Menaion of the Orthodox Church

The 3rd Day Of The Month Of January

Forefeast Of The Theophany

Commemoration Of The Holy Prophet Malachi & The Holy Martyr Gordius

At Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 of the prophet, in Tone VIII, Special Melody: “O Lord, even though Thou didst stand before the tribunal…”

Beholding the sayings of thy divinely moved tongue now fulfilled, O prophet, truly marvelling, I bless thee; for with thy radiant voice thou hast illumined the world, proclaiming aloud the saving advent of the Lord.

By thine angelic life thou becamest an angel on the earth, and thou wast most fittingly enriched by being called an angel, having joined together beauty of soul and beauty of body, O most blessed Malachi.

O Lord, I set before Thee Thy prophet as advocate and intercessor. By his entreaties and prayers, O Compassionate One, loose Thou my wretched soul from offenses, in that Thou art full of loving-kindness, possessed of essential and natural goodness.

And 3 stichera of the martyr, in the same tone, Special Melody: “O all-glorious wonder…”

Seeing the vaunted darkness of deception, fleeing, thou didst betake thyself away, O passion-bearer Gordius, waiting upon God; and tested by manifold pangs, wasted by starvation, as a contender aware of his own power, summoned, thou didst advance upon the adversary.

Great in hope, thou didst proceed to the multitude of adversaries, O most glorious Gordius, holding the assembly of the iniquitous to be as naught; and, standing in their midst as a herald of free will, thou didst proclaim Christ aloud, the Creator and Lord, Who with the Father and the worshipful Spirit is equally without beginning, consubstantial and everlasting.

Beheaded by the sword, thou didst most manifestly pass from life unto life, from death to immortality, and from corruption to incorruption, without expecting the mortification of nature, but led of thine own will to die. O thy struggles, O passion-bearer Gordius, whereby, O martyr, thou hast gladdened Christ, Who alone is compassionate!

Glory…, Now and ever…: Doxasticon of the Forefeast, the composition of John the Monk, in Tone IV

O all-glorious wonder! He Who baptizeth by the Holy Spirit and fire cometh to be baptized by John in the Jordan, neither simply God nor plainly man, but in two natures, the one only-begotten Son, seeking baptism as a man from a mortal, and as God taking away the sin of the world, and granting great mercy unto all.

Aposticha stichera, in Tone VI, Special Melody: “On the third day…”

Behold the enlightenment of the faithful! Behold, our purification desireth to enter into the streams of the river, that He might wash away the defilement of men’s evil and restore us who have been crushed.

Stichos: Therefore will I remember Thee from the land of Jordan and Hermoniem.

When he beheld thee approaching, and asking to be baptized by him, thy Forerunner, O Lord, cried out with fear: “O my God, my Creator, how can I baptize Thee, Who art undefiled?”

Stichos: The waters saw Thee, O God, the waters saw Thee and were afraid.

Let us go down to the streams of the Jordan, O ye faithful, that we may clearly behold the great wonder; for the Creator of all hath manifested Himself as visible, and hath come to be baptized.

Glory…, Now and ever…, in Tone V

Christ our God cometh to the River Jordan to be baptized, desiring to cleanse us of our iniquities by His appearance, in that He alone is good and loveth mankind.

Troparion of the martyr, in Tone IV

In his suffering, O Lord, Thy martyr Gordius received an imperishable crown from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, he set at naught the tormenters and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By his supplications save Thou our souls.

Glory…, Now and ever…: Troparion of the Forefeast, in the same tone

Make ready, O Zebulun! Adorn thyself, O Naphtali! O River Jordan, leaping up, receive thou the Master Who cometh to be baptized! Rejoice, O Adam, with our first mother! Hide not yourselves as ye did before in paradise; for He that beheld you naked hath revealed Himself, that He may clothe you in your primal raiment. Christ hath appeared, desiring to make all creation new!

At Compline

Triodion I, the irmos whereof is chanted twice, with 6 Troparia, the acrostic whereof is: “I chant the fourth”, in Tone II

Ode III

Irmos: Establishing me upon the rock of faith, Thou hast enlarged my mouth against mine enemies, for my spirit doth exult when I chant: There is none holy as our God, and none righteous save Thee, O Lord!

Vain was the plot of Herod, who, seeking to find freedom, iniquitously slew the infants; for in being baptized Christ our Deliverer granteth to all life which cannot be slain.

