Canon of the Forefeast

Exapostilarion—

Irmos: Let us all chant a hymn of victory unto God, Who hath wrought marvelous wonders with His upraised arm and saved Israel, for He is glorious.

Katavasia of the forefeast—

Kontakion of the forefeast, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin…”—

Glory..., Now and ever..., of the forefeast, in the same tone—

And this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII—

Let us begin this day to celebrate the forefeast of the Nativity of Christ, Who was born in the flesh of the Virgin Mother in the cave at Bethlehem, in His great loving-kindness.

Theotokion: Eden is opened unto Thee, O Master, Who wast born in the flesh of the divine Maiden and Virgin in the city of Bethlehem. We hymn Thine awesome dispensation!

Great Doxology. Troparia. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.

Exapostilarion of the hieromartyr: Spec. Mel.: “By the Spirit in the sanctuary…”—

Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.

Katavasia of the forefeast—

Kontakion, in Tone IV—

Glory..., Now and ever..., exapostilarion of the Forefeast—

Sessional hymn of the hieromartyr, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”—

The preëternal God, Who released me from the bonds of sin, is wrapped in swaddling bands, and, seen as a babe, He is laid in a manger. Glory to His dominion!

Theotokion: Through thee, O Virgin Theotokos, have we received everlasting life who once were deprived of life in paradise; for thou gavest birth unto Him Who alone is without beginning and giveth life unto all.

“Celebrating with splendor, let us form ourselves into ranks!”, in sacred manner the martyr Ignatius doth summon the Church of Christ to his most-hymned suffering.

Glory…, Now & ever…: exapostilarion of the forefeast: Spec. Mel.…: “Make ready beforehand…”—

Irmos: The same stone which the builders rejected, is become the head-stone in the corner; this is the stone whereon Christ hath established the Church which He redeemed from among the nations.

Katavasia of the forefeast—

Kontakion of the forefeast, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin…”—

Glory..., in Tone VII—

Glory…, another sessional hymn of the hieromartyr, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—

Make firm my senses and mind, O my Savior, that I may be able worthily to hymn the supplications and struggles of Thy servant John our father, who loved Thee and was beloved of Thee.

Theotokion: Isaiah, knowing of this incarnation of Christ, clearly foretelleth through the Holy Spirit: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name ‘God with us,’ and the government shall be upon his shoulder.

O Ignatius, as the all-radiant luminary of the Church thou enlightenest all the ends of the earth, and, having arrived from the East, thou shinest upon the lands of the West.

Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!

Katavasia of the forefeast—

Kontakion, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin…”—

Now and ever..., of the forefeast, in Tone II, Spec. Mel: “O house of Ephratha...”—

Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the forefeast, in the same tone & melody—

O blessed one who from thy youth wast forechosen to chant unto the first-called apostle in his holy temple, illumined with the radiance of the Cross thou didst flee the gloom of sin, unceasingly offering up prayers and hymnody to God our Savior.

Theotokion: Thou art wholly light, all goodness, all wisdom; thou canst, as Mother of the Almighty, do all things; thou alone art all-perfect, in that thou art the Mother of the all-perfect King of glory.

Emulating the tribulations of Paul in the cities and towns while thou wast a prisoner, O Ignatius, thou wast in nowise troubled, making steadfast the Churches of Christ by thy frequent epistles.

Irmos: Foreseeing in the Spirit the incarnation of the Word, O Prophet Habbakuk, thou didst announce, crying out: When the years draw nigh, Thou shalt be acknowledged; when the season cometh, Thou shalt be shown forth! Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Katavasia of the forefeast—

On a chariot of the virtues didst thou mount to heaven, as did Elijah on a chariot of fire; wherefore, beseech thou the Lord, that He send down upon us correction of life.

Theotokion: The divine Ezekiel, O all-pure one, called thee prophetically the gate which was closed, through which He Who alone is preëternal hath passed without change, granting His peace.

O most blessed Ignatius, we all hymn thy glorious memory, and with hymns we honor Him Who crowned thy most precious head, O thou who art blessed of God.

Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Katavasia of the forefeast—

Christ is born, give ye glory! Christ cometh from heaven, meet ye Him! Christ is on earth, be ye exalted! O all the earth, sing ye unto the Lord, and chant with gladness, ye people, for He hath been glorified!

Theotokion: O Eden, which of old wast closed to me, open thyself now, beholding Christ as a babe in the flesh, born of the Virgin Maiden in the city of Bethlehem, as is His good pleasure.

“Let my flesh be lacerated, let my blood flow forth! In my desire I make haste, ready for the wild beasts, adorned for crushing, for the fire, for the sword, for being devoured!” the martyr cried aloud.

Irmos: Grant us Thy peace, O Son of God, for we know none other than Thee. We call upon Thy name, for Thou art the God of the living and the dead.

