Canon of the Forefeast

Exapostilarion of the martyrs: Spec. Mel.: “With the disciples…”—

Irmos: Creation, beholding Thee, Who suspended the whole earth without support upon the waters, born in the cave, was seized with great awe, crying out: None is holy save Thee, O Lord!

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

Sessional hymn of the martyrs, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—

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

Theotokion: We were released from the bonds of condemnation when the Creator was wrapped in swaddling-bands, and we have been clothed in the vesture of our primal beauty, O Theotokos.

Thou didst desire to clothe Thyself in the guise of a servant, that Thou mightest deliver me from slavery to the evil one. I hymn Thy loving-kindness, O Word Who art equally without beginning and consubstantial with the Father: Glory to Thy dispensation!

Glory…, Now & ever…: exapostilarion of the forefeast: Spec. Mel.: “Hearken, ye women…”—

Irmos: Establish us in thee, O Lord Who hast slain sin by the Tree, and plant the fear of Thee in the hearts of us who hymn Thee.

Kontakion of the martyrs, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast appeared today…”—

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

Thy mystery, appointed beforehand by the Father before time began, and proclaimed of old by the prophets, hath been revealed in the latter days: God hath become man, receiving flesh from the Virgin, the Uncreated One taketh on form of His own will, He Who Is entereth temporal existence: Christ cometh forth, the King of Israel.

Theotokion: O Theotokos, with hymns all creation honoreth thee as the joy of all, celebrating the forefeast.

The Virgin cometh to give birth to the Lord in the cave! Come forth, O ye magi! Ye shepherds, come forth! Ye angels, cry out hymns from on high: The Deliverance of men hath come!

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast visited us…”—

Irmos: Foreseeing Thine advent from the Virgin, Habbakuk cried out in awe: Incarnate, Thou hast come from Thæman, O Deliverer, to restore Adam who had been expelled!

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

Sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—

I hymn Thee, O King Who art wrapped in swaddling-bands, for thou loosest the bonds of my falls into sin, and, honoring me with immortal and incorruptible glory, Thou hast made me wholly the Father’s own, refashioning and restoring me. Wherefore, I cry to Thee: Christ cometh forth, the King of Israel.

Theotokion: Delivered from the falsehood of idolatry, O pure one, through thee we have come to know the one Creator and Savior. Wherefore, at His nativity we honor thee with love, O all-pure one.

Seeking me who have become lost and by my barren acts have been shown to be a den of thieves, O Thou Who lovest mankind, Thou hast now arrived at the cave to be born today of the Virgin, O Master. Glory to Thine advent, O Word!

Glory…, another exapostilarion—

Irmos: I heard report of Thee and was afraid, O Lord; I understood Thy works, and marvelled and cried out: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

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

Glory…, another sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—

The magi, observers of the stars, beholding through the star the Light which hath proceeded from the Light and shone forth from the Virgin upon those on earth, cast off the darkness of Persia and all the deception of astrology, and chanted in joy to God Who was born: “Blessed is our God Who hath come! Glory be to Thee!”

Theotokion: We mortals have been vouchsafed the honor of the divine regeneration of Christ God, Who in manner past understanding was born of thee in the flesh, O Bride of God.

Wrapped in swaddling-bands, the Word Who hath been born in the flesh hath rent asunder the garments of our ancient condemnation, and hath clothed us in incorruption.

Now & ever…: Exapostilarion of the forefeast—

Irmos: I rise early unto Thee, O Word of God, Who, in Thy loving-kindness, didst immutably debase Thyself and didst assume through the Virgin the guise of a servant. Grant peace unto me who have fallen, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Now & ever…, sessional hymn of the forefeast, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—

Mocked by the wise magi, Herod furiously cut down the infants as though they were grass, intending to smite Thee with his hand befouled by murder; but Thou didst go to the Egyptians, dispelling their darkness most profound. With them we chant: Blessed is our God Who hath come! Glory be to Thee!

Theotokion: O most pure one, by thy supplication vouchsafe that we who hymn thee with faith may with pure noetic sight behold the spiritual glory and divine radiance of our God, Who in the cave was born of thee in the flesh.

Ye destroyed the legion of ungodliness, O all-wise ones, by the power of Christ God Who hath appeared in the flesh, and ye bound yourselves together with His love.

Irmos: O Lord, Bestower of light and Creator of the ages: guide us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know none other God than Thee.

Glory…, in the same tone & melody—

Theotokion: He Who rested in the bosom of the Father and was born in the cave, found rest in thy maternal arms, O Theotokos; and He openeth the kingdom in the heavens unto all who hymn thee with faith.

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: The uttermost abyss of sins hath engulfed me, whose billows none can withstand; and like Jonah I cry to Thee, O Master: Lead me up from corruption!

