The Nativity of Christ

The faithful prepare themselves for this great Feast by a prolonged Fast, which beginneth on November 15, and is called the Christmas Fast, or the Fast of St. Philip. The Eve of the Feast (Sotchelnik) is dedicated to a specially strict abstinence.

On Christmas Eve the customary festival Compline service is celebrated. If the Eve falleth on any day except Saturday or Sunday, then on the morning of that day the Imperial Hours are read, and, later on, the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated, preceded by Vespers. But if the day before the Feast be Saturday or Sunday, then the Imperial Hours are read on Friday, while the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated on the preceding day (Sotchelnik). If the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used on the preceding day (Sotchelnik) then on the Feast of the Nativity itself the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is used; and contrariwise.

The other general differences of this festival service are as followeth: Matins are preceded, not by Vespers, but by Grand Compline: and after the Liturgy, on the day of the Feast, a service of thanksgiving is celebrated.

The Imperial Hours,* to precede Christmas.

In addition to many of the Prayers and so forth which are used in the daily Hours, and the Christmas Hymns, the following are read:

First Hour. Psalms v., xlv., xlvi. The Parable (Paremiyd). Micah v. 2-4. The Epistle. Heb. i. 1-12. The Gospel. Matt. i. 18-25.

Third Hour. Psalms lxvii., lxxxvii., li. The Parable (Paremiyd). Jer. (Baruch iii. 36-38, iv. 1-4). The Epistle. Gal. iii. 23-29. The Gospel. Luke ii. 1-20.

Sixth Hour. Psalms lxxii., cxxxii., xci. The Parable (Paremiyd). Isaiah vii. 10-16, viii. 1-4, 9, 10. The Epistle. Heb. i. Ю-14, ii. 1-3. The Gospel. Matt. ii. 1-12.

Ninth Hour. Psalms ex., cxi., lxxxvi.

Then Many Years are proclaimed for the Ruler, the Patriarch, the Holy Synod, the Bishop, the Orthodox Patriarchs of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem, and others; and the Choir respondeth: Many years!

At the Vespers which immediately precede the Liturgy, the Stanza (Stikhira) for: Lord, I have cried: In Tone II.

O come, let us rejoice in the Lord, as we declare this present mystery The partition wall of disunion hath been destroyed, the flaming sword is turned back, and the Cherubim withdraw from the Tree of Life, and I partake of the food of Paradise, whence, because of disobedience, I was expelled. For the Image Immutable of the Father, the Image of his Eternity, taketh the form of a servant, having come forth from a Mother

unwedded, yet having suffered no change: for that which he was that he remaineth, being very God; and that which he was not he hath assumed, becoming very man because of his love toward mankind. Unto him let us cry aloud: O God, who wast born of a Virgin, have mercy upon us. (Twice.)

When Augustus reigned alone upon the earth, the polygarchy of men came to an end: and when thou didst become incarnate of the Pure One, the polytheism of idols was annulled. Under one earthly sway were the cities, and in one dominion of the Godhead did the Gentiles believe. By the command of Caesar were the people inscribed; and we faithful have been inscribed with the name of the Godhead, of thee our God, who hast become man. Great is thy mercy. O Lord, glory to thee.

The Entrance is made with the book of the Holy Gospels, and the Hymn: O gladsome radiance!

The Gradual (Prokimen) for the Day.

The Parables (Paremii). Gen. i. 1-13. Num. xxiv. 2, 3, 5-9, 17, 18; Micah iv 6, 7, v 2-4; Isaiah xi. 1-10; Jer. (Baruch iii. 36-38, iv. 1-4); Dan. ii. 31-36, 44-46; Isaiah ix. 6, 7, vii. 10-15, viii. 1-4, 9-1 1.

The Little Litany: Again, yet again, in peace: with the Exclama-

tion: For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Gradual (Prokimen), in the First Tone. The Lord said unto me, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Verse (Stikh): Ask of me, and I will give the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

The Epistle. Heb. i. 1-12.

The Gospel. Luke ii. 1-20.

Compline and Matins.

Compline is read in the usual order, with the Hymns and Collect-Hymn of the Feast in place of the ordinary ones. After: Glory be to God on high: hath been read, the Clergy come forth to the centre of the Temple, and perform the Litiyd, with the Blessing of the Loaves.

