For the Annunciation: Hymns from the Night Vigil

Lord, our Lord, when Your Godhead was moved
to descend and to be clothed with our [humanity],
Gabriel flew with the peace of His Lord and sowed it
in the ear of Mary, saying to her, “Peace be with you, Mary.
Blessed are you among women. The Lord is with you.
From you shall come forth the Saviour of the Creation.

Mary said to Gabriel, “How can this be for I know not a man?
When, where and how was a virgin known to have given birth?”
The Watcher replied, “The Holy Spirit will come on you
and the power from on high will rest in your womb.
From you shall come forth the Ancient of Days
who will restore to life Adam worn out by corruption.”

The ark which Moses built on Sinai,
in which he placed the tablets of the Law,
represented you, Mary, as a figure.
Your virginity was preserved when the Giver of the Law
dwelt in your womb—God-made-man who came forth from you
and made His peace reign to the ends of the earth.

The closed cell sealed with the seal of the king
in which dwelt Daniel the Just
was a sign of you, Mary, who preserved your virginity
when the Saviour of the Creation came forth from you.
Blessed is He who has come and is to come,
halleluia, halleluia, Son of God, Offspring of the Virgin!

Qolo of the First Watch

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God called Gabriel from the secret place of the Watchers
and from on high He spoke these words to the Fiery One:
“My Son wills to descend on earth, so prepare a palace for Him with Mary,
the Daughter of David, and remember this on your journey.
Greet her with peace, that seeing you she may not be afraid.
Let peace be on your lips that she may be comforted by you.”

“Tell her that the Son of God is to come forth from her womb.
Wear a white veil on your head that she may have no fear.
Do not strike her with dumbness like Zechariah.
Speak to her tenderly and make your announcement gently.
When she asks how this will be, answer with sweetness:
‘The Holy Spirit will come and God’s power will rest on you.’”

The Fiery One received the message and flew swiftly to Mary.
“Peace be with you, Daughter of David,” he said,
“The Lord is with you, blessed among women.
You shall receive a wonderful conception
and bring forth the Saviour of the Creation.”
As she received this announcement from the Fiery One,
the great power from on high descended and rested in her womb.

Glory to the Exalted One who humbled Himself
for the sake of the race of the earthly ones, to raise us from our fall,
from the dunghill of our affliction. To Him be glory,
and to His Father our adorations and to the Holy Spirit our shouts of joy;
and on us graciousness and compassion, at all times. Amen. Amen.

Bo’ootho of the Fourth Watch

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The above translations are taken with slight amendations from Francis Acharya, Prayer with the Harp of the Spirit, Volume III: The Crown of the Year Part II: The Seven Weeks of the Fast of our Lord and of His Life-giving Passion and the Night of His Resurrection (Vangamon: Kurisumala Ashram, 1985).