Chapter 22

The Nativity of Christ

Tree of Life, and I partake of the food of Paradise, whence* because of disobedience, I was expelled. For the Image Immutable of the Father, the Image of his Eternity, taketh the form of a servant, having come forth from a Mother unwedded, yet having suffered no change : for that which he was, that he remaineth, being very God ; and that which he wjls not he hath assumed, becoming very man because of his love toward mankind. Unto him let us cry aloud : O God, who wast born of a Virgin, have mercy upon us. {Twice.)

When Augustus reigned alone upon the earth, the polygarchy of men came to an end : and when thou didst become incarnate of the Pure One, the polytheism of idols was annulled. Under one earthly sway were the cities, and in one dominion of the Godhead did the Gentiles believe. By the command of Caesar were the people inscribed ; and we faithful have been inscribed with the name of the Godhead, of thee our God, who hast become man. Great is thy mercy. O Lord, glory to thee.

The Entrance is made with the book of the Holy Gospels, and the Hymn : O gladsome radiance ! . . .

The Gradual (Proklmen) for the Day.

The Parables (Paremil). Gen. i. 1-13 ; Num. xxiv. 2, 3, 5-9, 17, 18 ; Micah iv. 6, 7, v. 2-4; Isaiah xi. 1-10 ; Jer. (Baruch iii. 36-38, iv. 1-4); Dan. ii. 31-36, 44-46; Isaiah ix. 6, 7, vii. 10-15, viiL 1-4, 9-1 1.

The Little Litany : Again, yet again, in peace . . . : with the Exclamation : For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Gradual (Proklmen) , in the First Tone. The Lord said unto me, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Verse (Stik/i) : Ask of me, and I will give the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

The Epistle. Heb. i. 1-12.

The Gospel. Luke ii. 1-20.

CHRISTMAS EVE.

Compline and Matins.

Compline is read in the usual order, with the Hymns and Collect-Hymn of the Feast in place of the ordinary ones. After: Glory be to God on high: hath been read, the Clergy come forth to the centre of the Temple, and perform the Litiyd, with the Blessing of the Loaves.

The Stanzas {Stikkirt) of the Litiyd, in Tone L Let heaven and earth to-day prophetically exult, and let Angels and men spiritually rejoice : for God hath revealed himself in the flesh unto those who were in darkness and sat in the shadow, and hath been born of a Virgin. The cavern and the manger have received him; Shepherds proclaim the

marvel, and Magi from the Orient bring gifts unto Bethlehem. And we, also, with lips unworthy, do bring unto him praise in Angelic wise : Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace : for the Hope of the nations is come, and having come hath saved us from bondage to the enemy.

The Hymn at the Blessing of the Loaves, and: God is the Lord; Tone IV. Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath arisen upon the world as the light of wisdom. For at it, they who worshipped the stars were, by a Star, taught to adore thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know thee, the Orient from on high. O Lord, glory to thee.

The Exaltation of the Feast We magnify thee, O Life-giving Christ, who for our sakes now art born in the flesh of the Virgin Mary, unwedded and most pure.

The Gradual (Proiimen), in the Fourth Tone. Out of the womb, before the morning star, have I begotten thee. The Lord sweareth and will not repent.

Verse (Sttih) : The Lord said unto my Lord : Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

The Gospel Matt. i. 18-25.

THE CANON.

In Tone I. {Composed by St, Cosmos, about 760.)

Canticle L

Theme-Song (Irmds). Christ is born : extol him ! Christ from heaven : go to meet him ! Christ on earth : be ye lifted up ! Sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth, and praise him in song with joy, O ye people : For he hath glorified himself.

Hymns (Troparl). Man who, being made in the image of God, had become corrupt through sin, and was full of vileness, and had fallen away from the better life divine, doth the wise Creator restore anew : For he hath glorified himself.

When the Creator beheld man, whom he had made with his hands, about to perish, he bowed the heavens and came down ; and was endued with man’s nature in very truth, becoming incarnate of a Virgin divinely pure : For he hath glorified himself.

The Wisdom, Word, and Might, the Son and Effulgence of the Father, Christ our God, without the knowledge of the supramundane Powers, and the Powers of the earth, is become incarnate and hath renewed us : For he hath glorified himself.