Sing thou a new song, O new Israel! Chant thou the hymnody of heaven! Be glad and adorn thyself with joy; dance thou and in splendor bring forth hymns of the forefeast! God hath appeared in the flesh out of Thæman, and He desireth to be washed in the streams of the Jordan as a man.

Theotokion: Grace hath been poured forth among all the generations of men, O Virgin Theotokos, and the wealth of thy miracles floweth forth abundantly in the radiant joy of thy birthgiving, enriching those who glorify thee with faith and love.

Ikos: O truly awesome wonder past recounting! He Who giveth existence to all, hath in His goodness 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: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Thy loving-kindness: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

Now & ever…, In the same melody:

Theotokion: O Virgin, the prophets proclaimed thee to be the mountain, the jar, the table, the golden censer and ark of holiness; and we hymn thee as the tabernacle which contained God.

The splendid and honorable guardians of the cities of Crete, having suffered mightily, vanquished the serpent, the author of evil, with faith, and have been lawfully crowned. Let us celebrate their right praiseworthy memorial today, glorifying the Lord of all with loud voices. Twice

Irmos: The children in Babylon did not fear the flame of the furnace, but, cast into the midst of the fire, bedewed, they sang: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Thou hast appeared on earth, hast dwelt among men, and been registered with servants at the command of Cæsar; Thou tookest on form without undergoing change, and hast remained immutable, being wholly God, even though Thou didst become incarnate. Glory, honor, praise and majesty be to Thy dispensation, now and forever. Amen.

Theotokion: Fill me with tranquility, O Theotokos, for thou art the tranquility of men’s souls; and still the tempest of the demons which make war on me in vain and seek to thrust me into the abyss and pit of hell, O Mistress.

Rejoice, O Sion! Adorn thyself, O Bethlehem! For the Sustainer of all, having sent forth a star, hath announced His infinite condescension, before which the hosts of heaven tremble: truly He Who alone loveth mankind is immutably born of the Virgin!

Irmos: When the golden image was worshipped on the plain of Dura, Thy three youths spurned the ungodly command, and, cast into the midst of the fire, bedewed, they sang: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

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

Theotokion: Thou wast shown to be a divine palace and a temple truly consecrated unto God, O Virgin Mary. Him do thou entreat in our behalf, that He wash away the defilement of our sins, that we also may become the abode and habitation of the Spirit.

The radiant cloud cometh to shine forth from her maternal womb Christ, the Sun of righteousness, Who illumineth the whole earth with divine rays.

Irmos: The blessed youths in Babylon, braving danger for the laws of their fathers, reviled the mindless command of the ruler, and, united by the fire which burned them not, they chanted a fitting hymn unto the Almighty: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Make fragrant, O Sion, the holy manger; for in thee the Master will put forth the rays of His divinity.

Theotokion: O pure Mother of God, strengthen the movement of my mind, illumine the senses of my soul, and make me strong against mine enemies, that I may cry out unto thee: Glory to thy birthgiving, O Virgin!

God hath revealed Himself as like unto men: He abaseth Himself by assuming flesh, that He might deify us, and is born in a cave. O ye faithful, let us receive Him with a pure heart.

Irmos: God, Who descended into the fiery furnace for the Hebrew children and transformed the flame into dew, hymn ye as Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

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

Theotokion: Tempest-tossed by violent changes, evil circumstances and long scattering, we flee to thy haven, O Mistress, for thou art the hope of the hopeless.

Behold! Christ is born in the city of Bethlehem, that He might open unto us Eden, which of old was closed through disobedience instigated by the serpent. Let us celebrate a divine festival!

Irmos: Be not now amazed, O Mother, beholding as an infant Him Whom the Father begat from within Himself before the morning-star; for I have manifestly come to restore and glorify with Me the nature of fallen men, who magnify thee with faith and love.

Faith instead of gold, love instead of myrrh, and good works instead of frankincense let us bring to the Creator Who cometh unto His own.

Theotokion: O Mistress, bestow a sword of goodwill upon us, strengthening us with thy compassions, help and aid; for evil circumstances pitilessly surround my life.

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be filled with mystic gladness; for Christ hath come to restore all things!

Irmos: O ye faithful, with hymns let us magnify in oneness of mind the Word of God, Who from God came in His ineffable wisdom to renew Adam who had grievously fallen into corruption, and Who became ineffably incarnate of the holy Virgin for our sake.

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

Theotokion: Deliver us from the cruel assault of the evil one, from the temptations of the passions and all misfortunes, O all-pure one, and quickly rescue us from every harm.

The ten athletes, heralding the nativity of the Creator, dance and rejoice with us.

Irmos: Creation, beholding Thee Who suspended the whole earth without support upon the waters, born in the cave, was seized with great awe, crying out: None is holy save Thee, O Lord!

