ON THE 2ND OF THE MONTH

AT VESPERS

Tone 4. As noblest of Martyrs.

Let us devoutly intone songs for the Forefeast of the revered Baptism of our God; for see, in flesh, as a human, he is about to approach his Forerunner and to ask for saving Baptism for the refashioning of all those who with faith receive sacred enlightenment and share in the Spirit.

Christ is revealed; God appears; David wrote it clearly in prophecy; and he comes to the slave, asking for Baptism; River Jordan, be filled with joy. Earth and sea, hills and mountains, and hearts of mortals, all of you now leap for joy, as you wait to receive the immaterial light.

O all-powerful, you are a river of peace and a stream of delight, as it written; how then will a river’s streams receive you as you go down into it naked, Lord, who wrap the heavens with clouds, stripped naked all the evil of the foe and clothed those born of earth with incorruption.

[Other Prosomia Stichera of the Saint.
Tone 8. O marvellous wonder.]

Christ the truth comes to the Jordan to be baptised by John, who says to him, ‘I need to be baptised by you; and do you come to me? I who am grass dare not touch the fire. But sanctify me, Master, by your divine Epiphany’.

At the Aposticha, Idiomels.
Tone 1. By Monk John.

Radiant the feast that has passed; more radiant the saving feast that draws near. The one had a Angel as the bearer of good tidings, and this found the Forerunner as the one who makes ready for it in advance. In the one, when blood was shed, Bethlehem grieved, as one who was childless; in this, when the waters were blessed, the Font was made known as source of many children. Then a Star guided the Magi, but now the Father revealed you to the world. Lord, who took flesh and are coming again made manifest, glory to you!

Tone 2. By Andrew of Jerusalem.

Again my Jesus is cleansed in the Jordan, or rather cleanses our sins; for he truly comes to Baptism, wishing to wash out Adam’s record, and he says to John, ‘Come, Baptist, act as servant to the accomplishment of a strange mystery. Come, quickly stretch out your hand and touch the crown of the one who crushed the head of the dragon and opened Paradise, which the transgression had once shut, through the deception of the serpent, the tasting of the tree.

Tone 3.

Bright was the feast that has passed, glorious the present day. In the one Magi worshipped the Saviour; while in this one called slave baptised the Master. There Shepherds, keeping watch, saw and marvelled; here the voice of the Father proclaimed the only-begotten Son

Come, all believers, leaving Judea let us cross over the desert of Jordan, and there let us contemplate today the one who was manifested in flesh for our sake asking for Baptism in the streams of Jordan, the Baptism refusing and crying out in fear, ‘I dare not with a palm of clay lay my hands on fire. The Jordan and the sea have fled and been turned back, my Saviour; how then shall I place my hand upon your head, at which the Seraphim tremble? Jordan turned back when it received through Elissaios the mantle of Elias. How will it not sink into chaos and the deep, when it sees you naked in your streams? How, wholly aflame from you, will it not burn me up?’ ‘Why do you hesitate, Baptist, to baptise my Lord?’ the Jordan cries to John. ‘Why do you prevent the cleansing of many? He sanctified all creation; let him sanctify both me and the nature of the waters, for this he has been made manifest’.

Apolytikion. Tone 4.

AT COMPLINE

We sing the following Triode, of which the Acrostic is.

Ode 1. Tone 2. Irmos.

‘To the Lord who by his divine command dried up the pathless raging sea and guided the Israelite people through it on foot let us sing; for he has been greatly glorified’.

The ineffable condescension of the Creator shone previously from a Virgin and shed light on the world; Christ himself again about to accomplish another mystery, is coming for the rebirth of mortals in Jordan.

About to act as servant of a fearful work the Forerunner, the voice of the Word, is now drawing near to Jordan; the One rich in Godhead, Christ, has come to make beggared Adam rich through the Spirit by the gift of Baptism.

Ode 8. Irmos.

‘The unwearied fire, nurtured by limitless fuel shuddered at the unsullied body, close companion of the soul, of the docile youths, and gave way; while as the ever-living flame died down a hymn that lives for ever was being raised, ‘Praise the Lord, all you his works, and highly exalt him to all the ages’’.

