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Menaion - December 24

Memory of the Holy Martyr Eugenia

__________

VESPERS

PRIEST

Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.

READER

Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

Psalm 103 (104).

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly; You clothe Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain; You are He who covers His upper chambers with water, who makes the clouds His means of approach, who walks on the wings of the winds, who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. He established the earth on its stable foundation; it shall not be moved unto ages of ages. The deep like a garment is His covering; the waters shall stand upon the mountains; at Your rebuke they shall flee; at the sound of Your thunder, they shall be afraid. The mountains rise up, and the plains sink down to the place You founded for them. You set a boundary they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth. You are He who sends springs into the valley; the waters shall pass between the mountains; they shall give drink to all the wild animals of the field; the wild asses shall quench their thirst; the birds of heaven shall dwell beside them; they shall sing from the midst of the rocks. You are He who waters the mountains from His higher places; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Your works. You are He who causes grass to grow for the cattle, and the green plant for the service of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; and wine gladdens the heart of man, to brighten his face with oil; and bread strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of fruit, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted; there the sparrows shall make their nests; the house of the heron takes the lead among them. The high mountains are for the deer; the cliff is a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night, wherein all the wild animals of the forest will prowl about; the young lions roar and snatch their prey, and seek their food from God. The sun arises, and they are gathered together; and they shall be put to bed in their dens. Man shall go out to his work and to his labor until evening. O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom; the earth was filled with Your creation. There is this great and spacious sea: the creeping things are there without number; the living things are there, both small and great; there the ships pass through; there is this dragon You formed to play therein. All things wait upon You, that You may give them food in due season. When You give it to them, they shall gather it; when You open Your hand, all things shall be filled with Your goodness. But when You turn Your face away, they shall be troubled; when You take away their breath, they shall die and return again to their dust. You shall send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be forever; the Lord shall be glad in His works; He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I exist; may my words be pleasing to Him, and I shall be glad in the Lord. May sinners cease from the earth, and the lawless, so as to be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.

O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom. [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

THE PEACE LITANY

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability 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 pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, 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 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 protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Mode 4.

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. [SAAS]

Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.

The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.

They shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As a clod of ground is dashed to pieces on the earth, so their bones were scattered beside the grave.

For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.

Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.

Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.

I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.

I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.

When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.

For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.

I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.

Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.

I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

Hide Stichologia

Stichera. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. To a brave one.

Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]

Sound the cymbals and celebrate, * and in jubilance sing our hymns; * for the day of Christ God’s Nativity is near. * That which the Prophets proclaimed before has verily come to pass. * He whom they said would appear * in the flesh to humanity * comes forth from the womb * and is laid by His mother in the manger in the Grotto as an infant * and as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. [GOASD]

Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]

With attention and honesty, * let us sing our pre-festal hymns, * in anticipation of Christ’s Nativity. * He who is equal in honor to the Father and Spirit has * put our nature on himself, * in His mercy and tender love; * and He will be born * in the city of Bethlehem. And Shepherds join the Angels in extolling * His most ineffable childbirth. [GOASD]

From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]

As the Virgin experienced * her conception and childbirth, * both incomprehensible and ineffable, * she was amazed and she cried aloud with gladness and tears of joy, * “Shall I offer You my breast, * or extol You, the One feeds all the universe? * O my Son and my God, which appellation shall I use when I address You, * the Lord of all and unnameable?” [GOASD]

For the Holy Woman.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. Joseph took You down.

Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]

When you, who were foreknown by divine * providence, went outside the city into the countryside, * wisely you renounced all pleasures and delights of the world. * When you heard the delightful sound of Psalms and divine hymns, * you became illumined with the light of knowledge of God. * Martyr, you conceived fear and brought forth * the divine Spirit of salvation * for your faithful servants who had gone with you. [GOASD]

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]

Martyr, you became the bride of Christ. * You enthusiastically offered your loyal servants to Him * as a living dowry that you brought with you, O Saint. * Imitating your steadfastness, Eugenia, they clearly * glowed with the illumination of divine grace and faith. * Practicing all manner of virtue, * truly they became godly-minded * Martyrs who proclaimed the truth of God to all. [GOASD]

For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]

You were clearly glowing with the grace * of the Holy Spirit, Eugenia. By words of wisdom you caught * in your net many young women and you brought them to Christ, * and you showed them the higher way that leads to perfection, * convincing them to be adorned with blood of martyrdom. * Now you celebrate all together, * for you found the One whom you longed for, * O all-lauded Martyr, and the true delight. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2.