Christ approacheth, the star shineth beforehand, and the heavenly multitude of the armies of the noetic hosts boweth down.

Theotokion: What will happen to me, who am ever beset on every side? Be thou a protection and refuge for me, O Bride of God, for thou art the invincible helper of the downtrodden.

The condescension of Christ hath divinely elevated the valiant martyrs to heaven by their suffering.

Irmos: Let my heart be made steadfast in Thy will, O Christ God, Who didst establish the second heaven above the waters and didst found the earth upon the waters, O Almighty One.

Glory…, the composition of the Studite, in Tone III—

Theotokion: O most holy and pure one, accept the lowly entreaties of thy servants, and by thy supplications deliver us from the grievous sorrows which afflict us; and cause us to share in thy divine glory.

Let the hearts of all mortals leap up, and let creation be glad! The Lord is born of the pure Maiden in the cave of Bethlehem, and the magi offer Him fitting gifts.

Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and abundant fountain: in thy divine glory establish those who hymn thee and spiritually form themselves into a choir; and vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.

O ye valiant martyrs of the Truth, neither the violence of the tyrants, nor their false blandishments, neither the severing of your limbs, nor the threat of death were able to separate you from divine love. Wherefore, as ye have boldness before Christ, Who is God over all, ask ye of Him as reward for your painful sufferings, that He grant us great mercy.

Theotokion: The children who were in nowise burned prefigured thy womb which was in nowise consumed by the divine Fire, O all-pure one, but was preserved as a habitation for the one God.

O ye people, who of old sat in the shadow of death, behold the Light which hath shone forth upon us from the Virgin, and be filled with great sweetness of soul, ever magnifying the Word Who abased Himself.

Irmos: Foreseeing Thine advent from the Virgin, Habbakuk cried out in awe: Incarnate, Thou hast come from Thæman, O Deliverer, to restore Adam who had been expelled!

Now & ever…, the composition of Anatolius, in Tone VIII—

Theotokion: Flight hath utterly failed me, and, as say the Scriptures, they that seek after me have multiplied; but be thou for me protection and strength, a refuge and confirmation, O Mistress, a hope and the sure joy of salvation, that I may glorify thee for all ages.

Thou comest to be contained in a little cave, O Thou Who art infinite by nature, that, in Thy boundless mercy, Thou mightest magnify me who have demeaned myself through disobedience.

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!

The Creator of all is born in Bethlehem; the preëternal King openeth Eden. He turneth back the flaming sword, and the middle wall of enmity is broken down. The hosts of heaven unite with mortals, angels and men form a mighty solemnity. The pure offer hymnody to the Pure One. We behold the Virgin as the cherubim’s throne of glory, who contained God Whom nought can contain, and beareth Him Whom the seraphim glorify with fear, that He may grant the world great mercy.

Theotokion: O all-pure Theotokos, free all of us who trust in thee from iniquitous men and the assault of the demons, from the grievous oppression of multifarious passions, and from the cruel affliction of many temptations.

O ye faithful, let us offer faith, like gold, hymnody, like pleasing incense, and pure love, like myrrh, unto Christ Whose good pleasure it hath been to be born in the flesh for our sake.

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!

On the Praises, 6 stichera: 3 of the forefeast, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “Go forth, ye angels…”—

Theotokion: With faith we entreat thee, the true Mother of the Creator Who hath wrought all things by His will: In that thou art good, cause the counsels and pursuit of those who are at enmity with us to be in vain, O most hymned one, and preserve all thy servants, thy pastors and flock, from the hands of our enemies.

The defending athletes, having gathered themselves together today into the one company of Christ, have set at nought the multifarious wiles of the enemy and have worthily received the victory honors.

Irmos: I rise early unto Thee, O Word of God, Who, in Thy loving-kindness, didst immutably debase Thyself and didst assume through the Virgin the guise of a servant. Grant peace unto me who have fallen, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

The mystery, appointed beforehand by the Father before time began, and proclaimed of old by the prophets, hath been revealed in the latter days: God hath become man, receiving flesh from the Virgin, the Uncreated One taketh on form of His own will, He Who Is entereth temporal existence: Christ cometh forth, the King of Israel.

The all-wise martyrs, having manifestly come to know of the advent of Christ in the flesh, spurned carnal love. Wherefore, they suffered for love of Him.

Irmos: Shine forth thy radiant and everlasting light upon us who rise early unto the judgments of Thy commandments, O Master Christ our God, Who lovest mankind.

I hymn Thee, O King Who art wrapped in swaddling-bands, for thou loosest the bonds of my falls into sin, and, honoring me with immortal and incorruptible glory, Thou hast made me wholly the Father’s own, refashioning and restoring me. Wherefore, I cry to Thee: Christ cometh forth, the King of Israel.

