DCSC Β· Digital Chant Stand Companion
← 2026-01-01

GOA Digital Chant Stand Services for Thursday, Jan 1, 2026

Midnight Office β†’ Matins β†’ Divine Liturgy β†’ Vespers, in one continuous scroll

Midnight Office Β· The Circumcision of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, and Memory of our Father among the saints Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia

PRIEST

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

READER: Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, our 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

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 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.

If the Lity was not sung at Vespers, sing the following:

Idiomela. For the Saint.

Mode 3.

By your pure way of life, holy Basil, ⁄ you brought Christ, the fountain of life into your soul. ⁄ You poured out streams of water on the world. ⁄ The faithful of the Church drink of them and praise the fruit of your lips! ⁄ They offer the bounty of grace to Him ⁄⁄ Who glorifies your memory throughout all ages!

Notation for your part

Mode 3.

The myrrh of grace was poured out on you, ⁄ anointing you to minister the gospel of the kingdom. ⁄ Basil, you revealed the things of God, ⁄ for as the sweet incense of Christ, ⁄ you filled the world with the fragrance of his knowledge. ⁄ Accept with favor the songs of your servants ⁄⁄ and ask great mercy for those who honor you!

Mode 3.

Basil, you stood before the judgment seat, ⁄ wearing your priestly vestments. ⁄ You braved danger for the faith, ⁄ as a champion of the Trinity! ⁄ You showed the resistance of a fighter, ⁄ putting to shame the prefect’s anger; ⁄ the boldness of ungodly power. ⁄ You had willingly decided beforehand ⁄ to accept the tortuous mutilation he threatened. ⁄ Since you were prepared by your own choice to be a martyr, ⁄ you placed on yourself the crown of victory ⁄⁄ from Christ who has great mercy.

Notation for your part

Mode pl. 2.

Grace was poured upon your lips, O devout father, and you became a shepherd of the Church of Christ, teaching the reasonable sheep to believe in the Trinity, coessential, in one Divinity.

Notation for your part

Mode pl. 4.

The Savior was willing to be wrapped in swaddling clothes for the sake of mankind! ⁄ He was eight days old, on his Mother’s side, ⁄ but eternal on the side of his Father! ⁄ He did not disdain the circumcision of his flesh. ⁄ Faithful, let us cry to Him: ⁄⁄ You are our God; have mercy on us!

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.

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.

Apolytikion.

Mode 1.

Your proclamation went forth into all the earth, for it accepted your word, through which you taught the dogmas befitting God, you expounded on the nature of all that is, and you arranged the morals of society. A royal priesthood! Devout father Basil, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Notation for your part

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

May God have compassion on us and bless us; may his face shine upon us and have mercy on us.

READER

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

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

Holy father, bless.

PRIEST

May He who condescended to be circumcised on the eighth day, for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, (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.

Let us pray for the peace of the world.

READER (intoned after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

For the pious and Orthodox Christians.

For our our Archbishop (name).

For our nation.

For the armed forces.

For our absent fathers, brothers and sisters.

For those who help us and those who serve us.

For those who hate us and those who love us.

For those who have asked us, the unworthy, to pray for them.

For the release of the captives.

For those sailing the seas.

For those laid up with illnesses.

Let us also pray for the abundance of the fruits of the earth.

And for all our fathers and brethren departed this life, those who lie here in peace, and the Orthodox everywhere.

Let us say for ourselves, also: Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.

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

READER: Amen.

Matins

CHOIR

Mode 1.

God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.

Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Apolytikion. For the Saint.

Mode 1.

Your proclamation went forth into all the earth, for it accepted your word, through which you taught the dogmas befitting God, you expounded on the nature of all that is, and you arranged the morals of society. A royal priesthood! Devout father Basil, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Notation for your part

Your proclamation went forth into all the earth, for it accepted your word, through which you taught the dogmas befitting God, you expounded on the nature of all that is, and you arranged the morals of society. A royal priesthood! Devout father Basil, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Notation for your part

Mode 1. The stone had been secured.

To the melody, β€œThe stone having been sealed.”

In essence being God, most-compassionate Master, * You assumed human nature without transmutation. * Fulfilling the Law, of Your own will * You accepted circumcision in the flesh, * to bring an end to the shadow, and to remove the passions that cover us. * Glory to Your benevolence, O Lord; * glory to Your compassion; * glory to Your inexpressible condescension, O Word.

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Kathisma I.

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

To the melody, β€œLet us worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit.”

Let us all now extol holy Basil the Great * the basilical ornament of the Church of Christ, * and the treasure of dogmatic teachings that never fail; * for by means of them he trained us to worship and adore * the holy Trinity rightly, * which is united in essence * and distinguished in hypostases.

Notation for your part

Mode 1. The soldiers..

To the melody, β€œThe soldiers keeping watch at Your tomb.”

O Basil, just and wise, by the Trinity standing, * entreat that we who now sing your hymns and who honor * your sacred memorial * may be given on Judgment Day * mercy, grace divine, and of offenses forgiveness, * so that we might sing * with mouth and heart praise and glory * to God who is benevolent.

Mode 1. The soldiers..

The Master of the world and Creator of all things, * the One who is on high with the Father and Spirit, * on earth has been circumcised * as an infant just eight days old. * Lord, divine indeed are all Your works and amazing. * You were circumcised on our behalf, loving Master, * the fulfillment of the Mosaic Law.

Notation for your part

Kathisma II.

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the Wisdom.

To the melody, β€œHaving conceived the Wisdom and Word.”

Having drawn out the mystical wealth of God’s * inexpressible wisdom as from a well, * you stored up the waters of * Orthodoxy for everyone, * gladdening the hearts of the faithful with godly joy, * appropriately drowning the dogmas of heretics. * Therefore by your labors for the truth you became an * invincible champion of the all-holy Trinity; * holy Basil the hierarch, * intercede with Christ our God * that He grant forgiveness of offenses * to those observing with longing your holy memorial.

Having drawn out the mystical wealth of God’s * inexpressible wisdom as from a well, * you stored up the waters of * Orthodoxy for everyone, * gladdening the hearts of the faithful with godly joy, * appropriately drowning the dogmas of heretics. * Therefore by your labors for the truth you became an * invincible champion of the all-holy Trinity; * holy Basil the hierarch, * intercede with Christ our God * that He grant forgiveness of offenses * to those observing with longing your holy memorial.

Mode 4. You revealed yourself today.

To the melody, β€œYou appeared today.”

In Your great benevolence, which is unbounded, * You, O Lord, put on the form of us Your servants and Your slaves, * and You were circumcised in the flesh; * and thus You granted great mercy to all mankind.

Kathisma III.

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the Wisdom.

To the melody, β€œHaving conceived the Wisdom and Word.”

By the power contained in your godly words * you demolished the heresies that were dark, * you drowned all the arrogance * and the raging of Arius; * for you proclaimed to mortals that the Spirit is God indeed, * and lifting your hands in prayer, you killed off the enemies; * you attacked the worship that Sabellius imagined, * and brought the theology of Nestorius to an end. * O Saint Basil the hierarch, * intercede with Christ our God * that He grant forgiveness of offenses * to those observing with longing your holy memorial.

Notation for your part

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the Wisdom.

To the melody, β€œHaving conceived the Wisdom and Word.”

Now the grace of your words which derive from God * and the mystical height and sublimity * of dogmas became for us * a ladder of divine ascent; * for when you had acquired a spiritual trumpet, * on it you, O father, proclaimed divine doctrines. * Therefore you are dwelling in a place of green pasture, * O holy one, and receive the rewards for your labors. * O Saint Basil the hierarch, * intercede with Christ our God * that He grant forgiveness of offenses * to those observing with longing your holy memorial.

