Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria

& All Africa

Festal Matins Hymns

T O

By the Grace of God

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RE-EDITED & PUBLISHED - 20 NOVEMBER 2014

12. F E S T A L M A T I N S H Y M N S - S Y N A X I S T H E O T O K O S 2 6 D E C E M B E R

B E

U S E D

W I T H

T H E

M A T I N S

S E R V I C E

B O O K

26 December
Synaxis - Theotokos

FESTAL STIHI NATIVITY - BY ST JOHN

THE

MONK - TONE 2

Simeron O Hristos, en Vithleem Gennate Today

ek Parthenou. Simeron O anarhos
arhete, ke O Logos sarkoute.
E
dinamis ton Ouranon agalonte, ke i
gi sin tis anthropis evfrenete. I Magi
ta dora prosferousin. I Pimenes to
Thavma kirittousin.
Imis de
akatapavstos voomen.
Doxa en
ipsistis Theo, ke epi gis irini, en
anthropis evdokia.

Christ is Born of the Virgin in

Bethlehem. Today He Who has no
beginning now begins to be, and the
Word becomes Flesh. The Powers of
Heave greatly rejoice, and the earth
with mankind celebrates. The Magi
offer gifts, the Shepherds proclaim
the Marvel, and we cry aloud without
ceasing: Glory to god in the Highest,
and on earth, Peace and Good Will
among men!

THE GREAT DOXOLOGY

FESTAL APOLYTIKION - NATIVITY

Christ is Born!
Glorify Him!

Gennisis Sou Hriste O Theos imon,

anetile to kosmo to Fos to tis gnoseos.
En afti gar it is astris latrevontes, ipo
asters edidaskonto, Se proskinin, ton
Ilion tis Dikeosinis, ke Se ginoskin ex
ipsous anatolin. Kyrie, Doxa Si. (3)

OF

CHRIST TONE 4

Thy

Nativity, O Christ our God, has

caused the Light of Knowledge to
rise upon the world. For therein the
worshippers of the stars were by a
Star instructed to worship Thee, the
Sun of Righteousness, and to know
Thee as Orient from on High. O
Lord, Glory to Thee! (3)

THE DIVINE LITURGY OF ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM BEGINS IMMEDIATELY

Wishing you all a Most Blessed, Peaceful

and Holy Christmas.
Let us ceaselessly pray for all the little children who are
suffering the devastating circumstances of warfare,
hatred, discrimination, slavery and persecution
throughout the world.
May God keep them in His sight forever.

2. F E S T A L M A T I N S H Y M N S - S Y N A X I S T H E O T O K O S 2 6 D E C E M B E R

FESTAL MATINS HY

MNS

_ SYNAXIS THEOTOKOS 26 DECEMBER

11.

proskinousi!
Pimenes Thamazousi!
Ke i Ktisis Agallete!

Enite afton en timpano ke horo.

Enite

Star reveals Him!

Magi bow in
worship!
Shepherds marve! And
Creation rejoices!

Praise

Him with timbrel and dance;

praise Him with strings and pipe.

afton en hordes ke organo.

Theotoke Parthene, i tekousa ton Sotira, O

anetrepsas tin protin kataran tis
Evas. Oti Mitir gegonas, tis evdokias
tou Patros, Vastazousa en kolpis,
Theon Logon sarkothenta. Ou feri to
Mystirion erevnan. Pisti moni touto
pantes doxazomen, krazontes meta
Souk e legontes. Anerminefte Kyrie
Doxa Si!

Enite

Afton en kimvalis evihis. Enite

Afton en kimvalis alalagmou. Pasa
pnoi inesato ton Kyrion.

Defte

animnisomen, tin Mitera tou

Sotiros, tin meta tokon palin ofthisan
Parthenon. Heris Polis empsihe, tou
Vasileos ke Theou, en i Hristo ikisas,
sotirian irgasato. Meta tou Gavriil
animnoumen Se, meta ton pimenon
doxazomen krazontes.
Theotoke
Presveve, to ek Sou sarkothenti,
sothine imas.

Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati

Virgin Theotokos who has borne our

Saviour, Thou hast overthrown the
ancient Curse of Eve. For Thou hast
become the Mother of Him in Whom
the Father is well-pleased, and hast
carried in Thy Bosom God the
Incarnate Word. We cannot fathom
this Mystery: but by Faith alone we
all Glorify It, crying with Thee and
saying: O Lord Incomprehensible,
Glory to Thee!

Praise

Him with tuneful cymbals;

praise Him with loud cymbals. Let
everything that has breath praise
the Lord.

let us sing the praises of the

Mother of our Saviour, who, after
Child-bearing still remained Virgin.
Rejoice, Thou Living City of God the
King, in which Christ has dwelt,
bringing to pass our Salvation. With
Gabriel we sing Thy praises; with
the Shepherds we Glorify Thee,
crying: O Theotokos, Intercede for
our Salvation with Him Who took
Flesh from Thee!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

i aoratos fisis, tis vrotis ek

Parthenou sinaptete.
Simeron i
apiros Ousia, en Bithleem sparganis
enilissete.
Simeron O Theos di
asteros Magous is proskinisin Agi,
prominiontas aftou tin trimeron
tafin, os en hriso ke smirni ke livano.
Dio psallomen.
O sarkothis ek
Parthenou, Hriste O Theos, Soson tas
psihas imon.

to humanity from a Virgin. Today,

the Infinite Essence is wrapped in
swaddling clothes in Bethlehem.
Today, God uses a Star to lead the
Magi to adore Him. By their gold,
frankincense
and
myrrh,
they
foretell His three day burial. For
that reason we sing: O Christ our
God, Who were Incarnate of a Virgin:
Save our soul!

Ke

Now

Amin

Amen

nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton

eonon.

and ever, and to the Ages of

ages.

10. F E S T A L M A T I N S H Y M N S - S Y N A X I S T H E O T O K O S 2 6 D E C E M B E R

GOD

FOR

HIS EVERLASTING MERCY

Kyrios ke epefanen imin.

Evlogimenos O erhomenos en
Onomati Kyriou!
STIH OS
1 : Exomologisthe to Kyrio, oti
Agathos, oti is ton eona to Eleos
Aftou!

The Lord is God, and has appeared to

Theos

The Lord is God, and has appeared to

Kyrios ke
Evlogimenos O
Onomati Kyriou!

epefanen imin.
erhomenos en

Panta ta Ethni ekiklosan me, ke

to Onomati Kyriou inamin aftous.

us. Blessed is He Who comes in the

Name of the Lord!
V E R S E 1:
Give thanks to the Lord, for
He is Good;
His Mercy endures
forever!
us. Blessed is He Who comes in the
Name of the Lord!

Kyrios ke epefanen imin.

Evlogimenos O erhomenos en
Onomati Kyriou!
S T I H O S 3: Para Kyriou egeneto afti, ke
esti thavmasti en ofthalmis imon.

All the nations surrounded me,

but in the Name of the Lord I drove
them back.
The Lord is God, and has appeared to
us. Blessed is He Who comes in the
Name of the Lord!
V E R S E 3: This is the Lords doing, and it
is marvellous in our eyes.

Theos

The Lord is God, and has appeared to

S T I H O S 2:

Theos

Kyrios ke
Evlogimenos O
Onomati Kyriou!

epefanen imin.
erhomenos en

V E R S E 2:

us. Blessed is He Who comes in the

Name of the Lord!

