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Event Information:
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Sun24Dec2023
Sunday before the Nativity of Christ - Sunday of the Holy Fathers, Octoechos Tone 5; Eve of the Nativity of Christ; The Holy Venerable-Martyr Eugenia
GREAT VEPSERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man...” is sung.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 8
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
The commemoration of the holy Fathers* is manifested to the ends of the world.* It is truly full of splendour,* and it glistens with the rays of grace;* for Christ the splendorous Sun has shone forth on high from afar.* He forms the assembly of stars which glisten with Him,* and the star reveals that the nativity of the God-man will be in Bethlehem.* Therefore, we piously and faithfully clap our hands* and leap for joy at this nativity,* and we give praise before the feast.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
The commemoration of the holy Fathers* is manifested to the ends of the world.* It is truly full of splendour,* and it glistens with the rays of grace;* for Christ the splendorous Sun has shone forth on high from afar.* He forms the assembly of stars which glisten with Him,* and the star reveals that the nativity of the God-man will be in Bethlehem.* Therefore, we piously and faithfully clap our hands* and leap for joy at this nativity,* and we give praise before the feast.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
The Holy Fathers are adorned* by the glory of the divine sharing of our nature.* Adam rejoices today,* since he is the foundation and the strength of the wise Forefathers;* Abel leaps for joy as well.* Enoch is glad; Seth and Noah dance together.* The praiseworthy Abraham sings with the Patriarchs.* Melchizedek now sees from on high* the birth without a father.
Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
The Holy Fathers are adorned* by the glory of the divine sharing of our nature.* Adam rejoices today,* since he is the foundation and the strength of the wise Forefathers;* Abel leaps for joy as well.* Enoch is glad; Seth and Noah dance together.* The praiseworthy Abraham sings with the Patriarchs.* Melchizedek now sees from on high* the birth without a father.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
The faithful and God-wise youths* are radiant with joy in the furnace.* They herald the nativity of Christ on earth.* As the precious dew which the Lord sent down,* He now preserves the Virgin without stain* and enriches her sublime with gifts.* Therefore, Daniel, inspired by God,* is also happy and full of joy* because he had a clear vision of the unhewn stone of the mountain.* He now zealously prays for our souls.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
The faithful and God-wise youths* are radiant with joy in the furnace.* They herald the nativity of Christ on earth.* As the precious dew which the Lord sent down,* He now preserves the Virgin without stain* and enriches her sublime with gifts.* Therefore, Daniel, inspired by God,* is also happy and full of joy* because he had a clear vision of the unhewn stone of the mountain.* He now zealously prays for our souls.
In Tone 6
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The Never-setting Sun is coming from the Virginal womb* to enlighten everyone under the sun.* Let us meet Him with pure hearts and with good works.* Let us prepare ourselves now through the Holy Spirit* to greet Him who is coming to His own people* as He Himself had willed.* He is being born in Bethlehem* so that through His compassion* He might bring back all of those* who were exiled from life in Paradise.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
The Never-setting Sun is coming from the Virginal womb* to enlighten everyone under the sun.* Let us meet Him with pure hearts and with good works.* Let us prepare ourselves now through the Holy Spirit* to greet Him who is coming to His own people* as He Himself had willed.* He is being born in Bethlehem* so that through His compassion* He might bring back all of those* who were exiled from life in Paradise.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
He who is carried by the Cherubim* has taken human nature in the abode of the Immaculate womb.* He has come to earth to be born of the tribe of Judah.* The holy cave has been adorned* like a splendid palace for the King of all;* the manger, like a ruby throne.* The Virgin will place the Child into it* for the renewal of His boundless creation.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Having conceived in a manner beyond understanding,* the Virgin places You into the manger of the dumb animals,* O eternal Word of God,* because You come to pardon the ignorance* that I acquired through the envy of the serpent.* You come to be wrapped in swaddling clothes* in order to break the chains and the fetters of my sins.* Only-blessed One and Lover of mankind,* I most joyfully glorify, extol, and adore You* and Your coming in the flesh;* for through You have I been freed.
Glory…
Daniel was a beloved man.* He saw You, O Lord, as the Rock* which was hewn without the use of a hand.* He foretold that You, the Incarnate Word,* the Unchangeable God, and Saviour of our souls,* would be born without seed* as a Child of the Virgin.
Now…
O Cave, prepare yourself to receive the Mother* who bears Christ within her womb.* O Manger, receive the Word Who destroyed the sins of all.* O Shepherds, keep watch and then bear witness to the awesome wonder.* O Magi, come from Persia,* and bring your gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the King.* For the Lord has appeared from a virgin Mother;* yet she bowed to Him as a servant* and spoke to Him within her bosom, saying:* How were You conceived in me?* How did You grow in me, my God and Saviour?
