Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

Festal Vespers Hymns

26-27 December
By the Grace of God 3ND DAY OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST

COMPILED, ADAPTED, EDITED & PRINTED

BY
MARGUERITE PAIZIS
ARCHONDISSA & TEACHER BY DIVINE GRACE
GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA & ALL AFRICA

PO BOX 28348
SUNRIDGE PARK

St Stephen
6008
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
MARGUERITE.PAIZIS@GMAIL.COM
OR DOWNLOAD DIRECTLY FROM
MARGUERITE PAIZIS ON SCRIBD OR WWW.SCRIBD.COM/WRITERS4574 Archdeacon & Protomartyr
Also the Feast of St Theodore & St Theophilos Graptos (the Branded) Holy
Confessors of Apamea, Bithynia St Theodore, Archbishop & Patriarcha of
Constantinople
RE-EDITED & PUBLISHED - 14 DECEMBER 2017
Our Eternal Gratitude to Pater Seraphim Dedes & all the contributing Translators
for the Greek & English texts that make our Worship much easier
to understand, to participate and to appreciate.
Glory to God for His Great Mercy!
www.agesinitiatives.com

8. F E S T A L V E S P E R S H Y M N S S T S T E P H E N A R C H D E A C O N P R O T O M A R T Y R 2 7 D E C E M B E R
 FESTAL APOSTIHA IDIOMELON NATIVITY
Horevousin Angeli pantes en Ourano,
ke Agallonte simeron. Skirta de pas
ai Ktisis, dia ton gennithenta en
Vithleem, Sotira Kyrion, Oti pasa
plani ton eidolon pepavte, ke Vasilevi
Hristos is tous eonas.
PRAYER OF ST SYMEON TRISAGION
PRAYERS & OUR LORDS PRAYER
FESTAL APOLYTIKION - ST STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR
Vasilion Diadima, estefthi Si korifi, ex
athion on ipeminas iper Hristou tou
Theou, Martyron Protoathi Stefane;
St Ambrose of Optina Si gar tin loudeon, apelengsas
manian, ides Sou ton Sotira, tou
Patros Dexiothen. Afton oun ekdisopi
ai, iper ton psihon imon.
We must not be greatly troubled
about many things,
but we should always care Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati
about the most significant Purpose of this lifespan FESTAL APOLYTIKION NATIVITY
preparing ourselves for our Death! I Gennisis Sou Hriste O Theos imon,
anetile to kosmo, to Fos to tis
gnoseos. En afti gar it is astris
latrevontes, ipo asteros edidaskonto.
Se proskinin, ton Ilion tis Dikeosinis,
ke Se Ginoskin ex ipsous anatolin,
Kyrie, Doxa Si!
Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton
eonon.
Amin
DISMISSAL BLESSINGS
2. F E S T A L V E S P E R S H Y M N S S T S T E P H E N A R C H D E A C O N P R O T O M A R T Y R 2 7 D E C E M B E R F E S T A L V E S P E R S H Y M N S S T S T E P H E N A R C H D E A C O N P R O T O M A R T Y R 2 7 D E C E M B E R 7.
OF CHRIST - TONE 1
All the Heavenly Angels form a Chorus
and exult today, and all Creation
leaps with Joy, because our Saviour
and Lord has been born in
Bethlehem. All the deceptions of
idols has ceases and Christ reigns as
our King forever and ever!
TONE 4
With a Royal Diadem, Thy sacred head
was Crowned, for the Struggles
Thou endured because of Christ our
God, O Stephen, among Martyrs the
First Champion; for refuting the
madness of the angry Judeans,
Thou beheld Thy Saviour, at the
right hand of the Father. Beseech
Him constantly for the souls of us
all.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit
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, Gl ory to Thee!
Now and ever, and to the Ages of
ages.
Amen
 FESTAL APOSTIHA IDIOMELON NATIVITY OF CHRIST - TONE 1
Ton ek Patros Pro Eonon exanatilanta, The Logos rose from the Father before
ke os Iion en kolpo Patriko ai onta. all ages, and as the Son is ever in the
Avthis de ep eshaton, agkales Mitros, Bosom of the Father. Now, though,
os en throno kathimenon, ke ip as an Infant, He sits in the arms of
Angelon Pimenon, Magon te nin,
proskinoumenon imnisomen.
His Mother as upon a Throne; and by
the Angels, Shepherds and Magi, He
Festal Vespers Hymns - St Stephen Archdeacon Protomartyr
is worshipped. Let us sing His 3RD DAY AFTERFREAST OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST OUR LORD
Praises!
Kindly use the Service Book until this point, then carefully follow instructions
Ipen O Kyrios to Kyrio mou: Kathou ek The Lord said to My Lord: Sit at My
dexion Mou, eos an Tho tous Right Hand, until I make Thine with regard to these Hymns
ehtrous Sou ipopodion ton Podon enemies the Footstool for Thy Feet.
HYMN OF THE EVENING INCENSE
Sou.
THE CONGREGATION MUST STAND
