Canon of the Forefeast

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “He hath visited us…”—

Irmos: Like a barren woman hath the Church of the nations given birth, and she could scarce bear the great assembly of children. Let us cry out to our wondrous God: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Katavasia: Christ is born…

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

Sessional hymn of the martyr, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…”—

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “Go forth, ye angelic hosts…”—

Theotokion: Delivering men, the Deliverer is born in Bethlehem of the pure one, being wrapped as a babe in swaddling-bands.

Daniel beheld Thee, O Word, as the Stone cut from the mountain of the Virgin, which broke the temples of the idols in pieces by Thy might. Wherefore, we glorify Thee with fear.

Glory…, Now & ever…: another exapostilarion—

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

Kontakion of the forefeast, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “Seeking the highest…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: sessional hymn of the forefeast, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”—

The creative Wisdom now cometh forth! The clouds of prophecy are parted! Grace doth flourish, and Truth hath shone forth! The shadows of indistinct images cease to be! The gates of Eden have opened! Dance thou, O Adam! God our Creator hath of His own will taken on form!

Theotokion: Beholding thy virginity sealed after birthgiving, O Theotokos, and held fast by awe, thou didst cry aloud: “O my Child, how is it that I wrap thee now with swaddling bands, Who girdest the sea with sand?”

Guided to Thee by the star, O Christ, Thou King of all, the magi from the East bring gifts—myrrh, gold and frankincense—marvelling at Thy condescension.

Exapostilarion of the forefeast: Spec. Mel.: “He hath visited us…”—

Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine hath come on a light cloud, and with His incorrupt arm hath saved those who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

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

Sessional hymn of the saint, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…”—

Fulfilling the sayings and visions of the prophets, the Word is born in the flesh, taketh on coarse matter and, having been born, lieth in a manger of dumb beasts. Lo! the extreme condescension! Behold the awesome dispensation, for which cause we chant: Christ, the King of Israel, hath now arrived!

Theotokion: A new wonder! The all-pure Virgin cometh to the cave of Bethlehem to give birth to God Who had become man.

The unploughed field beareth the life-bearing Grain; Mary cometh to give birth in the city of Bethlehem to Him Who feedeth the souls of all who cry: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Glory…, exapostilarion of the saint: Spec. Mel.: “Hearken, ye women…”—

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!

Kontakion of the saint, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Today hath appeared…”—

Now & ever…, sessional hymn of the forefeast, In the same melody:

Behold, in manner past understanding and recounting, the pure one giveth birth to the Son of God Whom the prophets of old proclaimed, foreseeing through the Holy Spirit, Who preserveth her undefiled, and releaseth Adam from sin. O ye people, let us say: Christ our King hath now arrived in the flesh!

Theotokion: The Creator Who hath wrapped the sea in mist of His own will is born of the Virgin Maiden; He Who delivereth the world deigneth to be wrapped in swaddling-bands as an infant.

Thou didst make thy soul the all-holy temple of God, O glorious one, ever continuing in the temples of God with hymnody and supplication.

Now & ever…: Another exapostilarion of the forefeast—

Irmos: The ungodly perceive not Thy glory, O Christ; but, waking at dawn out of the night, we hymn Thee, O Only-begotten One Who lovest mankind, Thou effulgence of the glory of the Father’s divinity.

Kontakion of the saint, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “To thee, the champion leader…”—

Without leaving the bosom of the Father, Thou didst reveal Thyself as man, and held in the arms of the Virgin, by a star Thou didst summon the magi from Persia, who worshipped Thee as King and God. Thou dost destroy the ungodly princes of the heathen with the spirit of Thy lips, and dost shepherd the people whom Thou hast brought into existence.

Theotokion: Rejoice, O Virgin Mother, thou dwelling-place of the Uncontainable One, desiring for our sake to give birth in a cave, O all-pure one, to Him Who guideth all creation by His hand as a mortal man.

Desiring to obtain the greatest of gifts, O most honored one, thou didst endure the pangs of the flesh as in another body.

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.

Glory…, in the same tone & melody—

Theotokion: Setting the clouds for His ascent, through the cloud of the Virgin the Lord cometh to be born for us, that He might dispel the dark cloud of sin from the souls of us who cry out to Him: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

With the drops of thy blood thou didst extinguish the fire and didst water the thoughts of the faithful, O Juliana.

Irmos: I have come unto the depths of the sea, and the tempest of my many sins hath engulfed me; but, as God, lead up my life from the abyss, O greatly Merciful One.

The Word Who is consubstantial with the Father, receiving human form from the precious blood of the Virgin, taketh form and groweth with the passing of time; and He is born in the cave. Great is the awesomeness! The angels chant, and man clap their hands: Christ, the King of Israel, cometh forth!