Readings
Genesis 14:14-20; Deuteronomy 1:8-11, 15-17; Deuteronomy 10:14-21
Aposticha
In Tone 2
O house of Ephrathah and holy city!* O boast of the prophets!* Adorn the house in which the Divine One is born.
God comes from Teman; the Holy One from Mount Paran.
O Bethlehem, O land of Judah,* you are the bright abode of the One-Who-Is.* Prepare the cave, for God is to be born in the flesh* from the holy, undefiled Virgin* to save mankind.
O Lord, I heard Your voice and I was afraid; I knew Your deeds, and I was terrified.
Come, let us faithfully celebrate beforehand the birth of Christ!* Let us sing spiritual hymns of praise.* With the shepherds, let us cry out:* The Saviour of all has come from a Virgin,* and He summons all the faithful.
Glory…
Rejoice, O illustrious Prophets!* You firmly established the Law of the Lord,* and you faithfully manifested yourselves* to be invincible and unshakeable pillars.* You have been taken to heaven* and have shown yourselves to be mediators of the new Law of Christ.* Implore Him to give peace tot he world* and to save our souls.
Now…
Behold, the time of salvation is drawing near.* O Cave, prepare yourself,* for the Virgin is coming to give birth.* O Bethlehem, O land of Judah,* adorn yourself and be happy* since the Lord will shine forth from you.* O mountains and hills and lands around Judah,* hearken, for Christ is coming that He may save His creation* because He is the Lover of mankind.
Troparia
In Tone 5
Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.
In Tone 2, Glory…
Great are the achievements of faith!* In the fountain of flames, the three holy youths rejoiced as by the water of rest,* and the prophet Daniel was revealed shepherding lions like sheep.* Through their intercession, O Christ God, save our souls.
In Tone 4, Now…
At that time, Mary registered with the venerable Joseph in Bethlehem * since she was of the house of David. * She was with child, having conceived without seed. * When the time for her delivery drew near, * they could find no room in the inn, * but the cave seemed a joyful palace for the Queen. ** Christ is born to renew the likeness that had been lost of old.
SUNDAY MATINS
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 5
Troparia, Tone 5
Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection. (2)
In Tone 2, Glory…
Great are the achievements of faith!* In the fountain of flames, the three holy youths rejoiced as by the water of rest,* and the prophet Daniel was revealed shepherding lions like sheep.* Through their intercession, O Christ God, save our souls.
In Tone 4, Now…
At that time, Mary registered with the venerable Joseph in Bethlehem * since she was of the house of David. * She was with child, having conceived without seed. * When the time for her delivery drew near, * they could find no room in the inn, * but the cave seemed a joyful palace for the Queen. ** Christ is born to renew the likeness that had been lost of old.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
In the fathers, in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,* Judah and the other patriarchs, Jesse, David and the rest,* did You mystically prophesy the manifestation of God *which would come to pass on earth,* that of Your pre-eternal Son from the Virgin, Christ,* Who has appeared in Bethlehem prophesying in the Spirit* and Who calls out to all that are in the world.
Glory… Now…
In the fathers, in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,* Judah and the other patriarchs, Jesse, David and the rest,* did You mystically prophesy the manifestation of God *which would come to pass on earth,* that of Your pre-eternal Son from the Virgin, Christ,* Who has appeared in Bethlehem prophesying in the Spirit* and Who calls out to all that are in the world.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
O you faithful, let us joyously celebrate the feast of the divine fathers,* and, honouring Adam and Abel, blessing Seth and Enos,* let us hymn Enoch, Noah, Shem and Japheth.* Let us praise Abraham, who shone forth in faith before the Law,* and the divine Isaac, Jacob, Judah and Levi, and the chaste Joseph,* and let us faithfully cry out: O God-bearing forefathers, entreat Christ God,* that He grant remission of sins to them that, with love,* celebrate your holy memory.
Glory… Now…
O you faithful, let us joyously celebrate the feast of the divine fathers,* and, honouring Adam and Abel, blessing Seth and Enos,* let us hymn Enoch, Noah, Shem and Japheth.* Let us praise Abraham, who shone forth in faith before the Law,* and the divine Isaac, Jacob, Judah and Levi, and the chaste Joseph,* and let us faithfully cry out: O God-bearing forefathers, entreat Christ God,* that He grant remission of sins to them that, with love,* celebrate your holy memory.
Polyeleos
Evoglitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 5
The Myrrh-bearing women, amazed in their minds by the vision of the Angel* yet enlightened in their souls by the divine Resurrection,* announced the glad tidings to the Apostles:* Proclaim among the nations the Resurrection of the Lord,* who works in us through wonders,* and who grants us great mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
With hymns let us all praise Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the meek David, Joshua, and the twelve patriarchs, together with the three youths that quenched the fiery flame with the power of the Spirit. And let us cry out to them: Rejoice, you that bravely denounced the deception of the mad king! Pray to Christ, that He grant remission of offenses to them that celebrate your holy memory with love.
