New Texts arriving in the evening of April 17, 2024!
Event Information:
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Sat06Jan2024
Holy Theophany of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Feast of our Lord. Holy Day of Obligation. Great Vespers with the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great for the Feast of Theophany is celebrated in the late afternoon or early evening on January 5. The Great Blessing of the Water is taken after the Prayer Behind the Ambon. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated in the morning on January 6. The Great Blessing of the Water is taken after the Prayer Behind the Ambon.
Vespers with Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
on Friday late afternoon or early eveningAt Psalm 140
In Tone 2
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
When the Forerunner saw our Enlightener,* who enlightens all mankind,* draw near to be baptized,* he rejoiced in soul while his hand trembled.* And he showed Him to the people, saying:* “Behold, the Redeemer of Israel,* who sets us free from corruption.”* O sinless Christ our God, glory to You.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
When the Forerunner saw our Enlightener,* who enlightens all mankind,* draw near to be baptized,* he rejoiced in soul while his hand trembled.* And he showed Him to the people, saying:* “Behold, the Redeemer of Israel,* who sets us free from corruption.”* O sinless Christ our God, glory to You.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
The hosts of angels were filled with fear,* as they saw our Deliverer baptized by a servant* and receiving witness through the coming of the Spirit.* And the Father’s voice was heard from on high:* “The One on whom the Forerunner lays his hand,* the same is My beloved Son* in Whom I am well pleased.”* O Christ our God, glory to You.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
The hosts of angels were filled with fear,* as they saw our Deliverer baptized by a servant* and receiving witness through the coming of the Spirit.* And the Father’s voice was heard from on high:* “The One on whom the Forerunner lays his hand,* the same is My beloved Son* in Whom I am well pleased.”* O Christ our God, glory to You.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The streams of the Jordan received You, the Fountain,* and the Advocate descended in the form of a dove.* He who bowed the heavens, bowed His head,* and the clay cried out to the One who formed him:* “Why do You order me to do what is beyond my power?* For I need to be baptized by You.”* O sinless Christ our God, glory to You.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
The streams of the Jordan received You, the Fountain,* and the Advocate descended in the form of a dove.* He who bowed the heavens, bowed His head,* and the clay cried out to the One who formed him:* “Why do You order me to do what is beyond my power?* For I need to be baptized by You.”* O sinless Christ our God, glory to You.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Wishing to save the human race that had gone astray,* You did not disdain to clothe Yourself in the form of a servant.* For it befitted You, as Master and God,* to take upon Yourself our nature for our sake.* For You, O Deliverer, were baptized in the flesh, making us worthy of forgiveness.* Therefore we cry out to You:* O Christ our God and Benefactor, glory to You.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Wishing to save the human race that had gone astray,* You did not disdain to clothe Yourself in the form of a servant.* For it befitted You, as Master and God,* to take upon Yourself our nature for our sake.* For You, O Deliverer, were baptized in the flesh, making us worthy of forgiveness.* Therefore we cry out to You:* O Christ our God and Benefactor, glory to You.
Glory… Now…
You bowed Your head before the Forerunner* and crushed the heads of the dragons.* You descended into the waters* and gave light to all things,* that they may glorify You, O Savior,* our souls’ Enlightenment.
Prokeimenon
of the day
Readings
Genesis 1: 1-13
In the beginning God made heaven and earth. The earth was invisible and unfinished; and darkness was over the deep. The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the water. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw the light; it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day; the darkness He called Night; and there was evening and morning, one day.
Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the water, and let it divide the water from the water”; and it was so. Thus God made the firmament, and God divided the water under the firmament from the water above the firmament. So God called the firmament Heaven, and God saw that it was good; and there was evening and morning, the second day.
Then God said, “Let the water under heaven be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. The water under heaven was gathered into its places, and the dry land appeared. So God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas; and God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the herb of grass, bearing seed according to its kind and likeness. Let the fruit tree bear fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind on earth.” It was so. Thus the earth brought forth the herb of grass, bearing seed according to its kind and likeness. The fruit tree bore fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind on earth. God saw that it was good. So evening and morning were the third day.
