Event Information:
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Sun05Jan2025
Sunday before and Eve of Theophany; Octoechos Tone 8; The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theonas; The Venerable Syncletica.
Strict Fast. Abstention from meat and eggs (and, traditionally, dairy) and foods that contain these ingredients.
GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man...” is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 8
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
O Christ, during this spiritual service,* we sing to You these evening prayers,* commemorating the mercy You have shown us* by Your resurrection.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Lord, O Lord, do not cast us away from Your face;* but in Your kindness have mercy on us* through Your resurrection.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Rejoice, O holy Sion,* the Mother of Churches and the dwelling-place of God;* for you were the first to receive the forgiveness of sins* through the resurrection.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Christ the Word was begotten by God the Father before all ages;* yet in these latter times,* He freely willed to take flesh from the Virgin who did not know man.* By His death on the cross and His resurrection,* He saved mankind from the ancient curse of death.
Tone 4
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Let us hymn the wise Theonas and Theopemptus* for, submitting to the dogmas of Christ,* and having splendidly set at nought all ungodly worship,* they worshiped the one Lord and God* in holiness, honour and goodly hope,* confessing Him right boldly before the tyrants;* and they have been crowned from on high.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Having forsaken as fleeting those things of life which drag men downwards,* delight in food and glory which fades like a flower, O most lauded ones,* you cleaved unto Christ, enkindled by His comely beauty,* and you offered yourselves to Him as sweet-smelling roses,* and have been divinely crowned with the diadem of the incorrupt kingdom.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Having hated the world you have been shown to transcend the world,* and have joined the Church of the firstborn;* and with the angels you chant incorrupt hymnody, standing together before God.* And having rejected the vile falsehood of idolatry,* as martyrs you have put to shame the mindlessness of the tyrants.
Tone 1
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Having truly desired the glory of the fathers, you loved incorrupt glory;* wherefore, forsaking that which is sweet,* you gave your body over to all manner of pain.* And, reigning with Christ, you now receive the reward of your pangs.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
He Who permitted the devil when he asked to tempt Job,* desiring to try you like gold,* left thy body to the violence of the evil one;* but having put the tempter to shame by the patient endurance of infirmities,* you have been crowned with a wreath of victory.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Yearning for the comely beauty of Christ the Bridegroom,* and desiring to wed yourself to Him by all manner of good works,* you adorned yourself with the pangs of abstinence;* wherefore, you now reign with Him in His bridal-chamber.
Tone 4, Glory…
Make ready, O River Jordan!* For, lo! Christ God comes to be baptized by John,* that in your waters He might crush the heads of the invisible serpents by His divinity!* Rejoice, O desert of Jordan!* You mountains, leap up with gladness;* for our eternal Life comes to restore Adam!* O forerunner John, you are the voice of one crying in the wilderness:* “Prepare the ways of the Lord and make straight His paths!”
Tone 8, Now...
Out of his love for mankind* the King of heaven appeared on earth and dwelt with men,* for He assumed a human body from the pure Virgin* and was seen in the flesh He received from her.* He is the One and only God* having two natures but not two persons.* Wherefore we profess and declare the truth* that Christ our God is perfect God and perfect Man.* O Mother, who knew not carnal union,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
The Lord reigns,* He is clothed in majesty.
verse: Robed is the Lord and girt about with strength.
verse: For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
verse: Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
Aposticha
Tone 8
O Jesus, You descended from heaven* so that You might ascend the cross.* O immortal Life, You came to die.* You are the true light to those who live in darkness,* and You are the resurrection of the fallen.* Therefore, O Saviour of all, we glorify You.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. * Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
Let us glorify Christ, the Saviour of our Souls* who arose from the dead.* For He took upon himself a soul and a body,* and during His passion He separated the one from the other.* His pure soul went down to conquer Hades,* while His holy body lay uncorrupted in the grave.
For He has made the world firm. * which shall not be moved.
O Christ, we glorify Your resurrection with psalms and hymns.* For by Your victory over death* You delivered us from the sufferings of Hades,* and as God You granted us eternal life and great mercy.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, * for length of days.
O Lord of all, Creator of heaven and earth,* You are above all understanding.* Through Your passion on the cross* You freed us from the sufferings of Hades.* And, after condescending to be buried, You arose in glory;* and with Your mighty arm You also raised up Adam.* O most merciful Lord, we glorify You;* for by Your resurrection on the third day* You granted us remission of sins and eternal life.
Tone 6, Glory… Now…
Let the desert of Jordan rejoice, and let it blossom like a lily;* for therein has been heard the voice of one crying in the wilderness:* “Prepare the way of the Lord!"* For He Who set forth the mountains with a measure* and the forested places with His scales,* Who as God fills all things, is baptized by a servant,* granting rich gifts at the beginning of His impoverishment.* Eve once heard: “In pain you shall give birth to children;”* but now the Virgin has heard:* “Rejoice, O you who are full of grace! The Lord is with you,* Who has great mercy!”
Troparia
Tone 8
You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.
Tone 4, Glory...
After Elijah had gone up to heaven,* Elisha threw his mantle in the Jordan River which parted,* opening a way, a dry path between two walls of water, where he could pass,* a true symbol of our baptism by which we pass through this fleeting life.* Christ has been seen at the Jordan River* to sanctify the waters.
Tone 4, Now...
Make ready, O Zebulon,* and prepare yourself, O Nephtali;* O river Jordan, stop and receive with joy* the Master coming to be baptized.* O Adam, rejoice with the first mother, Eve,* and do not hide yourselves as before in paradise.* For having seen you unclothed* Christ has appeared to clothe you with the first robe:* He has appeared to renew all creation.
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 8
Troparia, Tone 8
You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You. (2)
Tone 4, Glory...
After Elijah had gone up to heaven,* Elisha threw his mantle in the Jordan River which parted,* opening a way, a dry path between two walls of water, where he could pass,* a true symbol of our baptism by which we pass through this fleeting life.* Christ has been seen at the Jordan River* to sanctify the waters.
Tone 4, Now...
Make ready, O Zebulon,* and prepare yourself, O Nephtali;* O river Jordan, stop and receive with joy* the Master coming to be baptized.* O Adam, rejoice with the first mother, Eve,* and do not hide yourselves as before in paradise.* For having seen you unclothed* Christ has appeared to clothe you with the first robe:* He has appeared to renew all creation.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
You the Life of all, did rise from the dead,* and an Angel of light cried out to the women saying:* Cease your tears. Bring the good tidings unto the Apostles.* Cry aloud in hymns that Christ the Lord has arisen* who as God was well-pleased to save mankind.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
When You were indeed risen from the tomb* You commanded the holy women to announce the Resurrection to the Apostles, as it is written;* and Peter, having arrived quickly, stood by the grave* and seeing the light in the tomb was frightened,* observing the grave clothes lying therein, without the divine body,* and believing he cried aloud:* Glory be to You O Christ God our Saviour, who has saved us all,* for You are the radiant splendour of the Father.
Glory… Now…
Let us hymn the heavenly gate and ark,* the all-holy mountain, the cloud of light, the heavenly ladder,* the spiritual Paradise, the redemption of Eve,* the great treasure of the world;* because salvation for the world and forgiveness of ancient offences were wrought in her.* Therefore, we cry to her:* Intercede with your own Son and God to grant forgiveness of offences* to those who devoutly worship your most holy Offspring.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
Mortals have sealed Your tomb, O Saviour* and an Angel has rolled away the stone from the door.* Women saw You risen from the dead,* and announced the good tidings to Your Disciples in Sion:* The life of all has risen and the bonds of death are loosed.* O Lord, glory be to You.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
The women having brought sweet-smelling burial spices* heard an Angel’s voice coming from the tomb:* Cease your tears and bring joy instead of sorrow.* Wherefore cry aloud in hymns that Christ the Lord is risen,* who as God was well-pleased to save the race of mankind.
Glory… Now…
In you, O Full of grace, does all creation rejoice,* the ranks of Angels and the race of mankind;* O all-hallowed Temple and spiritual Paradise, boast of Virgins.* For from youGod became incarnate* and He who is our God before the ages became a child.* He has made your womb a throne and rendered it wider than the heavens.* In you, O Full of grace, does all creation rejoice;* glory be to you.
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 1
Be glad, O River Jordan!* For to you does the Creator come of His own will,* to receive baptism from a servant, in that He is compassionate.* Adorn yourself and dance, O Adam, and Eve our first mother!* The all-good God has come, the deliverance of all!