Glory… Now…
From the bosom of the Father did You come down, and in Your ineffable condescension did You take upon Yourself poverty like to ours, in manner surpassing nature, O Lover of mankind. It was Your good pleasure to make Your abode in a cave, O Lord, and like as a babe are You suckled at Your Mother’s breast, Who are Creator and Lord. Wherefore, the Magi, guided by the star, bring gifts to You and cry out: Glory in the highest to God, Who comes to earth to be born as a man!
Gradual Hymns, Tone 5
Antiphon 1
When I am troubled I sing to You like David,* O my Saviour:* Deliver my soul from a deceitful tongue.
Blessed is the life of those* who dwell in the desert places,* Divine love gives them wings.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit all things are unshaken,* both visible and invisible;* for He has sovereign power,* being undeniably one of the Trinity.
Antiphon 2
Lift up yourself to the mountains,* O my soul;* go to that place from whence comes our help.
Let Your right hand hover over me,* O Christ,* and guard me from every misfortune.
Glory… Now…
Let us sing to the Holy Spirit, as we contemplate God:* You are God, life, love, light, and intellect,* You are goodness,* and You reign to the ages.
Antiphon 3
Filled with great joy at the words of those who say to me:* “Let us go into the courts of the Lord,”* I offer up my prayers.
Fearful things are accomplished in the house of David;* for a fire is found there,* burning every shameful thought.
Glory… Now…
To the Holy Spirit belongs the lordship of life,* for from Him every living being hath its breath,* as also from the Father* together with the Son.
Prokeimenon, Tone 5
Arise, O Lord my God, lift up Your hand*, for You shall reign forever.
verse: I will confess to You, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will recount all Your marvellous works.
Let everything that lives, Tone 5
Gospel
John 20:11-18
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Canon, Tone 4
Ode 1
Canon to the Resurrection and the Fathers
Irmos: The children of them that were saved have hidden beneath the earth* Him that of old covered the pursuing tyrant with the waves of the sea;* but let us chant to the Lord like the maidens:* Gloriously has He been glorified!
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
Through fear are the gates of death thrown open to You and the everlasting portals are cast down, for through Your honourable descent have the dead of old arisen, hymning Your Resurrection with gladness, O Christ.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
God, before Whom those of heaven and earth tremble, wishes to stand before the tribunal of Pilate, as One condemned by the judge of an iniquitous trial, and is struck in the face by the hands of the unrighteous.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Today the assembly of the divine fathers radiantly celebrates the forefeast of the nativity of Christ, and most glorious grace prefigures it, for Abraham and the children of the Law are an image thereof.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Of old the sacred Abraham received One of the tri-hypostatic Godhead, and now the Word of the Father, Who is equally enthroned with Him, through the divine Spirit, comes to the children, He that is gloriously praised.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
The children that cast down godlessness in the furnace are in number and faith images of the divine Trinity, and they have revealed to the world the hidden mysteries of God.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Abraham was delivered from the hands of the unrighteous, and the divine youths and Daniel the prophet were once saved from the flame of the furnace and from the den of wild beasts. Wherefore, we now celebrate the forefeast of the nativity of Christ.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O joyous and unwedded Mother, incorrupt Virgin, we bless you, for you blossomed forth from the generation of Abraham and the tribe of David, and gave birth to Christ, Who of old was foretold by the prophets.
Canon of the Forefeast, Tone 1:
Irmos: Christ is born; let us glorify Him.* Christ comes down from heaven; let us go out to meet Him.* Christ lives on earth; let us exalt in joy.* All you faithful, sing to the Lord, for He has been glorified.
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
The Virgin now comes to Bethlehem to give birth to Christ, Who becomes a babe in the flesh, to Christ, Who of His own will has beggared Himself, to Christ, Who becomes visible. Let heaven and earth rejoice!
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
Leap up, mountains and hills! Join chorus, divinely eloquent prophets! People and nations, clap your hands! Our salvation and Enlightenment, Who is born in the city of Bethlehem, has nearly come.
Glory… Now…
God is known as man through the Virgin who has not known wedlock; He that is rich becomes poor, enriching them that, through malice, have been reduced to poverty. Let us all hymn Him with praises, for He has been glorified.
Katavasia: Christ is born; let us glorify Him.* Christ comes down from heaven; let us go out to meet Him.* Christ lives on earth; let us exalt in joy.* All you faithful, sing to the Lord, for He has been glorified.
Ode 3
Canon to the Resurrection and the Fathers
Irmos: Creation, beholding You Who suspended the whole earth* without support upon the waters, Yourself hanging upon Golgotha,* was seized with great awe, crying out:* None is holy save You, O Lord!
