The Feast of the Synaxis of the Theotokos, December 26

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1 The Feast of the Synaxis of the Theotokos, December 26 Feast of the Synaxis of the Theotokos The Holy Hieromartyr Euthymios, Bishop of Sardis. The Holy New Hieromartyr Constantine the Russian who suffered at Constantinople. Ἡ Σύναξις τῆς Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου Τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἱεροµάρτυρος Εὐθυµίου, Ἐπισκόπου Σάρδεων. Τοῦ Ἁγίου νέου Ἱεροµάρτυρος Κωνσταντίνου τοῦ Ρώσσου, ἐν Κωνσταντινουπόλει ἀθλήσαντος. December 26 On the day following a great feast, the Church traditionally honors the memory of the person who was most connected with the commemoration. This is referred to as a synaxis, which some understand to indicate that the person is co-worthy (of commemoration). Others understand that it is an assembly (or synaxis ) of the faithful gathered to honor that person Today s commemoration, the Assembly in honor of the Theotokos, is believed to be the most-ancient feast of Mary in the Christian tradition, the very beginning of her veneration by the Church. After Christ, the Theotokos obviously filled a primary role in the Nativity of our Lord. The humanity of Jesus Christ, concretely and historically, is the humanity He received from His Mother, the Virgin Mary. His body is, first of all, her body. His life is her life. From the first centuries, the faithful assembled on the day following the Feast of the Nativity to express their veneration of the Virgin Mary and to honor her as truly the Mother of God. By the fourth century the feast of the Synaxis of the Theotokos had became universally celebrated in the Church on December 26th. Feast of the Protomartyr Stephen, the first to be martyred for the incarnate Lord, was celebrated on the same date until the seventh century when it the transferred to December 27th. There is an interesting reference made to the celebration of the Synaxis of the Theotokos in the 79th Canon of the Sixth Ecumenical Council, which met at Constantinople in AD 691. At that time, a custom had been introduced in certain localities for the faithful to exchange baked goods on the feast to honor of the travail of the Virgin Mary in giving birth to Jesus Christ. The Synod condemned and forbid this practice, stating: The divine birth by the Virgin which was without seed, we profess to have been painless, and this we preach to all the faithful. Hence, we wish to correct those who through ignorance are doing something improper, for there are some who, the day after the feast of the Nativity, prepare baked goods and exchange them among themselves and present them as gifts to one another in honor of the labor during the childbirth of the all-pure Virgin Mary. We decree that the faithful not do anything similar. This does not bring honor to the Virgin when they designate and represent her marvelous childbirth as an ordinary birth such as the kind we know; because in fact, she gave birth to the uncontainable Word in a manner that is beyond all understanding and expression. If therefore, from this moment on anyone should do this, let the cleric be deprived of his dignity, and the lay person be excommunicated. 1

2 At Great Vespers Sunday - Friday Evening The Proemial Psalm. Great Litany. At the Kyrie Ekekraksa Prosomoia Stichera of the Forefeast Tone 2 Of Germanos Εἰς τὸν Μεγἀλον Ἐσπερινόν Ἐσπέρας Κυριακή - Παρασκευή Ὁ Προιµιακός. Εἰρηνικά. Εἰς τὸ «Κύριε, Ἐκέκραξα» Στιχηρὰ Προσόµοια Προεόρτια Ἦχος β Γερµανοῦ Stichos 1 Στίχος α If You should mark iniquities, Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? For with You there is forgiveness. Come, let us greatly rejoice in the Lord as we tell of this present mystery. The middle wall of partition has been destroyed; the flaming sword turns back, the cherubim withdraw from the tree of life, and I partake of the delight of Paradise from which I was cast out through disobedience. For the express Image of the Father, the imprint of His eternity, takes the form of a servant, and without undergoing change He comes forth from a Mother who knew not wedlock. For what He was, He has remained, true God; and what He was not, He has taken upon Himself, becoming man through love for mankind. Unto Him let us cry aloud: God born of a Virgin, have mercy on us. Ἐὰν ἀνοµίας παρατηρήσῃς, Κύριε, Κύριε τίς ὑποστήσεται; ὅτι παρὰ σοὶ ὁ ἱλασµός ἐστιν. Δεῦτε ἀγαλλιασώµεθα τῷ Κυρίῳ, τὸ παρὸν µυστήριον ἐκδιηγούµενοι, τὸ µεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγµοῦ διαλέλυται, ἡ φλογίνη ῥοµφαία τὰ νῶτα δίδωσι, καὶ τὰ Χερουβίµ παραχωρεῖ τοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς, κἀγὼ τοῦ παραδείσου τῆς τρυφῆς µεταλαµβάνω, οὗ προεξεβλήθην διὰ τῆς παρακοῆς. Ἡ γὰρ ἀπαράλλακτος εἰκὼν τοῦ Πατρός, ὁ χαρακτήρ τῆς ἀϊδιότητος αὐτοῦ, µορφὴν δούλου λαµβάνει, ἐξ ἀπειρογάµου Μητρὸς προελθών, οὐ τροπὴν ὑποµείνας ὃ γὰρ ἦν διέµεινε, Θεὸς ὢν ἀληθινός καὶ ὃ οὐκ ἦν προσέλαβεν, ἄνθρωπος γενόµενος διὰ φιλανθρωπίαν αὐτῷ βοήσωµεν ὁ τεχθεὶς ἐκ Παρθένου Θεός, ἐλέησον ἡµᾶς. Stichos 2 Στίχος β For Your name s sake I have waited patiently for You, O Lord; my soul has waited patiently for Your word, my soul has hoped in the Lord. Ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόµατός σου ὑπέµεινά σε, Κύριε ὑπέµεινεν ἡ ψυχή µου εἰς τὸν λόγον σου, ἤλπισεν ἡ ψυχή µου ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον. (Repeat) Come, let us greatly rejoice in the (Πάλιν) Δεῦτε ἀγαλλιασώµεθα τῷ Κυρίῳ, τὸ Lord as we tell of this present mystery. The παρὸν µυστήριον ἐκδιηγούµενοι, τὸ middle wall of partition has been destroyed; µεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγµοῦ διαλέλυται, ἡ the flaming sword turns back, the cherubim φλογίνη ῥοµφαία τὰ νῶτα δίδωσι, καὶ τὰ withdraw from the tree of life, and I partake Χερουβίµ παραχωρεῖ τοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς, of the delight of Paradise from which I was κἀγὼ τοῦ παραδείσου τῆς τρυφῆς cast out through disobedience. For the express µεταλαµβάνω, οὗ προεξεβλήθην διὰ τῆς Image of the Father, the imprint of His παρακοῆς. Ἡ γὰρ ἀπαράλλακτος εἰκὼν τοῦ eternity, takes the form of a servant, and Πατρός, ὁ χαρακτήρ τῆς ἀϊδιότητος αὐτοῦ, without undergoing change He comes forth µορφὴν δούλου λαµβάνει, ἐξ ἀπειρογάµου from a Mother who knew not wedlock. For Μητρὸς προελθών, οὐ τροπὴν ὑποµείνας ὃ what He was, He has remained, true God; and γὰρ ἦν διέµεινε, Θεὸς ὢν ἀληθινός καὶ ὃ οὐκ what He was not, He has taken upon Himself, ἦν προσέλαβεν, ἄνθρωπος γενόµενος διὰ 2

