Canon of the feast, the composition of Cosmas of Maiuma, in Tone I—

Exapostilarion of the infants: Spec. Mel.: “The Cross is the preserver…”—

Irmos: Christ is born, give ye glory! Christ cometh from heaven, meet ye Him! Christ is on earth, be ye exalted! O all the earth, sing ye unto the Lord, and chant with gladness, ye people, for He hath been glorified!

Kontakion of the feast, in Tone III—

Sessional hymn of the innocents, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast appeared…”—

On the Praises, 4 stichera of the innocents, the composition of Cyprian, idiomela, in Tone I—

Theotokion: O pure one, thou art ever truly a divine fortress and impregnable rampart, a noetic bridge and insuperable tower, a foundation and protection, for whose sake we are all saved from misfortunes.

That which, though fashioned in the image of God, is become wholly corrupt through transgression, having fallen away from the higher divine life, hath the wise Creator restored, for He is glorified.

Irmos: Parting the abyss of the Red Sea, God drowned Pharaoh therein, but led Moses across to the wilderness dryshod, and rained down manna as food for the people of Israel, in that He is mighty.

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

The first sacrifice to Thine all-pure nativity was that of the infants, O Christ God; for Herod, desiring to lay hold of Thee Whom none can hold, did not recognize Thee, bringing before Thee instead a choir of martyrs. Wherefore, we entreat Thee Who hast become man, that Thou save our souls. Twice

Theotokion: The land of our forefather’s curse, which is in Eden, received deliverance when the Deliverer was born therein through thee, O pure one, and renewed and sanctified it.

The Creator, seeing man, whom He had fashioned with His own hands, perishing, descendeth, bowing down the heavens; and, truly incarnate, He taketh upon Himself all man’s essence through the pure and divine Virgin, for He is glorified.

Irmos: Traversing the deep on foot, as though it were dry land, and seeing the tyrant Pharaoh drowned, Israel cried aloud: Let us chant unto God a hymn of victory!

In Tone II: Your slaughter hath come to the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, O honored martyrs; for ye shed your blood for His sake, and rest in the bosom of Abraham, and have cast aside the vile malice of Herod forever, through the power of the newborn Christ.

Theotokion: From thee, O Virgin who knewest not wedlock, did the Lord, born on earth without father and begotten without mother before time began, appear and form Himself supernaturally; and He granteth the restoration of deification to those born of Adam.

Christ God, being the wisdom, Word, Power, Effulgence and Son of the Father, hiding Himself as much from the hosts of heaven as from those on earth, hath restored us, becoming man, for He is glorified.

Irmos: To Christ God, the Son Who was begotten of the Father without corruption before time began, and in latter times without seed became incarnate of the Virgin, let us cry aloud: O Lord Who liftest up our horn, holy art Thou!

In Tone III: Abominable is Herod’s slaughter of the infants because of his vile murder, and pure is the sacrifice of the children, for they were of the same age as Christ, our salvation, and were sacrificed as a new immolation sent up in advance. Weep not for thy children, O Rachel, being mindful of the bosom of Abraham, where is the abode of all who rejoice.

Theotokion: The Word of God, ineffably incarnate of thine all-pure and precious blood, O pure one, hath, as God, shown thee to be the Mistress of all creatures.

The star shone in Bethlehem and annulled the dark curse of Eden; and a day of salvation is given to the progenitors of our race, for from the Virgin’s cloud Jesus shineth forth, Who is the enlightenment of those in darkness.

Irmos: O Lord Who dost establish the thunder and formest the wind: make me steadfast, that I may hymn Thee in truth and do Thy will; for none is as holy as Thee, O our God.

Glory…, of the venerable one, in Tone V—

Theotokion: O most immaculate one, having conceived the divine Word in thy womb at the angel’s awesome word, thou gavest birth to Him in the flesh in manner past recounting. Wherefore, we glorify thee as the Theotokos.

The contest openeth today for the babes who are faithful to Christ and God, and they denounce the princes and authorities of the enemy and with sense do manfully reprove the infantile rage of Herod.

Irmos: There is none as holy as Thee, O Lord my God, Who hast uplifted the horn of Thy faithful and established us on the rock of the confession of Thee, O Good One.

O venerable father, thou gavest neither sleep to thine eyes nor slumber to thine eyelids until thou didst free soul and body from the passions and prepare thyself as a habitation for the Spirit; for Christ, coming with the Father, hath made His abode within thee, and thou art a favorite of the consubstantial Trinity. O Marcellus our father, great preacher, pray that we be saved.