En Bithleem sinelthontes, Pisti Let us the Faithful assemple and go to PSALM 140/141 TONE 2
katidomen, ton ton apanton Ktisin, Bethlehem, to behold the Creator of
kimenon en ti fatni, ke tous ek
Kyrie ekekraxa pros Se, isakouson mou. Lord, I cry out to Thee: hearme,
All as an Infant in a Manger, and
Isakouson mou, Kyrie. Kyrie, O Lord! O Lord, when I cry
Haldeon doron kalon, Chaldeans presenting our Lord with
ekekraxa pros Se, isakouson mou, out to Thee, hear me! Hear
proskomizontas triilon, os Vasili, os threefold precious gifts fit for our
proshes ti foni tis deiseos mou, en to my voice, when I cry out to
Theo te ke di imas, triimero esomeno King, fit for our God and fit for the
kekragene me pros Se, isakouson Thee! Hear me, O Lord!
nekro. Man Who for Three Days would die
mou Kyrie.
for us.
Ek gastros pro eosforou egennisa Se. I have Begotten Thee from the Womb
Katevthinthito i prosevhi mou os Let my Prayer rise before Thee
Omose Kyrios ke ou before the Morning Star. The Lord thimiama enopion Sou. Eparsis ton like incense - the lifting up of
metamelithisete. Si Ierefs is ton swore and will not Repent. Thou hiron mou Thisia Esperini. Isakouson my hands as the Evening Sacrifice.
eona kata tin taxin Melhisedek. art a Priest forever, according to mou Kyrie! Hear me, O Lord!
the Order of Melchizedek. FESTAL PROSOMIA ST STEPHEN - TONE 4
Ek tis Parthenou etehthis, ipo to Spileon. O Lord, Thou were Born of the Virgin Ean anomias paratirisis, Kyrie, Kyrie, If Thou, O Lord, should mark
Ke stratie Angelon, epistase evoon. inside a humble cave. The Angelic tis ipostisete? Oti para Si O ilasmos transgression, O Lord, who would
Doxa en Ipsiston Si to Theo, to Hosts came down from Heaven and estin. stand? For there is Forgiveness
tehthenti en doulou morfi, ke exclaimed: Glory in the Highest! with Thee.
anaplasanti kosmon en ti gastri, tis to Thee, our God, Who was Born in Ti tou Pnevmatos Hariti, lamprinthis tin O Protomartyr, when Grace Divine had
Parthenou ke anandrou Mitros the Form of a servant, and from the dianian, ti morfi os Angelos ofthis Illumined Thy reasoning, Thou
Womb of the Mother who knew no Stefane, diadothisis to Somati, tis looked like an Angel to those who
man Thou Refashioned the entire endon lamprotitos, ke tin Eglin tis gazed upon Thee; the Inner
world! psihis, fanerousis tis velpousi, di is Brightness had spread throughout
Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati Glory to the Father, and to the Son, etihes, ke fotos Theorias Ouranon Si, Thy body, O Holy Man, and the
and to the Holy Spirit Paradoxos anigenton, arhi Martyron Brilliance of Thy soul was apparent
FESTAL APOSTIHA IDIOMELON ST STEPHEN - TONE (6) PLAGAL 2 ke kavhima. to those who beheld. Through It
Thou attained Contemplation of
Protos en Martysin edihthis, ke en Thou art distinguished among Martyrs Divine Light and Glory, when for
Diakonis, Staphane Makarie, ton and Deacons as being the First, O Thee the Heavens opened, O
Athliton to egkallopisma, ton Piston Blessed Stephen. Thou art the Jewel Stephen, Pride of Martyrs!
to stirigma, i Doxa ton Dikeon. Tis of Athlete, the Pride and Joy of the Eneken tou Onomatos Sou ipemina Se, Because of Thy Law, O Lord, I waited
tin septin Sou Eortazousi Mnimin, Faithul, and the Glory of the Kyrie; Ipeminen i psihi mou is ton for Thee; my soul waited for Thy
etise, os paristamenos to Throno Righteous. Pray for us who celebrate Logon Sou, ilpisen i psihi mou epi Word. My soul Hopes in the Lord.
Hristou tou Pantanaktos, ton Thy solemn Memorial, since Thou ton Kyrion.
Ptesmaton ilasmon, ke vasilias stand near the Throne of Christ our
Ouranon axiothine. King, and beseech Him for the
Os Vathmides ke Klimakes, pros When they stoned Thee, the barrage of
forgiveness of our sins, so that we Ouranion Anodon, e ton lithon stones became the steps of the
may become worthy of the Kingdom nifades Si gegonasin, on epivenon Ladder of Heavenly Ascent for Thee
of Heaven. tethease, estota ton Kyrion, tou As Thou ascended, Thou beheld our
Patros ek Desion, Si omonimon Lord standing at the Right Hand of
Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton Now and ever, and to the Ages of ages. Stefanon, protinomenon, dexia the Father in the Heights. With His
eonon. Zoiforo, ou plision, os kallinikos Life-giving Hand He presented Thee
Amin Amen parestis, ke Athliton akrothinion. with the Crown for which thou were