Transcending the laws of the flesh, O Lord, the Virgin cometh to give birth to Thee in the cave and to lay Thee in a manger as a babe in the flesh.

Irmos: All things are filled with awe at thy divine glory; for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, didst contain within thy womb Him Who is God over all, and gavest birth to the timeless Son, granting peace unto all who hymn thee.

The magi, observers of the stars, beholding through the star the Light which hath proceeded from the Light and shone forth from the Virgin upon those on earth, cast off the darkness of Persia and all the deception of astrology, and chanted in joy to God Who was born: “Blessed is our God Who hath come! Glory be to Thee!”

In His mercy, the All-divine One, Who was born of the Maiden who knew not wedlock, showeth me to be a citizen of heaven, though I had become a stranger to God through disobedience.

Irmos: The uttermost abyss of sins hath engulfed me, whose billows none can withstand; and like Jonah I cry to Thee, O Master: Lead me up from corruption!

And 3 stichera of the saint, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O most lauded martyrs…”—

Ye mountains, hills and valleys, be glad; for the Lord is born in the flesh, restoring creation which had become corrupt through wicked disobedience.

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!

Come, ye who love the feasts of the Church, and, blessing Nahum, the precious receptacle of the Spirit, in sacred hymns, let us crown him, having tasted well of his words and received adoption of the divine Spirit; for by his supplications we receive the remission of our offenses.

The star of the East, which shone forth from on high upon us in God’s ineffable loving-kindness, proclaimed a greeting, announcing effulgence to those in the world.

Irmos: Prefiguring Thy three-day burial, the Prophet Jonah, praying within the sea monster, cried out: Deliver me from corruption, O Jesus, King of hosts!

Thy death was truly precious in the sight of the Lord, O ever-memorable Nahum; for thy life is full of piety and purity, and is replete with all holiness. Thereby hast thou attained the deification, O father, which hath come to thee through sharing in the Divine.

Illumining those who walk in the night of life, in the depths of falsehood, O most glorious ones, by the light of Christ ye guided men to Him.

Irmos: The children in Babylon did not fear the flame of the furnace, but, cast into the midst of the fire, bedewed, they sang: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Grant us help against every tribulation and deliver us from temptations, O holy Nahum, for human aid is impotent. In manner transcending man thou becamest a converser with the angels, and dost protect us who fear God and venerate thy precious relics.

He Who in His ineffable mercy was born in the cave, in that He loveth mankind, drew the martyrs up from the depths of ungodliness to the heights of the knowledge of God.

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!

Glory…, in Tone VIII—

A morning-star hath shone forth, the honorable contest of the martyrs, illumining for us beforehand Him Who is born in the cave, to Whom the Virgin gave birth without seed.

Irmos: O all-hymned Lord God of our fathers, Who saved the children of Abraham in the fire, slaying the Chaldeans whom justice rightly overtook: blessed art Thou!

The fruit of thy divine labors hath made steadfast the hearts of the faithful, O venerable father; for thou gavest neither sleep to thine eyes nor slumber to thine eyelids until thou didst sow piety and Orthodox dogmas. Wherefore, having now assembled, we praise thy memory, O Nahum. Standing with boldness before Christ, watch over us thereon, and pray that He save our souls from misfortunes.

Ikos: Loving Christ, the Bestower of life, Who for our sake was born of the Virgin in the cave, the warriors raised a splendid legion to do battle against Belial; and having manifestly vanquished him on earth, they cast down him who of old had boasted beyond measure. Wherefore, they shine upon those in darkness as luminaries of the noetic Sun; for as the star stood before the magi, guiding them to Bethlehem, the city of Judah, so do they, through their torments, proclaim to us Him to Whom the Virgin gave birth without seed.

Irmos: The blessed youths in Babylon, braving danger for the laws of their fathers, reviled the mindless command of the ruler, and, united by the fire which burned them not, they chanted a fitting hymn unto the Almighty: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Now & ever…, the composition of Anatolius, in Tone VIII—

How can the least of caves hold Thee, O Word, Who in Thine exceeding great abasement assumed the poverty of Adam, and hath enriched men with the wealth of divine grace?

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!

The Creator of all is born in Bethlehem; the preëternal King openeth Eden. He turneth back the flaming sword, and the middle wall of enmity is broken down. The hosts of heaven unite with mortals, angels and men form a mighty solemnity. The pure offer hymnody to the Pure One. We behold the Virgin as the cherubim’s throne of glory, who contained God Whom nought can contain, and beareth Him Whom the seraphim glorify with fear, that He may grant the world great mercy.

Hearing strange words, the shepherds hastened to Bethlehem to behold Him Who lieth in a manger of dumb beasts and releaseth all men from irrationality.

