Irmos: O Thou Who wast born of the Virgin, drown Thou, I pray Thee, the three parts of my soul in the depths of dispassion, as of old Thou didst drown the mounted captains of Pharaoh; that, in the mortality of my body, as on a timbrel, I may chant a hymn of victory.
Theotokion: The Virgin cometh to give birth in the cave to the Creator of nature Who hath ineffably and supernaturally taken flesh from her hypostatically, that He might deify mankind.
Canon of the forefeast, the acrostic whereof is the [Greek] alphabet, the composition of Joseph, in Tone IV—
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.
Rejoice, O heaven, and be glad, O earth! For our God, having taken on flesh, is born of the Virgin Maiden and is wrapped in swaddling-bands; and He breaketh the bonds of our transgressions, in that He is compassionate. The pure Queen giveth birth in manner past understanding to the King of all Who openeth the kingdom on high to the faithful and utterly removeth the sin which ever accursedly reigneth within us.
Irmos: O Thou Who wast born of the Virgin, drown Thou, I pray Thee, the three parts of my soul in the depths of dispassion, as of old Thou didst drown the mounted captains of Pharaoh; that, in the mortality of my body, as on a timbrel, I may chant a hymn of victory.
The writings of the prophets attain their end; for, lo! Christ Whom they proclaimed beforehand is revealed, incarnate, in the city of Bethlehem. Let us hasten now to celebrate the forefeast of His nativity today with uprightness of mind.
Canon of the martyr, the acrostic whereof is: “May God confer the grace to hymn thee, O martyr”, the composition of Joseph, in the same tone—
Manifestly resplendent with the radiance of martyrdom, thou dancest in God, deified in sanctity, O most lauded one, and bestowest illumination upon those who hymn thee by thy supplications.
Thou wast wounded by the most sweet love of Christ, O most lauded one, and, having put away the carnal passions and thy corruptible bridegroom, thou didst betroth thyself to Him Who created thee, O immaculate and pure virgin.
God, the Creator of all, illumining thy mind with beauties of manifest brilliance, hath counted thee worthy to join the choir of virgins in the mansions of heaven, O divinely wise martyr.
Canon of the forefeast, the acrostic whereof is the [Greek] alphabet, the composition of Joseph, in Tone IV—
Rejoice, O heaven, and be glad, O earth! For our God, having taken on flesh, is born of the Virgin Maiden and is wrapped in swaddling-bands; and He breaketh the bonds of our transgressions, in that He is compassionate. The pure Queen giveth birth in manner past understanding to the King of all Who openeth the kingdom on high to the faithful and utterly removeth the sin which ever accursedly reigneth within us.
The writings of the prophets attain their end; for, lo! Christ Whom they proclaimed beforehand is revealed, incarnate, in the city of Bethlehem. Let us hasten now to celebrate the forefeast of His nativity today with uprightness of mind.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.