Katavasia of the forefeast—

Let all creation chant the hymnody of the forefeast unto Him Who was begotten of the Father before the morning star, and hath now shone forth ineffably from the Virgin, and is born in Bethlehem, in His great loving-kindness.

Theotokion: O all-pure one, thou gavest birth unto One of the Trinity, Who, for the sake of His loving-kindness, appeared on earth in two natures; Him do thou unceasingly entreat, that He save our souls.

Let all creation chant the hymns of the forefeast unto Him Who was begotten of the Father before the morning-star, and hath now shone forth ineffably from the Virgin, and in the flesh is born in Bethlehem, in His surpassing loving-kindness.

Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.

Katavasia of the forefeast—

A star hath already shone forth from the tribe of Judah; and, recognizing it, the kings are journeying from the East, and hasten to behold Christ born in the flesh in Bethlehem.

Theotokion: In the cave of Bethlehem the Virgin manifestly giveth birth unto the Lord and Creator of all; and, wrapping Him as a man in swaddling clothes, she layeth Him now in a manger.

A star hath shone forth from the tribe of Judah, which the kings have recognized. They make a journey from the lands of the East, and hasten to arrive, that they might gaze upon Christ Who in the flesh is born in Bethlehem.

Irmos: Emulating the Prophet Jonah, I cry out: O Good One, free me from corruption! O Savior of the world, save me who cry out: Glory to Thee!

One who shared in the manner of life of the apostles and an emulator of their life wast thou, O divinely inspired one, and thou didst set forth the word of truth unto the end.

Theotokion: The angelic nature marvelled at the ineffable wonder which took place within thee, O all-holy Virgin; how He Who is incorporeal and sustaineth all things took flesh of thee.

O father, thou hast been shown forth as a model of sacred suffering, a tower of endurance, a rule of courage, a pillar of the Church, the confirmation of the Faith, a sign of virtue: having been crowned with honored sufferings in Christ.

Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Thy side.

The eye of thy soul beheld the kingdom of heaven, for it was pure; wherefore, thou didst splendidly set forth thy life, and, honoring it in God, we glorify thee.

Theotokion: O Mistress, save thy people, save those who are of the same blood as thee! Save us, O Mother of Life and of the whole human race, and, even though we are unworthy to call thee our mother, sanctify, make steadfast and save us by thy supplications.

Truly wast thou called the God-bearer, O father; for, held in the arms of the Lord while yet a babe, thou wast presented by Him Who saith to us: “Be ye for Me like unto this child!”

Irmos: The fire neither touched nor vexed Thy children in the furnace, O Savior; for then, as with one mouth, the three hymned and blessed Thee, saying: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Let him who doth not labor not eat! These words of the Apostle Paul didst thou proclaim to thy brethren; wherefore, thou didst raise up a house of industry for the sake of the poor, wherein the impoverished and ailing might be provided for, being sustained by the work of their own hands.

Theotokion: As the Lord hath sworn, so hath He already brought to pass, giving us His Virgin Mother from the seed of David, from whom He was born a babe in the city of Bethlehem, in manner past recounting.

“I am the pure wheat of God,” thou didst cry, O father; “and I hasten to be ground by the wild beasts, that my body may be crushed, that my members may be devoured, that I may become food for the beasts, that I may be shown to be pure bread for God!”

Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

To Christ, the Son Who was begotten of the Father incorruptibly before the ages, and in latter times without seed became incarnate of the Virgin, let us cry aloud: O Lord, Who liftest up our horn, holy art Thou!

Theotokion: Rejoice, thou who gavest birth to the salvation of the world, for through thee have we been taken up from earth to heaven! Rejoice, O blessed one, thou protection and dominion, rampart and foundation of those who chant: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for ever!

Thou didst complete the strange contest of martyrdom with endurance, and didst show forth wondrous courage surpassing all who suffered before thee, consumed with love of unremitting zeal which, like fire, set thy soul aflame.

Irmos: Him of Whom the angels and all the hosts of heaven stand in awe as their Creator and Lord, hymn, ye priests; glorify, ye children; bless, ye people, and exalt Him ­supremely for all ages!

Today the Virgin cometh to give birth ineffably to the preëternal Word in the cave. Dance, O world! And having heard this, with the angels and shepherds glorify the preëternal God, Who is to appear as a little babe.

Theotokion: The Virgin, a noetic phial of alabaster, beareth Christ like an inexhaustible myrrh. And He cometh openly to be poured forth through the Spirit in the cave, that He may fill our souls with His fragrance.

Ever burning in spirit, the hieromartyr cried out with love in the midst of his afflictions: “I press on toward Christ, rejoicing! I am crucified with Christ! I no longer live myself, but Christ alone liveth within me!” he saith.

Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions’ mouths in the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Ikos: O truly awesome wonder past recounting! He Who giveth existence to all, in His goodness hath entered the womb of the holy Virgin, and cometh to be born in the cave, and to be laid in a manger. And His star is herald from on high to the magi who come to do Him homage with gifts, drawing from afar those who zealously follow the prophecy of Balaam, who said: “A star will proclaim beforehand the little babe, the preëternal God!”

Theotokion: He Who is preëternal descended into thy womb, O all-holy Virgin, and ineffably, in manner transcending comprehension and recounting, was born of thee, that He might renew Adam of old; wherefore, we ever magnify thee as the cause of our renewal.

Today the Virgin cometh to give birth ineffably to the preëternal Word in the cave. Dance, O world! And having heard this, with the angels and shepherds glorify the preëternal God, Who is to appear as a little babe.

Irmos: O ye faithful, let us magnify the Theotokos, the ever-flowing, life-receiving wellspring, the light-bearing lamp of grace, the animate temple, the all-pure tabernacle which is more spacious than heaven and earth.

O blessed John, lamp of Kronstadt, thou whose activity and preaching were continual, who didst offer up before the throne of the Most High lamentation over the sins of many, and who in the Spirit didst behold the bowing down of the heavens at the holy liturgy: Pray thou in behalf of our souls!

Theotokion: Adorn thyself, O Eden, for Ephratha hath made ready for the Creator, Who is to be born of the Virgin Mother in the cave of Bethlehem, in His surpassing loving-kindness.

Ikos: O truly awesome wonder past recounting! He Who giveth existence to all, in His goodness hath entered the womb of the holy Virgin, and cometh to be born in the cave, and to be laid in a manger. And His star is herald from on high to the magi who come to do Him homage with gifts, drawing from afar those who zealously follow the prophecy of Balaam, who said: “A star will proclaim beforehand the little babe, the preëternal God!”

Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Having shone forth from the Father, from the womb before the ages, in unconfused manner, the Word of God cometh forth from thy womb without seed, O all-pure one, in the fullness of time, raising up man who of old had grievously fallen, and leading him up to his pristine beauty, in that He is full of loving-kindness. Before His birth the hosts of the incorporeal ones go forth, and they mystically send down hymns of victory upon men, crying out: Glory to God Who hath given us peace, Who hath broken down the middle wall of enmity, as is His pleasure!

Theotokion: Perceiving the incarnation of Christ, Isaiah manifestly prophesieth in the Holy Spirit, saying: “The Lord is born of the Virgin as a babe, for our regeneration! His government is upon His shoulders!”

Guided by Christ God, thou didst make bright thy sacred vesture, having truly received witness, O God-bearer; for thou didst provoke the wild beasts to separate thee from the world, emulating the wondrous Apostle Paul. Wherefore, in Rome, O father, thou didst finish thy martyrdom as is meet.

Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing canon.

Ye mountains, hills and trees of the forest, ye rivers and sea, and everything that hath breath: leap up in gladness! Our salvation now draweth nigh! Jesus cometh to be born of a Virgin in the city of Bethlehem!

Theotokion: Come forth, O Isaiah, and cry aloud: “Behold, a Virgin will conceive in her womb the Deliverer of the world, and will give birth in a cave! And the name of Him Who will be born is Jesus, God is with us, Emmanuel Sabaoth!”

Shining forth like a star from the East, thou didst illumine the world, resplendent in the rays of thy discourses; thou didst drive away the darkness, and like Paul didst valiantly finish the race, enduring tribulations among the nations and in the cities. Wherefore, like wheat thou wast ground by the teeth of wild beasts, as an offering for thy Lord, O blessed God-bearer Ignatius. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who honor thy holy memory with love.

Irmos: The same stone which the builders rejected, is become the head-stone in the corner; this is the stone whereon Christ hath established the Church which He redeemed from among the nations.

Take up thy psaltery, O Prophet David, and sing a hymn clearly, inspired by the Holy Spirit; for Christ God, the Lord of glory, Who shone forth without confusion from the womb of the Father before the morning star, is born of the Virgin.

Theotokion: As God, O Good One, Thou wast well-pleased to be born for our sake in a cave of the earth, abasing Thyself in embracing our low estate in Thy loving-kindness, issuing forth, incarnate, from the Virgin, yet remaining the only Son of the Father and Thy Mother.

The Word of God, Who shone forth without confusion from the bosom of the Father before time began, within time cometh forth seedlessly from thy womb, O all-pure one, lifting up him who of old had grievously stumbled, raising him up to his primal beauty. The armies of the incorporeal beings come forth for His nativity and mystically send forth hymns of victory to men, crying: Glory to God Who hath given us peace, breaking down the middle wall of enmity, as is His good pleasure!

Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing canon.

How can the least and most lowly cave receive Thee born in the flesh, O Word? How is it that Thou Who clothest heaven with clouds art wrapped in swaddling clothes? How is it that Thou liest as a babe in a manger of dumb beasts?