Glory… Now…
The Master, as the Torrent of delight,* comes forth to be baptized in the river’s streams,* desiring to fill me with purity through the waters;* and John, beholding Him, cried aloud:* “How can I stretch forth my hand to touch the head of You* before whom all things tremble?”
Hypakoe, Tone 8
The myrrh-bearing women standing at the tomb of the Giver of life* seeking the immortal Master among the dead;* and having received the glad tidings of joy from the Angel* announced to the Apostles that Christ the Lord is risen,* granting the world great mercy.
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 8
Antiphon 1
From my youth the enemy tempts me, enflaming me with the desire for pleasures;* but placing my trust in You O Lord, I put him to flight.
Let those that hate Sion,* become like grass before it is tilled;* for Christ severs their necks with the sharp blade of torments.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit all things have life;* Light from Light, eminent God:* we hymn Him* together with the Father and the Word.
Antiphon 2
Let my humble heart be sheltered by the fear of You;* lest it fall away from You by being conceited,* O exceedingly compassionate One.
He who has his hope in the Lord* will not be afraid when the Lord judges all things* with fire and torment.
Glory… Now…
Everyone inspired by the Holy Spirit sees all and foretells,* working the greatest wonders, singing of one God in three Hypostases;* for though the Divinity radiates with triune light,* it rules as one.
Antiphon 3
I have cried to You, O Lord, hearken to me,* bend Your ear to my supplications when I cry to You,* and cleanse me before taking me from this life.
Each and every one who returns to mother earth* will depart to receive torments or rewards* in reward for their life’s actions.
Glory… Now…
Contemplation of God by the Holy Spirit is of a thrice-holy unity;* for the Father is beginningless, from Whom the Son was begotten before time,* and the Spirit equal in essence and majesty,* blazes forth equally from the Father.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
The Lord will reign forever, Sion’s God, from age to age.
verse: My soul, give praise to the Lord; I will praise the Lord all my days.
Let everything that lives, Tone 8
Gospel
John 21:15-25
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Canon, Tone 8
Ode 1
Irmos: When the wonder-working rod of Moses* smote the sea with the sign of the cross and divided it,* Pharaoh the charioteer it overthrew in the deep,* but fugitive Israel, fleeing on foot, it saved,* and he raised a glad shout* of praise to God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
How should we not wonder at the mighty power of Christ’s divinity? Freedom from passions and incorruption to all the faithful flow from his Passion; drop by drop from his holy side a deathless fountain falls; and from the grave comes life unending.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
How beautiful the angel now reveals himself to the women! Bearing the signs of innate and immaterial purity, and in his far-shining form revealing the splendour of the resurrection, he cries: the Lord is risen.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Glorious things are spoken of you, O Virgin Mother of God, from generation to generation, for, remaining undefiled, you found room in your womb for God the Word. Therefore, we honour you as our protector after God.
Irmos: Delivered from bitter slavery, Israel traversed the impassable as though it were dry land;* and seeing the enemy drowned, it chanted to God* as to its Redeemer who works wonders with His upraised arm,* for He has been glorified.
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
Christ comes to baptism! Christ arrives at the Jordan! Christ now buries our sins in the water, in that He is good! With gladness let us chant to Him, for He has been glorified.
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
Let the clouds, rejoicing, let great gladness fall! Jesus Christ comes forth to drown the torrents of men’s sin in the waters of the Jordan, granting enlightenment to all.
Glory… Now…
Behold, the Light is revealed! Behold, purification is shown forth! Lo! the Saviour stands forth to shine rays of His divine splendour upon those in darkness! Let us joyfully embrace Him with pure thoughts.
Katavasia: The Lord mighty in battle uncovered the foundation of the deep* and led His servants on dry ground;* but He covered their adversaries with the waters,* for He has been glorified.
Ode 3
Irmos: In the beginning, O Christ, you established the heavens in understanding,* and founded the earth upon the waters:* establish me upon the rock of your commandments,* for none is holy but you, only Lover of man.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The saving suffering of your flesh, O Christ, justified Adam, condemned by the taste of sin; for as the sinless one you were shown in the trial as owing no debt to death.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Jesus , my God, shed the light of his resurrection upon those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death; and by his divinity he bound the strong man and seized all his goods.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Higher than Cherubim and Seraphim you are declared to be, Mother of God, for you alone, undefiled, received within your womb the illimitable God. Therefore, all the faithful ever sing to you and bless you.
Irmos: Let no mortal boast in his wisdom or wealth,* but rather in his faith in the Lord,* crying out to Christ God in the orthodox manner, and ever chanting:* Establish me upon the rock of Your commandments, O Master!
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
Christ, who has been seated with the Father and the Spirit from before time began, and who became incarnate of the Virgin in latter times, comes to baptism, granting immortality to all through the divine font, as He knows.
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
Desiring, in the loving-kindness of His mercy, to bury our sins with water in the Jordan’s streams, Christ God comes forth and by baptism restores us who have become corrupt.
Glory… Now…
Covering the shameful nakedness of our first father Adam, You have voluntarily stripped Yourself naked, O Christ, and You cover Yourself in the streams of the Jordan, O You who alone are greatly merciful, and who cover Your chambers with waters.
Katavasia: The Lord who grants strength to our kings,* and exalts the horn of His anointed,* is born of a Virgin and comes to baptism.* Therefore let us, the faithful, cry aloud:* None is holy as our God* and none is righteous save You, O Lord.
Kontakion of the Forefeast, Tone 2
O most compassionate Christ who absolves our sins in the depth of Your mercy,* You came to be baptized with the water of the Jordan.* You robed me in splendor, replacing my ancient garment of evil.
Ode 4
Irmos: O Lord, you are my strength and my might, you are my God and my joy;* without leaving the deep recesses of the Father, you visited our poverty;* so with Habakkuk the prophet, I cry to you:* Glory to your power, O Lover of man.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Merciful Saviour, you loved me much when I was at enmity with you; in strange self-emptying you came to earth, not rejecting the last recesses of my pride. While remaining still upon the heights of your ineffable glory, you glorified me, formerly so disgraced.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Who is not amazed, O Lord, at seeing death done away through sufferings, corruption take flight through a cross, Hell emptied of its possessions through a death? This is the marvellous work of the divine sovereignty of you, the Crucified One, O Lover of man.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Boast of the faithful, Bride unwed, you are the protection and refuge of Christians, city wall and harbour; for you bring our petitions to your Son and save from danger those who acknowledge you in faith and love as the pure Mother of God.
Irmos: Of old, O Christ, Habbakuk heard wondrous report of You, and cried out in fear:* God shall come forth from Teman,* the Holy One out of the mountain overshadowed and densely wooded, to save His anointed ones!* Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
Draw forth the water of life! For, lo! the River of peace truly comes to dry up the turbulent waters of unbelief and to pour forth enlightenment upon those who sing to Him: Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
Be glad, O human nature, desert which before was arid with thirst! The Torrent of delight has now appeared, freeing all from the burning heat of sin with the waters of the Jordan. We chant to Him with faith: Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Glory… Now…
The voice of one crying forth in prophecy thundered forth to barren minds, saying: “Prepare straight ways for Christ who comes, that He might through baptism purify us who have grown old, releasing us from our primal condemnation!”
Katavasia: He whom You have called, O Lord, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness,’* heard Your voice when You had thundered upon many waters, bearing witness to Your Son.* Wholly filled with the Spirit that had come, he cried aloud:* ‘You are Christ, the wisdom and the power of God.’
Ode 5
Irmos: Why have you thrust me away from the never-setting light of your face,* so that alien darkness has covered me, most wretched one?* Turn me back, I beg you, and direct my ways* to the light of your commandments.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Before your Passion, O Saviour, you allowed yourself to be clothed in the robe of mockery, thus covering the shameful nakedness of man; and to be nailed naked to the cross while putting off the garment of death.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
When you arose from the dust of death, O Christ, you built again my beggared nature and rendered it immortal, revealing once again the kingly image, radiant with the light of incorruption.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
As you possess a mother’s boldness before your Son, All-pure, do not refuse your far-seeing care for our race, we pray you. For you alone, as Christians, we present to the Lord for gracious favour and propitiation.
Irmos: Shine forth Your never-waning light* upon the hearts of those who hymn You with faith, O Christ,* granting us the peace which passes understanding;* and fleeing from the night of ignorance to the day,* guided by Your light, O You who loves mankind,* we will glorify You.