3 becoming man through love for mankind. Unto Him let us cry aloud: God born of a Virgin, have mercy on us. φιλανθρωπίαν αὐτῷ βοήσωµεν ὁ τεχθεὶς ἐκ Παρθένου Θεός, ἐλέησον ἡµᾶς. Stichos 3 Στίχος γ From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord. When the Lord Jesus was born of the holy Virgin, all the world was enlightened. The shepherds watched in the fields, the Magi adored, and the angels praised in song; but Herod was troubled, for God has appeared in the flesh, the Savior of our souls. Ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωΐας µέχρι νυκτός, ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωΐας, ἐλπισάτω Ἰσραὴλ ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον. Τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος ἐκ τῆς ἁγίας Παρθένου, πεφώτισται τὰ σύµπαντα Ποιµένων γὰρ ἀγραυλούντων, καὶ Μάγων προσκυνούντων, Ἀγγέλων ἀνυµνούντων, Ἡρῴδης ἐταράττετο, ὅτι Θεὸς ἐν σαρκὶ ἐφάνη, Σωτὴρ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡµῶν. Stichos 4 Στίχος δ For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities. (Repeat) When the Lord Jesus was born of the holy Virgin, all the world was enlightened. The shepherds watched in the fields, the Magi adored, and the angels praised in song; but Herod was troubled, for God has appeared in the flesh, the Savior of our souls. Ὅτι παρὰ τῷ Κυρίῳ τὸ ἔλεος καὶ πολλὴ παρ αὐτῷ λύτρωσις καὶ αὐτὸς λυτρώσεται τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἐκ πασῶν τῶν ἀνοµιῶν αὐτοῦ. (Πάλιν) Τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος ἐκ τῆς ἁγίας Παρθένου, πεφώτισται τὰ σύµπαντα Ποιµένων γὰρ ἀγραυλούντων, καὶ Μάγων προσκυνούντων, Ἀγγέλων ἀνυµνούντων, Ἡρῴδης ἐταράττετο, ὅτι Θεὸς ἐν σαρκὶ ἐφάνη, Σωτὴρ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡµῶν. Stichos 5 Στίχος ε Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise Him, all you peoples. Your Kingdom, O Christ God, is a Kingdom of all the ages, and Your rule is from generation to generation. Made flesh of the Holy Spirit and made man of the ever-virgin Mary, You have enlightened us by Your coming. Light of Light, Brightness of the Father, You have made the whole creation shine with joy. All that has breath praises You, the Image of the glory of the Father. O God Who are, and Who has ever been, Who has shone forth from a Virgin, have mercy on us. Stichos 6 For He has made His mercy to prevail over us, and the truth of the Lord abides to the ages. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἐπαινέσατε αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ λαοί. Ἡ Βασιλεία σου, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, βασιλεία πάντων τῶν αἰώνων, καὶ ἡ Δεσποτεία σου, ἐν πάσῃ γενεᾷ καὶ γενεᾷ. Ὁ σαρκωθεὶς ἐκ Πνεύµατος Ἁγίου, καὶ ἐκ τῆς ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας ἐνανθρωπήσας, φῶς ἡµῖν ἔλαµψας, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, τῇ σῇ παρουσίᾳ φῶς ἐκ φωτός, τοῦ Πατρὸς τὸ ἀπαύγασµα, πᾶσαν κτίσιν ἐφαίδρυνας. Πᾶσα πνοὴ αἰνεῖ σε, τὸν χαρακτῆρα τῆς δόξης τοῦ Πατρός. Ὁ ὢν καὶ προών, καὶ ἐκλάµψας ἐκ Παρθένου Θεός, ἐλέησον ἡµᾶς. Στίχος στ Ὅτι ἐκραταιώθη τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἐφ ἡµᾶς, καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια τοῦ Κυρίου µένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. What shall we offer You, O Christ, Who for Τὶ σοι προσενέγκωµεν Χριστέ, ὅτι ὤφθης ἐπὶ our sake has appeared on earth as man? Every γῆς ὡς ἄνθρωπος δι ἡµᾶς; ἕκαστον γὰρ τῶν 3

4 creature made by You offers You thanks. The angels offer You a hymn; the heavens, a star; the Magi, gifts; the shepherds, their wonder; the earth, its cave; the wilderness, the manger; and we offer You a Virgin Mother. O preeternal God, have mercy on us. Idiomelon Tone 2 Kassia Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace. Today Bethlehem receives Him Who is ever seated with the Father. Today the angels glorify as God the Infant Who was born. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men! Entrance O gladsome Light. Great Prokeimenon 4 ὑπὸ σοῦ γενοµένων κτισµάτων, τὴν εὐχαριστίαν σοι προσάγει οἱ Ἄγγελοι τὸν ὕµνον, οἱ οὐρανοὶ τὸν Ἀστέρα, οἱ Μάγοι τὰ δῶρα, οἱ Ποιµένες τὸ θαῦµα, ἡ γῆ τὸ σπήλαιον, ἡ ἔρηµος τὴν φάτνην ἡµεῖς δὲ Μητέρα Παρθένον. Ὁ πρὸ αἰώνων Θεὸς ἐλέησον ἡµᾶς. Ἰδιόµελον Ἦχος β Κασίας Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις Θεῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς εἰρήνη. Σήµερον δέχεται ἡ Βηθλεέµ, τὸν καθήµενον διὰ παντὸς σὺν Πατρί. Σήµερον Ἄγγελοι τὸ βρέφος τὸ τεχθέν, θεοπρεπῶς δοξολογοῦσι. Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις Θεῷ, καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς εἰρήνη, ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκία. Εἴσοδος «Φῶς ἱλαρόν...,» Μέγα Προκείµενον Deacon Evening. Prokeimenon. Διάκ. Ἑσπέρας. Προκείµενον. Grave Tone What god is as great as our God? You are the God Who alone does wonders! You have made Your power known among the people. What god is as great as our God? You are the God Who alone does wonders! And I said: Now I have made a beginning, this change was made by the right hand of the Most High. What god is as great as our God? You are the God Who alone does wonders! Then, Let us say with all our soul, and with all our mind let us say, etc. Make us worthy, O Lord... Then, Let us complete our evening prayer..., and Prayer at the Bowing of Heads. Aposticha Idiomela Stichera of the Feast Tone Plagal 4 John the Monastic Ἦχος βαρὺς Τὶς Θεὸς µέγας, ὡς ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν; σὺ εἶ ὁ Θεός, ὁ ποιῶν θαυµάσια µόνος. Ἐγνώρισας ἐν τοῖς λαοῖς τὴν δύναµίν σου. Τὶς Θεὸς µέγας, ὡς ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν; σὺ εἶ ὁ Θεός, ὁ ποιῶν θαυµάσια µόνος. Καὶ εἶπα Νῦν ἠρξάµην αὕτη ἡ ἀλλοίωσις τῆς δεξιᾶς τοῦ Ὑψίστου. Τὶς Θεὸς µέγας, ὡς ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν; σὺ εἶ ὁ Θεός, ὁ ποιῶν θαυµάσια µόνος. Εἶτα «Εἴπωµεν πάντες ἐξ ὅλης της ψυχῆς καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας ἡµῶν εἴπωµεν.» «Καταξίωσον, Κύριε...» Εἶτα «Πληρώσωµεν τὴν ἑσπερινὴν δέησιν...,» καὶ Εὐχῆ τῆς Κεφαλοκλισίας. Ἀπόστιχα Στιχηρά Ἰδιόµελα τῆς Ἑορτῆς Ἦχος πλ. δ Ἰωάννου Μοναχοῦ

