Hymns and Readings for Sunday - Theophany

6 January 2008

The Great Feast of the Baptism
and Theophany of our Lord

Festal Tone — Festal Eothinon

Little Entrance Hymn

Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.
The Lord is God and has appeared to us.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ.
O Son of God, Who were baptized by John in the Jordan River:
save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Troparia and Kontakion
(Theme hymns of the day and concluding seasonal hymn)

Troparion of the Theophany in Tone One (sung three times)

At your Baptism in the Jordan River, O Christ, the worship due to the Holy Trinity was made manifest, for 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 fill 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 Three

Today You have appeared, O Lord, to the universe, and your light, O Christ our God, has been impressed up on us who sing to You with full knowledge: You came and appeared, O Inaccessible Light!

Instead of the Trisagion Hymn ("Holy God, Holy and Mighty…")

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

Liturgy of the Word

Prokimenon
(Responsory from the Psalter)

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

God is the Lord and has revealed to us Light!

The reading from the Epistle St Paul to 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 Saviour 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 Saviour 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 Saviour, 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 fulfill 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."

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. Intercessors of Christians, we exalt you!

Communion Hymn

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


BLESSING OF THE WATER AT THEOPHANY

After the Prayer Behind the Ambon, the clergy go in procession, with lanterns and censer, to the place where the Blessing of the Water is to take place. In normal practice today, a large vessel of water is prepared on a special table in the center of the Church.

IDEOMELA IN TONE EIGHT

The voice of the Lord upon the waters cries aloud, saying: Come all of you, and receive the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of the fear of God, from Christ who is made manifest.

Today the nature of the waters is sanctified, and the Jordan is parted in two; it holds back the stream of its own waters, seeing the Master wash himself.

O Christ the King, You have come to the river as a man, and in Your goodness You make haste to receive the baptism of a servant at the hands of the Forerunner for the sake of our sins, O You who love mankind.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

At the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord,' You have come, O Lord, taking the form of a servant, and You who do not know sin ask for baptism. The waters saw You and were afraid; the Forerunner was seized with trembling and cried aloud, saying: How shall the lamp illuminate the Light? How shall the servant set his hand upon the Master? O Savior who lake away the sin of the world, sanctify both me and the waters.

THE READINGS

Deacon: Wisdom.

Reader: A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Priest: Let us be attentive.

Reader: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you." Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not pass over it, and fools shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Deacon: Wisdom.

Reader: A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Priest: Let us be attentive.

Reader: "Lo, every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in fatness. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you shall call nations that you know not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. "Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. "For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the LORD for a memorial, for an everlasting sign which shall not be cut off."

Deacon: Wisdom.

Reader: A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Priest: Let us be attentive.

Reader: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name; make known his deeds among the nations, proclaim that his name is exalted. "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."

Deacon: Let us be attentive.

PROKIMENON
Tone Three

R. The Lord is my Light and my Savior: whom shall I fear?

V. The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?

Deacon: Wisdom.

Reader: The reading from the First Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Priest: Let us be attentive.

Reader: BRETHREN: I want you to know, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same supernatural food and all drank the same supernatural drink. For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ.

Priest: Peace to you, reader.

ALLELUIA
Tone Two

My heart has uttered a good word. I declare my works to the King.

You are more handsome than the sons of men:
grace has poured forth from your lips.
For this cause, God has blessed you forever.

THE GOSPEL

Deacon: Wisdom. Let us stand and listen to the Holy Gospel.

Priest: Peace to all!

All: And to your spirit.

Deacon: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 1: 9-11)

All: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You!

Deacon: Let us be attentive.

Priest: AT THAT TIME: Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased."

All: Glory to you, O Lord, glory to You!

LITANY OF THE BLESSING OF THE WATER

Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord

All: Lord, have mercy. (After each petition)

For peace from on high, and the salvation of our souls, let us play to the Lord.

For peace in the whole world, the well being of the holy churches of God, and the union of all, let us play to the Lord

For this holy place and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For our father and (Arch) Bishop N, the reverend priests, the deacons in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us play to the Lord.

For this city, for every city and country place and the faithful dwelling in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favorable weather, and abundance of the fruits of the earth and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

For the travelers by sea, air and land, for the sick, the suffering for those in captivity and for their salvation let us pray to the Lord.

That this water may be sanctified by the power, action and descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

That the purifying action of the Supersubstantial Trinity may descend upon this water, let us pray to the Lord.

