The Theophany of Our Lord

 

It should go without saying that if one has any possible means of traveling to a Church

to attend the liturgy for Theophany, they should do so.  However, if it is not possible for

one to do so, the following is provided so that at least they can participate in the feast

to the extent possible, under such circumstances.

 

In place of the usual antiphons, use the festal antiphons:

 

The First Antiphon

 

Stichos 1:  When Israel went out of Egypt, and the house of Jacob from among a barbarous people.

Refrain:  Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

Stichos 2:  Judea became His sanctuary, Israel His dominion.

Refrain:  Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

Stichos 3:  The sea Beheld and fled, Jordan turned back.

Refrain:  Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

Stichos 4:  What aileth thee, O sea, that thou fleddest?  And thou Jordan, that thou didst turn back?

Refrain:  Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.  Amen.

Refrain:  Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

 

The Second Antiphon

 

Stichos 1:  I am filled with love, for the Lord will hear the voice of my supplication.

Refrain:  O Son of God Who wast baptized in the Jordan, save us who sing to Thee:  Alleluia.

Stichos 2:  For He hath inclined His ear unto me, and in my days will I call upon Him.

Refrain:  O Son of God Who wast baptized in the Jordan, save us who sing to Thee:  Alleluia.

Stichos 3:  The pangs of death have encompassed me, the perils of hades have found me.  Tribulation and sorrow have I found, and I called upon the name of the Lord.

Refrain:  O Son of God Who wast baptized in the Jordan, save us who sing to Thee:  Alleluia.

Stichos 4:  Merciful is the Lord and righteous, and our God hath mercy.

Refrain:  O Son of God Who wast baptized in the Jordan, save us who sing to Thee:  Alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.  Amen.

            O only-begotten Son and Word of God, Who art immortal, yet didst deign for our salvation to be incarnate of the Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and without change didst become man, and was crucified, O Christ God, trampling down death by death.  Thou Who art one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.

 

The Third Antiphon

 

Reader: Stichos 1:  O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.

Choir: (Troparion, Tone 1):

When Thou, wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, * the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; * for the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee,  * calling Thee His beloved Son. *  And the Spirit in the form of a dove * confirmed the certainty of the word. * O Christ our God, Who hast appeared * and hast enlightened the world, glory be to Thee.

 

            Stichos 2:  Let the house of Israel now say that He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.

            Choir:  Repeat Troparion

            Stichos 3:  Let the house of Aaron now say that He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.

            Choir:  Repeat Troparion

            Stichos 4:  Let all that fear the Lord now say that He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.

Choir:  Repeat Troparion

 

Instead of “O come let us worship…” the Choir signs the entry verse:

 

Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.  We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us.

 

And immediately after that, the choir sings the Troparion of the feast again.

 

Instead of the Trisagion:  As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  Alleluia.  Thrice.

            Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.  Amen.  Have put on Christ.  Alleluia.

            As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  Alleluia.

 

The Epistle

 

Reader: The Prokimenon in the 4th Tone:  Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us.

Choir:  Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us.

Reader:   O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.

Choir:  Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us.

Reader.  Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Choir: God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us.
 

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

[Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7]

 

Reader: Alleluia in the 4th Tone.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Reader:  Bring unto the Lord, ye sons of God, bring unto the Lord the sons of rams.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Reader:  The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory hath thundered, the Lord is upon the many waters.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

 

Gospel [Matthew 3:13-17]

 

Kontakion

 

Tone 4:  Thou hast appeared today unto the whole world, * and Thy light, O Lord, hath been signed upon us * who with knowledge chant unto Thee: * Thou hast come, Thou hast appeared, * O Light Unapproachable.

 

Instead of “It is truly meet…” we chant the Irmos of the 9th Ode of the First Canon of the feast, Second Tone:

            Refrain:  Magnify, O my soul, her who is more honorable than the host on high, the most pure Virgin Theotokos.

            Irmos:   Every tongue is at a loss to praise thee as is due: * even a spirit from the world above is filled with dizziness, when it seeketh to sing thy praises, O Theotokos. * But since thou art good, accept our faith: * Thou knowest well our love inspired by God,  * for thou art the Protector of Christians and we magnify thee.

 

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