‘I will recognize you as my chosen vessels if the seal of my gift has been marked on you, blazing with triple light’ says Christ the Word to those who delay Baptism by the hesitation of sloth; for for this I have come, granting a new way of salvation and a life of freedom.

‘The deed that is now being accomplished in you is contrary to the natural order; for what is less is normally blessed by what is mightier. Therefore I am afraid to lay my hand on your head’, the Forerunner cried out to the Word, ‘It is not usual to bring grass close to fire. Do you rather hallow me, your servant’.

Another Diode. Same Tone. Its acrostic is:

And on Tuesday

The tyrant’s decree.

Shaking off the soul’s sleep of idleness with wakefulness of heart, let us cry out to the One who comes to cleanse souls in streams of water, ‘Bless the Lord, you works of the Lord’.

Let action in us be brought to perfection by lofty contemplation of soul, so that appearing radiant in both we may cry out to the One who cleanses all, ‘Bless the Lord, you his works’.

Let us the faithful, having adorned with practical reason by double activity our talent, offer it with faith, like servants, to the Master, who comes be baptized for the refashioning of souls.

Irmos.

‘The tyrant’s decree the three holy Youths did not obey, but cast into the furnace they confessed God as they sang, ‘Bless the Lord, you works of the Lord’’.

Ode 9. Irmos.

‘You magnified the Mother of God who gave you birth, O Christ, from whom you our Fashioner put on a body with feelings like ours, the ransom of our faults. As all we generations call her blessed we magnify you’.

Having thrust aside every stain of passion, let us fittingly take up the wise purpose of divine Baptism; for the Creator has come to give strange cleansing by being baptized in streams of water and to show all a new transformation.

As we contemplate Christ, willingly humbling himself even to the form of a servant, let us now be humbled under his mighty hand, being raised up in spirit that by pure deeds we may honour him who is being baptized.

Another.

As the one who contained.

Having cast aside the heavy stain of sin, let us made pure look upon the Master who purifies all with divine streams.

Come, let us now, purified by streams of tears, draw near to Christ, who has come to be baptized in the river Jordan.

O Saviour now accept us who have celebrated at your Nativity with Magi and Shepherds, as we honour you who come to be baptized.

Irmos.

‘As the one who contained God in your womb and bore joy for the world we sing your praise, all-holy Virgin’.

AT MATINS

After the 1st reading from the Psalter, Kathisma.

Tone 1. Your tomb, O Saviour.

Wearing my poverty, my Jesus, you are approaching, mingling yourself with servants, and asking for Baptism by a slave, O Lover of mankind. Therefore, when he saw you, John cry out, ‘How shall I baptize you, who are wholly without stain, O God supremely good?’

Christ by his loving kindness is about to approach the streams of the river Jordan, in which he will by grace accomplish our refashioning. Godly Forerunner, receive him with joy and in the waters wash him as he wills, the only Lover of mankind.

After the 2nd reading from the Psalter, Kathisma.

Tone 4. Speedily anticipate.

The rich through great compassion has become poor, wishing to make us rich who have become poor through want of self-control; he is coming to enter the streams of Jordan and to be openly baptized by John. Let us believers sing the praise of his supreme humility.

Today the voice of Isaias has been fulfilled, who cried, `Prepare the way of the Lord, and make his paths; for, as he said, the desert-loving trumpet, famous John, summons us all. And so let us hurry together and see marvels.

Canon of the Forefeast, of which the Acrostic, without the Irmi, is the Alphabet.

A Composition by Joseph.

Ode 1. Tone 2. Irmos.

‘To the Lord who by his divine decree dried up the pathless and tempestuous sea, and guided through it the people of Israel on foot, let us sing; for he has been greatly glorified’.

As he perceives the coming of the Lord, the godly Forerunner advances from the wilderness, openly crying out, ‘Redemption has drawn near, has appeared. Repent and be cleansed by water’.

