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)