Exodus 14: 15-18, 21-23, 27-29
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. Now lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it; and let the children of Israel go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. I indeed will harden Pharaoh’s heart and all the Egyptians, and they will go in after them. So I will be glorified in Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horses. Then the Egyptians will know I am the Lord, when I am glorified upon Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horses.”
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord carried back the sea by a strong south wind all that night and made the sea dry ground. Thus the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Then the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and horsemen.
So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were trying to flee. But the Lord shook off the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all of Pharaoh’s army that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained. But the children of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. The waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
Exodus 15: 22- 16: 1
Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the desert and found no water to drink. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore he named that place Bitterness. Then the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them. There He proved him† and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is pleasing in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His ordinances, I will put none of the diseases on you that I brought on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord your God who heals you.”
Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve fountains of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters.
Now they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt.
Then the priest intones the entire text of the following Troparion in Tone 5:
O Creator of the world, You have appeared in the world to give light to those that sit in darkness. Glory to You who love mankind.
When the priest has finished, we respond by repeating the conclusion:
To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.
Then the priest intones the following verses of Psalm 66 (67), and we repeat the Troparion’s conclusion after each verse.
God, be merciful to us and bless us; make the light of Your face shine upon us and have mercy on us. That we may know Your way upon earth, Your salvation among all nations.
Response: To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.
Let the peoples give praise to You O God, may all the peoples give praise to You. Let the nations be glad and rejoice, for You will judge the peoples with justice and guide the nations on earth.
Response: To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.
Let the peoples give praise to You, O God, may all the peoples give praise to You.
Response: To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.
The earth has yielded her fruit; may God, our God, bless us. May God bless us, and let all the ends of the earth fear Him.
Response: To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Response: To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.
Then the priest intones the first half of the Troparion:
O Creator of the world, You have appeared in the world.
And we conclude:
To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.
Joshua the Son of Nun 3:7-8, 15-17
The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I shall begin to exalt you in the sight of all the children of Israel, so they will know that I shall be with you as I was with Moses. Therefore now, command the priests who carry the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘As soon as you enter a part of the water of the Jordan, then you shall stand in the Jordan.’ “
Now when the priests who carried the ark of the covenant came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord dipped in part of the water of the Jordan (now the Jordan overflowed all its banks about the time of wheat harvest), then the upstream waters stopped flowing downstream, and a solid wall of water formed over a very great distance, as far as the region of Adam. The lower part came down to the Sea of Araba, the Salt Sea, until it came to a complete stop; and the people stood opposite Jericho. So the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all the children of Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the people crossed the Jordan.
The Fourth Book of Kings (2 Kings) 2:6-14
Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, please, for the Lord sent me on to the Jordan.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So both of them went on. Fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water. The water divided this way and that, and the two of them crossed on dry ground.
So it was that during the time they crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I may do for you, before I am taken away from you.” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” So Elijah said, “You have asked a hard thing. If you see me when I am taken up from you, it shall be so for you; and if not, it shall not be so.” Thus it came to be, as they walked and continued to talk, behold a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and the fire separated them one from the other; and Elijah was taken up into heaven by a whirlwind.
Then Elisha saw it and cried aloud, “Father, O father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” He saw Elijah no more, and he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. Then he raised Elijah’s mantle, which fell from Elijah and upon Elisha, and Elisha returned and stood on the bank of the River Jordan. He took Elijah’s mantle which had fallen upon him and struck the water, but it did not divide. Then he said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah himself?” And he struck the water again, and it divided this way and that. So Elisha crossed over.
The Fourth Book of Kings (2 Kings) 5:9-14
Naaman went with his horses and chariot and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and bathe in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” But Naaman became furious and went away, saying, “Indeed, I told myself that Elisha would come out to greet me; that he would stand and call on the name of his God; and that he would put his hand upon the place and heal the leprosy. Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Can I not bathe in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.
Then his servants approached and said to him, “If the prophet were to tell you to do something great, would you not complete it? But here the prophet said to you, ‘Bathe and be clean.’ “ So Naaman went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to Elisha’s instruction, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was cleansed.