Of old the cruel edict of Herod slew the new generation of infants, filling Bethlehem with blood; but now Christ cometh to create many children of the Church through baptism

Triodion II, in Tone VI

Ode V

Irmos: I rise early unto Thee, O Word of God, Who, in Thy loving-kindness, didst immutably debase Thyself and didst dispassionately subject Thyself to sufferings. Grant peace unto me who have fallen, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Having purified our minds and cleansed ourselves by partaking of the Mystery of the awesome dispensation, let us go forth to meet Christ, all ye faithful, Who cometh to cleanse us with the streams of the Jordan.

O friends, behold the voice of the Word, the luminary of the Sun, the friend of the Bridegroom, who crieth out to the people: “Repent and haste ye to purify yourselves to meet the Creator!”

Ode VIII

Triodion I

Irmos: Because the words of the tyrant prevailed, the furnace was once heated sevenfold, but therein the children were not consumed, trampling the edict of the king underfoot; and they cried aloud: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Shedding streams of tears from our eyes, ye faithful, let us wash away all defilement of soul, and when Christ cometh to be baptized let us through light behold the Light within light. For the Father beareth witness to Him from heaven, and the appearance of the Holy Spirit shineth forth in the form of a dove.

Christ, Who taketh away every tear from every face, cometh forth, painlessly causing the greatly painful afflictions of our souls to cease through water, and restoring by regeneration men who have fallen prey to age, who exalt Him supremely forever.

Souls are rendered sacred through the fire of the Spirit and the divinely bestowed font of baptism of Him Who purifieth us from the passions, Who burneth away all the dross of vile wickedness, and giveth us the grace to cry out in compunction: Thee do we exalt supremely, O Christ, forever!

Triodion II

Irmos: Come ye to the Jordan…

Having shaken off the sleep of evil from the eyelids of our souls, let us remove wickedness from our hearts, O ye faithful, and bathe our minds with fervent tears, that we may be shown to behold Christ Who hath appeared, glorifying Him forever.

Let us not bear within us the abominable words of evil thoughts, but, having learned divine words, let us offer hymns to the Word Who for our sake hath appeared in the flesh and enlighteneth those in darkness. Him doth all creation bless, glorifying Him forever.

The depth of the hidden mystery of wisdom is now revealed to men, the abyss of the judgments of God is now disclosed to the faithful as God appeareth in the flesh on earth for the restoration of the human race. Him doth all creation bless, glorifying Him forever.

“Thou dost refuse, O John, that thou mightest accomplish it more readily, submitting to Me. Cease now, for thus it doth become us truly to fulfill all righteousness,” the Master said to the servant. Him doth all creation bless, glorifying Him forever.

Then: We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him for all ages.

Irmos: Come ye to the Jordan, all ye who have mocked cruel Herod, the pillar of wickedness! Let us go, O ye faithful, that we may behold Christ the Deliverer, baptized in the flesh by the Forerunner in the streams. Him doth all creation bless, glorifying Him forever.

Ode IX

Triodion I

Irmos: Come ye, and with pure souls and undefiled lips let us magnify the undefiled and all-pure Mother of Emmanuel, offering supplication unto Him Who was born of her, saying: Take pity on our souls, O Christ God, and save us!

Let no one be foolish and ungrateful to Christ, despising His long-suffering patience and goodness, lest He be offended; but with fear and joy let us become His servants, chanting: Take pity on our souls, O Christ God, and save us!

The Forerunner saith to the disobedient people: “Who hath shown you how to escape the coming wrath, ye spawn of vipers? Wherefore, show forth fruits worthy of repentance, crying out: Take pity on our souls, O Christ God, and save us!”

O the arrogance of blind ignorance! For people from foreign lands have done homage to Christ as Deliverer, honoring Him with gifts; but His own people savagely sought to slay Him when He was born. Take pity on our souls, O Christ God, and save us!

Triodion II

Irmos: We magnify thee as the Theotokos…

Now setting aright the most pernicious fall of Adam, the new Adam hath appeared, all-gloriously granting the freedom of regeneration through baptism.

Fulfilling the law and the prophets and effecting righteousness, the Savior of all now boweth His head beneath the hand of His servant, rescuing man from slavery to the enemy.

A great light hath dawned upon the nations, a divine ray hath illumined the benighted: Christ, the Sun of righteousness, hath shone forth upon those who from of old have sat in the shadow of death.

Armies of angels surrounded the Deliverer baptized in the Jordan, and with trembling they hymned the great mystery of His ineffable condescension.