Canticle HI.

Theme-Song {Irmds). Unto the Son who, in wise immortal, was born of the Father before all the ages, and in these latter days is become incarnate without seed of a Virgin, Christ our God, let us cry aloud; O Lord, who hast exalted our horn, holy art thou I

Hymns (Tropari). Adam, mortal, made of clay, yet a participant of the divine inspiration, who had become subject to corruption through a woman’s seduction, when he beheld Christ sprung from a woman, exclaimed : Holy art thou, O Lord, who for my sake bast made thyself like unto me.

O Christ, who hast conformed thyself unto our base, mortal mould, and by that participation in our lowly flesh hast imparted unto us a share of the nature divine ; who, though thou didst become earthborn, yet didst remain still God, and hast exalted our horn : Holy art thou, O Lord.

Rejoice, O Bethlehem, which art King over the princes of Judah ; for he who feedeth Israel and is borne on the shoulders of the Cherubim is visibly come forth from thee ; and he who exalteth our horn is enthroned over all.

Canticle IV.

Tkeme-Song fjrmds). The Rod of the Root of Jesse and its Flower, from a Virgin didst thou bud forth, O most-lauded Christ. From the Mount covered with dense shadow art thou come, being incarnate of a Maid who knew not man, O thou Immaterial One and God : Glory to thy might, O Lord.

Hymns {Tropari}. Thou, O Christ, the Expectation of the nations, whom Jacob did foretell of old, art risen from the tribe of Judah, and art come to annihilate the power of Damascus, and the spoils of Samaria, turning error into truth meet for God : Glory to thy might, O Lord.

By thy rising as a Star from Jacob, O Lord, thou didst fill with joy the wise initiates in the word of Balaam the Prophet of old, the Watchers of the Stars, who were led unto thee as the first-fruits of the Gentiles, and didst manifestly receive them : Glory to thy might, O Lord.

Like the rain upon the fleece, and like drops of dew falling upon the earth, O Christ, didst thou descend into the Virgin’s womb. Ethiopia and Tarshish, the Isles of Araby, and Sheba of the Midians, the Rulers of all the earth, fell down in adoration before thee, O Saviour : Glory to thy might, O Lord.

Canticle V.

Tkeme-Song (IrmSs). O God of peace, the Father of mercies, thou bast sent unto us the Angel of thy Great Council, who giveth peace : wherefore we, in that we have been led unto the light of godly wisdom, waking right early from the night, do sing praises unto thee, O thou who lovest mankind.

Hymns ( Troparl). In obedience to the command of Caesar, O Christ, thou didst enroll thyself among the slaves, and didst set free us who were slaves of the enemy and of sin ; and didst make thyself a beggar, in every way like unto us ; and through that same union and community didst reader the mortal divine*

Lo, a Virgin, as it was foretold of old, having conceived in her womb, hath brought forth God incarnate, yet remaineth Virgin still. Let us * sinners, in that we have become reconciled unto God through her, magnify her in song as the true Birth-giver of the Lord.

Canticle VI

Theme-Song {Irmds). The sea-monster cast forth Jonah from its belly unharmed as it had swallowed him. And when the Word took up his abode in a Virgin, and was made flesh, He came forth preserving her undefiled. For in that He Himself suffered not corruption, He preserved unharmed her who bare Him.

Hymns {Tropari). Christ our God, whom the Father begat of his own loins before the morning star, is come in the flesh. He who ruleth the most pure Powers lieth in a manger of dumh beasts, and is wrapped in swaddling-bands of rags ; yet doth he loose the thick-entangled bonds of transgression.

Born of Adam’s nature and given unto the faithful as a little child is the Son : yet he is also the Father and the Ruler of the world to come, and is called the Angel of the Great Council. He is the mighty God who ruleth the Universe by his power.

Collect-Hymn (Kond&k).

To-day a Virgin bringeth forth the Supersubstantial, and earth offereth a cavern to the Unapproachable ; Angels together with the Shepherds sing praises ; the Wise Men journey on with the Star. For, for our sakes, God, who is before all the ages, is born a little Child.

Ikos.