Irmos: The birthgiving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the furnace—then in figure, but now in deed—and it moveth all the world to chant to Thee: Hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

With mouth and heart let us hasten to hymn and worship with faith Christ Who cometh to be born in the flesh of the Virgin Maiden, in the cave.

Irmos: Be not now amazed, O Mother, beholding as an infant Him Whom the Father begat from within Himself before the morning-star; for I have manifestly come to restore and glorify with Me the nature of fallen men, who magnify thee with faith and love.

By abasing Himself in the flesh, Christ hath shown the richness of His ineffable love for mankind; for having become man, He hath disclosed an abundance of good things to those who cry out unceasingly: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Irmos: The radiant cloud upon which the unoriginate Master of all descended from heaven, like rain upon the fleece, and of whom He was incarnate, becoming man for our sake, let us all magnify as the pure Mother of God.

Noetically delighting in the divine fragrance of Christ, the passion-bearers spurned all the sweet beauties, and by their suffering followed Him, crying: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, honoring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!

Showing yourselves to be a prefestal sacrifice to Christ, O wise ones, ye offered Him your fragrant suffering as it were myrrh. Wherefore, with the perfume of miracles He hath glorified you who cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Holding in thine arms, bowing down before, and kissing maternally the one Lord Who had become incarnate in manner beyond description, and was clad in human likeness, O Maiden, thou didst say: “O my Child most sweet, how is it that I hold Thee Who holdest all creation in thy hand and freest it from the hand of bondage?”

Make ready to chant to Him Who hath been born on earth, O divine angels! Guided by the star, bring ye gifts, O magi! Ye shepherds, haste ye to behold Him sitting as a babe in His Mother’s arms, crying: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O cloud of the Light, thou who knewest not wedlock, how canst thou wrap in swaddling-bands Him Who clotheth the heavens with clouds by His ineffable will? How canst thou lay in a manger of dumb beasts the Master Who in His boundless mercy delivereth men from irrationality? Him doth all creation worship with fear, hymning Him for all ages.

All creation prepareth first-fruits for Thee Who wilt be born of the pure Virgin in the cave, O Christ; and it chanteth the praise of the forefeast, glorifying Thee, the only Benefactor.

Following Christ Who was born on earth, and having faith as a guide, like a radiant star, the passion-bearers beheld Him, and in their martyrdom offered Him divine gifts.

Strengthened by the power of Christ, O all-wise passion-bearers, ye triumphed over the oppression of the enemy, and showed him to be weak, hymning Christ for all ages.

Rejoice, O all-pure one, thou receptacle of ineffable joy! For, lo! thou comest to give birth ineffably in the cave to the Master Who truly desireth to restore all creation, which of old became corrupt through disobedience. Hymning Him with faith, we magnify thee.

O all ye souls of the righteous, and those beneath the earth, rejoice! For, lo! the Deliverance of all hath appeared, born in the city of Bethlehem! And the star proclaimeth Him to the magi, who seek Him with piety; and, beholding Him in the cave, they have been filled with joy.

O Virgin, we hymn thee as another heaven, who in the morning shalt shine forth the Sun of righteousness upon us from thine all-pure womb, illumining those in the darkness of death and corruption. Wherefore, we magnify thee with praises, as is meet.

The army of athletes, hastening before the divine coming of the King of all, announceth to all creation the banquet of gladness, and receiveth all the faithful, setting forth their valiant deeds as food.

O wise passion-bearers of the Lord, beholding the Faith as it were a star, and cleaving steadfastly to the never-setting Sun, thereby ye were guided to Christ without stumbling; and ye have offered your blood to Him as a gift.

Gathered like flowers from the incorrupt fields of the understanding of Christ, O passion-bearers, suffering, ye were filled with His fragrance; and in your martyrdom ye offered yourselves to Him as most fragrant myrrh.

With hymns let us joyously crown Theodulus and Zoticus, Agathopodus and Satorninus, Pompey and Eunicius, the glorious Basilides and the godly Euporus, the glorious Gelasius and Evaristus, that by their supplications we may be delivered from transgressions and may receive crowns from Christ the Savior.

A mystery hidden and untold even to the angels is soon to be wrought by the good pleasure of the Father and with the coöperation of the Spirit. Let us make haste, for the unoriginate Word, receiving a beginning in time as a man, is born of the Virgin for the salvation of the world.

Thou didst desire to clothe Thyself in the guise of a servant, that Thou mightest deliver me from slavery to the evil one. I hymn Thy loving-kindness, O Word Who art equally without beginning and consubstantial with the Father: Glory to Thy dispensation!

The Virgin cometh to give birth to the Lord in the cave! Come forth, O ye magi! Ye shepherds, come forth! Ye angels, cry out hymns from on high: The Deliverance of men hath come!