Theotokion: Bearing Him Who upholdeth all things, the Virgin cometh to Bethlehem to give birth to Him, and to lay in a manger, as a babe, Him Who doth excellently accomplish the restoration of men.

Rendered wholly pure by the beauties of virginity, and having now been crowned with wreaths of martyrdom, O virgin Juliana, thou grantest healing and salvation unto those in need and affliction who approach thy shrine; for Christ poureth forth divine grace and life everlasting.

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.

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

Theotokion: O all-pure Theotokos, who gavest birth unto the Creator and Savior of all who hymn thee: from misfortunes save thy city, unceasingly praying to thy Son and our God for us.

Having come to love the Bridegroom, Creator and God, thou didst forsake thy corruptible bridegroom, O honored martyr, and, rejoicing, thou didst endure torments, laceration and fiery torture. Wherefore, thou hast entered into the divine bridal-chamber wearing a crown, asking forgiveness of transgressions for all.

Irmos: The three youths in Babylon, having put to mockery the tyrant’s command, cried out amid the flames: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

The prophecies of Balaam the magus receive their fulfillment; for those who were filled with Persian miracles, illumined with the brilliance of the unusual star by Christ Who was incarnate in Bethlehem, the never-setting Sun, indicate by their bestowal of gifts God the King, Who of His own will became a mortal man.

Theotokion: The radiant Sun cometh, appearing from the gates which were shut; for His appearance hath abolished the night, and the day draweth nigh. Wherefore, O our corrupt nature, receive from the Virgin the Master Who is become man for thy sake.

Be ye filled with joy, O ye ends of the earth; for the Theotokos draweth nigh to give birth to the King of all. O the ineffable mystery! The Unoriginate One hath a beginning! The Incorporeal One becometh incarnate! The cave receiveth Him Who holdeth all things! Rejoice, O Bethlehem, and dance, O creation, on this day of His forefeast!

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!

At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—

Theotokion: Be thou for me a refuge and haven, an unassailable rampart and helper, O all-pure Virgin who gavest birth in the flesh unto God, the most compassionate Deliverer and Savior of those who hymn thee, O Bride of God.

The holy phial of precious sanctity cometh to pour forth in the city of Bethlehem Him Who imparteth sanctity unto all of us who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

Irmos: O Almighty Deliverer of all, descending into the midst of the flame Thou didst bedew the pious youths and didst teach them to chant: Bless and hymn the Lord, all ye works!

The star shineth forth, signalling beforehand Him Who is born in the cave. O ye shepherds and angels, ye magi with gifts, make haste to come forth!

Theotokion: God, Who is strong and mighty, hath now revealed Himself to those who are in the darkness of the shadow of death. O ye faithful, behold the great Light—Christ—in the cave, Who is to be born of the Virgin in awesome manner. Let us hymn her with faith.

O divinely eloquent Isaiah, beholding the fulfillment in matter of thine honored prophesies, rejoice and dance! For without seed the Virgin hath given birth in the flesh to the Uncontainable One in the cave of Bethlehem.

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!

Stichos: God shall come forth out of Thæman, and the Holy One out of a mountain overshadowed and densely wooded.

Theotokion: The assemblies of hierarchs and the choirs of the venerable glorify thee in sacred manner; for thou didst bear in thine arms, as an infant, the Creator of all, the Son and Word of God.

Jesus is born in the flesh; the Timeless One is seen as an infant in time, and by His ineffable abasement deifieth me who have become poor through corrupting disobedience.

Irmos: Eve, through weakness, abode under the curse of disobedience; but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, hast put forth blessing for the world through the Offspring of thy child-bearing. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

That He might fulfill the predictions of the prophets, the Lord is born in Bethlehem. And He openeth Eden unto the descendents of Adam.

Theotokion: As it is written, the Lord hath now sent deliverance unto peoples, tribes and nations; for He maketh all peoples for Himself, that they may worship the one incarnation of the Son and confess thee to be the Theotokos.

Having acquired a mind outstretched toward the Lord of all, stretched in the flesh and cruelly wounded thou didst in nowise deny Him, O goodly virgin Juliana.

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.

Stichos: O Lord, I have heard Thy report, and I was afraid; O Lord, I considered Thy works, and I was amazed.

Theotokion: O all-pure one, we call thee the myrrh, in that thou gavest birth in the flesh unto God, the gracious Myrrh poured forth upon all who have recourse to thy protection.

The love of the Master succeeded in casting the flesh into darkness, O most lauded martyr; wherefore, thou didst despise riches, thy bridegroom and multifarious tortures.

Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

O Bethlehem, with myrrh do thou anoint the holy manger; for the Master will put forth the rays of His divinity.