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
Having spent three days in the tomb, by Your life-creating Resurrection You raised up the dead of past ages, and, loosed from condemnation, they rejoiced with gladness, crying out: Behold, You have come as our Deliverance, O Lord!
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
Glory to Your arising, O our Saviour, for as Almighty, You have delivered us from hell, corruption and death, and, crying aloud, we say: There is none holy save You, O Lord, Lover of mankind!
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Faithfully preserving the glory of the image and likeness of God, with the fire of the Spirit the children, as champions, extinguished the fire of the golden image, chanting: We know but one Lord!
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
The captive children, clothed with the wisdom and power of the Spirit, put to shame the wise men of Babylon and boldly cried out: None is holy save You, O Lord, Lover of mankind!
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
The Law rejoices and joins chorus with the children and the prophets and exults today before the divine advent of the Lord. And Abraham rejoices, for from his seed has the incarnate Lord appeared.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
A conception without pain, an acceptance of your birthgiving has transpired in manner beyond recounting, O Theotokos, for the Word of God, Who is God and was proclaimed by the prophets, has shown Himself to be a mystery beyond nature.
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: To Christ our God,* who is the only-begotten Son of the Father from before all ages,* and in these latter times* has become flesh of the Virgin without seed,* let us cry aloud:* You are our strength; glory to You, O Lord!
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
He, that in manner beyond understanding was born of the Father before the ages, has become incarnate of the Virgin in latter times, as He Himself knew, wishing to renew humanity which had become corrupt through the counsel of the evil serpent.
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
The unoriginate Son of God, Who is enthroned with the Father and the Spirit in the highest, beholding human nature which had been humbled, accepts a beginning and wishes to be born in the flesh as man.
Glory… Now…
She that is more holy than the angels and all creation now gives birth without seed to the Angel of Great Counsel in the flesh, for the restoration of all that unceasingly chant to Him: Holy are You, O Lord!
Katavasia: To Christ our God,* who is the only-begotten Son of the Father from before all ages,* and in these latter times* has become flesh of the Virgin without seed,* let us cry aloud:* You are our strength; glory to You, O Lord!
Hypakoe, Tone 8
An Angel bedewed the children in the furnace,* and has now put an end to the lamentation of the myrrh-bearing women, saying:* Why bring myrrh? Whom do you seek in the tomb?* Christ God is arisen, for He is the life and salvation of the human race!
Ode 4
Canon to the Resurrection and the Fathers
Irmos: Foreseeing Your divine condescension upon the Cross, Habakkuk cried out in awe:* You have cut down the dominion of the mighty, O Good One,* entering into fellowship with them that are in Hades,* as You are Almighty.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
Your divine descent into hell, O Christ God, was shown to be life for the dead; for You restricted the dominion of the enemy below, O Good One, and opened a path for men to heaven.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
The all-pure body of the Deliverer, which lay in the tomb, did not decay, but, as mighty, you broke down the gates of Hades and rose again in glory on the third day, O Christ!
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Let us honour Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as the first-fruits of the fathers, for from their seed has Christ shown forth incarnate of the Virgin, in that He is almighty.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Indicating the coming events of the descent of Christ to all, Daniel clearly showed forth lions as sheep, for, as a prophet of God, he foresaw the future.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Not attracted by the poison of sin, O children, you were delivered from the flame; for, being of wisdom more pure than gold, you were not melted in the furnace of deception.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O honoured and all-pure one, thine Offspring, Who surpasses nature, is proclaimed aloud to be the expectation of the nations and the salvation of the world. And today the multitude of the fathers hymns Him.
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: O Christ, You have come forth from the Virgin* as the rod of the root of Jesse and the flower that blossomed from his stem.* You became flesh from her that knew not wedlock,* from the Mountain overshadowed by the forest;* O God, You are not formed from created substance.* Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
You have given rise to a staff from the root of Jesse, O Virgin, putting forth the unfading Blossom of the Creator of all, Who as God adorns with flowers all the earth, which cries aloud to Him: Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
O Word of God, You have come to edify me, who have been despoiled through evil food and dragged down in mind and made like to dumb beasts; and, becoming a Babe, You lay down in a manger of dumb beasts. Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Glory… Now…
O Jesus, Habakkuk foresaw You incarnate of the Virgin, the mountain overshadowed, breaking down the mountains and hills of evil, and giving over to utter destruction the arrogance of the evil one and the uprisings of the demons.
Katavasia: O Christ, You have come forth from the Virgin* as the rod of the root of Jesse and the flower that blossomed from his stem.* You became flesh from her that knew not wedlock,* from the Mountain overshadowed by the forest;* O God, You are not formed from created substance.* Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Ode 5
Canon to the Resurrection and the Fathers
Irmos: Isaiah, rising at dawn out of the night and beholding the unwaning Light of Your Theophany, O Christ,* which has mercifully come to pass for us, cried out:* The dead shall rise up and they that are in the tombs shall arise,* and all born on earth shall rejoice!
