Selected hymns from the Annunciation of the Translation of the Theotokos (August 12th)

The Archangel Gabriel bringing the news of the Dormition to the Theotokos three days beforehand (source)

  
Note: Many of the hymns and traditions surrounding the Dormition of the Theotokos come from the living witness of the Orthodox of the Holy Lands. One beautiful such tradition is celebrating the day when Archangel Gabriel came to the Mount of Olives (where the Theotokos would routinely go to pray) to bring the news to Panagia that she would be departing for her Son in three days (i.e. August 12th being three days before August 15th). The selected hymns translated from the service below beautifully praise the Theotokos, who prepares to depart (as we prepare to remain beside her at this wonder). May she continue to pray for the whole world!
  

Prosomoia of the Stichera in the First Tone. O what paradoxical miracle!

O, what paradoxical miracle! The radiant Gabriel descends to the Mount of Olives to inform the Mother of God of her translation to her Son after the third day. And we, the faithful, reverently hymn this, and cry out together: Rejoice, O Full-of-Grace, the Lord is with you, and translates you to the unspeakable glory.
  
O strange are your wonders, O Pure One! As the Mother of God, all the trees of the Mount of Olives bowed to you, offering up prayers in the place where your Son prayed. And we, the faithful, offer up pre-festal odes: O Lady Full-of-Grace, through your sacred Dormition, you proceeded in glory to the Kingdom of the Heavens.
  
We celebrate fore-festally the holy memory of your radiant Translation that brings joy to the world, as we hymn you with all reverence, O Virgin Mother of God, standing on the Mount of Olives, where Gabriel brought to you this good news: O Lady Full-of-Grace, rejoice, as we cry out to you, who grants to all forgiveness and divine mercy.
  

Doxastikon of the Stichera in the Plagal of the Second Tone.

Who can rightly hymn your all-radiant great deeds, O Virgin Theotokos? For you surpassed all creation, having born God in a manner surpassing speech, and you surpass description, in whom was worked strange and paradoxical things. And your Translation to the Heavens is revealed to you by the Angel in this holy place, that after three days, you would be received in glory, proceeding to the Heavenly Kingdom, where you stand, O Spotless One, ceaselessly interceding that we be granted divine mercy.
  

Doxastikon of the Aposticha in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.

You bore God in the flesh, thereby being shown forth as a spring of incorruption to the race of men, O Ever-Virgin Theotokos. Strange are your wonders and your unspeakable glory! For the King of all and your Son would descend to receive you into eternal life, and He sent His Angel to bring you this news. Therefore, we too hymn your Translation: deliver us from corrupting passions, and from every temptation.
  

Icon depicting the tradition that Archangel Gabriel brought to Panagia a palm branch from Paradise, in anticipation of her upcoming Dormition (source)

  

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone. Speedily anticipate.

The godly message of your Translation from earth to Heaven, you received on the Mount of Olives, O All-Spotless One. Therefore, offering up a divine hymn for your Dormition, we hymn you, O Theotokos, and cry out to you with faith: Rejoice, you who are translated from earth to the Heavens.
  

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone. You have appeared today.

In this place where you were praying, O Spotless One, the Archangel Gabriel descended from Heaven to inform you of your holy Translation with joy.
  

Oikos

Gabriel previously descended from Heaven to the city of Nazareth, according to divine pleasure, to tell the Pure One of her seedless conception of the Surpassingly-Divine Logos, for the recreation of the world. And now, at the command of your Son, he comes to the Mount of Olives, to the place where you offered up prayers to the Lord, to inform you of your ascent and divine Translation, when you would proceed to the Kingdom on high, as the Queen of all things, proceeding to the Heavens in glory.
  

Synaxarion

On the 12th of this Month (August), we commemorate the annunciation of the Translation of our Most-Holy Lady, the Theotokos, and Ever-Virgin Mary, by the Archangel Gabriel, on the Mount of Olives.
  

Verses

Gabriel brings the news of your Translation,

He who beforehand cried out to you: "Rejoice", O Virgin.

On the twelfth, Gabriel came to the Lady on the Mountain.

  

Doxastikon of the Praises in the Plagal of the First Tone.

As the one who gave birth to God, you were shown to be a servant of His mysteries, O Virgin Theotokos, for according to the ancient will of the Father, within you, the Beginningless Son and Logos took on flesh, delivering man from his former curse. And now, on the Mount of Olives, you receive the message of your ascent to be received by Heaven. But, O All-hymned Lady, do not cease to intercede that we who ever magnify you might be saved.
  

The Theotokos receiving the news of her upcoming Dormition (source)

  

Most-Holy Theotokos, save us!