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
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.
The Epistle
Reader: The Prokimenon 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: 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 1:5-25, 57-68, 76, 80]
Kontakia
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.
Glory… 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.