On Lord, I have cried, eight stichera are sung:

Tone Two

by John the Monk

The Forerunner beheld our Enlightenment, who has brought light to all mankind, draw near for baptism: and he rejoiced in soul while his hand trembled. And he shewed Him to the people, saying: ‘Behold, the Redeemer of Israel, who sets us free from corruption.’ O sinless Christ our God, glory to Thee (twice).

The hosts of angels were filled with fear, as they saw our Deliverer baptized by a servant and receiving witness through the coming of the Spirit. And the Father’s voice was heard from on high: ‘He upon whom the Forerunner lays his hand, the same is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.’ O Christ our God, glory to Thee (twice).

The streams of the Jordan received Thee who art the fountain, and the Comforter descended in the form of a dove. He who bowed the heavens, bowed His head, and the clay cried aloud to Him that formed him: ‘Why dost Thou command of me what lies beyond my power? For I have need to be baptized of Thee.’ O sinless Christ our God, glory to Thee (twice).

Wishing to save man gone astray, Thou hast not disdained to clothe Thyself in the form of a servant. For it befitted Thee, as Master and God, to take upon Thyself our nature for our sakes. For Thou, O Deliverer, hast been baptized in the flesh, making us worthy of forgiveness. Therefore we cry unto Thee: O Christ our God and Benefactor, glory to Thee (twice).

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Same Tone

by Byzas

Thou hast bowed Thine head before the Forerunner and hast crushed the heads of the dragons. Thou hast descended into the waters and hast given light to all things, that they may glorify Thee, O Saviour, the Enlightenment of our souls.

Entrance with the Gospel, O joyful light, and prokimenon of the day.

Lessons:

Reading from Genesis (1:1–13).

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called He Seas: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day.

Reading from Exodus (14:15–18, 21–23, 27–29).

And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto Me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: but lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get Me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten Me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea.

Reading from Exodus (15:22–16:1).

Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there He made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He proved them, and said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters. And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai.

Then is said, standing:

Troparion

Tone Five

Thou who hast created the world art made manifest in the world, to give light to those that sit in darkness. Glory to Thee who lovest mankind.

℣ 1. God be merciful unto us, and bless us: and cause His face to shine upon us, and have mercy upon us (Psalm 66:2).

To give light to those that sit in darkness. Glory to Thee who lovest mankind.

℣ 2. That Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy salvation among all nations (Psalm 66:3).

To give light to those that sit in darkness. Glory to Thee who lovest mankind.

℣ 3. Let the people praise Thee, O Lord, let all the people praise Thee: the earth hath given her increase (Psalm 66:6–7).

To give light to those that sit in darkness. Glory to Thee who lovest mankind.

℣ 4. May God, even our own God, bless us: may God bless us, and let all the ends of the earth fear Him (Psalm 66:7–8).

To give light to those that sit in darkness. Glory to Thee who lovest mankind.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Thou who hast created the world art made manifest in the world, to give light to those that sit in darkness. Glory to Thee who lovest mankind.

Lessons:

Reading from Joshua the Son of Nun (3:7–8, 15–17).

And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan. And it came to pass, as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest), that the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

Reading from the Fourth Book of Kings (2 Kings 2:6–14).

And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry, I pray thee, here: for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; and he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

Reading from the Fourth Book of Kings (2 Kings 5:9–14).

So Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Assyria, came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? How much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Then is said, standing:

Troparion

Tone Six

In the abundance of Thy mercy Thou hast made Thyself manifest to sinners and publicans, O our Saviour. Where indeed should Thy light have shone save upon those that sit in darkness? Glory to Thee.

℣ 1. The Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel: the Lord hath put on His apparel and girded Himself with strength (Psalm 92:1).

Where indeed should Thy light have shone save upon those that sit in darkness? Glory to Thee.

℣ 2. The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice: the floods lift up their waves at the voice of many waters (Psalm 92:3–4).

Where indeed should Thy light have shone save upon those that sit in darkness? Glory to Thee.

℣ 3. Wonderful are the mighty waves of the sea; wonderful is the Lord on high. Thy testimonies are very sure (Psalm 92:4–5).

Where indeed should Thy light have shone save upon those that sit in darkness? Glory to Thee.

℣ 4. Holiness becometh Thine house, O Lord, for ever (Psalm 92:5).

Where indeed should Thy light have shone save upon those that sit in darkness? Glory to Thee.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

In the abundance of Thy mercy Thou hast made Thyself manifest to sinners and publicans, O our Saviour. Where indeed should Thy light have shone save upon those that sit in darkness? Glory to Thee.

Lessons:

Reading from the Prophet Isaiah (1:16–20).

Thus saith the Lord: Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgement, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Reading from Genesis (32:1–10).

And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my Lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now: and I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight. And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him. Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; and said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape. And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which Thou hast shewed unto Thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan.

Reading from Exodus (2:5–10).

And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children. Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother. And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

Reading from Judges (6:36–40).

And Gideon said unto God, If Thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as Thou hast said, behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that Thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as Thou hast said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. And Gideon said unto God, Let not Thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray Thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.

Reading from the Third Book of Kings (1 Kings 18:30–39).

And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the Lord God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, He is the God.

Reading from the Fourth Book of Kings (2 Kings 2:19–22).

And the men of the city of Jericho said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren. And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land. So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.

Reading from the Prophet Isaiah (49:8–15).

Thus saith the Lord: In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; that thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them. And I will make all My mountains a way, and My highways shall be exalted. Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim. Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Thus saith the Lord Almighty.

Then follows the Small Litany, and after it the trisagion.

Then the Prokimenon before the Epistle:

Tone Three

The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? (Psalm 26:1)

℣. The Lord is the defender of my life: of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 26:1)

Reading from the First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians (9:19–27).

Brethren: though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ), that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Alleluia:

Tone Six

℣ 1. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made to the King (Psalm 44:2).

℣ 2. Thou art fairer than the children of men (Psalm 44:3).

Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (3:14–18).

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and will gather the wheat into His garner; but the chaff He will burn with fire unquenchable. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

And then the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.

