, wife of Emperor Leo.

Ti afti imera, mnimi tis anakeniseos tou On

this day we Commemorate the

Consecration of the Temple of the
Most Holy Theotokos in Neorion.

Naou tis Iperagias theotokous en to

Neorio.

Tes

tis Ahratou Mitros Sou Presvies,

Hriste O Theos imon, Eleison imas.

Amin.

By

the
Intercessions
of
Thine
Immaculate Mother, O Christ our
God, have Mercy on us.

Amen
KATAVASIA

OF THE

EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS - TONE 4

ODI 1

ODE 1

Anixo

to stoma mou ke plirothisete

Pnevmatos ke logon erevxome ti
Vasilidi Mitri. Ke ofthisome fedros
Panigirizon ke aso gnothomenos
TAFTIS TA THAVMATA.

shall open my mouth and the Spirit

will inspire it, and I shall utter the
words of my song to the Queen and
Mother: I shall be seen radiantly
keeping
Feast
and
JOYFULLY

ODI 3

PRAISING HER MIRACLES

ODE 3

Tous

Sous Imnologous, Theotoke, izosa

ke
Afthonos
Pigi,
Thiason
Sigkrotisantas
Pnevmatikon,
stereoson. Ke en ti Thia Doxi Sou
Stefanon Doxis axioson.

Mother of God, Thou living and

plentiful Fount, grant strength to
those united in Spiritual Fellowship,
who sing Hymns of
Praise to
Thee: and in Thy Divine Glory grant
them Crowns of Glory.

ODE 4

ODI 4

Tin anexihniaston Thian Voulin tis ek tis Perceiving the Unsearchable Purpose of
Parthenou sarkoseos Sou to Ipsistou O
Profitis
Abbakoum
katanoon
ekravgaxe. Doxa ti Dinami Sou, Kyrie
ODI

ODE 5

Exesti

ta simpanta epi ti Thia Doxi Sou.

Si gar, apirogame Parthene, eshes en
Mitra ton epi Panton Theon ke tetokas
ahronon Iion, pasi tis imnousi Se

6. D E P O S I T I O N

God concerning Thine Incarnation

from a Virgin, O Most High, the
Prophet Habakkuk cried: Glory to
Thy Power, O Lord!

OF THE

ZONI

OF OUR

The

whole world was amazed at Thy

Divine Glory: for Thou, O Virgin,
Who has not known wedlock, has

LADY THEOTOKOS

- 31 AUGUST

ODE 6

ODI 6

Ti A tou Aftou minos, anamnesis tis en On

ti Agia Soro katatheseos tis Timias
Zonis tis Iperagias theotokou, en to
sevasmio aftis iko, to onti en tis
Halopratiis, anakomisthisis apo tis
Episkopis Zilas, epi Ioustinianou tou
Vasileos. Eti de ke tou gegonotos
thamatos, dia tis epitheseos tis timias
onis is tin vasilida Zoin, tin sizigon
Leontos tou Vasileos.

been Translated from earth to the

Eternal Mansions to the Life without
end, bestowing Salvation upon all
who sing Thy praises.

ODI 7

we celebrate this Sacred and

Solemn Feast of the Theotokos, let
us come, clapping our hands,
O
people of the Lord, and Glorifying
God Who was Born of her.

ODE 7

Ouk elatrefsan ti ktisi i Theoforones para The

ton Ktisanta. Alla piros apilin andrios
patisantes,
herontes
epsallon.
Iperimnite, O ton Pateron Kyrios ke
Theos, Evlogitos i.

Holy Children bravely trampled

upon the threatening fire, preferring
not to worship created things rather
than the Creator, and they sang in
Joy: Blessed art Thou and praised
above all: O Lord God of our
Fathers!

ODE 8

ODI 8

Enoumen,

Evlogoumen
Proskinoumen ton Kyrios.

ke

We Praise, we Bless and we Worship

the Lord!

Pedas

evagis en ti kamino O Tokos tis

Theotokou
diesosato,
tote
men
tipoumenos, nin de energoumenos tin
ikoumenin apasan agiri psallousan.
Ton Kyrion imnite ta Erga ke
iperipsoute is pantas tous eonas.

The Offspring of the Theotokos saved

the Holy Children in the furnace.

He Who was then prefigured has
since been born on earth, and He
gathers together all Creation to sing:
O ye Works of the Lord: Bless ye the
Lord and exalt Him above all
forever!
MAGNIFICAT

KATAVASIA OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS - 9TH ODE

Apas

gigenis skiratato to pnevmati

lampadouhoumenos. Panigirizeto de
ailon noon fisis, gererousa TA IERA
THAVMASIA tis Theomitoros ke voato.
Heris, Pammakariste Theotoke Agni,
Aiparthene.

Let

every mortaL born on earth,

carrying his lamp, in spirit leap for
Joy; and let the Orders of Angelic
Powers celebrate and honour THE
HOLY FEAST of the Theotokos, and
let them cry: Hail, All Blessed
Theotokos, Pure and Ever Virgin!

THE

SMALL LITANY & PRAISES TO

THE LORD

FESTAL EXAPOSTEILARIA THEOTOKOS ZONI TONE 2

panta iper ennian, ta Sa piisas,

Ahrante, tin Sin Esthita ke Zonin,
etimisen aftharsia, ti poli Sou
krateoma, dous taftin ke asfalian, is
ke nin tin katathesin, periharos
ektelountes, panigirizomen potho.

Kyria

panton pelousa, ton piimaton

Despina, ke pliris ontos Sofias, tis
iperfotou os Mitir, Theou tou
Pantokratoros, Fotos ke thias gnoseos,
ke Haritos me pliroson, ti simplirosi

DEPOSITION

OF THE

ZONI

OF OUR

The

Lord, subliming everything about

Thee, O Immaculate, has honoured
Thy Holy Garment and Girdle with
Incorruption. He gave it to Thy City
for Protection and Security. And
with longing we celebrate as we
joyously observe the Feast of its
Deposition.

Since

Thou art the lady of the world

and Mistress of all Creation, and
filled with Illumination and Wisdom
supremely splendid, as Mother of
Almighty God, I pray Thee to fill me

LADY THEOTOKOS

- 31 AUGUST

7.