Friday, January 05, 2007

Byzantine Hymns and Readings for the Theophany (Epiphany)

ANTIPHON

When Israel came forth from Egypt,
the house of Jacob from a people of alien tongue,
Judah became his sanctuary.

Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Saviour, save us. (After each verse)

The sea beheld and fled; the Jordan River turned back.

Why is it, O Sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?

Glory … Now and ever … O Only Begotten Son …

LITTLE ENTRANCE

Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. The Lord is God and He has appeared to us.
Come let us worship and fall down before Christ. O Son of God, Who in the Jordan was baptized by John: save us who sing to you: Alleluia!


TROPARION OF THE THEOPHANY IN TONE ONE

At your baptism in the Jordan River, O Christ, the worship of the Holy Trinity was made manifest, and the voice of the Father bore You witness by calling You “Beloved Son,” and the Holy Spirit, in the form of a Dove, confirmed the immutability of this declaration. O Christ God who came forth and filled the world with light, glory to You!

HYPACOE OF THE THEOPHANY IN TONE TWO

When You enlightened all things at the time of your manifestation, the sea of unbelief ebbed away and the Jordan River reversed its course, flowing uphill and carrying us to heaven. Through the prayers of your Mother, O Christ God, keep us in the loftiness of your divine commands and save us.

KONTAKION OF THE THEOPHANY IN TONE FOUR

Today You have appeared, O Lord, to the Universe, and your light, O Christ our GOD, has been impressed upon us who sing to You with full knowledge: YOu came and appreared, O Inaccesible Light.

PROKEMIENON

Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.

The Lord is God and He has appeared to us.

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO ST TITUS

MY SON TITUS: The grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for Himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own Mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his Grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

ALLELUIA

Ascribe to the LORD, O Heavenly Beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
the God of Glory thunders, the LORD, upon many waters.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW

AT THAT TIME: Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on Him; and Lo, a voice from Heaven, saying, "This is my Beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased."

MEGALYNARION OF THE FEAST OF THEOPHANY (HIRMOS IN TONE TWO)

O my soul, magnify the one who is more honorable and glorious than the Heavenly Powers. O Mother of God, when it comes to singing proper praise to you, every tongue and language are at a loss. Even supernatural intelligences are rapt in wonder when it comes to rendering honor to you. But in your graciousness, and because you know our holy longing to sing your praise, be pleased to accept our faith. Intercessor of Christians, we exalt you!

KINONIKON
(COMMUNION HYMN OF THE FEAST OF THEOPHANY)

The Grace of God our Saviour has appeared to all men. Alleluia.

INSTEAD OF WE HAVE SEEN THE TRUE LIGHT, THE TROPARION OF THE FEAST

At your baptism in the Jordan River, O Christ, the worship of the Holy Trinity was made manifest, and the voice of the Father bore You witness by calling You “Beloved Son,” and the Holy Spirit, in the form of a Dove, confirmed the immutability of this declaration. O Christ God who came forth and filled the world with light, glory to You!

No comments:

 
.......