Then the priest intones another Troparion in Tone 6:
In the greatness of Your compassion, You have revealed Yourself, O our Saviour, to sinners and publicans. For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.
When the priest has finished, we respond by repeating the conclusion:
For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.
Then the priest intones the following verses of Psalm 92 (93), and we repeat the Troparion’s conclusion after each verse.
The Lord is King; He is clothed with beauty; the Lord is clothed with strength and has girded Himself. For He has established the world which shall not be shaken.
Response: For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.
Your throne is prepared from of old; You are from everlasting.
Response: For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.
The floods have lifted up, O Lord; the floods have lifted up their voices. The floods shall lift up their breakers with the noise of many waters.
Response: For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.
Wonderful are the surging waves of the sea; wonderful is the Lord on high. Your testimonies have become exceedingly credible; holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
Response: For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Response: For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.
Then the priest intones the first half of the Troparion:
In the greatness of Your compassion You have revealed Yourself, O our Saviour, to sinners and publicans.
And we conclude:
For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.
Isaiah 1:16-20
Thus says the Lord, “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean. Put away the evils from your souls before My eyes. Cease from your evils. Learn to do good. Seek judgment and redeem the wronged. Defend the orphan and justify the widow. Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “although your sins are like crimson, I shall make them white like snow, and although they are as scarlet, I shall make them white like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good things of the land. But if you are unwilling and disobedient, you shall be devoured by the sword,” for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Genesis 32:1-10
Early in the morning, Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.
So Jacob went on his way, and saw the hosts of God encamped. When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s encampment”; and he called the name of that place Encampments.
Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says, “I sojourned with Laban and stayed there until now. I have oxen, donkeys, sheep, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in your sight.” ‘ “ Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men with him.” So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people with him and the oxen and sheep into two companies. Thus Jacob said, “If Esau comes to the one company and destroys it, then the other company will escape.”
Again Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to the land of your nativity, and I will deal well with you,’ let me be satisfied with all the righteousness and all the truth You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies.
Exodus 2:5-10
The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, and her maidens walked along the riverside; and seeing the ark among the reeds, she sent a maid to get it. So when she opened the ark, she saw the child crying, and the daughter of Pharaoh had compassion on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” So Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” Then the maiden went and called the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter then said to her, “Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. Now when the boy was grown, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son; and she called his name Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.”
Judges 6:36-40
Gideon said to God, “If You save Israel by my hand as You said, then look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You said.” And it was so. And he rose early the next morning and wrung the fleece and from the fleece dropped enough dew to fill a pan full of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Indeed, I pray, do not let Your anger be aroused at me, and I will speak but once; I will yet make one more trial with the fleece. This time, let it be dry on the fleece, but let there be dew all over the ground.” And that night God made it so; on the fleece it was completely dry, but there was dew all over the ground.
The Third Book of Kings (1 Kings) 18:30-39
Elijah said to the people, “Come near me.” So all the people came near to him. Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of Israel, for the Lord said, “Israel shall be your name.” Then he built an altar with the stones in the name of the Lord, and he repaired the altar of sacrifice that was scattered about, and around the altar he made a furrow holding two measures of seed. He piled the firewood on the altar he had made, divided the whole burnt offering, laid it on the firewood, and laid it in order on the altar. Then he said, “Bring me four pots of water, and pour it on the whole burnt offering and pour it on the unlit firewood.” They did so. Again Elijah said, “Do it a second time.” So they did it again. Again he said, “Do it a third time.” So they did it a third time. And the water ran all about the altar, and even the furrow became filled with water.
After this, Elijah cried out to heaven and said, “O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, answer me, O Lord, answer me this day with fire, and let this people know You are the God of Israel, and I am Your servant; and for Your sake I do all these works. Hear me, O Lord, hear me with fire, and let these people know You are the Lord God, so as turn the heart of this people back.”
Then fire fell from the Lord out of the heaven and consumed the whole burnt offering, the firewood, and the water in the furrow. The fire also licked up the stones and the soil. So all the people fell on their faces, and they said, “Truly, the Lord is God; He is God.”