Bethlehem hath opened Eden : O come, let us gaze ! We have found nourishment in a secret place : O come, let us receive the things of Paradise within the cavern! There hath appeared the Root Unwatered which buddeth forth remission. There hath been found the Well Undigged, from which David of old longed that he might drink. There a Virgin hath brought forth a Child ; and straightway the thirst of Adam and of David hath been assuaged. Wherefore let us go unto him where He is born a little Child, yet is God before the ages.

Canticle VII

Theme-Song {Irm6s\ The youths reared together in godliness, despising the unrighteous command, were not terrified by the threatened fire, but standing in the midst of the flames did sing : O God of our fathers, blessed art thou.

Hymns (Tropari). The shepherds skilled upon the tuneful pipes beheld a revelation marvellous of light ; for the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and the Angel proclaimed : Sing praises, for Christ is born. O God of our fathers, blessed art thou.

Suddenly, at the word of the Angel, the Heavenly Hosts began to

cry aloud : Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men ; Christ hath shone forth : O God of our fathers, blessed art thou !

What meaneth this saying ? spake the shepherds : Let us go, let us gaze upon that which is come to pass, upon Christ divine. And when they were come unto Bethlehem, they fell down in worship before him, together with her who had given him birth, singing: O God of our fathers, blessed art thou.

Canticle VIIL

Tketne-Song (Irmds). The dew-shedding, fiery furnace imaged forth the type of a marvellous wonder : for its flames scorched not the Holy Children whom it had received, even as the fire of the Godhead scorched not the Virgin when it entered into her womb. Therefore let us raise the song : Let all creation bless the Lord, and magnify him unto all the ages.

Hymns (Tropari). The Daughter of Babylon doth bear away unto herself the children of David as captives, out of Zion : but she sendeth her children, the Magi, bearing gifts, to do homage unto the Daughter of David, who had received within her God : wherefore, chanting songs of praise, let us sing : Let all creation bless the Lord, and magnify him unto all the ages.

Grief put aside the instruments of song ; for the children of Zion sang not in alien lands. But Christ, in that he hath shone forth in Bethlehem, setteth free every error, and the musical harmony of Babylon. Wherefore let us sing the song : Let all creation bless the Lord, and magnify him unto all the ages.

Babylon carried the spoil and the spear-won wealth of the kingdom of Zion into captivity. But Christ draweth unto Zion the treasures of the same and its Kings, the Watchers of the Stars, guiding them by a Star. Wherefore, let us sing the song : Let all creation bless the Lord, and magnify him unto all the ages.

Canticle IX,

With the Ninth Theme-Song, instead of : More honourable than the Cherubim: the Refrains of the Feast are sung :

Refrain 1. Magnify, O my soul, the Virgin, the all-pure Birth-giver of God, more honourable and more glorious than the hosts on high.

Theme-Song (Irmds). A mystery strange and most glorious I behold : The cavern, Heaven ; the Virgin, the Cherubimic Throne ; the manger, the receptacle wherein lieth Christ our God, whom nothing may contain. Him, therefore, do we magnify, praising him in song.

Refrain 2. Magnify, O my soul, God born in the flesh of a Virgin.

Refrain 3. Magnify, O my soul, the King born in a cavern.

Hymn (Trop&r). When the Wise Men beheld the unwonted course of the wondrous, newly revealed Star, illuminating the heavens with

exceeding brightness, they divined that Christ the King was born on earth in Bethlehem, for our salvation.

Refrain 4. Magnify, O my soul, God who was worshipped by the. Magi.

Refrain $. Magnify, O my soul, him who was announced unto the Wise Men by a Star.

Hymn. When the Wise Men said : Where is the new-born Infant King whom the. Star hath revealed ? For we are come to worship him. Then the wrathful Herod was troubled, and, raging against the Lord, that impious man sought to slay Christ.

Refrain 6. Magnify, O my soul, the pure Virgin and only Birthgiver of God, who gave birth unto Christ the King.

Refrain 7. The Wise Men and the shepherds came to worship Christ who was born in the town of Bethlehem.

Hymn. Herod inquired the time of the Star, through whose guiding the Wise Men were come to Bethlehem to worship Christ with gifts. But being by it led again unto their own country, they left confounded behind them the dread slayer of the children.

The Benediction. {Seepage 181.)

At the Liturgy.

Antiphon /., Tone II.