Theotokion: The gentiles bearing gifts, seeing in thee one comely with lustrous beauty, shining with the splendor of thy Son, O pure one, hymned this new and all-glorious sight.

Creation is restored and the nature of mortals is made new again through the flesh of Christ, the Creator of all, Who, in manner past understanding, is born of a pure and all-holy Mother.

Irmos: A rod from the root of Jesse and blossom therefrom, O Christ, Thou didst spring forth from the Virgin; from the mountain overshadowed and densely wooded hast Thou come, incarnate of her who knew not man, O Thou praised and immaterial God. Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Now & ever…, in the same tone—

Theotokion: With the splendor of thy supplication, O pure Theotokos, enlighten the blindness of my heart, for thou alone hast shone forth the Lord, the Lamp and Sun of glory.

Receiving understanding from the God of truth, and seeking Him unceasingly throughout thy pure life, O Marcellus, thou didst please Him with divine virtues.

Irmos: I heard report of Thee, O God, and I was afraid; I understood Thy works, O Lord, and I was filled with awe, for the earth is full of Thy praise.

All creation, beholding Thee, the Creator and Fashioner of all, born in the flesh in Bethlehem, is restored and renewed. The light of the sun hath spread abroad, and the earth rejoiceth; the magi from Persia offer gifts to the King of all; the shepherds, marvelling, are amazed and with her who gave birth to God in the flesh bow down before Him. O the wonder! The Nurturer is nourished by a most pure Mother for the salvation and restoration of the world.

Theotokion: He Who was born of thee in the flesh in the cave, O pure one, hath poured forth noetic streams of immortality and watered human nature with incorruption, enriching it, in that He is compassionate.

Adam who, though fashioned of dust, partook of higher inspiration, yet was led to stumble into corruption through a woman’s deceit, seeing Christ born of a woman, crieth out: O Lord Who for my sake hast become like me, holy art Thou!

Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the honored Church doth sing, crying out in godly manner with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.

At the aposticha, these stichera of the feast, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “Ye hosts of angels…”—

Theotokion: Thy divine birthgiving, O most holy one, cut down the curse which blossomed forth in paradise, and, throwing open the way to the tree of life for men, it hath poured forth blessing.

O Lord Christ, Who, mingling with clay, madest Thyself conformable thereto, imparting Thy divine essence by participating in vile flesh, becoming earthly, yet remaining God, and Who hast lifted up our horn: holy art Thou!

Irmos: As God of peace and Father of compassion, Thou didst send Thine Angel of Great Counsel, Who granteth us peace. Therefore, guided to the light of knowledge divine, and waking at dawn out of the night, we glorify Thee, Who lovest mankind.

The mountains and hills, the valleys and fields, hymned Christ Who was born of the Virgin; and from heaven the star showed to the magi Him Who lieth in the cave as a babe, clad in the body of a servant. To Him let us cry: Blessed art Thou Who hast been born! O our God, glory be to Thee!

Theotokion: God, the timeless Word, is born in the flesh of thee, O all-pure virgin, that He may impart unto men everlasting life, an eternal inheritance and glory incorruptible.

O Bethlehem, thou king of the princes of Judah, be glad! For Christ Who shepherdeth Israel, seated on the shoulders of the cherubim, hath manifestly come forth from thee, and, having lifted up our horn, hath established His reign over all.

Irmos: Shine forth upon me the light of Thy precepts, O Lord, for my spirit riseth early unto Thee and hymneth Thee: for Thou art our God, and I flee to Thee, O King of peace.

Stichos: From the womb before the morning star have I begotten Thee; the Lord hath sworn and will not repent.

Theotokion: Rejoice, tranquil haven of repentance, wherein finding refuge we say: O Theotokos, blessed art thou, who alone gavest birth to the God of our fathers!

Our God and Creator, issuing forth through the Virgin’s portal, hath ineffably fashioned an abode of flesh for Himself. He hath become a babe and is laid in a manger.

Irmos: With Thy divine light illumine the souls of those who with love rise at dawn unto Thee, O Good One, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, to be the true God Who calleth all forth from the darkness of sin.

“What is this great and incomprehensible poverty wherewith Adam hath been enriched with divine gifts?” cried the Virgin, holding in her arms Emmanuel, our God and Creator, Who received flesh from her. To Him let us cry: Blessed art Thou Who hast been born! O our God, glory be to Thee!

