DECEMBER 25 th The Birth in the Flesh of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

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2 ΚΕ ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΤ Η κατα σάρκα Γέννησις του Κυρίου και Θεού και ωτήρος ημών Ιησού Φριστού Ἱερεύς: Εὐλογημένη η Βασιλεία του Πατρός και του Υιού και του Αγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Αρχιερεύς (ή Ἀναγνώστης): Ἀμήν. Δεῦτε, προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν τ βασιλεῖ ἡμῶν Θε. Δεῦτε, προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν Χριστ, τ βασιλεῖ ἡμῶν Θε. Δεῦτε, προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν αὐτ Χριστ, τ βασιλεῖ καὶ Θε ἡμῶν. Ψαλμός 103ος: Ευλόγει, ἡ ψυχή μου, τὸν Κύριον. Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου, ἐμεγαλύνθης σφόδρα, ἐξομολόγησιν καὶ μεγαλοπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσω ἀναβαλλόμενος φῶς ὡς ἱμάτιον, ἐκτείνων τὸν οὐρανὸν ὡσεὶ δέρριν ὁ στεγάζων ἐν ὕδασι τὰ ὑπερα αὐτοῦ, ὁ τιθεὶς νέφη τὴν ἐπίβασιν αὐτοῦ, ὁ περιπατῶν ἐπὶ πτερύγων ἀνέμων ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πυρὸς φλόγα. Ο θεμελιῶν τὴν γῆν ἐπὶ τὴν ἀσφάλειαν αὐτῆς, οὐ κλιθήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος. Άβυσσος ὡς ἱμάτιον τὸ περιβόλαιον αὐτοῦ, ἐπὶ τῶν ὀρέων στήσονται ὕδατα ἀπὸ ἐπιτιμήσεώς σου φεύξονται, ἀπὸ φωνῆς βροντῆς σου δειλιάσουσιν. Αναβαίνουσιν ὄρη καὶ καταβαίνουσι πεδία εἰς τὸν τόπον ὃν ἐθεμελίωσας αὐτά ὅριον ἔθου, ὃ οὐ παρελεύσονται, οὐδὲ ἐπιστρέψουσι καλύψαι τὴν γῆν. Ο ἐξαποστέλλων πηγὰς ἐν φάραγξιν, ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ὀρέων διελεύσονται ὕδατα ποτιοῦσι πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ ἀγροῦ, προσδέξονται ὄναγροι εἰς δίψαν αὐτῶν ἐπ αὐτὰ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνώσει, ἐκ μέσου τῶν πετρῶν δώσουσι φωνήν. Ποτίζων ὄρη ἐκ τῶν ὑπερῴων αὐτοῦ, ἀπὸ καρποῦ τῶν ἔργων σου χορτασθήσεται ἡ γῆ. Ο ἐξανατέλλων χόρτον τοῖς κτήνεσι καὶ χλόην τῇ δουλείᾳ τῶν ἀνθρώπων τοῦ ἐξαγαγεῖν ἄρτον ἐκ τῆς γῆς καὶ οἶνος εὐφραίνει καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου τοῦ DECEMBER 25 th The Birth in the Flesh of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Priest: Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Bishop (or Reader): Amen. Come, let us worship and fall down before the King, our God. Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, the King, our God. Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, the King and our God. Psalm 103: Bless the Lord, my soul! O Lord my God, you have been greatly magnified. You have clothed yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, wrapping yourself in light as in a cloak, stretching out the heavens like a curtain, roofing his upper chambers with waters, placing clouds as his mount, walking on the wings of the wind, making spirits his Angels and a flame of fire his Ministers, establishing the earth on its sure base; it will not be moved to age on age. The deep, like a cloak, is its mantle; waters will stand upon the mountains. At your rebuke they will flee; they will quail at the voice of your thunder. The mountains will rise and the plains descend to the place which you established for them. You fixed a limit that they will not pass, nor will they return to cover the earth. You send out springs into the valleys; waters will run between the mountains. They will give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys will await them to quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the air will make their dwelling: and sing among the rocks. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth will be filled from the fruit of your works. He makes grass spring up for the cattle, and green herb for the service of mankind; to bring food out of the earth, and wine makes glad the human

3 ἱλαρῦναι πρόσωπον ἐν ἐλαίῳ, καὶ ἄρτος καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου στηρίζει. χορτασθήσονται τὰ ξύλα τοῦ πεδίου, αἱ κέδροι τοῦ Λιβάνου, ἃς ἐφύτευσας. Εκεῖ στρουθία ἐννοσσεύσουσι, τοῦ ἐρωδιοῦ ἡ οἰκία ἡγεῖται αὐτῶν. Όρη τὰ ὑψηλὰ ταῖς ἐλάφοις, πέτρα καταφυγὴ τοῖς λαγωοῖς. Εποίησε σελήνην εἰς καιρούς, ὁ ἥλιος ἔγνω τὴν δύσιν αὐτοῦ. Έθου σκότος, καὶ ἐγένετο νύξ ἐν αὐτῇ διελεύσονται πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ δρυμοῦ. Σκύμνοι ὠρυόμενοι τοῦ ἁρπάσαι καὶ ζητῆσαι παρὰ τ Θε βρῶσιν αὐτοῖς. Ανέτειλεν ὁ ἥλιος, καὶ συνήχθησαν καὶ εἰς τὰς μάνδρας αὐτῶν κοιτασθήσονται. Εξελεύσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐπὶ τὸ ἔργον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν ἐργασίαν αὐτοῦ ἕως ἑσπέρας. Ώς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου, Κύριε πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας, ἐπληρώθη ἡ γῆ τῆς κτίσεώς σου. Αὕτη ἡ θάλασσα ἡ μεγάλη καὶ εὐρύχωρος, ἐκεῖ ἑρπετά, ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν ἀριθμός, ζα μικρὰ μετὰ μεγάλων ἐκεῖ πλοῖα διαπορεύονται, δράκων οὗτος, ὃν ἔπλασας ἐμπαίζειν αὐτῇ. Πάντα πρὸς σὲ προσδοκῶσι, δοῦναι τὴν τροφὴν αὐτῶν εἰς εὔκαιρον. Δόντος σου αὐτοῖς συλλέξουσιν. Ανοίξαντός σου τὴν χεῖρα, τὰ σύμπαντα πλησθήσονται χρηστότητος. Αποστρέψαντος δέ σου τὸ πρόσωπον ταραχθήσονται ἀντανελεῖς τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκλείψουσι καὶ εἰς τὸν χοῦν αὐτῶν ἐπιστρέψουσιν. Εξαποστελεῖς τὸ πνεῦμά σου, καὶ κτισθήσονται, καὶ ἀνακαινιεῖς τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς γῆς. Ήτω ἡ δόξα Κυρίου εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, εὐφρανθήσεται Κύριος ἐπὶ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ ὁ ἐπιβλέπων ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ ποιῶν αὐτὴν τρέμειν, ὁ ἁπτόμενος τῶν ὀρέων καὶ καπνίζονται. Άσω τ Κυρίῳ ἐν τῇ ζωῇ μου, ψαλῶ τ Θε μου ἕως ὑπάρχω ἡδυνθείη αὐτ ἡ διαλογή μου, ἐγὼ δὲ εὐφρανθήσομαι ἐπὶ τ Κυρίῳ. Εκλείποιεν ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἄνομοι, ὥστε μὴ ὑπάρχειν αὐτούς. εὐλόγει, ἡ ψυχή μου, τὸν Κύριον. Και πάλιν: Ο ἥλιος ἔγνω τὴν δύσιν αὐτοῦ. Έθου σκότος, καὶ ἐγένετο νύξ. heart; to make the face cheerful with oil, and bread strengthens the human heart. The trees of the plain will be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon that you planted. There the sparrows will build their nests; the heron s dwelling is at their head. The high mountains are for the deer; rocks a refuge for hares. He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knew the hour of its setting. You appointed darkness, and it was night, in which all the beasts of the forest will prowl; young lions roaring to plunder and to seek their food from God. The sun rose and they were gathered together and they will lie down in their dens. Man will go out to his labour; and to his labouring until evening. How your works have been magnified, O Lord. With wisdom you have made them all, and the earth was filled with your creation. See, this great, wide sea; there are creeping things without number, living creatures small and great. There ships go to and fro; this dragon which you fashioned to sport in it. All things look to you to give them their food in due season. When you give it them, they will gather it. When you open your hand all things will be filled with goodness. But when you turn away your face they will be troubled. You will take away their spirit, and they will perish and return to their dust. You will send forth your spirit, and they will be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure to the ages. The Lord will rejoice at his works. He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble. He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord while I live; I will praise my God while I exist. May my words be pleasing to him. While as for me, I shall rejoice in the Lord. O that sinners might perish from the earth, and the wicked, so that they are no more. Bless the Lord, my soul! And again: The sun knew the hour of its setting: you made darkness, and it was night.

4 Ως ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου, Κύριε πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας. Δόξα Πατρὶ... Καὶ νῦν... Ἀλληλούϊα, Ἀλληλούϊα, Ἀλληλούϊα. Δόξα σοι ὁ Θεός (ἐκ γ'). Ἡ ἐλπὶς ἡμῶν, Κύριε, δόξα σοι. Διάκονος (ή Ιερεύς): Ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Λαός: Κύριε ἐλέησον. (και μετα καθ εκάστην αίτησιν) Διάκονος (ή Ιερεύς): Ὑπὲρ τῆς ἄνωθεν εἰρήνης καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Ὑπὲρ τῆς εἰρήνης τοῦ σύμπαντος κόσμου, εὐσταθείας τῶν ἁγίων τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐκκλησιῶν καὶ τῆς τῶν πάντων ἑνώσεως, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἁγίου οἴκου τούτου καὶ τῶν μετὰ πίστεως, εὐλαβείας καὶ φόβου Θεοῦ εἰσιόντων ἐν αὐτ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου ἡμῶν (τοῦ δεῖνος), τοῦ τιμίου πρεσβυτερίου, τῆς ἐν Χριστ διακονίας, παντὸς τοῦ κλήρου καὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Ὑπὲρ τῆς πόλεως ταύτης, πάσης πόλεως χώρας καὶ τῶν πίστει οἰκούντων ἐν αὐταῖς, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Ὑπὲρ εὐκρασίας ἀέρων, εὐφορίας τῶν καρπῶν τῆς γῆς καὶ καιρῶν εἰρηνικῶν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Ὑπὲρ πλεόντων, ὁδοιπορούντων, νοσούντων, καμνόντων, αἰχμαλώτων καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῶν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ρυσθῆναι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης θλίψεως, ὀργῆς, κινδύνου καὶ ἀνάγκης, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς τῇ σῇ χάριτι. Τῆς Παναγίας, ἀχράντου, ὑπερευλογημένης, ἐνδόξου, δεσποίνης ἡμῶν Θεοτόκου καὶ How your works have been magnified, O Lord! With wisdom you have made them all. Glory Both Now... Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God. (x3) You are our Hope, O Lord! Glory to You! Deacon (or Priest): In peace, let us pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy. (And so after each petition) Deacon (or Priest): For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord. For our father and Archbishop (name), for the honoured order of presbyters, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord. For this city, for every city and country, and for the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord. For favourable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord. For those who travel by land, sea and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord. For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and distress, let us pray to the Lord. Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace. Remembering our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever- Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust

5 , ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας, μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων μνημονεύσαντες, ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἀλλήλους καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν Χριστ τ Θε παραθώμεθα. Λαός: Σοί, Κύριε. Ιερεύς: Ὅτι πρέπει σοι πᾶσα δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Τἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Λαός: Ἀμήν. ΧΑΛΜΟ ΡΜ' 140 Ἦχος β Κύριε ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, εἰσάκουσόν μου, εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε. Κύριε, ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, εἰσάκουσόν μου, πρόσχες τῇ φωνῇ τῆς δεήσεώς μου, ἐν τῷ κεκραγέναι με πρὸς σὲ εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε. Κατευθυνθήτω ἡ προσευχή μου, ὡς θυμίαμα ἐνώπιόν σου, ἔπαρσις τῶν χειρῶν μου θυσία ἑσπερινὴ, εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε. Ὁ Διάκονος (ή ο Ιερεύς) ἐξερχόμενος θυμιᾷ κατὰ τὴν τάξιν ὅλον τὸν ναόν, καθώς ο λαός ψάλλει (τους στίχους και) τα Ιδιόμελα. Θοῦ, Κύριε, φυλακὴν τ στόματί μου, καὶ θύραν περιοχῆς περὶ τὰ χείλη μου. Μὴ ἐκκλίνῃς τὴν καρδίαν μου εἰς λόγους πονηρίας, τοῦ προφασίζεσθαι προφάσεις ἐν ἁμαρτίαις. Σὺν ἀνθρώποις ἐργαζομένοις τὴν ἀνομίαν, καὶ οὐ μὴ συνδυάσω μετὰ τῶν ἐκλεκτῶν αὐτῶν. Παιδεύσει με δίκαιος ἐν ἐλέει, καὶ ἐλέγξει με, ἔλαιον δὲ ἁμαρτωλοῦ μὴ λιπανάτω τὴν κεφαλήν μου. Ὅτι ἔτι καὶ ἡ προσευχή μου ἐν ταῖς εὐδοκίαις αὐτῶν κατεπόθησαν ἐχόμενα πέτρας οἱ κριταὶ αὐτῶν. Ἀκούσονται τὰ ῥήματά μου, ὅτι ἡδύνθησαν ὡσεὶ πάχος γῆς ἐῤῥάγη ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, διεσκορπίσθη τὰ ὀστᾶ αὐτῶν παρὰ τὸν ᾅδην. Ὅτι πρὸς σέ, Κύριε, Κύριε, οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ μου ἐπὶ σοὶ ἤλπισα, μὴ ἀντανέλῃς τὴν ψυχήν μου. Φύλαξόν με ἀπὸ παγίδος ἧς συνεστήσαντό μοι, καὶ ἀπὸ σκανδάλων τῶν ἐργαζομένων τὴν ἀνομίαν. Πεσοῦνται ἐν ἀμφιβλήστρῳ αὐτῶν οἱ ἁμαρτωλοί, κατὰ μόνας εἰμὶ ἐγώ, ἕως ἅν παρέλθω. Ψαλμὸς ρμα' (141) Φωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐκέκραξα, φωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐδεήθην. Ἐκχεῶ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ τὴν δέησίν μου, τὴν θλῖψίν μου ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ἀπαγγελῶ. ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God. People: To you, O Lord. Priest: For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. People: Amen. Psalm 140 Tone 2. Lord, I have cried to you, hear me; hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried to you, hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to you. Hear me, O Lord. Let my prayer be directed like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord. The Deacon (or Priest) censes the Church, as the People chant (the verses of the Psalm and) the Idiomela.. Set a guard, O Lord, on my mouth, and a strong door about my lips. Do not incline my heart to evil words; to make excuses for my sins. With those who work iniquity, let me not unite with their elect. The just will chastise me with mercy and reprove me; but let not the oil of sinners anoint my head. For yet my prayer shall be in their pleasures; their judges have been swallowed up near the rock. They will hear my words for they are sweet. As a clod of earth is crushed upon the ground, their bones have been scattered at the mouth of Hell. For my eyes look to you, O Lord, my Lord. I have hoped in you, do not take away my soul. Keep me from the snare that they have hidden for me, and from the traps of evil-doers. The sinners will fall into their own net. I am alone until I pass by. Psalm 141 With my voice I cried to the Lord. With my voice I entreated the Lord. I will pour out my entreaty before him, and tell him all my trouble.

6 Ἐν τ ἐκλείπειν ἐξ ἐμοῦ τὸ πνεῦμά μου, καὶ σὺ ἔγνως τὰς τρίβους μου. Ἐν ὁδ ταύτῃ, ᾗ ἐπορευόμην, ἔκρυψαν παγίδα μοι. Κατενόουν εἰς τὰ δεξιά, καὶ ἐπέβλεπον, καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἐπιγινώσκων με. Ἀπώλετο φυγὴ ἀπ' ἐμοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἐκζητῶν τὴν ψυχήν μου. Ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, Κύριε εἶπα Σὺ εἶ ἡ ἐλπίς μου, μερίς μου εἶ ἐν γῇ ζώντων. Πρόσχες πρὸς τὴν δέησίν μου, ὅτι ἐταπεινώθην σφόδρα. Ῥῦσαί με ἐκ τῶν καταδιωκόντων με, ὅτι ἐκραταιώθησαν ὑπὲρ ἐμέ. Ἐξάγαγε ἐκ φυλακῆς τὴν ψυχήν μου, τοῦ ἐξομολογήσασθαι τ ὀνόματί σου. Ἐμὲ ὑπομενοῦσι δίκαιοι, ἕως οὐ ἀνταποδς μοι. Ψαλμὸς 129 Ἐκ βαθέων ἐκέκραξά σοι, Κύριε, Κύριε εἰσάκουσον τῆς φωνῆς μου. Γενηθήτω τὰ ὦτά σου προσέχοντα εἰς τὴν φωνὴν τῆς δεήσεώς μου. Ἐὰν ἀνομίας παρατηρήσῃς, Κύριε, Κύριε τίς ὑποστήσεται; ὅτι παρὰ σοὶ ὁ ἱλασμός ἐστιν. Δεῦτε ἀγαλλιασώμεθα τ 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 τ ῆ ς τ ρ υ φ ῆ ς μ ε τ α λ α μ β ά ν ω, ο ὗ 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 αὐτ βοήσωμεν ὁ τεχθεὶς ἐκ Παρθένου Θεός, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου ὑπέμεινά σε, Κύριε ὑπέμεινεν ἡ ψυχή μου εἰς τὸν λόγον σου, ἤλπισεν ἡ ψυχή μου ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον. Δεῦτε ἀγαλλιασώμεθα τ Κυρίῳ... When my spirit was faint, you knew my path. In the way where I walked they had hidden a snare for me. I looked to my right hand and saw, but there was none who knew me. Escape is gone from me, and there is none who seeks for my soul. I cried to you, Lord, I said, You are my hope; my portion in the land of the living. Give heed to my supplication, for I am brought very low. Deliver me from those who persecute me, for they are too strong for me. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may confess your name. The just will await me, until you reward me. Psalm 129 Out of the depths I have cried to you, O Lord. Lord hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive, to the voice of my supplication. If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You. Come, let us rejoice in the Lord, as we tell of the present mystery. The middle wall of partition has been destroyed; the sword of flame 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 slave, coming forth from a Mother who did not know wedlock, not undergoing change; for what he was he has remained: true God; and what he was not he has taken up, becoming man through love for mankind. To him let us cry out: God, born from a Virgin, have mercy on us. For Your Name s sake I have waited for You, O Lord. My soul has waited for Your word. My soul has hoped in the Lord. Come, let us rejoice in the Lord...