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
As King of peace, You have broken down the middle-wall of enmity, appearing to those on earth in the guise of the flesh; beholding Your arrival, John marvelled in fear when he was commanded to place his hand upon You.
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
Hastening, Christ comes now to crush the heads of the serpents in the waters, and cries out to the trembling Baptist: “Stretch forth your hand, and touch my head, and shake off your awe, doing that which you are commanded!”
Glory… Now…
The prophet once uttered the grace of baptism in the divine Spirit, striking the streams of the Jordan with his mantle; and they have parted, making for us a path to the divine regeneration of Christ who has appeared therein.
Katavasia: Jesus, the Prince of Life,* has come to set loose from condemnation Adam the first-formed man;* and though as God He needs no cleansing,* yet for the sake of fallen man He is cleansed in the Jordan.* In its streams He slew the enmity* and bestows the peace that passes all understanding.
Ode 6
Irmos: Be merciful to me, O Saviour, for many are my transgressions;* bring me up from the depths of evil, I pray you.* For I have cried out to you,* hear me, O God of my salvation.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Mightily, through a tree, the originating evil overthrew me; uplifted on the cross, O Christ, you cast him down with a greater might, putting him to shame and raising me, the fallen.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Rising from the tomb in compassion you took pity on Zion, by your divine blood bringing about the new in place of the old; and now you reign in her, O Christ, throughout the ages.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
May we be rescued from all our grievous stumblings by your prayers, pure Mother of God, and may we meet with the divine outshining of the Son of God, ineffably made flesh of you.
Irmos: I am wholly stuck fast in boundless passions,* and have fallen into the sea-monster of evil;* yet lead me up from corruption, as You did Jonah, O God,* and grant me dispassion through faith, *that I may sacrifice to You in a voice of praise* and with the spirit of salvation.
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
Showing forth the loving-kindness of His compassions, the immutable Christ comes to a servant in the guise of a servant, asking baptism, and rescuing mankind from slavery; and marvelling at His coming, the forerunner stood in awe, held fast by fear.
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
How can the river’s streams receive You, the unbearable Fire who now comes forth? How can the angels of heaven look upon Your nakedness? How can the hand of John stretch forth to touch You, O all-unoriginate Word of God, who created him on earth?
Glory… Now…
Fleeing, the sea is parted, disclosing for the new people a divine path which He who all-gloriously poured forth water from the rock, having come in the flesh, has made in the midst of the river. Let us glorify as God Him who has built up anew our ruination.
Katavasia: The Voice of the Word, the Candlestick of the Light, the Morning Star and Forerunner of the Sun,* cried in the wilderness to all the peoples:* ‘Repent and be cleansed while there is yet time.* For lo, Christ is at hand,* Who delivers the world from corruption.’
Kontakion, Tone 6
When You rose from the tomb,* You also raised the dead and resurrected Adam.* Eve exults in Your resurrection,* and the ends of the world celebrate Your rising from the dead,* O most merciful One.
Ikos
My Saviour, long-suffering, Giver of life, you harrowed the kingdom of Hell and raised the dead; you met the women bringing the myrrh and for sorrow gave them joy; to the apostles you made known the signs of victory, and you shone upon your creation, O Lover of man. The whole world therefore rejoices together in your rising from the dead, O you of many mercies.
Ode 7
Irmos: The fire in Babylon once was put to shame by the descent of God* and the young men danced in the furnace,* with joy in their steps, as in a grassy meadow,* and sang: Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Your glorious abasement and the divine wealth of your beggary, O Christ, struck the angels with amazement when they saw you nailed to the cross to save those who cry in faith to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
By your divine descent the lowest depths were filled with light, and the darkness and torment of former ages driven away. Then those in age-old bonds rose up and cried: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
In accordance with orthodox doctrine, we proclaim you Lord of all, only Father of the one, only-begotten Son, and we know the one true Spirit proceeding from you, one with you in nature and co-eternal.
