The Scripture Readings
John 20:11-18 (8th Matins Gospel)
Hebrews 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40 Sunday Before
Matthew 1:1-25 Sunday Before
HIDE TROPARIATroparion of the Sunday, Tone V
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, / Co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,
/ born for our salvation from the Virgin, / for He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the
flesh, / to endure death / and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.
Hymn to the Theotokos, Tone V
Rejoice, O impassable gate of the Lord! / Rejoice, O wall and protection of those who run to
you! / Rejoice, O unshakable refuge! / Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of your God and Creator! /
Do not cease praying for those who praise you and worship your Son. (1x)
Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forever more.
Kontakion of the Sunday, Tone V
Thou didst descend into hell, O my Savior, / shattering its gates as almighty; / resurrecting
the dead as Creator, / and destroying the sting of death. / Thou hast delivered Adam from the
curse, O Lover of Man, / and we all cry to Thee: "O Lord, save us!"
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.
Martyr Juliana of Nicomedia, Troparion, Tone IV
Thy ewe-lamb Juliana 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.
Troparion of the Forefeast, 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 Martyr, Tone III "Today the Virgin
Rendered wholly pure by the beauties of virginity,/ and having now been
crowned with wreaths of martyrdom, O virgin Juliana,/ thou grantest healing and
salvation/ unto those in need and affliction who approach thy shrine, for Christ
poureth forth divine grace and life everlasting.
Kontakion of the Forefeast, Tone II "Seeking the highest"
Beholding Him Who holdeth the whole world in His hands/ wrapped in
swaddling-bands in Bethlehem,/ let us offer up hymns of the forefeast to her who
gave birth to Him;/ for she rejoiceth maternally,// holding the Son of God at
her bosom.