7 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. Ὅτι παρὰ τῷ Κυρίῳ τὸ ἔλεος καὶ πολλὴ παρ' αὐτῷ λύτρωσις καὶ αὐτὸς λυτρώσεται τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἐκ πασῶν τῶν ἀνομιῶν αὐτοῦ. Τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος... Aἰνεῖτε 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. Ὅτι ἐκραταιώθη τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἐφ' ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια τοῦ Κυρίου μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. Τὶ σοι προσενέγκωμεν Χριστέ, ὅτι ὤφθης ἐπὶ γῆς ὡς ἄνθρωπος δι' ἡμᾶς; ἕκαστον γὰρ τῶν 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 Δόξα... Καὶ νῦν... Ἦχος ὁ αὐτὸς. Κασίας Μοναχής. Αὐγούστου μοναρχήσαντος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἡ πολυαρχία τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐπαύσατο, καὶ σοῦ ἐνανθρωπήσαντος ἐκ τῆς Ἁγνῆς, ἡ πολυθεἰα τῶν εἰδώλων κατήργηται. Ὑπὸ 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, the whole universe was enlightened. For Shepherds were abiding in the fields, Magi worshipping, Angels singing in praise, while Herod was troubled; because God had appeared in flesh, the Saviour of our souls. For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him plentiful redemption, and He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. When the Lord Jesus was born... Praise the Lord, you nations! Exalt Him, O peoples! Your kingdom, Christ God, is a kingdom of all the ages, and your Rule is from every generation to generation. Incarnate of the Holy Spirit and becoming man of the ever-virgin Mary, you made light shine on us, Christ God, by your coming. Light of Light, Radiance of the Father, you have made all creation bright with joy. Everything that has breath praises you, Imprint of the Father s glory. O God, who exist and pre-exist and who shone from a Virgin, have mercy on us. For His mercy is mighty towards us, and the truth of the Lord endures to the ages. What shall we offer you, O Christ, because you have appeared on earth as a man for our sakes? For each of the creatures made by you offers you its thanks: the Angels their hymn; the heavens the Star; the Shepherds their wonder; the Magi their gifts; the earth the Cave; the desert the Manger; but we a Virgin Mother. God before the ages, have mercy on us. Glory Both Now Tone 2. By Kassiani the Nun. When Augustus reigned alone on the earth, the many kingdoms of mankind came to an end; and when you became man from the pure

8 μίαν βασιλείαν ἐγκόσμιον, αἱ πόλεις γεγένηνται καὶ εἰς μίαν Δεσποτείαν Θεότητος, τὰ Ἔθνη ἐπίστευσαν. Ἀπεγράφησαν οἱ λαοί, τ δόγματι τοῦ Καίσαρος, ἐπεγράφημεν οἱ πιστοί, ὀνόματι Θεότητος, σοῦ τοῦ ἐνανθρωπήσαντος Θεοῦ ἡμῶν. Μέγα σου τὸ ἔλεος, δόξα σοι. Κατα τη διάρκεια του Δοξαστικού, η Είσοδος γίνεται μετά του Ευαγγελίου. Διάκονος (ή Ιερεύς): οφία! Ορθοί! Και ψάλλεται η Επιλύχνιος Ευχαριστία από τον Κλήρο και τον Λαό Υῶς ἱλαρὸν ἁγίας δόξης ἀθανάτου Πατρός, οὐρανίου, ἁγίου, μάκαρος, Ἰησοῦ Φριστέ, ἐλθόντες ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλίου δύσιν, ἰδόντες φῶς ἑσπερινόν, ὑμνοῦμεν Πατέρα, Τἱόν, καὶ ἅγιον Πνεῦμα, Θεόν. Ἄξιόν σε ἐν πᾶσι καιροῖς ὑμνεῖσθαι φωναῖς αἰσίαις, Τἱὲ Θεοῦ, ζωὴν ὁ διδούς διὸ ὁ κόσμος σε δοξάζει. Αναγνώστης: Γενέσεως τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Διάκονος (ή Ιερεύς): Σοφία! Πρόσχωμεν! Αναγνώστης: Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἐποίησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν ἡ δὲ γῆ ἦν ἀόρατος καὶ ἀκατασκεύαστος καὶ σκότος ἐπάνω τῆς ἀβύσσου καὶ πνεῦμα Θεοῦ ἐπεφέρετο ἐπάνω τοῦ ὕδατος. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς Γενηθήτω φῶς καὶ ἐγένετο φῶς. Καὶ εἶδεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸ φῶς ὅτι καλὸν καὶ διεχώρισεν ὁ Θεὸς ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ φωτὸς καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ σκότους. Καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸ φῶς Ἡμέραν καὶ τὸ σκότος ἐκάλεσεν Νύκτα καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωἰ, ἡμέρα μία. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς Γενηθήτω στερέωμα ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ ὕδατος καὶ ἔστω διαχωρίζον ἀνὰ μέσον ὕδατος καὶ ὕδατος καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτω. Καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸ στερέωμα καὶ διεχώρισεν ὁ Θεὸς ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ ὕδατος τοῦ ἐπάνω τοῦ στερεώματος καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ ὕδατος, τοῦ ὑποκάτω τοῦ στερεώματος. Καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸ στερέωμα Οὐρανὸν, Virgin, the many gods of idolatry were destroyed; the cities of the world passed under one single rule; and the nations came to believe in one single Godhead; the peoples were enrolled by decree of Caesar; we the faithful were enrolled in the name of the Godhead, when you became man, O our God. Great is your mercy, Lord; glory to you! During the Doxastikon, the Entrance with the book of the Gospels takes place. Deacon (or Priest): Wisdom! Arise! And the Thanksgiving of the Lighting of the Lamps is chanted by clergy and laity. O joyful Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ. Now that we have come to the setting of the sun and see the evening light, we sing the praise of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is right at all times to hymn you with holy voices, Son of God, giver of life. Therefore the world glorifies you. Reader: The reading is from Genesis. Deacon (or Priest): Wisdom! Let us attend! Reader: In the beginning, God made the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light ; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters. And it was so. And God made the firmament and separated the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. And God called the firmament Heaven. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, a

