MAY ALL OF YOUR HEARTS BE FILLED WITH GREAT JOY AT THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!
CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!
Christmas Eve Matins
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn
As she carried in her womb what she conceived without seed, Mary went to Bethlehem with elder Joseph to enroll, for they were of the house and lineage of David. The time arrived for her to give birth to her Child; but then there was no place in the inn for them. Therefore the grotto served as a luxurious royal palace for the Queen. And Christ the Lord is born to raise the image which was formerly fallen.
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Kathisma ! Mode pl. 2.
The sayings of the Prophets are being now fulfilled, for our God shall be born in the days to come ineffably from Mary the Virgin, and He remains what He was before childbirth. The Magi have been gathered, bearing their precious gifts. In the fields are the shepherds. And we sing a hymn to Him Who from a Virgin was born, "Glory to Thee, O Lord."
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Oikos
Ever adorned with a pure light and speech, and with grace, O Virgin, you presented yourself as a sacrifice to the Lord, Who for us took flesh from the Virgin and was born on earth, in His ineffable compassion. And the Master magnificently decorated Thee with two crowns of glory. You preserved yourself with chastity, as if bodiless, and as a bride you entered with Him into the heavenly bridal hall, all aglow, adorned with your medals, O Evgenia, all-lauded godly Martyr Saint.
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On December 24, we commemorate the holy, devout, virgin Martyr Evgenia (Eugenia), and those with her.
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CHRISTMAS DAY - The Nativity in the Flesh of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.
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Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of the Feast. Mode 4.
Your 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. Glory to Thee, O Lord.
Kontakion Hymn. Mode 33
On this day the Virgin gives birth to the Super-essential. To the Unapproachable, earth is providing the grotto. Angels sing and with the shepherds offer up glory. Following a Star the Magi are still proceeding. He was born for our salvation, a newborn Child, the Pre-Eternal God.
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INSTEAD OF HOLY GOD
You Who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Allelouia.
MAY YOU ALL HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!
With agape in Our Savior,
+Father George