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
The angel, manifestly symbolizing that which radiates joy, is shown forth as a light-bearer in the tomb, proclaiming the Resurrection to the women; and, setting aside their lamentation, they rejoiced in the risen Christ, from Whom they received unending joy.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
O Good One, Who in Your lovingkindness assumed a form like ours, You were willingly nailed to the Cross for the sake of me, who, of old in paradise, rejected Your holy commandment for the sake of food; and You have died as a man, granting me life.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Let us honour today the divine Daniel, of the race of Abraham, the first-fruit of the fathers, as a leader of the Law and of grace; for, as a prophet of God, he foretold the advent of Christ from the Virgin and goes forth to meet His divine nativity.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Clearly prefiguring through the Angel’s descent the coming of the Lord to us, the children of Abraham extinguished the furnace; and, rendering the flame dewy with their faith, they consumed the splendour of the golden image therein.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Through the Spirit, Daniel closed the mouths of the wild beasts in the pit; and, through grace, the children of Abraham quenched the strength of the fire. And, saved from corruption, they proclaim Christ Who is born of the Virgin, entreating Him as the Deliverer of our salvation.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Revealing through the divine Spirit Your painless assumption of our nature, and keeping vigil in the Law of grace, O Lord, Isaiah cried out: From the race of Abraham and the tribe of Judah a Virgin comes, giving birth in the flesh without seed.
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: Since You are a God of peace and a Father of mercies,* You have sent your angel of great counsel to us to bring us peace.* Thus, we are directed towards the light of the knowledge of God,* and at the night vigil we glorify You, O Lover of mankind.
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
The most perfect Son of God, the Master by nature, in His lovingkindness was well pleased to be called the Son of man and reckoned among slaves, O most Compassionate One. Wherefore, willingly beggaring Yourself, You come to be born in a cave, O All-good One.
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
O Christ our King, Who are uncontainable by nature, how can a little cave receive You? How can a manger contain You, Who come in the flesh to Your own for our sake, from a Mother that knew not wedlock, that You might save them that have been estranged from You, O Lord?
Glory… Now…
The Shepherd’s ewe-lamb has come to give birth. Make ready, O holy cave! Make haste, O shepherds, to see the newborn Shepherd and Lamb! O Magi, prepare yourselves with gifts to worship Him as King in the·flesh.
Katavasia: Since You are a God of peace and a Father of mercies,* You have sent your angel of great counsel to us to bring us peace.* Thus, we are directed towards the light of the knowledge of God,* and at the night vigil we glorify You, O Lover of mankind.
Ode 6
Canon to the Resurrection and the Fathers
Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the storm of temptations,* fleeing to Your calm haven I cry to You:* Lead up my life from corruption,* O most Merciful One!
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
By Your three-day burial, O Good One, You brought about the mortification of death and the destruction of hell; and, having risen, O good Jesus, in godly manner You have poured forth life upon them that are in the world.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
By Your three-day burial, O Good One, You brought about the mortification of death and the destruction of hell; and, having risen, O good Jesus, in godly manner You have poured forth life upon them that are in the world.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Hospitable was the nature and exalted was the faith of Abraham the forefather. Wherefore, receiving in image the divine mystery, he rejoiced, and, running before Christ, he now makes merry.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
The faith of the youths now holds creation subject by the gift of the Creator, for the all-devouring and shameless fire stood in awe of them that honour Jesus Christ, the Creator of fire.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Daniel the prophet, once closing the mouths of the lions in the pit, showed in godly manner that through the coming of Christ the savagery of the world is in harmony with divine peace.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O Mary, Mother who knew not man, from a virgin womb you gave birth to Christ, Whom the prophets beheld in the Spirit; and the fathers who begot Him now join chorus before His nativity.
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: Jonah had dwelt like a babe in the womb before the sea monster spew him forth;* the Word dwelt in the womb of the Virgin, taking flesh from her.* Although born from her, He kept her all-pure.* Since Christ Himself was not subject to incorruptibility, He kept His Mother free from the same.
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
O Mistress, as you are a new heaven you come, that Christ, the Sun of glory, might shine forth in the flesh from your womb, as through a cloud, in the cave; for, in His boundless loving-kindness, He wishes splendidly to illumine all that are of this earth with rays of His own light.
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
You preceived our infirmity and misery, O compassionate Christ, and did not disdain us; but, without leaving the Father, You emptied Yourself and make Your abode in the womb of her that knew not wedlock, who now comes forth to give birth to You, without pain, in the cave.