Irmos: The children who once, for the sake of piety,* passed through the unbearable flame of the furnace as though it were a bridal-chamber,* have been manifestly shown forth as holy, and, chanting together, they sang the hymn:* O God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
Christ has revealed Himself as our salvation, granting us enlightenment. Let heaven rejoice, and let the clouds truly drop down righteousness upon those who cry: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
The fleece which Gideon foresaw, the full cup of water drawn forth therefrom, manifestly foretold Your baptism, O Christ, which, having undergone it, You give to those who chant: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Glory… Now…
Elisha, in healing the barren and brackish waters, prefigured the fruitfulness of the precious font which would mystically come upon those who chant: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Katavasia: The breath of the wind heavy with dew* and the descent of the angel of God preserved the Holy Children from all harm,* as they walked in the fiery furnace.* Refreshed with dew in the flames,* they sang in thanksgiving:* ‘Blessed are You and praised above all, O Lord God of our fathers.’
Ode 8
Irmos: The Chaldaean tyrant in fury kindled the furnace sevenfold for those who feared God;* then, as he beheld them saved alive by a mightier power than his, their Creator and Redeemer himself,* he cried: Bless him, young men, praise him, O priests,* highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The power supremely divine of the Godhead of Jesus has shone out in these things: on the cross he tasted death in the flesh for all men, and he brought to nothing the might of Hell. Bless him without ceasing, young men, praise him, O priests, highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The crucified one arose, the boastful and vainglorious fell, the fallen and the broken are restored, corruption is banished, incorruption has blossomed, for death is swallowed up by life. Bless him, young men, praise him, O priests, highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Godhead of threefold light, in single radiance shining from one three-personed nature, Begetter without beginning, Word of the Father’s nature and Spirit consubstantial, co-reigning: bless him, young men, praise him, O priests, exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.
Irmos: Of old, the furnace of fire and dew presented an image of supernatural wonder:* for the fire did not consume the young children,* prefiguring the seedless and divine nativity of Christ from the Virgin.* Wherefore, in hymnody let us chant:* Let all creation bless the Lord* and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
With a loud voice let us send up praise to the Master. He has arrived! He has appeared! He who clothes the sky with clouds comes up to the waters and strips Himself naked. And He is baptized, cleansing us who chant: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
Come and let us noetically go to the Jordan; and let us behold therein a great sight: for Jesus our enlightenment comes and bows His head beneath the hand of a servant, who cries out with trembling: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Glory… Now…
Burning in the waters of the Jordan, the glowing Ember which Isaiah foresaw, has consumed all the tinder of sin and has granted restoration to the ruined. Chanting, let us sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord. We extol and exalt Him above all for ever.
Katavasia: The Babylonian furnace, as it poured forth dew,* foreshadowed a marvellous mystery:* how the Jordan should receive in its streams the immaterial fire,* and should encompass the Creator,* when He was baptized in the flesh.* Him do you peoples bless and exalt above all for ever.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: Heaven is amazed and the ends of the earth stricken with fear* that your womb is become wider than the heavens, and God is seen bodily by men.* Therefore, O Mother of God* the ranks of angels and of men magnify you.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Word of God, simple in your nature divine and unoriginate, by giving existence to flesh and assuming it to yourself you became compound: suffering as a man you remained beyond suffering as God. Therefore, we magnify you in the two natures, indivisible and yet without confusion.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Most High, according to the divine essence you are ever one with God as your Father; but when you took the nature of man, coming down to your servants and rising from the tomb, you made him, who is by nature God and Lord, by grace Father of those born of the earth. You with him we magnify.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O Virgin Mother of God, you are seen beyond nature bearing in the body that good Word which the Father as the One Good uttered from his heart before all ages. And we understand him now as being beyond the body, yet clothed with a body
Irmos: Ineffable is the mystery of the Virgin:* for she is heaven and the throne of the cherubim,* and has been shown to be the radiant bridal-chamber of Christ God Almighty.* And we piously magnify her as the Theotokos.
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
An awesome and all-glorious mystery do I behold! Jesus comes of His own will to the River Jordan, crying out to John: “Grant Me the loan of your right hand, My friend, that it may perform awesome works for the preservation of My people.”
Glory to Your holy Theophany, O Lord!
Let the desert of the Jordan put forth flowers! O you who lie in darkness, a great Light has revealed Itself to you! Beholding It, leap up! Coming from Galilee, Christ desires to be baptized in the flesh by a servant!
Glory… Now…
Be glad now and dance, O Jordan! Leap up, O John! Rejoice, all the world! Lo! Christ has appeared: He strips Himself naked and is baptized, clothing mankind in the raiment of incorruption!