Being baptized as I am in a tempest of sins, O Word without beginning like the Father, cleanse me wholly with the sprinkling of repentance, who ever grant redemption to believers by your baptism, through your measureless compassion.

Country of Zavoulon, as it is written, seeing the unsetting light, be made radiant; for see, it is present in Jordan’s streams, and sing the praise of the God over all things, crying, ‘Let us sing to the Lord, for he has been greatly glorified’.

Discerning the whole people drawing near, the Forerunner inspired by God, cried out to them, ‘Who has shown you to flee from the wrath to come? Saved by grace, produce the fruits of repentance’.

Ode 3. Irmos.

‘Establish us in you, O Lord, who put sin to death by a tree, and plant your fear in the hearts of us who sing your praise’.

‘Christ has appeared’, cries the Forerunner, and enters the streams of Jordan’. Let us all go to meet him, enlightened with pure thoughts.

As you sought the one who had gone astray by trackless places, my God, you put on richest poverty and came to be baptized, who are the redemption of all.

Let heaven and earth now dance; the Benefactor of all is being baptized, drowning in the waters the multitude of our measureless offences.

The Irmos.

‘Plant your fear, Lord, in the hearts of your servants, and be the firm foundation of those who call on you in truth’.

Kathisma of the Saint.

Tone 8. The Wisdom and Word.

Revealed as a river of true religion, you watered the whole earth, Silvester, with the streams of your doctrines as an inspired Hierarch; and with the showers of your wonders you washed away the stain of passions; and fittingly you have inherited a torrent of delight. We therefore, assembled, devoutly honour you today with songs and faithfully cry out to you, inspired Hierarch, ‘Intercede with Christ God to grant forgiveness of offences to those who feast with love your holy memory.

Tone 8. You rose from the dead.

God invisible, Word incomprehensible, you were born from the Father beyond nature and reason; while again you were born in the last times from the Virgin, not changing what you were, and you are coming now to be baptized in the streams of the Jordan in the flesh, who have been well-pleased as God to save the human race.

Ode 4. Irmos.

‘You have come from a Virgin, not an envoy, not an Angel, but the Lord himself incarnate, and you have saved the whole on me, mankind; therefore I cry to you, ‘Glory to your power, O Lord’’.

The great Forerunner marvels at your coming, Jesu our Benefactor, and abasing himself he cries, ‘You are fire, Master; do not burn me up, Lord, who am but grass’.

‘As you see me standing in these waters, John, by my own will, now draw near and baptize me, that through water I may contrive grace for the human race’.

‘I knew you, my God, hidden in a body, like the sun in a cloud. How then are you naked, now wrapping yourself in the waters?’ cried John in amazement.

‘Human nature is made resplendent and receives redemption from the darkness of sin, and from on high it is clothed with a divine tunic of incorruption by my stripping myself naked’.

Ode 5. Irmos.

‘Lord, giver of light and maker of the ages, guide us by the light of your commands; for we know no other God but you’.

Crying, ‘Repent, the Kingdom of God has drawn near’ the sacred Forerunner appeared from the desert, restoring us who had been deserted.

The Law of old and the company of the Prophets say, ‘Christ has come, by baptism refashioning us who had grown old by many offences.

‘Strange and fearsome sights I see today’ says John, ‘now the source of immortality has come forth from a little drop to ask for divine baptism’.

Ode 6. Irmos.

‘A final abyss of sins has surrounded me; but Lord, as you did Jonas, bring my life up from corruption’.

Rain down on us release from sins, O Lord, who drown the faults of the earthborn in the streams of the Jordan through your great mercy.

O Christ, who are an ocean of righteousness, you now draw near to drown the dragon in the river Jordan and to wash away Adam’s transgression.

‘How will a river’s streams contain you, O Christ, who are truly a stream of incorruption?’ cried the Forerunner, glorifying your great compassion.

The Irmos.

‘I will pour out my entreaty to the Lord and to him I will declare my afflictions; for my soul has been filled with evils and my life has drawn near to Hades; and like Jonas I beg, `O God, bring me up from corruption’’.