9 καὶ εἶδεν ὁ Θεὸς ὅτι καλὸν καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωἰ, ἡμέρα δευτέρα. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς Συναχθήτω τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ὑποκάτω τοῦ οὐρανοῦ εἰς συναγωγὴν μίαν καὶ ὀφθήτω ἡ ξηρὰ καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτω καὶ συνήχθη τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ὑποκάτω τοῦ Οὐρανοῦ εἰς τὰς συναγωγὰς αὐτῶν καὶ ὤφθη ἡ ξηρὰ. Καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ Θεὸς τὴν ξηρὰν Γῆν καὶ τὰ συστήματα τῶν ὑδάτων ἐκάλεσεν Θαλάσσας. Καὶ εἶδεν ὁ Θεὸς ὅτι καλὸν. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς Βλαστησάτω ἡ γῆ βοτάνην χόρτου σπεῖρον σπέρμα κατὰ γένος καὶ καθ' ὁμοιότητα καὶ ξύλον κάρπιμον ποιοῦν καρπὸν οὗ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτ κατὰ γένος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτω. Καὶ ἐξήνεγκεν ἡ γῆ βοτάνην χόρτου σπεῖρον σπέρμα κατὰ γένος καὶ καθ' ὁμοιότητα καὶ ξύλον κάρπιμον ποιοῦν καρπὸν οὗ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτ κατὰ γένος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ εἶδεν ὁ Θεὸς ὅτι καλὸν καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα, καὶ ἐγένετο πρωἰ, ἡμέρα τρίτη. Και ψάλλεται το τροπάριον της Προφητείας. Ήχος πλ. β Λαθὼν ἐτέχθης ὑπὸ τὸ πήλαιον, ἀλλ' οὐρανὸς σε πᾶσιν ἐκήρυξεν, ὥσπερ στόμα, τὸν Ἀστέρα προβαλλόμενος ωτήρ Καὶ Μάγους σοι προσήνεγκεν, ἐν πίστει προσκυνοῦντάς σε μεθ' ὧν ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Στίχος α' Οἱ θεμέλιοι αὐτοῦ ἐν τοῖς ὄρεσι τοῖς ἁγίοις ἀγαπᾷ Κύριος τὰς πύλας Σιών, ὑπὲρ πάντα τὰ σκηνώματα Ἰακώβ. Καὶ Μάγους σοι προσήνεγκεν, ἐν πίστει προσκυνοῦντάς σε μεθ' ὧν ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Στίχος β' Δεδοξασμένα ἐλαλήθη περὶ σοῦ, ἡ Πόλις τοῦ Θεοῦ μνησθήσομαι Ῥαὰβ καὶ Βαβυλῶνος, τοῖς γινώσκουσί με. Καὶ Μάγους σοι προσήνεγκεν, ἐν πίστει προσκυνοῦντάς σε μεθ' ὧν ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Στίχος γ' Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀλλόφυλοι, καὶ Τύρος, καὶ λαὸς τῶν Αἰθιόπων. second day. And God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one gathering and let the dry land appear. And it was so. And the water that was under Heaven was gathered to their gatherings, and the dry land appeared. And God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth put forth vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, upon the earth. And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. And the Troparion of the Prophecy is chanted. Plagal 2 nd Tone. Secretly you were born in a cave, but heaven proclaimed you to all, using the star as its mouth, O Saviour. It brought you Magi, who worshipped You in faith. Have mercy on them and us! 1st Verse: His foundations are in the holy mountains; the Lord loves the gates of Sion more than all the tabernacles of Jacob. It brought you Magi, who worshipped you in faith. Have mercy on them and on us. 2nd Verse: Glorious things have been spoken of you, City of God; I shall remember Rahab and Babylon to those who know you. It brought you Magi, who worshipped you in faith. Have mercy on them and on us. 3rd Verse: And see, strangers, and from Tyre, and people of Ethiopia.

10 Καὶ Μάγους σοι προσήνεγκεν, ἐν πίστει προσκυνοῦντάς σε, μεθ' ὧν ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Στίχος δ' Οὗτοι ἐγεννήθησαν ἐκεῖ, Μήτηρ Σιών, ἐρεῖ ἄνθρωπος ἐγεννήθη ἐν αὐτῇ, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐθεμελίωσεν αὐτὴν ὁ Ὕψιστος. Καὶ Μάγους σοι προσήνεγκεν, ἐν πίστει προσκυνοῦντάς σε, μεθ' ὧν ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Στίχος ε' Κύριος διηγήσεται ἐν γραφῇ λαῶν, καὶ Ἀρχόντων τούτων τῶν γεγεννημένων ἐν αὐτῇ, Ὡς εὐφραινομένων πάντων ἡ κατοικία ἐν σοί. Καὶ Μάγους σοι προσήνεγκεν, ἐν πίστει προσκυνοῦντάς σε, μεθ' ὧν ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Δόξα... Καὶ νῦν... Λαθὼν ἐτέχθης ὑπὸ τὸ πήλαιον, ἀλλ' οὐρανὸς σε πᾶσιν ἐκήρυξεν, ὥσπερ στόμα, τὸν Ἀστέρα προβαλλόμενος ωτήρ. Καὶ Μάγους σοι προσήνεγκεν, ἐν πίστει προσκυνοῦντάς σε, μεθ' ὧν ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Αναγνώστης: Προφητείας Ησαΐου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Διάκονος (ή Ιερεύς): Σοφία! Πρόσχωμεν! Αναγνώστης: Παιδίον ἐγεννήθη ἡμῖν υἱὸς καὶ ἐδόθη ἡμῖν οὗ ἡ ἀρχὴ ἐγενήθη ἐπὶ τοῦ ὤμου αὐτοῦ καὶ καλεῖται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, Μεγάλης βουλῆς ἄγγελος,θαυμαστὸς σύμβουλος, Θεὸς ἰσχυρός, ἐξουσιαστής, ἄρχων εἰρήνης, πατὴρ τοῦ μέλλοντος αἰῶνος. Ἄξω γὰρ εἰρήνην ἐπὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας, εἰρήνην καὶ ὑγείαν αὐτ. Μεγάλη ἡ ἀρχὴ αὐτοῦ καὶ τῆς εἰρήνης αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ὅριον ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον ΔαυἸδ, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ κατορθῶσαι αὐτὴν καὶ ἀντιλαβέσθαι αὐτῆς ἐν κρίματι καὶ δικαιοσύνῃ, ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. Ο ζῆλος Κυρίου Σαβαὼθ ποιήσει ταῦτα. Και ψάλλεται το τροπάριον της Προφητείας. Ήχος πλ. β Ἀνέτειλας Φριστὲ ἐκ Παρθένου, νοητὲ Ἥλιε τῆς Δικαιοσύνης καὶ Ἀστὴρ σε ὑπέδειξεν, ἐν πηλαίῳ χωρούμενον τὸν It brought you Magi, who worshipped you in faith. Have mercy on them and on us. 4th Verse: These were born there. My mother is Sion, a man will say; and a man was born in her; and the Most High himself has founded her. It brought you Magi, who worshipped you in faith. Have mercy on them and on us. 5th Verse: The Lord will recount it in the writing of peoples, and of these Rulers who were born in her. The dwelling in you is as that of all who rejoice. It brought you Magi, who worshipped you in faith. Have mercy on them and on us. Glory Both now... Secretly you were born in a cave, but heaven proclaimed you to all, using the star as its mouth, O Saviour. It brought you Magi, who worshipped you in faith. Have mercy on them and on us. Reader: The reading is from Isaiah. Deacon (or Priest): Wisdom. Let us attend! Reader: A child has been born for us, a son has been given to us; whose government is upon his shoulder, and his name will be called Angel of Great Counsel, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Potentate, Prince of Peace, Father of the age to come. For I will bring peace upon princes, peace and health to him. Great his government, and of his peace there is no bound, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with judgement and with justice from henceforth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. And the Troparion of the Prophecy is chanted. Plagal 2 nd Tone. You have dawned from a Virgin, O Christ, spiritual Sun of justice; and a star showed you whom nothing can contained in a cave.

11 ἀχώρητον. Μάγους ὁδηγήσας εἰς προσκύνησίν σου μεθ' ὧν σε μεγαλύνομεν, Ζωοδότα δόξα σοι. Στίχος α' Ὁ Κύριος ἐβασίλευσεν, εὐπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσατο, ἐνεδύσατο Κύριος δύναμιν καὶ περιεζώσατο. Μάγους ὁδηγήσας εἰς προσκύνησίν σου μεθ' ὧν σε μεγαλύνομεν, Ζωοδότα δόξα σοι. Στίχος β' Καὶ γὰρ ἐστερέωσε τὴν οἰκουμένην, ἥτις οὐ σαλευθήσεται ἕτοιμος ὁ θρόνος ἀπὸ τότε. Μάγους ὁδηγήσας εἰς προσκύνησίν σου μεθ' ὧν σε μεγαλύνομεν, Ζωοδότα δόξα σοι. Στίχος γ' Ἐπῆραν οἱ ποταμοὶ Κύριε, ἐπῆραν οἱ ποταμοὶ φωνὰς αὐτῶν ἀροῦσιν οἱ ποταμοὶ ἐπιτρίψεις αὐτῶν, ἀπὸ φωνῶν ὑδάτων πολλῶν. Μάγους ὁδηγήσας εἰς προσκύνησίν σου μεθ' ὧν σε μεγαλύνομεν, Ζωοδότα δόξα σοι. Στίχος δ' Θαυμαστοὶ οἱ μετεωρισμοὶ τῆς θαλάσσης, θαυμαστὸς ἐν ὑψηλοῖς ὁ Κύριος τὰ μαρτύριά σου ἐπιστώθησαν σφόδρα. Μάγους ὁδηγήσας εἰς προσκύνησίν σου μεθ' ὧν σε μεγαλύνομεν, Ζωοδότα δόξα σοι. Στίχος ε' Τῷ οἴκῳ σου πρέπει ἁγίασμα, Κύριε, εἰς μακρότητα ἡμερῶν. Μάγους ὁδηγήσας εἰς προσκύνησίν σου μεθ' ὧν σε μεγαλύνομεν, Ζωοδότα δόξα σοι. Δόξα... Καὶ νῦν... Ἀνέτειλας Φριστὲ ἐκ Παρθένου, νοητὲ Ἥλιε τῆς Δικαιοσύνης, καὶ Ἀστὴρ σε ὑπέδειξεν, ἐν πηλαίῳ χωρούμενον τὸν ἀχώρητον. Μάγους ὁδηγήσας εἰς προσκύνησίν σου, μεθ' ὧν σε μεγαλύνομεν, Ζωοδότα δόξα σοι. You led Magi to worship you in faith; with them we magnify you. Giver of life, glory to you! 1st Verse: The Lord is king and has robed himself in glory; the Lord has robed and girded himself with strength. You led Magi to worship you in faith; with them we magnify you. Giver of life, glory to you! 2nd Verse: He has established the world, which shall not be shaken; your throne is prepared from of old; you are from everlasting. You led Magi to worship you in faith; with them we magnify you. Giver of life, glory to you! 3rd Verse: The rivers have lifted up, O Lord, the rivers have lifted up their voice; the rivers will raise their waves at the voice of many waters. You led Magi to worship you in faith; with them we magnify you. Giver of life, glory to you! 4th Verse: Wonderful are the billows of the sea; wonderful the Lord in the heights. Your testimonies are exceedingly sure. You led Magi to worship you in faith; with them we magnify you. Giver of life, glory to you! 5th Verse: Hallowing, O Lord, becomes your house for length of days. You led Magi to worship you in faith; with them we magnify you. Giver of life, glory to you! Glory... Both now... You have dawned from a Virgin, O Christ, spiritual Sun of justice; and a star showed you whom nothing can contained in a cave. You led Magi to worship you in faith; with them we magnify you. Giver of life, glory to you!