Theotokion: O Eden who wast locked against me of old, open thyself from henceforth, beholding Christ Who is become a babe in the flesh, for He hath been well-pleased to be born in the city of Bethlehem of the Virgin Maiden.

O ye mountains and hills, ye groves of woods, ye rivers and seas, and every living creature, leap up in gladness! For Jesus our salvation cometh to be born of the Virgin in the city of Bethlehem!

Irmos: Foreseeing in the Spirit the incarnation of the Word, O Prophet Habbakuk, thou didst announce, crying out: When the years draw nigh, Thou shalt be acknowledged; when the season cometh, Thou shalt be shown forth! Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Having a firm foundation in Christ, thou didst emulate Abraham of old in thy hospitality, receiving those who came to thee from all lands, and leading them to the Lord; and thus didst thou do what is pleasing unto God.

Theotokion: Becoming like unto men through thee, God is born as a babe for our sake, O Bride of God, yet remaineth wholly immutable. God, having become man, is seen in the flesh.

Take up thy psaltery, O Prophet David, and chant openly, inspired by the Holy Spirit; for Christ God, the Lord of glory, Who without confusion shone forth from the bosom of the Father before the morning-star, is born of the Virgin!

Irmos: The same as that of the foregoing canon.

Desiring to make of thy heart a temple of God, it was thy wish to serve unceasingly in the house of God, adorning thy soul with the beauties of heaven.

Theotokion: Adorn thyself, O Bethlehem! Prepare thyself, O Ephratha! For He Who was begotten of the Father without mother is carried in the womb by a Mother without father, and is born, saving us.

How can the least of caves, exceeding poor, receive Thee Who art born in the flesh, O Word? How art Thou wrapped in swaddling-bands, Who clothest the sky in clouds? How dost Thou lie in a manger of dumb beasts as a babe.

Irmos: Grant us Thy peace, O Son of God, for we know none other than Thee. We call upon Thy name, for Thou art the God of the living and the dead.

Having quenched all the passions of the body with the dew of thy feats, thou didst kindle the light of dispassion; wherefore, thou wast shown also to be a child of the everlasting day, O blessed father.

Theotokion: He Who was foretold by the prophet of old approacheth me as a babe born of the Virgin. Adam rejoiceth, and Eve, our first mother, is released from her pangs. And David, the father of her who giveth birth, danceth with her.

As a prisoner thou dost illumine the earth with the effulgence of thy sufferings, O sacred Ignatius; for making thy transit like the sun, shedding rays of martyrdom, thou didst enlighten the whole evening, shining forth from the East.

Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing canon.

A rod from the root of Jesse and blossom therefrom, O Christ, Thou didst spring forth from the Virgin; from the mountain overshadowed and densely wooded hast Thou come, incarnate of her that kneweth not man, O Thou praised and immaterial God. Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Theotokion: Christ, the Star, hath shone forth out of Jacob, and the magi hasten to the city of Bethlehem, to hymn, worship and honor Him Who was born of the womb of the pure Theotokos.

Bound like Paul between noetic beasts, thou didst hasten to Rome, O wise Ignatius; yet even though thou wast chained thou didst not cease to make the Church steadfast, sending epistles to all the cities, that all the hierarchs of Christ be of good cheer.

Irmos: Emulating the Prophet Jonah, I cry out: O Good One, free me from corruption! O Savior of the world, save me who cry out: Glory to Thee!

May the clouds, rejoicing, let sweetness drop down like dew; for the Lord draweth nigh to be born as a babe of the pure Virgin in a cave.

Theotokion: Rejoice, O pure one, thou animate city of God, wherein God was well-pleased to make His abode! For, without leaving the highest, He descended within thee, like rain upon the earth, O Theotokos, and is born as a babe in the city of Bethlehem.

“I hasten to become Christ’s! I desire Christ alone, for I am wholly Christ’s!”, thou didst cry out, O athlete. “I press onward toward Him; I strive, that I might reach Him! Wherefore, I endure fire, the sword and wild beasts, that I may receive life!”

Irmos: Same as that of the preceding canon.

Leap up now, O divine prophets of God; for He Who is anointed of a truth cometh to fulfill the preaching of your divine tongues, being born as a babe.

“Sweet to me is affliction, and lovely are the chains I bear for Him I desire!”, thou didst cry, O athlete; “Persecutions are sweeter to me than my homeland, as is my being broken sweeter than any gladness; my pangs are dearer to me than all the health of my body.”

Irmos: The fire neither touched nor vexed Thy children in the furnace, O Savior; for then, as with one mouth, the three hymned and blessed Thee, saying: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Unceasingly serving thy Lord and ever emulating the labors of the apostles, O father, thou wast vouchsafed heavenly gifts.