Kontakion. Tone 4.

Today you have appeared.

Today the Lord has come to the streams of Jordan, and cries aloud to John, ‘Do not be afraid to baptise me; for I have come to save Adam the First-formed’.

The Ikos.

Another, of the Saint.

Tone 4. Seeking the things on high.

Having filled your mouth with the wisdom of God, you made clear to us the knowledge of the Trinity and cast down the godlessness of tyrants with the sling of your words, Silvester. And so entreat the Lord on our behalf.

The Ikos.

Enriched with the throne of the Prince of the Apostles, you were revealed as a most wondrous Minister of God, making lovely, establishing and magnifying the Church by divine doctrines. Like a star blazing with light you give light by the light of virtues and teach us to reverence the Trinity as one undivided Godhead; and you drove out the heresies of the ill-intentioned, all-wise Silvester. And so entreat the Lord on our behalf.

Synaxarion.

On the 2nd of the same month, Commemoration of our Father among the Saints Silvester, Pope of Rome.

On the same day, Commemoration of the holy Bishop and Martyr, Theagenes.

On the same day Saints Theopemptos and Theodoti, the mother of the holy Unmercenaries, died in peace.

By sickness Theodoti passed from life,
Who bore to life healers of sicknesses.

On the same day, the Venerable Mark the Deaf died in peace.

On the same day Commemoration of the holy Martyr Basil of Ankyra.

On the same day Saint Sergios died by the sword.

On the same day Saint Theopistos was stoned to death.

On the same day Commemoration of our Venerable Father Kosmas, Archbishop of Constantinople, the Wonderworker, of the revered Monastery of Chora.

At their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us.

Ode 7. Irmos.

‘When the golden image was being worshipped on the plain of Deïra, your three Youths trampled down the godless decree. Cast into the midst of the fire they were bedewed as they sang, ‘Blessed are you, the God of our Fathers’’.

By the wealth of your loving kindness, O Christ, you chose to approach the waters naked, so clothing me, stripped naked by the treachery of the Boaster, with a sacred robe. I sing the praise of your compassion and I worship your wondrous dispensation.

‘What is this great dispensation of yours towards us, O Christ? What this poverty? What this ineffable condescension beyond understanding?’ said John when he saw you stripping yourself naked and commanding that you be baptized by him.

You set alight, like a lamp, your sacred flesh in the midst of Jordan and sought out the image which had been befouled by sin and the passions; and when you had found it you made it fait by your Baptism, loving Lord, therefore we sing your praise.

Ode 8. Irmos.

‘The God who descended into the furnace of fire to the Hebrew Youths and changed the flame to dew, all you his works sing his praise as Lord, and highly exalt him to all the ages’.

A Voice crying clearly in the wilderness, John came, turning back hearts that fervently repent to glorify the Saviour and Master as he appears in the Jordan.

Seeking to dry up the streams of the enemy’s wickedness, to repel the seas of the passions and to pour out pardon and forgiveness for the faithful, Master, you are coming to be baptized in the streams of Jordan.

Maker of hours and times, through compassion become subject to time, who shone out timelessly from the Father who is before eternity, you have come to wash away the time-old faults of all in the streams of Jordan.

Irmos.

‘By grace become victors over tyrant and flame, the Youths who held fast to your commandments cried out, ‘Bless the Lord all you his works, and highly exalt him to all the ages’’.

Ode 9. Irmos.

‘The Word, God from God, who has come with ineffable wisdom to renew Adam, terribly fallen by eating to corruption, for us ineffably incarnate from a holy Virgin, with one accord in hymns we the faithful magnify him’.

When John saw you, O Benefactor, coming to him and in humility asking Baptism from you, he was amazed and drew back, in no way daring to touch with his hand the One who touches all the mountains and they smoke.

Like a holy swallow, harbinger of spiritual spring, the Baptist came to those in the winter of unnumbered faults and ever enduring the tempestuous gale of hostile spirits with most wicked passions.