Glory… Now…
O mountains and hills, fields and vales, people and generations, nations and every creature: exult, filled with divine gladness, for the deliverance of all, the Word of God, the Timeless One, Who, in His loving-kindness, has come under time, comes with haste.
Katavasia: Jonah had dwelt like a babe in the womb before the sea monster spew him forth;* the Word dwelt in the womb of the Virgin, taking flesh from her.* Although born from her, He kept her all-pure.* Since Christ Himself was not subject to incorruptibility, He kept His Mother free from the same.
Kontakion, Tone 1
Be glad, O Bethlehem! Make ready, O Ephratha!* For, lo! she that bears the Lamb and great Shepherd in her womb* makes haste to give birth.* Beholding this, the God-bearing fathers are glad,* with the shepherds hymning the lactescent Virgin.
Ikos
Beholding the splendid radiance of your birthgiving, O Virgin, the God-loving Abraham, the ever-memorable Isaac, Jacob and all the divinely assembled choir of saints rejoice, and, with joyous utterances, they lead creation forth to meet you; for you are shown to be the mediatress of joy for all, having conceived in your womb Him that once was seen in Babylon, Who preserved unconsumed the youths that had been cast unjustly into the furnace, and Who showed you forth in manner past all comprehension. Wherefore, the young maidens chant to Him that is borne in your arms, hymning you as the lactescent Virgin.
Ode 7
Canon to the Resurrection and the Fathers
Irmos: O ineffable wonder!* He, that in the furnace delivered the venerable children from the flame,* is laid in the grave, dead and devoid of breath,* for the salvation of us that chant*: O God, our Deliverer,* blessed are You!
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
O strange wonder! The Lord, Who sits upon a throne in the highest, in assuming flesh has endured death; but He has arisen through the might of the Godhead, raising with Himself the dead of past ages.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
You shook the might of death and rose again, granting the resurrection to them that truly glorify You, the Lord, and that chant to You with orthodox faith: O God, our Deliverer, blessed are You!
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
O father Abraham, founder of your race, having begotten Christ in the flesh, you are clearly revealed by the Spirit as the father of nations, to the salvation of us that chant: O God, our Deliverer, blessed are You!
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Your hymn of the inspired ones has put to shame them that utter soulless noises, for the youths, bodily trampling down unharmed the furnace which burned with fire, chant: O God, our Deliverer, blessed are You!
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Of old, the prophet Daniel, gazing with spiritual vision, revealed the second coming of Christ, and he foretells the dreadful things which shall come to pass therein, crying out: O God, our Deliverer, blessed are You!
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
O strange wonder, known among the prophets and revealed of old to the fathers: a pure Virgin is come, wishing to give birth to the salvation of us that chant: O God, our Deliverer, blessed are You!
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: The youths who had been raised to fear God were not threatened by the fiery torments.* They denounced the wicked decree of the tyrant,* and standing in the midst of the flames,* they sang: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
The divine vine whereupon the incorrupt Cluster did ripen, draws nigh, coming to give birth to Him that pours forth the wine of gladness and waters us that cry out to Him: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
The divine vial which bears within herself the fragrant Myrrh come to pour it out in the cave of Bethlehem, filling with mystic fragrance them that chant: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Glory… Now…
The tongs which Isaiah the prophet beheld of old comes, holding in her womb Christ, the divine Ember, which burns up all the fuel of sin and enlightens the souls of the faithful.
Katavasia: The youths who had been raised to fear God were not threatened by the fiery torments.* They denounced the wicked decree of the tyrant,* and standing in the midst of the flames,* they sang: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.
Ode 8
Canon to the Resurrection and the Fathers
Irmos: Fall back in awe and fear, O heaven;* and let the foundations of the earth be shaken!* For, lo! He that dwells in the highest is numbered among the dead* and lodges as a stranger in a small tomb.* O children, bless; O priests, hymn;* O people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
O Your ineffable condescension toward us sinners, O Christ! For, lo! having tasted death, though You are immortal God, You were laid in the tomb as a man. But You rose again, O Word, raising with Yourself those who were below and that exalt You supremely for all ages.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
Every ear is struck with awe at how the Most High willingly came to earth to destroy the power of hell with His Cross and burial, and how He has raised all with Himself to cry: O children, bless; O priests, hymn; O people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Prefiguring Your sacrifice, O Christ, Abraham, obedient to You, O Master, went forth with faith, wishing to sacrifice on the mountain the son whom he had begotten; but he returned with him, rejoicing and glorifying and exalting above all You, the Deliverer of the world.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
When You robed Yourself in ever-blazing flame as in a divine robe, O Christ, You utterly extinguished the fire for the three holy children, and by Your descent the dew has cried out to them that chant: O priests, hymn and exalt Him supremely forever!