The Great Blessing of the Waters

After the prayer behind the ambon at the end of the Liturgy, the clergy go in procession, with lights and incense, to the place where the Blessing of the Waters is to be held, the priest holding in his hand the Precious Cross. Meanwhile the following stichera are sung:

Tone Eight

by Sophronios, Patriarch of Jerusalem

The voice of the Lord upon the waters cries aloud saying: ‘Come ye all, and receive the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of the fear of God, from Christ who is made manifest’ (three times).

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 (twice).

O Christ the King, Thou hast come unto the river as a man, and in Thy goodness Thou dost make haste to receive the baptism of a servant at the hands of the Forerunner, for the sake of our sins, O Thou who lovest mankind (twice).

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Same Tone

At the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord’, Thou hast come, O Lord, taking the form of a servant, and Thou who knowest not sin dost ask for baptism. The waters saw Thee 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 Saviour who takest away the sin of the world, sanctify both me and the waters.’

Lessons:

Reading from the Prophet Isaiah (35:1–10).

Thus saith the Lord: The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Reading from the Prophet Isaiah (55:1–13).

Thus saith the Lord: Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for He hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith 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 cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Reading from the Prophet Isaiah (12:3–6).

Thus saith the Lord: With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for He hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Prokimenon:

Tone Three

The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? (Psalm 26:1)

℣. The Lord is the defender of my life: of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 26:1)

Reading from the First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians (10:1–4).

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Alleluia:

Tone Four

℣ 1. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters (Psalm 28:3).

℣ 2. The God of glory thundered, the Lord is upon many waters (Psalm 28:3).

Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark (1:9–11).

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Then the deacon sings the Litany, In peace let us pray to the Lord, as far as the petition For those that sail the seas, for those that travel…, after which he adds these petitions:

For this water, that it may be sanctified by the might and operation and descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

For these waters, that the cleansing operation of the Trinity supreme in being may come down upon them, let us pray to the Lord.

For these waters, that they may be given the grace of redemption and the blessing of the Jordan [by the power and operation and descent of the Holy Spirit], let us pray to the Lord.

[That Satan may be swiftly crushed 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 He 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 enlightened by the light of knowledge and godliness through the descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

[That the Lord may send down the blessing of the Jordan and sanctify these waters, let us pray to the Lord.]

For this water, that it may become a gift of sanctification, a remission of sins, for the healing of soul and body and for every purpose that is expedient, let us pray to the Lord.

For this water, that it may become a fountain springing up unto eternal life, let us pray to the Lord.

For this water, that it may serve to the averting of every evil purpose of enemies visible and invisible, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who draw from this water and take it for the sanctification of their dwellings, let us pray to the Lord.

For this water, that it may bestow cleansing of soul and body upon all who draw it with faith and partake of it, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be deemed worthy to be filled with holiness through partaking of these waters, by the invisible manifestation of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord our God may hearken unto the entreaty of us sinners and have mercy upon us, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from every tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Succour and save us, have mercy upon us and protect us, O God, with Thy grace.

Commemorating our all-holy, undefiled, most blessed, and glorified Lady the Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

Secret prayer recited by the priest during this Litany:

O Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son, who art in the bosom of the Father, True God, source of life and immortality, Light of Light, who camest into the world to enlighten it, shine upon our understanding with Thy Holy Spirit and accept us who offer unto Thee glory and thanksgiving for all Thy great and wondrous works from all ages, and for Thy saving dispensation in these last times. For Thou hast clothed Thyself in our poor and infirm nature, and hast submitted Thyself to servitude, Thou who art King of all; and moreover Thou hast accepted to be baptized in the Jordan by the hand of a servant, that having sanctified the nature of the waters, O sinless Lord, Thou mightest lead us to a new birth through water and Spirit, and restore us again to our original freedom. Keeping feast in remembrance of this divine mystery, we entreat Thee, O Master who lovest mankind: sprinkle upon us, Thine unworthy servants, according to Thy divine promise, cleansing water, the gift of Thy compassion; grant that the petition of us sinners over this water may be acceptable unto Thy goodness, and that thereby Thy blessing may be granted to us and to all Thy faithful people unto the glory of Thy holy and venerated Name. For unto Thee, together with Thy Father who is without beginning, and Thy most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, are due all glory, honour, and worship, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Then the priest says aloud the following prayer, composed by Sophronios, Patriarch of Jerusalem.

O Trinity supreme in being, in goodness, and in Godhead, almighty, who watchest over all, invisible, incomprehensible, Maker of spiritual beings and rational natures, innate Goodness, Light that none can approach and that lightens every man that comes into the world: Shine also upon me Thine unworthy servant. Enlighten the eyes of my understanding that I may make bold to sing the praises of Thy measureless beneficence and Thy might. May the prayer be acceptable that I offer for the people here present. Let not my faults hinder Thy Holy Spirit from coming to this place, but suffer me now uncondemned to cry to Thee, O most good Lord, and to say:

We glorify Thee, O Master who lovest mankind, almighty, pre-eternal King. We glorify Thee, the Creator and Maker of all. We glorify Thee, O Only-begotten Son of God, born without father from Thy Mother, and without mother from Thy Father.

