Nativity Fast. Saint with Six Stichera.

VESPERS ON FRIDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

The appointed psalms are chanted.

At Psalm 140

Tone 1

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

O people, let us celebrate the forefeast of the Nativity of Christ,* and lifting our thoughts up to Bethlehem, let us elevate ourselves in mind;* and with the eyes of our souls let us gaze upon the Virgin,* who comes to give birth in the cave to our Lord and God.* Joseph, beholding the magnitude of His miracles,* supposed that he beheld a man wrapped as a babe in swaddling-bands,* but perceived from the testimony of things that He was the true God,* who bestows great mercy upon our souls.

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

O people, let us celebrate the forefeast of the Nativity of Christ,* and elevating our minds to Bethlehem,* let us soar aloft in thought and behold the great mystery in the cave;* for Eden was opened when God issued forth from the pure Virgin,* being perfect in both divinity and manhood.* Let us cry aloud: O holy God, unoriginate Father!* O Holy and Mighty One, Son who became incarnate!* O holy Immortal One, comforting Spirit!* O Holy Trinity, glory be to You!

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

Hearken, O heaven, and give ear, O earth!* For, lo! the Son and Word of God of the Father* comes to be born of the Maiden who knew not man,* at the good pleasure of Him who begat Him in dispassion,* and with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit.* Prepare yourself, O Bethlehem!* Open thy gates, O Eden!* For the Author of all creation remains what He was before, yet takes form,* granting the world great mercy.

Tone 4

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

O blessed Ignatius, you were fittingly called God-bearer* when the Master, in His mercy, embraced you,* revealing to you the dogmas of the highest philosophy.* Then you received most splendid radiance, as a sponge soaks up water,* drawing it forth from the depths of enlightenment.* You followed in the steps of Christ our God, who called you.* Entreat Him that He save and illumine our souls.

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

Wounded with perfect love when zeal for salvation enkindled your soul,* impelling you to go to the Master, O most sacred father,* you gave voice to ever-chanted words:* “I am the wheat of the Creator,* and it is fitting that I be ground fine by teeth of the wild beasts,* that I may be shown to be pure bread for the Word my God!”* Entreat Him that He save and illumine our souls.

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

You were crucified with Christ, O you who are manifest in sanctity,* when you cried out the divinely inspired words:* “My Love is crucified, and I hasten to share in His suffering!”* O blessed Ignatius, making your transit, like the sun, from the East to the West,* you travelled, shedding enlightenment;* and, adorned with a royal diadem, you have been brought before Christ.* Entreat Him that He save and illumine our souls.

Tone 8, Glory…

O God-bearing Ignatius, soaring aloft to Christ whom you desired,* you have received the reward of the sacred ministry of the Gospel of Christ,* which you completed in the shedding of your blood.* As the wheat of the immortal Husbandman, you were ground by the teeth of the wild beasts* and have been shown to be sweet bread for Him.* Pray for us, O blessed athlete.

Now…

O Bethlehem, receive standing as the metropolis of God;* for the never-waning Light comes to be born within you.* You angels, marvel in the heavens!* You men, give glory on earth!* O magi, bring the all-glorious gifts from Persia!* You shepherds, piping, sweetly sound forth the thrice-holy hymn!* Let every breath praise the Creator of all!

Prokeimenon, Tone 7

O God, You are my defender* and Your mercy goes before me.

verse: Deliver me from my enemies, O God; save me from those who rise up against me.

Aposticha

Tone 3

Lo! the time of our salvation draws nigh!* Make ready, O cave!* The Virgin approaches to give birth.* O Bethlehem, land of Judah, adorn yourself and rejoice,* for from you has our Lord shone forth!* Hearken, mountains and hills, and parts of Judea which lie round about,* for Christ comes that He might save man whom He created,* in that He loves mankind.

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

O Bethlehem, land of Judah,* splendidly prepare the divine cave for human habitation,* for therein God will be born in the flesh of the holy Virgin who knew not man,* that He might save our race.

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

Come all, and with faith let us celebrate the forefeast of the Nativity of Christ,* and noetically offering hymnody like a star,* with the shepherds let us give voice to the glorification of the magi:* Salvation has come to men through the Virgin’s womb,* restoring the faithful.

Tone 1, Glory…

O steadfast and adamantine soul, O right blessed Ignatius!* For, with unwavering desire for Him who loves you, you did say:* “There is not within me the fire of the love of material things;* rather there is in me living water which speaks in me, saying within me: Come to the Father.”* Afire with the divine Spirit, you permitted the wild beasts to separate you quickly from the world* and send you to Christ whom you desired.* Entreat Him that He save our souls.

Now…

O people, let us celebrate the forefeast of the Nativity of Christ,* and lifting our thoughts up to Bethlehem, let us elevate ourselves in mind;* and with the eyes of our souls let us gaze upon the Virgin,* who comes to give birth in the cave to our Lord and God.* Joseph, beholding the magnitude of His miracles,* supposed that he beheld a man wrapped as a babe in swaddling-bands,* but perceived from the testimony of things that He was the true God,* who bestows great mercy upon our souls.

Troparia

Tone 4

You sat on the chair of the apostles and exercised their powers.* You are the inspiration of prelates and the glory of martyrs.* You faced savage beasts, fire, and sword all for the sake of the faith.* You made the course of truth straight, even at the price of your own blood.* O priest-martyr Ignatius, beg Christ our God to save our souls.

Glory… Now…

Bethlehem, make ready, for Eden has been opened for all.* Ephrathah, be alert, for the Tree of life has blossomed forth from the Virgin in the cave.* Her womb has become a spiritual paradise* wherein the divine Fruit was planted,* and if we eat of it we shall live and not die like Adam.* Christ is coming forth to bring back to life* the likeness that had been lost in the beginning.

DIVINE LITURGY ON SATURDAY MORNING

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 4: Bethlehem, make ready, for Eden has been opened for all.* Ephrathah, be alert, for the Tree of life has blossomed forth from the Virgin in the cave.* Her womb has become a spiritual paradise* wherein the divine Fruit was planted,* and if we eat of it we shall live and not die like Adam.* Christ is coming forth to bring back to life* the likeness that had been lost in the beginning.

Troparion, Tone 4: Having shared the way of life of the apostles,* and having become a successor to their thrones,* labouring you found the divinely inspired way to contemplation.* Therefore, forthrightly ministering the word of truth,* you shed your blood for the faith, O hieromartyr, Ignatius.* Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 3: Today, the Virgin is on her way to the cave* where she will give birth in a manner beyond understanding* to the Word who is in all eternity.* Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when you hear it heralded.* With the angels and the shepherds, glorify Him who chose to be seen as anew born babe* while remaining God in all eternity.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4: Having piously lived among the hierarchs,* and having trod the path of suffering,* you extinguished the sacrifices to idols* and were a defender for your flock, O godly one.* Therefore, venerating you, we sincerely cry to you:* “Rescue us from dangers by your prayers, O our father, Ignatius.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

Be glad in the Lord* and rejoice, you just.

verse: Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (Psalm 32:11,1)

Epistle

Galatians 3:8-12

Alleluia, Tone 4

verse: The just cried out and the Lord heard them and delivered them out of their afflictions.

verse: The afflictions of the just are many, but out of them all will he Lord deliver them. (Psalm 34:18,20)

Gospel

Luke 13:18-29

Communion Hymn

Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 33:1)