At Vespers

After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.

A Reading from Proverbs

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 of the forefeast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—

Troparion of the martyr, in Tone IV—

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

“He is our God, and none other shall take His place!” the prophet exclaimed in the Spirit; “He hath found every path of knowledge, and thereby hath made Himself like unto men, arraying Himself in flesh; for He cometh to be born of the divine Maiden and Virgin. He Who is unapproachable in essence becometh accessible to me.”

Now & ever…: troparion of the forefeast, in the same tone—

A Reading from Proverbs

Thy womb, O most immaculate Theotokos, is shown to be a heap of flour, ineffably containing the uncultivated Wheat in manner past understanding and recounting. Thou givest birth in the cave of Bethlehem to Him Who will nurture all creation with divine understanding and grace, and deliver mankind from soul-destroying famine.

After the blessing of the loaves, the troparion of the saint, in Tone IV—

The unblemished heifer, bearing the fatted Calf within her womb, cometh to the holy cave to give birth to Him in all-glorious manner, to wrap Him as a man in swaddling-bands, and to lay Him in a manger as a babe. Celebrate the forefeast, O creation, joyfully magnifying Him Who hath wrought such glorious things on earth.

And the troparion of the forefeast, in the same tone—

And 3 stichera of the martyr, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

Having dyed for thyself a robe of salvation in the stain of thy blood, O most lauded one, and illumined thyself in spirit, thou didst betroth thyself to the immortal King Who preserveth thee incorrupt and undefiled unto the ages of ages, as a virgin all-adorned and unsullied in the mansions of heaven.

Having received wounds and been cast into the fire, having endured the rending of thy flesh, and valiantly borne the boiling cauldron, thou wast not vanquished in resolve, and didst not sacrifice to graven images; but, bowing thy neck unto God, thou didst ascend to the heavens as a crown-bearer through martyrdom by the sword.

Adorned with drops of thy blood, thou wast most manifestly resplendent, like the sun, O most lauded martyr Juliana, and didst dispel the gloom of ungodliness by grace; and thou hast illumined the faithful who honor thy valiant struggles and thy splendid and radiant memory, which is salvific for all.

Glory…, Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in Tone VI—

Hold festival, O Sion! Be glad, O Jerusalem! O city of Christ God, receive the Creator, Who is contained by the cave and the manger! Open thy gates unto me, that, entering through them, I may see Him Who holdeth creation in His hand wrapped as a babe in swaddling-bands, Whom the angels hymn with unceasing songs: the Lord, the Bestower of life, Who saveth our race.

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

The predictions of all the prophets are now fulfilled; for Christ is born of the pure divine Maiden in the city of Bethlehem.

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

O honored Bethlehem, thou glory, joy and boast of mortal men, divine metropolis: receive thy Creator.

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

The Word of the Father, by Whom all things came into being, is seen as a single Hypostasis in two natures, dispassionately and unchangeably.

Glory…, Now & ever…, the composition of Byzantius, in Tone VI—

O Virgin who knewest not wedlock, from whence hast thou come? Who gave birth to thee? Who was thy mother? How is it thou bearest the Creator in thine arms? How is it that thy womb hath not experienced corruption? O the all-glorious and awesome mysteries wrought in thee, which we see performed on earth, O most holy one! On earth we prepare for thee thy due as is meet: the cave; and from the heavens we ask that a star be given. The magi come from the lands of the East to those of the West, to behold the salvation of men wrapped in swaddling-bands in the manger.

Thy martyr Juliana, O Christ, crieth out with a loud voice: “I love Thee, O my Bridegroom, and, seeking Thee, I suffer; I am crucified and buried in Thy baptism; I suffer for Thy sake, that I may live with Thee. Accept me as an unblemished sacrifice, who offer myself to Thee with love!” Through her supplications save our souls, in that Thou art merciful.

Make ready, O Bethlehem! Open unto all, O Eden! Adorn thyself, O Ephratha! For the Tree of life hath blossomed forth from the Virgin in the cave. Her womb is shown to be a noetic paradise, wherein lieth a divine garden, eating from whence we live, not dying like Adam. Christ is born to raise up His image which before was fallen.

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 3 of the forefeast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

With uprightness of mind let us utter beforehand hymns of the forefeast of the nativity of Christ; for He Who is equal in honor with the Father and the Spirit, having in His loving-kindness clothed Himself in our matter, desireth to be born in Bethlehem. His ineffable nativity have the shepherds hymned with the angels.

Let us lift up our voices with cymbals and proclaim in hymns: The manifestation of Christ hath been shown forth! That which the prophets foretold hath been fulfilled! For He Whom they prophesied hath appeared in the flesh unto men; He is born in the holy cave; He lieth in a manger as a babe, and as an infant is wrapped in swaddling bands.

Prepare thyself, O Bethlehem! Throw thyself open now, O Eden! The most holy one cometh to give birth! Let the heavens be glad; let men leap up! Life lieth in a manger; He Who is rich resteth in a cave! He cometh in the magnitude of His mercy, assuming the poverty of Adam without change or confusion.

And 5 stichera of the saint, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “With what wreaths of praise…”—

With what wreaths of praise shall we crown the holy hierarch: the crown of the priesthood, the instiller of piety, the brilliant ornament of the Church, the inexhaustible wellspring of divine healings, the river of many wonders—Peter, who maketh the land of Russia glad with torrents of miracles, our fervent intercessor and guardian? Twice

With what humble mouths shall we hymn the holy hierarch, who dwelleth with the incorporeal ones and is wondrous in miracles, who was sanctified from earliest infancy: the unshakable pillar of the Church, the source of gladness for our land, the standard of righteousness, the feeder of orphans, the defender of the oppressed and physician of the sick who exacted no fee? Twice

Come, ye assemblies of the faithful, and let us clap our hands as say the psalms, hymning the divine Peter, the consolation of the grieving and helper of the desperate, the boast of the Russian land and adornment of the whole priesthood, the river of mercy, who was truly a lover of the divine humility of Christ, Who granteth great mercy to the world.

Glory…, idiomelon, in Tone I—

Enlightened from on high with the radiance of the manifestation of God, O Peter, with firmness of mind thou didst avoid the laws of nature as though they were shadows, for thou wast bedewed with true grace, O thou who art most wise. Wherefore, as a receptacle of the all-holy Spirit, thou didst receive the gift of miracles, and dost enrich thy children therewith. And now, standing before Christ with the primates of the Churches, pray thou in behalf of our souls.

Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in the same tone—

O manger, receive Him Whom Moses the law-giver foresaw in the bush on Horeb, and Who is now born of the Virgin through the divine Spirit. She is the one who was spoken of in the law; she is the seal of the prophets, who revealeth God in the flesh unto those who are subject to corruption. Him do we worship.

Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three readings:

The memory of the just is praised, and the blessing of the Lord is upon his head. Blessed is the man who hath found wisdom, and the mortal who knoweth prudence. For it is better to traffic for her, than for treasures of gold and silver. And she is more valuable than precious stones: no precious thing is equal to her in value. For length of existence and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory: out of her mouth righteousness proceedeth, and she carrieth law and mercy upon her tongue. Hearken to me, O children, for I will speak solemn truths. Blessed is the man who shall keep my ways; for my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and in them is prepared favor from the Lord. Ye, O men, do I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men. I, wisdom, have built up; upon counsel, knowledge and understanding have I called. Counsel and safety are mine; prudence is mine, and strength is mine. I love those that love me; they that seek me shall find grace. O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge. Hearken unto me again; for I will speak solemn truths. For my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse. They are all evident to those that understand, and right to those that find knowledge. For I will instruct you in truth, that your hope may be in the Lord, and ye may be filled with the Spirit.

Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet will he be in rest. Thus the righteous one who hath died shall condemn the ungodly that are living. For they will see the end of the righteous, and will not understand what God in His counsel hath decreed of him. For the Lord shall cast the ungodly down headlong, that they will be speechless; and He shall shake them from the foundations; and they will be utterly laid waste, and be in sorrow; and their memorial will perish. And when they cast up the account of their sins, they will come with fear: and their own iniquities will convict them to their face. Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him and made no account of his labors. When they see it, they will be troubled with terrible fear, and will be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation. And they, repenting and groaning from anguish of spirit, will say within themselves: “This was he whom we held betimes in derision, and as a proverb of reproach. We fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honor! How is he numbered among the children of God; and how is his lot among the saints? Therefore have we strayed from the path of truth, and the light of righteousness hath not shined unto us, and the sun of righteousness rose not upon us. We wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and destruction. Yea, we have gone through deserts, where there lay no way: but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it.”

The mouth of the righteous droppeth wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish. The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse. False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto Him. Wherever pride entereth, there will also disgrace: but the mouth of the humble doth meditate wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the overthrow of the rebellious shall spoil them. Possessions shall not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. When a just man dieth, he leaveth regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy and causeth joy. Righteousness traceth out blameless paths: but ungodliness encountereth unjust dealing. The righteousness of upright men delivereth them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. At the death of a just man his hope doth not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perisheth. A righteous man escapeth from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare for citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous. In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospereth, but at the destruction of the wicked there is exultation. At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted, but by the mouths of ungodly men it is overthrown. A man void of understanding sneereth at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.

At Litia, the sticheron of the temple, and these stichera of the saint—

In Tone IV: Today is the Church splendidly adorned, and it rejoiceth, crying: My beauty is more luminous than all others; for the glorious Peter, the ornament of holy hierarchs, hath gone up to heaven, to the King Who reigneth above all kings! Come, ye assemblies of the Orthodox who love the feasts of the Church, and let us offer up hymns and praises unto Him, crying aloud: O adornment of hierarchs, entreat Christ God, that He deliver the Christian people from all sorrow, and save our souls!

In Tone VI: The divine grace of the Spirit hath revealed thee as a holy hierarch and hath shown thee forth as an excellent teacher. Wherefore, rebuking the darkness of ungodliness, thou didst enlighten the people with teachings of the knowledge of God, O divinely wise and holy hierarch Peter. Thou art the glory and adornment of hierarchs, and wast for all an excellent model of teachings. As thou hast boldness before Christ God, ever pray that our souls be saved.

The fruit of thy noble works enlightened the hearts of the faithful, O sacred father. For who hath heard of thy boundless humility and is not amazed at thy patience, and at thy kindness toward the poor and mercy toward the sorrowful? Thou didst teach all in godly manner, O holy hierarch Peter; and crowned now in the heavens with a wreath which withereth not, pray thou in behalf of our souls.

Glory…, in the same tone—

O thrice-blessed, venerable and sacred father, good shepherd, disciple of Christ the Chief Shepherd, who laid down thy soul for thy sheep: O all-praised and holy hierarch Peter, by thy supplications now make entreaty, that He grant us great mercy.

Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in the same tone—

Hold festival, O Sion! Be glad, O Jerusalem! O city of Christ God, receive the Creator, Who is contained by the cave and the manger! Open thy gates unto me, that, entering through them, I may see Him Who holdeth creation in His hand wrapped as a babe in swaddling-bands, Whom the angels hymn with unceasing songs: the Lord, the Bestower of life, Who saveth our race.

At the aposticha, these stichera of the forefeast, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O most lauded martyrs…”—

Seeing the Creator held in thine arms, O most pure one, thou didst exclaim: “O my sweet Child, how is it that I behold Thee as a babe, and am now unable to understand Thine unapproachable condescension? I hymn Thy might and worship Thy loving-kindness, for which cause Thou hast come to save the world!”

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

O Mother who knewest not wedlock, He Who is invisible hath appeared, incarnate of thee, born in a cave, and seen of the divine ranks of heaven; for He hath come to deliver man from the deception of the serpent. Be not amazed at thy birthgiving which transcendeth nature, O most immaculate one!

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

“I behold Thee, the all-perfect Babe, lying in the manger, and I cannot fathom the ineffable depths of this mystery! How have I remained incorrupt after giving birth, transcending the laws of nature? What manner of praise shall I offer Thee? How shall I glorify Thee?” the Virgin Maiden exclaimed.

Glory…, in Tone VIII—

Come, all ye faithful, and together let us hymn the most blessed Peter, the lamp of piety, the rule of abstinence, the pillar of patience, the treasury of simplicity, the abundant river of humility, the consolation of the poor, the receiver of strangers, the truly blessed husbandman of the true love of Christ. For, having lived and passed over to heaven, he hath been shown to be a helper and savior of men, a physician of illnesses and incurable sufferings, and a liberator from all manner of perils; and he entreateth Christ to save our souls.

Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in the same tone—

O Bethlehem, become the metropolis of God: for the never-waning Light cometh to be born within thee! Ye angels, marvel in heaven! Ye men, render up glory on earth! Ye magi, bring an all-glorious gift out of Persia! Ye shepherds, piping, sweetly sing the thrice-holy hymn: Let every breath praise Him Who accomplisheth all!

Be glad now, O earth that before wast barren! For, lo! Christ hath shown forth within thee a luminary who shineth forth clearly in the world and healeth our infirmities and ailments. Wherefore, join chorus and rejoice with boldness; for it is the high priest of the Most High who doeth these things. Twice

Make ready, O Bethlehem! Open unto all, O Eden! Adorn thyself, O Ephratha! For the Tree of life hath blossomed forth from the Virgin in the cave. Her womb is shown to be a noetic paradise, wherein lieth a divine garden, eating from whence we live, not dying like Adam. Christ is born to raise up His image which before was fallen. Once

Be it known that when the service to Saint Peter the Metropolitan is celebrated, we chant the canon of the Martyr Juliana at compline, together with the triodion, to which we append the stichera of the martyr.