Theotokion: The prophets of God proclaimed thee, O pure one, to be the Virgin, the temple, the portal and cloud, the bush unburnt, the jar of manna, the rod which sprouted forth, the ark and lampstand, the tablets of the law, the holy mountain, from whence the Stone was quarried.

The infant athletes born at the time of Christ’s incarnation, have blinded the insane fury of Herod and have shown themselves to be most splendid eyes of the Church.

Irmos: The sea monster thrust forth, like a babe from the womb, Jonah whom it had swallowed; and the Word, Who dwelt within the Virgin and took flesh of her, issued forth, preserving her incorrupt. He kept her who gave Him birth unharmed, for He Himself was not subject to corruption.

Stichos: The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit Thou at My right hand.

Theotokion: He Who was born of thee in a cave, O most immaculate Theotokos, hath prepared everlasting mansions for those who sincerely hymn thee and exalt supremely thine ineffable birthgiving.

Ye clouds, drop forth the sweetness of gladness upon the earth! For Christ, born in the flesh in a cave past all understanding, hath shone forth from a cloud of light.

Irmos: The tempest of my many offenses doth overwhelm me, and my spirit is grown weak; but as Thou art merciful, O Lord, come down and lead up my life.

O Virgin, thou didst shine forth Christ, the Sun, the noetic dawn, holding in thine embrace Him, by Whom all rational nature is enlightened with the effulgence of perfect knowledge, and is vouchsafed incorruption, crying out with faith: Blessed art Thou Who hast been born! O our God, glory be to Thee!

Theotokion: By thy birthgiving have mortals been deified, O Virgin; for thou gavest birth to God, the Nurturer of all, Who is equally glorified with the Father, and thou dost feed Him with milk. O what a strange wonder!

Armed with steadfastness of spirit against the noetic foe, O God-bearer, thou didst mightily cut down the hordes thereof and hast been crowned with a wreath of victory.

Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations, fleeing to Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, O greatly Merciful One!

Glory…, in the same tone & melody—

Theotokion: God Who was born in the flesh through thee, O most pure one, hath made us children of God and imparted pristine dignity to those who accept Him, who earnestly glorify thee, the Mother of God, and magnify thee.

Today the Virgin giveth birth to the Transcendent One, and the earth offereth a cave to the Unapproachable One. Angels give glory with shepherds, and the magi journey with a star. For for our sake is born a little Child, the preëternal God.

Irmos: The children raised together in piety, disdaining the ungodly command, feared not the threat of the fire, but, standing in the midst of the flame, they chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Now hath appeared on earth a Babe Who was begotten of the Father before time began. Rejoice, all creation! Let the heavens be glad, beholding those who before were rejected now reconciled with God once more, who cry out to Him: Blessed art Thou Who hast been born! O our God, glory be to Thee!

Ikos: Bethlehem hath thrown Eden open! Come, let us see! We have found food in a secret place! Come, let us receive things of paradise within the cave! There the unwatered root hath appeared, putting forth remission as fruit! There is found the undug well from whence David of old thirsted to drink! There the Virgin, giving birth to a Babe, hath straightway caused the thirst of Adam and David to cease! Wherefore, let us go to Him where He is born, a little Babe, the preëternal God.

Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

Now & ever…—

The army of infants is offered up as pleasing immolations, sacrificed for faith to Christ Who, as Creator and King, is born today of the Virgin.

Irmos: The Angel caused the furnace to pour forth dew upon the pious youths, and the command of God, which consumed the Chaldæans, prevailed upon the tyrant to cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

With mouths of eternal flame the heavenly hosts above hymn the One Who in His ineffable mercy was born in a cave*. May we also be vouchsafed to chant to Him with our tongues of clay, unceasingly crying unto Him: Blessed art Thou Who hast been born! O our God, glory be to Thee!

Glory…, that of the venerable one, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…”—

Irmos: The dew-bearing furnace showed forth the image of a supernatural wonder; for it burned not the youths whom it had received, just as the fire of the Godhead burned not the Virgin, whose womb it entered. Wherefore, chanting, let us sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Having cleansed thy soul first with the burning embers of purity, thou didst curb thy body for strength incorruptible, O most lauded Marcellus; wherefore, thou hast been shown to be a divine habitation, dispelling infirmities and ever enlightening with faith those who have recourse to thee and praise thee.

Irmos: O Master Who hast created all things in Thy wisdom, Thou hast established the earth as a weight upon the deep, planting its foundation upon the boundless waters. Wherefore, we all cry out, chanting: Bless the Lord unceasingly, O ye works of the Lord!