5 Today a great and wonderful event occurs! Nature is made new as God becomes man; He has remained what He was, and He has become that which He was not, and He has suffered neither confusion nor division. The Lord said to my lord, sit at My right, and I will make your enemies the footstool of your feet. O Lord, You have come to Bethlehem and have taken up Your dwelling in a cave; You Who have heaven as Your throne are laid in a manger; You Who are attended by the angelic hosts have come down among the shepherds, that in Your compassion You might save our race; glory to You. From the womb before Lucifer have I begotten You; the Lord has sworn, and will not repent. How shall I speak of this great Mystery? He Who is without flesh becomes incarnate; the Word asumes a body; the invisible One is seen; He Whom no hand can touch is handled; and He Who has no beginning now begins to be. The Son of God becomes the Son of man; Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday and today, and to the ages. Idiomela of the Feast Παράδοξον Μυστήριον, οἰκονοµεῖται σήµερον! καινοτοµοῦνται φύσεις, καὶ Θεὸς ἄνθρωπος γίνεται ὅπερ ἦν µεµένηκε, καὶ ὃ οὐκ ἦν προσέλαβεν, οὐ φυρµὸν ὑποµείνας, οὐδὲ διαίρεσιν. Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τῷ Κυρίῳ µου κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν µου ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου. Κύριε, ἐν Βηθλεὲµ παραγέγονας, ἐν τῷ Σπηλαίῳ παρῴκησας, ὁ οὐρανὸν τὸν θρόνον ἔχων, ἐν φάτνῃ ἀνεκλίθης, ὃν στρατιαὶ κυκλοῦσιν Ἀγγέλων, Ποιµέσι συγκατέβης, ἵνα σώσῃς ὡς εὔσπλαγχνος τὸ γένος ἡµῶν, δόξα σοι. Ἐκ γαστρὸς πρὸ Ἑωσφόρου ἐγέννησά σε, ὤµοσε Κύριος, καὶ οὐ µεταµεληθήσεται. Σὺ Ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ. Πῶς ἐξείπω τὸ µέγα Μυστήριον; ὁ ἄσαρκος σαρκοῦται, ὁ Λόγος παχύνεται, ὁ ἀόρατος ὁρᾶται καὶ ὁ ἀναφὴς ψηλαφᾶται καὶ ὁ ἄναρχος ἄρχεται. Ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἀνθρώπου Υἱὸς γίνεται, Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, χθὲς καὶ σήµερον ὁ αὐτός, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας. Ἰδιόµελον τῆς Ἑορτῆς Tone Plagal 4 Ἦχος πλ. δ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. The shepherds hastened to Bethlehem, proclaiming the true Shepherd Who sits upon the Cherubim and lies in a manger, have taken on the form of a baby for our sake. Lord, glory to You. Then, Now let Your servant depart in peace..., and Trisagion Prayers. Apolitikion of the Feast Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Ἐν Βηθλεὲµ συνέδραµον Ποιµένες, τὸν ἀληθῆ µηνύοντες Ποιµένα, τὸν καθήµενον ἐπὶ τῶν Χερουβίµ, καὶ ἀνακείµενον ἐν φάτνῃ, Νηπίου µορφὴν δι ἡµᾶς ἀνειληφότα, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Εἶτα «Νῦν ἀπολύεις τὸν δούλόν σου...,» καὶ τὸ Τρισάγιον. Ἀπολυτίκιον τῆς Ἑορτῆς Tone 4 Ἦχος δ Your birth, O Christ our God, did shine upon Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, the world; and through the light of wisdom ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσµῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως illumined the universe. And to those who ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, 5

6 The Feast of the Synaxis of the Theotokos, December 26 held the stars in worship, did through a star ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, learn to worship You, (worship You) the τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ Sun of righteousness, and came to know γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα You the Light from on high. Glory to You, σοι. O Lord. (Repeat) Your birth, O Christ our God, did shine upon the world; and through the light of wisdom illumined the universe. And to those who held the stars in worship, did through a star learn to worship You, (worship You) the Sun of righteousness, and came to know You the Light from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. (Πάλιν) Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσµῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. (Again) Your birth, O Christ our God, did shine upon the world; and through the light of wisdom illumined the universe. And to those who held the stars in worship, did through a star learn to worship You, (worship You) the Sun of righteousness, and came to know You the Light from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. (Καὶ Πάλιν) Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσµῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Dismissal, May He Who was born in a cave, Ἀπόλυσις «Ὁ ἐν σπηλαίῳ γεννηθείς καὶ ἐν and lay in a manger for our salvation, Christ φάτνῃ ἀνακλιθείς διά τήν ἡµῶν σωτηρίαν, our true God,... Χριστός ὁ ἀληθινός Θεός ἡµῶν...» 6

7 At Matins Monday - Saturday Morning Hexapsalm. God is the Lord... Apolitikion of the Feast Ἀµήν. 7 Εἰς τὸν Ὄρθρον Δευτέρᾳ - Σαββάτον Πρωΐ Ὁ Ἑξάψαλµος, Εἰς τὸ «Θεὸς Κύριος...» Ἀπολυτίκιον τῆς Ἑορτῆς Tone 4 Ἦχος δ Your birth, O Christ our God, did shine upon the world; and through the light of wisdom illumined the universe. And to those who held the stars in worship, did through a star learn to worship You, (worship You) the Sun of righteousness, and came to know You the Light from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. (Repeat) Your birth, O Christ our God, did shine upon the world; and through the light of wisdom illumined the universe. And to those who held the stars in worship, did through a star learn to worship You, (worship You) the Sun of righteousness, and came to know You the Light from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. (Again) Your birth, O Christ our God, did shine upon the world; and through the light of wisdom illumined the universe. And to those who held the stars in worship, did through a star learn to worship You, (worship You) the Sun of righteousness, and came to know You the Light from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. Small Litany. Sessional Hymns After the First Stichologia Tone 4 Joseph was amazed Come, O you faithful, and let us behold where Christ is born. Let us join the Magi, kings from the east, and follow the guiding star. Angels sing praises there without ceasing, and shepherds abiding in the fields offer a fitting hymn, saying: Glory in the highest to Him Who in the cave this day is born of the Virgin and Theotokos, in Bethlehem of Judah. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσµῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. (Πάλιν) Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσµῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. (Καὶ Πάλιν) Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσµῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Συναπτὴ Μικρὰ. Καθίσµατα Μετὰ τὴν α Στιχολογίαν Ἦχος δ Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσὴφ Δεῦτε ἴδωµεν πιστοί, ποῦ ἐγεννήθη ὁ Χριστός, ἀκολουθήσωµεν λοιπὸν ἔνθα ὁδεύει ὁ ἀστήρ, µετὰ τῶν Μάγων Ἀνατολῆς τῶν Βασιλέων. Ἄγγελοι ὑµνοῦσιν, ἀκαταπαύστως ἐκεῖ. Ποιµένες ἀγραυλοῦσιν, ᾠδὴν ἐπάξιον. Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις λέγοντες, τῷ σήµερον ἐν Σπηλαίῳ τεχθέντι, ἐκ τῆς Παρθένου, καὶ Θεοτόκου, ἐν Βηθλεὲµ τῆς Ἰουδαίας. Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

8 (Repeat) Come, O you faithful, and let us behold where Christ is born. Let us join the Magi, kings from the east, and follow the guiding star. Angels sing praises there without ceasing, and shepherds abiding in the fields offer a fitting hymn, saying: Glory in the highest to Him Who in the cave this day is born of the Virgin and Theotokos, in Bethlehem of Judah. After the Second Stichologia Tone 4 Joseph was amazed Why are you filled with wonder, O Mary? Why are you amazed at that which has come to pass in you? Because I have given birth in time to the timeless Son, yet I do not understand how I have conceived Him. I have not known man; how then shall I bear a child? Who has ever seen a birth without seed? But, as it is written, Where God so wills, the order of nature is overcome. Christ is born of the Virgin in Bethlehem of Judah. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. (Repeat) Why are you filled with wonder, O Mary? Why are you amazed at that which has come to pass in you? Because I have given birth in time to the timeless Son, yet I do not understand how I have conceived Him. I have not known man; how then shall I bear a child? Who has ever seen a birth without seed? But, as it is written, Where God so wills, the order of nature is overcome. Christ is born of the Virgin in Bethlehem of Judah. Psalm 50. then: Kontakion of the Theotokos Read (Tone Plagal 2) He Who was born of the Father without mother before Lucifer, has today become incarnate of you on earth without father; wherefore, the star announces glad tidings to the Magi, and the angels and shepherds hymn your ineffable birthgiving, the one full of grace. 8 (Πάλιν) Δεῦτε ἴδωµεν πιστοί, ποῦ ἐγεννήθη ὁ Χριστός, ἀκολουθήσωµεν λοιπὸν ἔνθα ὁδεύει ὁ ἀστήρ, µετὰ τῶν Μάγων Ἀνατολῆς τῶν Βασιλέων. Ἄγγελοι ὑµνοῦσιν, ἀκαταπαύστως ἐκεῖ. Ποιµένες ἀγραυλοῦσιν, ᾠδὴν ἐπάξιον. Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις λέγοντες, τῷ σήµερον ἐν Σπηλαίῳ τεχθέντι, ἐκ τῆς Παρθένου, καὶ Θεοτόκου, ἐν Βηθλεὲµ τῆς Ἰουδαίας. Μετὰ τὴν β Στιχολογίαν Ἦχος δ Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσὴφ Τὶ θαυµάζεις Μαριάµ; τὶ ἐκθαµβεῖσαι τῷ ἐν σοὶ; Ὅτι ἄχρονον Υἱόν, χρόνῳ ἐγέννησα φησί, τοῦ τικτοµένου τὴν σύλληψιν µὴ διδαχθεῖσα. Ἄνανδρος εἰµί, καὶ πῶς τέξω Υἱόν; ἄσπορον γονὴν τὶς ἑώρακεν; ὅπου Θεὸς δὲ βούλεται, νικᾶται φύσεως τάξις, ὡς γέγραπται. Χριστὸς ἐτέχθη, ἐκ τῆς Παρθένου, ἐν Βηθλεὲµ τῆς Ἰουδαίας. Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. (Πάλιν) Τὶ θαυµάζεις Μαριάµ; τὶ ἐκθαµβεῖσαι τῷ ἐν σοὶ; Ὅτι ἄχρονον Υἱόν, χρόνῳ ἐγέννησα φησί, τοῦ τικτοµένου τὴν σύλληψιν µὴ διδαχθεῖσα. Ἄνανδρος εἰµί, καὶ πῶς τέξω Υἱόν; ἄσπορον γονὴν τὶς ἑώρακεν; ὅπου Θεὸς δὲ βούλεται, νικᾶται φύσεως τάξις, ὡς γέγραπται. Χριστὸς ἐτέχθη, ἐκ τῆς Παρθένου, ἐν Βηθλεὲµ τῆς Ἰουδαίας. Ψαλµός Ν. Εἶτα Κοντάκιον τῆς Θεοτόκου Χῦµα (Ἦχος πλ. β ) Ὁ πρὸ Ἑωσφόρου ἐκ Πατρὸς ἀµήτωρ γεννηθείς, ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀπάτωρ ἐσαρκώθη σήµερον ἐκ σοῦ ὅθεν Ἀστὴρ εὐαγγελίζεται Μάγοις, Ἄγγελοι δὲ µετὰ Ποιµένων ὑµνοῦσι, τὸν ἄχραντον Τόκον σου, ἡ Κεχαριτωµένη.

9 Oikos of the Theotokos Read (Tone Plagal 2) Without labor the mystical Vine has produced the Grapes of life; with her arms as branches, she carried Him, saying: You are my Fruit, You are my Life, You are my God, from You I have learned that I remain what I am, for seeing the seal of my virginity unbroken, I proclaim You to be the unchangeable Word, now made incarnate. I have known no seed, and I know that You are the destroyer of corruption; for I am pure, yet You have gone forth from me. As You found my womb, so have You left it; therefore all creation share in my joy and cries out to me, Rejoice, you who are full of grace. Synaxarion On the 26th of this month, the Synaxis of our most-holy Lady, Theotokos. The flight into Egypt of the most-holy Theotokos. On the same day, the Memory of our venerable father among the saints Euthymios, Bishop of Sárdis, the Confessor. On the same day, the Memory of our venerable father Constantine of the Jewish people. On the same day, our venerable father Evárestos The memory of the holy New Hieromartyr Constantine the Russian, who struggled at Constantinople in the year Through the prayers of Your holy ones, O God, save us and have mercy on us. Amen. Iambic Katavasiai of the Nativity of Christ Οἶκος τῆς Θεοτόκου Χῦµα (Ἦχος πλ. β ) Τὸν ἀγεώργητον βότρυν βλαστήσασα, ἡ µυστικὴ ἄµπελος ὡς ἐπὶ κλάδων, ἀγκάλαις ἐβάσταζε, καὶ ἔλεγε. Σὺ εἶ καρπός µου, σὺ εἶ ἡ ζωή µου. Ἀφ οὗ ἔγνων, ὅτι καὶ ὃ ἤµην εἰµί, σύ µου Θεός τὴν γὰρ σφραγῖδα τῆς Παρθενίας µου ὁρῶσα ἀκατάλυτον, κηρύττω σε ἄτρεπτον Λόγον, σάρκα γενόµενον. Οὐκ οἶδα σποράν, οἶδά σε λύτην τῆς φθορᾶς Ἁγνὴ γὰρ εἰµι, σοῦ προελθόντος ἐξ ἐµοῦ ὡς γὰρ εὗρες, ἔλιπες µήτραν ἐµήν. Διὰ τοῦτο συγχορεύει πᾶσα κτίσις βοῶσά µοι Χαῖρε ἡ Κεχαριτωµένη. Συναξάριον Τῇ ΚΣΤ τοῦ αὐτοῦ µηνός, Η Σύναξις τῆς Ὑπεραγίας Δεσποίνης ἡµῶν Θεοτόκου. Περὶ τῆς εἰς Αἴγυπτον φυγῆς τῆς Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου. Τῇ αὐτῇ ἡµέρᾳ, Μνήµη τοῦ ἐν ἁγίοις Πατρὸς ἡµῶν Εὐθυµίου, Ἐπισκόπου Σάρδεων τοῦ Ὁµολογητοῦ. Τῇ αὐτῇ ἡµέρᾳ, Μνήµη τοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡµῶν Κωνσταντίνου τοῦ ἐξ Ἰουδαίων. Καὶ Μνήµη τοῦ Ὁσίου πατρὸς ἡµῶν Εὐαρέστου. Μνήµη τοῦ ἁγίου νέου ἱεροµάρτυρος Κωνσταντίνου τοῦ Ῥώσου, ἀθλήσαντος ἐν Κωνσταντινοπόλει κατὰ τὸ 1743 ἔτος. Ταῖς αὐτῶν ἁγίαις πρεσβείαις, ὁ Θεός, ἐλέησον, καὶ σῶσον ἡµᾶς. Ἀµήν. Καταβασίαι Ἰαµβικαί τὴς τοῦ Χριστοῦ Γεννήσεως Tone 1 Ἦχος α Iambic 1 Ἰαµβικαί α The wonder-working Master saved people, Ἔσωσε λαόν, θαυµατουργῶν Δεσπότης, By turning the ocean waves into dry land. Ὑγρὸν θαλάσσης κῦµα, χερσώσας πάλαι. He Who willed to be born of a Virgin, Ἑκὼν δὲ τεχθείς, ἐκ Κόρης τρίβον βατήν, has established for us a path to heaven. Πόλου τίθησιν ἡµῖν ὅν κατ οὐσίαν, Like unto the Father and man we glorify Him. Ἴσόν τε Πατρί, καὶ βροτοῖς δοξάζοµεν. 9

