The Nativity of
Great Vespers:
Blessed is the man.
Lord I have Cried, Tone 4, on 8: Forerunner 8 (When
John was born); G: Forerunner (Today
the lamp of the Light); N: Theotokion (
Entry; O Gladsome Light; Prokimenon of the day, Tone 8: Behold now, bless ye the Lord.
3 Readings
for the Forerunner.
Litia: Forerunner (Ye mountains, put forth sweetness).
Aposticha: Forerunner (With psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs);
G: Forerunner (Today is fulfilled);
N: Theotokion in the Menaion
(Behold Elizabeth).
Troparia: Forerunner (O prophet and Forerunner) x2; O Theotokos and Virgin x1.
Matins: God is the Lord, Tone 4; Troparia:
Forerunner x2; G/N: Resurrectional Theotokion, Tone 4 (The mystery hidden).
After each Kathisma:
Sessional hymns of the Forerunner.
Polyeleos and Magnification
of the Forerunner: We magnify thee, O John, forerunner of the Savior, and we honor thy
most glorious nativity from a barren woman. Psalm verse: Blessed be the Lord God of
Sessional hymns of the
Forerunner (Let the father rejoice);
G/N: Theotokion (We ever thank thee).
Hymns of Ascents, First
Antiphon, Tone 4: From
my youth.
Prokimenon of the Forerunner,
Tone 4: And thou, O child.
Matins Gospel: Luke 1:24-25,57-68,76,80 (§3).
Psalm 50; G: Through the prayers of the Forerunner and
Baptist John; N: Through the prayers
of the Theotokos; Have mercy on me, O
God; Sticheron of the Forerunner in the Menaion (He who was sanctified). Save,
O God, Thy people.
Canon: Forerunner
(1st canon) 8 Holy Great John, Forerunner of the Lord,
pray to God for us.
Forerunner (2nd canon) 6 Holy Great John,
Forerunner of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Irmos: O Thou
who wast born of the virgin. (according to the
Typikon, the Irmos of the first canon is sung twice, the Irmos of the second
canon is omitted).
Katavasia: I shall open my mouth.
After Ode 3, Sessional Hymns of the Forerunner (When He was born); G: Forerunner (Like the radiant sun); N: Theotokion (By thy divine birthgiving).
After
Ode 6, Kontakion (She that was formerly barren) and Ikos
of the Forerunner.
At Ode 9, More Honorable.
Exapostilarion: Forerunner (Today the joyous birth); G/N: Theotokion
(The prophets preached).
Praises, Tone 8: Forerunner 4
(O all-glorious wonder); G:
Forerunner (The Forerunner, the star of
stars); N: Theotokion (O Theotokos,
thou art the true vine). After the Great Doxology: Troparion of the
Forerunner; G/N: Theotokion (The
mystery hidden). The two remaining Litanies,
and the usual Dismissal of the day. First Hour.
The Hours:
Troparion: Forerunner; Kontakion: Forerunner
The Liturgy: Beatitudes
on 8: From the canon of the Forerunner, 4 from Ode 3, first canon; and 4 from
Ode 6, second canon.
After the entrance: Troparia & Kontakia as in Appendix I, C.
Prokimenon, Tone 7: The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord.
Epistle: Rom. 13:11-14:4
(§112).
Alleluia,
Tone 1.
Gospel: Luke 1:1-25,57-68,76,80
(§1).
Communion Hymn: In everlasting remembrance.