GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 6
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
O Christ, You won the victory over Hades,
You ascended the Cross so that You might raise up with Yourself
all those who dwelt in the darkness of death.
Almighty Saviour, You are free from death
and bestow life by Your divine light.
We, therefore, beseech You to have mercy on us.
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Today Christ has conquered Death.
He has risen from the grave as He foretold,
bestowing great joy upon the world.
Therefore, let us all lift up our voices and sing:
O Fount of Life, O Light Whom no one can approach,
Almighty Saviour, have mercy on us.
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
O Lord, where can we sinners flee from You,
for You are present in all creation?
You are present in heaven, for it is Your dwelling place.
Your power prevails in Hades where You conquered Death.
O Master, Your sustaining hand touches even the depths of the sea.
Where, then, can we take refuge except in You?
We, therefore, prostrate ourselves before You and pray:
O Lord, risen from the dead, have mercy on us.
In Tone 2
- Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
The Forerunner beheld our enlightenment,
Who enlightens all men,
draw near to be baptized.
He rejoiced in soul while his hand trembled.
He showed Him to the people, saying:
Behold, the Redeemer of Israel, Who sets us free from corruption.
Sinless One, 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 Forerunner beheld our enlightenment,
Who enlightens all men,
draw near to be baptized.
He rejoiced in soul while his hand trembled.
He showed Him to the people, saying:
Behold, the Redeemer of Israel, Who sets us free from corruption.
Sinless One, 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.
The Father’s voice was heard from on high:
He on whom the Forerunner lays his hand, the same is my beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased.
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 Comforter descended in the form of a dove.
He Who bowed the heavens, bowed His head,
and the clay cried aloud to the One Who formed him:
Why do You command of me what lies beyond my power?
For I have need to be baptized of You.
Sinless One, Christ our God, glory to You!
In 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.
When the Forerunner beheld You, Christ,
drawing near to him to ask for baptism,
he cried out in trembling:
Why do You ask me for what is beyond my strength?
How shall I touch You with my hand, all-powerful Lord,
for You hold all things with Your hand?
But instead baptize me, Your servant!
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
This day I have appeared as a complete Man;
unapproachable by nature, I have become approachable to you.
Rich, I have willingly made myself poor,
that what has grown poor I may make rich with incorruption and deliverance.
Draw near and baptize Him Who is not subject to corruption,
and Who delivers the world from decay.
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
I am constrained on every side, said the Forerunner to the Creator,
and cannot tell which way to go.
Bountiful Lord, You are a stream flowing with nourishment:
How then shall the flowing streams receive You, Word,
Who come to pour forth salvation on all who honour Your holy Epiphany!
In Tone 6, Glory…
Light in the flesh and Forerunner of the Saviour,
offspring of a barren mother.
and friend of the One born of a Virgin,
you have worshipped Him by leaping in the womb,
and have baptized him in the waters of the Jordan.
We entreat you to intercede with Him, prophet,
that we may escape from the mighty tempests to come!
In Tone 6, Now…
Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?
Who would not sing a hymn of praise
to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?
The Only-begotten Son Himself,
begotten of the Father before all ages,
was made flesh out of you in a manner
that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!
And for our sake, He Who is God by nature
assumed the nature of a man.
He is not divided into two persons;
He is understood to have two natures
without commixion or confusion.
O noble and blessed Woman,
intercede with Him that He may mercy on our souls.
Aposticha
In Tone 6
O Christ our Saviour,
the angels in heaven sing the praises of Your Resurrection;
make us on earth also worthy
to extol You with a pure heart.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
Almighty God, You destroyed the brazen gates and bars of Hades,
and raised up fallen mankind.
Therefore, with one accord, we cry out:
O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
Christ willed to renew us from our corruption of old
by being nailed to a cross and placed in a tomb.
When the women came to anoint His body they tearfully cried out:
O, what sorrow afflicts us!
O Saviour of All, how could You consent to occupy a grave?
If you truly willed this, then why did You allow Your body to be stolen?
How were You removed?
What place now conceals Your life-bearing body?
O Lord, appear to us as You promised
and put an end to out tears.
As they were lamenting, an angel appeared and cried out to them:
Do not weep, but tell the Apostles that the Lord is risen,
granting sanctification and great mercy to the world.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Christ, You were crucified of Your free will,
and by Your burial You imprisoned Death.
As God, You rose in glory on the third day,
granting life and great mercy to the world.
In Tone 4, Glory…
As the lover of the Spirit,
the swallow that brings divine tidings of grace, Forerunner,
you have made known clearly to mankind the dispensation of the King,
Who shone forth in brightness from a pure Virgin for the restoration of mankind.
You banish the dominion of dark and evil ways,
and guide the hearts of those baptized in repentance to eternal life,
blessed prophet inspired by God!
Now…
Come, let us go like the wise virgins,
and meet the Master Who has appeared:
For as a bridegroom He has come forth to John.
The Jordan, seeing You, was driven back in fear;
John cried out: I dare not touch Your immortal head.
The Spirit came down in the form of a dove, hallowing the waters,
and a voice called from on high:
This is my Son Who has come into the world to save mankind.
O Lord, glory to You!
Troparia
In Tone 6
Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory to You!
In Tone 2, Glory…
The just man is remembered with praises,* but for you the Lord’s testimony suffices, O Forerunner,* for you truly became more honourable than the prophets* and were deemed worthy to baptize the One foretold.* Then you suffered for the truth and joyfully announced to those in Hades* that God appeared in the flesh taking away the sin of the world* and offering us great mercy.
In Tone 1, Now…
At Your Baptism in the Jordan river, O Christ,* the worship due to the Holy Trinity was made manifest,* for the voice of the Father bore You witness by calling You “Beloved Son”* and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove,* confirmed the immutability of this declaration.* O Christ God, who came forth and filled the world with light: * Glory to You!
DIVINE LITURGY
Antiphon 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
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God, our Saviour.
Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms.
Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
For God is the great Lord, and the great king over all the earth.
Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Entrance
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ.
Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 6: Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!
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.
Troparion, Tone 2: The just man is remembered with praises,* but for you the Lord’s testimony suffices, O Forerunner,* for you truly became more honourable than the prophets* and were deemed worthy to baptize the One foretold.* Then you suffered for the truth and joyfully announced to those in Hades* that God appeared in the flesh taking away the sin of the world* and offering us great mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 3: She who once was barren gives birth today to the Forerunner of Christ,* who will fulfil every prophecy.* In the Jordan he placed his hand upon the One Whom the prophets foretold,* and thus was shown to be the prophet, the herald,* and the Forerunner of the Word of God.
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.
Prokeimenon, Tone 1
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us* as we have hoped in you.
verse: rejoice in the Lord, O you just; praise befits the righteous. (Psalm 32:2,1)
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The just man shall be glad in the Lord and shall hope in Him. (Psalm 63:11)
Epistle
Ephesians 4:7-13; Acts 19:1-8
Alleluia, Tone 5
verse: Your mercies, O Lord, I will sing for ever; from generation to generation I will announce Your truth with my mouth.(Psalm 88:2)
verse: For You have said: Mercy shall be built up for ever; in the heavens Your truth shall be prepared. (Psalm 88:3)
verse: Light shines forth for the just and joy for the upright of heart. (Psalm 96:11)
verse: Rejoice, you just, in the Lord; give glory to his holy name. (Psalm 96:12)
Gospel
Matthew 4:12-17; John 1:29-34
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. (Titus 2:11)* Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)
Instead of “Blessed is He who comes…” we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan.
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)