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the Wisdom.

The Creator and Master of all the world, * who took flesh from your all-pure and holy womb, * made you, the all-blameless Maid, * the protectress of humanity. * For this reason all we faithful now have recourse to you, * and we ask you, O Lady, to be forgiven our offenses, * and to be delivered from eternal perdition * and every adversity that the prince of the world inflicts. * And we therefore cry out to you: * Intercede with your Son and our God * that He grant forgiveness of offenses * to those who piously worship the all-holy Child you bore.

Notation for your part

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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 blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Antiphon 1.

Mode 4.

From my youth, many passions war against me. O my Savior, I implore You, uphold me and save me. (2)

You who hate Zion, be shamed by the Lord; for you will be withered like grass in the fire. (2)

By the Holy Spirit every soul is animated, and when purified, it is mystically uplifted and brightened by the triune Godhead.

From the Holy Spirit the streams of grace well forth; they water all creation, so that life be engendered.

Notation for your part

Prokeimenon. Psalm 48.

My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart, understanding. (2)

Verse: Hear this, all you nations; give ear, all you inhabitants of the world.

My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart, understanding.

Stand for the Gospel reading.

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, 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.

Mode 2.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

PRIEST

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.

DEACON: Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST (from the gate)

Jn. 10:1 – 9

The Lord said to the Jews who had come to him, β€œTruly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, β€œTruly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

READER

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.

CHOIR

At the intercession of Your holy Hierarch, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses.

At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses.

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.

Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.

Grace was poured upon your lips, O devout father, and you became a shepherd of the Church of Christ, teaching the reasonable sheep to believe in the Trinity, coessential, in one Divinity.

Notation for your part

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (12)

PRIEST

Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

READER

Kontakion.

Mode 4. You revealed yourself today.

To the melody, β€œYou appeared today.”

As a base unshakable * you were presented * to the Church, attributing * the full dominion to mankind, * and by your dogmas confirming this, O devout Basil, Revealer of heaven to all.

Oikos.

That goblet of self-control, the mouth of wisdom, and the base of the dogmas, Basil the Great, shines brightly in the hearts of all. So come, and let us stand in the house of God, gazing ardently, and be thrilled by his miracles. And when their lustrous light has made us also shine, * let us be warmed by the purifying spirit of his life, imitating his faith, ardor, and humility, through which he became the house of the true God. And let us extol him and cry out to him: O devout Basil, Revealer of heaven to all.

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On January 1, we celebrate the circumcision in the flesh of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ.

On this day we also commemorate our father among the saints Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.

On this day the holy Martyr Theodotos died by the sword.

On this day, Saint Gregory, the father of Saint Gregory the Theologian, died in peace.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

CHOIR

Katavasias of Epiphany I and II

Ode i. Mode 2.

Behold, how the Lord, mighty in battle, * uncovered the bottom of the Red Sea, * and He led His people over it on dry ground, * and in it covered and drowned the enemies, for He is glorified.

Notation for your part

Iambic. Mode 2.

The people of Israel walked on the Red Sea, * Once it was rendered again into dry land. * Dark waters, like a liquid tomb, then covered * All the chariots and riders of the Egyptians, * Yielding to the might of the right hand of the Master.

Ode iii.

In strength giving strength to those who govern us, He is the Lord, * exalting the horn of His anointed. * And He was from the Virgin born; and now He goes to baptism. * O faithful, let us cry aloud and say that there is no one holy like our God, * and no one is righteous except for You, O Lord.

Iambic.

You who have been delivered from the age-old * Snares of voracious lions whose teeth have been broken, * Greatly rejoice now, O logophiles, and let us open * Our mouths in melodic poems to the Logos * Of God, who delights in the gifts that He gave us.

Ode iv.

When You thundered on the many waters, * O Father, and to Your Son were bearing witness, * then John, who You said was the voice of one crying * in the wilderness, clearly heard Your voice. * Being filled with the Spirit who was also present, he cried aloud, * β€œYou are the Christ, the wisdom and the power of God.”

Notation for your part

Iambic.

Utterly purged by the fire of mystical * Revelations, the Prophet, moved by the Spirit, * Extolled humanity’s regeneration, * Signaling the incarnation of the ineffable Logos, * Praising Him who crushed the power of rulers.

Ode v.

It is Jesus, the Author of life, * who has come rescinding the penalty on first-created Adam. * Being God, and having no need to be purified, * He is purified for fallen Adam in the Jordan. * He put to death the enmity, and He grants to us the peace surpassing all understanding.

Iambic.

Now that we are washed of the dark and dirty * Enemy’s venom by the Spirit’s cleansing, * Let us take the new unerring path that leads us * Into happiness, which is unattainable except for those whom * God through Christ has reconciled to himself.

Ode vi.

As he is the voice and the lamp of the divine light, * the morning star before the Sun, the Forerunner John * now in the wilderness cries out to all, β€œRepent; prepare and cleanse yourselves. * Behold, among us is the Christ, who redeems the world from the pit of death.”

Iambic.

Unto Him, whom He produced from the womb, * Resounded the all-blessed voice of the Father, * Naming Him beloved, β€œThis is My connatural * Son and My reflection, now born of mankind, * Both My living Logos and by providence human.

Notation for your part

Ode vii.

Young and pious men were thrown into the furnace of blazing fire. * The Angel of the Lord came down to them and drove out the fiery flame * and moist whistling wind preserved them free of harm. * Being thus refreshed in the flames, they gave glory, singing in gratitude, * β€œO supremely praised and most exalted Lord and God of our fathers, You are blessed.”

Notation for your part

Iambic.

The Lord, who impeded the flames of the furnace * Holding the godly Young Men, has completely * Enkindled the dragons’ heads in the Jordan * River and has washed away the stubborn stain of sin * In the water by the dew of the Spirit.

Ode viii.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Of old, the furnace in Babylon portended paradoxical mysteries, when dew was exuded; * for the River Jordan would admit the immaterial fire when its Maker, who became incarnate, was baptized in its waters. * All peoples bless Him as Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Iambic.

Overjoyed is creation, for it was liberated. * Those who once lay in darkness now are sons of light. * Rightly is the wretched prince of darkness groaning. * And as for us all, the formerly wretched * Nations, let us earnestly bless Him who caused this.

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

CHOIR

Ode ix.

Canon for the Feast.

Mode 2. Heirmos.

To the melody, β€œShe who bore the Light before the sun.”

O my soul, magnify her who is higher in honor than the heavenly armies.

Troparia.

O my soul, magnify the Lord who according to the Law received circumcision.

Lady, from your virginal belly * you ineffably embodied God, * the luminary who arose before the sun, * and the One who came down to us * and dwelt among us bodily. * O blessed and all-holy one, * you, O Theotokos, do we magnify.

Notation for your part

O my soul, magnify the Lord who on the eighth day received circumcision.

Christ the Savior did from a Virgin * come forth extraordinarily, * for He surpassed the bounds of human nature all. * He fulfilled the Mosaic Law * when He was duly circumcised * in the flesh according as the letter of the Law prescribed.

Today the Master was circumcised in the flesh, and He was called Jesus.

Come, let us with holiness celebrate the glorious festivities * as we observe the Name Day of the Master Christ. * For He is named Jesus today * in a manner befitting God. * And also let us magnify the memorial of the Hierarch.

Notation for your part

Canon for the Saint.

Mode 2. Lady, from your virginal belly.

To the melody, β€œShe who bore the Light before the sun.”