FESTAL APOLYTIKION NATIVITY

Gennisis Sou Hriste O Theos imon,

anetele to kosmo, to Fos to tis
Gnoseos.
En afti gar i tis astris
latrevontes, ipo Asteros edi daskonto,
Se Proskinin, ton Ilion tis Dikeosinis,
ke Se Ginoskin ex Ipsous anatolin.
Kyrie Doxa Si! (3)

OF

CHRIST

Thy

Nativity, O Christ our God, has

given rise to the Light of Knowledge
in the world; for they who
worshipped
the
Star
learnt
therefrom to worship Thee, O Sun of
Justice, and to know that from the
East of the Highest Thou came. O
Lord: Glory to Thee! (3)

SMALL LITANY

and to the Holy Spirit

Today, the Invisible Nature is conjoined

TO

Theos

O come,

FESTAL STIHI SYNAXIS THEOTOKOS - TONE (6) PLAGAL 2

Simeron

PSALM 117 /118

PRAISE

FIRST FESTAL KATHISMA NATIVITY

Defte

idomen Pisti, pou egennithi O

Hristos. Akolouthisomen lipon, entha
odevi O Astir, meta ton Magon
Anatolis ton Vasileon.
Angeli
imnousin, akatapafstos eki. Pimenes
agravlousin, odin epaxion: Doxa en
ipsitis legontes, to simeron en Spileo
tehthenti, ek tis Parthenou, ke
Theotokou, en Vithleem tis Ioudeas.

Doxa

Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati,

ke nin ke ai ke is tous eonas ton
eonon.

Amin
Defte

idomen Pisti, pou egennithi O

Hristos. Akolouthisomen lipon, entha
odevi O Astir, meta ton Magon
Anatolis ton Vasileon.
Angeli
FESTAL MATINS HY

MNS

OF

CHRIST TONE 4

Come, O ye Faithful, and let us behold

where Christ is Born! Let us join the
Magi, the Kings from the East, and
follow the Guiding Star. Angels sing
praises
without
ceasing,
and
Shepherds abiding in the fields offer
a fitting Hymn: Glory in the
Highest to Him Who in the Cave this
day is Born of the Virgin and
Theotokos, in Bethlehem of Judah!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit, now and
ever, and to the Ages of ages.

Amen
Come, O ye Faithful, and let us behold
where Christ is Born! Let us join the
Magi, the Kings from the East, and
follow the Guiding Star. Angels sing

_ SYNAXIS THEOTOKOS 26 DECEMBER

3.

imnousin, akatapavstos eki. Pimenes

agravlousin, odin epaxion, Doxa en
ipsitis legontes, to simeron en Spileo
tehthenti, ek tis Parthenou, ke
Theotokou, en Vithleem tis Ioudeas.

praises
without
ceasing,
and
Shepherds abiding in the fields offer
a fitting Hymn: Glory in the
Highest to Him Who in the Cave this
day is Born of the Virgin and
Theotokos, in Bethlehem of Judah!

SECOND FESTAL KATHISMA - NATIVITY

Ti

Thavmazis Mariam? Ti ekthamvise

to en Si? Oti ahronon Ion, hrono
egennisa fisi, tou tiktomenou tin
sillipsin mi diahthisa. Anandros imi,
ke pos texo Iion? Asporaon gonin tis
eoraken? Opou Theos de voulete,
nikate fiseos taxis, os gegrapte.
Hristos etehthi, ek tis Parthenou, en
Vithleem tis Ioudeas.

OF

CHRIST TONE 4

Why

art Thou filled with Wonder, O

Mary? Why art Thou amazed at that
which is come to pass in Thee?
Because I have given Birth in time to
the Timeless Son, yet understand not
how I Conceived Him. I have not
known man: how then shall I bear a
Child? Who has ever seen a Birth
without seed? But, as it is written:
Where God so Wills, the order of
nature is overcome: Christ is Born of
the Virgin in Bethlehem of Judah.

FESTAL KATAVASIA SYNAXIS THEOTOKOS

Megalinon psihi mou, tin litrosamenin, Magnify,

Stergin

men imas, os akindinon fovo,

raon siopin. To potho de Parthene,
imnous ifenin, sintonos tethigmenous,
ergodes Estin. Alla ke Mitir sthenos,
osi pefiken, i proeresis didou.