10 Iambic 3 Ἰαµβικαί β Hear those who sing praises, O Benefactor, Humbling the brow of the proud. Raise us above sin, all-seeing blessed One, Establish your singers firm and unshaken On the foundation of faith. Νεῦσον πρὸς ὕµνους, οἰκετῶν εὐεργέτα, Ἐχθροῦ ταπεινῶν, τὴν ἐπηρµένην ὀφρύν, Φέρων τε παντεπόπτα, τῆς ἁµαρτίας Ὕπερθεν ἀκλόνητον, ἐστηριγµένους, Μάκαρ µελῳδούς, τῇ βάσει τῆς πίστεως. Iambic 4 Ἰαµβικαί δ The prophet Habakkuk foretold in song, the restoration of mankind, Made worthy to behold the ineffable symbol; A new Child from the mountain of the Virgin Comes forth to renew nations by the Word. Γένους βροτείου, τὴν ἀνάπλασιν πάλαι, ᾌδων προφήτης, Ἀββακοὺµ προµηνύει, Ἰδεῖν ἀφράστως, ἀξιωθεὶς τὸν τύπον Νέον βρέφος γάρ, ἐξ ὄρους τῆς Παρθένου, Ἐξῆλθε λαῶν, εἰς ἀνάπλασιν Λόγος. Iambic 5 Ἰαµβικαί ε From nightly works of dark deceit Forgive us who are awakened, O Christ. To us who now sing to you as Benefactor, Make the path easy That we may arise and attain glory. Iambic 6 Jonah enclosed in the depths of the sea, Entreated You to come and still the storm. Pierced with the dart of the tyrant, I call upon You, the Slayer of evil: Come swiftly and deliver me from sloth. Ἐκ νυκτὸς ἔργων, ἐσκοτισµένης πλάνης, Ἱλασµὸν ἡµῖν, Χριστὲ τοῖς ἐγρηγόρως, Νῦν Σοι τελοῦσιν, ὕµνον ὡς εὐεργέτῃ, Ἔλθοις πορίζων, εὐχερῆ τε τὴν τρίβον, Καθ ἣν ἀνατρέχοντες, εὕροιµεν κλέος. Ἰαµβικαί στ Ναίων Ἰωνᾶς, ἐν µυχοῖς θαλαττίοις, Ἐλθεῖν ἐδεῖτο, καὶ ζάλην ἀπαρκέσαι. Νυγεὶς ἐγὼ δέ, τῷ τυραννοῦντος βέλει, Χριστὲ προσαυδῶ, τὸν κακῶν ἀναιρέτην, Θᾶττον µολεῖν Σε, τῆς ἐµῆς ῥᾳθυµίας. Iambic 7 Ἰαµβικαί ζ Caught and captivated by love for the King of all, Youths reproached the tyrant for blasphemy; As the fire yielded to them, to the Lord They cried: blessed are You unto the ages. Τῷ παντάνακτος, ἐξεφαύλισαν πόθῳ, Ἄπλητα θυµαίνοντος, ἠγκιστρωµένοι, Παῖδες τυράννου, δύσθεον γλωσσαλγίαν Οἷς εἴκαθε πῦρ, ἄσπετον τῷ Δεσπότῃ, Λέγουσιν Εἰς αἰῶνας εὐλογητὸς εἶ. Iambic 8 Ἰαµβικαί η We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord. Αἰνοῦµεν, εὐλογοῦµεν καὶ προσκυνοῦµεν τὸν Κύριον. The youths encircled by fire prefigured The unburned maiden s womb which Gave birth supernaturally yet remained sealed. Both brought forth by one wondrous grace, Which the people praise in song. Kanon Μήτραν ἀφλέκτως, εἰκονίζουσι Κόρης, Οἱ τῆς παλαιᾶς, πυρπολούµενοι νέοι, Ὑπερφυῶς κύουσαν, ἐσφραγισµένην. Ἄµφω δὲ δρῶσα, θαυµατουργίᾳ µιᾷ, Λαοὺς πρὸς ὕµνον, ἐξανίστησι Χάρις. Κανόν Ode 9 Ὠδὴ θ Tone 1 Ἦχος α Deacon The Theotokos and Mother of the Διάκ. Τὴν Θεοτόκον καὶ Μητέρα τοῦ Light, let us magnify in hymns of honor. Φωτός, ἐν ὕµνοις τιµῶντες µεγαλύνωµεν. 10

11 Magnify O my soul, she who is more honorable and more glorious than the host on high. Strange and wonderful mystery: the cave has become as heaven, the Virgin is like the Cherubim, the manger a place wherein lies Christ God Whom nothing can contain; As we praise Him, let us also magnify Him. Magnify O my soul, God born in the flesh, from the Virgin. The Magi, beholding the strange course of an unknown and newly-shining star that exceeded the brightness of all heavenly light, learned thereby that Christ the King was born on earth inn Bethlehem for our salvation. Μεγάλυνον ψυχή µου, τὴν τιµιωτέραν, καὶ ἐνδοξοτέραν τῶν ἄνω στρατευµάτων. Μυστήριον ξένον, ὁρῶ καὶ παράδοξον! οὐρανὸν τὸ Σπήλαιον θρόνον Χερουβικόν, τὴν Παρθένον τὴν φάτνην χωρίον ἐν ᾧ ἀνεκλίθη ὁ ἀχώρητος, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός ὃν ἀνυµνοῦντες µεγαλύνοµεν. Μεγάλυνον ψυχή µου, τὸν ἐκ τῆς Παρθένου, Θεὸν σαρκὶ τεχθέντα. Ἐξαίσιον δρόµον, ὁρῶντες οἱ Μάγοι, ἀσυνήθους νέου ἀστέρος ἀρτιφαοῦς, οὐρανίου ὑπερλάµποντος, Χριστὸν Βασιλέα ἐτεκµήραντο, ἐν γῇ γεννηθέντα Βηθλεέµ, εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡµῶν. Magnify O my soul, the King born in the cave. Μεγάλυνον ψυχή µου, τὸν ἐν τῷ Σπηλαίῳ, τεχθέντα Βασιλέα. Where is the new-born Child and King, whose star we have seen?, the Magi said. For we have come to worship Him; Herod, the enemy of God, was troubled, and in his wild madness he plotted to kill Christ Magnify O my soul, God Who was worshipped by the Magi. Herod inquired what time the guiding star appeared, which brought the Magi to Bethlehem, there to worship Christ with gifts. Led back to their own land by that same star, they returned not to Herod, but mocked the wicked slayer of children. Others from the Iambic Kanon Today the Virgin, bears the Master within the cave. Easier for us is from fear to love silence, free of any peril as it is, O Virgin; whereas to weave stirring hymns of longing in earnest, is difficult. Therefore, O Mother, give us strength to match our desire, we pray. Today the Master is born as a baby of a Virgin Mother. Νεηγενὲς Μάγων λεγόντων, παιδίον Ἄναξ, οὗ ἀστὴρ ἐφάνη, ποῦ ἐστίν; εἰς γὰρ ἐκείνου προσκύνησιν ἥκοµεν µανεὶς ὁ Ἡρῴδης ἐταράττετο, Χριστὸν ἀνελεῖν, ὁ θεοµάχος φρυαττόµενος. Μεγάλυνον ψυχή µου, τῶν ὑπὸ τῶν Μάγων, Θεὸν προσκυνηθέντα. Ἠκρίβωσε χρόνον Ἡρῴδης ἀστέρος, οὗ ταῖς ἡγεσίαις οἱ Μάγοι ἐν Βηθλεέµ, προσκυνοῦσι Χριστῷ σὺν δώροις ὑφ οὗ πρὸς Πατρίδα ὁδηγούµενοι, δεινὸν παιδοκτόνον, ἐγκατέλιπον παιζόµενον. Ἔτερα εἰς τὸν Ἰαµβικὸν Κανόνα Σήµερον ἡ Παρθένος, τίκτει τὸν Δεσπότην, ἔνδον ἐν τῷ Σπηλαίῳ. Στέργειν µὲν ἡµᾶς, ὡς ἀκίνδυνον φόβῳ, Ῥᾷον σιωπήν, τῷ πόθῳ δὲ Παρθένε, Ὕµνους ὑφαίνειν, συντόνως τεθηγµένους, Ἐργῶδές ἐστιν, ἀλλὰ καὶ Μήτηρ σθένος, Ὅση πέφυκεν ἡ προαίρεσις δίδου. Σήµερον ὁ Δεσπότης, τίκτεται ὡς βρέφος, ὑπὸ Μητρὸς Παρθένου. (Repeat) (Πάλιν) Easier for us is from fear to love silence, Στέργειν µὲν ἡµᾶς, ὡς ἀκίνδυνον φόβῳ, free of any peril as it is, O Virgin; Ῥᾷον σιωπήν, τῷ πόθῳ δὲ Παρθένε, whereas to weave stirring hymns of longing Ὕµνους ὑφαίνειν, συντόνως τεθηγµένους, 11

