The Christmas Liturgy begins with psalms of glorification and praise. The troparion and kontakion mark the entrance with the Book of the Gospels. The baptismal line from Galatians 3.27 once again replaces the The Nativity of Christ Thrice-Holy. The Epistle reading is from Galatians: But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a ATIVITY in the Orthodox Church woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, by Fr. Thomas Hopko so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, of “Abba! Father!” So through God, you are no longer a slave but a The celebration of the feast of the Nativity of Christ in the Orthodox son, and if a son then an heir (Gal 4.4–7). Church is patterned after the celebration of the feast of the Lord’s Resurrection. A fast of forty days precedes the feast, with special preparatory days announcing the approaching birth of the Saviour. Thus, on Saint Andrew’s Day (November “God became man so that man might become god.” 30) and Saint Nicholas Day (December 6) songs are sung to announce the com- ~ St Athanasius of Alexandria HRIST ing birthday of the Lord: Adorn yourself, O Cavern. Make ready, O Manger. O Shepherds and The Gospel reading is the familiar Christmas story from Matthew (2.1–12), and the wisemen, bring your gifts and bear witness. For the Virgin is coming liturgy continues in the normal fashion. A specific two-day celebration follows, dedi- 2019 bearing Christ in her womb. (Vesperal Hymn of Saint Nicholas Day) cated to Mary the Theotokos and Saint Stephen, the First Martyr. The period of Christmas rejoicing extends to Epiphany during which time the Christmas songs are On the eve of Christmas, the Royal Hours are read and the Divine Liturgy of sung and fasting and kneeling in prayer are not called for by the Church. Saint Basil is served with Vespers. At these services the Old Testament prophe- cies of Christ’s birth are chanted, emphasizing the prophecy of Micah which The feast of Christmas is formally entitled the Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord foretells Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Saviour, and the prophecies of Isaiah and God and Saviour Jesus Christ. At Christmas we celebrate the birth as a man about the appearance and character of the Messiah: of the Son of God, the one who together with the Father and the Holy Spirit is truly God from all eternity. Thus, we sing in the Church: The Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcen - call His name Immanuel, which translated is, dent One, and the earth offers a cave to the God with us (Is 7.14-15). Unapproachable One! Angels, with shepherds, glorify Him! The wise men journey with the God is with us, understand all ye nations, and star! Since for our sake the Eternal God is submit yourselves, for God is with us (Is 8.9). born as a little child. (Kontakion for the Feast) For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is giv- Thus, the feast of Christmas is the celebration of the en; and the government shall be upon His shoul- world’s salvation through the Son of God who became ders, and His name shall be called Wonderful, man for our sake that, through him, we might ourselves Counselor, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of become divine, sons of God the Father by the indwelling Peace. Of the increase of His government and of his Holy Spirit in us. peace there will be no end (Is 9.6-7). (From The Orthodox Faith, online edition at OCA.org) The Vigil of Christmas [includes] the blessing of the five loaves of bread together with the wheat and the wine of which the faithful partake and the “Pure is the present night, in oil with which they are anointed. This part of the festal vigil, which is done on all great feasts, is which the Pure One appeared, called the litya (in Greek, the artoklasia or the Who came to purify us! Let our breaking of the bread). hearing be pure, and the sight of At the Christmas services… all of the hymns and our eyes chaste, and the feeling of verses glorify His appearance on earth: the heart holy, and the speech of CHRIST THE SAVIOR~HOLY SPIRIT the mouth sincere!” Christ is born, glorify Him! Christ is from O RTHODOX C HURCH heaven, go to meet Him! Christ is on earth, ~ St Ephraim the Syrian be ye lifted up! Sing to the Lord, all the earth, sing out with gladness, all ye people! Fr. Steven C. Kostoff, Rector For He is glorified! For more resources for the Nativity and Theophany of Christ, 4285 Ashland Ave • Cincinnati OH 45212 (First Ode of the Christmas Canon) visit our parish website. 513-351-0907 • www.christthesavioroca.org NATIVITY FAST 2 019 N ATIVITY Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday to T HEOPHANY NOVEMBER 10 KEY: 11 12 13 14 15 F/W/O 16 9:10 Hours F = Fish allowed Apostle Philip Beginning of Holy Apostle and PREFEAST of NATIVITY 9:30 Divine Liturgy W = Wine Evangelist Matthew O = Oil Nativity Fast Thursday, December 19 6pm Great Vespers Prefeast Vespers ~ 7:00pm 7:30pm Reading Circle and Confessions Saturday, December 21 Great Vespers ~ 6:00pm F/W/O 17 18 W/O 19 20 F/W/O 21 22 F/W/O 23 Sunday, December 22 9:10 Hours Entry of the Theotokos Hours & Divine Liturgy ~ 9:10am 9:30 Divine Liturgy into the Temple Prefeast Vespers ~ 6:00pm 6pm Great Vespers Monday, December 23 6pm Vesperal Liturgy and Confessions Prefeast Vespers ~ 7:00pm F/W/O 24 25 W/O 26 27 W/O 28 29 F/W/O 30 EVE of NATIVITY (STRICT FAST) 9:10 Hours Tuesday, December 24 Leavetaking of the Kursk Root Icon Thanksgiving Day Holy Apostle Andrew 9:30 Divine Liturgy the First-Called Royal Hours ~ 9:00am Entrance 9:30am Divine Liturgy Festal Matins ~ 7:00pm 6pm Great Vespers and Confessions NATIVITY of CHRIST Wednesday, December 25 DECEMBER 1 2 W/O 3 4 W/O 5 F/W/O 6 F/W/O 7 Divine Liturgy ~ 9:30am F/W/O Prophet Habbakuk Prophet Zephaniah Greatmartyr Barbara Ven. Porphyrios of St John of Damascus St Nicholas the ST STEPHEN the PROTOMARTYR 9:10 Hours Kavsokalyvia Wonderworker Friday, December 27 9:30 Divine Liturgy 6pm Great Vespers Divine Liturgy ~ 9:30am 6pm Vesperal Liturgy and Confessions ST. BASIL/CIVIL NEW YEAR F/W/O 8 9 W/O 10 11 W/O 12 F/W/O 13 F/W/O 14 Tuesday, December 31 Conception by Righteous Great Vespers ~ 7:00pm 9:10 Hours 9:30 Divine Liturgy Anna of the Theotokos St Herman of Wednesday, January 1 Icon ‘Unexpected Joy’ Alaska St Nicholas Pageant 6pm Great Vespers Divine Liturgy ~ 9:30am & Charity Dinner 7:30pm Reading Circle 7pm Great Vespers and Confessions PREFEAST of THEOPHANY Saturday, January 4 F/W/O 15 16 W/O 17 18 W/O 19 W/O 20 W/O 21 Royal Hours ~ 9:00am Holy Forefathers Prophet Haggai Prophet Daniel and the Martyr Sebastian of Rome Hieromartyr Ignatius Great Vespers ~ 6:00pm Three Holy Youths the God-Bearer 9:10 Hours St John of Kronstadt EVE of THEOPHANY (STRICT FAST) 9:30 Divine Liturgy Sunday, January 5 7pm Prefeast Vespers 6pm Great Vespers Hours & Divine Liturgy ~ 9:10am Festal Vespers w/OT Readings ~ 6:00pm Prefeast 22 23 STRICT FAST 24 NATIVITY 25 Second Day of 26 Third Day of 27 Afterfeast 28 of Nativity Eve of Nativity of CHRIST Nativity Nativity of Nativity THEOPHANY of the LORD 9:10 Hours Synaxis of the Protomartyr Stephen 9:00am Royal Hours 9:30am Divine Liturgy Monday, January 6 9:30 Divine Liturgy Theotokos 9:30am Divine Liturgy Hours & Divine Liturgy ~ 9:10am 6pm Great Vespers Great Blessing of Waters ~ immediately following Liturgy 6pm Prefeast Vespers 7pm Prefeast Vespers 7:00pm Festal Matins Fast-Free Fast-Free Fast-Free Fast-Free.