Theotokion: In the abyss of His ineffable compassions, the great Shepherd of men and High Priest cometh forth as a man from the Virgin. Prepare thyself, O Bethlehem! Ye shepherds, raise a hymn proclaiming unto the ends of the earth our common exaltation!

Rending thee, the unblemished ewe-lamb, with wounds, like jackals, O martyr, the torturers rendered thee a divine lamb of God, a sacrifice for God unblemished and whole.

Irmos: 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!

Glory…, Now & ever…, In the same melody:

Theotokion: Thou wast more exalted than the heavenly hosts, having conceived the ineffable Word of God, Who hath accomplished all things by His word, and Who was begotten of the Father before time began. Him do thou never cease to entreat, O pure one.

God Emmanuel is born of the Virgin, and, laid in a manger, of His own will He worketh our restoration. Wherefore, we piously celebrate the forefeast of His nativity.

Irmos: Like a barren woman hath the Church of the nations given birth, and she could scarce bear the great assembly of children. Let us cry out to our wondrous God: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Come, O ye mortals, and let us together unceasingly hymn Mary, the Virgin Theotokos, from whom Christ is born!

Theotokion: O true wonder! Wonder past recounting and all understanding! The Virgin is acknowledged to be both Virgin and Mother, and Him Who was born of her to be both God and man. Celebrating the forefeast of His radiant nativity, we sing hymns of joy.

O Thou Who art the Word Who is without beginning, equal in essence with the Father, having been laid in a manger of dumb beasts thou hast released from irrationality us who piously celebrate the forefeast of Thy nativity.

Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest ­mankind.

On the Praises, 8 stichera: 4 in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “Go forth, ye angelic hosts…”—

Theotokion: Having thee now as a haven of salvation, O Virgin Theotokos, we flee the misfortunes and storms of life; and, escaping to the harbor of thy tranquility, we cry out to thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Blessed was the root of Jesse which produced the pure one who beareth the divine Flower, Christ the Lord. And, rejoicing, we celebrate the forefeast of His nativity.

Irmos: To Christ God, the Son Who was begotten of the Father without corruption before time began, 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!

The creative Wisdom now cometh forth! The clouds of prophecy are parted! Grace doth flourish, and Truth hath shone forth! The shadows of indistinct images cease to be! The gates of Eden have opened! Dance thou, O Adam! God our Creator hath of His own will taken on form!

Theotokion: The Master cometh to be born in the cave as a man. Let us go forth to greet the pure Virgin, O ye faithful, chanting unto her with joy: Rejoice, joy of the world! Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of Christ!

With the outpourings of thy blood unjustly shed thou hast dried up the stream of wicked ungodliness, O martyr, and thou hast quenched the fire of falsehood.

Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine hath come on a light cloud, and with His incorrupt arm hath saved those who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

Fulfilling the sayings and visions of the prophets, the Word is born in the flesh, taketh on coarse matter and, having been born, lieth in a manger of dumb beasts. Lo! the extreme condescension! Behold the awesome dispensation, for which sake we chant: Christ, the King of Israel, hath now arrived!

Theotokion: O all-pure and all-glorious Virgin Mistress, with the holy hierarch Peter earnestly entreat thy Son and King, that from all need and tribulation He deliver thy loyal city of Moscow, which blesseth thee with faith, O Lady, and doth hymn and exalt thee supremely for all ages.

Thou didst offer thyself wholly unto God, having dyed the purple robe of thy virginity most splendidly with the dye of thy blood.

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.

Behold, in manner past understanding and recounting, the pure one giveth birth to the Son of God Whom the prophets of old proclaimed, foreseeing through the Holy Spirit, Who preserveth her undefiled, and releaseth Adam from sin. O ye people, let us say: Christ our King hath now arrived in the flesh!

Theotokion: Not disdaining that which He created in His own image—me who am wholly fallen and have perished, O pure Virgin Theotokos,—God hath wholly restored me through thee. Wherefore, all creation continually hymneth thee, the cause of our salvation, saying: Blessed art thou among women, O most immaculate Mistress.

Wounded in soul by Thy beauty, O Master, the virgin passed over visible beauties, splendid in her suffering.

Irmos: 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 who knew not man, O Thou praised and immaterial God. Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Without leaving the bosom of the Father, Thou didst reveal Thyself as man, and held in the arms of the Virgin, Thou didst summon the magi from Persia by a star, who worshipped Thee as King and God. Thou dost destroy the ungodly princes of the heathen with the spirit of Thy lips, and dost shepherd the people whom Thou hast brought into existence.

Theotokion: O all-pure Mary, Mistress and Lady, by thine entreaties cleanse my defiled heart and soul, and make me an heir to life everlasting; and, remembering not my countless evils, beseech thy Son and God for me, wretch that I am, and preserve those who hymn thee, O most holy one.