Behold, the time of our salvation is at hand. Prepare yourself, O Grotto; the Virgin is close to giving birth. Bethlehem, land of Judah, rejoice and be glad, for our Lord has risen from you. Listen, O mountains and hills, and the region around Judea, for Christ is coming to save man whom He created, in His love for humanity. [SD]

(No Entrance)

Stand for the hymn.

READER

Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; * and therefore the world glorifies You. [SD]

DEACON

The evening Prokeimenon!

CHOIR

Prokeimenon. Mode 4.

The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him. [SAAS] (2)

Verse: You heard me when I called, O God of my righteousness. You strengthened my heart when I was in distress.

The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him.

Stand for the reading of prayer.

READER

O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. [HC] ( Amen. )

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Lord our God, who inclined the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads and bent their necks to You, the fearsome yet compassionate Judge, not expecting human help, but awaiting Your mercy and anticipating Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and the coming night, from every enemy, from all demonic activity against them, from unprofitable reflections, and from wicked thoughts.

PRIEST (aloud)

Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Aposticha of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Idiomelon 1. Tone 1.

Let us celebrate, people, ⁄ the Prefeast of Christ’s Nativity! ⁄ Let us raise our minds on high, ⁄ in Spirit going up to Bethlehem. ⁄ With the eyes of our soul, let us behold the Virgin ⁄ as she hastens to the cave to give birth to the Lord and God of all. ⁄ When Joseph first saw the mighty wonder, ⁄ he thought that he saw only a human Child wrapped in swaddling clothes, ⁄ but from all that came to pass he discovered the Child to be the true God ⁄⁄ Who grants the world great mercy. [OCA]

Idiomelon 2. Mode 1.

Verse: God will come from Teman, the Holy One from the mount of shaded leafy trees. [SAAS]

Let us celebrate, people, ⁄ the Prefeast of Christ’s Nativity! ⁄ Let us raise our minds on high ⁄ in Spirit going up to Bethlehem. ⁄ Let us behold the great mystery in the cavern, ⁄ for Eden is opened once again, ⁄ when God comes forth from a pure Virgin, ⁄ remaining the same perfect God, and perfect Man. ⁄ Therefore, let us cry aloud to Him, ⁄ Holy God, Father without beginning, ⁄ Holy Mighty, incarnate Son, ⁄ Holy Immortal, the Spirit and Comforter, ⁄⁄ Holy Trinity, glory to You! [OCA]

Idiomelon 3. Mode 1.

Verse: Lord, I have heard Your report and was afraid; I considered Your works and was greatly astonished. [SAAS]

Listen, heaven, and give ear, O earth: ⁄ Behold the Son and Word of the Father ⁄ coming forth to be born of a maiden who has not known man ⁄ at the good pleasure of the Father Who begot Him before all ages. ⁄ He is conceived by the co-operation of the Holy Spirit; ⁄ Bethlehem, make ready; Eden, open your gates, ⁄ for He Who is comes to be that which He was not, ⁄ and He Who formed all creation takes the form of a man, ⁄⁄ granting the world great mercy. [OCA]

Glory. Both now. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Prepare yourself, O Grotto, for the Ewe is coming, carrying Christ in her womb. O Manger, receive Him who released us earthlings from irrational activity by His word. You shepherds watching by night, witness to the awesome wonder. And you Magi from Persia, offer gold and frankincense and myrrh to the King. For the Lord has appeared from a virgin Mother. And bending over Him, the Mother, as a servant, worshiped Him, and she addressed the Infant in her arms, “How were You sown in me, and how were You implanted in me, O my Redeemer and my God?” [SD]

Stand for the reading of prayers

PRIEST

Song of Simeon

Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. [NKJV]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Forefeast.

CHOIR

Ode i.

Heirmos (not metered). Mode pl. 2.

Of old You buried the pursuing tyrant ⁄ beneath the waves of the sea. ⁄ Now You are hidden in a manger ⁄ and Herod seeks to kill You. ⁄ But with the Magi, let us sing to the Lord, ⁄ for gloriously has He been glorified! [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Lord my God, I sing You a birthday hymn, ⁄ rejoicing in the vigil of the feast, ⁄ for by Your Nativity You have given me divine rebirth, ⁄ raising me up to my first excellence. [OCA]

Glory.

Lord my God, I sing You a birthday hymn, ⁄ rejoicing in the vigil of the feast, ⁄ for by Your Nativity You have given me divine rebirth, ⁄ raising me up to my first excellence. [OCA]

Both now.

All things in heaven and on earth were amazed at Your power, ⁄ beholding You upon Your throne on high and in the manger below! ⁄ In ways beyond understanding You have come to us, Savior, ⁄ appearing in two natures: God and man! [OCA]

Ode iii.

