The Nativity of St. John the Baptist / 3rd Sunday after Pentecost / Tone 2

Beatitudes on 10; Resurrection: 6; Forerunner: 4 from Ode 3.

 

1.  We offer Thee the cry of the thief, and we pray: Remember us in Thy kingdom, O

Savior.

 

2.  For the forgiveness of transgressions we offer unto Thee the Cross which Thou didst

accept for our sake, O Thou who lovest mankind.

 

3. We bow down in worship, O Master, before Thy burial and rising, whereby Thou hast

delivered the world from corruption, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

 

4. By Thy death hath death been slain, O Lord, and by Thy resurrection hast Thou saved

the world, O Savior.

 

5. Risen from the tomb, Thou didst meet the myrrh-bearing women; and Thou didst tell

Thy disciples to announce Thine arising.

 

6. Those who slept in darkness, beholding Thee, the Light, in the nethermost parts of

hades, O Christ, were raised from the dead.

 

7. The birthgiving of the Master is accomplished through the Virgin, while that of His

beloved servant is through an elderly and barren mother; wherefore, -- Wonder of

wonders! – he goeth on before unto splendor.

 

8. The elderly and barren woman kisseth the Virgin Mother, truly recognizing her

birthgiving, for the bond of her barrenness hath been loosed by the will of God.

 

9. Elizabeth, who before was barren, prefigured Thy Church of the nations, O Christ, and,

giving birth most gloriously, she showeth forth as most fertile that which once was seen

to be barren.

 

10. O all-holy Theotokos, thou didst lift the grief of our first parents, giving birth to the

Creator of life and Deliverer for us.  Him do thou earnestly entreat, that thy flock be

saved. 

 

Troparia & Kontakia

 

Tone 2:  When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, /

then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. /

And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, /

all the Hosts of the heavens cried out: //

O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

 

Tone 4: O Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ, /

we who honor thee with love are unable to extol thee worthily; /

for by thy holy and august birth /

the barrenness of thy mother and the speechlessness of thy father were loosened, //

and the incarnation of the Son of God is proclaimed to the world.

 

Tone 2:  Thou didst rise from the tomb, O omnipotent Savior, /
and Hades was terrified on beholding the wonder; /
and the dead arose, /
and creation at the sight thereof rejoiceth with Thee. /
And Adam also is joyful, //
and the world, O my Savior, praiseth Thee for ever.

 

Glory… Tone 3: 

She that was formerly barren giveth birth today to the Forerunner of Christ, /

Who is the fulfillment of all prophecy; /

for He Whom the prophets foretold is God the Word /

Who hath appeared to the prophet, herald, and forerunner //

when he laid his hand on Him in the Jordan.

 

Both now... Tone 6: O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, /

O mediation unto the Creator unfailing, /

disdain not the suppliant voices of sinners, /

but be thou quick, O good one, to help us who in faith cry unto thee; /

hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, //

thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

 

The Epistle

 

Reader: The Prokimenon in the 2nd Tone:  The Lord is my strength and my song, and

He is become my salvation.

Choir:  The Lord is my strength and my song, and He is become my salvation.

Reader:  With chastisement hath the Lord chastened me, but He hath not given me over

unto death.

Choir:  The Lord is my strength and my song, and He is become my salvation.

Reader: In the 7th tone: The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in

Him.

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

 

Reader: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans:

[Rom. 5:1-10 (§88); Rom. 13:11-14:4 (§112)]

 

Reader: Alleluia in the 2nd Tone: The Lord hear thee in the day of affliction; the name

of the God of Jacob defend thee.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Reader:  O Lord, save the king, and hearken unto us in the day when we call upon Thee.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Reader: In the 1st Tone Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and

wrought redemption for His people.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

 

Gospel [Matt. 6:22-33 (§18); Luke 1:1-25,57-68,76,80 (§1)]

 

Communion Verse:  Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest! In

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

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

 

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