In the preceding feast we saw Thee as a child, while in the present we behold Thee full-grown, our God made manifest, perfect God from perfect God. For today the time of the feast is at hand for us: the choir of saints assembles with us and angels join with men in keeping festival. Today the grace of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descended upon the waters. Today the Sun that never sets has risen and the world is filled with splendour by the light of the Lord. Today the moon shines upon the world with the brightness of its rays. Today the glittering stars make the inhabited earth fair with the radiance of their shining. Today the clouds drop down upon mankind the dew of righteousness from on high. Today the Uncreated of His own will accepts the laying on of hands from His own creature. Today the Prophet and Forerunner approaches the Master, but stands before Him with trembling, seeing the condescension of God towards us. Today the waters of the Jordan are transformed into healing by the coming of the Lord. Today the whole creation is watered by mystical streams. Today the transgressions of men are washed away by the waters of the Jordan. Today Paradise has been opened to men and the Sun of Righteousness shines down upon us. Today the bitter water, as once with Moses and the people of Israel, is changed to sweetness by the coming of the Lord. Today we have been released from our ancient lamentation, and as the new Israel we have found salvation. Today we have been delivered from darkness and illuminated with the light of the knowledge of God. Today the blinding mist of the world is dispersed by the Epiphany of our God. Today the whole creation shines with light from on high. Today error is laid low and the coming of the Master has made for us a way of salvation. Today things above keep feast with things below, and things below commune with things above. Today the triumphant assembly of the Orthodox keeps this holy festival with great joy. Today the Master hastens towards baptism that He may lift man up to the heights. Today He that bows not, bows down to His own servant that He may set us free from bondage. Today we have purchased the Kingdom of Heaven: for the Lord’s Kingdom shall have no end. Today earth and sea share the joy of the world, and the world is filled with gladness. The waters saw Thee, O God, the waters saw Thee and were afraid. The Jordan turned back, seeing the fire of the Godhead descending bodily and entering its stream. The Jordan turned back, beholding the Holy Spirit coming down in the form of a dove and flying about Thee. The Jordan turned back, seeing the Invisible made visible, the Creator made flesh, the Master in the form of a servant. The Jordan turned back and the mountains skipped, looking upon God in the flesh; and the clouds gave voice, marvelling at Him who was come, the Light of Light, true God of true God. For today in the Jordan they saw the triumph of the Master; they saw Him drown in the Jordan the death of disobedience, the sting of error, and the chains of hell, and bestow upon the world the baptism of salvation.

Therefore, sinner and unworthy servant though I am, I recount the majesty of Thy wonders and, seized with fear, in compunction I cry aloud to Thee:

The priest then says in a louder voice:

Great art Thou, O Lord, and marvellous are Thy works: no words suffice to sing the praise of Thy wonders (three times).

For Thou by Thine own will hast brought all things out of nothingness into being, by Thy power Thou dost hold together the creation, and by Thy providence Thou dost govern the world. Of four elements hast Thou compounded the creation: with four seasons hast Thou crowned the circuit of the year. All the spiritual powers tremble before Thee. The sun sings Thy praises; the moon glorifies Thee; the stars supplicate before Thee; the light obeys Thee; the deeps are afraid at Thy presence; the fountains are Thy servants. Thou hast stretched out the heavens like a curtain; Thou hast established the earth upon the waters; Thou hast walled about the sea with sand. Thou hast poured forth the air that living things may breathe. The angelic powers minister to Thee; the choirs of archangels worship Thee; the many-eyed cherubim and the six-winged seraphim, standing round Thee and flying about Thee, hide their faces in fear of Thine unapproachable glory. Thou, the uncircumscribed God without beginning and beyond speech, hast come upon earth, taking the form of a servant and being made in the likeness of man. For Thou, O Master, in Thy merciful compassion couldst not bear to see mankind beneath the tyranny of the devil, but Thou hast come and saved us. We confess Thy grace, we proclaim Thy mercy, we hide not Thy beneficence. Thou hast set free the offspring of our kind. Thou hast hallowed a Virgin womb by Thy Nativity. At Thine Epiphany the whole creation sang Thy praises. For Thou, our God, hast appeared on earth and dwelt among men, Thou hast sanctified the streams of Jordan, sending down from on high the most Holy Spirit, and Thou hast broken the heads of the dragons hidden therein.

The priest makes the sign of the Cross over the water three times, saying:

Therefore, O King who lovest mankind, do Thou Thyself be present now as then through the descent of Thy Holy Spirit, and sanctify this water (three times).

And confer upon it the grace of redemption, the blessing of the Jordan. Make it a source of incorruption, a gift of sanctification, a remission of sins, a protection against disease, a destruction to demons, inaccessible to the adverse powers and filled with angelic strength: that all who draw from it and partake of it may have it for the cleansing of their soul and body, for the healing of their passions, for the sanctification of their dwellings, and for every purpose that is expedient. For Thou art our God, who hast renewed through water and Spirit our nature grown old through sin. Thou art our God, who hast drowned sin through water in the days of Noah. Thou art our God who, through the waters of the sea, at Moses’ hand hast set free the Hebrew nation from the bondage of Pharaoh. Thou art our God who hast cleft the rock in the wilderness: the waters gushed out, the streams overflowed, and Thou hast satisfied Thy thirsty people. Thou art our God who by water and fire through Elijah hast brought back Israel from the error of Baal.

Do Thou Thyself, O Master, now as then sanctify this water by Thy Holy Spirit (three times).

Grant to all those who touch it, who anoint themselves with it or drink from it, sanctification, blessing, cleansing, and health.

And save, O Lord, Thy servants our faithful rulers (three times).

Keep them in peace under Thy protection; put under their feet every enemy and adversary; bestow upon them whatsoever they ask unto salvation and eternal life.

Remember, O Lord, our most holy Patriarch (name), our Bishop (name), and all the priests, the diaconate in Christ, the whole order of clergy, and the people here present, together with all our brethren absent for a just cause. Have mercy upon them and upon us according to Thy great mercy.

So, by the elements, by the angels and by men, by things visible and invisible, may Thy most holy Name be glorified, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: Peace be with you all.

Choir: And with Thy spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

The priest says this prayer secretly:

Incline Thine ear and hearken unto us, O Lord who hast accepted baptism in the Jordan and hast sanctified the waters. Bless us all who by the bowing of our heads outwardly show Thee our servitude; and count us worthy to be filled with Thy sanctification through partaking of this water and being sprinkled with it, and may it bring us, O Lord, health of soul and body.

Aloud:

For Thou art the sanctification of our souls and bodies, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, thanksgiving, and worship, with Thy Father without beginning and Thy most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The priest now makes the sign of the Cross over the water with the Precious Cross: then, holding the Cross upright in both hands, he plunges it into the water, and lifts it from the water once again. As he does this, he sings the troparion of the feast:

Tone One

When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bore witness unto Thee, calling Thee the beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed His word as sure and steadfast. O Christ our God who hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.

