NINTH HOUR

Sion is our mother, a man will say; \* and a man has been born in her.

Prokeimenon of the Prophecy. Tone 4.

Verse: His foundations are in the holy mountains.

A child has been born for us, a son has been given to us; whose government is upon his shoulder, and his name will be called ‘Angel of Great Counsel, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Potentate, Prince of Peace, Father of the age to come.’ For I will bring peace upon princes, peace and health to him. Great his government, and of his peace there is no bound, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with judgement and with justice from henceforth and for ever more. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

91. The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias.

Brethren, the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from One. For this reason he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: I will proclaim your name to my brethren, in the midst of the church I will praise you. And again: I will put my trust in him. And again: Here am I, and children whom God has given me. Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear he did not on himself the nature of Angels, but he took on that of the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brethren in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

92. The Reading from the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews.