Event Information:
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Fri20Dec2024
Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ; The Holy Hieromartyr Ignatius the Godbearer.
Nativity Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
VESPERS ON THURSDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
The appointed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 1
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O people, let us celebrate the forefeast of the Nativity of Christ,* and lifting our thoughts up to Bethlehem, let us elevate ourselves in mind;* and with the eyes of our souls let us gaze upon the Virgin,* who comes to give birth in the cave to our Lord and God.* Joseph, beholding the magnitude of His miracles,* supposed that he beheld a man wrapped as a babe in swaddling-bands,* but perceived from the testimony of things that He was the true God,* who bestows great mercy upon our souls.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
O people, let us celebrate the forefeast of the Nativity of Christ,* and elevating our minds to Bethlehem,* let us soar aloft in thought and behold the great mystery in the cave;* for Eden was opened when God issued forth from the pure Virgin,* being perfect in both divinity and manhood.* Let us cry aloud: O holy God, unoriginate Father!* O Holy and Mighty One, Son who became incarnate!* O holy Immortal One, comforting Spirit!* O Holy Trinity, glory be to You!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Hearken, O heaven, and give ear, O earth!* For, lo! the Son and Word of God of the Father* comes to be born of the Maiden who knew not man,* at the good pleasure of Him who begat Him in dispassion,* and with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit.* Prepare yourself, O Bethlehem!* Open thy gates, O Eden!* For the Author of all creation remains what He was before, yet takes form,* granting the world great mercy.
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.
O blessed Ignatius, you were fittingly called God-bearer* when the Master, in His mercy, embraced you,* revealing to you the dogmas of the highest philosophy.* Then you received most splendid radiance, as a sponge soaks up water,* drawing it forth from the depths of enlightenment.* You followed in the steps of Christ our God, who called you.* Entreat Him that He save and illumine our souls.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Wounded with perfect love when zeal for salvation enkindled your soul,* impelling you to go to the Master, O most sacred father,* you gave voice to ever-chanted words:* “I am the wheat of the Creator,* and it is fitting that I be ground fine by teeth of the wild beasts,* that I may be shown to be pure bread for the Word my God!”* Entreat Him that He save and illumine our souls.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
You were crucified with Christ, O you who are manifest in sanctity,* when you cried out the divinely inspired words:* “My Love is crucified, and I hasten to share in His suffering!”* O blessed Ignatius, making your transit, like the sun, from the East to the West,* you travelled, shedding enlightenment;* and, adorned with a royal diadem, you have been brought before Christ.* Entreat Him that He save and illumine our souls.
Tone 8, Glory…
O God-bearing Ignatius, soaring aloft to Christ whom you desired,* you have received the reward of the sacred ministry of the Gospel of Christ,* which you completed in the shedding of your blood.* As the wheat of the immortal Husbandman, you were ground by the teeth of the wild beasts* and have been shown to be sweet bread for Him.* Pray for us, O blessed athlete.
Now…
O Bethlehem, receive standing as the metropolis of God;* for the never-waning Light comes to be born within you.* You angels, marvel in the heavens!* You men, give glory on earth!* O magi, bring the all-glorious gifts from Persia!* You shepherds, piping, sweetly sound forth the thrice-holy hymn!* Let every breath praise the Creator of all!
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
My help is from the Lord,* Who made heaven and earth.
verse: I lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from where my help shall come.
Aposticha
Tone 3
Lo! the time of our salvation draws nigh!* Make ready, O cave!* The Virgin approaches to give birth.* O Bethlehem, land of Judah, adorn yourself and rejoice,* for from you has our Lord shone forth!* Hearken, mountains and hills, and parts of Judea which lie round about,* for Christ comes that He might save man whom He created,* in that He loves mankind.
God shall come forth out of Teman,* and the Holy One out of a mountain overshadowed and densely wooded.
O Bethlehem, land of Judah,* splendidly prepare the divine cave for human habitation,* for therein God will be born in the flesh of the holy Virgin who knew not man,* that He might save our race.
O Lord, I have heard Your report, and I was afraid;* O Lord, I considered Your works, and I was amazed.
Come all, and with faith let us celebrate the forefeast of the Nativity of Christ,* and noetically offering hymnody like a star,* with the shepherds let us give voice to the glorification of the magi:* Salvation has come to men through the Virgin’s womb,* restoring the faithful.
Tone 1, Glory…
O steadfast and adamantine soul, O right blessed Ignatius!* For, with unwavering desire for Him who loves you, you did say:* “There is not within me the fire of the love of material things;* rather there is in me living water which speaks in me, saying within me: Come to the Father.”* Afire with the divine Spirit, you permitted the wild beasts to separate you quickly from the world* and send you to Christ whom you desired.* Entreat Him that He save our souls.
Now…
O people, let us celebrate the forefeast of the Nativity of Christ,* and lifting our thoughts up to Bethlehem, let us elevate ourselves in mind;* and with the eyes of our souls let us gaze upon the Virgin,* who comes to give birth in the cave to our Lord and God.* Joseph, beholding the magnitude of His miracles,* supposed that he beheld a man wrapped as a babe in swaddling-bands,* but perceived from the testimony of things that He was the true God,* who bestows great mercy upon our souls.
Troparia
Tone 4
You sat on the chair of the apostles and exercised their powers.* You are the inspiration of prelates and the glory of martyrs.* You faced savage beasts, fire, and sword all for the sake of the faith.* You made the course of truth straight, even at the price of your own blood.* O priest-martyr Ignatius, beg Christ our God to save our souls.
Glory… Now…
Bethlehem, make ready, for Eden has been opened for all.* Ephrathah, be alert, for the Tree of life has blossomed forth from the Virgin in the cave.* Her womb has become a spiritual paradise* wherein the divine Fruit was planted,* and if we eat of it we shall live and not die like Adam.* Christ is coming forth to bring back to life* the likeness that had been lost in the beginning.
DIVINE LITURGY ON FRIDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Bethlehem, make ready, for Eden has been opened for all.* Ephrathah, be alert, for the Tree of life has blossomed forth from the Virgin in the cave.* Her womb has become a spiritual paradise* wherein the divine Fruit was planted,* and if we eat of it we shall live and not die like Adam.* Christ is coming forth to bring back to life* the likeness that had been lost in the beginning.
Troparion, Tone 4: You sat on the chair of the apostles and exercised their powers.* You are the inspiration of prelates and the glory of martyrs.* You faced savage beasts, fire, and sword all for the sake of the faith.* You made the course of truth straight, even at the price of your own blood.* O priest-martyr Ignatius, beg Christ our God to save our souls.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 3: Today, the Virgin is on her way to the cave* where she will give birth in a manner beyond understanding* to the Word who is in all eternity.* Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when you hear it heralded.* With the angels and the shepherds, glorify Him who chose to be seen as anew born babe* while remaining God in all eternity.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: Having piously lived among the hierarchs,* and having trod the path of suffering,* you extinguished the sacrifices to idols* and were a defender for your flock, O godly one.* Therefore, venerating you, we sincerely cry to you:* “Rescue us from dangers by your prayers, O our father, Ignatius.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The venerable ones will exult in glory* and they shall be joyful in their beds.
verse: Sing to the Lord a new song; let His praise be in the assembly of the venerable ones. (Psalm 149:5,1)
Epistle
James 2:1-13
Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice, and Your venerable ones shall rejoice.
verse: For the Lord has chosen Sion; He has chosen it for His dwelling. (Psalm 131:9,13)
Gospel
Mark 10:23-32
Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear*. Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)