The Fourth Book of Kings (2 Kings) 2:19-22
The men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, as my lord can see, this city is a pleasant place to live, but the water is bad, and the ground is barren.” So Elisha said, “Bring me a new water pitcher and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the spring of the waters and cast salt into it, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘I have healed these waters; from them there shall no longer be death or barrenness.’” So the water was healed by the word Elisha spoke, and so it remains today.
Isaiah 49:8-15
Thus says the Lord: hear this now, you who are given to pleasures, who sit in confidence, who says in her heart, ‘I am, and there is no other; I shall not sit as a widow, nor shall I know bereavement.’ But now these two things shall come upon you in a moment, in one day: widowhood and the loss of children. They shall come upon you in a moment because of your sorcery, the great abundance of your enchanters, and your hope of evil. For you said, ‘I am, and there is no other.’ Know that your understanding of these things and your fornication will be your shame, for you said in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no other.’ Therefore destruction shall come upon you, and you shall not know the pit into which you will fall. Trouble shall come upon you, and you will be unable to be clear of it. Destruction shall come upon you suddenly, but you will not know it. Stand now with your enchantments and the multitude of your sorceries which you learned from your youth, if you will be able to profit from this. You are wearied in your counsels. Let the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from what shall come upon you. Behold, all these shall be burned like sticks in a fire, and they shall not deliver their soul from the flame. For you have coals of fire to sit on, and these shall be your help. You grew weary in your traffic from youth, and each man led himself astray, but there shall be no salvation for you.
Small Litany
Trisagion
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
The Lord is my light and my Saviour* whom shall I fear (whom shall I fear).
verse: The Lord is the protector of my life; of whom shall I be afraid.
Epistle
1 Corinthians: 9: 19-27
A reading from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
Brethren, for though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: My heart erupts with a goodly theme; I address my words to the king.
verse: You are the most splendidly beautiful of men.
Gospel
Luke 3: 1-18
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?”
He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”
And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”
Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?”
So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”
Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”
And with many other exhortations he preached to the people.
Hymn to the Mother of God
In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices: the angelic ranks and all the human race. Sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, virgins’ pride and boast, from whom God is made flesh and became a little Child; and He who is our God before all ages, He made your womb a throne, and He made it wider that all the heavens. In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices. Glory be to you.
Communion Verse
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. Alleluia. (3)
The Divine Liturgy is followed immediately by the Great Blessing of the Waters (see below).
Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
on Saturday MorningAntiphon 1
When Israel came forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from an alien people.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Judah became His sanctuary, Israel His dominion.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
The sea beheld this and fled,* the Jordan turned back on its course.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Why was it, O sea, that you fled,* that you, O Jordan, turned back on your course?
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Glory… Now… Only-Begotten Son…
Antiphon 3
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
Troparion, Tone 1: When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan,* worship of the Trinity was revealed;* the voice of the Father bore witness to You,* naming You the beloved Son,* and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the word’s certainty.* Glory to You, O Christ God,* who appeared and enlightened the world.
Therefore, let the house of Israel say that He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
Troparion, Tone 1: When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan,* worship of the Trinity was revealed;* the voice of the Father bore witness to You,* naming You the beloved Son,* and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the word’s certainty.* Glory to You, O Christ God,* who appeared and enlightened the world.
Therefore, let the house of Aaron say that He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
Troparion, Tone 1: When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan,* worship of the Trinity was revealed;* the voice of the Father bore witness to You,* naming You the beloved Son,* and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the word’s certainty.* Glory to You, O Christ God,* who appeared and enlightened the world.
Let all who fear the Lord say that He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
Troparion, Tone 1: When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan,* worship of the Trinity was revealed;* the voice of the Father bore witness to You,* naming You the beloved Son,* and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the word’s certainty.* Glory to You, O Christ God,* who appeared and enlightened the world.
Entrance
Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord, we bless you from the house of the Lord; the Lord is God and has appeared to us.
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 1: When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan,* worship of the Trinity was revealed;* the voice of the Father bore witness to You,* naming You the beloved Son,* and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the word’s certainty.* Glory to You, O Christ God,* who appeared and enlightened the world.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: Today, You have appeared to the world* and Your light, O Lord, has been signed on us,* who with knowledge sing Your praises.* You have come, You have appeared, O unapproachable Light.