Having been born for us as a little babe on earth, O Thou Who shone forth ineffably from the Father before time began, free all from the ancient disobedience, in that Thou art compassionate.

Irmos: The ungodly perceive not Thy glory, O Christ; but, waking at dawn out of the night, we hymn Thee, O Only-begotten One Who lovest mankind, Thou effulgence of the glory of the Father’s divinity.

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

Theotokion: Let us hasten to behold the greatest of wonders! For the Virgin cometh, bearing in her womb the Babe Who giveth life to babes. Angels join in common hymnody with shepherds, proclaiming the salvation made manifest in the cave.

Strange and all-glorious things were heard in the city of Bethlehem when Thou wast born, O unoriginate Word; for with the angels shepherds offered up hymnody to Thee as Master.

Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.

O venerable father Peter, while yet in thy mother’s womb thou didst receive a calling to be a bishop which was uttered by God. From childhood thou didst love Christ, receiving from Him the flock of His reason-endowed sheep, and thou didst shepherd well the Church of God. Wherefore, we celebrate thy dormition and, rejoicing, we magnify Christ. Twice

The star of righteousness ineffably proclaimeth to the magi the Sun Who hath been born; and, rejoicing, we now celebrate the forefeast of His honored nativity.

Irmos: 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, Who lovest mankind.

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

Wounded by divine desire, thou didst cry aloud: “I go forth to attain Christ Who is comely in beauty! Wherefore, I endure tortures, rejoicing with unwavering resolve!”

Irmos: I have come unto the depths of the sea, and the tempest of my many sins hath engulfed me; but, as God, lead up my life from the abyss, O greatly Merciful One.

Praying for us, O venerable hierarch Peter, by thy supplications unto God ask confirmation for the Church, care and guidance for the bishop of the flock, victory for the nation over the Moslems and triumph over all enemies, an unshakable and unassailable existence for thy city, and remission of sins for all the faithful people who have recourse unto the shrine of thy relics, O holy hierarch.

The evil tyrant commanded that the ewe-lamb of the Lord, whose mind was set on Christ, be mercilessly stretched out and broken with iron rods.

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.

Stichos: The mouth of the righteous shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak of judgment.

Thou didst rise early unto Christ, the never-setting Sun, O divinely wise one, and with His splendors didst illumine thy soul and heart; and thou hast been translated to everlasting light.

Irmos: 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, issued forth, preserving her incorrupt. He kept her who gave Him birth unharmed, for He Himself was not subject to corruption.

O venerable and divinely wise father, thou hast truly revealed thyself, guiding unto the way of truth the hearts of those who have been deceived. Thou wast the defender of the poor and widows, the steadfast chastening of nobles. O holy one, ask thou remission of sins for all the faithful who have recourse unto the all-pure Mother of God.

Beholding Him Who holdeth the whole world in His hands wrapped in swaddling-bands in Bethlehem, let us offer up hymns of the forefeast to her who gave birth to Him; for she rejoiceth maternally, holding the Son of God at her bosom.

Irmos: The three youths in Babylon, having put to mockery the tyrant’s command, cried out amid the flames: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Glory…, in Tone VI—

Ikos: Holding the Son of God in her arms, and kissing Him with maternal tenderness, the Virgin exclaimed: “I knew not seed in conceiving, and I have not undergone corruption in giving birth! I am as pure now, after giving birth, as I was before! Wherefore, I proclaim Thy surpassing loving-kindness, O my Child, and the unapproachable majesty which Thou hast shown forth upon me! Therefore, I rejoice, holding the Son of God at my bosom!”

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Every city and land rejoiceth, celebrating today with the glorious city of Moscow; for the great Peter, our wondrous physician and savior, doth offer us doses of heavenly medicine. He hath lovingly called all to his free cures, which are not wrought by human skill or by philtres, but through the activity of the Holy Spirit, imparting supernatural healing of soul and body. And receiving this in abundance, we of every generation and age glorify Christ God, Who for the sake of His favored one bestoweth great mercy upon those who sing his praises.

How can a cave contain Thee, the Uncontainable One, Who cometh to be born for our sake? How can the Virgin give suck to Thee, Who art the Nourisher of all, O compassionate Jesus?

Irmos: The children raised together in piety, disdaining the ungodly command, feared not the threat of the fire, but, standing in the midst of the flame, they chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Now & ever…, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “Go forth, ye angelic hosts…”—

Following the words of the magus Balaam, the magi hastened to pay homage to Christ with gifts, perceiving that He is the One Who reigneth over all creatures.

Irmos: O Almighty Deliverer of all, descending into the midst of the flame Thou didst bedew the pious youths and didst teach them to chant: Bless and hymn the Lord, all ye works!