“Let the mouths of the wild beasts be my death and their bellies my tomb!”, thou didst cry, O athlete; “Let no one hinder, let no one break my might; for I hasten to be ground like wheat, that God may find me to be pure bread!”

Irmos: Same as that of the preceding canon.

Having slain the passionate pleasures of thy corruptible flesh, thou didst enliven thine incorruptible soul with piety and didst make of it a house of the divine Spirit.

Rejoicing let the clouds drop forth sweetness; for the Lord draweth nigh already to be born as a babe of the pure Virgin in a base cave.

Irmos: Him of Whom the angels and all the hosts of heaven stand in awe as their Creator and Lord, hymn, ye priests; glorify, ye children; bless, ye people, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Earnestly proclaiming the Gospel of Christ unto all, thou wast a daily communicant at the banquet of the Lord, making thyself and thy flock a living offering which was holy in God’s sight.

O ye divine prophets of God, leap up! For Christ the Truth cometh to fulfill your divine words, being born as a babe.

Irmos: Same as that of the preceding canon.

As God of peace and Father of compassion, Thou didst send Thine Angel of Great Counsel, Who granteth us peace. Therefore, guided to the light of knowledge divine, and waking at dawn out of the night, we glorify Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

“Such a hierarch hath become us: wise, venerable, faithful, undefiled and innocent,” cried Paul, describing beforehand the hallowed image of thy sacred character.

Irmos: O ye faithful, let us magnify the Theotokos, the ever-flowing, life-receiving foundation, the light-bearing lamp of grace, the animate temple, the all-pure tabernacle which is more spacious than heaven and earth.

To the astrologers heaven now pointeth, through a radiant star, to the King of heaven Who is born on earth for our sake in the city of David.

Bound and led forth as a hierarch and prisoner of Christ, O Ignatius, thou didst write to the Churches and cities, confirming all in confession.

Irmos: Same as that of the preceding canon.

The Prophet David clearly holdeth forth and crieth aloud: Thou, O house of Ephratha, O Bethlehem, wherein God manifesteth Himself through the Virgin, leap up and dance!

Piously emulating the corrections of Paul, thou didst endure all tribulations, O right wondrous hieromartyr, thou radiance of the East and star of the evening.

Thou wast a fruitful olive tree in the house of thy Lord, O divinely manifest John, for the Lord imparted divine knowledge unto thee and strengthened thee in thine apostolic work.

Moved to contend by the desire of Paul, with chains on thy hands thou didst travel the world, O hieromartyr, that by thy sacred sufferings thou mightest be right manifest to all.

Ye are the members of the body of Christ! Thus, with the Apostle Paul didst thou preach, and didst teach thy flock to love Christ alone, that all may be one.

We hymn thy struggles, we honor thy fetters with censing and psalms, we venerate the dust of thy relics as rendered redolent of myrrh by thy sacred sufferings.

Thy life is holy, thy discourse, O divinely wise one, was filled with the grace of God, and thy heart became a vessel of grace-filled prayer. Wherefore, with faith and love we honor thee.

To the astrologers doth heaven now shine forth on earth in the city of David: the King of heaven, Who is born for our sake.

The sea monster thrust forth, like a babe from the womb, Jonah, whom it had swallowed; and the Word, Who dwelt within the Virgin and took flesh of her, came forth, preserving her incorrupt. He kept her that gave Him birth unharmed, for He Himself was not subject to corruption.

Manifestly doth the prophet speak forth with eloquence, crying out: “O Bethlehem, thou house of Ephratha, wherein God appeareth from the Virgin, leap up and dance!”

O father John, namesake of grace, who wast chosen by God from childhood, who in thy youth miraculously received from Him the gift of learning, and in a dream wast most gloriously called to be a priest: Entreat Christ God, that we may all abide with thee in the kingdom of heaven.

In the cave of Bethlehem the Virgin manifestly giveth birth to the Lord and Creator of all, and, having wrapped Him as man in swaddling-bands, she now layeth Him in the manger.

Ikos: The Holy Spirit Who spake in the prophets and enlightened the whole world through the apostles, Who gave strength to the martyrs and made clear the Orthodox Faith through the holy hierarchs, poured forth His grace abundantly upon thee, O father John; for by thy discourse, by thy works and thy whole life thou didst proclaim the faith of Christ. Wherefore, the Lord hath summoned thee to His habitations; and as thou standest now before the throne of His glory, pray thou who all who honor thee may abide with thee in the kingdom of God.

Truly loving Him Whom thou didst desire unwaveringly, and having noetically kindled a fire for Him, O Ignatius, thou didst have in thee the water which liveth and speaketh.

Pointing to the appearance of Christ in the flesh, Jeremiah cried out: The Lord hath appeared on earth incarnate; and, born of His Mother in Bethlehem, He hath found every way of knowledge.

