The Scripture Readings
John 20:19-31 (9th Matins Gospel)
Hebrews 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40 Sunday Before
Matthew 1:1-25 Sunday Before
HIDE TROPARIATroparion of the Sunday, Tone VI
The angelic powers were at Thy tomb; / the guards became as dead men. / Mary stood by
Thy grave, / seeking Thy most pure Body. / Thou didst capture hell, / not being tempted by
it. / Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life. / O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead:
glory to Thee!
Hymn to the Theotokos, Tone VI
Thou Who didst call Thy mother blessed / came of Thine own will to the passion. / Shining on the
cross, desiring to recall Adam, Thou didst say to the angels: / "Rejoice with Me, for the lost coin
has been found." / Thou Who hast ordered all things in wisdom, / O our God, glory to Thee! (1x)
Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forever more.
Kontakion of the Sunday, Tone VI
When Christ God, the Giver of Life, / raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with
His mighty hand, / He bestowed resurrection on the human race. / He is the Savior of all, the
Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.
Sunday Before the Nativity of the Savior, Troparion, Tone II
Great are the accomplishments of faith,/ for the Three Youths rejoiced in
the fountain of flames as though in the waters of rest;/ and the prophet
Daniel appeared/ a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep.// So by
their prayers O Christ God save our souls
Kontakion, Tone I
Rejoice O Bethlehem! Prepare yourself O Ephratha!/ The Lamb is on her way
to give birth to the Chief Shepherd she carries in her womb./ The God-bearing
forefathers will rejoice beholding Him// and the shepherds will glorify her
nursing Him.
Greatmartyr Anastasia, the Deliverer from Bondage, Troparion, Tone IV
Thy ewe-lamb Anastasia crieth out to Thee with a loud voice, O Jesus:/ "I
love Thee, O my Bridegroom,/ and, seeking Thee, I pass through many struggles:/
I am crucified and buried with Thee in Thy baptism,/
and suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee;/ I die for Thee that I
might live with Thee./ As an unblemished sacrifice accept me,/ who sacrifice
myself with love for Thee// By her supplications save Thou our souls, in that
Thou art merciful.
Forefeast of the Nativity, Troparion, Tone IV
Make ready, O Bethlehem!/ Open unto all, O Eden!/ Adorn thyself, O
Ephratha!/ For the Tree of life hath blossomed forth from the Virgin in the
cave./ Her womb is shown to be a noetic paradise,/ wherein lieth a divine
garden,/ eating from whence we live,/ not dying like Adam.// Christ is born to
raise up His image which before was fallen.
Kontakion of the Forefeast, Tone III "Today the Virgin"
Today the Virgin cometh to give birth ineffably/ to the preeternal Word in
the cave./ Dance, O world! And having heard this,/ with the angels and shepherds
glorify// the preeternal God, Who is to appear as a little babe.
Kontakion of the Great-Martyr, Tone II "Seeking the highest"
When they have recourse to thy temple,/ those who find themselves in
temptations and sorrows/ receive precious gifts through the divine grace/ which
dwelleth within thee, O Anastasia.// For thou ever pourest forth healings upon
the world.