The priest then plunges the Cross a second and a third time in the water, doing as before: and the troparion is repeated a second and a third time. Next he dips a branch of basil in the water and sprinkles the four corners of the church.

The rest of the clergy, and then the people, approach and kiss the Cross, and the priest sprinkles water on the head of each one with the branch of basil. Clergy and people also drink from the water which has been blessed. During this time the choir continues to sing the troparion.

Then the following sticheron is sung:

Tone Six

Ye faithful, let us praise the greatness of God’s dispensation towards us. For, becoming man on account of our transgression, He who alone is clean and undefiled was cleansed in the Jordan that we might be made clean, sanctifying us and the waters, and crushing the heads of the dragons in the water. Let us then draw water in gladness, O brethren: for upon those who draw with faith, the grace of the Spirit is invisibly bestowed by Christ the God and Saviour of our souls.

The choir sings Blessed be the Name of the Lord, and Psalm 33 is read: and so the Liturgy concludes in the usual way.

After the Dismissal we sing the megalynarion of the feast.

Great Compline is read as at Christmas (see pp. 127 ff). In the first part of the service we sing the troparion of the feast, When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan…. In the second part we sing the kontakion of the feast, Thou hast appeared today to the inhabited earth….

Immediately after the Doxology there follows the Lity:

Tone Four

by Cosmos the Monk

He who covers Himself with light as with a garment has vouchsafed for our sakes to become as we are. Today He is covered by the streams of the Jordan, though He has no need to be cleansed by them: but through the cleansing that He Himself receives He bestows regeneration on us. O wonder! Without fire He casts anew and without shattering He refashions; and He saves those who are enlightened in Him, Christ our God, the Saviour of our souls.

Same Tone

John the Baptist saw Thee draw near, who cleansest by Spirit and by fire the sin of the world, and he cried aloud in fear and trembling, saying: ‘I dare not touch Thine immaculate head. Do Thou, O Master, sanctify me by Thine Epiphany, O Thou who alone lovest mankind.’

Same Tone

Come, let us do as the wise virgins; come, let us go and meet the Master who has appeared: for as a Bridegroom has He come forth to John. The Jordan, seeing Thee, crouched in fear and stopped; John cried aloud: ‘I dare not touch Thine immortal head.’ The Spirit came down in the form of a dove to hallow the waters, and a voice cried from on high: ‘This is My Son who is come into the world to save mankind.’ O Lord, glory to Thee.

Same Tone

Christ is baptized: He comes up out of the waters, and with Him He carries up the world. He sees the heavens opened that Adam closed against himself and his posterity. The Spirit bears witness to His divinity, for He hastens towards His like; and a voice sounds from heaven, for it is from heaven that He has come down to whom this testimony is given, and He is the Saviour of our souls.

Same Tone

The hand of the Baptist trembled, when it touched Thine immaculate head: the river Jordan turned back, not daring to minister to Thee. For how could he that stood in awe of Joshua the son of Nun not be afraid before the Maker of Joshua? But Thou, our Saviour, hast fulfilled all that was appointed, that so Thou mightest save the world by Thine Epiphany, O Thou who alone lovest mankind.

Glory be to the Father…

Tone Eight

by John the Monk

O Lord, wishing to fulfil that which Thou hast appointed from eternity, Thou hast received from all the creation ministers at this Thy mystery: Gabriel from among the angels, the Virgin from among men, the Star from among the heavens, and Jordan from among the waters; and in its stream Thou hast washed away the transgression of the world. O Saviour, glory to Thee.

Both now…

Same Tone

by Anatolios

Today the creation is enlightened. Today all nature is glad, things of heaven and things upon earth. Angels and men mingle with one another, for where the King is present, there His army also goes. Let us run, then, to the Jordan; let us all see how John baptizes a sinless and uncreated head. Therefore let us cry aloud with one accord, echoing the voice of the apostle: The grace of God that brings salvation to all men has appeared, shining upon the faithful and granting them great mercy.

Aposticha:

Tone Two

by Anatolios

Seeing Thee, O Christ our God, draw near to him in the river Jordan, John said: ‘Why art Thou, who hast no defilement, come to Thy servant, O Lord? In whose name shall I baptize Thee? Of the Father? But Thou dost bear Him in Thyself. Of the Son? But Thou art Thyself this Son made flesh. Of the Holy Spirit? But Thou knowest that through Thine own mouth Thou dost give Him to the faithful.’ O God who hast appeared, have mercy upon us.

℣. The sea saw it and fled: Jordan was driven back (Psalm 113:3).

The waters saw Thee, O God: the waters saw Thee and were afraid. For the cherubim cannot lift their eyes upon Thy glory, nor can the seraphim gaze upon Thee: but standing by Thee in fear, the first carry Thee and the second glorify Thy might. With them, O merciful Lord, we proclaim Thy praises and we say: O God who hast appeared, have mercy upon us.

℣. What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? (Psalm 113:5)

Today the Maker of heaven and earth comes in the flesh to the Jordan. He who is sinless asks for baptism, that He may cleanse the world from the error of the enemy. He who is the Master of all is baptized by a servant, and He gives mankind cleansing through water. Unto Him let us cry aloud: O God who hast appeared to us, glory to Thee.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Tone Six

by Theophanes

Seeing the Sun that came from a Virgin asking for baptism in the Jordan, the shining Lamp that was born of a barren woman cried to Him in fear and joy: ‘Sanctify me, O Master, by Thy divine Epiphany.’

Apolytikion (troparion) of the feast:

Tone One

When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bore witness unto Thee, calling Thee the beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed His word as sure and steadfast. O Christ our God who hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.

And the Dismissal.

After the first reading from the Psalter, sessional hymn:

Tone Three

Thou hast appeared, O Saviour Christ, in the Jordan and wast baptized by the Forerunner: and testimony was borne to Thee, that Thou art the beloved Son. So wast Thou revealed as coeternal with the Father, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Thee. Enlightened by Thee, we cry: Glory to the God in Trinity.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Repeat.

