AT MATINS

Then, the Songs of Ascent, the first antiphon of Tone IV.

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…” —

The mystery hidden from before the ages and unknown even to the angels, through thee, O Theotokos, hath been revealed to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake and, thereby raising up the first-formed man, hath saved our souls from death.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the Forerunner, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…, the Resurrectional Theotokion —

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…” —

Now the fruit of Zechariah, the adornment of the desert, the foundation of the prophets, hath sprung forth, bringing gladness noetically to the minds of the faithful; wherefore, the Forerunner of Christ hath appeared, the true witness of His coming. With spiritual songs let us together cry out to the Baptist: O prophet and preacher of the truth, pray thou that we be saved! Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “That which was commanded…” —

Joseph marvelled, beholding that which was beyond nature, O Theotokos, and in thought he compared thy seedless conception to the rain which descended upon the fleece, the bush which was unconsumed by the fire, and the rod of Aaron which sprouted forth. And, bearing witness, thy betrothed and protector cried out to the priests: “The Virgin giveth birth, yet remaineth a virgin even after giving birth!”

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

O all-praised John, thou wast truly and most gloriously born as the herald of the coming of Christ, the chief of the prophets; and, as the voice of the Word, thou didst cry out: “Repent! The kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Wherefore, having prepared the way of the Lord, to the ends of the earth thou wast shown to be the Forerunner of grace. O baptizer and apostle, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who celebrate thy holy memory with love. Twice

O all-holy Virgin, Mother of Christ, heal thou the cruel passions of my soul, I pray, and grant me forgiveness of my transgressions, which I have foolishly committed, defiling both soul and body, wretch that I am. Woe is me! What shall I do at that hour when the angels will separate my soul from my passion-fraught body? Then be thou my helper and most fervent intercessor, for I, thy servant, have thee as my hope.

After the Polyeleos, this Magnification —

We magnify thee, O John, Forerunner of the Savior, and we honor thine all-glorious birth from a barren woman.

Selected Psalm verses —

A Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought deliverance for His people. [Lk. 1: 68]

B And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David. [Lk. 1: 69]

A The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David, and He will not annul it. [Ps. 131: 11]

B There will I make to spring forth a horn for David, I have prepared a lamp for my Christ. [Ps. 131: 17]

A His seed shall be mighty upon the earth. [Ps. 111: 2]

B The generation of the upright shall be blessed. [Ps. 111: 2]

A That we might serve Him, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. [Lk. 1: 74-75]

B And thou, O child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High. [Lk. 1: 76]

A For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare His ways [Lk. 1: 76]

B To give knowledge of salvation unto His people [Lk. 1: 77]

A Unto the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God [Lk. 1: 77-78]

B To guide our feet to the way of peace. [Lk. 1: 79]

Glory…, Now & ever…

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God! Thrice

Let the father rejoice. Be glad, O mother, for today thou hast given birth on earth unto a prophet, the Forerunner summoned by God through His promise. The barren woman nurtureth the Baptist as a babe, and Zechariah rejoiceth, saying to the infant: “My tongue hath been loosed by thine advent on earth, O candlestand of the Light! A miracle truly all-glorious!” Twice

We ever thank thee, O pure Theotokos who art full of grace, and we magnify and bow down before thee, hymning thy birthgiving and crying out without ceasing: Save us, O almighty Virgin, in that thou art good, and rescue us from the dread accusations of the demons at the hour of trial, that we, thy servants, may not be put to shame.

Prokimenon, in Tone IV —

And thou, O child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High.

Stichos: Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought deliverance for His people.

“Let every breath praise the Lord”

Gospel according to Luke, § 3

[Lk. 1: 24-25, 57-68, 76, 80]

In those days, Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah, conceived, and hid herself five months, saying: “Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.” Now Elizabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zechariah, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said: “Not so; but he shall be called John.” And they said unto her: “There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.” And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying: “His name is John.” And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them; and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa. And all those who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying: “What manner of child shall this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways.” And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone II —

He who was sanctified from his mother’s womb and was the fulfillment of the prophecy, is born today of a barren woman, manifestly proclaiming the coming of the Lord, saying: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”