Instead of Holy God
All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia! (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
You have put on Christ! Alleluia!
All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia!
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord; God the Lord has appeared to us.
verse: Give thanks to the Lord for He is good for His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 117:26-27,1)
Epistle
Titus 2:11-15; 3:4-7
A reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Titus.
Titus, my son, it is the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Bring to the Lord, you sons of God; bring to the Lord young rams.
verse: The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory has thundered, the Lord reigns over vast waters. (Psalm 28:1,3)
Gospel
Matthew 3:13-17
At that time, Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify Christ the King, baptized in the Jordan.
and the Irmos: Every tongue is at a loss to praise you as is your due, O Mother of God. Even a spirit from above is filled with dizziness when seeking to sing your praises. But since you are good accept our faith, for you know well our love inspired by God. For it is you who protect all Christians; therefore, we magnify you.
Communion Hymn
The grace of God has appeared* bringing salvation to all.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Titus 2:11)
Instead of We have seen the true light… we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan.
Instead of May our mouths… and Blessed be the Name… we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan. (3)
The Divine Liturgy is immediately followed by:
The Great Blessing of the Water
Immediately after the Prayer behind the Ambon, the clergy go in procession, with lights and incense, to the place where the Blessing of the Waters is to be held, the priest holding in his hand the Precious Cross. Meanwhile, the following stichera are sung:
Troparia, Tone 8
The Lord’s voice cries out over the waters saying:* “Come, all of you, and receive the Spirit of wisdom,* the Spirit of understanding,* the Spirit of the fear of God,* from Christ Who is made manifest.” (3)
Today the nature of the waters is sanctified,* and the Jordan is parted in two;* it holds back the stream of its own waters,* seeing the Master wash Himself. (2)
O Christ the King, You have come to the river as a man,* and in Your goodness You hasten to receive the baptism of a servant* at the hands of the Forerunner, for the sake of our sins,* O You Who love mankind. (2)
Glory... Now...
At the voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord”,* You have come, O Lord, taking the form of a servant,* and You Who knows no sin asked for baptism.* The waters saw You and were afraid;* the Forerunner was seized with trembling, and cried aloud, saying:* “How shall the lamp illuminate the Light?* How shall the servant set his hand upon the Master?* O Saviour Who takes away the sin of the world, sanctify both me and the waters.”
Reading I
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: A reading from the prophecies of Isaiah.
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Reader: Thus says the LORD: The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it will blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you.” Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah. The scorched land will become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, its resting place, grass becomes reeds and rushes. A highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way, and fools will not wander on it. No lion will be there, nor will any vicious beast go up on it; these will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (35:1-10)
Reading II
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: A reading from the prophecies of Isaiah.
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Reader: Thus says the LORD: “Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David. Behold, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you will call a nation you do not know, and a nation which knows you not will run to you, because of the LORD your God, even the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you.” Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, and instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, and it will be a memorial to the LORD, for an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.” (55:1-13)
Reading III
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: A reading from the prophecies of Isaiah.
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Reader: Thus says the LORD: Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. And in that day you will say, “Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted.” Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things; let this be known throughout the earth. Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (12:3-6)
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Priest: Peace be with all!
Deacon: Wisdom! Let us be attentive!
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?
verse: The Lord is the defender of my life: of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps 26:1)
Epistle
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: A reading from the first epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians.
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Reader: Brethren: For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. (10:1-4)
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: The voice of the Lord is upon the waters. (Ps 28:3)
verse: The God of glory thundered, the Lord is upon many waters. (Ps 113:5)
Gospel
Deacon: Wisdom. Stand aright. let us listen to the holy Gospel.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
All: And with your spirit.
Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
All: Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You.
Deacon: Let us be attentive.