After the second reading from the Psalter, sessional hymn:

Tone Four

O river Jordan, what hast thou seen to be amazed? ‘I have seen Him naked who cannot be seen, and I trembled’, said he. ‘How should I not tremble before Him and turn back?’ The angels, beholding Him, were afraid: heaven was filled with wonder and the earth shook, the sea and all things visible and invisible withdrew. Christ has appeared in the Jordan to sanctify the waters.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Repeat.

After the polyeleos, the megalynarion:

We magnify Thee, O Christ the Giver of life, who for our sakes wast in the flesh this day baptized by John in the waters of the Jordan.

℣. God be merciful unto us, and bless us: and cause His face to shine upon us, and have mercy upon us (Psalm 66:2).

We magnify Thee…

℣. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundered, the Lord is upon many waters (Psalm 28:3).

We magnify Thee…

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory be to Thee, O God (three times).

We magnify Thee…

Sessional hymn:

Tone Four

Thou hast sanctified the streams of the Jordan and crushed the power of sin, O Christ our God. Thou hast bowed Thine head beneath the hand of the Forerunner, and hast delivered mankind from error. Therefore we pray Thee: Save Thy world.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Repeat.

The first antiphon of the hymn of degrees in Tone Four.

Prokimenon:

Tone Four

The sea saw it and fled: Jordan was driven back (Psalm 113:3).

℣. What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? (Psalm 113:5)

Let everything that hath breath…

Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark (1:9–11).

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Psalm 50.

Glory be to the Father…

Tone Two

Today let all things greatly rejoice: Christ has appeared in Jordan.

Both now…

Today let all things…

Have mercy upon me…

Tone Six

God the Word appeared to mankind in the flesh. Ready for baptism, He stood in the Jordan and the Forerunner said to Him: ‘How shall I stretch forth my hand and touch the head of Him that rules all things? Though Thou art the child of Mary, yet do I know Thee to be the pre-eternal God. Thou whose praises the seraphim sing dost walk upon the earth. And I who am but a servant know not how to baptize the Master.’ O Lord past all understanding, glory to Thee.

Two Canons are used: the first by St. Cosmos in eight troparia, including the irmos, and the second by St. John of Damascus in six, likewise including the irmos. The two irmoi are then repeated as katavasia at the end of each canticle. Before the troparia we say, Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Canticle One

First Canon

Tone Two

Irmos: The Lord mighty in battle uncovered the foundations of the deep and led His servants on dry ground; but He covered their adversaries with the waters, for He has been glorified.

The Lord, King of the ages, in the streams of the Jordan formed Adam anew, who was fallen into corruption, and He broke in pieces the heads of the dragons that were hidden there: for He has been glorified.

The Lord, incarnate of the Virgin, having clothed material flesh with the immaterial fire of His divinity, wraps Himself in the waters of Jordan, for He has been glorified.

The Lord who purges away the filth of men was cleansed in Jordan for their sake, having of His own will made Himself like unto them, while still remaining that which He was; and He enlightens those in darkness, for He has been glorified.

Second Canon

written originally in iambic verse

Same Tone

Irmos: Israel passed through the storm-tossed deep of the sea,

That God had turned into dry land:

But the dark waters completely covered

The chief captains of Egypt in a watery grave

Through the mighty strength of the right hand of the Master.

When the Light of the Dawn shone forth upon mortal men,

Coming from the desert to the streams of the Jordan,

Thou, the King of the Sun, hast bowed Thy head before him,

That so Thou mightest snatch our forefather from the land of darkness,

And cleanse the creation from all its filth.

O Word without beginning, Thou hast buried man with Thee in the stream:

He was corrupted by error, but Thou makest Him new again.

And the Father testified to Thee ineffably,

Saying with mighty voice:

‘This is My beloved Child, equal to Me by nature.’

Canticle Three

First Canon

Irmos: The Lord who gives strength to our kings and exalts the horn of His anointed, is born of a Virgin and comes to baptism. Therefore let us, the faithful, cry aloud: None is holy as our God and none is righteous save Thee, O Lord.

Rejoice today, O Church of Christ, that before wast barren and sadly childless. For through water and the Spirit sons have been born to thee, who raise their cry in faith: None is holy as our God and none is righteous save Thee, O Lord.

With a loud voice the Forerunner cries in the wilderness: ‘Prepare ye the way of Christ and make straight the paths for our God, raising your cry in faith: None is holy as our God and none is righteous save Thee, O Lord.’

Second Canon

Irmos: From the ancient snares have we all been set loose,

And the jaws of the devouring lions have been broken:

Let us, then, rejoice exceedingly and open wide our mouths,

Weaving with words a melody to the Word

Whose delight it is to bestow gifts upon us.

He who once assumed the appearance of a malignant serpent

And implanted death in the creation,

Is now cast into darkness by Christ’s coming in the flesh:

And by assailing the Master, the Dawn that has shone forth upon us,

He crushes his own hateful and loathsome head.

The Master draws to Himself the nature made by God,

Which had been overcome by the tyranny of greed.

A new birth He grants to the dwellers upon earth, fashioning them afresh,

Thereby accomplishing a glorious work:

For He has come to deliver and protect mankind.

Ypakoë

Tone Five

When Thou broughtest light to all things by Thine Epiphany, the salt sea of unbelief fled and Jordan was turned back towards its source, thereby exalting us to heaven. By the height of Thy divine commandments, preserve us through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Christ our God, and have mercy upon us.

Canticle Four

First Canon

Irmos: He whom Thou hast called, O Lord, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness’, heard Thy voice when Thou hast thundered upon many waters, bearing witness to Thy Son. Wholly filled with the Spirit that had come, he cried aloud: ‘Thou art Christ, the wisdom and the power of God.’

‘Who has ever seen the sun that is bright by nature being cleansed?’ the Preacher cried. ‘How, then, shall I wash Thee in the waters, who art the Brightness of the Glory, the Image of the everlasting Father? How shall I that am grass touch with my hand the fire of Thy divinity? For Thou art Christ, the wisdom and the power of God.’