The Stanzas (Stikhiri) of the Litiyd, in Tone I. Let heaven and earth today prophetically exult, and let Angels and men spiritually rejoice: for God hath revealed himself in the flesh unto those who were in darkness and sat in the shadow, and hath been born of a Virgin. The cavern and the manger have received him; Shepherds proclaim the marvel, and Magi from the Orient bring gifts unto Bethlehem. And we, also, with lips unworthy, do bring unto him praise in Angelic wise: Glory be to God on

high, and on earth peace: for the Hope of the nations is come, and having come hath saved us from bondage to the enemy

The Hymn at the Blessing of the Loaves, and: God is the Lord: Tone IV Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath arisen upon the world as the light of wisdom. For at it, they who worshipped the stars were, by a Star, taught to adore thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know thee, the Orient from on high. O Lord, glory to thee.

The Exaltation of the Feast. We magnify thee, O Life-giving Christ, who for our sakes now art born in the flesh of the Virgin Mary, unwedded and most pure.

The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Fourth Tone. Out of the womb, before the morning star, have I begotten thee. The Lord sweareth and will not repent.

Verse (Stikh): The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

The Gospel. Matt. i. 18-25.

In Tone I. (Composed by St. Cosmas of Maium, about 760.)

Canticle I.

Theme-Song (Irmos). Christ is born: extol him! Christ from heaven: go to meet him! Christ on earth: be ye lifted up! Sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth, and praise him in song with joy, O ye people: For he hath glorified himself.

Glory to thee, O our God; glory to thee.

Hymns (Tropari). Man who, being made in the image of God, had become corrupt through sin, and was full of vileness, and had fallen away from the better life divine, doth the wise Creator restore anew: For he hath glorified himself.

When the Creator beheld man, whom he had made with his hands, about to perish, he bowed the heavens and came down; and was endued with man's nature in very truth, becoming incarnate of a Virgin divinely pure: For he hath glorified himself.

The Wisdom, Word, and Might, the Son and Effulgence of the Father, Christ our God, without the knowledge of the supra -mundane Powers and the Powers of the earth, is become incarnate and hath renewed us: For he hath glorified himself.

Canticle III.

Theme-Song (Irmos). Unto the Son, who, in wise immortal, was born of the Father before all the ages, and in these latter days is become incarnate without seed of a Virgin, Christ our God, let us cry aloud: O Lord, who hast exalted our horn, holy art thou!

Hymns (Tropari). Adam, mortal, made of clay, yet a participant of the divine inspiration, who had become subject to corruption through a

woman's seduction, when he beheld Christ sprung from a woman, exclaimed: Holy art thou, O Lord, who for my sake hast made thyself like unto me.

O Christ, who hast conformed thyself unto our base, mortal mould, and by that participation in our lowly flesh hast imparted unto us a share of the nature divine; who, though thou didst become earthborn, yet didst remain still God, and hast exalted our horn: Holy art thou, O Lord.

Rejoice, O Bethlehem, which art King over the princes of Judah; for he who feedeth Israel and is borne on the shoulders of the Cherubim is visibly come forth from thee; and he who exalteth our horn is enthroned over all.

Canticle IV

Theme-Song (Irmos). The Rod of the Root of Jesse and its Flower, from a Virgin didst thou bud forth, O most-lauded Christ. From the Mount covered with dense shadow art thou come, being incarnate of a Maid who knew not man, O thou Immaterial One and God: Glory to thy might, O Lord.

Hymns (Tr opart). Thou, O Christ, the Expectation of the nations, whom Jacob did foretell of old, art risen from the tribe of Judah, and art come to annihilate the power of Damascus, and the spoils of Samaria, replacing error with truth acceptable to God: Glory to thy might, O Lord.

By thy rising as a Star from Jacob, O Lord, thou didst fill with joy the wise initiates in the word of Balaam the Prophet of old, the Watchers of the Stars, who were led unto thee as the first-fruits of the Gentiles, and didst manifestly receive them: Glory to thy might, O Lord.