Priest: In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” (1:9-11)
Litany
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For peace throughout the world, for the well-being of God’s holy churches and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence, and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the most holy universal Pontiff (name), Pope of Rome, for our most blessed Patriarch (name), our most reverend Metropolitan (name), our God-loving Bishop (name), the reverend priesthood, diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our nation under God, for our government, and for all the military, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this city, for every city and country and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For favourable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the seafarers and travellers, for the sick and the suffering, for those held captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this water, that it may be sanctified by the might and operation and descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For these waters, that the cleansing operation of the Trinity supreme in being may come down upon them, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For these waters, that they may be given the grace of redemption and the blessing of the Jordan by the power and operation and descent of the Holy Spirit. let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That Satan may be swiftly crushed beneath our feet, and that every counsel that is directed against us by the Evil One may be made of no effect, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He will deliver us from every attack and temptation of the Adversary, and make us worthy of the good things that are promised, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That we may be enlightened by the light of knowledge and godliness through the descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That the Lord may send down the blessing of the Jordan and sanctify these waters, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this water, that it may become a gift of sanctification, a remission of sins, for the healing of soul and body and for every purpose that is expedient, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this water, that it may become a fountain springing up unto eternal life, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this water, that it may serve to the averting of every evil purpose of enemies visible and invisible, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For those who draw from this water and take it for the sanctification of their dwellings, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this water, that it may bestow cleansing of soul and body upon all who draw it with faith and partake of it, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That we may be deemed worthy to be filled with holiness through partaking of these waters, by the invisible manifestation of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That the Lord our God may hearken to the entreaty of us sinners and have mercy on us, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and misfortune, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help, and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
All: To You, O Lord.
During this ektenia, the priest prays secretly:
Priest: O Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son, Who are in the bosom of the Father, True God, source of life and immortality, Light of Light, Who came into the world to enlighten it, shine upon our understanding with Your Holy Spirit and accept us who offer You glory and thanksgiving for all Your great and wondrous works from all ages, and for Your saving dispensation in these last times. For You have clothed Yourself in our poor and infirm nature, and have submitted Yourself to servitude, You Who are the King of all; and moreover You have accepted to be baptized in the Jordan by the hand of a servant, that having sanctified the nature of the waters, O sinless Lord, You might lead us to a new birth through water and Spirit, and restore us again to our original freedom. Keeping feast in remembrance of this divine mystery, we entreat You, O Master Who love mankind: sprinkle upon us, Your unworthy servants, according to Your divine promise, cleansing water, the gift of Your compassion; grant that the petition of us sinners over this water may be acceptable to Your goodness, and that thereby Your blessing may be granted to us and to all Your faithful people to the glory of Your holy and venerated Name.
Priest: For to You, together with Your Father Who is without beginning, and Your most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, are due glory, honour and worship, now and forever and for ages of ages.
All: Amen.
And now, if he desires, the priest prayers this prayer:
Priest: O Trinity supreme in being, in goodness, and in Godhead, almighty, who watch over all, incomprehensible, Maker of spiritual beings and rational natures, innate Goodness, Light that none can approach and that lightens every man that comes into the world: Shine also upon me Your unworthy servant. Enlighten the eyes of my understanding that I may make bold to sing the praises of Your measureless beneficence and Your might. May the prayer that I offer be acceptable for the people here present. Let not my faults hinder Your Holy Spirit from coming to this place, but suffer me now uncondemned to cry to You, O most good Lord, and to say:
We glorify You, O Master who loves mankind, almighty, pre-eternal King. We glorify You, the Creator and Maker of all. We glorify You, O Only-begotten Son of God, born without father from Your Mother and without mother from Your Father. In the preceding feast we saw You as a child, while in the present we behold You full-grown, our God made manifest, perfect God from perfect God. For today the time of the feast is at hand for us: the choir of saints assembles with us and angels join with men in keeping festival. Today the grace of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descended upon the waters. Today the Sun that never sets has risen and the world is filled with splendour by the light of the Lord. Today the moon shines upon the world with the brightness of its rays. Today the glittering stars make the inhabited earth fair with the radiance of their shining. Today the clouds drop down upon mankind the dew of righteousness from on high. Today the Uncreated of His own will accepts the laying on of hands from His own creature. Today the Prophet and Forerunner approaches the Master, but stands before Him with trembling, seeing the condescension of God towards us. Today the waters of the Jordan are transformed into healing by the coming of the Lord. Today the whole creation is watered by mystical streams. Today the transgressions of men are washed away by the waters of the Jordan. Today Paradise has been opened to men and the Sun of Righteousness shines down upon us. Today the bitter water, as once with Moses and the people of Israel, is changed to sweetness by the coming of the Lord. Today we have been released from our ancient lamentation, and as the new Israel we have found salvation. Today we have been delivered from darkness and illuminated with the light of the knowledge of God. Today the blinding mist of the world is dispersed by the Epiphany of our God. Today the whole creation shines with light from on high. Today error is laid low and the coming of the Master has made for us a way of salvation. Today things above keep feast with things below, and things below commune with things above. Today the triumphant assembly of the orthodox keep this holy festival with great joy. Today the Master hastens towards baptism that He may lift man up to the heights. Today He that bows not, bows down to His own servant that He may set us free from bondage. Today we have purchased the Kingdom of Heaven; for the Lord’s Kingdom shall have no end. Today earth and sea share the joy of the world, and the world is filled with gladness.