‘Moses, when he came upon Thee, displayed the holy reverence that he felt: perceiving that it was Thy voice that spoke from the bush, he forthwith turned away his gaze. How then shall I behold Thee openly, how shall I lay my hand upon Thee? For Thou art Christ, the wisdom and the power of God.’

‘Endowed with an understanding soul and honoured with the power of reason, I yet respect the things that have no soul. For if I baptize Thee, I shall have as my accusers the mountain that smoked with fire, the sea which fled on either side, and this same Jordan which turned back. For Thou art Christ, the wisdom and the power of God.’

Second Canon

Irmos: Cleansed by the fire of a mystic vision

The Prophet sang the praises of the renewal of mortal man.

Filled with the inspiration of the Spirit, he raised his voice,

Telling of the Incarnation of the ineffable Word,

Who has shattered the dominion of the strong.

O Word all-shining, sent forth from the Father,

Thou art come to dispel utterly the dark and evil night

And the sins of mortal men,

And by Thy baptism to draw up with Thee, O blessed Lord,

Bright sons from the streams of Jordan.

When he saw in very truth the glorious Word,

The Preacher cried out plainly to the creation:

‘This is He who was before me, though He comes after me according to the flesh.

Like us in form, He has shone forth in the strength of the Godhead,

To drive away our hateful sin.’

That He may lead us back to the live-giving pastures of Paradise,

God the Word goes searching for us in the lairs of the dragons.

Destroying the terrible snares which the enemy had laid for man,

He makes a prisoner of him who bruised all mankind in the heel,

And so He saves the creation.

Canticle Five

First Canon

Irmos: Jesus, the Prince of Life, has come to set loose from condemnation Adam the first-formed man; and though as God He needs no cleansing, yet for the sake of fallen man He is cleansed in the Jordan. In its streams He slew the enmity and grants the peace that passes all understanding.

A multitude without number came to be baptized by John; and standing in their midst he raised his voice, saying: ‘Ye disobedient, who has warned you to shun the wrath to come? Offer worthy fruits to Christ, for He is present now and grants peace.’

The Husbandman and Creator stands in men’s midst as one of them and searches their hearts. In His hand He has taken the winnowing fan, and in the fullness of His wisdom He cleanses the threshing floor of the whole world, dividing wheat from chaff, burning the barren and granting eternal life to those that bring forth good fruit.

Second Canon

Irmos: By the cleansing of the Spirit have we been washed

From the poison of the dark and unclean enemy,

And we have set out upon a new path free from error,

That leads to gladness of heart past all attainment,

Which only they attain whom God has reconciled unto Himself.

The Maker saw in the obscurity of sin, in bonds that knew no escape,

The man whom He had formed with His own hand.

Raising him up, He laid him on His shoulders,

And now in abundant floods He washes him clean

From the ancient shame of Adam’s sinfulness.

In piety and eagerness let us run

To the undefiled fountains of the stream of salvation,

And let us look upon the Word who gives us to drink

From pure waters that satisfy our holy thirst:

And gently He heals the disease of the world.

Canticle Six

First Canon

Irmos: The Voice of the Word, the Candlestick of the Light, the Morning Star and Forerunner of the Sun, cried in the wilderness to all the peoples: ‘Repent and be cleansed while there is yet time. For lo, Christ is at hand, who delivers the world from corruption.’

Christ was begotten without change from God the Father, and made flesh without defilement from the Virgin: and as the Forerunner teaches, it is not possible to loose the latchet of His shoes, the bond that joins the Word to our nature. He it is who delivers those born on earth from error.

Christ baptizes in the fire of the Last Day those who are disobedient and believe not that He is God: but through the Spirit and by the grace that comes through water He grants a new birth to all who acknowledge His divinity, delivering them from their faults.

Second Canon

Irmos: The Father in a voice full of joy

Made manifest His Beloved whom He had begotten from the womb.

‘Verily,’ said He, ‘this is My offspring, of the same nature as Myself:

Bearing light, He has come forth from mankind,

My living Word, in divine providence made a mortal man.’

The Prophet, mysteriously swallowed up for the space of three nights

In the belly of the sea monster,

Came forth again, making manifest beforehand to all

Our regeneration at the last times

And our deliverance from the dragon that slays mankind.

When the shining vaults of heaven were opened,

He who knew the mysteries saw the Spirit,

Who proceeds from the Father and rests on the immaculate Word,

Descending in ways past speech in the form of a dove:

And he commanded the multitudes to hasten to the Master.

Kontakion

Tone Four

by Romanos the Melodist

Thou hast appeared today to the inhabited earth, and Thy light, O Lord, has been marked upon us, who with knowledge sing Thy praise: Thou hast come, Thou art made manifest, the Light that no man can approach.

Ikos

Upon Galilee of the Gentiles, upon the land of Zabulon and the land of Nephthalim, as the prophet said, a great light has shone, even Christ. To those that sat in darkness a bright dawn has appeared as lightning from Bethlehem. The Lord born from Mary, the Sun of Righteousness, sheds His rays upon the whole inhabited earth. Come then, naked children of Adam, and let us clothe ourselves in Him, that we may warm ourselves. Thou who art a protection and veil to the naked, a light to those in darkness, Thou hast come, Thou art made manifest, the Light that no man can approach.

Canticle Seven

First Canon

Irmos: The breath of the wind heavy with dew and the descent of the angel of God preserved the Holy Children from all harm, as they walked in the fiery furnace. Refreshed with dew in the flames, they sang in thanksgiving: ‘Blessed art Thou and praised above all, O Lord God of our fathers.’

In trembling and wonder as if in heaven, the angelic powers stood by the Jordan, watching the great condescension of God: how He who holds dominion over the waters that are above the firmament stood in the waters in bodily form, He who is the God of our fathers.