That the grace of redemption and the blessing of the Jordan may be sent down into it by the power, action and descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord our God may swiftly crush Satan beneath our feet, and that every counsel that is directed against us by the Evil One may be made of no effect, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord our God will deliver us from every attack and temptation of the Adversary, and make us worthy of the good things that are promised, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be illumined with the light of understanding and piety through the descent of the Holy Spirit, Let us pray to the Lord.

That this water may become a gift of sanctification, a remission of sins, a cure for the soul and body and become beneficial for every need, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord our God may send down the blessing of the Jordan and sanctify this water, let us pray to the Lord.

That this water may become a fountain springing up to eternal life, let us pray to the Lord.

That this water may prove effective to avert every plot of our visible and invisible enemies, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who drink of this water, and take it with them for the sanctification of their homes let us pray to the Lord.

That it may be for those who drink and receive it in faith, a purification of their souls and bodies, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be worthy to be filled with sanctification, as we receive of this water, through the coming of the Holy Spirit in an invisible manner, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord our God may hear the voice of our supplication, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and need, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.

Remembering our all-holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious Lady the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.

All: To You, O Lord.

PRAYER OF THE BLESSING OF THE WATER

During the Litany, the priest begins the Prayer of the Blessing of the Water. When the Litany ends, he continues aloud in place, if necessary, having stopped at the following proclamation:

Great are You O Lord + and marvelous are Your works, and no word is sufficient to praise Your marvels. (Three times)

All: Glory to You, O Lord, Glory to You (after each proclamation)

The priest continues the prayer aloud, making the sign of the cross over the water at the following proclamation:

Therefore, O King and Lover of Mankind, also be present now through the descent of Your Holy Spirit and sanctify + this water. (Three limes)

All: Amen. (After each proclamation)

Again, the priest continues the prayer aloud up to the following proclamation:

Therefore, O Master, sanctify + this water by your Holy Spirit. (Three limes)

All: Amen (After each proclamation)

The priest continues the prayer to its conclusion with the following Ekphonesis.

That your all-holy name be glorified by the elements, by the angels, by men, by visible and invisible creatures; together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.

All: Amen

PRAYER AT THE BOWING OF THE HEADS OVER THE WATER

Priest: Peace be to all.

All: And to your spirit.

Deacon: Bow you heads to the Lord.

All: To you, O Lord.

The priest offers the prayer at the bowing of the heads over the waters, concluding thus:

For You are our sanctification and we give glory to You, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

TROPARION IN TONE ONE

At your Baptism in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was revealed: For the Father's voice bore witness to You by calling You His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of these words. O Christ God, who have appeared to us, and enlightened the world, glory to You.

The Troparion is sung three times while the priest submerges the cross and raises it each time. The priest, then, sprinkles the sanctuary, Iconostasis, the Church and the people with the sanctified water, while the Choir chants following Idiomelon.

IDIOMELON IN TONE SIX

Believers, let us praise the great plans of God who works for us: for the only pure and spotless One, being incarnate on account of our fall, purifies us in the Jordan River, sanctifies us together with the waters, and crushes the heads of the dragons in the waters. O brethren, let us therefore draw water with joy, for those who draw it in faith shall be invisibly endowed with the grace of the Spirit, through the presence of Christ God, the Savior of our souls.

Choir: Blessed be the Name of the Lord, now and forever. (Three times)

The people approach to drink from the Holy Water, while Psalm 33 is read.

PSALM 33

I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad.

Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord and he answered me; from all my terrors he set me free.

Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.
This poor man called, the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress.

The angel of the Lord is encamped, around those who revere him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is happy who seeks refuge in him.

Revere the Lord, you his saints. They lack nothing, those who revere him.
Strong lions suffer want and go hungry but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.

Come, children, and hear me that I may teach you the fear of the Lord.
Who is he who longs for life and many days, to enjoy his prosperity?

Then keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn aside from evil and do good; seek and strive after peace.

The Lord turns his face against the wicked to destroy their remembrance from the earth.
The Lord turns his eyes to the just and his ears to their appeal.

They call and the Lord hears and rescues them in all their distress.
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save.

Many are the trials of the just man but from them all the Lord will rescue him.
He will keep guard over all his bones, not one of his bones shall be broken.

Evil brings death to the wicked; those who hate the good are doomed.
The Lord ransoms the souls of his servants. Those who hide in him shall not be condemned.

The Liturgy concludes with the dismissal as usual.