O my soul, magnify one great among the hierarchs, our holy father Basil.

Basil, inasmuch as you are a faithful sheep of the Chief Shepherd Christ, * you followed in His steps, for they were full of life. * You delivered your very life, O father, to the tyrant king, * and for the Church you valiantly braved danger, O all-blessed one.

Notation for your part

O my soul, magnify one great among the hierarchs, our holy father Basil.

When that most pernicious of tyrants saw the sacred body of the Church * of Christ to be adorned and put in order by * your episcopacy, O Basil, he was thunderstruck and fell. * For he could not endure the bright * light of the Spirit that abode in you.

O my soul, magnify the power of the Godhead that is three hypostases and also undivided.

You were counted worthy, O Basil, of the Apostles’ teaching chair, * the chorus of the medal-winning martyrs of Christ, * the tent of the Patriarchs, delight of Prophets and the Just, * O mystic of the Mother of God, * and worshipper of the Trinity.

O my soul, magnify the ever-virgin Maid who from the curse has redeemed us.

He who covers His upper chambers with the waters as the only Lord, * and who restrains the sea and caused the deep abyss * to become dry, and who assumed the flesh from you, O Virgin pure, * goes urgently from Bethlehem * to Jordan to be baptized in the flesh.

Katavasias

Canon 1. Mode 2.

O my soul, magnify the woman, who is higher in honor than the armies of heaven.

Mortal tongues are unable to befittingly praise you. * Even celestial minds are dazed extolling you, O Lady Theotokos. * Nonetheless, since you are good, accept our faith and longing. * You know that we revere you with God-inspired love. * You are the protector of Christians, and we magnify you.

Iambic.

O my soul, magnify her, through whom we were freed from the curse and condemnation.

No one can comprehend the wonders of your childbirth. * Granted comprehensive salvation through you, O Lady, * Ever-virgin Bride and blessed Mother, * To you we bring a gift, striking up this worthy * Hymn of gratitude towards you, our Benefactress.

Notation for your part

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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 all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Exaposteilarion.

Mode 3. The Elder in the Temple.

To the melody, β€œBy the Spirit in the Temple.”

You circumcised the covering * of your soul, holy father, * enamored with philosophy; * and in the world you shone forth * like the sun by your miracles, * thus enlightening the minds * of the believers, O Basil * the wise and godly-minded * worshipper of the Trinity, * and mystic of the Theotokos.

For the Feast.

Mode 3. The Elder in the Temple.

To the melody, β€œBy the Spirit in the Temple.”

The fulfiller of His own Law, * the Creator of the ages, * is circumcised in the flesh * as an eight-day old infant. * And He is wrapped in swaddling clothes * as a mortal and is nursed * on milk, even while maintaining * in His infinite power * the entire world as God, * who by His act orders all things.

Lauds. Mode pl. 1.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God.

Notation for your part

Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God.

Notation for your part

Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.

Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name.

For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.

He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.

Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.

Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.

Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.

Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted.

His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.

A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.

Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.

Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.

Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.

For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.

The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.

The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.

To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.

To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.

To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power.

For the Saint.

Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.

To the melody, β€œRejoice, you who are truly God-inspired.”

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness.

He who avoiding scission or flux * was from the Father born as Logos, and God from God, * ineffably as an infant * is in the flesh circumcised * remaining unaltered in Divinity. * And so in accordance with * His own Law, He who is beyond * the Law now ransoms * from the Law’s curse the human race, * and He has bestowed heaven’s blessing upon us all. * Therefore we worthily extol and praise Him with gratitude, * and His superlative goodness and condescension we glorify; * and earnestly praying, * we implore Him to bestow His great mercy on our souls.

Notation for your part

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre.

As an adopted son of God * being reborn by holy baptism, you confessed * that He, who in truth and nature * before the ages is Son * and Logos of God, is unoriginate * along with the Father and coessential, O holy one. * And with the brilliance of your words and your treatises * you have stopped the unbridled mouths of the heretics. * Therefore your residence is in the palaces there on high; * you reign together with Christ who alone does naturally rule as King. * O Basil, entreat Him * who abundantly distributes great mercy to the world.

Notation for your part

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute.

Into the Church in heaven have you * gone, O devout one, as a most sacred hierarch. * The vestments that you are wearing * are contemplation of God * and the active life, as wisdom’s principles. * And now as you stand near God * and you serve as a hierarch * at the supernal * holy altar, O holy one, * and you celebrate the immaterial liturgy, * all-blessed and compassionate * Saint Basil, remember us * who now observe your all-sacred * and highly honored memorial; * to Christ pray in earnest, * and implore Him to bestow His great mercy on the world.

Notation for your part

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord.

Totally consecrated to God * were you from childhood and devoted in every way. * The light of transcendent wisdom * illuminating your soul, * you made clear the knowledge of all that exists, * explaining explicitly, and relating sagaciously * the balanced order * of creation, and made of this * an occasion for more divine knowledge, holy one. * Therefore we loudly do proclaim * that you speak the words of God, * as a divine sacred teacher, * and as the Church’s bright shining star. * And thus we extol Christ * who abundantly distributes great mercy to the world.

Notation for your part

Mode pl. 2.

Grace was poured upon your lips, O devout father, and you became a shepherd of the Church of Christ, teaching the reasonable sheep to believe in the Trinity, coessential, in one Divinity.

Notation for your part

Mode pl. 4.

When the Savior came down to the human race, He consented to be wrapped in swaddling clothes. He did not disdain the circumcision of His skin, when He was eight days old as regards His Mother, and without beginning as regards His Father. O believers, let us say to Him, β€œYou are our God. Have mercy on us.”

Stand for the Great Doxology.

Great Doxology

Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind.

Notation for your part

We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.

Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.

Lord God, Lamb of God, 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 hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.

For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.

Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.

Lord, I have fled to You. 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.

Continue Your mercy to those who know You.

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.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

Mode 1. The stone had been secured.

To the melody, β€œThe stone having been sealed.”

In essence being God, most-compassionate Master, * You assumed human nature without transmutation. * Fulfilling the Law, of Your own will * You accepted circumcision in the flesh, * to bring an end to the shadow, and to remove the passions that cover us. * Glory to Your benevolence, O Lord; * glory to Your compassion; * glory to Your inexpressible condescension, O Word.

Divine Liturgy Β· The Circumcision of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, and Memory of our Father among the saints Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia

DEACON

Master bless.

PRIEST

Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ of Constantinople, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Holy 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.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray 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

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 (in a low voice)

Lord, our God, whose dominion is incomparable and glory incomprehensible; whose mercy is immeasurable, and love for humankind ineffable: Look upon us and upon this holy house in Your loving-kindness, and grant to us and to those who pray with us Your abundant mercy and compassion.

PRIEST (aloud)

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.

Antiphon 1. Mode 2. Psalms 65, 104.

Verse 1: Shout to God, all the earth.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Verse 2: Sing now to His name.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Verse 3: Describe all His wonderful works.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Verse 4: Say to God, β€œHow fearful are Your works.”

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Small Litany

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray 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

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 (in a low voice)

Lord, our God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect all the members of Your Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and forsake us not who have set our hope in You.

PRIEST (aloud)

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Antiphon 2. Mode 2. Psalms 95, 49, 113.

Verse 1: Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth greatly rejoice.

Save us, O Son of God, who were circumcised in the flesh. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Verse 2: Oh, sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Save us, O Son of God, who were circumcised in the flesh. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Verse 3: From Zion in beauty’s splendor.

Save us, O Son of God, who were circumcised in the flesh. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Verse 4: Our God: both in heaven and on earth, all things whatsoever He wills, He does.