Then, the irmos: We magnify thee as the Theotokos, who art more honorable than the cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim, and without corruption gavest birth to God the Word.

Prostration

At Matins

At “God is the Lord…”, the Troparion of the Forefeast, twice; Glory…, that of the martyr; Now and ever…, that of the Forefeast, once.

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone III, Special Melody: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”

He Who is infinite in His divinity, but Who hath been circumscribed by the matter of the flesh, desireth to come and be baptized in the waters of the Jordan. Let us receive Him with noetic purity, for He desireth to accomplish the restoration of all. To Him let us cry out with fear: Glory to Thine appearance, O Christ!

Glory…, Now and ever…: Another Sessional hymn, in the same melody

When Thou didst appear in the Jordan, to be baptized in the flesh in its waters, O Savior, the angelic armies stood in awe, beholding the Master of creation standing before a servant and the all-unoriginate Father proclaiming Thee from on high. Wherefore, we cry out to Thee with gladness: Glory to God Who hath been baptized!

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone V, Special Melody: “The Word Who with the Father and the Spirit is equally without beginning…”

Beholding the Word, Who is equal in honor with the Father and the Spirit, and Who in His loving-kindness became incarnate and is baptized, the angelic choirs trembled; and the River Jordan, abashed and afraid, turned back, bearing up to the heights of salvation us who have become corrupted by the passions.

Glory…, Now and ever…: Another Sessional hymn, in the same melody

The Word Who with the Father and the Spirit is equally without beginning, Who in His loving-kindness took on a form foreign to Him, is now come to be baptized for our sake. Let us greet Him with pure minds, crying: Blessed art Thou, O Christ, our Savior and Benefactor, Who art come to sanctify us!

Canon of the Forefeast, with 6 Troparia, including the irmos; and two canons of the saints, with 8 Troparia.

Ode I

Canon of the Forefeast, the acrostic whereof is the Greek alphabet, the composition of Joseph, in Tone IV

Irmos: I will open my mouth, and with the Spirit will it be filled; and I shall utter discourse unto the Queen and Mother, and shall appear, keeping splendid festival; and, rejoicing, I will hymn her wonders.

O Lord Who lovest mankind, Who created the depths by Thy command and suspended the earth upon the waters: humbling Thyself, Thou comest forth to be baptized in the river’s streams, washing me clean of the vile passions.

Thou didst willingly beggar Thyself, enriching me who of mine own will am become a pauper through evil deeds, O sinless Christ, and Thou comest forth to the waters of the Jordan, asking baptism.

Restoring the world which hath grown old through transgressions, O Thou Who lovest mankind, Thou comest to accomplish a strange regeneration for men through water and the Spirit. Wherefore, we glorify Thine appearance.

Giving utterance to prophecy through the divine Spirit, David exclaimed: “What aileth thee, O sea, that thou fleddest? And thou, Jordan, that thou didst turn back, beholding Christ standing, naked, within thee?”

Canon of the prophet, the acrostic whereof is: “Let the glory of Malachi be glorified by me”, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone VIII

Irmos: That which had been hewn down cut through the undivided, and the sun saw land which it had not seen before; the water engulfed the cruel enemy, and Israel traversed the impassable, and chanted the hymn: Let us sing to the Lord, for gloriously is He glorified!

Rejoicing with the choir on high, and joining chorus gladly therewith, and delighting as is meet in divine enlightenment, O thou who art inspired by God, by thy supplication preserve those who celebrate thine honored memory with faith and chant unto the Lord.

Resplendent with the beauty and comeliness of thine angelic soul and thy body, O divinely eloquent one, thou didst splendidly receive the heavenly effulgence of divine radiance, and, rejoicing, didst cry out: Let us chant unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Leading a blameless life, adorned with majesty, and cleansing thyself with goodly traits, O all-blessed one, thou becamest a prophet of true piety, crying: Let us chant unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Theotokion: O pure Mother of Almighty God, O Mistress sprung forth from the root of royalty, who gavest rise to the One God Who reigneth over all, and gavest birth to Him supernaturally in the flesh: Save me from misfortunes, who chant to thy Son: For gloriously hath He been glorified!

Canon of the martyr, the acrostic whereof is: “I hymn the martyr Gordius with sweet hymnody”, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone VIII

Irmos: Let us chant unto the Lord, Who led His people through the Red Sea, for He alone hath gloriously been glorified.

O most blessed Gordius who art known to be a witness of the Truth, by thy supplications grant me radiant grace from heaven.

Let us chant unto the Lord Who strengthened the passion-bearer against the adversary and hath adorned him with a crown of victory.

Made strong by the power and full armor of the King of all, O most glorious Gordius, thou didst set at naught the malice of the tyrants.

Theotokion: O Bride of God, thou wast shown to be the habitation of Him Who poureth forth upon all men life, the waters which flow unto immortality.

Ode III

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and abundant fountain: in thy divine glory establish those who hymn thee and spiritually form themselves into a choir; and vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.

Be glad, O human nature, thou arid desert; for, lo! Christ, the restoration of all, the Water of life, hath appeared, watering thee with grace newly sprung forth!

Thou comest forth to the waters to seek me out who have gone astray in mind, O Christ; and entering them, Thou drownest my transgressions and leadest me up from the abyss of all evil, in that Thou art compassionate.

Having perforce to behold Thee naked, O Word, the sun hideth its rays; for Thou comest to clothe in the garment of salvation, through honored baptism, me who have been stripped naked through the deception of the serpent.

Canon of the Prophet

Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who have recourse to Thee, O Lord; Thou art the light of the benighted; and my spirit doth hymn Thee.

Rejoice now, O blessed and God-pleasing Malachi, beholding the fulfillment and accomplishment of thy prophecies!

The noetic Sun of righteousness hath shone forth, Who hath healing on His wings, as Thou didst foretell, O divinely inspired one.

Theotokion: All my hope do I place in thee, O most immaculate one, and, rejoicing, I stretch forth my soul and mind toward thee.

Canon of the Martyr

Irmos: None is as holy as the Lord, and none is as righteous as our God, Whom all creation doth hymn, singing: None is righteous save Thee, O Lord!

Mindful of the inconstancy of transitory things, and pondering the constancy of those things which are abiding, O blessed and glorious martyr, thou didst fearlessly enter the arena of suffering.

Thou didst put away fleeting vainglory, O thou who art most rich, and didst cleave unto those things which are everlasting; and, fleeing from men, O divinely wise one, thou camest to dwell with the angels.

Putting aside earthly knowledge, O martyr, thou didst find a heavenly life; for, unable to endure the sight of the arrogance of falsehood, thou didst withdraw into the wilderness.

Theotokion: There is none as blameless as thee, O Mistress, and none more pure than thee, O most immaculate one; for in thy womb thou didst contain the Creator of all, Who alone is greatly merciful.

Kontakion of the prophet, in Tone IV, Special Melody: “Thou hast appeared…”

Enriched by the gift of prophecy, O prophet, thou didst manifestly proclaim salvation to the world and the advent of Christ, by Whose radiance the world hath been illumined.

Kontakion of the martyr, in Tone VIII, Special Melody: “As firstfruits…”

The drops of thy sweat have watered the whole earth, O all-glorious Gordius, and thou hast gladdened all the world with thy precious blood. By thy supplications, O divinely wise one, save all who hymn and bless thee with faith, crying out a worthy hymn to thee, O most lauded one, as a great athlete.

Sessional hymn of the prophet, in Tone VIII, Special Melody: “Of the Wisdom…”

Enriched by the grace of prophecy, by the Spirit thou wast divinely taught the knowledge of things to come, O divinely inspired Malachi who art most rich, and thou didst foretell to all the advent of Christ and the divine summoning of the nations. Wherefore, we celebrate thine honored memory, we sing to thee with love and bless thee with faith, crying out to thee, O glorious one: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to those who honor thy holy memory with love.

Glory…: Sessional hymn of the martyr, in the same melody

Afire with the love of Jesus, O wise martyr, of thine own will thou didst zealously give thyself over to death and didst stand in the midst of the tribunal, crying out to the tyrants: “Behold, I am come!” Wherefore, having denounced falsehood with boldness, thou wast beheaded by the sword, O glorious one, and hast passed over to life everlasting. O most lauded one, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who honor thy holy memory with love.

Now and ever…: Sessional hymn of the Forefeast, in the same tone, Special Melody: “Of the shepherds’ pipes…”

The choir of the prophets rejoiceth, proclaiming the baptism of Christ which poureth forth life. Isaiah saith: “Draw forth the purifying water!” And the ancestor of God writeth: “Why doth the sea flee from before the face of God Who of His own will saveth the human race?”