Seeking me who have become lost and by my barren acts have been shown to be a den of thieves, O Thou Who lovest mankind, Thou hast now arrived at the cave to be born today of the Virgin, O Master. Glory to Thine advent, O Word!

Thou didst pass beyond the bounds of nature, O blessed one, and didst draw nigh unto the mountains of divine knowledge through truly everlasting life; and bringing light to the mountains of ungodliness, thou didst protect the people with the mountains of faith.

Out of the cruel and waterless pit of ignorance didst thou draw the children of darkness, hard of heart, showing them to be habitations of Christ through their teachers and thy compatriots.

The people of the West, who were in the darkness of ungodliness, didst thou enlighten, O father, and by thy holy and divine teaching thou didst make them temples.

In latter times the land of Bulgaria became thy portion, O venerable one, and with thy teachers thou didst struggle, and didst strive to share in the ways of the apostles.

The godly Nahum was the assistant of the holy hierarch Clement: he reached the lands of the West and, having illumined them with the light of preaching, is therefore glorified with him.

The people of Bulgaria, whom for thy sake, O venerable Nahum, the Lord hath raised up from stones as children of Abraham, as the Forerunner said, now glorify thee, abiding in the knowledge of Him.

The people of Bulgaria, who before sat in the darkness of grievous unbelief, O venerable one, through thee have beheld the light of understanding; wherefore, we honor thy memory with sweet hymns of joy.

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!”

As one wise and intelligent, from the time of thy youth thou didst bow thyself beneath the easy yoke of thy Master, O father, and, filled with goodness, thou didst receive the godly Clement as thy fellow husbandman. With him thou didst plough the hearts of unbelievers and didst sow therein the seeds of Orthodoxy. Wherefore, thou hast passed over to the lands which are devoid of pain, ever reaping the reward of thy labors. O all-blessed Nahum, entreat Christ God that He grant remission of offenses unto those who celebrate thy holy memory with love.

O venerable Nahum, emulator of the apostles and rule of hierarchs, adornment of the venerable and fellow struggler with the athletes of God: thou wast crowned as a martyr though thou didst not shed thy blood, for thou wast buffeted by cruel tribulations, bearing the divine name of Christ and ever preaching with boldness the mystery of the Trinity, to Whom do thou never cease to pray in behalf of those who praise thee.

Rejoice, O Sion! Adorn thyself, O Bethlehem! For the Sustainer of all, having sent forth a star, hath announced His infinite condescension, before which the hosts of heaven tremble: Truly He Who alone loveth mankind is immutably born of the Virgin!

The radiant cloud cometh to shine forth from her maternal womb Christ, the Sun of righteousness, Who illumineth the whole earth with divine rays.

God hath revealed Himself as like unto men: He abaseth Himself by assuming flesh, that He might deify us, and is born in a cave. O ye faithful, let us receive Him with a pure heart.

Behold! Christ is born in the city of Bethlehem, that He might open unto us Eden, which of old was closed through disobedience instigated by the serpent. Let us celebrate a divine festival!

Behold! by thy preaching have hard-hearted pagans been called and come to know God, O wise one; for, as Isaiah writeth, all the land is filled with divine understanding. Wherefore, we glorify thy memory.

Full of higher wisdom, thou didst teach the all-simple people of Bulgaria to worship the Persons of the Trinity—God Who is immutably One in nature, united without confusion; and they cry aloud: Glory to Thee, O Lord!

Like a divinely chosen steed thou didst stir up the sea of ungodliness, O wise Nahum, as the prophet saith; and thou didst draw forth as fish the men who were drowning in the depths of unbelief, who cry out: Glory be to the Lord!

Thou wast shown to be an unshakable pillar of the Faith, in nowise toppled by the winds of temptations; and thou didst endure multifarious wounds, opposing the enemies of the Holy Spirit.

Speaking of the mighty works of God before kings and nations, with simplicity of speech thou didst shut the mouths of the rhetors who uttered evil fables; and thou didst magnify piety and the glory of Christ.

For piety’s sake, as an apostle and a preacher thou didst endure every tribulation; wherefore, we beseech thee, O venerable one: dispel every sorrow and illness from us who celebrate thy memory.

Let the hearts of all mortals leap up, and let creation be glad! The Lord is born of the pure Maiden in the cave of Bethlehem, and the magi offer Him fitting gifts.

O ye people, who of old sat in the shadow of death, behold the Light which hath shone forth upon us from the Virgin, and be filled with great sweetness of soul, ever magnifying the Word Who abased Himself.

Thou comest to be contained in a little cave, O Thou Who art infinite by nature, that, in Thy boundless mercy, Thou mightest magnify me who have demeaned myself through disobedience.