The prophecies of Balaam the magus receive their fulfillment; for those who were filled with Persian miracles, illumined with the brilliance of the unusual star by Christ Who was incarnate in Bethlehem, the never-setting Sun, indicate by their bestowal of gifts God the King, Who of His own will became a mortal man.

O human nature, devoid of any of the virtues, rejoice and dance! For Christ cometh to be born in the flesh of the Virgin, that He might show thee to be right fruitful in good works.

Irmos: The Lord Who was glorified on the holy mountain, and by the fire in the bush revealed to Moses the mystery of the Ever-virgin, hymn ye and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Without pity the judge mindlessly cast thee into the heated cauldron, O martyr; but by an angel the Lord preserved thee unharmed, for thou didst worship Him.

Irmos: 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 which it had entered. Wherefore, chanting, let us sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Undaunted, O most honored martyr, with manly mind thou didst enter the fire, sensing only coolness, and crying aloud: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

Irmos: Eve, through weakness, abode under the curse of disobedience; but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, hast put forth blessing for the world through the Offspring of thy child-bearing. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

Thou didst offer thy Bridegroom, like a wreath, the people who had come to believe on Him, and with thy radiant miracles thou didst cut through the gloom of falsehood.

Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.

In Thine ineffable loving-kindness, to save me who through my great disobedience have become a den of thieves, O Christ, it was Thy will to be born in a cave of the pure Virgin.

Irmos: 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, Whom praising, we magnify.

Signing a writ of complete remission for me, Thou, the Author of creation, didst register Thyself with servants in accordance with the edict of Cæsar. O Master, I hymn the unfathomable abyss of Thy loving-kindness!

O radiant palace of the Master, how is it that thou hast entered the least of caves to give birth to the Lord and King Who became incarnate for our sake, O most holy Virgin Bride of God?

Having thine eyes and mind lifted up to God Who is able to save, by the grace of the divine Spirit thou didst extinguish the boiling of the cauldron, O martyr, chanting with faith the hymn of the children: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Obeying the words of the wicked tyrant, the vain-minded ones who were worthy of fire cast thee alive into the fire, O martyr; yet, bedewed by the love of thy Bridegroom, thou wast not consumed by the fire, honoring Him, O God-bearer.

Thou didst stand before the tribunal, professing Christ to be the immortal God Who hath endured crucifixion and slain falsehood, and granteth immortal life to the faithful who cry: Hymn the Lord, all ye works!

O ye faithful, let us dance, leap up and cry out together: The Salvation of all cometh! The Lord draweth nigh to be born, that He might save those who with godly wisdom celebrate His nativity!

Take up thy psaltery and harp, O holy David, and chant in hymnody: O house of Ephratha, be glad! For He Whom the Father begat from within Himself is all-radiantly born in thee, incarnate of the Virgin!

Like a downpour, like a mighty rain-fall hath the Master descended into thy womb, O Virgin Mother and Theotokos, and He hath watered lands hardened by dark ungodliness and dried up the seas of falsehood.

The angels marvelled at the struggles which the God-bearing Juliana undertook for the Faith: how in her womanly nature she put to shame him who had brought death to our first mother in paradise.

As a passion-bearer all-adorned and a most excellent virgin thou hast lawfully received the crown of righteousness, having in thy flesh trampled the incorporeal foe underfoot and emerged triumphant.

We honor thee, the noetic swallow, the incorrupt turtle-dove and dove, whose wings were gilded by thy witness, and who soared aloft and found rest in God.

Thou didst blossom forth in the vales of martyrdom like a lily, O passion-bearer Juliana, and in virginity thou wast as fragrant as a rose, becoming divine perfume for thy comely Bridegroom.

Come, O ye faithful, let us all offer up hymns of the forefeast of the nativity! Christ already cometh to be born in Bethlehem, that He might save the world, in that He alone loveth mankind.

O Bethlehem, land of Judah, adorn thy gates! For already the Virgin Theotokos approacheth to give birth within thee, in a cave and a manger, to my Lord and God.

O divinely wise father, holy hierarch Peter, open thou mine unworthy lips, that I may hymn thee; and accept as incense of sweet savor that which, unworthy though I am, I have offered unto thee out of my poverty.

Let us all hymn Peter, the great hierarch. Let us honor the helper and confirmation of the land of Russia, whom the Lord hath given to the city of Moscow as a vigilant guardian.

Thou didst follow the saving commandments of Christ, O all-wise and holy hierarch Peter, and wast an intercessor for widows and orphans, and the great defense of the Russian land.

Taking the grace of the Spirit into thy heart, O father, holy hierarch of Christ, illumine the tongue and enlighten the heart of those who hymn thee, that with splendor we may hymn thy memory, O venerable Peter.