Ode IV

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: Perceiving the inscrutable counsel of Godthe Incarnation of Thee, the Most High, from the Virginthe Prophet Habbakuk cried aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Stricken with awe were heaven and the angelic armies, beholding Thee as a servant, O Christ, coming to Thy servant and asking baptism.

Leap up, O John! For The Lord Who delivereth all cometh to bow down humbly beneath thy hand, that through divine baptism He might raise me, the lowly one.

Bowing down the heavens, Thou didst descend into the Virgin, O Thou Who lovest mankind, and bowest Thy head before John, asking baptism. Glory to Thy surpassing loving-kindness!

Loosing the countless bonds of mine offenses, O Word, Thou dost hasten to come to the waters of the Jordan to be baptized. O Master, glory to Thy surpassing loving-kindness!

Canon of the Prophet

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.

As a prophet of the goodness of the Godhead, O blessed one, thou didst proclaim to all the nations the deliverance which hath taken place.

Having learned through the Spirit of the supernatural incarnation of the Word, O blessed Malachi, thou didst proclaim the ineffable mystery.

Theotokion: On thee have I set mine every hope of salvation and the direction of my life, O joyous Virgin Mary.

Canon of the Martyr

Irmos: O Word, with divine vision the prophet perceived Thee Who wast to become incarnate of the Theotokos alone, the mountain overshadowed; and with fear he glorified Thy power.

Having heard the words of Christ, rejoicing, thou didst leave the corrupt army and didst enlist in the army of the King of heaven, O most blessed and crowned martyr Gordius.

The mountains of the tyrants and the hills of the idols were broken, O martyr, by the patient suffering of thee who approached them with boldness, O crown-bearer.

Thou wast strengthened by the divine power of the Cross, that thou mightest cry aloud against the ungodly council: “For those who seek me not, I am found! And trusting now, I appear to those who ask not!”

Thou didst provoke the wrath of the tyrant wholly against thee, O divinely wise one, and he marvelled at the intention and the uprising of thy soul.

Theotokion: O Mary Theotokos, Bride of God, deliver me from cruel transgressions and misfortunes, and by thy supplications guide me toward the calm haven of salvation.

Ode V

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: All things are filled with awe at thy divine glory; for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, didst contain within thy womb Him Who is God over all, and gavest birth to the timeless Son, granting peace unto all who hymn thee.

Taking pity on human nature, which had fallen far away from God, the Word of God manifested Himself as a man, and through God-given baptism doth divinely unite it to Himself, and restoreth it to its original dignity.

O most compassionate Bestower of life, thou comest to bring life, through the streams of the Jordan, to us who have become mortal through disobedience. Wherefore, we now faithfully glorify Thine appearance and ineffable mercy.

Every soul doth marvel, pondering Thine awesome dispensation, O Word: how, desiring to restore all, Thou Who art clothed with light comest to enter the river’s streams naked.

Canon of the Prophet

Irmos: O Lord Who by divine knowledge brought the ends of the earth into the light out of the night of ignorance, enlighten me with the dawning of Thy love for mankind.

Illumined by the divine Spirit, thou didst proclaim the awesome day of the advent of Christ, O divinely wise Malachi.

He Who removeth and washeth away the defilement of men’s souls with grace, as with the fullers’ earth, hath thus glorified thee, O divinely wise one.

Theotokion: By thy Life-bearing birthgiving thou didst destroy the might of death, O most holy Virgin Maiden, and hast poured forth life indestructible.

Canon of the Martyr

Irmos: Same as that of the preceding canon.

Entering the arena as fearlessly and valiantly as a lion, O blessed one, thou didst regard the mindless as stones devoid of souls.

Instructed by the teachings of the divinely inspired Scriptures, O martyr Gordius, thou didst find them all to conduce to salvation.

Perceiving thy firm opposition, O divinely wise one, the tyrant was broken by thy steadfastness, as a wave is broken by a rock.

Theotokion: He Who transcendently became incarnate of thy womb, O all-pure Virgin, hath illumined the world with the radiance of divine knowledge.

Ode VI

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: Celebrating this divine and most honored festival of the Mother of God, come, ye divinely wise, let us clap our hands and glorify God Who was born of her.

O ye who from of old have sat in the darkness, beholding the Light which is come, be ye filled with joy! Lo! the Lord hath appeared, clothed in the streams of the Jordan.

How is it that the Forerunner beheld Thee coming and asking for divine baptism, O Savior? How is it that the waters of the Jordan receive thee, Who art the Water of remission?

In gladness let the clouds drop forth noetic joy. Lo! the Lord hath come to be baptized, removing the dark clouds from our hearts.

Canon of the Prophet

Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord, and to Him do I declare my grief; for my soul is full of evil and my life hath drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I pray: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

Thy wise mind illumined by the very effulgence of God, thou didst set thyself apart from things here below and wast vouchsafed knowledge of things to come; for thou didst foretell the calling of the gentiles and the ending of the force of the law.

Truly the Lord, Whom we sought in joy, hath come into the temple which He Himself wisely made of the blessed Virgin, as He said, shining forth from God, O glorious Malachi.

Theotokion: He Who with the Father is without beginning and consubstantial hath ineffably been born, incarnate as the only-begotten Child of the Virgin, and hath preserved as virgin her who gave Him birth; for He is truly God, even though He hath assumed human nature.

Canon of the Martyr

Irmos: As Thou didst deliver the prophet from the uttermost abyss, O Christ God, in that Thou lovest mankind deliver me from my sins, and direct my life, I beseech Thee.

Shedding his blood, O Master, Gordius maketh himself a sacred sacrifice and offereth himself to Thee as a pleasing oblation, emulating thy voluntary suffering.

He who is senseless in mind promised corruptible glory to thee who wast rich in incorruptible glory and had laid up a wealth of immortality, O Gordius.

Directing thy hope toward God, thou didst pass through the inconstancy of life, and, beheaded by the sword, thou didst pass over to the broad expanse of heaven.

Theotokion: Raise up my mind which hath been done to death by the threefold waves of the passions, O thou who gavest birth to Christ, eternal Life, Who bestoweth healings upon all.

Kontakion of the Forefeast, in Tone IV, Special Melody: “Thou hast appeared today…”

In the streams of the Jordan the Lord crieth out to John today: “Fear not to baptize Me, for I have come to save Adam the first-created!”

Ikos: “I do not require thee to transgress the bounds of what is meet, O Baptist; I am not saying unto thee: Tell Me what thou tellest the iniquitous, and what thou teachest sinners. Only baptize Me in silence, awaiting those things which come through baptism; for it is for this cause that thou hast received a dignity which even the angels do not possess; for I have made thee greater than all the prophets. Thus, not one of them beheld Me plainly, but only in images, shadows and reflections; but thou beheldest Me standing before thee. For I am come to save Adam the first-created!”

Ode VII

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: The divinely wise youths worshipped not a creation rather than the Creator, but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot, they rejoice, chanting: Blessed art Thou, the all-hymned God of our fathers!

Having mercy on me, who am broken by transgressions and lie in the darkness of disobedience, O Lord, thou hast taken pity on me in Thy goodness, and comest to be baptized in the waters of the Jordan, O Master.

“What is this awesome sight?” the ranks of the angels cried out. “He Who created the lakes and rivers by His command hath come to clothe Himself in the rivers of the Jordan; for thereby He restoreth Adam!”

Ineffable are the heights and unfathomable is the abyss of Thy dispensation, O Master, transcending every attainment of the mind. How is it that Thou cleansest mortals with water and the most Holy Spirit?

Canon of the Prophet

Irmos: In the furnace the Hebrew children boldly trod the flame underfoot and transformed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

O glorious Prophet Malachi, thou didst foretell the most honored advent of Him Who hath dominion over all things, crying: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

O Compassionate One, accept Thou the glorious Prophet Malachi, who prayeth for those who piously chant and cry aloud: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Theotokion: O compassionate Word of God, Who didst clothe Thyself in me through the pure Virgin, without confusion Thou didst wholly unite Thyself hypostatically with all of me. Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Canon of the Martyr

Irmos: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers, Who bedewed the children in the furnace and preserved her who gave Thee birth a Virgin after birthgiving!

Having attained the glory of martyrdom, O crowned one, thou joinest chorus with the angels, crying out to Christ: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Possessed of the boldness of piety, thou didst rebuke the wicked, chanting aloud: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Pray thou now, that they be delivered from transgressions who honor thy precious memory with faith and chant aloud: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Theotokion: O blessed Theotokos, most pure one who gavest birth to God without seed, with the outpouring of healings thou dost cleanse the infected wounds caused by the thorns of sins.

Ode VIII

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: The birthgiving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the furnacethen in figure, but now in deedand it moveth all the world to chant to Thee: Hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The voice of the Father beareth witness from on high to Thee, the consubstantial Son, Who entereth the waters and thereby sendest forth Thy blessing, O blessed Christ; and the Holy Spirit proclaimeth Thee to all as God incarnate.