The waters saw You, O God, the waters saw You and were afraid. The Jordan turned back, seeing the fire of the Godhead descending bodily and entering its stream. The Jordan turned back, beholding the Holy Spirit coming down in the form of a dove and flying about You. The Jordan turned back, seeing the Invisible made visible, the Creator made flesh, the Master in the form of a servant. The Jordan turned back and the mountains skipped, looking upon God in the flesh; and the clouds gave voice, marveling at Him who was come, the Light of Light, true God of true God. For today in the Jordan they saw the triumph of the Master; they saw Him drown in the Jordan the death of disobedience, the sting of error, and the chains of hell, and bestow upon the world the baptism of salvation.Therefore, sinner and unworthy servant that I am, I recount the majesty of Your wonders and, seized with fear, in compunction I cry aloud to You:
The priest makes the sign of the cross over the water with a trikirion and dips it into the water saying:
Great are You, O Lord,
and marvellous are Your works;
no words suffice to sing the praise of Your wonders.
Thrice.For You of Your own will have brought all things out of nothingness into being, and by Your power You hold together the creation, and by Your providence You govern the world. Of four elements You have compounded the creation: with four seasons have You crowned the circuit of the year. All the spiritual powers tremble before You. The sun sings Your praises; the moon glorifies You, the stars supplicate before You; the light obeys You; the deeps are afraid at Your presence; the fountains are Your servants. You have stretched out the heavens like a curtain; You have established the earth upon the waters; You have walled about the sea with sand. You have poured forth the air that living things may breathe. The angelic powers minister to You; the choirs of angels worship You; the may-eyed cherubim and the six-winged seraphim, standing around You and flying about You, hide their faces in fear of Your unapproachable glory. You, the uncircumscribed God, without beginning and beyond speech, have come upon earth, taking the form of a servant and being made in the likeness of man. For You, O Master, in Your merciful compassion could not bear to see mankind beneath the tyranny of the devil, but You have come and saved us. We confess Your grace, we proclaim Your mercy, we hide not Your beneficence. You have set free the offspring of our kind. You have hallowed a Virgin womb by Your Nativity. At Your Epiphany the whole creation sang Your praises. For You, our God, have appeared on earth and dwelt among men, You have sanctified the streams of Jordan, sending down from on high the most Holy Spirit, and You have broken the heads of the dragons hidden therein.
The priest blows on the water in the form of cross each time saying:
Therefore, O King who loves mankind,
You Yourself be present now as then
through the descent of Your Holy Spirit,
and sanctify this water.
Thrice.And confer upon it the grace of redemption, the blessing of the Jordan. Make it a source of incorruption, a gift of sanctification, a remission of sins, a protection against disease, a destruction to demons, inaccessible to the adverse powers and filled with angelic strength: that all who draw from it and partake of it may have it for the cleansing of their soul and body, for the healing of their passions, for the sanctification of their dwellings, for every purpose that is expedient. For You are our God, who renewed through water and Spirit our nature grown old through sin. You are our God, who drowned sin through water in the days of Noah. You are our God who, through the waters of the sea, at the hand of Moses set free the Hebrew nation from the bondage of Pharaoh. You are our God who cleft the rock in the wilderness: the waters gushed out, the streams overflowed, and You satisfied Your thirsty people. You are our God who by water and fire through Elijah brought back Israel from the error of Baal.