The great Peter, the mighty pastor of the Church, summoneth shepherds and flock, and the whole Church, to his memorial. Wherefore, having assembled, let us with splendor keep the festival of our common father.

Even though thy corrections are beyond our words and thoughts, O father Peter, yet do thou accept with love the spiritual offering which we make unto thee according to our strength, O right wondrous one; for we are none of us able to fashion fitting hymns for thee.

Daniel beheld Thee, O Word, as the Stone cut from the mountain of the Virgin, which broke the temples of the idols in pieces by Thy might. Wherefore, we glorify Thee with fear.

Guided to Thee by the star, O Christ, Thou King of all, the magi from the East bring gifts—myrrh, gold and frankincense—marvelling at Thy condescension.

The unploughed field beareth the life-bearing Grain; Mary cometh to give birth in the city of Bethlehem to Him Who feedeth the souls of all who cry: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

By thine entreaty to our Creator and God crush the Moslems and all our godless adversaries, O venerable Peter; show forth their power, which warreth against us, as impotent; and subdue their wicked savagery.

O Master, in a generation gone by Thou didst show forth a wonder-worker, the holy hierarch Peter, the confirmation of the Russian land, the upright rule of Thy Church, the leader of the priestly rank.

The man who touched thee while thou wast in thy coffin was counted worthy to receive healing, O holy one; for by the grace of God thou didst enable him to stretch forth his arms, which were bent in upon his breast.

God, Who knoweth all things, knew thee in the womb before thou wast conceived, O God-bearer. And when thou wast born, He sanctified thee and made thee a great shepherd of His sheep; for He entrusted His sheep to thee, as He did to the Apostle Peter.

Parting the sea of the passions with the staff of abstinence, O blessed one, like Moses thou didst ascend the mountain of dispassion, and, having received noetic tablets, thou didst teach thy flock the law of God.

Thou wast shown to be humble, meek and gentle, O Peter; wherefore, the grace of the Spirit, abundantly poured forth upon thee, revealed thee to be a great man who shineth over our land with rays of miracles.

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

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!”

Thine all-radiant memorial hath dawned today, O all-blessed hierarch Peter, shining forth with splendor in the world, and revealing divine effulgence unto all.

Thou hast been revealed to the world as a resplendent beacon, illumining the thoughts of the faithful with the brilliance of thy discourses, O holy hierarch Peter our father; wherefore, with joy we all celebrate thy sacred and divine memory today.

O virgins, begin ye beforehand the joy of virgins; ye mothers, praise the coming forth of the Mother of Christ our God; rejoice, O magi, with the angels, and ye shepherds with us! For the Virgin cometh to give birth in the city of Bethlehem to a Son, the preëternal God, Who saveth the world from corruption.

The holy phial of precious sanctity cometh to pour forth in the city of Bethlehem Him Who imparteth sanctity unto all of us who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

O divinely eloquent Isaiah, beholding the fulfillment in matter of thine honored prophesies, rejoice and dance! For without seed the Virgin hath given birth in the flesh to the Uncontainable One in the cave of Bethlehem.

Jesus is born in the flesh; the Timeless One is seen as an infant in time, and by His ineffable abasement deifieth me who have become poor through corrupting disobedience.

With the grace of the Spirit thou wast anointed a high priest, O most excellent Peter; for thou didst put on Christ because of thy pure life. Wherefore, thou didst teach all to glorify the one God in Trinity.

Deliver thy flock from the storm of sin, from tribulations and sorrows, O venerable hierarch Peter, leading us to the calm harbor of the divine will of Christ.

Thou wast shown to be a favorite of Christ, O all-hallowed father Peter; wherefore, cease thou never to pray to the Lord, that He deliver thy flock from perils, misfortunes and sorrows, and from violent trials.

Bowing to the laws of the Spirit from earliest childhood, O venerable one, thou didst pass over the laws of the flesh, which by mighty asceticism thou didst mortify in thy life. Wherefore, thou art given to the faithful as a great wonder-worker, O blessed Peter.

Thou gavest neither sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids, until the Creator of all found thy heart to be a tranquil place. And, having fittingly purified it, the eternal King and God showed it forth to be His habitation of glory.

Slay thou the incurable carnality of my mind, O all-wise one, and as thou art mighty and powerful, guide me to the divine ways. Make me subject to good laws, O blessed one, and show me, who have been enslaved to cruel passions, to be a servant of Christ.

God Emmanuel is born of the Virgin, and, laid in a manger, of His own will He worketh our restoration. Wherefore, we piously celebrate the forefeast of His nativity.

O Thou Who art the Word Who is without beginning, equal in essence with the Father, having been laid in a manger of dumb beasts thou hast released from irrationality us who piously celebrate the forefeast of Thy nativity.