Notation for your part

Save us, O Son of God, who were circumcised in the flesh. We sing to You, Alleluia.

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

Notation for your part

Only-begotten Son and Logos of God, being immortal, You condescended for our salvation to take flesh from the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and, without change, became man. Christ, our God, You were crucified and conquered death by death. Being one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit: Save us.

Notation for your part

Small Litany

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray 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

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 (in a low voice)

Lord, You have granted us to offer these common prayers in unison and have promised that when two or three agree in Your name, You will grant their requests. Fulfill now, O Lord, the petitions of Your servants as may be of benefit to them, granting us in the present age the knowledge of Your truth, and in the age to come eternal life.

PRIEST (aloud)

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.

Antiphon 3. Mode 1. Psalms 88, 44.

Verse 1: O Lord, I will sing of Your mercies forever.

Verse 2: I will proclaim Your truth with my mouth.

Verse 3: You loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

Mode 1. The stone had been secured.

In essence being God, most-compassionate Master, * You assumed human nature without transmutation. * Fulfilling the Law, of Your own will * You accepted circumcision in the flesh, * to bring an end to the shadow, and to remove the passions that cover us. * Glory to Your benevolence, O Lord; * glory to Your compassion; * glory to Your inexpressible condescension, O Word.

As the Third Antiphon is being sung (with its verses), the Priest and Deacon bow three times before the holy Table. Then the Priest gives the holy Gospel to the Deacon, who kisses the Priest’s hand as he receives it, and then circles the holy Table with the Priest following him. Preceded by altar servers holding candles and fans, they exit through the north door for the so-called Small Entrance. When there is no Deacon, the Priest takes the holy Gospel and holds it up in front of his face. When they reach the center of the church, they stop and bow their heads, and the Deacon says in a low voice:

DEACON (in a low voice)

Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Master, Lord our God, who has established the orders and hosts of angels and archangels in heaven to minister to Your glory, grant that holy angels may enter with us, that together we may celebrate and glorify Your goodness. 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. Amen.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Master, bless the holy entrance.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Blessed be the entrance of Your holy ones always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

DEACON (aloud)

Wisdom. Arise.

CHOIR

Entrance Hymn. Mode 2.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, who were circumcised in the flesh.

Notation for your part

We sing to You, Alleluia.

Hymns after the Entrance.

CHOIR

Apolytikion.

Mode 1. The stone had been secured.

To the melody, β€œThe stone having been sealed.”

In essence being God, most-compassionate Master, * You assumed human nature without transmutation. * Fulfilling the Law, of Your own will * You accepted circumcision in the flesh, * to bring an end to the shadow, and to remove the passions that cover us. * Glory to Your benevolence, O Lord; * glory to Your compassion; * glory to Your inexpressible condescension, O Word.

For the Saint.

Mode 1.

Your proclamation went forth into all the earth, for it accepted your word, through which you taught the dogmas befitting God, you expounded on the nature of all that is, and you arranged the morals of society. A royal priesthood! Devout father Basil, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Notation for your part

The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:

Kontakion.

Mode 3. On this day.

To the melody, β€œToday the Virgin.”

As the Master over all * has undergone circumcision, * so He cuts away the sins * of humankind in His goodness. * On this day, upon the world He bestows salvation. * And on high * does the Creator’s hierarch Basil * now rejoice, for he is known as * a most divine and light-bearing mystic of Christ.

Notation for your part

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

O Holy God, who is resting among the holy ones, praised by the Seraphim with the thrice-holy voice, glorified by the Cherubim, and worshiped by every celestial power, You have brought all things into being out of nothing. You have created man according to Your image and likeness and adorned him with all the gifts of Your grace. You give wisdom and understanding to the one who asks, and You overlook not the sinner, but have set repentance as the way of salvation. You have granted us, Your humble and unworthy servants, to stand even at this hour before the glory of Your holy Altar of sacrifice and to offer to You due worship and praise. Master, accept the Trisagion Hymn also from the lips of us sinners, and visit us in Your goodness. Forgive all our voluntary and involuntary transgressions, sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we may worship You in holiness all the days of our lives, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints who have pleased You throughout the ages.

PRIEST (aloud)

For You, our God, are holy, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever…

DEACON

and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Trisagios Hymn

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

Notation for your part

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

Notation for your part

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

DEACON

Dynamis.

DEACON (in a low voice)

With your blessing, Master.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Master, bless the throne on high.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Blessed are You upon the throne of the glory of Your kingdom, enthroned upon the Cherubim always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

CHOIR

Dynamis.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Notation for your part

The Epistle

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Verse: Hear this, all you nations; give ear, all you inhabitants of the world.

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Colossians.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Col. 2:8 – 12

Brethren, see to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental principles of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness of life in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

PRIEST

Peace be with you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

(Alleluia is sung thrice. Verses may be found in the Liturgy - Variable Parts of the day.)

The Holy Gospel

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Shine in our hearts, O benevolent Lord, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind that we may comprehend the proclamations of Your Gospels. Instill in us the fear that Your blessed commandments inspire, so that, crushing carnal desires, we may seek the spiritual citizenship, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the illumination of our souls and bodies, and to You we offer up glory, and to 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.

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

DEACON

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

PRIEST

Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

Lk. 2:20 – 21, 40 – 52

At that time, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, β€œSon, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said to them, β€œHow is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.

PRIEST

Peace be with you who read the Gospel.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

(The litanies of Supplication and for the Catechumens and the First Prayer of the Faithful have been omitted.)

PRIEST (in a low voice)

O God, with mercy and tender love You visited our lowliness and let us Your humble servants stand before Your holy glory to liturgize at Your holy Altar of sacrifice, sinful and unworthy that we be. We pray You enable us to perform this ministry by the power of Your Holy Spirit, and give us the words to speak when we open our mouths to invoke Your Holy Spirit’s grace on the gifts about to be offered.

PRIEST (aloud)

That, ever guarded by Your might, we may ascribe glory to You, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The Cherubic Hymn.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.

Notation for your part

PRIEST (in a low voice)

No one bound by carnal desires and pleasures is worthy to approach, draw near, or minister to You, the King of Glory. For to serve You is great and awesome even for the heavenly powers. Yet, because of Your ineffable and immeasurable love for humankind, You impassibly and immutably became man. You, as the Master of all, became our high priest and delivered unto us the sacred service of this liturgical and bloodless sacrifice. Indeed, Lord our God, You alone reign over the celestial and the terrestrial; borne aloft on the cherubic throne, Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, the only holy and resting among the holy ones. I now beseech You, who alone are good and inclined to hear: Look down upon me, Your sinful and unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and heart of a wicked conscience. Vested as I am with the grace of priesthood by the power of Your Holy Spirit, make me sufficient to stand before Your holy Table and perform the sacrament of Your holy and pure Body and Your precious Blood. I come before You, with my head bowed, and I implore You: Turn not Your face away from me, nor reject me from among Your children, but make me, Your sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer these gifts to You. For You are the One who both offers and is offered, the One who is received and is distributed, O Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. * So that we may receive the King of all. Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. (3)

DEACON

May the Lord God remember all of you in His kingdom always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON

Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the precious Gifts here presented, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray 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 day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: 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.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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 (in a low voice)

Lord our God, You created us and brought us into this life, showed us ways that lead to salvation, and granted us revelation of heavenly mysteries. You are the One who by the power of Your Holy Spirit ordained us to this ministry. Be indeed well pleased, Lord, that we became ministers of Your new covenant and celebrants of Your holy sacraments; and as we approach Your holy Altar of sacrifice, accept us, in the abundance of Your mercy, and make us worthy to offer You this rational and bloodless sacrifice for our own misdeeds and those committed in ignorance by the people. Accept it on Your holy and celestial and spiritual Altar of sacrifice as a sweet and pleasing aroma, and in return send down to us the grace of Your Holy Spirit.

Look upon us, O God, and have regard for this our worship, and accept it as You accepted Abel’s offering, Noah’s sacrifice, Abraham’s whole burnt offering, the ministrations of Moses and Aaron, and Samuel’s peace offerings. And as You accepted this true worship from Your holy Apostles, so also accept these gifts from the hands of us sinners, in Your goodness, O Lord. May we be granted to serve at Your holy Altar of sacrifice without blame and obtain the reward for being faithful and wise stewards on that fearful day of Your just recompense.

PRIEST

Through the mercies of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating 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 love one another, that with oneness of mind we may confess:

CHOIR

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Trinity, one in essence and undivided.

Notation for your part

I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my foundation, my refuge, my deliverer.

DEACON

The doors! The doors! In wisdom, let us be attentive!

PEOPLE

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.

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON

Let us stand aright! Let us stand in awe! Let us be attentive, that we may present the Holy Offering in peace.

CHOIR

A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.

PRIEST

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

PRIEST

Let us lift up our hearts.

CHOIR

We lift them up to the Lord.

PRIEST

Let us give thanks to the Lord.

CHOIR

It is proper and right.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

The One Who Is, Master, Lord God, Father, Ruler over all: You are to be worshiped. Indeed it is proper and right and fitting the magnificence of Your holiness to praise You, extol You, bless You, adore You, thank You, and glorify You, the only God who truly exists, and to offer You this our rational worship with a broken heart and humble spirit; for You are the One who granted us the knowledge of Your truth. And who is sufficient to tell Your mighty deeds and make all Your praises heard and describe all Your wonders in every season?

Master of all, Lord of heaven and earth and all creation visible and invisible, who sit upon the throne of glory and behold the depths, unoriginate, unseen, incomprehensible, uncircumscribed, unalterable: You are the Father of our Lord and great God and Savior Jesus Christ, our hope. He is the image of Your goodness, an exact seal, showing You the Father in himself; the living Logos, true God, eternal wisdom, life, sanctification, power, the true light. Through Him was the Holy Spirit manifested, the Spirit of truth, the gift of adoption, the pledge of future inheritance, the firstfruits of the eternal blessings, the life-giving power, the source of holiness. Through the Spirit are all rational and spiritual creatures enabled to worship You, and they offer up perpetual glorification to You, for all things are Your servants.

And they all praise You, angels, archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities, authorities, powers, and the many-eyed cherubim. Around You stand seraphim; each one has six wings. With two they cover their faces, with two they cover their feet, and with two they fly. And one cries to another with unceasing voices and resounding glorification.

PRIEST (aloud)

Singing the triumphal hymn, exclaiming, proclaiming, and saying…

CHOIR

Holy, holy, holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Notation for your part

PRIEST (in a low voice)

We sinners join these blessed hosts and shout to You and say, O benevolent Master: Holy are You; indeed, all-holy, and there is no limit to the magnificence of Your holiness. And You are upright in all Your works; all that You have done to us, You have done in righteousness and true judgment. When You fashioned man from the earth and honored him with Your image, O God, You placed him in the Garden of Eden and promised him immortal life and the enjoyment of eternal blessings if he kept Your commandments. But he disobeyed You, the true God who had created him, and he succumbed to the serpent’s deceit, and he died because of his own offenses; and You, O God, in Your righteous judgment, expelled him from Paradise to this world. You returned him to the earth from which he was taken, and You provided for his salvation by regeneration, which is in Your Christ.

For You did not forever reject Your creature that You made, O Good One; You did not forget the work of Your hands, but rather in Your tender mercy You visited us in many ways: You sent Prophets; You did signs through Your saints who pleased You in every generation; You spoke to us by the mouths of the Your servants the Prophets and announced to us salvation that was to come; You gave the Law to help us; You appointed Angels to guard us.

And when the time had fully come, You spoke to us through Your Son, through whom You also created the world. Since He reflects Your glory and bears the very stamp of Your nature, and He upholds the universe by His word of power, He did not count equality with You, God the Father, a thing to be grasped; but rather being eternal God, He was seen upon the earth and lived among men. He became incarnate from a holy Virgin and emptied himself; He took the form of a servant and became like our lowly body, in order to make us be like His glorious image.

Because sin came into the world through a man and death through sin, O God and Father, Your only-begotten Son, who is in Your bosom, was well pleased to be born of a woman, the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, to be born under the law, and to condemn sin in His flesh, so that as in Adam all die, so also in Him, Your Christ, all be made alive. Living in this world and leaving saving commandments, He delivered us from the error of idolatry and led us to the knowledge of You, the true God and Father; and He acquired us as His own special people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. He cleansed us by water and sanctified us with the Holy Spirit, and He gave himself as an exchange to death, by which we were held captive, sold under sin. Through the cross He descended into the netherworld, so that He might fill all things with himself, and He loosed the pangs of death. He rose on the third day and for all flesh opened the way to resurrection from the dead, as it was not possible for Him, the Author of life, to be held by corruption. And thus He became the first fruits of those who have died, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. He ascended into heaven and sat at the right hand of Your majesty on high; and He will come to render to each, according to their works.

He left us with these memorials of His saving Passion, which we have set before You according to His commands. When He was about to go to His voluntary, celebrated, and life-giving death, on the night when He gave himself up for the life of the world, He took bread in His holy and immaculate hands, showed it to You, God and Father, and when He had given thanks, blessed it, hallowed it, and broken it,

PRIEST (aloud)

He gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, and said, β€œTake, eat. This is my body which is broken for you for the forgiveness of sins.”

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

In the same way He also took the cup of the fruit of the vine and mingled it, when He had given thanks, blessed it, and hallowed it,

PRIEST (aloud)

He gave it to His holy disciples and apostles and said, β€œDrink of this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

β€œDo this in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim My death, and you confess My resurrection.” Therefore, O Master, as we also now remember His saving Passion, His life-giving crucifixion, His three-day burial, His resurrection from the dead, His ascent into heaven, His seating on the right hand of You, God the Father, and His glorious and awesome Second Coming,

PRIEST (aloud)

Your own of Your own we offer to You, in all and for all.

CHOIR

We praise You. We bless You. We give thanks to You, O Lord; and we pray to You, our God.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

All-holy Master, we approach Your holy Altar of sacrifice with confidence, even we Your sinful and unworthy servants, who are allowed to liturgize at Your holy Altar of sacrifice, not because of any virtue of ours, since we have done nothing good on earth, but because of Your mercies and tender love that You richly poured on us. And we present the elements that will become the holy Body and Blood of Your Christ, and we pray You and implore You, O Holy of holies, that by Your benevolent good pleasure Your Holy Spirit come upon us and these gifts here presented, and that He bless them and hallow them,

DEACON (in a low voice)

Bless, Master, the Holy Bread.

PRIEST

and make this bread be the precious Body of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ,

DEACON

Amen.

Bless, Master, the holy Cup.

PRIEST

and this cup be the precious Blood of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ,

DEACON

Amen.

Bless, Master, both the Holy Gifts.

PRIEST

which was shed for the life and salvation of the world.

DEACON

Amen. Amen. Amen.

PRIEST

We also pray You will unite us all who partake of the one bread and cup to one another, in the communion of the one Holy Spirit. And please let none of us partake of the holy Body and Blood of Your Christ unto judgment or condemnation; but rather may we obtain mercy and grace with all the saints who throughout the ages have pleased You, the ancestors, forefathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, teachers, and every righteous spirit departed in faith.

PRIEST (aloud)

Especially our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.

CHOIR

Hymn to the Theotokos.

In you, O Lady full of grace, all creation rejoices, the hosts of Angels and the human race. O consecrated temple and allegorical Paradise, virgins boast of you. For God became incarnate from you, yes, our eternally existing God became a child from you. He made a throne of your womb, and He made your body wider than the heavens. In you, O Lady full of grace, all creation rejoices. Glory to you!

Notation for your part

PRIEST (in a low voice)

And also with the holy prophet, forerunner, and baptist John, the holy, glorious, and all-lauded Apostles; [the saint whose memory we celebrate] and all Your saints, at whose entreaties visit us, O God.

Also remember all who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection to eternal life [here the priest commemorates the names of the deceased], and grant them rest where the light of Your face is beaming.

Furthermore, we pray You, Lord, remember the holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, which is throughout the world, and which You obtained with the precious blood of Your Christ, and give her peace. And also reinforce this holy church building until the end of time.

Remember, O Lord, those who brought You these gifts, and those for whom and through whom they offered them, and their requests. Remember, O Lord, those who bear fruit and do good works in Your holy churches and who remember the poor. Please reward them with Your rich and heavenly gifts. In return for transient and perishable things on earth, grant them eternal and imperishable things in heaven. Remember, O Lord, those who dwell in deserts and on mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. Remember, O Lord, those who lead a celibate life in chastity, godliness, and asceticism.

Remember, O Lord, our elected officials, whom you have allowed to govern on earth. Equip our government with the armor of truth and with the shield of Your good pleasure. Protect our country in time of war. Strengthen our armed forces, and exalt their right hand. Make our country strong, and subdue all hostile foreign powers. Grant our public officials profound and enduring peace. Whisper in their hearts good things about Your Church and all Your people, so that they may perform their duties in tranquility, and we may live a quiet and peaceful life, in all piety and propriety. Remember, O Lord, everyone in government, all civil servants, and the armed forces. Preserve in Your goodness those who are good; in Your kindness make good those who are bad.

Remember, O Lord, the people here present and those who are absent with good cause. Have mercy on them and on us, according to the abundance of Your mercy. Fill their shelves with goods; preserve their marriages in peace and harmony; nurture the infants; instruct the youth; support the elderly; encourage the fainthearted; reunite the dispersed; return those who succumbed to error and unite them to Your holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Free those who are troubled by unclean spirits. Travel with those who travel. Defend the widows; protect the orphans; free the captives; heal the sick. Remember, O Lord, those who are on trial, in labor camps, in exile, in bitter servitude, and any affliction, necessity, or distress, and everyone in need of Your great compassion; and those who love us and those who hate us; those who have asked us to pray for them, unworthy though we may be. Remember, O Lord our God, all Your people, and pour out Your rich mercy on all of them, and grant everyone their requests that contribute to their salvation. Remember, O God, everyone whom we have failed to commemorate, either through ignorance or omission or because of the many names, since You know the name and age of each, even from their mother’s womb.

For You, O Lord, are the help of the helpless, the hope of the hopeless, the savior of those in trouble, the port for travelers, and the physician of the sick. Be all things to all people, for You know everyone, what they seek, where they live, and what they need. Lord, deliver this city and every city and town from famine, pandemic, earthquake, flood, fire, criminal violence, foreign invasion, and civil war.

PRIEST (aloud)

Among the first remember, Lord, our Archbishop (name). grant him to Your holy churches in peace, safety, honor, and health, unto length of days, rightly teaching the word of Your truth.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

And remember those whom each one of us has in mind, and all the people.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Remember, O Lord, all Orthodox bishops who rightly teach the word of Your truth. And in the abundance of Your tender mercies, O Lord, remember me, who am unworthy. Forgive my every transgression, voluntary and involuntary. And please do not withhold the grace of Your Holy Spirit from these gifts on account of my sins. Remember, O Lord, the priests, the deacons in Christ, and all the clergy. Let none of us surrounding Your holy Altar of sacrifice be disgraced.

Visit us in Your goodness, O Lord; reveal Yourself to us in Your rich and tender mercies. Grant our weather to be temperate and beneficial; send gentle rains to the earth so that it may be fruitful; bless the crown of the year with Your goodness. End the schisms of churches; extinguish the insolence of nations; bring outbreaks of heresy to a quick end, by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Make us children of the light and of the day, and receive us all into Your kingdom. Grant us Your peace and Your love, O Lord our God. Indeed You have given us everything.

PRIEST (aloud)

And grant that with one voice and one heart we may glorify and praise Your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

And the mercies of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, be with you all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

In some places it is customary to sing a Megalynarion in honor of St. Basil.

CHOIR

Megalynarion.

Let us all now honor the God-inspired * revealer of heaven, and the mystic of Christ the Lord, * the shining luminary and son of Cappadocia, * renowned as Caesarea’s * Bishop, St. Basil the Great.

Notation for your part

DEACON

Having commemorated all the saints, again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the precious Gifts here presented and consecrated, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That our benevolent God, having accepted them at His holy and celestial and mystical altar as an offering of spiritual fragrance, may in return send down upon us the divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

(The rest of this litany, which was previously said above, is nowadays usually and correctly omitted.)

DEACON

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray 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 day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR: 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.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

Having asked for the unity of the faith and for the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

O our God, the God who saves, teach us how to worthily thank You for the good things You have done and still do for us. O our God, who have accepted these gifts, cleanse us from every defilement of body and spirit, and teach us how to make holiness perfect in the fear of You, so that receiving the portion of Your holy sacrament with a clear conscience, we may be united to the holy Body and Blood of Your Christ; and having received them worthily, we may have Christ dwelling in our hearts and become a temple of Your Holy Spirit.

And we implore You, our God, please do not count any of us guilty of profaning Your awesome and heavenly sacrament, nor make anyone weak in soul and body for partaking of them unworthily. But rather allow us to receive a portion of Your holy sacrament worthily, to our last breath, as provision for eternal life and an acceptable defense at the awesome judgment seat of Your Christ, so that along with all the saints who throughout the ages have pleased You, we too may become partakers of Your eternal blessings, that You have prepared for those who love You, O Lord.

PRIEST (aloud)

And grant us, Master, with boldness and without condemnation, to dare call You, the heavenly God, Father, and to say:

PEOPLE

The Lord’s Prayer

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.

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 and Master, Father of mercies and God of all comfort, bless and sanctify those who have bowed their heads to You; guard, fortify, and strengthen them. Keep them away from every wicked deed, and attach them to every good deed. And allow them to partake of Your immaculate and life-giving sacrament, without condemnation, for the forgiveness of sins and communion of the Holy Spirit.

PRIEST (aloud)

Through the grace, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Hearken, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from Your holy dwelling place and from the throne of glory of Your kingdom, and come to sanctify us, You who are enthroned with the Father on high and are present among us invisibly here. And with Your mighty hand, grant Communion of Your most pure Body and precious Blood to us, and through us to all the people.

DEACON: Let us be attentive.

PRIEST

The Holy Gifts for the holy people of God.

CHOIR

One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Notation for your part

PEOPLE

The selection and text of the following prayers may be different from what is used in your parish.

I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body and that this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You, have mercy on me and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, in knowledge or in ignorance. And make me worthy, without condemnation, to partake of Your pure sacrament for the remission of sins and for eternal life. Amen.

As I am about to receive holy communion, * O Maker, I pray You not burn me partaking, * since You are fire consuming the unworthy, * but rather purge me of any defilement.

Receive me, today, O Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas. But like the Robber I confess to You. Remember me, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom.

Seeing the deifying Blood, O human, shudder, * for it is a live coal that burns the unworthy. * The Body of God both deifies my spirit * and feeds my mind in extraordinary manner.

You have enraptured me, O Christ, * with Your longing and transformed me with love divine. * I pray, completely consume * with immaterial fire all my sins. * And count me worthy to be filled * fully with the delight in You, * that I may magnify * both Your Comings, O good Master, exultantly.

How shall I enter into the splendor of Your saints since I am unworthy? For if I dare to enter the wedding hall along with them, my garment will betray me, for it is not fit for the wedding; and then I shall be bound and cast out by the Angels. I pray You to wash away the stains on my soul, and save me, O benevolent Lord.

Benevolent Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these Holy Gifts be to my judgment because I am unworthy, but rather for the purification and sanctification of both soul and body and the pledge of the life and kingdom to come. It is good for me to cleave unto God and to place in Him the hope of my salvation.

Receive me, today, O Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas. But like the Robber I confess to You. Remember me, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom.

CHOIR

Communion Hymn. Psalm 148.

Praise the Lord from the heavens. Alleluia.

Notation for your part

DEACON

With the fear of God, faith, and love, draw near.

The people come up to receive Holy Communion. The Priest receives the holy chalice from the hands of the Deacon and begins communing the people, saying to each one: The Body and Blood of Christ, for the remission of sins and life eternal.

PRIEST

Save, O God, Your people, and bless Your inheritance.

CHOIR

Hymn after Holy Communion.

Instead of β€œWe have seen.”

Mode 1.

In essence being God, most-compassionate Master, * You assumed human nature without transmutation. * Fulfilling the Law, of Your own will * You accepted circumcision in the flesh, * to bring an end to the shadow, and to remove the passions that cover us. * Glory to Your benevolence, O Lord; * glory to Your compassion; * glory to Your inexpressible condescension, O Word.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Exalt, Master.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth. (3)

Blessed is our God.

PRIEST (aloud)

Always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

DEACON

Arise! Having partaken of the divine, holy, pure, immortal, heavenly, life-creating, and awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks 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

Having prayed for a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

We thank You, O Lord our God, for the communion of Your holy, immaculate, immortal, and heavenly sacrament, which You have granted us for the benefit, sanctification, and healing of our souls and bodies. O Master of all, grant that the communion of the holy Body and Blood of Your Christ may be to us for faith unashamed, love unfeigned, fulness of wisdom, healing of soul and body, deterrence from everything contrary, observance of Your commandments, and for an acceptable defense at the dread judgment seat of Your Christ.

PRIEST (aloud)

For You are our sanctification, 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: Let us go forth in peace.

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

O Christ our God, You accept this rational and bloodless sacrifice as a sacrifice of praise and pleasing worship. You are the lamb and Son of God who take away the sin of the world, the blameless young bull that does not accept the yoke of sin, and who were offered for us of Your own will. You are broken but not divided, eaten but never depleted; and You sanctify those who eat. Indeed, You made us partakers of Your holy Body and precious Blood, this ineffable, heavenly, and awesome sacrament, in remembrance of Your voluntary Passion and life-giving resurrection on the third day. Preserve us in Your holiness, us Your servants, those who minister, who govern faithfully, who serve in the armed forces, and the people here in attendance.

And grant us to meditate on Your righteousness at all times and in every season, so that being guided to Your will and doing what is pleasing to You, we may become worthy to stand at Your right hand when You come to judge the living and the dead. Rescue our brethren who are captives, visit those who are ill, pilot travelers who are in danger, and give rest to the souls of all who have fallen asleep in the hope of the eternal life, where the light of Your face shines; and hear the prayers of all who need Your help.

For You are the giver of good things, and we offer up glory to You and Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and to the ages. (3)

PRIEST (in a low voice)

O Christ our God, the sacrament of Your dispensation is completed and finished as far as it is in our power. We had the memorial of Your death; we saw the image of Your resurrection; we were filled with Your everlasting life; we experienced Your inexhaustible delight. Please allow us all to enjoy it in the age to come, by the grace of Your Father who is without beginning and Your holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: 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.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

May He who condescended to be circumcised on the eighth day, for our salvation, 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, our Father among the saints Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

CHOIR

Lord, protect for many years the one who blesses and sanctifies us.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

DOXOLOGY

ON THE 1st OF THE YEAR

DEACON

Master bless.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

Mode 1. The stone had been secured.

To the melody, β€œThe stone having been sealed.”

In essence being God, most-compassionate Master, * You assumed human nature without transmutation. * Fulfilling the Law, of Your own will * You accepted circumcision in the flesh, * to bring an end to the shadow, and to remove the passions that cover us. * Glory to Your benevolence, O Lord; * glory to Your compassion; * glory to Your inexpressible condescension, O Word.

Kontakion.

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

You, the Creator and the Lord of the ages, O God of all, truly transcending all essence, we earnestly entreat, that You will bless the year, and, O tender-loving Lord, in Your infinite mercy, only Master, save us all who worship and serve You, O our Redeemer, and who cry with fear, β€œFor all Your servants, make fruitful the coming year.”

Apolytikion. For the Saint.

Mode 1.

Your proclamation went forth into all the earth, for it accepted your word, through which you taught the dogmas befitting God, you expounded on the nature of all that is, and you arranged the morals of society. A royal priesthood! Devout father Basil, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Notation for your part

Then selected verses of the Doxology:

Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind.

Notation for your part

We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.

Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.

Accept our supplication, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.

For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Continue Your mercy to those who know You. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

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

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

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name). and all our brotherhood in Christ.

Again we pray for our country, for the president, and for all in public service, and that the Lord God will assist them and guide them in everything.

Again we pray for the protection of the Holy and Great Church of Christ of Constantinople, our Sacred Archdiocese, (and this Holy 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.

CHOIR

Amen.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Prayer

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

May He who condescended to be circumcised on the eighth day, for our salvation, 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, our Father among the saints Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, whose memory we celebrate; 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.

Vespers

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

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.

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.

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.

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ of Constantinople, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Holy 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.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray 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

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.

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

Notation for your part

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, β€œYou 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.

Stichera. For the Forefeast.

Mode 4. To a brave one.

To the melody, β€œAs one valiant among the Martyrs.”

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

In preparing to celebrate the illustrious baptism * of our God and Lord, let us sing forefestal hymns. * For now, incarnate, He makes His way as man to His Forerunner, * the all-holy Baptist John, * to request He receive from him saving baptism, * so that all who believe may be illumined and receive the Holy Spirit * and be reborn sacramentally.

Notation for your part

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

Long ago, Prophet David said that our God will come openly * and reveal himself. And now Christ is publicly * showing himself to the world, as He approaches His servant John, * seeking baptism from him. * River Jordan, be filled with joy. Also earth and sea * and the hills and the mountains, skip and tremble. And the hearts of all believers, * exult, receiving the noetic light.

Notation for your part

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

O almighty One, You are known as the river of peace and as * the abundant water of heavenly delight. * Therefore we marvel how You went down naked into Jordan’s streams, * which accepted You, O Lord, * who have covered heaven with clouds, as the Psalmist said, * and stripped naked the foe of all his evil, and have clothed in incorruption * all those on earth who believe in You.

Notation for your part

Stichera. For the Saint.

Mode pl. 4. What a paradoxal.

To the melody, β€œO what a paradox.”

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

Notation for your part

Father Silvester the hierarch, * by ordination the light * of the priesthood illumined you, * and with teachings full of light * you illumined the faithful all * to worship one God in three hypostases * and single nature. And thus did you expel * darkness of heresies. * We are therefore filled with sacred joy today * as we gaily celebrate your shining memory.

Notation for your part

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

Notation for your part

Father Silvester the God-bearer, * as bishop you went before * the believers, much like that cloud * and the fiery pillar once * had delivered the Israelites. * You led them out of Egyptian heresies * to the divine land of Orthodox belief, * for you instructed them * every day unerringly. We therefore now * honor your preeminent, all-sacred memory.

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

Father Silvester inspired by God, * you surely drowned in the streams * of your strong prayers the multiform * hellish dragon. And the Lord * made you wondrous in miracles. * You brought to God many pagans and Hellenes, * humiliating the impudence of Jews, * when you distinctly worked * many signs and wonders clearly in their sight. * Therefore we all call you blessed and we honor you.

Mode pl. 2.

Christ, the truth, comes to the Jordan, to be baptized by John, who says to Him, β€œIt is I who need to be baptized by You. And You come to me? I who am grass do not dare to touch You, the fire. Sanctify me, O Lord, in Your divine epiphany.”

(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.

DEACON

The evening Prokeimenon!

CHOIR

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 2.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (2)

Verse: I lifted my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

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.

CHOIR: Amen.

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: 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.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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.

Aposticha of the Forefeast.

Idiomelon 1. Mode 1.

The feast, which passed, is radiant, ⁄ but the one to come is brighter still! ⁄ There the angel proclaimed glad tidings, ⁄ but here the Forerunner prepares the Savior’s way! ⁄ There blood was spilled, as Bethlehem was made barren, ⁄ but here the life-giving water gives birth to many sons. ⁄ There the star revealed You to the Magi, ⁄ but here the Father proclaims You to the universe. ⁄⁄ Incarnate Lord, coming to be made manifest, glory to You!

Idiomelon 2. Mode 2.

Verse: Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan and Hermon.

Again my Jesus is washed in the Jordan! ⁄ Again He cleanses my many sins! ⁄ Truly He comes for Baptism, to wipe out Adam’s transgression. ⁄ He says to John: Come, Baptist; perform the awesome mystery! ⁄ Come, stretch out your hand! ⁄ Touch the Head that crushes the heads of demons. ⁄ I will open the paradise which was closed of old, ⁄⁄ by the deceit of the serpent!

Notation for your part

Idiomelon 3. Mode 3.

Verse: The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and were afraid.

The feast, which passed, was radiant, ⁄ but the one to come is even more glorious! ⁄ There the Magi worshipped the Savior; ⁄ here the servant baptizes the Master! ⁄ There the shepherds saw the Child and were amazed; ⁄⁄ here the voice of the Father proclaims the only-begotten Son!

Notation for your part

Mode 3.

Come, all you faithful! ⁄ Let us leave the land of Judea! ⁄ Instead, let us go to the wilderness of Jordan! ⁄ Let us behold the Baptism of our incarnate Enlightener! ⁄ The Baptist hesitates, crying out with fear: ⁄ I dare not place my hand on Your head, Savior! ⁄ f the sea fled and the Jordan turned back, ⁄ how shall I touch the Fire before which the seraphim tremble? ⁄ The Jordan was parted when Elisha struck it with Elijah’s mantle; ⁄ shall not the waters return to their primal chaos ⁄ when they behold You naked in their courses? ⁄ How shall I not be burned by the all-consuming fire? ⁄ The Jordan herself will forbid me, crying out: ⁄ Baptist, how will you baptize my Lord? ⁄ But the Lord commanded him, saying: ⁄ Hinder not the cleansing of all! ⁄ I shall sanctify all creation with living water; ⁄⁄ for this I am made manifest!

Notation for your part

Stand for the reading of prayers

PRIEST

Song of Simeon

CHOIR

Canon for the Forefeast.

Three-ode Canon.

Ode i. Mode 2. Heirmos.

The ineffable descent of the Creator ⁄ has shone forth from the Virgin: ⁄ Now Christ enlightens the world again! ⁄ He hastens to fulfill the mystery, ⁄ drawing near the Jordan as a mortal man, ⁄ to accomplish a strange regeneration.

The Forerunner advances to the Jordan. ⁄ He obeys the voice of the Word, ⁄ performing a fearful service! ⁄ Christ comes to enrich needy Adam ⁄ with all the riches of the Godhead, ⁄ bestowed by the Holy Spirit through the gift of Baptism.

Notation for your part

Ode viii.

Three-ode Canon.

Mode 2. Heirmos.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

By this shall I recognize you as my chosen vessels, ⁄ Christ the Word tells those who hesitate to be baptized, ⁄ if you are marked with the seal of my gift, ⁄ if the three-fold Light shines brightly in you, ⁄ for I come, to give you life and freedom, ⁄ a new way of salvation!

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

A new order of things comes to pass in You; ⁄ now the usual ways of nature come to an end, ⁄ the Forerunner cried out to the Redeemer. ⁄ Here the lesser is blessed by the purpose of the Greater! ⁄ Therefore, with fear I take Your head in my hands, ⁄ but it is not right that grass should not be consumed by fire, ⁄ but rather, sanctify me, Your servant!

Notation for your part

Another Two-ode Canon.

Mode 2. N/M ()

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Let us shed the sleep of laziness from our souls through vigilance of heart. And to Him who comes to wash our souls in the river, let us cry aloud, β€œBless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.”

Notation for your part

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Let us shed the sleep of laziness from our souls through vigilance of heart. And to Him who comes to wash our souls in the river, let us cry aloud, β€œBless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.”

Notation for your part

Let action abound in us, with exalted contemplation of soul, so that we may shine in both, for Him who washes all. β€œBless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.”

Notation for your part

O believers, who have worked twice as hard to embellish our talent with practical reason, let us as servants bring it with faith to the Master, who comes be baptized to refashion our souls.

Heirmos.

Ode ix.

Three-ode Canon.

Mode 2. Heirmos.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Let us flee from every impure passion! ⁄ Instead, let us seek wisdom found in divine Baptism ⁄ for the Creator comes to grant a strange cleansing. ⁄ He is washed in the streams to offer a new change for all!

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Look into the heart of Christ! ⁄ Understand His voluntary humility. ⁄ He took the form of a servant; ⁄ humble yourselves beneath His mighty hand! ⁄ e was born of a Virgin through the Spirit; ⁄ honor His Baptism with pure deeds!

Another Two-ode Canon.

Mode 2. N/M ()

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Let us cast aside the heavy stain of sin, and let us appear clean to the Master who purifies all in divine waters.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Let us cast aside the heavy stain of sin, and let us appear clean to the Master who purifies all in divine waters.

Having purified ourselves with streams of tears, come, let us now approach Christ, who has come to be baptized in the River Jordan.

Notation for your part

O Savior, we celebrated Your Nativity with the Magi and the Shepherds. Accept us now, as we honor You who come to be baptized.

Heirmos.

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.

Apolytikion. For the Forefeast.

Mode 4.

O Zabulon, prepare, and be ready, Nephthalim. * Jordan River, hold your course, and exultantly receive * the Master who is coming to be baptized. * Adam leap for joy with Eve the Foremother. * No longer hide yourselves, as once in Paradise; * for having seen you naked He has appeared * to clothe you in your former vesture. * The Christ has appeared, wishing to renew * the entire creation. (3)

(The β€œektenia” litany has been omitted.)

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: Master bless.

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 of Constantinople, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Holy Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, 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.