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
The prophet Daniel is given to the lions as an unjust trial, but, through the precept of abstinence, in his piety he had the wild beasts as fellow fasters in the depths of the pit. Through his prayers and those of Abraham and the children, save them that hymn You in the world, O Christ!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The voices of the prophets faithfully proclaimed Him as Jesus Emmanuel, Who comes in human form, God and man; and the Virgin Mary, without having known man, gives birth in the city of Bethlehem to a Son, the co-unoriginate Word, through the Holy Spirit.
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: The dew-moistened furnace was the image of an incomprehensible wonder.* It did not burn the youths entrapped there,* just as the fire of the Godhead did not consume the Virgin’s womb in which He dwelt.* Therefore, let us praise God, saying: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all forever.
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
In gladness let us cry out with the angels: Glory to God in the highest! The Saviour is born! The Master comes, Whom the star indicates! The Magi hasten to behold Him, a Babe in a manger! Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
Amongst slaves were You enrolled of Your own will, O Master, subjecting Yourself to the law of Caesar, that You might free mankind from slavery to the evil one, O most merciful God. Wherefore, rejoicing, we chant: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Glory… Now…
O unoriginate Word, I bear You as a newborn Babe, although I have in no wise known man, said the Virgin, marvelling. Whom on earth can I name Your father? I know not. Wherefore, with all I chant to You: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Katavasia: The dew-moistened furnace was the image of an incomprehensible wonder.* It did not burn the youths entrapped there,* just as the fire of the Godhead did not consume the Virgin’s womb in which He dwelt.* Therefore, let us praise God, saying: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all forever.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Canon to the Resurrection and the Fathers
Irmos: Lament Me not, O Mother, beholding in the tomb the Son* Whom thou didst conceive in your womb without seed;* for I shall arise and be glorified, and as God everlasting shall I exalt with glory* them that magnify you with faith and love.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
Why do you lament, O creation, beholding the Bestower of life as a mortal upon the Cross and in the tomb? For He shall rise again, renewing you with light; with His resurrection on the third day has He cast down Hades and raised up with Himself the dead that praise Him.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord!
Even though You went down in the grave as one dead, O Christ, Bestower of life, yet You destroyed the might of Hades. And raising up with Yourself the dead which it had swallowed up in the past, as God You gave resurrection to them that magnify You with faith and love.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
Celebrating the feast of the fathers that were before the Law, let us honour Christ, Who, in godly manner, is begotten of them in the flesh; for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who, through faith, are proclaimers of the Spirit and grace, are shown to be the foundation of the prophets and the Law.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
God, Who by the fire in the bush showed to Moses the godly mystery in manner past understanding, having descended into the fire for the children, showed the flame of the furnace to be dew through the fire of the Essence of His divinity.
O holy Fathers, pray to God for us!
The all-holy children, assembling with Abraham, and Daniel, the wondrous prophet of God, Isaac and Jacob, with Moses and Aaron, faithfully join chorus before the nativity of Christ, praying unceasingly that we be saved.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
All of creation doth rejoice in your birth giving, O Virgin, for Bethlehem has opened Eden to us. And, lo! delighting in the Tree of Life, we all earnestly cry out in faith: you have fulfilled our prayers, O Mistress!
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: A strange and glorious mystery do I behold:* the cave is heaven;* the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim;* the manger, a dwelling place* in which is laid Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain.* Singing His praises, we magnify Him.
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
O mysteries strange, awesome, and most glorious: the Lord of glory has come to earth and, having beggared Himself, He has entered a cave in the flesh, seeking to restore Adam and to deliver Eve from her pangs.
Glory to Your holy Nativity, O Lord!
By Your swaddling clothes You loosed the bonds of our sinful falls; by Your great poverty You enriched us all, O Compassionate One; and having been laid in a manger of dumb beasts ThYou released men from irrational malice, O all-unoriginate Word of God.
Glory… Now…
The preaching of the prophets has reached the ends of the earth, for they foretold Him that was to come in the fullness of time; and He came and appeared incarnate of the pure Virgin; Him let us receive with a pure mind!
Katavasia: A strange and glorious mystery do I behold:* the cave is heaven;* the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim;* the manger, a dwelling place* in which is laid Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain.* Singing His praises, we magnify Him.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
From the seed of Abraham and the divine forefather David is the all-unoriginate Word brought forth, Who of old wondrously saved the youths equal in number to the Trinity by the descent of the Angel into the flame, and Who transformed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearing women into joy.
Glory… Now…
Be glad, O Bethlehem! And you, O Ephratha, make ready, for the Theotokos comes to the cave and the manger to give birth ineffably to God. O dread mystery! Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all the patriarchs and prophets, angels and men, now radiantly celebrate the forefeast of His divine advent.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 5
You came forth from the grave, O Lord, which had been sealed by the transgressors of the law,* just as You were born of the Theotokos.* For the bodiless angels did not know how You were incarnate.* Likewise, the guardian soldiers did not see the moment of your Resurrection;* for these two marvels were concealed from the curious minds* but were revealed to those who worshiped the mystery in faith.* Therefore, grant joy and great mercy to us who offer You praise.
