10 January

Commemoration of our Father among the Saints Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, and Dometianos, Bishop of Melitini.

Venerable Father, most holy Gregory; full pen of the breath of the Advocate and clear tongue of Orthodoxy; lamp of the divine brightness with many lights; herald of truth, rampart of theology; wellspring of high doctrines; torrent of teachings that flow with honey; lyre tuned to God’s voice of songs composed by God that delights the minds of believers. All-wise Father, entreat Christ, implore Christ, who refashioned the world in the streams of Jordan, to save our souls.

Venerable Father, all-honoured Gregory; axe that fells the assaults of heretics, two-edged sword of the Advocate; knife that cuts out adulterated seeds; fire that burns up the undergrowth of heresies; true farmer’s winnowing fan by which the weight and lightness of doctrines is well distinguished; measuring rod of strict accuracy that directs all into paths of salvation. Ever entreat Christ, implore Christ, who refashioned the world in the streams of Jordan, to save our race.

Venerable Father, all-blessed Gregory; mouth that pours out blessed words, drawing them from the inexhaustible and divine wells of salvation, expounding for all words of prayer; rule that directs to virtue; you became radiant by contemplation of things divine, illumined by the brightness of the uncreated Trinity, whose invincible champion you became. Venerable Father, entreat Christ, implore Christ, who refashioned the world in the streams of Jordan, to save our race.

Making your word of wisdom radiant by unapproachable virtue, Gregory of Nyssa, you became all fair in both, with your voice inspired by God beautifying and delighting the people spiritually, expounding with great wisdom the consubstantial godhead of the Trinity; and so, making war with orthodox doctrines on outlandish heresies, you roused the might of the faith to the ends of the earth. As you stand by Christ with the bodiless Ministers, ask for our souls his peace and great mercy.

The hand of the Baptist trembled when it touched your immaculate head; the river Jordan was turned back, not daring to minister to you; for how could the river that had stood in awe of Jesus son of Navi not be seized with alarm at its Maker? But you, our Saviour, fulfilled the whole dispensation, that you might save the world by your Epiphany, only lover of humankind.

Let the whole earth sing a new song[1] to Christ, born from a Virgin and today baptised in Jordan.

Let the Forerunner, prophetic trumpet, cry, ‘Produce the fruits of noble deeds for the Lord baptised in Jordan’.

Verse: What troubled you, sea, that you fled? And you, Jordan, that you were turned back?[3]

The consubstantial divine Spirit, shining from above and seen ineffably in the form of a dove, now hastens towards Christ.

Having achieved a life inspired by God, you made its practice bright by contemplation, Gregory, revealer of God; for loving wisdom with divine ardour, you were enriched with grace from the mouth of the Spirit. Distilling the sweetness of your words like honeycomb, you ever make God’s Church joyful with divine thoughts. And so, as you dwell a high priest in heaven, intercede unceasingly for us who celebrate your memory.

When the Baptist saw you, who take away the sin of the world by spirit and fire,[4] coming to him, quailing and trembling he cried, ‘I do not dare to grasp your immaculate head. But sanctify me, Master, by your Epiphany, only lover of humankind’.

God of our Fathers, who always deal with us in your forbearance, do not deprive us of your mercy, but at their intercessions guide our life in peace.

As you were baptized in the Jordan, Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; for 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 sureness of the word. Christ God, who appeared and enlightened the world, glory to you!

[1] Psalm 95:1.

[2] Psalm 113:3.

[3] Palm 113:5.

[4] John 1:29; Matthew 3:11.