Verse 1 : I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart.

Refrain. Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O Saviour, save us.

Verse 2 : In the council of the faithful and in the congregation, the great works of the Lord, ft

Verse 3 : Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein, ft

Verse 4 : His work is honour and majesty, and his righteousness endureth forever, ft

Antiphon //., Tone II

Verse 1 : Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that hath great delight in his commandments.

Refrain. O Son of God, who wast born of a Virgin, save us who sing unto thee : Alleluia.

Verse 2 : His seed shall be mighty upon earth, the generation of the faithful shall be blessed, ft

Verse 3 : Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house, and his righteousness endureth forever, ft

Verse 4 : Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness : he is merciful, loving and righteous, ft

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

O Only-begotten Son and Word of God! . . . {Seepage 170.)

Antiphon IIL y Tone II.

Verse I : The Lord said unto my Lord : Sit thou on my right hand.

Hymn. Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, . . . {Seepage 176.)

Verse 2 : Until I make thine enemies thy footstool ft {Hymn.)

Verse 3 : The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Zion : be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies, ft {Hymn.)

Verse 4 : In the day of thy power with an holy worship.

Introit. Out of the womb, before the morning st4r have I begotten thee : the Lord hath sworn and will not repent : thou art a Priest forever, after the order of Melchizidech.

Instead of: O Holy God, Holy Mighty : is sung: As many as are baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.

The Gradual {Proiimen), in the Eighth Tone. Let all the earth worship thee, and hymn thee, yea, let it hymn thy Name, O Most Highest.

Verse : Shout unto the Lord, all ye lands, sing unto his Name, give glory to his praise.

Verse : TTie heavens declare the glory of God, and the dry land proclaimed the work of thy hands.

Verse: Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night proclaim eth knowledge.

The Epistle. Gal. iv. 4-7.

The Gospel. Matt, ii 1-12.

Instead of: Meet is it ; The Ninth Theme-Song of the Canon : A mystery strange . . . {Seepage 179.)

The Communion Hymn. The Lord hath sent deliverance unto his people.

The Benediction. May he who was born in a cavern, and lay in a manger, for the sake of our salvation, Christ our true God, through the prayers of his most pure Mother ; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; of our holy and God-bearing fathers ; of the holy and righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna ; and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, forasmuch as he is good, and loveth mankind.

THE EPIPHANY

On the Eve of the Epiphany the same strict fast is observed, and the same services are celebrated as on the Eve of Chris fs Nativity {Christmas). That is to say ; The Imperial Hours are ready and the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated {if the Eve doth not fall upon Saturday or Sundays preceded by Vespers ; while in the evening the service consisteth of Grand Compline joined to Matins. The differences between these services and those of Christmas lie in the festival hymns and the consecration of the water.

At this Feast there are two Blessings of the Waters : the first, on the Eve, in Church; the second, after the Divine Liturgy ‘, on the day of the Feast, under the open sky, of rivers, lakes, pools and wells. In ancient times the former was intended for the Catechumens who were prepared to receive baptism, and were then baptised. The second was instituted later, in imitation of the custom among the Christians of Jerusalem, who were wont to go forth to the Jordan to celebrate the festival, and to pray : also in memory of the consecration of the waters of the Jordan at the time our Lord Jesus Christ was baptized therein. This Blesstng of the Waters is often called “ The Jordan Festival “ for that reason.

The Imperial Hours, to precede the Epiphany.

First Hour. Psalms v., xxiii, xxvii. ; Isaiah xxxv. i-io. The Epistle. Acts xiii. 25-33, The Gospel. Matt, iil 1-12.

Third Hour. Psalms xxix., xlii., li. ; Isaiah i. 16-20. The Epistle. Acts xix. 1-8. The Gospel Mark L 1-8.

Sixth Hour. Psalms lxxiv., lxxvii., xci. ; Isaiah xii. 3-6. The Epistle, Rom. vi. 3-1 1. The Gospel Mark i. 9-15.

Ninth Hour. Psalms xciil, cxiv., lxxxvi. ; Isaiah xlix. 8-15. The Epistle. Titus ii. 11-14, iil 4-7. The Gospel Matt iii. 13-17.

Then the Typical Psalms. Vespers and the Liturgy, on January §th.

The Stanzas {Stikiri) for: Lord, I have cried : In Tone IL The Forerunner, beholding our Illuminator who illumineth every man, coming to be baptized, rejoiceth in his soul ; and he trembleth, and with his hand doth he point Him out to the people, saying: Lo, this is he who redeemeth Israel, setting us free from corruption. O Christ our God, the Sinless One, glory to thee ! {Twice.)

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

Thou didst bow thy head unto the Forerunner, and thereby didst crush the heads of the serpents. And having entered into the streams, thou didst illumine all things, that they might glorify thee, O Saviour, even the Illuminator of our souls.

THE EPIPHANY

The Entrance is made with the book of the Gospels,

The Gradual \Prokimen) for the Day.

The Parables (Paremii). Genesis L 1-13 ; Exodus xiv. 15-18, 21-25, 27-29, xv. 22-27, xvi. 1 ; Joshua Hi. 7, 8, 15-17; 2 Kings ii. 6-14, v. 9-14; Isaiah i. 16-20; Genesis xxxii. 1^10; Exodus ii. 5-10; Judges vi 36-40 ; 1 Kings xviii. 30-39 ; 2 Kings ii. 19-22 ; Isaiah xlix. 8-15.

The Little Litany. Again, yet again, . . .

Exclamation. For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Gradual {Prokimen\in the Third Tone. The Lord is my light and my salvation : whom shall I fear ?

Verse {Stikh) : The Lord is the strength of my life : of whom shall I be afraid ?

The Epistle. 1 Cor. ix. 19-27, x. 1-4.

The Gospel. Luke iii. 1-18.

After the Prayer before the Tribune the Blessing of the Water taketh place. Grand Compline and Matins.

Compline is celebrated in its usual order, the Hymn for the Day and the CollectHymn being substituted for the ordinary ones.

After: Glory be to God on high: the procession frotn the Sanctuary for the Litiyd taketh place. {See the Ali^Night Vigil Office, page 11.)

The Stanza for the Litiyd, in Tone VIII. To-day is creation illumined, to-day do all things both heavenly and earthly rejoice. Angels and men are intermingled ; for whithersoever the King cometh, there also cometh orderliness. Let us make haste then unto Jordan, and we shall all behold John, as he baptizeth the head not made with hands and sinless. Wherefore, singing the song of the Apostles, let us cry with one accord : The grace of God, which is saving unto all men, hath manifested itself, illumining the faithful and bestowing upon the same great mercy.

The Hymn ( Tropdr) at the Blessing of the Loaves : The Hymn of the Feast. When in Jordan thou wast baptized, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest For the voice of the Father bare witness unto thee, calling thee his beloved Son, and the Spirit, in the form of a Dove, confirmed the steadfastness of that word: O Christ our God, who didst manifest thyself, and dost enlighten the world, glory to thee.

The Exaltation ( Velitchdnie). We magnify thee, O life-giving Christ, for our sakes now baptized of John in the waters of the Jordan.

The Gradual (Proklmen), in the Fourth Tone. The sea saw that and fled: Jordan was driven back.

Verse {Stikh) : What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest, and Jordan that thou wast driven back ?

The Gospel. Matt. i. 9-1 1.

184 THE EPIPHANY

THE CANON.

In Tone II (St. Cosmas of Maium.)

Canticle I.

Theme-Song (Irmds). The Lord mighty in battle hath laid bare the depths of the sea, and hath led forth his people on dry ground, after. having overwhelmed therein their adversaries : For he hath glorified himself.

Hymns (Tropari). The Lord, the King of the ages, reneweth corrupt Adam by the waters of Jordan, and crusheth the heads of the dragons which lurked therein : For he hath glorified himself.

The Lord having become incarnate of a Virgin and clothed the immaterial fire of the Godhead in material flesh, is encompassed by the River Jordan : For he hath glorified himself.

The Lord, who, through his own cleansing in Jordan, washeth away the vileness of men, to whom he was graciously pleased to conform himself, remaining still as he was before, giveth light unto those who are in darkness : For he hath glorified himself.

Canticle III.

Theme-Song (IrmSs). The Lord, who giveth strength unto our Kings and exalteth the horn of his Anointed, is born of a Virgin, and cometh unto Baptism. Unto him will we faithful cry aloud : There is none holy like unto our God.