THE SMALL LITAN

LORD

Amin
Ti Thavmazis

Mariam? Ti ekthamvise
to en Si? Oti ahronon Iion, hrono
egennisa fisi, tou tiktomenou tin
sillipsin mi diahthisa. Anandros imi,
ke pos texo Iion? Asporaon gonin tis
eoraken? Opou Theos de voulete,
nikate fiseos taxis, os gegrapte.
Hristos etehthi, ek tis Parthenou, en
Vithleem tis Ioudeas

and to the Holy Spirit, now and

ever, and to the Ages of ages.

Amen
Why art

Thou filled with Wonder, O

Mary? Why art Thou amazed at that
which is come to pass in Thee?
Because I have given Birth in time to
the Timeless Son, yet understand not
how I Conceived Him. I have not
known man: how then shall I bear a
Child? Who has ever seen a Birth
without seed? But, as it is written:
Where God so Wills, the order of
nature is overcome. Christ is Born of
the Virgin in Bethlehem of Judah.

PSALM 50/51

FESTAL KONTAKION NATIVITY

Parthenos simeron, ton iperousion

tikti, ke i gi to Spileon, to aprosito
prosagi.
Angeli meta Pimenon
doxologousi. Magi de meta Asteros
odiporousi. Di imas gar egennithi,
Pedion Neon, O pro eonon Theos.

OF

CHRIST -

TONE 3

Today

the Virgin gives Birth to Him

Who is above all being, and the earth
offers a Cave to Him Whom no man
can
approach.
Angels
with
Shepherds give Glory, and Magi
journey with a Star. For unto us is
Born a Young Child, the Pre-Eternal
God.

FESTAL KONTAKION SYNAXIS - THEOTOKOS TONE (6) PLAGAL 2

pro Eosforou ek Patros amitor

gennithis, epi tis gis apator esarkothi
simeron ek Sou.
Othen Astir
evangelizete Magis, Angeli de meta
Pimenon imnous, ton ahranton
Tokon Sou, i Keharitomeni.

He

Who was Begotten of the Father

before the Morning Star without a
mother, becomes Flesh without
father from Thee on earth today.
Therefore, a Star announces the
Good Tidings to the Magi, and

4. F E S T A L M A T I N S H Y M N S - S Y N A X I S T H E O T O K O S 2 6 D E C E M B E R

It

- PRAISES TO THE

would be easier for us, because free

from all danger, to keep silence in
fear while it is hard indeed, O Virgin,
in love to devise songs harmoniously
put together. But do thou, O Mother,
grant us Strength that so we may
fulfil our good intent

FESTAL EXAPOSTEILARION NATIVITY

Epeskiepsato

imas, ex ipsous O Sotir

imon, anatoli anatolon, ke i en skoti
ke skia, evromen tin alithian. Ke gar
ek tis Parthenou etehthi O Kyrios. (3)

Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
ke nin ke ai ke is tous eonas ton
eonon.

O my soul, Her who has

delivered us from the Curse

imas ek tis kataras.

LAUDS: THE PRAISES

OF

CHRIST

Our

Saviour, the Dayspring from the

East, has visited us from on High,
and we who were in darkness and
shadow have found the Truth: for
the Lord is Born of the Virgin. (3)

TO

GOD -PSALM 148

ALL CREATION PRAISES THE LORD OUR GOD

Pasa pnoi enesato ton Kyrion. Enite ton Let everything that has breath praise
Kyrion ek ton Ouranon. Enite Afton
en tis Ipsistis. Si prepi imnos to
Theo.

Enite

Afton, pantes i Angelli Aftou.

Enite Afton, pase e Dinamis Aftou.
Si prepi imnos to Theo.

the Lord. Praise the Lord from the

Heavens; praise Him in the
Highest. To Thee praise is due, O
God.