Fulfilling the testimony of thy conscience, thou wast not dissuaded at the sight of the wild beasts, nor wast thou affrighted, for thou didst desire to be ground like wheat by their jaws.

Let us hearken to the sacred words: The Lord is born a babe for our sake, Whose government is upon His shoulder; and He is called the Angel of the Father’s great counsel, Christ the Prince of peace.

O hieromartyr, thy long torments and unbroken bonds, thy rending asunder in Rome, and the fire of the torturers, which thou didst endure for thy Creator, thou didst reckon as nought.

By the providence of God wast thou shown to be a light of piety amid the heavy darkness of godlessness and unbelief, O father, calling upon all to cry out: Blessed art Thou in the churches of Thy glory, O Lord!

Burning greatly with the love of Christ, O athlete, thou didst tread upon the fire of thy trials as upon the morning dew, that thereby thou mightest attain Him Who loveth thee.

Man is in the image of God; and thou, O father John, wast a most splendid mirror of the love of God and a dwelling place of the Holy Trinity, Whom we sinners also glorify.

Even though, thirsting, thou didst drain the cup of Christ, yet didst thou ever prefer to suffer rather than to live; and thou didst cry out: “These things are to me nothing more than the means whereby I may attain life!”

From the Lord didst thou receive the grace to heal the infirmities and passions of men; visit us also therewith always, that with thee we may all chant in oneness of mind: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, for ever!

The luminous day of thy radiant struggles proclaimeth beforehand to all Him Who hath been born in the cave; for thirsting to delight in His love, thou didst hasten to be devoured by the wild beasts. Wherefore, thou hast been called the God-bearer, O most wise Ignatius.

The children, raised together in piety, scorning the impious decree, feared not the threat of the fire; but, standing in the midst of the flame, they sang: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Ikos: Once Abraham sacrificed his son, prefiguring the slaying of Him Who sustaineth all things; and thou, O divinely wise one, hast offered thy whole self to Him as a sacrifice, becoming food for the wild beasts, and didst show thyself to be pure wheat for thy Creator, truly abiding forever in the granaries of heaven, delighting Him by thy zeal. Having forsaken the whole world for His sake, thou hast been called the God-bearer, O most wise Ignatius.

The Lord manifestly cometh to His own. Let us receive Him, that, born in the cave, He may make His own again those who have been denied access to the sweetness of paradise.

Showing forth the advent of Christ in the flesh, Jeremiah cried aloud: “God hath appeared on earth, incarnate; and He hath found every path of knowledge, being born of His Mother in Bethlehem.”

Behold, our summons arriveth! Let us zealously give utterance to joyous hymnody, and let us chant the hymns of the forefeast unto Him Who is born in the meanest of caves.

Lo! for the root of Jesse a rod hath sprung forth producing Christ as flower. On Him Who is now born thereon in the cave doth the Spirit of understanding, counsel and divine vision rest.

Cleanse our hearts and thoughts by thy supplications, and show us forth to be fertile ground, that, girded about with virtue, we may cry out: Bless the Lord all ye works of the Lord!

Let us listen to the sacred words: the Lord is born as a babe for our sake. His government is upon His shoulders, and He is called the Angel of the great Counsel of the great Father, Christ, the Prince of peace!

Thou wast crowned with a wreath of the gifts of grace, contemplating heavenly wisdom and ever crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Thou didst have within thee none of the fire which loveth fuel, O Ignatius, but rather the living water which speaketh, the water which crieth: “Come thou to the Father!”, the water which runneth from life to the life which transcendeth us.

Triadicon Glory to Thee, O all-holy, life-creating Spirit, Who proceedest from the Father and ever restest in the Son! Glory to Thee, O Son of God, Who sanctifiest through the Holy Spirit, and strengthenest and makest us wise! Glory to Thee, O Father, Who art ever well pleased with us through the Holy Spirit! O indivisible Triune Unity, have mercy upon us!

“Let the fangs of the wild beasts be for me sword, weapons and slaughter; let the bellies of the lions be for me a tomb; and let the fire devour me before corruption devoureth my remains!” said Ignatius.

The dew-bearing furnace presented an image of a supernatural wonder, for it did not consume the young men whom it had received, as the fire of the Godhead consumed not the Virgin’s womb wherein It had entered. Wherefore, chanting, let us sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

“To me death is sweet,” he said; “to me all the pangs of my labors are sweet: the wild beasts are delightful, and this fire is like dew unto me, if it doth not withhold Life from me. Wherefore, I hasten to die, that I may live with Christ!”

Let us leap for joy with the patriarchs and all the righteous, and with the holy prophets, for the Lord Jesus our deliverance, enlightenment, life and salvation, is now born of the Virgin in the city of David.