Blessed was the root of Jesse which produced the pure one who beareth the divine Flower, Christ the Lord. And, rejoicing, we celebrate the forefeast of His nativity.

Standing round about thy shrine, O venerable hierarch Peter, we have thee as a mediator before God, a help and an unshakable confirmation for the land of Russia.

As thou wast merciful to the poor, O all-praised one, ask now the mercy of the Spirit; for in exercising almsgiving, O holy father Peter, thou didst set up a radiant lamp.

Thou wast truly the habitation of the Holy Spirit, O blessed Peter, and wast well enriched by the divine gifts revealed in Him.

The great wealth of thy compassions hath been shown forth in our land as an infinite outpouring of thy mercy, O servant of Christ; for thou dost answer those who petition thee, and dost strive to fulfill their requests, O blessed one.

Thou wast shown to be meek and humble in deed and word, and thereby drew all to thee. With love and good works thou subduest all, and by thy miracles thou didst gladden the hearts of those thou didst strengthen.

Christ, the great Shepherd of all, showed thee forth as the shepherd and teacher of His reason-endowed sheep, O blessed one. As a compassionate shepherd, seek me out now, who am thy sheep lost in the mountains of perdition.

Having been born for us as a little babe on earth, O Thou Who shone forth ineffably from the Father before time began, free all from the ancient disobedience, in that Thou art compassionate.

Strange and all-glorious things were heard in the city of Bethlehem when Thou wast born, O unoriginate Word; for with the angels shepherds offered up hymnody to Thee as Master.

The star of righteousness ineffably proclaimeth to the magi the Sun Who hath been born; and, rejoicing, we now celebrate the forefeast of His honored nativity.

Thou didst make thy life chaste, O thou who art manifest in sanctity, adorning thyself with righteousness and uniting to thyself the virtues by manliness of mind, O all-blessed and holy hierarch Peter.

Preserve thy city from the predations of the ungodly infidels and from civil strife, O all-blessed hierarch Peter, unceasingly entreating Christ the Master to grant peace to thy flock.

Glorified even after thy death as one living, thou workest miracles for the infirm and by the grace of God givest healing unto those who are crippled; for the Lord saith: I will glorify him who glorifieth Me.

Thou wast truly a father to orphans and a helper of widows, O glorious one, the sweet consolation of the grieving and those in sorrow, the healer of sufferings of soul and body; wherefore, we call upon thee to be our intercessor amid our adverse circumstances.

Joyfully celebrating thy memorial with the people today, sacred men keep festival, O father, and together with them true hermits and simple folk hymn thee in common as their intercessor and teacher.

I alone am become a wicked child through vile passions, O all-glorious father, and for this cause am unworthy to participate in thy goodly and beautiful celebration; yet, having washed away the defilement of my soul and body, O venerable one, show me forth as worthy of thy festival.

Unto thee, the chosen and wondrous wonder-worker of our land, do we flee today with love, weaving hymns, O God-bearer. As thou hast boldness before the Lord, deliver us from multifarious evil circumstances, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O confirmation of our city!

Ikos: Thou hast been shown to be a new wonder-worker, imparting healings unto all who fervently approach thee in humility of heart. And, invisibly visiting the Christian people, O God-bearer, thou dost enlighten our land, that together we may cry out to thee thus: Rejoice, abode of the light of dispassion; rejoice, dispeller of dark passions! Rejoice, thou who hast set at nought the wiles of the demons; rejoice, thou who hast gladdened the ranks of the angels! Rejoice, summit of the pure vision of God; rejoice, depths of humility, washing sicknesses away! Rejoice, for thou didst behold invisible things; rejoice, for thou hast joined the choir of holy hierarchs! Rejoice, pastor and teacher of the Russian land; rejoice, excellent boast of bishops! Rejoice, thou for whose sake God hath shown forth great miracles; rejoice, thou in whom God is glorified! Rejoice, O confirmation of our city.

How can a cave contain Thee, the Uncontainable One, Who cometh to be born for our sake? How can the Virgin give suck to Thee, Who art the Nourisher of all, O compassionate Jesus?

Following the words of the magus Balaam, the magi hastened to pay homage to Christ with gifts, perceiving that He is the One Who reigneth over all creatures.

O human nature, devoid of any of the virtues, rejoice and dance! For Christ cometh to be born in the flesh of the Virgin, that He might show thee to be right fruitful in good works.