Like the rain upon the fleece, and like drops of dew falling upon the earth, O Christ, didst thou descend into the Virgin's womb. Ethiopia and Tarshish, the Isles of Araby, and Sheba of the Midians, the Rulers of all the earth, fell down in adoration before thee, O Saviour: Glory to thy might, O Lord.

Canticle V.

Theme-Song (Irmos). O God of peace, the Father of mercies, thou hast sent unto us the Angel of thy Great Council, who giveth peace: wherefore we, in that we have been led unto the light of godly wisdom, waking right early from the night, do sing praises unto thee, O thou who lovest mankind.

Hymns (Tropari). In obedience to the command of Csesar, O Christ, thou didst enroll thyself among the slaves, and didst set free us who were slaves of the enemy and of sin; and didst make thyself a beggar, in every way like unto us; and through that same union and community didst render the mortal divine.

Lo, a Virgin, as it was foretold of old, having conceived in her womb, hath brought forth God incarnate, yet remaineth Virgin still. Let us sinners, in that we have become reconciled unto God through her, magnify her in song as the true Birth-giver of the Lord.

Canticle VI.

Theme-Song (Irmos). The sea-monster cast forth Jonah like an infant from its belly unharmed as it had swallowed him. And when the Word took up his abode in a Virgin, and was made flesh, He came forth preserving her undefiled. For in that He Himself suffered not corruption, He preserved unharmed her who bare Him.

Hymns (Tropari). Christ our God, whom the Father begat of his own loins before the morning star, is come in the flesh. He who ruleth the most pure Powers lieth in a manger of dumb beasts, and is wrapped in swaddling-bands; yet doth he loose the thick-entangled bonds of transgression.

Born of Adam's nature and given unto the faithful as a little child is the Son: yet he is also the Father and the Ruler of the world to come, and is called the Angel of the Great Council. He is the mighty God who ruleth the Universe by his power.

Collect-Hymn (Konddk).

To-day a Virgin bringeth forth the Super-substantial, and earth offereth a cavern to the Unapproachable; Angels together with the Shepherds sing praises; the Wise Men journey on with the Star. For', for our sakes. God, who is before all the ages, is born a little Child.

Ikos.

Bethlehem hath opened Eden: O come, let us gaze! We have found nourishment in a secret place: O come, let us receive the things of Paradise within the cavern! There hath appeared the Root Unwatered which buddeth forth remission. There hath been found the Well Undigged, from which David of old longed that he might drink. There a Virgin hath brought forth a Child; and straightway the thirst of Adam and of David hath been assuaged. Wherefore let us go unto him where He is born a little Child, yet is God before the ages.

Canticle VII.

Theme-Song (Irmos). The youths reared together in godliness, despising the unrighteous command, were not terrified by the threatened fire, but standing in the midst of the flames did sing: O God of our fathers, blessed art thou.

Hymns (Tropari). The shepherds skilled upon the tuneful pipes beheld a revelation marvellous of light; for the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and the Angel proclaimed: Sing praises, for Christ is born. O God of our fathers, blessed art thou.

Suddenly, at the word of the Angel, the Heavenly Hosts began to cry aloud: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men; Christ hath shone forth: O God of our fathers, blessed art thou!

What meaneth this saying? spake the shepherds: Let us go, let us gaze upon that which is come to pass, upon Christ divine. And when they

were come unto Bethlehem, they fell down in worship before him, together with her who had given him birth, singing: O God of our fathers, blessed art thou.

Canticle VIII.

Theme-Song (Irmos). The dew-shedding, fiery furnace imaged forth the type of a marvellous wonder: for its flames scorched not the Holy Children whom it had received, even as the fire of the Godhead scorched not the Virgin when it entered into her womb. Therefore let us raise the song: Let all creation bless the Lord, and magnify him unto all the ages.

Hymns (Tropari). The Daughter of Babylon doth bear away unto herself the children of David as captives, out of Zion: but she sendeth her children, the Magi, bearing gifts, to do homage unto the Daughter of David, who had received within her God: wherefore, chanting songs of praise, let us sing: Let all creation bless the Lord, and magnify him unto all the ages.

Grief put aside the instruments of song; for the children of Zion sang not in alien lands. But Christ, in that he hath shone forth in Bethlehem, setteth free every error, and the musical harmony of Babylon. Wherefore let us sing the song: Let all creation bless the Lord, and magnify him unto all the ages.

