The Theophany of Our Lord
Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, celebrated by Father Yuriy at Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Parish, Victoria. 10AM 6 January 2021.
First Antiphon
Verse: When Israel came forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from an alien people.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Verse: Judah became His sanctuary, Israel His dominion.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Verse: The sea beheld this and fled,* the Jordan turned back on its course.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Verse: Why was it, O sea, that you fled,* that you, O Jordan, turned back on your course?
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Third Antiphon
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
Troparion, Tone 1: When You, O Lord, were baptised in the Jordan, * worship of the Trinity was revealed; * the voice of the Father bore witness to You, * naming You the ‘beloved Son,’ * and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the Word’s certainty. * Glory to You, O Christ God, * who appeared and enlightened the world.
Verse: Therefore let the house of Israel say that He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
Troparion, Tone 1 When You, O Lord, were baptised in the Jordan, * worship of the Trinity was revealed; * the voice of the Father bore witness to You, * naming You the ‘beloved Son,’ * and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the Word’s certainty. * Glory to You, O Christ God, * who appeared and enlightened the world.
Verse: Therefore, let the house of Aaron say that He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
Troparion, Tone 1 When You, O Lord, were baptised in the Jordan, * worship of the Trinity was revealed; * the voice of the Father bore witness to You, * naming You the ‘beloved Son,’ * and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the Word’s certainty. * Glory to You, O Christ God, * who appeared and enlightened the world.
Verse: Let all who fear the Lord say that He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
Troparion, Tone 1 When You, O Lord, were baptised in the Jordan, * worship of the Trinity was revealed; * the voice of the Father bore witness to You, * naming You the ‘beloved Son,’ * and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the Word’s certainty. * Glory to You, O Christ God, * who appeared and enlightened the world.
Entrance Verse: Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord, we bless you from the house of the Lord; the Lord is God and has appeared to us.
Troparion, Tone 1 When You, O Lord, were baptised in the Jordan, * worship of the Trinity was revealed; * the voice of the Father bore witness to You, * naming You the ‘beloved Son,’ * and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the Word’s certainty. * Glory to You, O Christ God, * who appeared and enlightened the world.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and forever and ever, Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4
Today you have appeared to the world and Your light, O Lord, has been signed on us, who with knowledge sing Your praises. You have come, You have appeared, O unapproachable Light.
Instead of the Trisagion we sing:
All you, who have been baptised into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia!
All you, who have been baptised into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia!
All you, who have been baptised into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever and ever, Amen. You have put on Christ! Alleluia!
All you, who have been baptised into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia!
Prokimenon, Tone 4
Blessed is He, who comes in the Name of the Lord; God the Lord has appeared to us.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord for He is good for His mercy endures forever.
Epistle : Titus 2:11–15; 3:4–7
A reading from the Second Epistle of Saint Apostle Paul to Titus
My son Titus, the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another. But when the kindness and generous love of God our saviour appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our saviour, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
Alleluia, Tone 1
Verse: Bring to the Lord, you sons of God; bring to the Lord young rams.
Verse: The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory has thundered, the Lord reigns over vast waters.
Gospel : Matthew 3: 13–17
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptised by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, ‘I need to be baptised by you, and yet you are coming to me?’ Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptised, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’
Instead of ‘It is truly...’ we sing:
O my soul, magnify Christ the King, baptised in the Jordan.
Irmos, Tone 4 Every tongue is at a loss to praise you as is your due, O Mother of God. Even a spirit from above is filled with dizziness when seeking to sing your praises. But since you are good, accept out faith, for you know well our love inspired by God. For it is you who protect all Christians; therefore, we magnify you.
Сommunion Hymn
The Grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
[A private prayer of spiritual communion:
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in these Holy Gifts!
I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot receive You now,
I place before You my whole life and hope, O loving Master;
and I ask, pray, and entreat You: Make me worthy to partake in a mystical way
and with a pure conscience of Your awesome and heavenly Mysteries:
for forgiveness of sins, for the pardon of offences, for communion of the Holy Spirit,
for the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, for confidence before You,
and not for judgment or condemnation.
I embrace You as You enter and abide in me, and I unite myself completely to You.
Permeate my soul and body, and never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.]