Hymns (Tropari). Rejoice thou to-day, O Church of Christ, which aforetime wast sterile and barren of children ; for through water and the Spirit have sons been born unto thee, who with faith do cry aloud : There is none holy like unto our God.

With a loud voice crieth the Forerunner in the wilderness : Prepare ye the way for Christ, and make straight the paths for our God, crying aloud with faith : There is none holy like unto our God.

Canticle IV.

Theme-Song (IrmSs). I have heard, O Lord, thy voice which thou didst call the voice of one crying in the wilderness, which, when thou didst thunder over many waters, bearing witness to thy Son, being filled with the Spirit which had revealed itself, did cry aloud : Thou art Christ, the Wisdom and the Power of God.

Hymns (Tropari). Hath any one — crieth the Messenger — beheld the Sun, which is by nature radiant, cleansed ? Shall I then wash clean with the waters thee who art the Brightness of Glory, the Express Image of the Father who is from everlasting? And shall I, who am but grass, touch the fire of thy divinity ? For thou art Christ, the Wisdom and the Power of God.

Moses, when he drew near to thee, manifested the God-inspired awe wherewith he was seized. When he understood that it was thou speaking

THE EPIPHANY

from the bush, he straightway turned aside his face. How then shall I gaze openly upon thee, and now shall I lay my hand upon thee ? For thou art Christ, the Wisdom and the Power of God.

In that I have a rational soul, and am honoured with the gift of speech, I stand in fear of things without a soul ; for if I baptize thee, the mountain which smoked with fire, the sea which was parted in twain, and that Jordan which rolleth back its waves shall be my accusers : For thou art Christ, the Wisdom and the Power of God.

Canticle V.

Theme-Song (Irmds). Jesus, the Chieftain of Life, cometh to abolish the condemnation of Adam the first-created ; and though, in that he is God, he hath no need of cleansing, yet for the fallen is he cleansed in Jordan, where, having slain enmity, he bestoweth the peace which passeth understanding.

Hymns. When a multitude innumerable of people had gathered together to be baptized of John, he stood in their midst and cried aloud unto those who were present : Who hath warned you, ye disobedient, to flee from the wrath to come ? Bring ye worthy fruits unto Christ ; for now revealing himself he bestoweth peace.

The Husbandman and Creator, standing in the midst as one of the throng, searcheth hearts ; and having taken in his hand the winnowing fan, with exceeding wisdom doth he purge the threshing-floor of the universe, burning up the chaff, but granting unto the fruitful grain life eternal.

Canticle VI.

Theme-Song (Irmds). The Voice of the Word, the Candlestick of the Light, the Morning Star, the Forerunner of the Sun, crieth aloud in the wilderness unto all men : Repent ye, and be ye cleansed in preparation. For lo ! Christ cometh, who redeemeth the world from corruption.

Hymns. Christ, whose latchet — when the Word had taken our form upon Him — it is impossible to unloose, as the Forerunner teacheth, in that he was born without corruption of God the Father, is without defilement made flesh of a Virgin : For he redeemeth the earth-born from their guile.

With extirpating fire doth Christ baptize the froward and those who acknowledge him not as God. But with the Spirit, by means of water, doth he graciously renew those who confess his divinity, freeing them from their sins.

Canticle VII.

Theme-Song {Irmds). A rushing mighty wind bearing dew, and the descent of the Angel of God preserved unscathed the Children who held converse together in the fiery furnace. When, therefore, they were bedewed amid the flames, with gratitude did they sing aloud : Blessed be thou, O exceeding glorious God of our fathers and our God !

186 THE EPIPHANY

ffymns* With trembling and amazement, as over heaven itself, did the Angelic Host stand over Jordan, gazing down upon such condescension of God; beholding how he who ruleth the firmament of the waters on high, the God of our fathers, bearing bodily form, stood in the water.

The marvel of the baptism divine was foreshadowed of old by the cloud and the sea, wherein as they journeyed onward the ancient people were baptized into the Tables of the Law. The sea was the symbol of the water, and the cloud of the Spirit ; being made perfect in which, let us cry : Blessed be thou, O Lord God forever!