12 in earnest, is difficult. Therefore, O Mother, give us strength to match our desire, we pray. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Magnify O my soul, the power of the undivided Godhead, in three Persons. Type of the Word, pure Mother, we have seen That have no light and shadows that are past; Newly he has appeared from the closed gate, And we, found worthy of the light of truth, Your womb, as is most fitting, now we bless. Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Magnify O my soul, her that delivered us, from the curse. The people that delights in Christ has found Its longing, counted worthy of God s coming, Now cries in supplication for rebirth As giving life; do you, pure Virgin, grant The grace to worship then that radiant glory. First Katavasia Magnify O my soul, the one who is more honorable and more glorious than the host above. Strange and wonderful mystery: the cave has become as heaven, the Virgin is like the Cherubim, the manger a place wherein lies Christ God Whom nothing can contain; As we praise Him, let us also magnify Him. Second Katavasia (Iambic) Magnify O my soul, her that delivered us, from the curse. Easier for us is from fear to love silence, free of any peril as it is, O Virgin; whereas to weave stirring hymns of longing in earnest, is difficult. Therefore, O Mother, give us strength to match our desire, we pray. Small Litany. Exaposteilarion Tone 3 Model Hymn Ἐργῶδές ἐστιν, ἀλλὰ καὶ Μήτηρ σθένος, Ὅση πέφυκεν ἡ προαίρεσις δίδου. Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι. Μεγάλυνον ψυχή µου, τῆς τρισυποστάτου, καὶ ἀδιαιρέτου, Θεότητος τὸ κράτος. Τύπους ἀφεγγεῖς καὶ σκιὰς παρηγµένας, Ὦ Μῆτερ ἁγνή, τοῦ Λόγου δεδορκότες, Νέου φανέντος, ἐκ πύλης κεκλεισµένης, Δοξούµενοί τε, τῆς ἀληθείας φάος, Ἐπαξίως σὴν εὐλογοῦµεν γαστέρα. Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Μεγάλυνον ψυχή µου, τὴν λυτρωσαµένην, ἡµᾶς ἐκ τῆς κατάρας. Πόθου τετευχώς, καὶ Θεοῦ παρουσίας, Ὁ χριστοτερπὴς λαὸς ἠξιωµένος, Νῦν ποτνιᾶται τῆς παλιγγενεσίας. Ὡς ζωοποιοῦ τὴν χάριν δὲ Παρθένε, Νέµοις ἄχραντε, προσκυνῆσαι τὸ κλέος. Καταβασία α Μεγάλυνον ψυχή µου, τὴν τιµιωτέραν, καὶ ἐνδοξοτέραν τῶν ἄνω στρατευµάτων. Μυστήριον ξένον, ὁρῶ καὶ παράδοξον! οὐρανὸν τὸ Σπήλαιον θρόνον Χερουβικόν, τὴν Παρθένον τὴν φάτνην χωρίον ἐν ᾧ ἀνεκλίθη ὁ ἀχώρητος, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός ὃν ἀνυµνοῦντες µεγαλύνοµεν. Καταβασία β (Ἰαµβικὸς) Μεγάλυνον ψυχή µου, τὴν λυτρωσαµένην, ἡµᾶς ἐκ τῆς κατάρας. Στέργειν µὲν ἡµᾶς, ὡς ἀκίνδυνον φόβῳ, Ῥᾷον σιωπήν, τῷ πόθῳ δὲ Παρθένε, Ὕµνους ὑφαίνειν, συντόνως τεθηγµένους, Ἐργῶδές ἐστιν, ἀλλὰ καὶ Μήτηρ σθένος, Ὅση πέφυκεν ἡ προαίρεσις δίδου. Συναπτὴ Μικρὰ. Ἐξαποστειλάριον Ἦχος γ Αὐτόµελον Our Savior from on high, the Dawn from the Ἐπεσκέψατο ἡµᾶς, ἐξ ὕψους ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡµῶν, east, has visited us, who were in darkness ἀνατολὴ ἀνατολῶν, καὶ οἱ ἐν σκότει καὶ and shadow, and have found the truth; for σκιᾷ, εὕροµεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν καὶ γὰρ ἐκ τῆς of the holy Virgin the Lord is born. Παρθένου ἐτέχθη ὁ Κύριος. 12

13 (Repeat) Our Savior from on high, the Dawn from the east, has visited us, who were in darkness and shadow, and have found the truth; for of the holy Virgin the Lord is born. (Repeat) Our Savior from on high, the Dawn from the east, has visited us, who were in darkness and shadow, and have found the truth; for of the holy Virgin the Lord is born. Praises Let every breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. To You is due praise, O God. Praise Him all you His Angels; praise Him all you His hosts. To You is due praise, O God. Stichera Idiomela Tone 4 by Andrew of Jerusalem (Πάλιν) Ἐπεσκέψατο ἡµᾶς, ἐξ ὕψους ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡµῶν, ἀνατολὴ ἀνατολῶν, καὶ οἱ ἐν σκότει καὶ σκιᾷ, εὕροµεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν καὶ γὰρ ἐκ τῆς Παρθένου ἐτέχθη ὁ Κύριος. (Πάλιν) Ἐπεσκέψατο ἡµᾶς, ἐξ ὕψους ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡµῶν, ἀνατολὴ ἀνατολῶν, καὶ οἱ ἐν σκότει καὶ σκιᾷ, εὕροµεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν καὶ γὰρ ἐκ τῆς Παρθένου ἐτέχθη ὁ Κύριος. Αἶνοι Πᾶσα πνοὴ αἰνεσάτω τὸν Κύριον. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν αἰνεῖτε αὺτὸν ἐν τοῖς ὑψἰστοις Σοὶ πρέπει ὕµνος τῷ Θεῷ. Αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ Ἄγγελοι αὐτοῦ αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάµεις αὐτοῦ Σοὶ πρέπει ὕµνος τῷ Θεῷ. Στιχηρά Ἰδιόµελα Ἦχος δ Ἀνδρέου Ἱεροσολυµίτου First Stichos Στίχος α Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness. Make glad, O you righteous; greatly rejoice, O you heavens; you mountains, dance for joy. Christ is born; and like the Cherubim the Virgin makes a throne, carrying at her bosom God the Word made flesh. Shepherds glorify the new-born Child, Magi offer the Master gifts. Angels sing praises saying: O Lord past understanding, glory to You. Αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν ἐπὶ ταῖς δυναστείαις αὐτοῦ, αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τῆς µεγαλωσύνης αὐτοῦ. Εὐφραίνεσθε Δίκαιοι, οὐρανοὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, σκιρτήσατε τὰ ὄρη, Χριστοῦ γεννηθέντος, Παρθένος καθέζεται, τὰ Χερουβὶµ µιµουµένη, βαστάζουσα ἐν κόλποις, Θεόν Λόγον σαρκωθέντα. Ποιµένες τὸν τεχθέντα δοξάζουσι. Μάγοι τῷ Δεσπότῃ δῶρα προσφέρουσιν. Ἄγγελοι ἀνυµνοῦντες λέγουσιν Ἀκατάληπτε Κύριε, δόξα σοι. Second Stichos Στίχος β Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the psaltery and harp. It was the good pleasure of the Father: the Word became flesh, and the Virgin bore God made man. A star spreads abroad the tidings: the Magi worship, the shepherds stand amazed, and the creation is filled with mighty joy. Αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν ἐν ἤχῳ, σάλπιγγος, αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν ἐν ψαλτηρίῳ καὶ κιθάρᾳ. Ὁ Πατὴρ εὐδόκησεν, ὁ Λόγος σάρξ ἐγένετο, καὶ ἡ Παρθένος ἔτεκε, Θεὸν ἐνανθρωπήσαντα, Ἀστὴρ µηνύει Μάγοι προσκυνοῦσι Ποιµένες θαυµάζουσι, καὶ ἡ κτίσις ἀγάλλεται. Third Stichos Στίχος γ Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν ἐν τυµπάνῳ καὶ χορῷ, αἰνεῖτε Him with strings and flute. αὐτὸν ἐν χορδαῖς καὶ ὀργάνῳ. 13

