Nativity Fast. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today. Strict Fast. Abstention from meat and eggs (and, traditionally, dairy) and foods that contain these ingredients.

VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

The appointed psalms are chanted.

At Psalm 140

Tone 5

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

O You who are most perfect,* You bear the guide of Adam in the image of God;* You who hide all things in Your hands by Your power* desire to be held by human hands.* The pure and most immaculate one proclaimed, saying:* “How can I wrap You in swaddling-bands as a babe;* how can I feed You at my breasts who sustain all things?* How can I marvel at Your poverty which is past understanding?* How can I call You my Son, who am now Your handmaid?* I hymn and bless You, who bestow great mercy upon the world!”

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Beholding the pre-eternal God incarnate of her as a babe,* holding Him in her arms and kissing Him often,* full of joy the most immaculate one exclaimed to Him:* “O God Most High, invisible King, how can I look upon You?* I cannot grasp the mystery of Your boundless impoverishment!* For the least and most base of caves contains You, newly born, within itself,* who did not violate my virginity,* but preserved my womb as it was before birthgiving,* and granted great mercy!”

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

The pure one heard the magi standing together outside the cave,* and, exclaiming in awe, she spoke these things to them as a servant:* “Whom do you seek?* For I see that you have come from a country far distant,* in that you have the appearance and wisdom of the Persians.* You have made a strange passage and journey,* and have come with haste to worship Him* who has made His journey from on high,* made His abode strangely within me,* as He knows how, and grants great mercy to the world!”

Tone 8

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Forsaking the beauty of the world,* you illumined the nobility of your soul* with the beauties of nobility, O most lauded Eugenia,* preserving the grace of the image of God untroubled throughout your life, O invincible martyr,* divine mirror of virginity,* most noble blossom of nature.

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Having adorned yourself with discourse, life, and grace,* and with patience of soul,* you lead an army of athletes and an assembly of virgins* to Him who has shone forth from the Virgin* and has manifestly disclosed to all the entrance of witness, O most wise Eugenia.* With them entreat Him now that He save your flock.

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

The Founder of righteousness has magnificently adorned you with a twofold crown,* as a pure virgin and glorious martyr,* giving you a beautiful bridal-chamber illumined with effulgence,* where, making your abode, you have now manifestly been enriched with eternal blessedness,* O bride of Christ.

Tone 6, Glory… Now…

Behold, the time of our salvation has drawn nigh!* Make ready, O cave: the Virgin comes to give birth!* O Bethlehem, land of Judah, adorn yourself and be glad,* for from you has our Lord shone forth!* Hearken, mountains and hills, and lands of Judea round about, for Christ comes forth,* that He might save man whom He created, in that He loves mankind.

Prokeimenon, Tone 1

Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me* all the days of my life.

verse: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In green pastures He gives me repose.

Aposticha

Tone 1

“Bearing gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and gold to You, O Son,* the kings of the East have arrived, knowing that You were to be born;* and, lo! they stand beyond the doors!* Give the command that they behold You as an infant held in my arms,* who are far older than ancient Adam!”

God shall come forth out of Teman, and the Holy One out of a mountain overshadowed and densely wooded.

“Come and enter with haste,” the Virgin said to the magi of old,* “and behold the Invisible One who has become visible in becoming a babe!”* And they came in with ardour and rendered homage offered gifts,* fulfilling the divine prophecies.

O Lord, I have heard Your report, and I was afraid; O Lord, I considered Your works, and I was amazed.

“In my arms I bear You as a babe, who hold all things, and I am amazed,”* said she who knew not wedlock.* “How can I feed with You milk who feed all, O my Son and Creator?* I glorify Your boundless condescension toward men,* whereby You save the world which is perishing!”

Tone 6, Glory… Now…

Hold festival, O Sion! Be glad, O Jerusalem, O city of Christ God!* Receive your Creator, who is contained by the cave and the manger!* Open your gates to me, and, entering therein,* I shall behold as an infant wrapped in swaddling-bands* He who holds creation in the palm of His hand,* whom the angels hymn with unceasing voices:* the Lord and Bestower of life who saves our race!

Troparia

Tone 8

In you, O venerable mother Eugenia, the faithful image of God shone forth,* for you carried your cross and followed Christ.* You taught by your deeds how to spurn the body for it passes away;* and how to value the soul, for it is immortal.* Therefore, your soul is forever in happiness with the angels.

Tone 4, Glory… Now…

At that time Mary registered with the venerable Joseph in Bethlehem* since she was of the house of David.* She was with child, having conceived without seed.* When the time for her delivery drew near,* they could find no room in the inn,* but the cave seemed a joyful palace for the Queen.* Christ is born to renew the likeness that had been lost of old.