The Eve of Theophany / Martyrs
Theopemptus & Theonas / St. Syncletica
Beatitude
Verses: Ode 3 of the Forefeast: 4; Ode 6 of the Forefeast: 4
1&2. Christ, Who hath
been seated with the Father and the Spirit from before time began,
and who became incarnate of the Virgin in latter
times, cometh to baptism, granting
immortality unto all through the divine font, as He
knoweth.
3. Desiring, in the loving-kindness of His mercy, to bury our sins with water in the
Jordan’s streams, Christ God cometh forth and by baptism restoreth us who have become
corrupt.
4. Covering the shameful nakedness of our first father Adam, Thou hast voluntarily
stripped Thyself in the streams of the Jordan, O Thou Who alone art greatly merciful, and
Who coverest Thy chambers with waters.
5 & 6. Showing forth the loving-kindness of His compassions, the immutable Christ
cometh to a servant in the form of a servant, asking baptism, and rescuing mankind from
slavery; and marveling at His coming, the Forerunner stood in awe, held fast by fear.
7. How can the river’s streams receive Thee, the unbearable Fire Who art now come?
How can the angels of heaven look upon Thy nakedness? How can the hand of John
stretch forth to touch Thee, O Word of God Who art wholly without beginning, and Who
created him on earth?
8. Fleeing, the sea is parted, disclosing for the new people a divine path which He Who
all-gloriously poured forth water from the rock, having come in the flesh, hath made in
the midst of the river. Let us glorify as God Him Who hath built up anew our ruination.
Troparia
Tone 4: The River Jordan was once turned back by the mantle of Elisha when Elijah had
been taken up, and the waters were divided hither and thither. And for him the watery
path became dry, verily as a type of baptism, whereby we cross the flowing stream of
life. Christ hath appeared in the Jordan to sanctify the waters.
The Epistle
Reader: The
Prokimenon in the 8th Tone: Be
glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous.
Choir:
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous.
Reader: Blessed
are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Choir:
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous.
Reader: Be glad in the Lord.
Choir: And rejoice, ye righteous.
Reader: The Reading is from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle
Paul to Timothy:
[I Tim. 3:14-4:5 (§284)]
Reader: Alleluia in the 4th Tone.
Choir:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Reader: The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them,
and He delivered them out of all
their tribulations.
Choir:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Reader: Many are the tribulations of the
righteous, and the Lord delivered them out of
them all.
Choir:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Gospel [Matt. 3:1-11 (§5)]
Kontakia
Tone 4: In the running waters of Jordan today the Lord cried to John: Be not afraid to
baptize Me, for, I am come to save Adam, the first-fashioned man.