14 O Theotokos Virgin who has borne the Savior, you have overthrown the ancient curse of Eve. For you have become the Mother of Him in Whom the Father was well pleased, and you have carried at your bosom God the incarnate Word. We cannot fathom this mystery: but by faith alone we all glorify it, crying aloud with you and saying: O Lord past all interpretation, glory to You. Θεοτόκε Παρθένε, ἡ τεκοῦσα τὸν Σωτῆρα, ἀνέτρεψας τὴν πρώτην κατάραν τῆς Εὔας, ὅτι Μήτηρ γέγονας, τῆς εὐδοκίας τοῦ Πατρός, βαστάζουσα ἐν κόλποις, Θεὸν Λόγον σαρκωθέντα. Οὐ φέρει το µυστήριον ἔρευναν πίστει µόνῃ τοῦτο πάντες δοξάζοµεν, κράζοντες µετὰ σοῦ καὶ λέγοντες Ἀνερµήνευτε Κύριε, Δόξα σοι. Fourth Stichos Στίχος δ Praise Him with tuneful cymbals; praise Him with cymbals of jubilation. Let every breath praise the Lord. O come, let us sing praises of the Mother of the Savior, who after bearing a child still remained a virgin. Rejoice, you Living City of God the King, in which Christ has dwelt, bringing to pass our salvation. With Gabriel we sing your praises; with the shepherds we glorify you, crying: O Theotokos, intercede for our salvation with Him Who took flesh from you. Idiomelon of the Theotokos Αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν ἐν κυµβάλοις εὐήχοις, αἰνεῖτε αὐτὸν ἐν κυµβάλοις ἀλαλαγµοῦ. Πᾶσα πνοὴ αἰνεσάτω τὸν Κύριον. Δεῦτε ἀνυµνήσωµεν, τὴν Μητέρα τοῦ Σωτῆρος, τὴν µετὰ τόκον πάλιν ὀφθεῖσαν Παρθένον Χαίροις Πόλις ἔµψυχε, τοῦ Βασιλέως καὶ Θεοῦ, ἐν ᾗ Χριστὸς οἰκήσας, σωτηρίαν εἰργάσατο. Μετὰ τοῦ Γαβριὴλ ἀνυµνοῦµέν σε, µετὰ τῶν Ποιµένων δοξάζοµεν κράζοντες Θεοτόκε πρέσβευε, τῷ ἐκ σοῦ σαρκωθέντι, σωθῆναι ἡµᾶς. Ἰδιόµελον τῆς Θεοτόκου Tone Plagal 2 Ἦχος πλ. β Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Today invisible nature is joined to men through the Virgin. Today the boundless Essence is wrapped in swaddling clothes in Bethlehem. Today God guides the Magi by a star, to offer Him homage, announcing beforehand His own three-day burial in their gold, myrrh, and frankincense; thus we sing to Him, O Christ God, incarnate of a Virgin, save our souls. Another Idiomelon of the Feast Tone 2 John the Monastic Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι. Σήµερον ἡ ἀόρατος φύσις, τοῖς βροτοῖς ἐκ Παρθένου συνάπτεται. Σήµερον ἡ ἄπειρος οὐσία, ἐν Βηθλεὲµ σπαργάνοις ἐνειλίσσεται. Σήµερον ὁ Θεὸς δι ἀστέρος Μάγους εἰς προσκύνησιν ἄγει, προµηνύοντας αὐτοῦ τὴν τριήµερον ταφήν, ὡς ἐν χρυσῷ καὶ σµύρνῃ καὶ λιβάνῳ διὸ ψάλλοµεν. Ὁ σαρκωθεὶς ἐκ Παρθένου, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, σῶσον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡµῶν. Ἕτερον Ἰδιόµελον τῆς Ἑορτῆς Ἦχος β Ἰωάννου Μοναχοῦ Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Today Christ is born of the Virgin in Σήµερον ὁ Χριστός, ἐν Βηθλεὲµ γεννᾶται ἐκ Bethlehem. Today He Who knows no Παρθένου. Σήµερον ὁ ἄναρχος ἄρχεται, καὶ ὁ beginning now begins to be, and the Word is Λόγος σαρκοῦται. Αἱ δυνάµεις τῶν οὐρανῶν made flesh. The powers of heaven greatly ἀγάλλονται, καὶ ἡ γῆ σὺν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις rejoice, and the earth with mankind makes εὐφραίνεται. Οἱ Μάγοι τὰ δῶρα 14

15 glad. The Magi offer gifts, the shepherds proclaim the marvel, and we cry aloud without ceasing: Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good will among men. Great Doxology. Apolitikion of the Feast προσφέρουσιν, οἱ Ποιµένες τὸ θαῦµα κηρύττουσιν, ἡµεῖς δὲ ἀκαταπαύστως βοῶµεν Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις Θεῷ, καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς εἰρήνη, ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκία. Δοξολογία Μεγάλη. Ἀπολυτίκιον τῆς Ἑορτῆς Tone 4 Ἦχος δ Your birth, O Christ our God, did shine upon the world; and through the light of wisdom illumined the universe. And to those who held the stars in worship, did through a star learn to worship You, (worship You) the Sun of righteousness, and came to know You the Light from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. The Divine Liturgy. Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσµῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Ἡ Θεία Λειτουργία. 15

16 At the Divine Liturgy Monday - Saturday Morning Litany of Peace. Antiphons of the Feast. Εἰς τὴν Λειτουργίαν Δευτέρᾳ - Σαββάτον Πρωΐ Εἰρηνικά. Ἀντίφωνα τῆς Ἑορτῆς. First Antiphon Ἀντίφωνον Α Tone 2 I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will tell of all Your wonders. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us. In the council of the upright and in the congregation, great are the works of the Lord. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us. Sought out in all the things that He has willed. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us. Confession and majesty are His work, and His righteousness abides unto ages of ages. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us. Small Litany Ἦχος β Ἐξοµολογήσοµαί σοι Κύριε ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ µου, διηγήσοµαι πάντα τὰ θαυµάσιά σου. Ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, Σῶτερ, σῶσον ἡµᾶς. Ἐν βουλῇ εὐθέων καὶ συναγωγῇ, µεγάλα τὰ ἔργα Κυρίου. Ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, Σῶτερ, σῶσον ἡµᾶς. Ἐξεζητηµένα εἰς πάντα τὰ θελήµατα αὐτοῦ. Ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, Σῶτερ, σῶσον ἡµᾶς. Ἐξοµολόγησις καὶ µεγαλοπρέπεια τὸ ἔργον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἡ δικαιοσύνη αὐτοῦ µένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος. Ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, Σῶτερ, σῶσον ἡµᾶς. Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, Σῶτερ, σῶσον ἡµᾶς. Συναπτὴ Μικρὰ Second Antiphon Ἀντίφωνον Β Tone 2 Blessed is the man that fears the Lord; in His commandments shall he greatly delight. Save us O Son of God, Who of the Virgin was born, we sing to You: Alleluia. His seed shall be mighty upon the earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Ἦχος β Μακάριος ἀνήρ, ὁ φοβούµενος τὸν Κύριον, ἐν ταῖς ἐντολαῖς αὐτοῦ θελήσει σφόδρα. Σῶσον ἡµᾶς Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ὁ ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθείς, ψάλλοντάς σοι Ἀλληλούϊα. Δυνατὸν ἐν τῇ γῇ ἔσται τὸ σπέρµα αὐτοῦ. Save us O Son of God, Who of the Virgin was Σῶσον ἡµᾶς Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ὁ ἐκ Παρθένου born, we sing to You: Alleluia. τεχθείς, ψάλλοντάς σοι Ἀλληλούϊα. 16

