Song of ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.
Canon of the forefeast, with 8 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the martyrs, with 6 troparia.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Of the divine Faith…”—
In that thy feet were truly most beautiful, and as thou didst proclaim the glad tidings of the peace which passeth all understanding, O venerable and godly one, thou didst tame wild beasts—the untamed pagans of Mœsia— and didst introduce them among the sheep. Wherefore, ask unshakable humility and great mercy for us.
On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the forefeast, twice; Glory…, that of the martyrs; Now & ever…, that of the forefeast, once.
Canon of the forefeast, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and two canons of the saint, with a total of 8 troparia.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—
Today the Church rejoiceth, singeth and adorneth herself; she truly celebrateth the forefeast of the nativity: for a most holy solemnity is held, and she arrayeth herself for the Lord of glory. We all cry out to Christ God: O Thou Who lovest mankind, have mercy upon us who hymn Thee!
Today the Church rejoiceth, singeth and adorneth herself; she truly celebrateth the forefeast of the nativity: for a most holy solemnity is held, and she arrayeth herself for the Lord of glory. We all cry out to Christ God: O Thou Who lovest mankind, have mercy upon us who hymn Thee!
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”—
As a worker of miracles, an advocate and mediator for all before God, O most blessed God-bearer Nahum, thou boast of Bulgaria, by thy divine supplication deliver thy servants, we pray, from the misfortunes which befall us and from the flame which is to come.
Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.
Glory…, Now & ever…, sessional hymn of the forefeast, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “Of the divine Faith…”—
Thou hast descended from the bosom of the Father, and in ineffable abasement hast taken on Thyself our poverty, O Thou Who lovest mankind; in manner transcending nature Thou hast been well-pleased to make Thine abode in a cave, O Lord, and Thou, the Creator and Lord, takest nourishment as a babe from Thy Mother’s breasts. Wherefore, the magi, guided by the star, bring gifts unto Thee as the Master of creation, and the shepherds and angels marvel, crying: Glory in the highest to God Who cometh to be born as a man on earth!
Thou hast descended from the bosom of the Father, and in ineffable abasement hast taken on Thyself our poverty, O Thou Who lovest mankind; in manner transcending nature Thou hast been well-pleased to make Thine abode in a cave, O Lord, and Thou, the Creator and Lord, takest nourishment as a babe from Thy Mother’s breasts. Wherefore, the magi, guided by the star, bring gifts unto Thee as the Master of creation, and the shepherds and angels marvel, crying: Glory in the highest to God Who cometh to be born as a man on earth!
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.
Glory…, Now & ever…, sessional hymn of the forefeast, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—
We bless thee, O venerable father Nahum, and we honor thy holy memory, O instructor of monks and converser with the angels.
On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the forefeast, twice; Glory…, that of the saint; Now & ever…, that of the forefeast, once.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—
Selected Psalm verses—
Glory…, Now & ever…, the sessional hymn of the forefeast, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—
A With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive unto me, and He hearkened unto my supplication. [Ps. 39: 2]
B He set my feet upon a rock, and He ordered my steps aright. [Ps. 39: 3]
A Lo, I have fled afar off and have dwelt in the wilderness. [Ps. 54: 8]
B I am become like a pelican of the wilderness. [Ps. 101: 7]
A I have watched, and am like a sparrow that sitteth alone upon the housetop. [Ps. 101: 8]
B My knees are grown weak through fasting. [Ps. 108: 24]
A And my flesh is changed for want of oil. [Ps. 108: 24]
B With tears will I water my couch. [Ps. 6: 4]
A For many dogs have encircled me, the congregation of evil doers hath surrounded me. [Ps. 21: 17]
B They have bent their bow, a bitter thing. [Ps. 63: 4]
A That they may shoot in secret at the blameless man. [Ps. 63: 4]
B I beheld the Lord ever before me, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. [Ps. 15: 8]
A All the nations compassed me round about, and by the name of the Lord I warded them off. [Ps. 117: 10]
B Blessed be the Lord Who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth. [Ps. 123: 6]
A Let all Thy works, O Lord, give praise to Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]
B And let the righteous ones bless Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]
A Know also that the Lord hath made wondrous His righteous one. [Ps. 4: 4]
B He hath labored forever, and shall live to the end. [Ps. 48: 9-10]
A The Lord preserveth the souls of His saints. [Ps. 96: 10]
B The saints shall boast in glory and shall rejoice upon their beds. [Ps. 149: 5]
A Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. [Ps. 115: 6]
B Chant unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. [Ps. 29: 5]
Glory…, Now & ever…
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice
O Nahum, thou emulator of the apostles, rule of hierarchs, adornment of fasters, who shared the sufferings of those who suffered exposure and struggled in conscience for Christ: as thou hast ever had divine boldness, thou didst preach the mystery of the Trinity, Whom do thou unceasingly entreat in behalf of those who hymn thee with faith.
The Word of God, Who shone forth without confusion from the bosom of the Father before time began, within time cometh forth seedlessly from thy womb, O all-pure one, lifting up him who of old had grievously stumbled, raising him up to his primal beauty. The armies of the incorporeal beings come forth for His nativity and mystically send forth hymns of victory to men, crying: Glory to God Who hath given us peace, breaking down the middle wall of enmity, as is His good pleasure!
Prokimenon, in Tone IV—
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Stichos: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?
Let every breath praise the Lord.
Gospel according to Matthew, § 43 (Mt. 11: 27-30)
The Lord said to His disciples: “All things are delivered unto Me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI—
Grace was poured forth in thy lips, O venerable father, and thou wast a shepherd for the inheritance of Christ, teaching the reason-endowed sheep to believe in the consubstantial Trinity, in the one Godhead.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.