Praise

Him, all His Angels; praise

Him, all His Powers. To Thee
praise is due, O God.

PSALM 150 FESTAL VERSES NATIVITY OF CHRIST

FESTAL STIHERA HEIRMOLOGIC ST ANDREW OF JERUSALEM
TONE 4

Enite

Praise

Evfrenesthe

Make

Enite

Praise

Afton epi tes Dinasties Afton.

Enite Afton kata to plithos tis
Megalosinis Aftou.
Dikei! Ourani agalliasthe,
skirtisate ta ori, Hristou Gennithentos.
Parthenos kathezete, ta Herouvim
mimoumeni, vastazousa en kolpis,
Theon Logon sarkothenta. Pimenes
ton tehtenta doxazousi.
Magi to
Despoti dora porsferousin.
Angeli
animnountes legousin. Akatalipte
Kyrie Doxa Si!
afton en iho salpingos. Enite
afton en psaltirio ke kithara.

Him for His Mighty Acts;

praise Him according to the
greatness of His Majesty.

glad, O you Righteous! Greatly

rejoice, O you Heavens!
You
mountains, dance for Joy! Christ is
Born! And like the Cherubim, the
Vigin makes a Throne, carrying at
Her Bosom God the Word become
Flesh. Shepherds Glorify the New
Born Child! Magi offer gifts! Angels
sing praises, saying: O Lord past
understanding: Glory to Thee!

Him with the sound of the

trumpet; praise Him with lute and
harp.

O Patir evdokisen, O Logos sarx egeneto, The Father was

ke
i
Parthenos
eteke,
Theon
enanthropisanta. Astir minii: Magi
FESTAL MATINS HY

MNS

well-pleased: the Word

became Flesh; and the Virgin gave
Birth to God Who became Man. A

_ SYNAXIS THEOTOKOS 26 DECEMBER

9.

pedoktonon, egkatelipon pezomenon.

land by that same Star, they

returned, not to Herod, but mocked
the wicked murderer of children.

Shepherds join the Angels in

extolling
Thine
Immaculate
Birthgiving, O Maiden Full of Grace.

FESTAL IAMBIC CANON TONE 1

Simeron

i
Parthenos,
tikti
Despotin, endon en to Spileo.

ton

Today

the Virgin bears the Master

within the Cave.

Stergin

It

Simeron

Today, our Master is Born as an Infant

Stergin

It

men imas, os akindinon fovo,

Raon siopin. To potho de, Parthene,
Imnous ifenin, sintonos tethigmenous
Ergodes estin. Alla ke, Mitir, sthenos,
Osi pefiken i proeresis, didou.

O Despotis, tiktete os vrefos,

ipo Mitro Parthenou.
men imas, os akindinon fovo,
Raon siopin. To potho de, Parthene,
Imnous ifenin, sintonos tethigmenous
Ergodes estin. Alla ke, Mitir, sthenos,
Osi pefiken i proeresis, didou.

to His Virgin Mother.

would be easier for us, being free
from all danger, to keep silent
through fear: while it is difficult
indeed, O Virgin, to devise songs
harmoniously with Love. But Thou,
O Mother, grant us strength to fulfil
our Good Intent.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

Megalinon

Magnify, O my soul, the Power of the

mou,
tis
Adieretou,

Tipous

afengis ke skias parigmenas, O

Miter Agni, tou Logou dedorkotes,
Neou fanentos, ek Pilis Keklismenis,
Doxoumeni te, tis Alithias Faos,
Epaxios sin Evlogoumen Gastera.

Ke

nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton

eonon.

and to the Holy Spirit

Three Hypostases and Undivided

Godhead!
obscure types and shadows of the
Word fulfilled, and now that He has
newly Appeared from the Closed
Gate, we who are counted worthy to
behold the Light of Truth, rightly
Bless Thy Womb.