Now & ever…, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—

Irmos: From the flame didst Thou pour forth dew upon the venerable ones, and didst consume the sacrifice of the righteous one with water; for Thou, O Christ, dost do all things soever Thou desirest. Thee do we exalt supremely for all ages!

The cruel King Herod marvelled when He learned of the young Messiah, and he sought furiously after the King Who was born on earth as for a foe. Consumed with fear and great terror, he sent an army to slaughter with fury the babes born in Bethlehem, attempting to slay thereby the Creator Who, in His compassion, had abased Himself: He had issued forth from the Virgin’s womb, seeking to save our race.

Irmos: A strange and most glorious mystery do I behold: the cave is heaven; the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim; the manger, the place wherein lay Christ God, Whom naught can contain, Whom praising, we magnify.

From the tribe of Judah Thou hast shone forth, O Christ, the expectation of the nations Whom Jacob foretold of old, and hast come to overthrow the power of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria, transforming falsehood into godly faith. Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Irmos: For He Who is mighty hath magnified me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him, throughout all generations.

Shining forth, a Star out of Jacob, O Master, Thou hast filled with joy the wise watchers of the stars, the followers of the words of Balaam, the soothsayer of old; and Thou hast manifestly received the firstfruits of the nations who have entered in to worship Thee. Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Irmos: It is not possible for men to behold God, upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O most pure one, hath the Word appeared incarnate unto men; and magnifying Him with the armies of heaven, we call thee blessed.

Thou hast descended on the womb of the Virgin like rain upon the fleece, O Christ, and like drops of rain falling upon the earth. Ethiopia and Tharsis, the islands of Arabia and Saba, and they who rule all the land of the Medes, have fallen down before Thee, O Savior. Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

The Virgin, the means of the Lord’s nativity, in manner past understanding hath reconciled heaven and its inhabitants with those of earth; and she hath broken down the middle wall of enmity.

The multitude of infants who suffered martyrdom for the God of all receive the reward of their suffering from Him. For their sake Herod hath been grievously put to shame.

Seeing Thy descent into the cave, O Lord Christ, the noetic ranks were stricken with awe and hymned Thine inconceivable mercy.

Thy pangs and sweat are mingled with the streams of the infants’ blood, O venerable Marcellus, and are offered as precious gifts to Him Who hath been born in the flesh.

Submitting to be recorded among Thy servants at the command of Cæsar, Thou hast freed us slaves from the enemy and sin, O Christ; and having abased Thyself for us, Thou hast made our clay divine through Thy union and sharing therein.

Behold, the Virgin hath conceived in her womb, as was foretold of old, and hath given birth to God made man, yet remaineth virgin. O sinners who for her sake have been reconciled with God, let us as faithful hymn her as the true Theotokos.

The material Sun is veiled by clouds, and the noetic and all-immaterial One is clad in the flesh in His infinite compassion; and today He is wrapped in swaddling-clothes in a cave for our sake.

Herod is stained with the blood of foul murder; for, seeking to slay God, the Master and King of all, he cruelly rageth in fury against the infants.

The cup of Thy compassion overflowed upon all Thy creations, O Christ, and filled all with mercy in abundance when Thou didst appear and wast born in the flesh.

Having rid thy soul of material darkness and all earthly and corrupt beauty with the pangs of thine asceticism, O venerable Marcellus, thou wast shown forth in the world as a peer of the angels.

Christ our God, Whom the Father begat before the morning star, is come forth, incarnate, from the womb. He Who ruleth over the all-pure powers lieth in a manger of dumb beasts and is wrapped in swaddling-bands; and he looseth the knotted bonds of transgressions.

A young Child, a Son, is born of the clay of Adam and given to the faithful: He is the Father and Prince of the age to come, and is called the Angel of great Counsel. He is the mighty God Who exerciseth dominion over all creation.

Today is the divine mystery of the incarnation of the Word accomplished, O Theotokos. For through thee hath the preëternal God appeared in the flesh, to deify that which He hath taken upon Him.

Rachel, weeping over her children, foretold of old the infants who received untimely slaughter for Christ. Wherefore, she turned away and would not be comforted.

The earth in itself hath exuded a most fragrant myrrh: Him Who, past understanding, was poured forth as myrrh, poured forth in the flesh from the Virgin, and hath filled men with divine fragrance.

Wisely passing over what is transitory and unstable in life, O Marcellus, thou didst send up a spiritual desire for things which abide eternally, which thou hast obtained by the pangs of asceticism.

The star sent the magi to Him Who was born, and Herod cruelly sent an unjust army, seeking to slay Him Who lay as a babe in the manger.