The sea and cloud in which the people of Israel were once baptized by Moses the Lawgiver, as they journeyed from Egypt, prefigured the wonder of the baptism of God. The sea was an image of the water and the cloud an image of the Spirit, whereby we are initiated and cry aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.

O let us all, the faithful, discoursing on divine things, join the angels in never-silent hymns to glorify the God in whom we have received initiation, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Trinity, consubstantial in Persons yet one God, to whom we sing: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers.

Second Canon

Irmos: He who stilled the heat of the flame of the furnace

That mounted high in the air and encircled the godly Children,

Burnt the heads of the dragons in the stream of the Jordan:

And with the dew of the Spirit He washes away

All the stubborn obscurity of sin.

The fierce Assyrian flame that prefigured Thee

Hast Thou quenched, changing it to dew:

And now Thou hast clothed Thyself in water, O

Christ, and so dost burn up

The evil spoiler hidden in its depths,

Who calls men to follow the path that leads to destruction.

Of old the Jordan was parted in two,

And the people of Israel passed over on a narrow piece of dry land,

Prefiguring Thee, O Lord most powerful,

Who now makest haste to bear the creation down into the stream,

Bringing it to a better and a changeless path.

We know that in the beginning Thou hast brought

upon the world the all-ruining flood, Unto the lamentable destruction of all things,

O God who revealest wonders most great and strange:

And now, O Christ, Thou hast drowned sin in the waters

Unto the comfort and salvation of mortal men.

Canticle Eight

First Canon

Irmos: The Babylonian furnace, as it poured forth dew, foreshadowed a marvellous mystery: how the Jordan should receive in its streams the immaterial fire, and should encompass the Creator, when He was baptized in the flesh. Him do ye peoples bless and exalt above all for ever.

The Deliverer said to the Forerunner: ‘Cast aside all fear and, obedient to My command, draw near Me, for by nature I am good and full of love. Yield to My ordinance and baptize Me, who have come down in condescension, whom the peoples bless and exalt above all for ever.’

When the Baptist heard the Master’s words, he stretched out his hand in trembling; and as he touched the head of his Creator, he cried aloud to Him who was baptized: ‘Sanctify me, for Thou art my God, whom the peoples bless and exalt above all for ever.’

The Trinity was made manifest in the Jordan. For, supreme in Godhead, the Father proclaimed, saying, ‘He who is here baptized is My beloved Son’, and the Spirit rested upon His Equal in Godhead, whom the peoples bless and exalt above all for ever.

Second Canon

Irmos: The creation finds itself set free,

And those in darkness are now made sons of light:

Alone the prince of darkness groans.

Let all the inheritance of the nations, that was before in misery,

Now bless with eagerness Him who has wrought this change.

The three godly Children who were sprinkled with dew in the fire

Plainly prefigured how the Most High God,

Who shines with the bright rays of a threefold holiness,

Should mingle with mortal men, to their great blessing,

Consuming all deadly error in the fire of dew.

Let the whole earthly creation clothe itself in white,

For this day it is raised up from its fall from heaven.

The Word who preserves all things

Has cleansed it in the flowing waters:

Washed and resplendent, it has escaped from its former sins.

Canticle Nine

The Magnificat and Greater in honour than the cherubim are not sung, but are replaced by the following megalynaria:

First Canon

Magnify, O my soul, her who is greater in honour than the hosts on high.

Irmos: Every tongue is at a loss to praise thee as is due: even a spirit from the world above is filled with dizziness, when it seeks to sing thy praises, O Theotokos. But since Thou art good, accept our faith: Thou knowest well our love inspired by God, for thou art the Protector of Christians and we magnify thee.

Repeat the megalynarion and the irmos.

Magnify, O my soul, Him who is come to be baptized in Jordan.

O David, come in spirit to those who are now to be enlightened and sing: ‘Approach ye now to God in faith and receive enlightenment. Fallen Adam, the poor man, cried and the Lord heard him: He has come and in the streams of Jordan He has made him new again, who was sunk in corruption.’

Magnify, O my soul, Him who receives baptism from the Forerunner.

O David, come in spirit…

Magnify, O my soul, Him to whom the voice of the Father bore witness.

‘Wash you, make you clean’, says Isaiah. ‘Put away the evil of your doings from before the Lord. Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the living waters: for Christ will sprinkle with the water of renewal those who hasten to Him in faith, and He baptizes them with the Spirit unto life that grows not old.’

Magnify, O my soul, one of the Trinity who bowed His head and received baptism.

‘Wash you, make you clean…

‘O Prophet, come to Me: stretch out thine hand and baptize Me swiftly.’

Let us, the faithful, keep ourselves safe through grace and through the seal of baptism. In the past the Hebrews fled destruction by marking the door posts with blood; so also this divine washing unto regeneration shall be our Exodus, and going hence, we shall behold the light of the Trinity that never sets.

‘O Prophet, suffer it to be so now, and baptize me as I wish: for I have come to fulfil all righteousness.’

Let us, the faithful, keep ourselves safe through grace…

Second Canon

Today the Master bows His head beneath the hand of the Forerunner.

Irmos: O most pure Bride, O blessed Mother,

The wonders of Thy birthgiving pass all understanding.

Through thee we have obtained salvation in all things,

And, as is right and meet, we rejoice before thee our Benefactor,

Bearing as gift a song of thanksgiving.

Today John baptizes the Master in the streams of Jordan.

O most pure Bride…

Today the Master buries in the waters the sin of mortal man.

Today the Master receives testimony from on high, that He is the beloved Son.

That which was revealed to Moses in the bush

We see accomplished here in strange manner.

The Virgin bore Fire within her, yet was not consumed,

When she gave birth to the Benefactor who brings us light,

And the streams of Jordan suffered no harm when they received Him.

Today the Master has come to sanctify the nature of the waters.

Today the Master receives baptism at the hand of the Forerunner.

That which was revealed to Moses…

Magnify, O my soul, the power of the undivided Godhead in three Persons.

O King without beginning, through the communion of the Spirit

Thou dost anoint and make perfect the nature of mankind.