Now

and ever, and to the Ages of

ages.

Pothou tetevhos, ke

Theou Parousias, O
Hristoterpis Laos ixiomenos, nin
potniate
tis
palingenesias,
os
Zoopiou.
Tin Harin de Parthene,
nemis ahrante, Proskinise to Kleos.

O my soul, Her who has

delivered us from the Curse!

Having

been granted the longed for

experience of the Advent of God, the
Christ-pleasing people tearfully pray
to behold the Regeneration, the Lifegiving Baptism. O All Pure and Holy
Virgin, grant us the favour of
Venerating that Glory.

Ti

K tou aftou minos, i Synaxis tis

Iperagas Despinis imon Theotokou.

that She produced without natural

labour in Her Arms as if in branches,
and She spoke to Him: Thou art my
Fruit! Thou art my Life! Thou art
my God! And from Thee I know that
I am still Virgin as before. And, as I
see that the Seal of my Virginity is
intact, I proclaim Thee to be the
unchanged Logos Who became Flesh.
I knew no insemination, but I know
Thou, the Destroyer of corruption.
For even after Thou came forth from
me, I am still Pure; and Thou left my
womb as Thou had found it. For this
reason
all
Creation
celebrates
together and sings to me: Rejoice! O
Maiden Full of Grace!

On

the 26th day of this month we

celebrate the Synaxis of our Most
Holy Lady Theotokos.

Ti afti imera, Mnimi tou en Agiis Patros On

this day we Commemorate our

Father
among
the
Saints,
St
Euthymios the Confessor, Bishop of
Sardis.

imon Evthimiou, Episkopou Sardeon

tou Omologitou.

Ti

afti imera, Mnimi tou Osiou Patros

imon Konstantinou tou ex Ioudeon.

On

Ke

Mnimi tou
Evarestou.

On

Osiou

Patros

imon

Mnimi

tou Agiou Neou Ieromartyros

Konstantinou tou Rosou, athlisantos
en Konstantinopoli kata to 1743 etos.

this day we Commemorate our

Righteous Father, St Constantine of
Synnada, Phrygia, a Jew who believed
in Christ.
this day we Comemmorate our
Righteous Father, St Evarestos the
Studite.

On this day we Commemorate the Holy

New Hieromartyr, St Constantine the
Russian,
who
contested
inConstantinople in the year 1743.

Mnimi

On

Tes

By

ton
Agion
ke
Dikeon
Theopatoron, Iosif tou Mnistoros tis
Agias Parthenou Despinis imon
Theotokou, Iakovou tou Adelphou tou
Kyriou, ke David tou Profitou ke
Vasileos.

ton Agion Sou Presvies, OTheos,

eleison ke Soson imas.

8. F E S T A L M A T I N S H Y M N S - S Y N A X I S T H E O T O K O S 2 6 D E C E M B E R

The Mystical Grapevine held the Cluster

SYNAXARION 26 DECEMBER

We have seen, O Pure Mother, the past

Amin
Amen
Megalinon psihi mou, tin litrosamenin, Magnify,
imas ek tis kataras.

ageorgiton votrin vlastisasa, i

Mystiki ampelos os epi kladon,
agkales evastaze, ke elege.
Si i
karpos mou, Si i i Zoi mou. Af ou
egnon, oti ke O imin imi, Si mou
Theos.
Tin Gar sfragida tis
Parthenias mou orosa akataliton,
kiritto Se Atrepton Logn, sarka
genomenon. Ouk ida sporan, ida Se
litin tis fthoras. Agni gar imi, Sou
proelthontos ex emou. Os gar evres,
elipes mitran emin.
Dia touto
sghorevi pasa ktisis voosa mi. Here, i
Keharitomeni!

would be easier for us, being free

from all danger, to keep silent
through fear: while it is difficult
indeed, O Virgin, to devise songs
harmoniously with Love. But Thou,
O Mother, grant us strength to fulfil
our Good Intent.

Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati

psihi
Trisipostatou,
ke
Theotitos to Kratos!

FESTAL IKOS SYNAXIS - THEOTOKOS

Ton

FESTAL MATINS HY

MNS

the Sunday After the Nativity of

Christ, we Commemorate the Holy
and Just Ancestors of God: St Joseph
the Betrothed of the Holy Virgin, our
Lady Theotokos;
St James the
Brother of our Lord and First Bishop
of Jerusalem; and St David the
Prophet and King.
the Intercessions of Thy Saints, O
God, have Mercy and Save us.

_ SYNAXIS THEOTOKOS 26 DECEMBER

5.

Amin.

Amen
KATAVASIA

OF THE

laon, Thavmatourgon Despotis,

iiron thalassis kima hersosas pale.
Ekon de tehthis ek Koris, trivon Vatin,
Polou tithisin imin. On kat ousian,
Ison te Patri, ke Vrotis Doxazoumen.

Nefson

pros imnous iketon Energeta,

Ehthrou tapinon tin epirmenin ofrin.
Feronte Pantepopta tis amartias,
Iperthen akloniton, estirigmenous,
Makar, melodous tin Vasi tis Pisteos.

Genous

Vrotiou, tin anaplasin pale,

Adon Profitis, Avvakoum prominii,
Idin afrastos, axiothis ton tipon. Neon
vrefos gar ex Orous tis Parthenou
Exilthe laon is anaplasin Logos.

niktos ergon, eskotismenis planis,

Ilasmou imin Hriste, tis egrigoros, nin
Si telousin imnon, os evergeti, elthis
porizon evheri te tin trivon. Kath in
anatrehontes evrimen kleos.

Neon

Ionas, en mihis thalattiis, Elthin

edito ke zalin aparkese. Nigis ego de,
to
tirannountos
Veli,
Hriste
prosavdo,
ton
kakon
aneretin,
Thatton molin Se tis emis rathimias.

To

pantanaktos exefavlisan potho,

itahimenontos igkistromeni, Pedes
tirannou, distheon glossalgian, Is
ikathe gir aspeton, to Despoti,
legousin: Is eonas, Evlogitis I!

Mitran

Birth in a fashion past nature. By the

same Divine Grace both these
Wonders were brought to pass in a
Miracle and rouses all people to sing
in praise.

NATIVITY THE IAMBIC VERSES

TONE 1

Esose

Ek

pros imnon, exanistisi Haris.

aflektos, ikonizousi Koris, i tis

paleas pirpoloumeni nei, Iperfios,
kiousan esfragismenin, amfo de
drosa, Thavmatourgia mia Laous

Of

old the Master Who works Wonders

Saved His people, making the watery
wave of the sea into dry land; and
now of His own Will has He been Born
of a Virgin, and so He establishes a
Path for us whereby we may mount
to Heaven. We Glorify Him Who in
Essence is Equal to the Father and to
mortal men.

Graciously

accept, O Benefactor, the

praises of Thy servants, and bring
down the spiteful, haughty looks of
the enemy. O Blessed Lord Who sees
all, raise us up far above sin,
and
establish Thy singers firm and
unshaken upon the foundation of the
Faith.

Of

old Habakkuk the Prophet was

counted worthy to behold ineffably
the Figure and Symbol of Christs
Birth, and he foretold in song the
renewal of mankind. For a Young
Babe, the Word, has now come forth
from the Mountain - that is the Virgin
- for the Renewal of the people.

THE BELLS ARE RUNG AT THIS POINT

THE FESTAL MAGNIFICAT NATIVITY OF CHRIST

STANDING

BEFORE THE HOLY ICON OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS, THE PRIEST DECLARES
THE FOLLOWING, AFTER WHICH
HE CENSES THE SANCTUARY,
HOLY ICONS AND
CONGREGATION WHILE THE MAGNIFICAT HYMN IS CHANTED.