Exult, O creation, beholding the holy epiphany of God! Chant, ye angels! Rejoice, O sea! Ye lands and wellsprings, leap up! Ye rivers, mystically clap your hands in hymnody! Christ hath stood forth, illumining you with blessings!

Let us sing in praise unto the Lord Who hath appeared in the waters, thereby mending our broken state and crushing the heads of the invisible foe; and let us cry aloud: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O wonder of wonders! How is it that our God, Who is above all creation, taketh on form and is made new through the Theotokos? How is it that of His own will the only Benefactor restoreth and reneweth us through water and the Spirit in a wondrous restoration?

Canon of the Prophet

Irmos: Becoming vanquishers of the tyrant and the flame by Thy grace, taking exceeding care to keep Thy commandments, the children cried out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Having made thyself a stranger to every material manifestation, O sacred one, thou didst show thyself to be an undefiled mirror of divine radiance, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Thou wast a beholder of ineffable glory, O blessed one, and a proclaimer of the mysteries of heaven, chanting unceasingly: Bless the Lord, all ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Theotokion: Acknowledging thee as the Mother of Life and Bearer of God, O Virgin Mother, we all bless thee with Orthodox faith, blessing and supremely exalting thine Offspring for all ages, O pure one.

Canon of the Martyr

Irmos: Trampling down the fire and flame in the furnace, the divinely eloquent youths did chant: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

The grace which followed thee, shining forth invisibly, O martyr, filled thee with valor, who criest: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Running thy course quickly, O athlete, thou didst reach the kingdom, thy desired end, crying out: Bless the Lord, ye works of the Lord!

The glory and the immortal laudation of Thy martyrs abideth for endless ages! O all ye works, let us bless the Lord!

Theotokion: Conceiving the incarnate Word, Who before was incorporeal, O Virgin, thou didst abolish the ancient curse of Eve, giving birth to the Blessing of the world.

Ode IX

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, honoring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!

Behold, the Lamb Who taketh away the transgressions of mankind hath come and stood before His servant, asking baptism; and He standeth forth like a servant, seeking to set us free, who have been enslaved by the deceiver and have destroyed our primal beauty.

God Who became incarnate in His goodness hath manifestly appeared! He Who hath truly clothed the heavens in clouds cometh forth to be clothed in the waters of the Jordan! Wherefore, with joy we now celebrate the honored Forefeast of His epiphany.

Leap up with joy and prepare thyself to embrace the Water which floweth to life everlasting, O Jordan! Ye rivers, join chorus, beholding now the Torrent of nourishment entering the streams of the Jordan and drying up the outpourings of evil.

The day of salvation hath now dawned upon us who ever sleep in the night of evils! For Christ the Lord, Who is understood to be the Sun of righteousness, hath stood forth to bow His head before His servant and to be baptized in the flesh of His own will.

O most immaculate one, the cherubim and all the heavenly beings are in awe of thy precious birthgiving, which passeth comprehension, to Him Who became like unto us in His ineffable compassion and hath been baptized in the flesh. His divine epiphany do we all now celebrate, rejoicing.

Canon of the Prophet

Irmos: Every ear trembleth to hear of the ineffable condescension of God, for the Most High willingly came down even to the flesh, becoming man through the Virgin’s womb. Wherefore we, the faithful, magnify the all-pure Theotokos.

The divinely radiant and honored feast of the prophet hath dawned, illumining with the splendors of prophecy those who come with faith and chant hymns; and it poureth forth healings upon all souls, and manifestly enlighteneth the divinely wise.

By Thy life-creating and mighty right hand, O greatly merciful one, preserve Thy Church through the entreaties of Thy favored one, Who foretold to us that Thou wouldst become man, thereby shining forth salvation and deliverance upon our souls.

Theotokion: Ripe life do I embrace, unharmed by the tree of knowledge; for thou, O most immaculate one, hast budded forth Christ, the Tree of life, Who showeth to all how to enter into life. Wherefore, O most pure one, we the faithful declare thee the Theotokos.

Canon of the Martyr

Irmos: Thy birthgiving, O Ever-virgin, which was revealed to the law-giver on the mountain in the fire and the bush, for the salvation of us, the faithful, do we magnify with unceasing hymnody.