6. F E S T A L V E S P E R S H Y M N S S T S T E P H E N A R C H D E A C O N P R O T O M A R T Y R 2 7 D E C E M B E R F E S T A L V E S P E R S H Y M N S S T S T E P H E N A R C H D E A C O N P R O T O M A R T Y R 2 7 D E C E M B E R 3.
 named, O Stephen. As the
Paramount of Athletes, Thou stand
beside Him Victorious!
Apo Filaktis proias mehri niktos, apo From the morning watch until night;
filakis proias, elpisato Israil epi ton from the morning watch until night
Kyrion. let Israel Hope in the Lord.
En simiis ke terasin, apastrapton ke Shining brightly with Miracles, Signs
dogmasi, paranomon esvesas to and Wonders and True Teachings,
sinedrion, ke ip afton aneroumenos, Thou eclipsed the Council that failed
ke lithis vallomenos, iper tis ton to keep the Law. And, as they all
fonevton, Si Prosinihou afeseos, executed Thee, and stoned Thee to
ekmimoumenos, tin fonin tou Sotiros, death, O Saint, Thou Entreated n
ou is hiras, enapethou Sou to behalf of Thy murderers, that they
Pnevma, to Ierotaton Stefane. not be charged with the sin. Thus
Thou imitated our Saviour, and
surrendered Thy Noble Spirit into
His Hand, O St Stephen.
FESTAL PROSOMIA ST THEODORE OF CONSTANTINOPLE TONE 4
Oti para to Kyrio to Eleos ke polli par For with the Lord there is Mercy, and
afto litrosis. Ke aftos Litrosete ton with Him is abundant Redemption.
Israil ek pason ton anomion Aftou. And He will Redeem Israel from all
his transgressions.
Xenitias tis travmasi, prosetethi Si To the wounds of Thy banishment,
travmata, exorias Osie, halepotiti, tou wounds of exile were added, by the
paranomos diepontos, ton Thronon ruthless tyranny of the Emperor who
ton ennomon, ke sigheontos dinos, as a heretic occupied the lawful
tous Thesmous tous tis Pisteos, ke tin, Throne unlawfully, for he terribly
Ahranton, tou Sotiros Ikona confused the Traditions of our Truth
kathelontos, on ti Hariti ti Thia Faith and removed the Immaculate
Hrisou Therapon katishinas. Icons of our Saviour, but by Divine
Grace Thou shamed him, O Faithful
Sevant of Christ our God.
Enite ton Kyrion, panta ta Ethni, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
epenesate aftn, pantes i lai. praise Him, all you peoples.
Ou frousa Se ou stenosis, oude skotos Neither guards nor imprisonment, nor
animeron, Si plige ke mastiges, the Darkness and solitude, neither
perishisan, tis pros Hriston agapiseos, wounds nor lashings could separate
horise Theodroe, oude nosos halepi, Thee from Thine Ardent Love of our
ke makra ke disforitos. Oude endia, Saviour, Christ, O Confessor
tis trofis Theorrimon. All atreptos, Theodore, nor infection and disease,
ekarterisas provlepon, tin ton son that were chronic and difficult to
ponon antidosin. bear, and not even starvation. But
suffering everything unflinchingly,
foreseeing the Rewards of Thine
Endurance, Thou uttered the Words
of God.
Oti ekrateothi to Eleos Aftou ef imas, For His Mercy Rules over us; and the
ke i alithia tou Kyriou men ii ton Truth of the Lord endures forever.
eona.
Anti thlipseos enesin, anti ponon Instead of affliction, Praise, and
polafsin, anti skotous ellampsin, Si Enjoyment instead of pain, and
dodorite, O Athlothetis O Dikeos. rather than Darkness, Illuminating
Anti de Thespesie, tis en opsi Sou Light has Christ our Fair Judge
4. F E S T A L V E S P E R S H Y M N S S T S T E P H E N A R C H D E A C O N P R O T O M A R T Y R 2 7 D E C E M B E R
grafis, ois vivlo engerapse. Ekklisia awarded Thee. Indeed to Reward
de, pototokon etagis, en Ipsistis, ke Thee for the inscription upon Thy
Angelon panigyri, periharos Face, O Godly Saint, Thou hast been
proselilithas. Inscribed in the Book of Life. In the
Church of the Firstborn Thou art
listed, O Father Theodore, in Heaven,
where, together with Angels, Thou
celebrate.
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati Glory to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit
FESTAL PROSOMIA ST STEPHAN ARCHDEACON & PROTOMARTYR TONE 2
To Vasili ke Despoti tou pantos, ehthenti To the King and Master of all, who was
epi Gis, Stephanos iperlampros born on Earth, Stephen is presented
prosferete, ouk ek lithon timion as a Splendid Crown who is
kateskevasmenos, all ex ikion decorated, not with jewels, but with
ematon diinthismenos. All O his own blood. Come, O you who
filomartyres defte, ta ton asmaton Love Martyrs, let us take up songs
anthi drepsameni, tas Kefalas like pennants, and wave them above
anadisometha, ke tis imnis our head, and as we sing Hymns, let
anamelpontes, ipomen. O Sofia us say to him: Thy soul is adorned
kataglaisthis, ke Hariti tin psihin, with Wisdom and Grace, O
Potormartys hristou tou Theou, etise Protomartyr of Christ our God. Pray
imin irinin, ke to Mega Eleos. for us, that we may receive Peace
and Great Mercy.
Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton Now and ever, and to the Ages of ages.
eonon.
Amin Amen
FESTAL PROSOMIA NATIVITY OF CHRIST TONE 2
Mega ke Paradoxon Thavm, teteleste A Great and Paradoxical Miracle has
simeron! Parthenos tikti ke Mitra ou occurred today! A Virgin has given
fthirete, O Logos Sarkoute, ke tou Birth without damage to Her Womb!
Patros ou kehoriste, Angeli meta The Word becomes Flesh, and is not
Pimenon Doxazousi, ke imis Sin aftis separated from the Father! Angels
ekvoomen. Doxa en Ipsistis Theo, and Shepherds give Glory, and we
ke epi Gis Irini! join them, shouting: Glory in
Highest to God! And on Earth, Peace!
NO ENTRANCE - THE EVENING HYMN
FOS ILARON...
PROKEIMENON - WEDNESDAY PSALM 92 - TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
To Eleos Sou, Kyrie, katadioxi me Thy Mercy, O Lord, shall surelyfollow
pasas tas imeras tis Zois mou. (2) me all the days of my Life. (2)
Kyrios Pimeni me ke ouden me isterisi. Is The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not
topon hlois, eki me kateskinosen, epi want. He makes me to lie down in
idatos anapafseos eethrepse me. Green Pastures; He leads me beside
Still Waters.
To Eleos Sou, Kyrie, katadioxi me Thy Mercy, O Lord, shall surelyfollow
pasas tas imeras tis Zois mou. me all the days of my Life.
FERVENT SUPPLICATIONS 
F E S T A L V E S P E R S H Y M N S S T S T E P H E N A R C H D E A C O N P R O T O M A R T Y R 2 7 D E C E M B E R 5.