And blessing the water with his hand dipped into the water he says:
You Yourself, O Master, now as then
sanctify this water by Your Holy Spirit.
Thrice.Grant to all who touch it, who anoint themselves with it or drink from it, sanctification, blessing, cleansing, and health. And save, O Lord, Your servants our faithful rulers. Keep them in peace under Your protection; put under their feet every enemy and adversary; bestow upon them whatsoever they ask unto salvation and eternal life. So, by the elements, by the angels and by men, by things visible and invisible, may Your most holy Name be glorified, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
All: And with your spirit.
Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.
All: To You, O Lord.
The priest prays quietly while bowing:
Priest: Incline Your ear and hearken to us, O Lord who accepted baptism in the Jordan and sanctified the waters. Bless us all who by the bowing of our heads outwardly show You our servitude; and count us worthy to be filled with Your sanctification through partaking of this water and being sprinkled with it, and may it bring us, O Lord, health of soul and body.
Priest: For You are the sanctification of our souls and bodies, and to You we ascribe glory, thanksgiving and worship, with Your Father without beginning, and Your most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and for the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
The priest now makes the sign of the Cross over the water with the Precious Cross: then, holding the Cross upright in both hands, he plunges it into the water, and lifts it from the water once again. As he does this, he sings the Tropar of the Feast in Tone 1:
When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan,* worship of the Trinity was revealed;* the voice of the Father bore witness to You,* naming You the “beloved Son,”* and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the Word’s certainty.* Glory to You, O Christ God,* who appeared and enlightened the world. (3)
The priest then plunges the Cross a second and third time in the water, doing as before: and the Troparion is repeated a second and third time. Next, he dips a branch of basil in the water and sprinkles the four corners of the church. The rest of the clergy, and then the people, approach and kiss the Cross, and the priest sprinkles water on the head of each one with the branch of basil. Clergy and people also drink from the water which has been blessed. During this time the choir continues to sing the Troparion.
Then the following sticheron is sung in Tone 6, samhlasnyj:
You faithful, let us praise the greatness of God’s dispensation towards us.* For, becoming man on account of our transgression,* He who alone is clean and undefiled* was cleansed in the Jordan that we might be made clean,* sanctifying us and the waters, and crushing the heads of the dragons in the water.* Let us then draw water in gladness, O brethren:* for upon those who draw with faith,* the grace of the Spirit is invisibly bestowed by Christ* the God and Saviour of our souls.
And also:
All: Blessed be the Name of the Lord, now and for ever. (3)
And Psalm 33:
I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips; in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad. Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us praise his name. I sought the Lord and he answered me; from all my terrors he set me free. Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed. This poor man called; the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress. The angel of the Lord is encamped around those who revere him, to rescue them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is happy who seeks refuge in him. Revere the Lord, you his saints. They lack nothing, those who revere him. Strong lions suffer want and go hungry but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing. Come, children, and hear me that I may teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is he who longs for life and many days, to enjoy his prosperity? Then keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn aside from evil and do good; seek and strive after peace. The Lord turns his face against the wicked to destroy their remembrance from the earth. The Lord turns his eyes to the just and his ears to their appeal. They call and the Lord hears and rescues them in all their distress. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save. Many are the trials of the just man but from them all the Lord will rescue him. He will keep guard over all his bones, not one of his bones shall be broken. Evil brings death to the wicked; those who hate the good are doomed. The Lord ransoms the souls of his servants. Those who hide in him shall not be condemned.
And after first drinking the holy water, the people receive from the priest the Antidoron.
Priest: The blessing of the Lord be upon you with His grace and love for mankind, always, now and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Priest: Glory be to You, O Christ, our God, our hope, glory be to You.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (3) Give the blessing.
Priest: Christ our true God, Who willed to be baptized in the Jordan by John for our salvation, through the prayers of His immaculate Mother and all the saints, will have mercy and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.
All: Amen.