17 Glory and riches shall be in his house, and his righteousness abides unto ages of ages. Save us O Son of God, Who of the Virgin was born, we sing to You: Alleluia. There has risen up in darkness a light for the upright. Save us O Son of God, Who of the Virgin was born, we sing to You: Alleluia. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Only begotten Son and Word of God, immortal One, Who for our salvation did so humble Yourself, by taking on flesh (taking flesh from) from the Theotokos and ever- Virgin Mary, without change did You become Man. And were crucified Christ our God, but conquered death by Your death. As one of the Holy Trinity, and being glorified together with the Father and the Holy Spirit: save us. Small Litany Δόξα καὶ πλοῦτος ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἡ δικαιοσύνη αὐτοῦ µένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος. Σῶσον ἡµᾶς Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ὁ ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθείς, ψάλλοντάς σοι Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἐξανέτειλεν ἐν σκότει φῶς τοῖς εὐθέσιν. Σῶσον ἡµᾶς Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ὁ ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθείς, ψάλλοντάς σοι Ἀλληλούϊα. Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Ὁ µονογενὴς Υἱὸς καὶ Λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἀθάνατος ὑπάρχων καὶ καταδεξάµενος διὰ τὴν ἡµετέραν σωτηρίαν σαρκωθῆναι ἐκ τῆς ἁγίας Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας, ἀτρέπτως ἐνανθρωπήσας, σταυρωθείς τε, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, εἷς ὤν τῆς Ἁγίας Τριάδος, συνδοξαζόµενος τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, σῶσον ἡµᾶς. Συναπτὴ Μικρὰ Third Antiphon Ἀντίφωνον Γ Tone 4 Ἦχος δ The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies the footstool of Your feet. Your birth, O Christ our God, did shine upon the world; and through the light of wisdom illumined the universe. And to those who held the stars in worship, did through a star learn to worship You, (worship You) the Sun of righteousness, and came to know You the Light from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. A scepter of power shall the Lord send unto You out of Sion. Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τῷ Κυρίῳ µου Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν µου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου. Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσµῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Ῥάβδον δυνάµεως ἐξαποστελεῖ σοι Κύριος ἐκ Σιών. Your birth, O Christ our God, did shine upon Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, the world; and through the light of wisdom ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσµῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως illumined the universe. And to those who ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, held the stars in worship, did through a star ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, learn to worship You, (worship You) the Sun τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ of righteousness, and came to know You the γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα Light from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. σοι. 17

18 With You is dominion in the day of Your power, in the splendor of Your saints. Your birth, O Christ our God, did shine upon the world; and through the light of wisdom illumined the universe. And to those who held the stars in worship, did through a star learn to worship You, (worship You) the Sun of righteousness, and came to know You the Light from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. Small Entrance Entrance Hymn From the womb before Lucifer have I begotten You; the Lord has sworn and will not repent: You are a priest forevermore after the order of Melchisedek. Save us O Son of God, Who of the Virgin was born, we sing to You: Alleluia. Apolitikion of the Feast Μετὰ σοῦ ἡ ἀρχὴ ἐν ἡµέρᾳ τῆς δυνάµεώς σου, ἐν ταῖς λαµπρότησι τῶν Ἁγίων σου. Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσµῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Μικρά Εἴσοδος Εἰσοδικὸν Ἐκ γαστρὸς πρὸ Ἑωσφόρου ἐγέννησά σε ὤµοσε Κύριος, καὶ οὐ µεταµεληθήσεται. Σὺ Ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ. Σῶσον ἡµᾶς Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ὁ ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθείς, ψάλλοντάς σοι Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀπολυτίκιον τῆς Ἑορτῆς Tone 4 Ἦχος δ Your birth, O Christ our God, did shine upon the world; and through the light of wisdom illumined the universe. And to those who held the stars in worship, did through a star learn to worship You, (worship You) the Sun of righteousness, and came to know You the Light from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. Kontakion Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσµῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Κοντάκιον Tone 3 Ἦχος γ The virgin today gives birth to the superessential One; and the earth offers the cave to the unapproachable One. Angels with shepherds glorify Him, and the Magi, journey with the star; because for us was born a new Child the God Who existed before the ages. Instead of the Trisagion Ἡ Παρθένος σήµερον, τὸν ὑπερούσιον τίκτει, καὶ ἡ γῆ τὸ Σπήλαιον, τῷ ἀπροσίτῳ προσάγει. Ἄγγελοι µετὰ Ποιµένων δοξολογοῦσι. Μάγοι δὲ µετὰ ἀστέρος ὁδοιποροῦσι δι ἡµᾶς γὰρ ἐγεννήθη, Παιδίον νέον, ὁ πρὸ αἰώνων Θεός. Ἀντὶ δὲ τοῦ Τρισαγίου Tone 1 Ἦχος α Amen. Those who in Christ have been baptized have put on Christ. Alleluia. Those who in Christ have been baptized have put on Christ. Alleluia. Ἁµήν. Ὅσοι εἰς Χριστὸν ἐβαπτίσθητε, Χριστὸν ἐνεδύσασθε. Ἀλληλούϊα. Ὅσοι εἰς Χριστὸν ἐβαπτίσθητε, Χριστὸν ἐνεδύσασθε. Ἀλληλούϊα. Those who in Christ have been baptized have Ὅσοι εἰς Χριστὸν ἐβαπτίσθητε, Χριστὸν put on Christ. Alleluia. ἐνεδύσασθε. Ἀλληλούϊα. 18

19 Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Have put on Christ. Alleluia. Deacon Dynamis! Nai Dynamis. Those who in Christ have been baptized have put on Christ. Alleluia. Epistle Of the Theotokos Hebrews 2:11-18 see the 6th Hour of Great Friday Gospel Of the Feast Matthew 2:13-23 At: Remembering our most-holy... Second Katavasia (Iambic) Magnify O my soul, her that delivered us, from the curse. Easier for us is from fear to love silence, free of any peril as it is, O Virgin; whereas to weave stirring hymns of longing in earnest, is difficult. Therefore, O Mother, give us strength to match our desire, we pray. Communion Hymn The Lord has sent redemption unto His people. Alleluia. At: We have seen the Light... Apolitikion of the Feast Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Χριστὸν ἐνεδύσασθε. Ἀλληλούϊα. Διάκονος Δύναµις. The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. Ναὶ δύναµις. Ὅσοι εἰς Χριστὸν ἐβαπτίσθητε, Χριστὸν ἐνεδύσασθε. Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀπόστολος Τῆς Θεοτόκου Ἑβρ. β ζήτει τοῦτον τῇ ΣΤ Ὥρᾳ τῆς Μεγ. Παρασκευῆς Εὐαγγέλιον Τῆς Ἑορτῆς Ματθ. β Εἰς τό «Ἐξαιρέτως» Καταβασία β (Ἰαµβικὸς) Μεγάλυνον ψυχή µου, τὴν λυτρωσαµένην, ἡµᾶς ἐκ τῆς κατάρας. Στέργειν µὲν ἡµᾶς, ὡς ἀκίνδυνον φόβῳ, Ῥᾷον σιωπήν, τῷ πόθῳ δὲ Παρθένε, Ὕµνους ὑφαίνειν, συντόνως τεθηγµένους, Ἐργῶδές ἐστιν, ἀλλὰ καὶ Μήτηρ σθένος, Ὅση πέφυκεν ἡ προαίρεσις δίδου. Κοινωνικὸν Λύτρωσιν ἀπέστειλε Κύριος τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ. Ἀλληλούϊα. Εἰς τό «Eἴδοµεν τὸ φῶς...» Ἀπολυτίκιον τῆς Ἑορτῆς Tone 4 Ἦχος δ Your birth, O Christ our God, did shine upon the world; and through the light of wisdom illumined the universe. And to those who held the stars in worship, did through a star learn to worship You, (worship You) the Sun of righteousness, and came to know You the Light from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. Dismissal Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσµῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Ἀπόλυσις May He Who was born in a cave, and lay in a «Ὁ ἐν σπηλαίῳ γεννηθείς καὶ ἐν φάτνῃ manger for our salvation, Christ our true ἀνακλιθείς διά τήν ἡµῶν σωτηρίαν, Χριστός ὁ God,... ἀληθινός Θεός ἡµῶν...» 19