Vigil: Great Compline, Lity, End of Vespers Wednesday, December 25, 2024

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Horologion

Menaion - December 25

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CHRISTMAS VIGIL

Great Compline

PRIEST

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

( Amen. )

PRIEST

Glory to You, O God, glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of good things and giver of life: come; take Your abode in us; cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one.

READER

Amen.

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.

READER

Amen. Lord, have mercy. (12)

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

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.

Psalm 4.

You heard me when I called, O God of my righteousness. You strengthened my heart when I was in distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. How long, O you sons of men, will you be slow of heart? Why do you love vain things and seek after lies? Know that the Lord made His Holy One wondrous; the Lord will hear me when I cry to Him. Be angry, and do not sin; have remorse upon your beds for what you say in your hearts. Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and hope in the Lord. There are many who say, “Who will show us good things?” O Lord, the light of Your face was stamped upon us. You put gladness in my heart; from their season of wheat, wine, and oil they were multiplied. I will both sleep and rest in peace, for You alone, O Lord, cause me to dwell in hope. [SAAS]

Psalm 6.

O Lord, do not reprove me in Your anger, nor discipline me in Your wrath. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled; and my soul is greatly troubled; but You, O Lord, how long? Return, O Lord, and deliver my soul. Save me because of Your mercy for there is no remembrance of You in death; and in Hades who will give thanks to You? I am weary with my groaning; every single night I will dampen my bed; I will drench my couch with my tears. My eye is troubled by anger; I grow old among all my enemies. Depart from me, all you workers of lawlessness; for the Lord heard the voice of my weeping; the Lord heard my supplication; the Lord received my prayer. Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; let them turn back and be suddenly ashamed. [SAAS]

Psalm 12 (13).

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me to the end? How long will You turn Your face from me? How long will I take counsel in my soul, having grief in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Look upon me and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep in death, lest my enemy say, “I prevailed against him”; those who afflict me greatly rejoice, if I am shaken. But I hope in Your mercy; my heart shall greatly rejoice in Your salvation; I will sing to the Lord, who shows kindness to me; I will sing to the name of the Lord Most High. [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)

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.

Psalm 24 (25).

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul, O my God. I trust in You; let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies laugh at me. For all who wait upon You shall not be ashamed; let those be ashamed who act lawlessly in vain. Make known Your ways to me, O Lord, and teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation, and on You I wait all the day. Remember Your compassion, O Lord, and Your mercy, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor of my ignorance; but remember me according to Your mercy, because of Your loving-kindness, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He will instruct sinners in His way. He will guide the gentle in judgment; He will teach the gentle His ways. All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth for those who seek His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my sin, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way He chooses. His soul shall dwell among good things; his seed shall inherit the earth. The Lord is the strength of those who fear Him, and to those who fear Him, His name is the Lord, and He will show them His covenant. My eyes are always toward the Lord, for He shall pluck my feet out of the trap. Look upon me and have mercy on me, for I am only-begotten and poor. The afflictions of my heart have been widened; bring me out of my distresses. Look on my humiliation and my pain and forgive all my sins. Look on my enemies, because they multiply, and they hate me with unjustified hatred. Keep my soul, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed, because I hope in You. The innocent and the upright cleave to me because I wait upon You, O Lord. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his afflictions. [SAAS]

Psalm 30 (31).

In You, O Lord, I hope; may I not be ashamed forever; in Your righteousness deliver and rescue me. Incline Your ear to me; rescue me speedily; be to me a God who protects me, and a house of refuge to save me. For You are my strength and my refuge, and for Your name’s sake You will guide and sustain me; for You will bring me out from the snare they hid for me; for You are my protector. Into Your hands I shall entrust my spirit; You redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. You hate those who maintain their empty vanities, but I hope in the Lord. I will greatly rejoice and be glad because of Your mercy, for You beheld my humiliation; You saved my soul from distress, and did not shut me up into the hands of the enemy; You set my feet in a wide place. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am afflicted; my eye is troubled with anger; so are my soul and my stomach. For my life is wasted with grief and my years with sighing; my strength is weakened with poverty, and my bones are troubled. I became a reproach among all my enemies, and especially to all my neighbors, and a fear to all my acquaintances; those who saw me outside fled from me. I am forgotten like one whose heart is lifeless; I was made like a vessel that is utterly broken. For I heard the blame of many who dwell round about when they were gathered together against me, when they plotted to take my life. But as for me, I hope in You, O Lord; I said, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hands; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. Make Your face shine upon Your servant; save me in Your mercy. O Lord, do not let me be ashamed, because I call upon You; let the ungodly be ashamed, and lead them down into Hades. Let deceitful lips become speechless when they speak lawlessness against the righteous with arrogance and contempt. How great, O Lord, is the abundance of Your goodness You hide for those who fear You, which You will work for those who hope in You in the sight of the sons of men. You shall hide them in the secret of Your presence from the disturbance of men; You will shelter them in Your tabernacle from the contradiction of tongues. Blessed is the Lord, for He magnified His mercy in a fortified city. But I said in my ecstasy, “Indeed, I am cast away from the countenance of Your eyes.” Therefore You heard the voice of my supplication when I cried to You. Love the Lord, all you His saints, for the Lord seeks out truth, and He repays those who act with great arrogance. Be courageous, and let your heart be strengthened, all who hope in the Lord. [SAAS]

Psalm 90 (91).

He who dwells in the help of the Most High shall lodge in the shelter of the God of heaven. He shall say to the Lord, “You are my protector and my refuge, my God; I will hope in Him; for He shall free me from the snare of the hunters, and from every troubling word.” He shall overshadow you with His shoulders, and under His wings you shall hope; His truth shall encircle you with a shield. You shall not be frightened by fear at night, nor from an arrow that flies by day, nor by a thing moving in darkness, nor by mishap and a demon of noonday. A thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, yet it shall not come near you; but you shall observe with your eyes, and you shall see the reward of sinners. For You, O Lord, are my hope; You made the Most High your refuge. Evils shall not come to you, and a scourge shall not draw near your dwelling; for He shall command His angels concerning you, to keep you in all your ways; in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone; You shall tread upon the asp and the basilisk, and you shall trample the lion and the dragon. “For he hoped in Me, and I will deliver him; I will shelter him, because he knew My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will hear him; I am with him in affliction, and I will deliver and glorify him. With length of days I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” [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)

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.

(read)

Mode pl. 2.

God is with us. Know this, O Gentiles, and be defeated. For God is with us. [SAAS]

Give ear, all you to the very ends of the earth. For God is with us.

Be defeated although you are strong. For God is with us.

For even if you should be strong again, you will be defeated again. For God is with us.

Then too, whatever counsel you take, the Lord will scatter it abroad. For God is with us.

And whatever word you shall speak, it will not continue among you. For God is with us.

But do not be afraid of their terror, nor be troubled. For God is with us.

Sanctify the Lord Himself, and He shall be your fear. For God is with us.

So if you trust in Him, He shall be as a sanctuary for you. For God is with us.

I shall wait for God, and I will trust in Him. For God is with us.

Behold, I and the children God gave me. For God is with us.

A people who walk in darkness, behold a great light. For God is with us.

And you who dwell in the country of the shadow of death, upon you a light will shine. For God is with us.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given. For God is with us.

And the government will be upon His shoulder. For God is with us.

And of His peace there is no end. For God is with us.

His name will be called the Angel of Great Counsel. For God is with us.

Wonderful Counselor. For God is with us.

Mighty God, Master, Prince of Peace. For God is with us.

Father of the age to come. For God is with us.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. For God is with us.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. For God is with us.

God is with us. Know this, O Gentiles, and be defeated.

For God is with us.

(read)

Having passed the day, I give thanks to you, Lord; and I ask of you to grant me the evening and the night without sin, O my Savior, and save me. [HC]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Now that the day has gone by, I glorify you, Master; I ask of you to grant me the evening and the night without sin, O my Savior, and save me. [HC]

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Having traversed the day, I sing hymns to you, O Holy One; I ask of you to grant me the evening and the night free of plots, * O my Savior, and save me. [HC]

(read)

Mode pl. 2.

As a bodiless nature, the Cherubim * ever glorify You with unceasing hymns; [SD]

And the six-winged beings, the Seraphim, * also highly exalt You with endless voice;

The entire array of angelic hosts * sings its praises of You with thrice-holy hymns.

You, O Father, existing before all things, * have Your Son unoriginate with yourself,

And the equally honored Spirit of life; * thus You show that inseparable are the Three.

O all-holy and virgin Mother of God * and you servants and witnesses of the Word,

With the choirs of prophets and martyred saints, * all of you who enjoy everlasting life:

Intercede in great earnest on our behalf, * inasmuch as we all are in dire straits;

So that all of us, freed now from the deceit * of the devil, may sing the angelic hymn:

Holy, Holy, Holy, Thrice-holy Lord, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

The Creed

I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. [GOA] Amen.

