At Matins

Canon of the Forefeast, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; that of the martyrs, with 4 troparia; and that of the venerable one, with 4 troparia.

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “the choir of the angels…”—

Be glad, O River Jordan! For unto thee doth the Creator come of His own will, to receive baptism from a servant, in that He is compassionate. Adorn thyself and dance, O Adam, and Eve our first mother! The all-good God hath come, the deliverance of all!

At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the Forefeast, thrice.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…, in the same melody—

The Master, as the Torrent of delight, cometh forth to be baptized in the river’s streams, desiring to fill me with purity through the waters; and John, beholding Him, cried aloud: “How can I stretch forth my hand to touch the head of Thee before Whom all things tremble?”

Clothing the nakedness of Adam in the raiment of glory, O Compassionate One, Thou desirest to strip Thyself naked in the flesh, in the River Jordan. O the all-glorious wonder! How doth water receive Thee, O Lord and Master, Who coverest the chambers with waters, as it is written? O Jesus our Benefactor, we all hymn Thine epiphany!

Glory…, Now & ever…, in the same melody—

Christ our God, the great Sun Who shone forth from the Virgin as from a cloud, cometh to shine forth in the Jordan, dispelling the darkness of sin and illumining the ends of the world. Let us pray with piety, that we may receive His effulgence, asking for great mercy.