Babylon carried the spoil and the spear-won wealth of the kingdom of Zion into captivity. But Christ draweth unto Zion the treasures of the same and its Kings, the Watchers of the Stars, guiding them by a Star. Wherefore, let us sing the song: Let all creation bless the Lord, and magnify him unto all the ages.

Canticle IX.

With the Ninth Theme-Song, instead of: More honourable than the Cherubim: the Refrains of the Feast are sung:

Refrain I. Magnify, O my soul, the Virgin, the all-pure Birth-giver of God, more honourable and more glorious than the hosts on high.

Theme-Song (Irmos). A mystery strange and most glorious I behold: The cavern, Heaven: the Cherubimic Throne, a Virgin; the manger, the receptacle wherein lieth Christ our God, whom nothing may contain. Him, therefore, do we magnify, praising him in song.

Refrain 2. Magnify, O my soul, God born in the flesh of a Virgin.

Refrain 3. Magnify, O my soul, the King born in a cavern.

Hymn (Tropdr). When the Wise Men beheld the unwonted course of the wondrous, newly revealed Star, exceeding the heavenly bodies in brightness, they divined that Christ the King was born on earth in Bethlehem, for our salvation.

Refrain 4. Magnify, O my soul, God who was worshipped by the Magi.

Refrain 5. Magnify, O my soul, him who was announced unto the Wise Men by a Star.

Hymn. When the Wise Men said: Where is the new-born Infant King

whom the Star hath revealed? For we are come to worship him. Then the wrathful Herod was troubled, and, raging against the Lord, that impious man sought to slay Christ.

Refrain 6. Magnify, O my soul, the pure Virgin and only Birth-giver of God, who gave birth unto Christ the King.

Refrain 7. The Wise Men and the shepherds came to worship Christ who was born in the town of Bethlehem.

Hymn. Herod inquired the time of the Star, through whose guiding the Wise Men were come to Bethlehem to worship Christ with gifts. But being by it led again unto their own country, they left confounded behind them the cruel slayer of the children.

The Benediction. (See page 181.)

At the Liturgy. Antiphon I., Tone II. Verse 1: I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart. Refrain. Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O Saviour, save us.

Verse 2: In the council of the faithful and in the congregation, the great works of the Lord.

Verse 3: Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. Verse 4: His work is honour and majesty, and his righteousness endureth forever.

Antiphon II., Tone II.

Verse 1: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that hath great delight in his commandments.

Refrain. O Son of God, who wast born of a Virgin, save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.

Verse 2: His seed shall be mighty upon earth, the generation of the faithful shall be blessed.

Verse 3: Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house, and his righteousness endureth forever.

Verse 4: Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness: he is merciful, loving and righteous.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Only-begotten Son and Word of God! (See page 170.)

Antiphon III., Tone II.

Verse 1: The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit thou on my right hand.

Hymn. Thy Nativity, O Christ our God,. (See page 176.)

Verse 2: Until I make thine enemies thy footstool. (Hymn.)

Verse 3: The Lord shall send thee the rod of thy power out of Zion: be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies. (Hymn.)

Verse 4: In the day of thy power with an holy worship.

Introit. Out of the womb, before the morning star have I begotten thee: the Lord hath sworn and will not repent: thou art a Priest forever, after the order of Melchizidech.

Instead of: O Holy God, Holy Mighty: is sung: As many as are baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.

The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Eighth Tone. Let all the earth worship thee, and hymn thee, yea, let it hymn thy Name, O Most Highest.

Verse: Shout unto the Lord, all ye lands, sing unto his Name, give glory to his praise.

Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the dry land proclaimed! the work of thy hands.

Verse: Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night proclaimeth knowledge.

The Epistle. Gal. iv. 4-7-

The Gospel. Matt. ii. 1-12.

Instead of: Meet is it: The Ninth Theme-Song of the Canon: A mystery strange (See page 179.)

The Communion Hymn. The Lord hath sent deliverance unto his people.

The Benediction. May he who was born in a cavern, and lay in a manger, for the sake of our salvation, Christ our true God, through the prayers of his most pure Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; of our holy and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, forasmuch as he is good, and loveth mankind.