(read)

Mode pl. 2.

O all-holy Lady and Theotokos, intercede for us sinners. [SD]

All you heavenly Hosts of holy Angels and Archangels, intercede for us sinners.

Saint John the Baptist, Prophet and Forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ, intercede for us sinners.

Holy, glorious Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs, and all Saints, intercede for us sinners.

Devout, God-bearing Fathers, Shepherds, and Teachers of the whole world, intercede for us sinners.

(local patron saint), intercede for us sinners.

O invincible and indestructible and divine power of the precious and life-giving Cross, do not abandon us sinners.

God, be gracious to us sinners, and have mercy on us.

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.

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.

( Amen. )

READER

Apolytikion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Your nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the light of knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the worshippers of the stars were by a star instructed to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You as Orient from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]

Lord, have mercy. (40)

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

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

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

( Amen. )

Prayer of St. Basil

Lord, Lord, who have delivered us from every arrow that flies by day, deliver us from anything that lurks about in darkness. Accept the lifting of our hands as an evening sacrifice. Make us worthy to traverse the time of night blamelessly, untouched by evil, and redeem us from every disturbance and fear caused by the devil. Grant contrition to our souls and concern to our minds about the accounting at your awesome and just judgment. Nail down our bodies with your fear, and deaden our earthly members, so that even in the quiet of our slumber we may be enlightened by the contemplation of your ordinances. Keep away from us every indecent fantasy and harmful desire. Awaken us in the time of prayer rooted in the faith, and thriving in your instructions; through the good will and goodness of your only-begotten Son with whom you are blessed, together with your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. [HC]

READER

Amen.

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.

Psalm 50 (51).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]

Psalm 101 (102).

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to You. Do not turn Your face from me; in the day when I am afflicted, incline Your ear to me; in the day when I call upon You, hear me quickly. For my days vanished like smoke, and my bones burned up like firewood. I was cut down like grass, and my heart became withered, for I forgot to eat my bread. Because of the sound of my groaning, my bones cleaved to my flesh. I have become like a pelican in a desert; I have become like an owl in a ruined house; I kept watch, and have become like a sparrow alone on a housetop. My enemies reproached me all day long, and those who praised me swore against me. For I ate ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with weeping because of the wrath of Your countenance and Your anger; for You lifted me up and broke me down. My days were far spent like a shadow, and I am withered like grass. But You, O Lord, remain forever, and Your remembrance is from generation to generation. When You rise up, You shall have compassion on Zion, for it is time to have compassion on her, because the time is come; for Your servants took pleasure in her stones, and they shall have compassion for her dust. And the Gentiles shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Your glory; for the Lord shall build Zion, and He shall be seen in His glory. He regarded the prayer of the humble, and He did not despise their supplication. Let this be written for another generation, and the people who are created shall praise the Lord; for He looked down from the height of His holy place; the Lord looked upon the earth from heaven, to hear the groaning of those bound, to set free the sons of the slain, to declare the Lord’s name in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem, when the peoples and the kingdoms are gathered together to serve the Lord. He replied to Him in the way of strength, “Declare to me the fewness of my days; take me not away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations. In the beginning, O Lord, You founded the earth, and the heavens are the works of Your hands. They shall perish, but You shall remain, and all things shall grow old like a garment, and like a cloak You shall change them, and they shall be changed; but You are the same, and Your years shall not fail. The children of Your servants shall dwell there, and their seed shall be led to prosperity forever.” [SAAS]

PRIEST

Prayer of Manasses, King of Judah

O Lord, Almighty, the God of our Fathers, of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and of their righteous seed; who created the heaven and the earth with all their adornment; who bound the sea by the word of your command; who shut up the abyss and sealed it with your awesome and glorious name; whom all things dread and before whose power they tremble, because the majesty of your glory is unbearable and the threat of your anger against the sinners unendurable; yet the mercy of your promise is both, immeasurable and unfathomable, for you are the Lord most high, compassionate, long-suffering and all merciful, and relent on the wickedness of man. You, Lord, in the multitude of your goodness promised repentance and forgiveness to those who have sinned against you, and in your infinite compassion appointed repentance for sinners that they may be saved. Therefore, Lord, the God of the powers, you have not appointed repentance for the righteous, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who have not sinned against you, but you appointed repentance for me the sinner, for I have committed more sins than the grains of the sand of the sea. My transgressions have multiplied, Lord; my transgressions have multiplied, and I am not worthy to look up and see the height of the sky from the multitude of my iniquities, being weighted down by many iron chains, so that I cannot raise my head; there is no respite left for me because I provoked your anger and committed evil before you not having done your will and not having kept your commandments. And now I bend the knee of my heart, beseeching your goodness. I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned and I acknowledge my transgressions; but I beg and ask of you: Forgive me, Lord, forgive me and do not destroy me with my transgressions; do not be angry with me forever and keep my evils in me, and do not condemn me to the depths of the earth; for you are God, the God of those who repent, and in me you shall show all your goodness; for even though I am unworthy, you shall save me according to the multitude of your mercy, and I shall praise you without ceasing all the days of my life. For every heavenly power sings your praises, and yours is the glory unto the ages of ages. [HC]

( Amen. )

READER

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.

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.

( Amen. )

READER

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. Automelon.

Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον.

On this day the Virgin gives * birth to the Super-essential. * To the Unapproachable, * earth is providing the grotto. * Angels sing and with the shepherds offer up glory. * Following a star the Magi are still proceeding. * He was born for our salvation, a newborn Child, the pre-eternal God. [SD]

Lord, have mercy. (40)

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

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

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

( Amen. )

Prayer of St. Mardarios

O Master God, Father Almighty, only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit: One Godhead, One Power, have mercy on me, a sinner, and in your knowing ways save me, your unworthy servant; for you are blessed unto the ages of ages. [HC]

READER

Amen.

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.

Psalm 69 (70).

O God, [give heed] to help me. [O Lord, make haste to help me.] May those who seek my soul be dishonored and shamed; may those who plot evils against me be turned back and disgraced; may those be turned back immediately who shame me, saying, “Well done! Well done!” May all who seek You greatly rejoice and be glad in You, and let those who love Your salvation always say, “Let God be magnified.” But I am poor and needy; O God, help me. You are my helper and deliverer, O Lord; do not delay. [SAAS]

Psalm 142 (143).

O Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplication in Your truth; answer me in Your righteousness; do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no one living shall become righteous in Your sight. For the enemy persecuted my soul; he humbled my life to the ground; he caused me to dwell in dark places as one long dead, and my spirit was in anguish within me; my heart was troubled within me. I remembered the days of old, and I meditated on all Your works; I meditated on the works of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a waterless land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faints within me; turn not Your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning, for I hope in You; make me know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, for to You I flee for refuge. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, give me life; in Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of affliction. In Your mercy You shall destroy my enemies; You shall utterly destroy all who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant. [SAAS]

Doxology

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world. Accept our supplication, you who sit at the right of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every evening I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we shall see light. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this night we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. [HC]

Procession and Litany.

CHOIR

Idiomelon 1. Mode 1.

Let heaven and earth rejoice prophetically! ⁄ Let angels and mankind celebrate spiritually! ⁄ For God has appeared in the flesh from the Virgin ⁄ to those who sat in darkness and the shadow of death. ⁄ The shepherds proclaim the miracle; ⁄ the wise men bring gifts from the east. ⁄ We offer unworthily the angelic song: ⁄ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace! ⁄ The Expectation of the nations has come ⁄⁄ to save us from the works of the enemy. [OCA]

Idiomelon 2. Mode 1.

Heaven and earth are united today, for Christ is born! ⁄ Today God has come upon earth, and mankind gone up to heaven. ⁄ Today, for the sake of mankind, ⁄ the invisible one is seen in the flesh. ⁄ Therefore let us glorify Him and cry aloud: ⁄ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace ⁄⁄ bestowed by Your coming, Savior: Glory to You! [OCA]

Idiomelon 3. Mode 1.

“Glory to God in the highest!” I hear the Angels sing this today in Bethlehem to Him whose good will it was that there be peace on earth. Now the Virgin is wider than heaven. Light has risen for those in darkness, and has lifted up the lowly who, like the angels, are singing, “Glory to God in the highest.” [SD]

Idiomelon 4. Mode 1.

Beholding him who was in God’s image and likeness ⁄ fallen through transgression, ⁄ Jesus bowed the heavens and came down, ⁄ without change taking up His dwelling in a Virgin womb: ⁄ that He might refashion Adam fallen in corruption, and crying out: ⁄⁄ Glory to Your Epiphany, my Savior and my God! [OCA]

Glory.

Mode pl. 1.

The Magi, kings of Persia, ⁄ know that You, the heavenly King, ⁄ were assuredly born on earth. ⁄ They came to Bethlehem, led by the light of a star, ⁄ and offered their chosen gifts: ⁄ Gold, and frankincense and myrrh! ⁄ Falling before You, they worshiped You: ⁄⁄ For they saw You, the timeless one, lying as a Babe in the cave. [OCA]

Both now.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

All the Angels in heaven form a chorus and exult today; and all creation leaps for joy, because our Savior and Lord has been born in Bethlehem. All the deception of idols has ceased, and Christ reigns as King, forever and ever. [SD]

DEACON

O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies:

through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints:

We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.

- c2011 - SDedes

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church, and the servants of God […] who are celebrating this feast.

Again we pray for the protection of the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese (and this Sacred Metropolis), this city and every city and land, from wrath, famine, pestilence, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion, civil strife, and accidental death. That our good and benevolent God may be merciful, gracious, and forgiving, and may divert and disperse all anger and disease coming against us, and deliver us from His impending justified threat and have mercy on us.

Again we pray that the Lord our God may hear the prayer of us sinners, and have mercy on us.

PRIEST

Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of earth and of those far off at sea, and forgive us, O Master, forgive us our sins, and have mercy on us. For You are merciful 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

Most merciful Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God,

Accept our prayer; grant us forgiveness of our transgressions; protect us under the shelter of Your wings; drive away from us every enemy and adversary; grant peace to our life; Lord, have mercy on us and on Your world; and save our souls, as You are good and benevolent.

CHOIR

Aposticha of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Idiomelon 1. Mode 2.

A great and paradoxal miracle has taken place today. A Virgin has given birth, and there is no damage to her womb. The Word becomes flesh, and He is not separated from the Father. Angels and Shepherds give glory, and we join them in shouting: “Glory in the highest to God, and on earth let there be peace.” [SD]

Idiomelon 2. Mode 3.

Verse: The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of Your feet.” [SAAS]

Today the Virgin gives birth to the Maker of the universe. Eden offers a cave, and a star announces Christ, the Sun to those in darkness. Magi were illumined by faith and came and worshiped Him with gifts. Shepherds saw the wonder, as Angels were singing: “Glory in the highest to God!” [SD]

Idiomelon 3. Mode 3.

Verse: I have begotten You from the womb before the morning star. The Lord swore and will not repent. [SAAS]

When the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, Magi came from the East, and they worshiped God become man. They readily opened their treasures, and they offered Him precious gifts: pure gold to the King of the ages; incense to the God of all; and myrrh to the immortal One, who would die for three days. Come, all nations, let us worship Him who was born to save our souls. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Rejoice, Jerusalem; and all you who love Zion, celebrate! Today the age old bond of the condemnation of Adam has been released. Paradise is opened to us; the serpent is neutralized. He deceived a woman in Paradise of old, but now he sees a woman become the Mother of the Creator. What profound riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! Woman, who became the instrument of sin, and who brought death to all flesh, has now through the Theotokos become the beginning of salvation for the world. For the all-perfect God is born as an infant from her, and in birth He preserves her virginity, and being wrapped in swaddling clothes He breaks the chains of sins. Becoming an infant, He heals the labor pains of Eve. Therefore, let all creation dance and leap for joy. For Christ came to recall it, and to save our souls. [SD]

Both now.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

You dwelt in a cave, O Christ our God, and a manger received you. Shepherds and Magi worshiped You. And then the message of the Prophets was fulfilled. The angelic hosts were filled with wonderment, and they shouted saying, “Glory to Your condescension, only benevolent Lord!” [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]

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.

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.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Blessing of the Loaves.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

Lord, Jesus Christ our God, who in the wilderness blessed the five loaves and from them satisfied five thousand men, we pray You bless these loaves, this wheat, wine, and oil, and multiply them in this city, and throughout Your world; and sanctify Your faithful servants who partake of them.

For You are He who blesses and sanctifies all things, Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

READER

Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and to the ages.

SUPERIOR or: READER

Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and to the ages.

READER

Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and to the ages.

SUPERIOR or: READER

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

READER

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall be praised in the Lord; let the gentle hear, and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me; and He delivered me from all my sojourning.

Come to Him, and be enlightened, and your face shall never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him from all his afflictions.

The Angel of the Lord shall encamp around those who fear Him, and He will deliver them.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who hopes in Him.

Fear the Lord, you His saints, for there is no want for those who fear Him. [SAAS]

CHOIR

Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. [SAAS]

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord come upon you by His divine grace and love for humankind, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

At this point there is a reading related to the feast. Then the Six Psalms are read, and this is how Matins begins.