Let all us faithful, speaking perpetually of God in whom we have received sanctification, in company with the Angels glorify the Father, Son and Holy Spirit : for it is a Trinity in Persons, but one in Essence, one God ; to whom, also, let us sing : Blessed be thou, O Lord God forever !

Canticle VIIL

Tkeme-Song {Irm6s\ The Babylonian furnace, dew-dropping, foreshadowed the image of the wondrous mystery that Jordan was to receive into its waters the Fire Immaterial, and contain the Creator when he should be baptized in the flesh ; whom also all men do bless and exalt unto all the ages.

Hymns. Put away all fear, said the Redeemer to the Forerunner; obey me, come unto me, as unto the Gracious One, for that am I in my Essence. Submit thyself to my command, and baptize me, who have condescended to come down hither ; whom also all men do bless and exalt unto all the ages.

The Baptist, when he heard the words of the Lord, stretched forth his hand with trembling; but when he had touched the crown of his Creator’s head, he cried unto him who was receiving baptism : Sanctify thou mc, for thou art my God ; whom also all men do bless and exalt unto all the ages.

In Jordan was the Trinity made manifest ; for the Most Divine Person of the Father Himself proclaimed : He that is baptized, the same is my beloved Son. And the Spirit descended upon him that was like unto Himself. For which cause men shall bless Him and exalt Him forever.

Canticle IX.

Btfort the Ninth Tkeme-Song: More honourable than the Cherubim: is not sung, hut instead thereof the Refrain of the Feast :

Magnify, O my soul, her who is more honourable than the hosts on high, even the most pure Virgin Birth-giver of God

Theme* Song (lrm6s\ No tongue hath power worthily to praise thee, and even the supra-mundane mind is perplexed how to hymn thee, O Birth-giver of God. But inasmuch as thou art gracious, accept thou our faith ; and our God-inspired love thou knowest. For thou art the Intercessor of Christians. We magnify thee.

THE EPIPHANY

And the remaining six Refrains are sung once with each Hymn.

Refrain 2. Magnify, O my soul, him who desireth baptism of the Forerunner.

Refrain 3. Magnify, O my soul, him who is come unto the Jordan to be baptized.

Hymn, Come thou in spirit, O David, unto those who are being illumined by the Spirit, and sing, saying : Draw near now unto God and be ye illumined by faith. That poor man, Adam, cried in his fall, and the Lord heard him as he came, and in the waters of Jordan did he renew that corrupted one.

Refrain 4. Magnify, O my soul, him to whom the voice of the Father bare witness.

Refrain 5. Magnify, O my soul, One of the Trinity who hath bowed his neck and accepted baptism.

Hymn. Wash you, make you clean, saith Isaiah ; put away the evil of your doings before the Lord. Ye who thirst, come ye unto the Living Water ; for Christ sprinkleth with water which giveth new life those who make supplication unto him in faith, and baptizeth them with the Spirit unto the life which waxeth not old.

Refrain 6. O Prophet, come thou unto me ; stretch forth thy hand, and baptize me quickly.

Refrain 7. O Prophet, lay aside now all other things, and baptize me who desire it ; for I am come to fulfil all righteousness.

Hymn. May the grace and seal (of the Spirit) preserve us, O faithful! For as the Hebrews of old were delivered from destruction when their door-posts were smeared with blood, even so also shall this divine bath of regeneration be made a deliverance for us, and even so also shall we behold the light of the Trinity which knoweth no setting.

At the Liturgy. Antiphon /., Tone I.

Verse 1 : When Israel came out of Egypt, and the house of Jacob

from among the strange people :

Refrain. Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O Saviour,

save us.

Verse 2 : Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion : ft Verse 3 : The sea saw it and fled : Jordan was driven back : ft Verse 4 : Why hast thou fled, O sea : and why art thou driven back,

Jordan? ft

Antiphon IL, Tone II

Verse 1 : I am well pleased that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer.

Refrain. O Son of God, who wast baptized in Jordan, save us who sing unto thee, Alleluia.

tizeffbyC

i8S THE EPIPHANY

Verse 2 : That he hath inclined his ear unto me : therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. I£

Verse 3 : The snares of death compassed me round about, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me. I shall find trouble and heaviness, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord : O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul : ft

Verse 4 : Gracious is the Lord, and righteous : yea, our God is merciful : ft

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

O Only-begotten Son and Word of God ! . . . {Seepage 170.)