12 Αναγνώστης: Προφητείας Ησαΐου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Διάκονος (ή Ιερεύς): Σοφία! Πρόσχωμεν! Αναγνώστης: Προσέθετο Κύριος λαλῆσαι τ Ἄχαζ λέγων Αἴτησαι σεαυτ σημεῖον παρὰ Κυρίου Θεοῦ σου εἰς βάθος ἥ εἰς ὕψος. Καὶ εἶπεν Ἄχαζ Οὐ μὴ αἰτήσω ουδ' οὐ μὴ πειράσω Κύριον. Καὶ εἶπεν (ἩσαἸας) Ἀκούσατε δὴ οἶκος ΔαυἸδ μὴ μικρὸν ὑμῖν ἀγῶνα παρέχειν ἀνθρώποις καὶ πῶς Κυρίῳ παρέχετε ἀγῶνα; Διὰ τοῦτο δώσει Κύριος αὐτὸς ὑμῖν σημεῖον Ἰδοὺ ἡ παρθένος ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξει καὶ τέξεται υἱὸν καὶ καλέσουσι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἐμμανουὴλ. Βούτυρον καὶ μέλι φάγεται πρὶν ἥ γνῶναι αὐτὸν ἥ προελέσθαι πονηρὰ ἐκλέξεται τὸ ἀγαθὸν διότι πρὶν ἥ γνῶναι τὸ παιδίον ἀγαθὸν ἥ κακὸν ἀπειθεῖ πονηρίᾳ τοῦ ἐκλέξασθαι τὸ ἀγαθὸν. Καὶ εἶπεν Κύριος πρὸς με Λάβε σεαυτ τόμον καινὸν μέγαν, καὶ γράψον εἰς αὐτὸν γραφίδι ἀνθρώπου. Τοῦ ὀξέως προνομὴν ποιῆσαι σκύλων. Πάρεστι γὰρ καὶ μάρτυρὰς μοι ποίησον πιστοὺς ἀνθρώπους, τὸν Οὐρίαν τὸν Ἱερέα καὶ τὸν Ζαχαρίαν υἱὸν Βαραχιου. Καὶ προσῆλθον πρὸς τὴν προφῆτιν καὶ ἐν γαστρὶ ἔλαβε καὶ ἔτεκεν υἱὸν καὶ εἶπέ μοι Κύριος Κάλεσον τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ. Ταχέως σκύλευσον, ὀξέως προνόμευσον. Διότι πρὶν ἥ γνῶναι τὸ παιδίον καλεῖν πατέρα ἥ μητέρα λήψεται δύναμιν Δαμασκοῦ καὶ τὰ σκῦλα Σαμαρείας ἔναντι βασιλέως Ἀσσυρίων. Μεθ' ἡμῶν ὁ Θεὸς. Γνῶτε ἔθνη καὶ ἡττᾶσθε ἐπακούσατε ἕως ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς ἰσχυκότες ἡττᾶσθε. Ἐὰν γὰρ πάλιν ἰσχύσητε, καὶ πάλιν ἡττηθήσεσθε. Καὶ ἣν ἅν βουλὴν βουλεύσησθε διασκεδάσει Κύριος καὶ λόγον ὃν ἐὰν λαλήσητε οὐ μὴ ἐμμείνῃ ἐν ὑμῖν, ὅτι μεθ' ἡμῶν Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς. Σο Σρισάγιον Και ο Αναγνώστης απαγγέλει το Αποστολικό Ανάγνωσμα Κύριος εἶπε πρὸς με Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Αἴτησαι παρ' ἐμοῦ, καὶ δώσω σοι ἔθνη τὴν κληρονομίαν σου. Πρὸς Ἑβραίους Ἐπιστολῆς Παύλου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Reader: The reading is from Isaiah. Deacon (or Priest): Wisdom. Let us attend! Reader: Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; in the depth or in the height. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. And he [Isaias] said, Hear then, O house of David! Is it a little thing for you to contend with men, and how do you contend with the Lord? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel. He shall eat butter and honey before he knows how to prefer evil or choose good. For before the child knows good or evil, he refuses the evil to choose the good. Then the Lord said to me, Take for yourself a large new volume and write upon it in with a man s pen, Of making a rapid plunder of spoils; for it is at hand. And get me witnesses, reliable men, Urias the priest and Zachariah the son of Barachias. And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the Lord said to me, Call his name Despoil quickly, plunder rapidly; for before the child knows how to cry Father or Mother, he will take the power of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria before the king of the Assyrians. Know you nations and be worsted; give ear, as far as the extremity of the earth; for if again you have become strong, again you will be worsted. And whatever counsel you take, the Lord will scatter it; and whatever word you speak, it will not remain in you, for God is with us. The Trisagion And the Reader says the Epistle of St. Paul The Lord said to me, You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of me, and I shall give you nations as your inheritance. The reading is from St. Paul s letter to the Hebrews.

13 Πολυμερῶς καὶ πολυτρόπως πάλαι ὁ Θεὸς λαλήσας τοῖς Πατράσιν ἐν τοῖς Προφήταις, ἐπ' ἐσχάτων τῶν ἡμερῶν τούτων ἐλάλησεν ἡμῖν ἐν Υἱ ὃν ἔθηκε κληρονόμον πάντων, δι' οὗ καὶ τοὺς αἰῶνας ἐποίησεν. Ὅς ὢν ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης, καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ, φέρων τε τὰ πάντα τ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ, δι' ἑαυτοῦ καθαρισμὸν ποιησάμενος τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν, ἐκάθισεν ἐ ν δ ε ξ ι ᾷ τ ῆ ς μ ε γ α λ ω σ ύ ν η ς ἐ ν ὑψηλοῖς.τοσούτῳ κρείττων γενόμενος τῶν ἀγγέλων, ὅσῳ διαφορώτερον παρ' αὐτοὺς κεκληρονόμηκεν ὄνομα. Τίνι γὰρ εἶπέ ποτε τῶν ἀγγέλων Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε; Καὶ πάλιν Ἐγὼ ἔσομαι αὐτ εἰς πατέρα, καὶ αὐτὸς ἔσται μοι εἰς υἱόν; Ὅταν δὲ πάλιν εἰσαγάγῃ τὸν πρωτότοκον εἰς τὴν οἰκουμένην, λέγει Καὶ προσκυνησάτωσαν αὐτ πάντες Ἄγγελοι Θεοῦ. Καὶ πρὸς μὲν τοὺς ἀγγέλους λέγει Ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα, καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πυρὸς φλόγα πρὸς δὲ τὸν Υἱόν Ὁ θρόνος σου, ὁ Θεός, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, ῥάβδος εὐθύτητος ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς Βασιλείας σου. Ἠγάπησας δικαιοσύνην, καὶ ἐμίσησας ἀνομίαν διὰ τοῦτο ἔχρισέ σε ὁ Θεὸς ὁ Θεός σου, ἔλαιον ἀγαλλιάσεως παρὰ τοὺς μετόχους σου. Καί, Σὺ κατ' ἀρχάς, Κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί. Αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτούς, καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται. Σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσι. Πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέ ποτε. Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἅν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου; Οὐχὶ πάντες εἰσὶ λειτουργικὰ πνεῦμα εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν; Διὰ τοῦτο δεῖ περισσοτέρως ἡμᾶς προσέχειν τοῖς ἀκουσθεῖσι, μὴ ποτε παραρρυῶμεν. Εἰ γὰρ ὁ δι ἀγγέλων λαληθεὶς λόγος ἐγένετο βέβαιος, καὶ πᾶσα παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ ἔλαβεν ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν, πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας; ἥτις, ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα λαλεῖσθαι διὰ In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the ages. He is the radiance of his glory and the very imprint of his substance, upholding the universe by the word of his power. When he had made purification for our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has obtained is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, You are my Son, today I have begotten you? Or again, I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, Let all God s angels worship him. Of the angels he says, Who makes his angels spirits and his ministers flames of fire. But to the Son he says, Your throne, O God, is to age on age, the sceptre of justice is the sceptre of your kingdom. You have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your comrades. And, You, Lord, founded the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle you will roll them up, and they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end. But to what angel has he ever said, Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies a footstool for your feet? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? Therefore we must pay the closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the word spoken by angels was sure and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was

14 τοῦ Κυρίου, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐβεβαιώθη. Αρχιερεύς (ή Ιερεύς): Ειρήνη σοι τω αναγνώντι. Λαός: Aλληλούϊα, Αλληλούϊα, Αλληλούϊα. Διάκονος (ή Ιερεύς): Σοφία! Ορθοί! Ακούσωμεν του αγίου ευαγγελίου. Αρχιερεύς (ή Ιερεύς): Ειρήνη πάσι. Λαός: Και τω πνευματί σου. Διάκονος (ή Ιερεύς): Εκ του κατα Λουκάν αγίου ευαγγελίου το ανάγνωσμα. Πρόσχωμεν. Λαός: Δόξα σοι, Κύριε, δόξα Σοι! Ο Διάκονος (ή ο Ιερεύς) απαγγέλει το Α- νάγνωσμα (Λουκάν β 1-20) Εν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις, ἐξῆλθε δόγμα παρὰ Καίσαρος Αὐγούστου, ἀπογράφεσθαι πᾶσαν τὴν οἰκουμένην. Αὕτη ἡ ἀπογραφὴ πρώτη ἐγένετο ἡγεμονεύοντος τῆς Συρίας Κυρηνίου. Καὶ ἐπορεύοντο πάντες ἀπογράφεσθαι, ἕκαστος εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν. Ἀνέβη δὲ καὶ Ἰωσὴφ ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, ἐκ πόλεως Ναζαρέθ, εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν, εἰς πόλιν Δαβίδ, ἥτις καλεῖται Βηθλεέμ, διὰ τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν ἐξ οἴκου καὶ πατριᾶς Δαβίδ, ἀπογράψασθαι σὺν Μαριὰμ τῇ μεμνηστευμένῃ αὐτ γυναικί, οὔσῃ ἐγκύῳ. Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τ εἶναι αὐτοὺς ἐκεῖ, ἐπλήσθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ τεκεῖν αὐτήν, καὶ ἔτεκε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον, καὶ ἐσπαργάνωσεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀνέκλινεν αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ φάτνῃ, διότι οὐκ ἦν αὐτοῖς τόπος ἐν τ καταλύματι. Καὶ ποιμένες ἦσαν ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ τῇ αὐτῇ ἀγραυλοῦντες καὶ φυλάσσοντες φυλακὰς τῆς νυκτὸς ἐπὶ τὴν ποίμνην αὐτῶν. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου ἐπέστη αὐτοῖς, καὶ δόξα Κυρίου περιέλαμψεν αὐτούς, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον μέγαν, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ ἄγγελος. Μὴ φοβεῖσθε Ἰδοὺ γάρ, εὐαγγελίζομαι ὑμῖν χαρὰν μεγάλην, ἥτις ἔσται παντὶ τ λα ὅτι ἐτέχθη ὑμῖν σήμερον Σωτήρ, ὃς ἐστι Χριστὸς Κύριος, ἐν πόλει Δαβίδ. Καὶ τοῦτο ὑμῖν τὸ σημεῖον, εὑρήσετε βρέφος ἐσπαργανωμένον, κείμενον ἐν τῇ φάτνῃ. Καὶ ἐξαίφνης ἐγένετο σὺν τ ἀγγέλῳ πλῆθος στρατιᾶς οὐρανίου, αἰνούντων τὸν Θεόν, καὶ λεγόντων. Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις Θε, καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς εἰρήνη, ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκία. Καὶ attested to us by those who heard him. Bishop (or Priest): Peace be with you, the reader. People: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Deacon (or Priest): Wisdom! Arise! Let us listen to the reading of the Holy Gospel. Bishop (or Priest): Peace be to all! People: And with your spirit. Deacon (or Priest): The reading is from the Gospel according to St. Luke. Let us attend! People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You! The Deacon (or Priest) reads the Gospel Luke 2:1-20 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family of David. He went to be enrolled with Mary, his espoused wife who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were sore afraid. But the angel said to them, Fear not; for see I am bringing you good tidings of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on

15 ἐγένετο ὡς ἀπῆλθον ἀπ' αὐτῶν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν οἱ ἄγγελοι, καὶ οἱ ἄνθρωποι οἱ ποιμένες εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους Διέλθωμεν δὴ ἕως Βηθλεέμ, καὶ ἴδωμεν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο τὸ γεγονὸς ὃ Κύριος ἐγνώρισεν ἡμῖν. Καὶ ἦλθον σπεύσαντες, καὶ ἀνεῦρον, τήν τε Μαριὰμ καὶ τὸν Ἰωσήφ, καὶ τὸ βρέφος κείμενον ἐν τῇ φάτνῃ. Ἰδόντες δὲ διεγνώρισαν περὶ τοῦ ῥήματος τοῦ λαληθέντος αὐτοῖς περὶ τοῦ παιδίου τούτου, καὶ πάντες οἱ ἀκούσαντες ἐθαύμασαν περὶ τῶν λαληθέντων ὑπὸ τῶν Ποιμένων πρὸς αὐτούς, ἡ δὲ Μαριὰμ πάντα συνετήρει τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα, συμβάλλουσα ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς. Καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν οἱ ποιμένες, δοξάζοντες καὶ αἰνοῦντες τὸν Θεὸν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἤκουσαν καὶ εἶδον, καθὼς ἐλαλήθη πρὸς αὐτούς. Λαός: Δόξα σοι, Κύριε, δόξα Σοι! Και άρχεται η Θεία Λειτουργία του Αγ. Βασιλείου του Μεγάλου Εις το «Εξαιρέτως», το Επι σοι χαίρει... Κοινωνικόν: «Αινείτε τον Κύριον...» Αντί το «Είδομεν το Υώς,» το Απολυτίκιον των Φριστουγέννων Η Απόλυσις της Εορτής earth peace, good will among men! When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. People: Glory to You, O Lord! Glory to You! After the Gospel, the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated At Especially, the hymn In you rejoices Communion Hymn: Praise the Lord Instead of We have seen the true light, the Apolytikion of Christmas The Apolysis of the Feast