Katavasia: Every tongue is at a loss to praise you as is due:* even a spirit from the world above is filled with dizziness,* when it seeks to sing your praises, O Theotokos.* But since you are good, accept our faith:* You know well our love inspired by God,* for you are the Protector of Christians and we magnify you.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
After His resurrection the Lord asked Peter three times:* Do you love Me?* Then the Lord set Peter as a shepherd over His sheep.* When Peter saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following Him,* he asked the Lord: What about him?* And the Lord said: If I want him to wait until I come again,* what is that to you, O Peter, my beloved?
Glory…
When the Jordan beheld you naked, with trembling it said to him who was born of the barren woman: “O John, you dare not baptize the Lord, who purifies all creation with fire and the Spirit! For He has come to sanctify mortals and the nature of water!”
Now…
He who in the flesh shone forth from the Virgin in Bethlehem now hastens to the Jordan, to wash away the defilement of mortals, leading to the light those who are in darkness, through divine baptism.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 8
O Lord, though You stood before the judgment seat* being judged by Pilate,* yet You were seated with the Father* and were not absent from Your throne.* And risen from the dead You freed the world from slavery to the stranger,* as You are full of compassionate pity and love for mankind.
O Lord, the Jews laid You as a corpse in a grave,* and soldiers guarded You as a sleeping king* sealing You with a seal as if a treasury of life;* but You arose* and grant incorruption to our souls.
O Lord, You have given us Your Cross as a weapon against the devil;* for he quakes and trembles, unable to contemplate Your power;* for raised the dead and abolished death:* wherefore we worship Your Burial and Your Rising.
Your Angel, O Lord, having proclaimed Your Resurrection,* filled the guards with fear,* but he cried to the women saying: Why do you seek the living among the dead?* Being God He is risen* granting life to the whole world.’
Tone 6
Do you not comprehend the dispensation which I bring to pass for the salvation of all, O Baptist?* Forsake now the things of the past and ponder that which is profitable.* Believe on God who has come down,* and, having once refused, obey Me now;* for I who am God have come to cleanse Adam of the fall in My loving-kindness.* O Jesus who takes our sins upon Your shoulders.
You have come to the streams of the Jordan,* and I am filled with fear at Your awesome coming.* How then do You command me to baptize You?* You have come Yourself to cleanse me:* how then do You, who are the purification of all, ask baptism of me?
I am the unapproachable Word,* though I have clothed My nature in the guise of a servant* and have come to the Jordan.* Refuse Me not, but come here and fear not.* Draw nigh to Me, setting your right hand upon My head, crying:* O our blessed God who has appeared, glory be to You!
O how far beyond understanding is Your infinite self-abasement* for the sake of me who am fallen, O Word of God!* I have recognized You who in Your lovingkindness clothed Yourself in Adam* and restores the descendants of Adam,* and, obedient to Your command, with faith I cry to You:* O our blessed God who has appeared, glory be to You!
Tone 6, Glory…
Serving the Master with trembling, John rejoices in soul and cries out with gladness:* “Rejoice with me, all you generations of our first father!* For our Hope has arrived!* Christ has come to the Jordan to wash away all the sin of Adam,* in that He is compassionate!”
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
You came forth from death, destroying the eternal bonds of Hades, O Lord.* You broke the curse of Death* and thus delivered us from the snares of the Evil One.* Then You appeared to your apostles and sent them forth to preach,* and through them You have bestowed your peace upon all the world,* for You alone are rich in mercy.
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.
Troparion, Tone 4: After Elijah had gone up to heaven,* Elisha threw his mantle in the Jordan River which parted,* opening a way, a dry path between two walls of water, where he could pass,* a true symbol of our baptism by which we pass through this fleeting life.* Christ has been seen at the Jordan River* to sanctify the waters.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: O most compassionate Christ Who absolves our sins in the depth of your mercy,* you came to be baptized with the water of the Jordan.* You robed me in splendour* replacing my ancient garment of evil.
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
Save Your people, O Lord,* and bless Your inheritance.
verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord my God, lest You turn from me in silence. (Psalm 27:9,1)
Epistle
2 Timothy 4:5-8
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: God, be merciful to us and bless us.
verse: Make the light of Your face shine upon us and have mercy on us. (Psalm 66:2)
Gospel
Mark 1:1-8
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)