Entreat the Master to be merciful to those who honor thee with faith and celebrate thy radiant and honored festival, O Gordius, adornment of the martyrs.

Delighting now in incorruptible sustenance, in the vision of God and never-waning light, O Gordius, thou receivest the fruits of thy struggles in the eternal mansions.

Disdaining fleeting glory which is corrupt and fit to be trampled underfoot, O divinely wise martyr, thou dost truly delight now in everlasting glory and joy, standing before the throne of the Master.

Theotokion: Saved from the ancient curse by thy divine birthgiving, O Virgin, and hymning it as is meet, we cry out with unceasing voices: Rejoice, O Theotokos, our hope!

Exapostilarion of the Forefeast, Special Melody: “By the Spirit in the sanctuary…”

Leaving Bethlehem, the all-glorious wonder, let us hasten with fervor of soul to the Jordan, and there let us behold an awesome mystery; for my Christ, having stripped Himself naked, standeth forth divinely, clothing me in the raiment of the heavenly kingdom.

Glory…, Now and ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone VI, Special Melody: “The angelic hosts…”

The Master, Who hath heaven for His throne, hath come to earth, incarnate of the Virgin; and, standing forth in the Jordan, He asketh of John the cleansing of all. O all ye lands of the earth, let us chant to Him: Blessed art Thou Who hast appeared! O our God, glory be to Thee!

Christ arriveth at the streams of the Jordan; He Who washeth sins away asketh baptism. Let all the earth leap up, and let the heavens be glad! Rejoice, O Church of the nations, having been wedded to the King, and cry out with faith: Blessed art Thou Who hast appeared! O our God, glory be to Thee!

Let the mountains cause the sweetness of gladness to fall! Clap your hands now mystically, ye nations! Let the desert burst into bloom! Leap up, O Jordan! Come thou, O Baptist, and, rejoicing, minister to the mystery of the Deliverer! O ye people, let us chant: Blessed art Thou Who hast appeared! O our God, glory be to Thee!

O Light Who hast shone forth from the Light before time began, Who hast appeared to those who sit in the night: cleanse away the darkness of sin and shine forth the light! Exult, O Adam, and be glad, O Eve! Christ our deliverance is come! Cry out, O David: Blessed art Thou Who hast appeared! O our God, glory be to Thee!

Glory…, in the same tone & melody

A star hath shone forth from Jacob upon the world, and, taking the flaming sin of men, He burieth it in the waters of the Jordan, shining forth with the radiance of divinity and granting the enlightenment of divine knowledge to the nations. Blessed art Thou Who hast appeared! O our God, glory be to Thee!

Now and ever…, in the same melody

As the fulfillment of the law in the flesh, in that He is full of loving-kindness Christ hath come to the Jordan to produce the first-fruits of salvation; and He boweth His head before the Baptist, who crieth out with faith: “O ye people, let us cry aloud: Blessed art Thou Who hast appeared! O our God, glory be to Thee!”

Aposticha stichera, in Tone II, Special Melody: “O house of Ephratha…”

Leaving Bethlehem, let us pass over to the Jordan, for there the Light beginneth to shine upon those in darkness.

Stichos: Therefore will I remember Thee from the land of Jordan and Hermoniem.

O lands of Zebulun, which lie on either bank of the Jordan, hark ye! Christ approacheth, our salvation, light and deliverance!

Stichos: The waters saw Thee, O God, the waters saw Thee and were afraid.

O River Jordan, prepare thou thy streams, for He Who baptizeth with fire approacheth to restore His creation, which had been broken.

Glory…, Now and ever…, in the same tone & melody

The Effulgence of the Father’s glory hath appeared in the streams of the Jordan, washing away with baptism the defilement of our souls.

At Divine Liturgy

On the Beatitudes, 6 Troparia: 3 from Ode III and 3 from Ode VI of the canon of the Forefeast.

Prokimenon, in Tone VII

The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him.

Stichos: Hearken, O God, unto my prayer, when I make supplication unto Thee.

Epistle to Timothy, §292 [II Tim. 2:1-1]

Timothy my child: Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man who warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman who laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead, according to my gospel: wherein I suffer trouble, as an evildoer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Alleluia, in Tone IV

Stichos: The righteous man shall flourish like a palm-tree, and like a cedar in Lebanon shall he be multiplied.

Stichos: Those who are planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of our God they shall blossom forth.

Gospel according to Matthew, §36 [10:16-22]

The Lord said to His disciples: Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Communion Verse

In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings.