Antiphon III
Glory…, Now & ever…: kontakion of the feast, in Tone IV—
Instead of the Trisagion, we chant:
When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from among a barbarous people.
Troparion of the feast, in Tone I—
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us!
Judæa became His sanctuary, Israel His dominion.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us!
The sea beheld and fled, Jordan turned back.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us!
What aileth thee, O sea, that thou fleddest? And thou Jordan, that thou didst turn back?
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us!
Glory…, Now & ever…
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us!
I am filled with love, for the Lord will hear the voice of my supplication.
Refrain: O Son of God Who wast baptized in the Jordan, save us who chant unto Thee: Alleluia!
For He hath inclined His ear unto me, and in my days will I call upon Him.
Refrain: O Son of God Who wast baptized in the Jordan, save us who chant unto Thee: Alleluia!
The pangs of death have encompassed me, the perils of hades have found me.
Refrain: O Son of God Who wast baptized in the Jordan, save us who chant unto Thee: Alleluia!
Merciful is the Lord and righteous, and our God hath mercy.
Refrain: O Son of God Who wast baptized in the Jordan, save us who chant unto Thee: Alleluia!
Glory…, Now & ever…: O only-begotten Son and Word of God, Who art immortal…
Stichos: O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.
When Thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest: for the voice of the Father bore witness unto Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son; and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ God, Who hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory be to Thee!
Stichos: Let the house of Israel now say that He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.
When Thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord…
Stichos: Let the house of Aaron now say that He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.
When Thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord…
Let all that fear the Lord now say that He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.
When Thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord…
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
When Thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest: for the voice of the Father bore witness unto Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son; and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ God, Who hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory be to Thee!
Thou hast appeared today to the whole world, and Thy light, O Lord, hath been signed upon us who hymn Thee with understanding. Thou hast come, Thou hast appeared, the Light unapproachable.
As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia!
Prokimenon, in Tone IV—
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us.
Stichos: O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.
Epistle to Titus, § 302 [Tit. 2:11-14; 3: 4-7]
Titus my child: The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present age, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a people of His own, zealous of good works. But after the kindness and love of God, our Savior, toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Alleluia, in Tone IV—
Stichos: Bring unto the Lord, ye sons of God, bring unto the Lord the sons of rams.
Stichos: The voice of the Lord is upon the waters.
Gospel according to Matthew, § 6 [Mt. 3: 13-17]
At that time came Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade Him, saying: “I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?” And Jesus answering said unto him: “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he suffered Him. And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo! the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo! a voice from heaven, saying: “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.”
Communion Verse—
The grace of God that bringeth all men to salvation hath appeared.
At the festal meal monastics eat fish, cheese and eggs, and drink wine; and layfolk eat meat, even if the feast fall on a Wednesday or a Friday.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.