“I prefer not to live in the body, for I desire to live in spirit. A thing of divine love is it for me to live for Christ. To Him do I go; Him do I love, and Him do I hope to receive!”, he said.

Already the vestibule of the divine incarnation of the Word is manifestly opened unto all. Rejoice, ye heavens! Leap for joy, ye angels! And let the earth rejoice in spirit with men, shepherds and magi!

The Lord manifestly cometh to His own by a strange birth. Let us receive Him, that, being born in the cave, He may again make His own those who were exiled from the sweetness of paradise.

Truly thou wast a light to the world, O holy father, for, having adorned thy soul with godly works, thou wast shown to be an eminent pastor of the Orthodox Church, being a model for the faithful in word and life; wherefore, we bless thee.

Lo! our Restoration cometh! With zeal let us give voice to hymns of joy, and let us chant the songs of the forefeast to Him Who is to be contained by the least of caves.

Keeping ever before thy mind the one Creator, through Whom and in Whom all things exist, with a pure heart and guileless soul thou didst labor for Him all thy life as for thy Lord; and thou wast in no wise in bondage to Mammon.

That which the Lord hath promised, He hath already fulfilled, having given us His Virgin Mother from the seed of David. From her hath a Babe been born in the flesh in the city of Bethlehem, in manner past recounting.

Princes praised thee and many people glorified thee; but, disdaining earthly glory, thou didst desire to be in the eternal mansions of God, there to glorify the Lord for ever.

Hymned be Ignatius, the godly hierarch, twice crowned, as martyr and pastor; for, having suffered for the love of God, desiring to be desired, he was not dissuaded from suffering.

A strange and most glorious mystery do I behold: the cave is heaven; the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim; the manger, the place wherein lay Christ God, Whom naught can contain, and Whom praising, we magnify.

With journeys of faith, like the sun from the heavens thou didst valiantly pass over the ends of the earth; and having passed without waning, from the earth to Christ, thou illuminest the world with the light of incorruption.

Performing thy priestly ministry in the temple of the first-called of Christ, and zealously emulating his apostolic service of faith, thou wast a good laborer of the garden of Christ, and didst bring the faithful to the Lord like a bountiful harvest, ever proclaiming throughout thy whole life: My life is in Christ!

Thirsting for the cup of the suffering of Christ, thou didst hasten, bound, O wise Ignatius; and having reached the arena, thou didst not recoil, crying aloud: “I thirst for Christ with an eternal thirst!”

O Bethlehem, prepare ye a new dwelling: a cave and the sacred manger! Ye assemblies of shepherds and wise men from the east: Go to it, guided by the radiance of the star, for the Virgin giveth birth therein to the all-Perfect One as a Babe.

O the love and ardor of divine zeal! He is crucified to the desires that he might live for Him Who loveth. He thirsteth for Him Who thirsted and loveth Him Who loveth, preferring to die, that he might live forever.

At the Praises: 8 stichera; for of the forefeast, alphabetical, the composition of Romanus the Melodist, in Tone VI—

Putting aside the flesh, he immaterially furnished wings to his mind, to soar aloft to Him Who Is, desiring Him Who loveth; for He is truly eternal Desire, Wisdom, the Life of those who have existed.

Automelon: Go before us, ye angelic hosts, and prepare the manger in Bethlehem; for the Word is born, Wisdom cometh forth, and the Church receiveth a salutation, to the joy of the Theotokos. O ye people, let us say: O our God, blessed art Thou Who comest! Glory be to Thee!

With the patriarchs and all the righteous, and with the holy prophets let us leap up. The Lord Jesus, our Deliverance, Enlightenment, Life and Salvation, is now born of the Virgin in the city of David!

Prosomoia: Let the mountains rain down sweetness, for, lo! God cometh from Teman. Submit yourselves, ye nations! Rejoice, ye prophets! Leap for joy, ye patriarchs! Clap your hands, O men! Christ, the mighty and great Prince, is born! The King of the heavens cometh to earth!

Already have the outer gates of the incarnation of the divine Word been manifestly opened unto all! Rejoice, O ye heavens! Ye angels, leap up! Let the earth be glad in the Spirit with men, the shepherd and magi!

The Creator is come, raising up mankind from the earth, making His royal image new again! Rejoice together, ye hosts on high, and chant! The middle wall of enmity is broken down! He is come Who accomplished this! For God becometh man, the King of Israel, Christ our God!

As a noetic phial the Virgin holdeth Christ as He were ointment which hath not been poured forth; and He cometh forth to be manifestly poured out by the Spirit in the cave, that He might fill our souls with His sweet fragrance.

Come, O hard-hearted Israel, cast away the cloud which lieth over thy soul. Acknowledge the Creator Who is born in the cave. He is the expectation of the nations. He shall abolish thy festivals, for thou shalt not deign to cry out: Christ cometh forth, the King of Israel!