O father, thou wast a new apostle, like unto the seventy; and, following Methodius as though he were Paul, thou wast an initiate of the mysteries of God, proclaiming preaching.

Like the chosen vessel, thou wast truly shown to be a receptacle of grace, O all-wise one, like the godly Prophet Nahum of old, whose name and goodly ways thou didst inherit, O Nahum.

Thou didst love Christ surpassingly with all thy heart, thy mind and soul, O venerable one, and thou wast accounted worthy to be surpassingly loved by Him.

Thou didst hearken sincerely unto the all-wise teachings of the godly Methodius, who brought rebirth to Pannonia through holy baptism and the introduction of the written word, and thou didst emulate his way of life.

Thy feet became beautiful through the preaching of the divine Gospel, and they traversed divers lands, leading up to the divine Light those who in darkness had stumbled on the rocks of unbelief.

The apostles went about the whole earth and ploughed it; and thou and the godly Clement sowed doctrines therein, O venerable one, and now harvest the fruits of divine knowledge and everlasting hymnody.

Transcending the laws of the flesh, O Lord, the Virgin cometh to give birth to Thee in the cave and to lay Thee in a manger as a babe in the flesh.

In His mercy, the All-divine One, Who was born of the Maiden who knew not wedlock, showeth me to be a citizen of heaven, though I had become a stranger to God through disobedience.

Ye mountains, hills and valleys, be glad; for the Lord is born in the flesh, restoring creation which had become corrupt through wicked disobedience.

O wise one, thou wast added to the four disciples of Cyril and Methodius, the preachers of Christ, the wise initiates of the holy mysteries, the godly fathers of the Bulgarians and Slavs.

O preachers and initiates of the mysteries, ye were driven far away and endured imprisonment and beatings, suffering affliction for the procession of the Holy Spirit.

With the all-wise Cyril thou didst traverse far paths, from the North even unto Rome, sharing in his labors, O wise one; and with Methodius thou didst enlighten the Bulgarians.

In thee also was the word of God fulfilled, for thy divine sound went forth into all the land of Bulgaria, and thy words even unto the ends of the earth.

From the ends of the North even unto the ends of the West your paths were in the sea, O blessed ones, and ye entered Rome, proclaiming the New Testament.

As a divine temple and precious divine habitation from thy youth, O God-bearing Nahum, by thy supplications make me a receptacle of the Holy Spirit.

Like a great sun doth the all-honored memorial of thy splendid struggles shine forth upon all: it illumineth the faces of those who hymn thee and driveth away the demons and every illness. Wherefore, assembling, we faithfully praise thee with love.

Ikos: Come, ye multitudes of the Slavs, and let us hasten together, rejoicing in our father Nahum, for he hath appeared today as the great intercessor and most splendid luminary; for he hath enlightened us all and dispelled the gloom of deception. He followed after Christ and gave himself up as a right acceptable sacrifice; and he now offereth unto all the faithful his most glorious memorial as a spiritual banquet. Let us all praise it with love!

How can the least of caves hold Thee, O Word, Who in Thine exceeding great abasement assumed the poverty of Adam, and hath enriched men with the wealth of divine grace?

Hearing strange words, the shepherds hastened to Bethlehem to behold Him Who lieth in a manger of dumb beasts and releaseth all men from irrationality.

With mouth and heart let us hasten to hymn and worship with faith Christ Who cometh to be born in the flesh of the Virgin Maiden, in the cave.

Working wonders, God miraculously delivered thee and thy friends from prison and arrest by the ungodly, O Nahum; for the fetters suddenly fell from your hands and feet, and ye were released.

Through the proclamation of divine doctrines thou becamest a teacher for people of evil ways, and by thy divine translations thou didst make them truly knowledgeable in things divine, transforming them from wild beasts into sheep of the meek Christ.

Thou wast shown to be a chariot of God, O Nahum, bearing the name of Christ in writing against many pagan kings, and glorifying His works, and being gloriously glorified by Him.

O father, thou didst mix the sweat of asceticism with the sweat of apostolic labor, and later thou wast shown to be a martyr in volition, though thou didst not shed thy blood. And thou didst cry: Blessed art Thou, O God!

Thou didst manifestly cut off the deadly bonds of wicked thoughts, as Moses freed his feet of old; and thou didst truly understand God and didst command the people to chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

He Who doeth the will of those who fear Him in no-wise rejecteth thy prayers in our behalf, O father; wherefore, be thou ever mindful of those who hymn thee with all their heart and all their soul.

Holding in thine arms, bowing down before, and kissing maternally the one Lord Who had become incarnate in manner beyond description, and was clad in human likeness, O Maiden, thou didst say: “O my Child most sweet, how is it that I hold Thee Who holdest all creation in thy hand and freest it from the hand of bondage?”