Ikos: As those in heaven and those below rejoice now together in the appearance of the King of all, only Herod himself and the Jews, the slayers of the prophets, are grieved; for it is fitting that they alone lament, since they shall henceforth reign no longer. But the kingdom of the Lord shall have dominion, putting down the audacity of the enemy and assembling multitudes of the faithful, together with the honored infants, to gaze upon Him Who lieth as a babe in the manger.

The piping shepherds received an awesome vision of light; for the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and an angel cried out: Sing ye, for Christ, the blessed God of your fathers, is born!

Suddenly, at the voice of the angel, the armies of heaven cried out: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will among men! Christ hath shone forth: the blessed God of your fathers!”

“What words are these?” said the shepherds; “Let us go and see what hath taken place, the blessed Christ!” And hastening to Bethlehem, they bowed down in worship with the Theotokos, chanting: “O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!”

Bethlehem rejoiceth with us today; for she receiveth the Infinite One in her cave, crying: Blessed art Thou, the only God of our fathers!

O Word of God, the innocent and undefiled victims who were slaughtered for Thee beforehand cry out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

He Who was born in the cave hath by His knowledge made steadfast all creation, which had been whirled about by ungodliness, but now crieth unceasingly to Him: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

With the fire of asceticism thou didst consume the pleasures of the flesh, O Marcellus; and with the dew of dispassion thou didst water thy soul, crying out to Christ with splendor: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

The daughter of Babylon carrieth off the captive children of David from Sion to herself; but now she sendeth her own children, the magi bearing gifts, to the God-pleasing daughter of David, who prayeth. Wherefore, chanting, let us sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The harps refused to play their sad songs, for the children of Sion would not sing in a strange land; but Christ, shining forth in Bethlehem, destroyeth all the falsehood of Babylon and her musical instruments. Wherefore, chanting, let us sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Babylon received the plunder of the kingdom of Sion and its captive riches; but Christ draweth its treasures to His Sion, guiding the star-watching kings by a star. Wherefore, chanting, let us sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The angels glorify the power of Him Who was born; the shepherds marvel, the magi offer homage, and the heavens declare the Creator with a star. And with them we all cry out, chanting: Bless the Lord, ye works of the Lord!

When Thou wast born, O Christ, a multitude of innocents joined battle on that day with their blood, arming themselves mightily against Herod. Wherefore, we all cry out, chanting: Bless the Lord, ye works of the Lord!

Creation arrayed itself in radiant vesture and cast off all its former grief when the Renewer and Master was born on earth. Him do we exalt supremely forever!

Armed with the virtues, O venerable Marcellus, thou didst do battle with hordes of the demons and, as victor over them, didst win the trophies of victory, receiving the grace of miracles from God.

The magi beheld the excellent course of the strange star which was newly appeared, illumining the heavens and marking the birth of Christ the King in Bethlehem, for our salvation.

The star revealed the newborn infant King to the magi who said: “Where is He, for we have come to worship Him?” But Herod who fought against God, enraged, was troubled, seeking to slay the Christ.

Herod inquired concerning the time of the star, following whose course the magi worshipped Christ with gifts in Bethlehem; but, guided thereby to their homeland, they left the cruel murderer of the infants behind in mockery.

He Who is in the bosom of the Father is wholly within thee, and the Fashioner of heaven is Himself fashioned and abaseth Himself for my sake; and, wrapped in swaddling bands, He looseth the bonds of my transgressions.

In Rama the bitter lamentation of Rachel is heard, her weeping, contrition and cries of Alas! For Herod, the vile murderous foe, hath assailed the children of Bethlehem.

The mercy of Thy love for the nations which passeth understanding is now shown forth, O Christ; for Thou didst impoverish Thyself by taking on flesh, O Master, that Thou mayest cause us to share in higher riches, in that Thou art good and of great mercy, O Lord.

Taking the cross of Christ upon thy shoulder, O blessed father Marcellus, and emulating His sufferings, thou didst crucify thyself wholly to the world; for thou becamest a participant in the resurrection and higher glory, wherein be thou mindful of us.

Waging war against God, the accursed Herod, sending forth his soldiers, reaped the yet unripened green meadow of the infants; but he was unable to slay the newborn Lord and is filled with all manner of shame.

Glory…, Now & ever…, that of the feast—

From on high our Savior, the Dayspring of the East, hath visited us, and we who are in darkness and shadow have truly found Him; for the Lord hath been born of the Virgin.