The Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Beatitude Verses: Forerunner: 4 from Ode 3; 4 from Ode 6.

1 & 2. 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.

3 & 4. 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.

5. Today John is born: the citizen of the desert, the preacher of repentance, the true

witness of grace, the Forerunner of the Word, the star which shineth before the Light.

6. Today, the axe which hath been forged bodeth hewing for barren souls, planteth the

fruits of the virtues, and cometh forth steadily in thy nativity, O Forerunner.

7. Jordan hath rejoiced most gloriously and leapeth up, learning that John is born of the

barren one’s womb; and the sea danceth with leaping waters.

8. O Most immaculate Theotokos, who gavest birth to the Abyss of mercy: Drowning the

abyss of my passions in the depth of thy compassions, grant me a torrent of tears from the

depths of my soul.

Troparion & Kontakia

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.

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 7^th 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: Hearken, O God, unto my prayer, when I make supplication unto Thee..

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

Reader: The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord.

Choir: And shall hope in Him.

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

[Romans 13:11b-14:4]

Reader: Alleluia in the 1st Tone .

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Reader: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption

for His people.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Reader: And thou, O child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Gospel [Luke 1:1-25, 57-68, 76, 80]

Communion Verse: In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!