Aniiphon ///., Tone L

Verse 1 : O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious : his mercy endureth forever.

Refrain; The Hymn for the Day (Tropdr). When in Jordan thou wast baptized, O Lord, the worship 01 the Trinity was made manifest For the voice of the Father bare witness unto thee, calling thee his beloved Son, and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the steadfastness of that word. O Christ our God, who didst manifest thyself, and dost enlighten the world, glory to thee.

Verse 2 : Let Israel now confess that he is gracious, and that his mercy endureth forever : I£

Verse 3 : Let the house of Aaron now confess that he is gracious, and that his mercy endureth forever : #

Verse 4 : Yea, let them that fear the Lord now confess that his mercy endureth forever : ft

The IntroiU Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. We have blessed you from the house of the Lord : God is the Lord, and hath revealed himself unto us.

The Colleet-Hymn {Konddk\ To-day hast thou revealed thyself unto the universe, and thy Light, O Lord, hath showed a sign unto us, who with understanding sing unto thee : Thou art come, and hast revealed thyself, O Light Unapproachable.

In place of: O Holy God : As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

The Gradual (Proktnten), in the Fourth Tone. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. God is the Lord, and hath revealed himself unto us.

Verse (Stikh) : Confess unto the Lord that he is gracious, that his mercy endureth forever.

The Epistle. Titus ii. 1 1-14, Hi. 4-7.

Alleluia. {Tone IV.) Offer thanks unto the Lord, ye sons of God.

Verse: The voice of the Lord upon the waters.

The Gospel. Matt. iii. 13-17.

THE EPIPHANY

The Communion Hymn (Pritchdsten). The saving grace of God hath manifested itself unto all men.

For the Benediction, see page 1 97, Epiphany {end of Great Blessing of Waters).

HOLY EPIPHANY

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, after the Prayer before the Tribune: O Lord, who blcssest those who bless thee: hath been said by the Priest, we all go forth to the Baptismal Font, preceded by the taper-bearers, after whom go the Deacon and the Priest bearing the book of the Holy Gospels and the censer ; and the Brethren, singing the following Hymn, in Tone vlIL :

The voice of the Lord crieth out over the waters, saying : Come, receive ye all the spirit of wisdom, the spirit of understanding, the spirit of the fear of God, even Christ who is made manifest. {Thrice.)

To-day is the nature of water sanctified, and Jordan is cloven asunder, and rolleth back the current of its flood, as it beholdeth the Lord baptized. ( Twice,)

As a man didst thou come unto that river, O Christ our King, and didst earnestly desire to receive the baptism of a servant, O Good One, at the hands of the Forerunner, because of our sins, O thou who lovest mankind. ( Twice.)

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

In the same Tone: .

Unto the voice of him crying in the wilderness : Prepare ye the way of the Lord : thou didst come forth, O Lord, having taken on the form of a servant, and asking’ baptism, though thou knewest not sin. The waters beheld thee and were affrighted. The Baptist became all trembling, and cried aloud, saying: How shall the candlestick illumine the light ? How shall a slave lay hands upon his Lord ? Sanctify thou me and these waters, O Saviour, who takest away the sins of the world.

And taking his stand beside the Font, the Deacon immediately saith : •

Wisdom

The Reader. The Parable from the Prophecy of Isaiah.

Deacon. Let us attend.

Thus saith the Lord (ck. xxxv.) : The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them ; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice, even with joy and singing : the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear

190 THE EPIPHANY

not : behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense ; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the. ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing : for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water : in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called, The way of holiness ; the unclean shall not pass over it ; but it shall be for those : the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there : and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads : they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall See away.

Deacon. Wisdom !

Reader. The Parable from the Prophecy of Isaiah.

Deacon. Let us attend.

Thus saith the Lord {ch. Iv.) : Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money ; come ye, buy, and eat ; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread ? and your labour for that which satisfieth not ? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me : hear, and your soul shall live ; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee, because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel ; for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts : and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the* Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater : so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth : it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace : the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier shall