day 23

December 23: Commemoration Of The 10 Holy Martyrs Of Crete

As a man of active prayer, in mind thou didst behold the noetic hosts, laying up divine words in thy heart, wherein thou didst also set up ascents like a ladder, O venerable Nahum our father. Pray thou now, that peace and great mercy be granted to our souls. Twice

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O most lauded martyrs…”—

The troparion of the saint, in Tone IV—

The 23rd Day Of The Month Of December

O most venerable Nahum, from childhood thou didst rest thy life upon Christ our God; and, strengthened by Him, thou didst make the passions of the flesh subject to thy mind, causing that which is baser to submit to that which is higher. Wherefore, pray thou, that He grant peace and great mercy to our souls.

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

Forefeast Of The Nativity Of Christ

O our divinely wise father, thou wast shown to be a beacon most great, enlightening the world with the effulgence of miracles and divine works. Wherefore, the unapproachable Light received thee after thou didst fall asleep. Pray now, that He grant peace and great mercy to our souls.

Commemoration Of The 10 Holy Martyrs Of Crete

Glory…, in Tone VIII—

(for this day we provide also the service in honor of St. Nahum of Okhrid)

The fruit of thy divine labors made steadfast the hearts of the faithful, O venerable father; for thou gavest no slumber to thine eyelids until thou didst send forth the glad tidings of Orthodox. Wherefore, assembling, we all hymn thy memory, O Nahum. Therein watch over us, interceding with boldness before Christ, and ask that we be delivered from evils.

December 23: Holy Nahum, Equal of the Apostles & Wonder-worker of Okhrid

Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in Tone VIII—

Also on The 23rd Day of the Month of December

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!

Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ

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

Commemoration of the Holy Nahum, Equal of the Apostles & Wonder-worker of Okhrid

“Bearing gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold unto Thee, O Son, the kings of the East have arrived, knowing that Thou wast to be born; and, lo! they stand beyond the doors! Give Thou the command, that they may behold Thee as an infant held in mine arms, Who art infinitely older than ancient Adam!”

At Little Vespers

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

“Come ye, and enter with haste,” the Virgin said to the magi of old, “and behold the Invisible One Who hath become visible in becoming a babe!” And they came in with ardor and rendered homage and offered gifts, fulfilling the divine prophecies.

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

“In mine arms I bear Thee as a babe, Who holdest all things, and I am amazed,” said she who knew not wedlock. “How can I feed with milk Thee Who feedest all, O my Son and Creator? I glorify Thy boundless condescension toward men, whereby Thou savest the world which is perishing!”

Glory…, of the saint, in Tone IV—

Thy good works have shone forth like the sun on earth and in heaven, O blessed servant of Christ, for in Mœsia thou didst preach the true and immaculate Faith of Christ in Orthodox manner. Wherefore, pray thou, O most blessed and God-bearing Nahum, that at thy commemoration we be granted great mercy.

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

Dance, O Isaiah, and taking up the word of God, prophecy to the Maiden Mary: The bush shall burn, yet shall not be consumed by the radiance of the Godhead! Adorn thyself well, O Bethlehem! Open wide thy gates, O Eden! Ye magi, come and behold Salvation wrapped and lying in a manger, to Whom the star hath pointed, shining above the cave: the Lord and Bestower of life, Who saveth our generation!

Thou hast departed this world, cleaving unto Christ. And having crucified thy flesh, thou livest for the Spirit, O most blessed Nahum. Thou didst strive to follow the course of the apostles, and didst win countless multitudes in Bulgaria for the Faith. Wherefore, through thy supplications deliver us from temptations.

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.