Make ready to chant to Him Who hath been born on earth, O divine angels! Guided by the star, bring ye gifts, O magi! Ye shepherds, haste ye to behold Him sitting as a babe in His Mother’s arms, crying: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O cloud of the Light, thou who knewest not wedlock, how canst thou wrap in swaddling-bands Him Who clotheth the heavens with clouds by His ineffable will? How canst thou lay in a manger of dumb beasts the Master Who in His boundless mercy delivereth men from irrationality? Him doth all creation worship with fear, hymning Him for all ages.

Let us hymn Nahum, the divinely inspired instrument of the Holy Spirit, O ye faithful, crying out to the Lord in sacred words: By his supplications save those who hymn Thy might!

With Clement as thy companion, thou didst traverse all the lands of the Slavs, O most wise one, by thy preaching guiding Okhrid and the people round about it unto the straight path.

Taking thy cross upon thy shoulder, O Nahum, thou didst follow after Christ, the one King, struggling lawfully; and from Him thou hast received a crown of victory, O blessed one of God.

Desiring to deliver all men from irrationality, the Word of God gave thee a tongue of fire, whereby thou didst lead the people of Bulgaria to a knowledge of the Truth, teaching them to hymn Christ forever.

By thine opposition thou didst overcome the savagery of the tyrants, O ever-memorable Nahum, and as a champion of the procession of the Holy Spirit from the divine Source of the uncaused ­Trinity thou didst endure wounding, beatings and imprisonment.

Thou didst in nowise escape all tribulation, pain and groaning, O Nahum; but Christ, accepting thy labors for Him, hath caused thee to dwell in the place of ineffable joy and delight, where the first-created beings now abide.

Beset with violent tribulations by enemies visible and invisible, contending with sorrows, pain and evil circumstances, with ignorant injustices and bitter banishment, we cry out in pain of heart: Save us, O Compassionate One, through the supplications of the venerable Nahum.

Rejoice, O all-pure one, thou receptacle of ineffable joy! For, lo! thou comest to give birth ineffably in the cave to the Master Who truly desireth to restore all creation, which of old became corrupt through disobedience. Hymning Him with faith, we magnify thee.

O all ye souls of the righteous, and those beneath the earth, rejoice! For, lo! the Deliverance of all hath appeared, born in the city of Bethlehem! And the star proclaimeth Him to the magi, who seek Him with piety; and, beholding Him in the cave, they have been filled with joy.

O Virgin, we hymn thee as another heaven, who in the morning shalt shine forth the Sun of righteousness upon us from thine all-pure womb, illumining those in the darkness of death and corruption. Wherefore, we magnify thee with praises, as is meet.

As is meet, the land of Bulgaria honoreth thy memory, O Nahum; for with the godly Clement, Gorazd the wonder-worker, and Angelarius the wise initiate of the sacred mysteries, thou wast its enlightener. By your supplications save it!

Rome beheld your apostolic journeys, O godly Cyril, right blessed Methodius and glorious Nahum, and it stood in awe of the wonders of God wrought through you; wherefore, we honor you with annual hymnody.

O blessed Nahum, the choirs of the fathers, the apostles, the venerable, the hierarchs, prophets and martyrs, have now received thee and those who suffered with thee; for thou didst emulate their manner of life. With them remember us all.

We know thee to be the sacred ark of the covenant which beareth the word of God and saveth multitudes of the Slavs, bringing them to the eternal promised land; wherefore, guided toward everlasting life, we venerate the shrine of thy relics.

O ye faithful, let us stand in the house of our God and let us glorify His mighty works and miracles in His courts; for He is wondrous in His saints, who submit to His commands. With them the venerable Nahum rejoiceth.

That, holding festival, we may honor thee, O Nahum, by thy supplications deliver us from all assaults and evil circumstances, perils and tribulations, and every other form of wrath, entreating Christ, Who hath shown thee to be a keeper of His commandments.

The people whom thou didst nurture with thy labors, whom thou didst water with thy sweat, and whom thou didst root firmly by thy sufferings, O most blessed one, offer thee annual hymnody as the firstfruits of thy memory; wherefore, pray thou to God for them.

Loose me, O Christ, for Thou knowest mine infirmities, that through them I may find rest before my departure through the supplications of Nahum Thy favored one, O Master; and let me not become a joy for mine enemies in this age or that which is to come.

Christ hath visited a most embittered people, and through thee, O Nahum, hath saved them from the hands of the evil one and from the darkness of unbelief. And all the land hath been filled with divine understanding.

As is meet, let the godly Nahum be honored in hymnody: the well of miracles and spring of healings, the glory of monastics and adornment of priests.

Adorn thyself well, O Bethlehem! Open wide thy gates! For thy King cometh, Who before time began hath in His mercy desired to become man. Rejoice and dance, all creation!

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