Open unto me the gates of repentance, O all-blessed hierarch Peter, that I may wash away the defilement of my wretched soul and body, directing all my senses and my conscience to chant unto God: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

We, thy servants, have thee as a fervent helper and the unassailable rampart and confirmation of thy city of Moscow; and we fear not the adverse foe, but vanquish them by the power of Christ, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Thou didst confirm the rules of the fathers, and with the magnificence of the priesthood didst build an all-beauteous church for the all-holy Mother of God; and by thy teachings thou didst instruct the people to chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Together our land and other countries proclaim thy wonders, O father, teaching all to chant unto Christ most joyously: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

The Bridegroom Who surpasseth all the sons of men in beauty, as it is written, showed thee forth to His bride, the Church, as a most comely bridegroom who bore the likeness of His image.

Having adorned thy life with almsgiving, meekness and true love, thou wast shown to be an excellent emulator of the good Shepherd, having chosen well His virtues.

In Thine ineffable loving-kindness, to save me who through my great disobedience have become a den of thieves, O Christ, it was Thy will to be born in a cave of the pure Virgin.

Signing a writ of complete remission for me, Thou, the Author of creation, didst register Thyself with servants in accordance with the edict of Cæsar. O Master, I hymn the unfathomable abyss of Thy loving-kindness!

O radiant palace of the Master, how is it that thou hast entered the least of caves to give birth to the Lord and King Who became incarnate for our sake, O most holy Virgin Bride of God?

Though I have been overcome by the enemy through many transgressions of the tumults of life, like Manasseh I approach Thee with faith, O Christ, and cry out to Thee in repentance: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely forever!

O all-blessed one, earnestly make supplications and entreaties unto God for thy servants, for, having thee as helper and ally amid griefs, we are saved from misfortunes, hymning the Lord and exalting Him supremely forever.

The children of Hagar are arming themselves against thy humble people, O all-honored hierarch, father Peter. Crush them with the invisible power of thy prayers to the Master in behalf of us, thy faithful servants, who hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely forever.

By thy supplication nurture this thy flock which is great in number; by thy prayers still thou the storm of contrary winds, both physical and spiritual; deliver us from all temptations and troubles, and preserve us utterly unharmed.

The descendents of Hagar, who rise up against us and desire to vex thine inheritance, have fallen, vanquished by thy supplications, and are become a mockery and a byword, bewailing their fall; but we joyously hymn thy sacred memory.

Ineffable is thy love for thy children, surpassing paternal love, O father; wherefore, thou dost ever invisibly visit us, by thy constant supplications asking salvation for us, and giving us joy and tranquility, O Peter.

O ye faithful, let us dance, leap up and cry out together: The Salvation of all cometh! The Lord draweth nigh to be born, that He might save those who with godly wisdom celebrate His nativity!

Take up thy psaltery and harp, O holy David, and chant in hymnody: O house of Ephratha, be glad! For He Whom the Father begat from within Himself is all-radiantly born in thee, incarnate of the Virgin!

Like a downpour, like a mighty rain-fall hath the Master descended into thy womb, O Virgin Mother and Theotokos, and He hath watered lands hardened by dark ungodliness and dried up the seas of falsehood.

Like the harlot, the thief and the publican I cry unto Thee from the depths of my heart: I have sinned! Forgive me my manifold offenses, O Master, and deliver me from all Thine anger through the entreaty of the holy hierarch Peter, that I may unceasingly magnify Thee.

Come, all ye people of Moscow! And, gathering at the tomb of the blessed hierarch Peter, cry out unto God with tears, saying: O Lord, deliver Thy people from misfortunes, that we may magnify Thee forever!

Thine own city of Moscow greatly rejoiceth in thee, O all-honored father, holy hierarch Peter, having thee as an ally and helper. Depart not now in spirit from us, O master, making supplication for us to God, that He deliver us from the violence of the ungodly Moslems, our enemies, that we may ever magnify thee.

It is not possible to sing thy glory as is meet; for thou grantest manifold miracles and countless healings in abundance unto those who with ardent faith approach thee, O holy hierarch Peter, thou boast of our land.

Christ hath set thee as the foundation of His Church and a mighty tower forever unshakable, protecting and making steadfast thy city, that it might remain utterly unshaken and unassailed by its enemies.

Let all of us—bishops, priests and monks, and all the people, men and women, the old and the young, of every age and every dignity—splendidly celebrate the memory of our holy hierarch.

Come, O ye faithful, let us all offer up hymns of the forefeast of the nativity! Christ already cometh to be born in Bethlehem, that He might save the world, in that He alone loveth mankind.

The Holy Spirit anointed thee a hierarch, O all-blessed Peter, to tend the flock of Christ in the fields of salvation; wherefore, thou didst strive to guide the people along the straight paths. For this cause thou hast now received twofold crowns from the Bestower of crowns.

Make ready, O Bethlehem! Adorn thy houses! For unto thee doth the Virgin come, bearing the infant Christ, Who with the Father is equally without beginning. For He hath come to save the human race.

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