Seeing your fruitlessness the axe of death laid to your roots as to tree threatens to fell you; do not then continue fruitless, my soul, but cry out to God with fervent repentance, ‘I have sinned, save me’.

The voice of one who cried was heard in desert hearts, ‘Be glad, Christ has come granting forgiveness to all. Be hallowed every sea, springs and rivers, valleys and lakes and all that lies beneath the sun.

Irmos.

‘We who have been saved through you, pure Virgin, confess you to be indeed Mother of God, as with the Bodiless choirs we magnify you’.

Exapostilarion.
Women listen.

The voice of one who cries has sounded; you hills, leap for joy; dance, human race, for the Word before eternity, taking flesh as a man, has come that he may be baptized in Jordan by hands which he fashioned and to abolish the sin of the world.

Same melody.

How will a river’s streams receive you, Lover of mankind, who made from nothing rivers and seas? How will the Forerunner dare to lay his hand on your immaculate head, Master? Trembling we sing the praise, O Word, of the height of your poverty.

At Lauds we insert 4 Stichera and sing Prosomia, of which the acrostic, until the 5th of the month, is:

Song of Theophanes for the Lights.

Tone 8. The Angelic Powers.

Go on, Angelic Powers, from Bethlehem to Jordan’s streams. Leaving the wilderness behind. John draw near. River rejoice and make ready. Let all the earth be glad. Christ is coming to cleanse the sin of Adam, as he is compassionate.

With pure mouths and souls made clean, come, let us mystically pass over from Bethlehem and hastening with Christ to the Jordan let us, all the tribes of the earth, now sing to him as we say with faith, ‘Blessed is our God who has come; glory to you’.

Great and fearful is the mystery! That God has been made like humans and wholly without knowledge of sin the guiltless today asks to be baptized by John in the river Jordan. Blessed is our God who has appeared; glory to you!

A flower from David, which blossomed from the Virgin, Christ has come to the streams of Jordan to wash away the sins of the Forefather in the waters. Adam, dance; Eve rejoice; let heaven be glad; let peoples say, `Blessed is our God who has come; glory to you’.

Fearing to place his hand, with his hand he trembles; with his soul John rejoices, understanding that you have been well-pleased to incline your head, for you have taken the form of a slave, that you may deliver mortals from the slavery of the foe, as they cry, ‘Blessed is our God who has come; glory to you’.

Let the whole earth mystically rejoice and let the mountains prophetically leap for joy; Jordan’s stream, turn back, as it is written; tremble before the face of the Master; because God, become man, has come to cleanse all mortals of the sin of Adam.

Aposticha. Idiomel Stichera. Tone 6.

The feast of Christ’s Nativity that has passed was more radiant than the sun; the feast of his divine Epiphany that is coming is resplendent and full of light. In the former Shepherds, giving glory with Angels, worshipped God become man, while in this John touched the Master with his right hand and said with fear, ‘Sanctify me and the waters, O you who alone have great mercy’.

River Jordan prepare, for see Christ God is coming to be baptized by John, that by his Godhead he may crush the invisible heads of the dragons in your waters. Wilderness of Jordan rejoice; mountains leap for joy with gladness, for eternal life has come to call back Adam. Voice of one who cries, Forerunner John, shout aloud, ‘Prepare the ways of the Lord and make straight his paths’.

Let the wilderness of Jordan rejoice and flower like a lily; for the voice of one who cries has been heard in it, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord’; for the One who weighed the mountains with a balance and the valleys with a level, the One who fills all things as God is being baptized by a slave. The One who distributes rich gifts of grace has begun to make himself poor. Eve heard, ‘In pains you will give birth to children’, but now the Virgin has heard, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you who has great mercy’.

Glory. Both now.

Tone 8. By Anatolios.

‘John Baptist, who in the womb recognized me the Lamb, be my servant in the river, minister to me with Angels; stretch out to touch my immaculate head with your palm; and when you see the mountains tremble and Jordan being turned back, shout with them, ‘Lord, incarnate from a Virgin for our salvation, glory to you!’’

The rest of the Office of Matins as usual, and Dismissal.