Tin Theotokon ke Miter to Fotos: en imnis The

Theotokos and Mother of the

Light: with hymns let us Magnify!

timontes Meglinomen!

FESTAL 9TH ODE NATIVITY

Megalinon

psihi mou, tin Timioteran,

ke
Evdoxoteran
ton
ano
Stratevmaton.

Mystirion Xenon, oro ke

paradoxon:
Ouranon to Spyleon!
Thronon Herouvikon, tin Parthenon!
Tin fatnin horion! En O aneklithi O
ahoritos, Hristos O Theos!
On
animvountes Megalinomen!

I RM OS

Enclosed

in the uttermost depths of the

sea, Jonah entreated Thee to come
and still the storm. And I, O Christ,
pricked by the dart of the tyrant, call
upon Thee, the Slayer of evil,
beseeching Thee to come quickly and
Deliver me from my slothfulness.

Caught

and held fast by Love for the

King of all, the Children despised the
impious threats of the tyrant in his
boundless fury; and as the terrible
fire withdrew before them, they said
to the Master: Unto all Ages Blessed
art Thou!

The

Children of the Old Covenent who

walked in the fire, yet were not burnt,
prefigured the Womb of the Maiden
that remained sealed, when she gave

6. F E S T A L M A T I N S H Y M N S - S Y N A X I S T H E O T O K O S 2 6 D E C E M B E R

FESTAL TROPARIA - NATIVITY

Megalinon

psihi mou, ton ek tis

Parthenou, Theon Sarki tehthenta!
Exesion dromon, Orontes i Magi,
asinithous Neou Asteros artifaous,
Ouraniou iperlampontos, Hriston
Vasilea
etekmiranto,
en
gi
Gennithenta Vithleem, is Sotirian
imon.

CHRIST TONE 1

Magnify,

O my soul, her who is more

Honourable and more Exalted in
Glory than the Heavenly Hosts.

A strange and most

wonderful Mystery do I see: The cave
is Heaven! The Virgin is the Throne
of the Cherubim! The manger is a
grand space, in which Christ, the
God Whom nothing can contain, is
laid! Him do we Praise and Magnify!

H EIR MO S

From

the night of deeds of dark error

we watch vigilantly, and sing to Thee,
O Christ, as to our Benefactor. Come
to us and grant us Cleansing; make
the Path easy for us, whereby we
may ascend and so attain Glory.

OF

OF

CHRIST

OUR

SAVIOUR

Magnify,

O my soul, God Born in the

Flesh from the Virgin!
The Magi, beholding the strange course
of an unknown and newly shining
Star that exceeded the brightness of
all Heavenly Light, learnt thereby
that Christ the King was Born on
earth in Bethlehem for our Salvation.

Megalinon psihi mou, ton en to Spileo, Magnify, O my soul, the King Born in
tehthenta Vasilea!

a cave!
Magi enquired: Where is the New
Born Infant King Whose Star we have
seen? For we have come to worship
Him. In his wild madness Herod, the
enemy of God, was troubled and
plotted to kill Christ.

Neigenes, Magon legonton, Pedion anax, The

ou Astir efani, pou estin, is gar
ekinou proskinisin ikomen, manis O
Ierodis etaratteto, Hriston anelin, O
Theomahos friattomenos.

Megalinon

psihi mou, ton ipo ton

Magon, Theon proskinithenta!
Ikrivose hronon Irodis asteros, ou tes
igesies
i
Magi
en
Vithleem,
proskinousi Hristo sin doris, if ou
pros Patrida odigoumeni, dinon
FESTAL MATINS HY

MNS

Magnify,

O my soul, God Who

worshipped by the Magi!
Herod ascertained the time the Guiding
Star appeared, which led the Magi to
Bethlehem, there to worship Christ
with gifts. Led back to their own

_ SYNAXIS THEOTOKOS 26 DECEMBER

7.