Thou hast cleansed it in the undefiled streams,

Putting to shame the arrogant force of darkness,

And now Thou dost translate it unto endless life.

Magnify, O my soul, her that has delivered us from the curse.

O King without beginning…

Katavasia

The first megalynarion and the irmos of the first Canon; and likewise the first megalynarion and the irmos of the second Canon.

Exapostilarion:

The Saviour, who is grace and truth, has appeared in the streams of the Jordan, and enlightened those that sleep in darkness and shadow. For the Light that no man can approach has come and is made manifest (three times).

Lauds. Six stichera are sung:

Tone One

by Patriarch Germanos

Light from Light, Christ our God has shone upon the world, God made manifest: O ye peoples, let us worship Him (twice).

O Christ our Master, how shall we Thy servants give Thee worthy honour? For Thou hast renewed us all in the waters.

Thou, O our Saviour, wast baptized in Jordan and hast sanctified the waters: accepting a servant’s hand upon Thine head, Thou healest the passions of the world. Great is the mystery of Thy dispensation: O Lord who lovest mankind, glory to Thee.

The true Light has appeared and bestows enlightenment on all. Christ who is above all purity is baptized with us; He brings sanctification to the water and it becomes a cleansing for our souls. That which is outward and visible is earthly, that which is inwardly understood is higher than heaven. Salvation comes through washing, and through water the Spirit: by descending into the water we ascend to God. Wonderful are Thy works, O Lord: glory to Thee.

He who covers the heaven with clouds is Himself covered today by the streams of Jordan; and He who takes away the sin of the world is cleansed, that I may be made clean. The Only-begotten Son of the Most High Father receives from above the testimony of the consubstantial Spirit. Unto Him let us cry aloud: O Christ our God who hast made Thyself manifest and saved us, glory to Thee.

Glory be to the Father…

Tone Six

by Anatolios

O Saviour, who clothest Thyself with light as with a garment, Thou hast clothed Thyself in the waters of Jordan; and Thou who hast measured heaven with a span, hast bowed Thine head before the Forerunner, that so Thou mightest turn the world back from error and save our souls.

Both now…

Tone Two

by the same

Today Christ has come to be baptized in Jordan; today John touches the head of the Master. The powers of heaven are amazed as they behold the marvellous mystery. The sea saw it and fled: Jordan at the sight was driven back. And we who have been enlightened cry aloud: Glory to God made manifest, who has appeared upon earth and brought light to the world.

Great Doxology and Dismissal.

Antiphon One

Tone One

℣ 1. When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language (Psalm 113:1).

At the prayers of the Theotokos, save us, O Saviour.

℣ 2. Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion (Psalm 113:2).

At the prayers of the Theotokos…

℣ 3. The sea saw it and fled: Jordan was driven back (Psalm 113:3).

At the prayers of the Theotokos…

℣ 4. What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? (Psalm 113:5)

At the prayers of the Theotokos…

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

At the prayers of the Theotokos…

Antiphon Two

Tone Two

℣ 1. I am well pleased, for the Lord will hear the voice of my prayer (Psalm 114:1).

O Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to Thee: alleluia.

℣ 2. He hath inclined His ear unto me: therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live (Psalm 114:2).

O Son of God…

℣ 3. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell took hold of me: I found trouble and sorrow, and I called upon the Name of the Lord (Psalm 114:3–4).

O Son of God…

℣ 4. Gracious is the Lord and righteous: yea, our God is merciful (Psalm 114:5).

O Son of God…

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

O Only-begotten Son and Word of God…

Antiphon Three

Tone One

℣ 1. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever (Psalm 117:1).

The troparion of the feast:

When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bore witness unto Thee, calling Thee the beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed His word as sure and steadfast. O Christ our God who hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.

℣ 2. Let the house of Israel now confess that He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever (Psalm 117:2).

The troparion of the feast.

℣ 3. Let the house of Aaron now confess that He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever (Psalm 117:3).

The troparion of the feast.

℣ 4. Let them now that fear the Lord confess that He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever (Psalm 117:4).

The troparion of the feast.

Introit:

Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. The Lord is God and hath appeared unto us (Psalm 117:26, 27).

O Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to Thee: alleluia.

Then the troparion of the feast; Glory be to the Father… Both now…; the kontakion of the feast.

Instead of the trisagion we sing:

As many of you as were baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia.

Prokimenon:

Tone Four

Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. The Lord is God and hath appeared unto us (Psalm 117:26, 27).

℣. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever (Psalm 117:1).

Reading from the Epistle of Paul to Titus (2:11–14; 3:4–7).

My child Titus, the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Alleluia:

Tone One

℣ 1. Bring unto the Lord, ye sons of God, bring unto the Lord young rams (Psalm 28:1).

℣ 2. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundered, the Lord is upon many waters (Psalm 28:3).

Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (3:13–17).

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered Him. And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

In place of It is meet, we sing the first megalynarion and irmos from Canticle Nine of the first Canon.

Magnify, O my soul, her who is greater in honour than the hosts on high.

Irmos: Every tongue is at a loss to praise thee as is due: even a spirit from the world above is filled with dizziness, when it seeks to sing thy praises, O Theotokos. But since Thou art good, accept our faith: Thou knowest well our love inspired by God, for thou art the Protector of Christians and we magnify thee.

Communion verse:

The grace of God that bringeth salvation unto all men hath appeared (Titus 2:11).

After the prayer behind the ambon, the second Blessing of the Waters takes place. During the singing of the sticheron, The voice of the Lord upon the waters, the clergy and people proceed in procession to a nearby river or spring, or to the sea shore, and the Blessing is held there in the open air. The same order of service is followed as on the previous day, except that when the procession returns to the church at the end of the ceremony, in place of Ye faithful, let us praise the greatness…, we sing The Trinity was made manifest…, from Canticle Eight of the first Canon. On returning to the church, we sing Blessed be the Name of the Lord; Psalm 33 is read, and the Liturgy concludes in the usual way.

On the day of the feast there is a general dispensation from all fasting, even if it is Wednesday or Friday.