From Menaion - - -

Heirmos (not metered). Mode pl. 2.

You suspended the earth upon the waters; ⁄ now creation beholds You born in a cave. ⁄ It quakes with great amazement and cries, ⁄ None is holy but You, O Lord! [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Manifesting the signs of Your incarnation, merciful Lord, ⁄ You have unfolded visions and breathed forth prophecies. ⁄ Now You have come, fulfilling them all: ⁄ born in the flesh from a pure maiden in the city of David. [OCA]

Glory.

Earth has spread out its expanse to receive the Creator; ⁄ the angels glorify Him; the heavens send a star; ⁄ the shepherds sing His praise and the Magi offer their gifts: ⁄ Let the whole world acknowledge Him! [OCA]

Both now.

The riddles of the soothsayer and diviner Balaam are now fulfilled, ⁄ for a star has dawned from Jacob ⁄ leading the Magi, kings from Persia, bringing gifts ⁄ to the Sun of Glory! [OCA]

Ode iv.

From Menaion - - -

Heirmos (not metered). Mode pl. 2.

Foreseeing Your coming from the Virgin, ⁄ Habakkuk cried out trembling, ⁄ You are come incarnate from Teman, Deliverer, ⁄ to call back Adam from his exile. [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Now the Lord draws near and comes. ⁄ He is the expectation of the nations and salvation of the world. ⁄ Prepare the cave, city of Bethlehem; ⁄ shepherds, hasten with the Magi! [OCA]

Glory.

By the overwhelming strength of Your divine nature, ⁄ You have been joined with mortal men ⁄ through a union without confusion, Savior, ⁄ in the likeness of Adam’s flesh. ⁄ In thus assuming human nature, ⁄ You grant it immortality and salvation. [OCA]

Both now.

The Word is made manifest ⁄ and assumes the material substance of our flesh. ⁄ In His ineffable dispensation, ⁄ He takes up His dwelling with us. ⁄ Come, faithful, let us look upon His glory, ⁄ the glory of the Only-begotten Son from God the Father! [OCA]

Ode v.

From Menaion - - -

Heirmos (not metered). Mode pl. 2.

Isaiah saw the never-setting light ⁄ of Your compassionate manifestation to us as God, O Christ. ⁄ Rising early from the night he cried out: ⁄ Behold, a Virgin shall conceive ⁄ and shall bear the Incarnate Word. ⁄ All those on earth shall greatly rejoice! [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

When You became earthly, Creator, ⁄ You renewed those born on earth ⁄ and the manger, the swaddling clothes and a cave ⁄ revealed Your lowliness, O Word. ⁄ for Your Mother’s betrothed is thought by men ⁄ to be Your Father in the flesh ⁄ and so he takes the place of the Father who begot You by His counsel! [OCA]

Glory.

The Magi, first fruits of the gentiles, ⁄ offer You gifts in a cave in Bethlehem ⁄ at Your birth from a Mother who suffered no pangs of travail: ⁄ myrrh foretells Your death, gold Your royal power, ⁄ frankincense the pre-eminence of Your divinity. [OCA]

Both now.

You came forth from a painless birth, ⁄ Word co-eternal with the Father. ⁄ You make Your dwelling in the cave with the manger as Your throne. ⁄ Through Your fearful dispensation You amaze the Magi and the shepherds. ⁄ You fill the angels with awe as they cry: Glory to Your dominion! [OCA]

Ode vi.

From Menaion - - -

Heirmos (not metered). Mode pl. 2.

Jonah was caught but not held fast ⁄ in the belly of the whale. ⁄ He was a sign of Your birth and appearance in the flesh, ⁄ coming forth from the fish as from a bridal chamber. ⁄ You are born and shall suffer death and burial, ⁄ and shall rise again on the third day! [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The wall of partition of the ancient curse ⁄ is destroyed by Your coming, O Christ; ⁄ the flaming sword now gives way before all who approach. ⁄ I partake in faith of the life-giving tree in Eden, ⁄ becoming once again a husbandman of the fruit of immortality. [OCA]

Glory.

Hell reigned with sin from Adam even down to You, ⁄ but their shameless tyranny has been brought to naught, ⁄ for You are born in the flesh from the tribe of David; ⁄ You have set a light upon the throne of his kingdom, Deliverer: ⁄ You shall reign to all ages! [OCA]

Both now.

The wicked Herod became a slayer of children but not of Christ: ⁄ though he reaped a bitter harvest of infants, ⁄ he failed to seize and kill the Bread of Life, ⁄ Who in divine power escaped the pursuer to give life to all! [OCA]

Ode vii.

From Menaion - - -

Heirmos (not metered). Mode pl. 2.

Inexpressible wonder! ⁄ In the furnace You saved the holy youths from the flame. ⁄ Now You are laid in a poor manger as a Babe, ⁄ for the salvation of us who sing: ⁄ Blessed are You, O God, our Redeemer! [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The enemy and deceiver was wounded, ⁄ beholding God laid in a poor and narrow manger as a babe: ⁄ he was cast down by the hand of God for our salvation, who sing: ⁄ Blessed are You, O God, our Redeemer! [OCA]

Glory.

O happy manger! ⁄ Receiving the Creator as a babe, ⁄ you are made the throne of the cherubim, ⁄ for the salvation of us who sing: ⁄ Blessed are You, O God, our Redeemer! [OCA]

Both now.

Obeying the law of mortals, ⁄ You have come as a babe and accepted to be wrapped in swaddling clothes: ⁄ Loosing the bonds of my offenses, ⁄ You have bestowed freedom upon those who cry aloud: ⁄ Blessed are You, O God, our Redeemer! [OCA]

Ode viii.

From Menaion - - -

Heirmos (not metered). Mode pl. 2.

Be amazed, O heavens! ⁄ Be shaken, foundations of the earth! ⁄ Behold, He Who dwells on high holding the world in His hand ⁄ is wrapped in swaddling clothes and received as a guest in a narrow manger. ⁄ Bless Him, youths, praise Him, O priests! ⁄ People, exalt Him above all forever! [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Adam the prisoner has been set free; ⁄ deliverance is given to all the faithful, ⁄ for You are bound in swathing bands, Savior, ⁄ laid in a small cave and the manger of dumb beasts. ⁄ Therefore we rejoice, offering You a hymn in faith ⁄ as we celebrate the vigil of Your nativity. [OCA]

Glory.

The idolatry of the nations shall cease, ⁄ for the Magi, wise men from the east, ⁄ bring gifts to Christ the King of all at His birth: ⁄ gold and myrrh and frankincense. ⁄ Bless Him youths, praise Him, O priests! ⁄ People, exalt Him above all forever! [OCA]

Both now.

What strange wonder! ⁄ Goodness and boundless forbearance! ⁄ He Who dwells in the heights is counted as a babe; ⁄ He Who is God of all flees of His Own will from Herod. ⁄ Bless Him youths, praise Him, O priests! ⁄ People, exalt Him above all forever! [OCA]

Ode ix.

From Menaion - - -

Heirmos (not metered). Mode pl. 2.

Do not be amazed, O Mother, ⁄ beholding Me now as a Babe, ⁄ the Son begotten from the bosom of the Father before the morning star, ⁄ for I have come to restore the earth; ⁄ I shall glorify with Myself the fallen nature of mortal mankind; ⁄ I shall exalt all who magnify you in faith and love! [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

My Son without beginning, ⁄ I am blessed beyond words by Your strange birth, ⁄ for You have delivered me from all travail; ⁄ as I behold You fleeing from Herod, the sword of sorrow pierces my heart, ⁄ but You shall live, saving those who honor You! [OCA]

Glory.

As an exile I flee to the land of Egypt, O Mother, ⁄ but I shall smash all idols made by the hands of men. ⁄ Those who seek My life in vain shall be dashed to pieces like a potter’s vessel, ⁄ but with My divine power I shall exalt all who magnify you in faith and love! [OCA]

Both now.

Let the creation rejoice exceedingly! ⁄ The Creator now makes Himself to be created! ⁄ He Who is before all things now makes Himself known as God newly-revealed! ⁄ Let the Magi with their gifts make haste to meet Him! ⁄ Let the shepherds clap their hands in faith at the wonder! ⁄ Let mortals join the angels and celebrate in the feast! [OCA]

Heirmos.

Do not be amazed, O Mother, ⁄ beholding Me now as a Babe, ⁄ the Son begotten from the bosom of the Father before the morning star, ⁄ for I have come to restore the earth; ⁄ I shall glorify with Myself the fallen nature of mortal mankind; ⁄ I shall exalt all who magnify you in faith and love! [OCA]

PEOPLE

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Apolytikion. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

As she carried in her womb * what she conceived without seed, * Mary went to Bethlehem * with elder Joseph to enroll, * for they were of the house and the lineage of David. * The time arrived for her * to give birth to her Child; * but then there was no place * in the inn for them. * Therefore the grotto served as a luxurious * royal palace for the Queen. * And Christ the Lord is born, to raise the image * which was formerly fallen. [SD] (3)

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: Master, give the blessing.

PRIEST

Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.

May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Amen.