O Lord, You demolished the gates of everlasting damnation,* and You broke asunder the chains of the grave.* You rose from the tomb leaving your wrappings in the grave* in testimony of your three-day burial;* and leaving the guards watching at the tomb,* You preceded your disciples into Galilee.* Great is your mercy, O Lord whom the whole world cannot contain.* O Saviour, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, who suffered for us,* the women hastened to your tomb to behold You.* When they arrived, they saw an angel sitting on the stone of the grave.* He said to them: The Lord is risen!* Go and tell the disciples that the Saviour of our souls is risen from the dead.
O Lord and Saviour,* You came into the midst of your disciples though the doors were closed* just as You came out of the sealed tomb,* showing the sufferings of the flesh which You accepted;* for You submitted to suffering patiently since You are of the seed of David.* But since You are the Son of God, You saved the world.* Great is your mercy, O Lord whom the whole world cannot contain.* O Saviour, have mercy on us.
Tone 4
The proclamation of Isaiah is fulfilled! For, lo! the Virgin bears in her womb the Incomprehensible and Indescribable One in the flesh, and she comes most gloriously to receive God. Make ready, O Bethlehem! For it is the King’s pleasure that you became His abode. O manger, receive Christ wrapped as a babe, Who in His goodness wishes to loose the bonds of man’s offenses.
The proclamation of Isaiah is fulfilled! For, lo! the Virgin bears in her womb the Incomprehensible and Indescribable One in the flesh, and she comes most gloriously to receive God. Make ready, O Bethlehem! For it is the King’s pleasure that you became His abode. O manger, receive Christ wrapped as a babe, Who in His goodness wishes to loose the bonds of man’s offenses.
Enrolled with slaves, the Master wished to thoroughly erase the handwriting of our transgressions and to enter in the Book of the Living all that have been slain by the thievery of the serpent. And the Virgin bears You, Who bears all things, Who are wrapped in mortal flesh and have been well-pleased to dwell in a little cave. Marvelling at Your might, the heavenly choirs of angels and the godly shepherds praised Youa Who are born.
The radiant and animate cloud laden with the heavenly Rain now approaches to pour It forth upon the earth, that It might water the face of the earth. The spring of grace, the noetic swallow, who is pregnant, giveth birth by the ineffable Word, putting an end to the winter of godlessness. The pure and undefiled palace brings forth the incarnate King in the cave.
Tone 8, Glory…
The compilation of the teachings of the Law reveals the divine birth of Christ in the flesh as being from them that, before the Law, proclaimed the glad tidings of grace to them that lived beyond the Law. Wherefore, in that this birth is the means of deliverance from corruption, for the sake of the resurrection they declared to the souls held fast in Hades: O Lord, glory be to You!
In Tone 2, Now…
You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!
Great Doxology
Trisagion Prayers
Troparion, Tone 2
Today salvation has come to the world.* Let us sing to Him who is risen from the tomb,* the Author of Life who has crushed Death by his death* and bestowed on us victory and great mercy.
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 5: Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.
Troparion, Tone 2: Great are the achievements of faith!* In the fountain of flames, the three holy youths rejoiced as by the water of rest,* and the prophet Daniel was revealed shepherding lions like sheep.* Through their intercession, O Christ God,* save our souls.
Troparion, Tone 4: Bethlehem, make ready, for Eden has been opened for all.* Ephrathah, be alert, for the Tree of life has blossomed forth from the Virgin in the cave.* Her womb has become a spiritual paradise* wherein the divine Fruit was planted,* and if we eat of it we shall live and not die like Adam.* Christ is coming forth to bring back to life* the likeness that had been lost in the beginning.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 6: Armed by the Being that defies description* You defied the man-made idol, O thrice blessed youth.* In the midst of the unbearable flames you stood and cried out to God:* “In Your mercy, O gracious One, hasten and come to our aid,”* for You can do whatever You will.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 3: Today, the Virgin is on her way to the cave* where she will give birth in a manner beyond understanding* to the Word who is in all eternity.* Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when you hear it heralded.* With the angels and the shepherds, glorify Him who chose to be seen as anew born babe* while remaining God in all eternity.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Blessed are You, Lord God of our fathers,* and praised and glorified is Your Name forever.
verse: For You are righteous in everything that You have done to us. (Daniel 3:26,27)
Epistle
Hebrews 11:9-10,17-23,32-40
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have told us the work You did in their days.
verse: You saved us from our oppressors and put to shame those who hate us. (Psalm 43:2,8)
Gospel
Matthew 1:1-25
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous (Psalm 32:1).* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.