At Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 of the forefeast, in Tone V: Spec. Mel.: “Rejoice…”—

Troparion of the forefeast, in Tone IV—

O Thou Who art most perfect, thou bearest the guise of Adam in the image of God; Thou Who holdest all things in Thy hands by Thy power dost desire to be held by human hands. The pure and most immaculate one proclaimed, saying: “How can I wrap Thee in swaddling-bands as a babe; how can I feed Thee at my breasts Who sustainest all things? How can I marvel at Thy poverty which is past understanding? How can I call Thee my Son, who am now Thy handmaid? I hymn and bless Thee, Who bestowest great mercy upon the world!”

Beholding the preëternal God incarnate of her as a babe, holding Him in her arms and kissing Him often, full of joy the most immaculate one exclaimed to Him: “O God Most High, Thou invisible King, how can I look upon Thee? I cannot grasp the mystery of Thy boundless impoverishment! For the least and most base of caves containeth Thee, newly born, within itself, Who didst not violate my virginity, but preserved my womb as it was before birthgiving, and grantest great mercy!”

The pure one heard the magi standing together outside the cave, and, exclaiming in awe, she spake these things to them as a handmaid: “Whom seek ye? For I see that ye have come from a country far distant, in that ye have the appearance and wisdom of the Persians. Ye have made a strange passage and journey, and have come with haste to worship Him Who hath made His journey from on high, made His abode strangely within me, as He knoweth how, and granteth great mercy to the world!”

And 3 stichera of the martyr, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…”—

Forsaking the beauty of the world, thou didst illumine the nobility of thy soul with the beauties of nobility, O most lauded Eugenia, preserving the grace of the image of God intact throughout thy life, O invincible martyr, thou divine mirror of virginity, most noble blossom of nature.

Having adorned thyself with discourse, life and grace, and with patience of soul, thou didst lead an army of athletes and an assembly of virgins to Him Who hath shone forth from the Virgin and hath manifestly opened to all the entrance of witness, O most wise Eugenia. With them entreat Him now, that He save thy flock.

The Author of righteousness hath magnificently adorned thee with a twofold crown, as a pure virgin and glorious martyr, giving thee a beautiful bridal-chamber illumined with effulgence, where, making thine abode, thou hast now manifestly been enriched with eternal blessedness, O bride of Christ.

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

Behold, the time of our salvation hath drawn nigh! Prepare thyself, O cave: the Virgin approacheth to give birth! O Bethlehem, thou land of Judah, adorn thyself and be glad, for our Lord hath shone forth from thee! Hearken, ye mountains and hills, and ye lands of Judæa round about: for Christ cometh, that He might save man whom He had created, in that He loveth mankind!

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

“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!”

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

Hold festival, O Sion! Be glad, O Jerusalem, thou city of Christ God! Receive thy Creator, Who is contained by the cave and the manger! Open thy gates unto me, and, entering therein, I shall behold as an infant wrapped in swaddling-bands Him Who holdeth creation in the palm of His hand, Whom the angels hymn with unceasing voices: the Lord and Bestower of life, Who saveth our race!

Once Mary, bearing in her womb an Offspring conceived without seed, was registered in Bethlehem with the elder Joseph, as being of the seed of David. And while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. There was no room for them in the inn, but the cave showed itself to be a beauteous palace for the Queen, and Christ is born to raise up the image that fell of old!