Event Information:
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Tue17Dec2024
The Holy Prophet Daniel. The Three Holy Youths Ananiah, Azariah, and Mishael.
Nativity Fast.
VESPERS ON MONDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
The appointed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 4
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
The wondrous Daniel,* having made his heart the pure abode of the Spirit,* illumined by Him manifestly proclaims* the revelation of things to come;* and, adorned with the splendour of prophecy,* he clearly interprets the hidden dreams* of the all iniquitous and mighty kings.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Having rendered your body strong beforehand with intense fasting,* you closed the mouths of the lions;* for, standing in their midst, O wondrous prophet,* and lifting your eyes to our good God,* you remained unharmed through the ineffable power of the Deliverer of our souls* who all-gloriously accomplishes all things.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
O wondrous prophet,* you beheld the Unapproachable One,* the just Judge, sitting on a throne, surrounded by angels.* And, marvelling at the awesome and terrible sight,* you described it for all who came after,* recounting the second coming of our incarnate God.
Tone 4
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Observing the God-given laws, O most blessed ones,* you did not defile yourselves with abominable foods,* but, keeping the beauty of your souls incorrupt,* you preserved the flower of your flesh untainted and unwithered and your splendour comely* for the Master who glorifies His favoured ones.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Enkindled by the divine flame,* the youths prevailed over the fire;* for the honoured ones were seen to be bedewed therein,* forming an all-splendid choir, chanting in melodious hymnody;* for Daniel rejoiced, beholding the immutable kingdom of Christ,* in that he is a most excellent prophet.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Marvelling at the wisdom of your words* and the understanding of the youths, O right wondrous Daniel,* the tyrants appointed you to rule and govern the land of Chaldea, O honoured ones;* for the adversary knew to marvel most manifestly* at your virtue and splendour of life;* for you restrained the passions gaining power over you.
Tone 2, Glory…
Today, the Prophet Daniel has spiritually assembled us, O you faithful,* and laid an abundant banquet of the virtues for rich and poor, paupers, wanderers, and household servants,* filling a noetic cup with the water of piety,* gladdening the hearts of the faithful and imparting the grace of the Holy Spirit,* for he is a most splendid luminary who, shining forth in the world,* cast down all the worship of the Assyrians* and shut the mouths of the untamed beasts.* And with him let the three youths be praised* who, though not gold by nature, were shown to be tried like gold;* for the fire of the furnace melted them together, yet preserved them whole,* and naphtha, sulphur and tinder crowned them.* May the Lord Who has led us to the turning of the year* vouchsafe that we also may attain to the lordly and honourable day of the nativity of Christ,* who through their supplications bestows cleansing of sins and great mercy upon us.
Now…
Come all of you, and with faith let us celebrate the forefeast of the nativity of Christ,* noetically offering up hymns of glorification like the star of the magi,* and with the shepherds let us cry aloud:* The deliverance of the nations has come forth from the Virgin’s womb,* summoning the faithful.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
The Lord hears me* when I cry out to Him.
verse: Whenever I called, the God of my justice heard me.
Aposticha
Tone 5
O Lord, I cease not to sin,* nor do I perceive Your love for mankind which You have granted me.* Vanquish my lack of discernment, O You who alone are good,* and have mercy upon me.
I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.
O Lord, from reverent fear of You I tremble,* yet I cease not from committing sins.* Who, when called to trial, does not fear the judge?* Or who, desiring to be healed, angers the physician, as I do?* O longsuffering Lord, have compassion upon my weakness,* and have mercy upon me.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.
Having put on the breastplate of faith and armed themselves with the image of the Cross,* Your saints, О Lord, manfully gave themselves over to torments* and cast down the pride and deception of the devil.* As God almighty, send down peace upon the world through their entreaties,* and great mercy upon our souls.
Tone 6, Glory… Now…
Daniel, the man of divine desires,* seeing You, O Lord, the Stone not cut by human hands,* foretold that You would without seed be born a babe,* the Word incarnate of the Virgin, God immutable,* the Saviour of our souls.
Troparia
Tone 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith!* In the fountain of flame, as in refreshing water, the three holy children rejoiced;* and the Prophet Daniel was shown to be a shepherd of lions, as of sheep.* By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
Glory… Now…
O Mother of God and virgin forever,* through you we have been made to share the divine nature;* you have given birth for us to the incarnate God.* Therefore, we all exalt you with great devotion.
DIVINE LITURGY ON TUESDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 2: Great are the deeds performed with faith:* three youths rejoiced in the flaming furnace* as if they stood in refreshing waters;* and Daniel the prophet faced lions as though they were sheep.* Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 6: You did not worship a man-made image, O thrice-blessed youths,* but were glorified in the test of fire,* protected by a power beyond description.* From the searing flames you cried out to God, saying:* Hasten to help us, O merciful Lord,* for in your greatness You can do whatever You will.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
God is wonderful in His saints,* the God of Israel.
verse: In the churches bless God, the Lord from the fountains of Israel. (Psalm 67:36,27)
Epistle
Hebrews 12:25-26; 13:22-25
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: The just cried out and the Lord heard them, and delivered them out of their afflictions.
verse: The afflictions of the just are many, and out of them all will the Lord deliver them. (Psalm 33:18,20)
Gospel
Mark 10:2-12
Communion Hymn
Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)