Ignatius, the seer of things afar off, the minister of the highest mysteries, performing the immaculate service, as priest maketh himself a sacrifice through martyrdom, and prepareth himself for the wild beasts and the fire.

And 4 stichera of the saint, in Tone VIII, Spec. Mel: “O most glorious wonder...”—

Desiring to clothe thyself in the image of God, thou didst remove the ancient images. Wherefore, receiving the pristine beauty of man’s primal appearance through that which is new, not that which is old, thou dwellest together with Christ.

O most joyous tidings! The child John entreateth God, asking God’s mercy, that He enlighten his mind. He casteth himself down before the icon, confessing to God the sorrow of his heart. And, lo! the bindings fall from the eyes of the child’s mind, and the boy is illumined with the light of Christ, that he might do mighty things and teach many. Twice

By thy sufferings thou didst make thy sacred vesture yet more sacred, O most sacred one; wherefore, having received a twofold crown, with the martyrs and pastors thou dost hymn Christ our God, O hieromartyr.

Stichos: Thy priests shall be clothed with righteousness, and Thy righteous shall rejoice.

“I am the pure wheat of God,” thou didst say; “and I am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that in sanctity I may be made into pure bread for God Who loveth men; and, loving Him, I do not refuse to die.”

O abundance of wonders! O living splendor of love! Who will not marvel at thy beneficence and thy loving-kindness toward the destitute? In the countless number of thy miracles thou wast like the glorious and holy hierarch of Myra in Lycia. Wherefore, the cities and villages of the land of Russia, O righteous John, through thee beheld the light of Christ.

Illumined with light unapproachable, and dwelling in the mansions on high, O sacred Ignatius, praying continually to God thy Creator in behalf of thy flock, cease thou never in thy supplications.

Stichos: The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him.

The all-unoriginate Word, the Wisdom of God, communing with men in His ineffable goodness, taught the people of old, holding thee in His arms, O God-bearer Ignatius; and, living in God, thou didst pass, rejoicing, through the sufferings of martyrdom.

As light and warmth cannot be separated from the sun, so in thee sanctity and learning, love and compassion were present, O most sacred John, who wast given by God to the people. Wherefore, O pastor, warm us and enlighten us; be thou like the sun unto our souls.

Adorn thyself, O Bethlehem, as a new dwelling-place! Ye manger and cave, ye company of shepherds, ye magi from the lands of the East, come early unto Him, guided by the radiance of the star; for therein the Virgin already giveth birth to Him Who is most perfect, as a babe.

“Bowing down before the holy icons, I glorify Christ, God incarnate, the image of the glory of the Father. I confess the Father, Who begat the Son without beginning. I glorify the divine likeness of men, who are temples of the Holy Spirit. And beholding the image of the Cross, I sense the power of the Cross.” Behold, this is thy theology, O holy father, wherein thou didst emulate the great teachers of the Church, honoring the iconographic images to the glory of their prototypes.

Come, ye earthborn, and together let us unceasingly hymn the Virgin, Mary the Theotokos, from whom Christ is born.

On the Praises, 4 stichera of the forefeast, the acrostic whereof is the [Greek] alphabet, the composition of Romanus the Melodist, in Tone VI—

Automelon: Go forth, ye angelic hosts, and prepare the manger in Bethlehem; for the Word is born, Wisdom issueth forth, and the Church receiveth His salutation. Unto the joy of the Theotokos say, O ye people: O our blessed God Who hast come forth, glory be to Thee!

Prosomia: Let the mountains drop forth sweetness! For, lo! God cometh from Thæman! O ye nations, submit yourselves! Rejoice, ye prophets! Leap up, O ye patriarchs! Clap your hands, O men! Christ, the mighty and great Prince, is born! The King of the heavens cometh to earth!

Lifting mankind up from the earth, the Creator hath come, making His royal image new again. Rejoice together, ye hosts on high, and sing! The middle wall of enmity hath been broken down! He hath come Who hath ruled. For God is become man, Christ our God, the King of Israel.

Come, O hard-hearted Israel! Part thou the cloud which lieth over thy soul, and recognize the Creator Who is born in the cave. He is the expectation of the nations. He shall abolish thy feasts; for thou wilt not submit to cry out: Christ is come, the King of Israel!

Glory…, in the same tone & melody—

Christ draweth nigh! Prepare thyself, O Bethlehem! The salvation of the nations already shineth forth! Adorn the manger, assemble the shepherds, call forth the magi from Persia, and summon the armies of the incorporeal intelligences! The King of the heavens cometh to earth!

Now & ever…, in the same tone & melody—

Jealousy and fire devoured thee, O truly mindless deceiver, and the curse of the law. For, lo! the Virgin, as Isaiah foretold, hath conceived in her womb, and layeth in the manger the King in Whom no mighty ruler shall be lacking in the tribe of Judah.