On Lord, I have cried, six stichera are sung: three of the martyrs, St. Theopemptos and St. Theonas, and three of St. Synkletika.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Tone Six

Make ready, O river Jordan: for behold, Christ our God draws near to be baptized by John, that He may crush with His divinity the invisible heads of the dragons in thy waters. Rejoice, O wilderness of Jordan; dance with gladness, O ye mountains. For the eternal Life has come to call back Adam. O voice that criest in the wilderness, O John the Forerunner, cry out: ‘Prepare ye the ways of the Lord, make His paths straight.’

Aposticha:

Tone Six

O earth and things upon the earth, dance ye and rejoice exceedingly. The River of joy is baptized in the stream: He dries up the fount of evil and pours forth divine remission.

℣. Therefore will I remember Thee from the land of Jordan and of the Hermonites (Psalm 41:7).

Being Himself the Bestower of light, Jesus needs not to be baptized, but in the flesh He descends into the streams of Jordan, wishing to give light to those in darkness. Let us go eagerly in faith to meet Him.

℣. The waters saw Thee, O God, the waters saw Thee and were afraid (Psalm 76:17).

Wearing the form of a servant, O Christ, Thou comest forth to be baptized by a servant in the streams of Jordan, granting deliverance from the servitude of the ancient sin, and sanctifying and enlightening us.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Same Tone

Let the desert of Jordan rejoice exceedingly and blossom as the lily. For the voice of one who cries has been heard within it: ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord.’ For He who weighed the mountains in scales and the wooded valleys in a balance, who fills all things as God, is baptized by a servant. He who bestows rich gifts has now become poor. Eve was once told, ‘In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children’, but now the Virgin hears: ‘Hail, thou who art full of grace, the Lord who has great mercy is with thee.’

Apolytikion (troparion) of the Forefeast:

Tone Four

The river Jordan once turned back before the mantle of Elisha, after Elijah had been taken up into heaven, and the waters were divided on this side and on that: the stream became a dry path before him, forming a true figure of the baptism whereby we pass over the changeful course of life. Christ has appeared in the Jordan to sanctify the waters (three times).

And the Dismissal.

We sing the Canon of the Forefeast:

Tone Six

Canticle One

Irmos: He who in ancient times hid the pursuing tyrant beneath the waves of the sea, now is cloaked and hidden in the stream of Jordan, and as man He is cleansed that I may be made clean: for He has been greatly glorified.

O Lord my God, I will sing on the Forefeast a hymn of light to Thee, who by Thy divine Theophany dost regenerate me mystically, and leadest me up again to godlike brightness.

The things above the earth and on the earth were amazed, O Saviour, as they beheld Thee, who wast manifest above before the ages, now made newly manifest below: and they sing the praises of Thy condescension past telling.

That Thou mightest fill all things with Thy glory, Thou hast emptied Thine own self, even unto the form of a servant. And now as a servant Thou dost bow down Thy head beneath the hand of the servant, granting me restoration and cleansing.

Canticle Three

Irmos: When the creation beheld Thee in the flesh covered by the streams, who hast established the whole earth in the void above the waters, it was seized with great amazement and cried: ‘There is none holy save Thee, O Lord.’

Figures of Thy Theophany hast Thou shown in times past to the prophets; but now hast Thou revealed in visible activity and operation the mysteries that were hidden, making Thyself manifest to men today and dispensing a new regeneration.

Jordan in trembling has spread out its waters to receive the Creator, who is baptized in the body and sanctifies all who cry aloud: There is none holy save Thee, O Lord.

Christ grants by baptism succour unto salvation to those who behold His divine brightness as they sing in joy: There is none holy save Thee, O Lord who lovest man.

Canticle Four

Irmos: Foreseeing Thy coming to baptism, Habakkuk cried out marvelling: ‘Thou hast ridden through the sea upon Thy horses, O Saviour, troubling many waters.’

At Thine appearing in the body, the earth was sanctified, the waters blessed, the heaven enlightened, and mankind was set loose from the bitter tyranny of the enemy.

At the divine command the Forerunner now comes from the wilderness to Jordan, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand’, calling all to the glory of God.

He who formerly turned the sea into dry land and made springs of water gush forth from the rock, now makes the stream of Jordan a furnace wherein our offences are refined by the fire of the Spirit.

Canticle Five

Irmos: Isaiah, as he watched by night, beheld the light that knows no evening, the light of Thy Theophany, O Christ, that came to pass from tender love for us; and he cried aloud: ‘O ye who are enlightened, come ye and wash yourselves, make yourselves clean in soul and body through the divine water and the Spirit.’

O Creator, who art the New Adam, Thou makest new those born on earth, and Thou bringest to pass a strange regeneration and a wonderful restoration by fire and Spirit and water: without destruction or melting pot Thou dost renew mankind through the holy sacrament of baptism.

Through the Spirit dost Thou make souls new and through the water dost Thou sanctify our body compounded from the elements, forming man afresh as a living being. For in wise forethought, as physician alike of bodies and of souls, with profit Thou dost minister the remedies befitting both.

Thou hast come forth from a womb that suffered no pangs of childbirth, O Thou who wast begotten of the Father before the ages; Thou goest to him who was born of a barren mother, and as man Thou askest him for baptism. Yet Thou, O Saviour, by water and through the Spirit hast mystically made the Church, that before was barren, Mother of many children.

Canticle Six

Irmos: The divine Baptist was compassed but not held fast by fear. For, though grass draws back before the face of fire, yet when he heard Christ’s words ‘Suffer it to be so now’, he ran, obediently fulfilling the command; and he heard from on high the voice of God bearing testimony to the pre-eternal Son.

Obeying the decree of Caesar, Thou wast enrolled but not enslaved. Thou grantest us comfort from bondage, yet of Thine own will hast Thou subjected Thyself and paid tribute; and now Thou hast set us free, who before were sold to the law of sin, and hast made us worthy to be sons by adoption.

Thou reignest, but not after the fashion of the world, for Thou art King by nature. Thou wast born of the tribe of David after the flesh, O Saviour, and hast inherited his throne and kingdom; yet Thou art endued with an eternal power, for Thou reignest always with the Father and the Spirit, before all ages and for evermore.

Of old the prince of this world was named king also of all that was in the waters; but by Thy cleansing he is choked and destroyed, as Legion in the lake. With Thy mighty arm Thou hast granted freedom, O Saviour, to Thy creation, which he had enslaved.

Canticle Seven

Irmos: Wonder past speech! He who delivered the Holy Children from the flames of the furnace, bows His head and begs baptism from His servant, cleansing those who cry aloud: O God our Deliverer, blessed art Thou.

The stream of Jordan was formerly cut in two by a mantle, prefiguring Thy baptism whereby the robe of the passions is rent, and a garment of incorruption is woven for those who cry aloud: O Christ our God, blessed art Thou.

O happy stream! For it received in itself the Creator at His baptism and was made a fountain of life-giving water, for our salvation who sing: O God our Deliverer, blessed art Thou.

Figuring in signs a divine dying by a threefold immersion in water, we are buried with Christ by baptism, and participating in His Resurrection on the third day, we cry aloud to Him: Blessed art Thou.

One is the grace of Father, Son, and Spirit, making perfect those who in faith desire the gift of divine baptism and receive the power of adoption unto sonship, that so they may cry aloud: O God, blessed art Thou.

Canticle Eight

Irmos: Be ye astonished, O ye heavens, be ye horribly afraid, and let the foundations of the earth be shaken. For lo, He who once made the sacrifice of His righteous prophet burn most wondrously with water, wraps Himself in the waters of Jordan. Him do ye children bless, ye priests praise, and ye people exalt above all for ever.

Christ comes to grant through baptism deliverance to all the faithful. For thereby He cleanses fallen Adam and lifts him up, putting to shame the tyrant who had laid him low; He opens the heavens, brings down the divine Spirit, and grants man a share of incorruption.

The error of the enemy has ceased. For the voice of one crying in the wilderness calls out: ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make all His paths straight.’ For the humble valley, the nature of mortal man, is exalted, while the mountain and hill of the adversary are made low.

O marvellous gifts! O divine grace and forbearance past speech! For behold, the Fashioner and Master now wears my nature in the Jordan, yet without sin; He cleanses me through water, enlightens me through fire, and makes me perfect through the divine Spirit.

Canticle Nine

Irmos: Weep not in vain, O ye mortal men choked by halters of despair and weighed down with guilt, but in compunction of soul let us approach Him who cleanses all mankind, for He alone is clean, and He grants pardon through baptism.

Thou hast filled us with wonder at Thy strange birth from a Virgin in ways past nature, O Word of God, and now Thou dost exalt in glory a great mystery: by Thy holy participation in the waters of baptism, Thou makest the font rich in children through the divine Spirit.

The earth has been sanctified, O Word, by Thy holy birth, and the heavens with the stars declared Thy glory: and now the nature of the waters is blessed by Thy baptism in the flesh, and mankind has been restored once more to its former nobility.

Let the whole earth rejoice exceedingly, let heaven be glad, let the world leap for joy. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the springs and lakes and the deeps of the sea rejoice with them. For Christ is come to cleanse and save Adam by divine baptism.

After the first reading from the Psalter, sessional hymn:

Tone One

Make glad, O river Jordan, for the Maker of all draws near, desiring in His compassion to receive baptism in thy streams from a servant. O Adam and Eve, the mother of mankind, be of good cheer and rejoice. For the Redeemer of all has come, God who is supreme in goodness.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Same Tone

The River of joy, the Master, comes forth to be baptized in the waters of the river, wishing to give me to drink from the spring of incorruption. Seeing Him, John cried aloud: ‘How shall I stretch out my hand and touch Thy head, before which all things tremble?’

After the second reading from the Psalter, sessional hymn:

Tone Three

Let us sing together the praises of Him who is beyond all understanding, who was in flesh made poor and came to baptism, working thereby our restoration, for He is God rich in mercy: and let us magnify His condescension, crying aloud in thankfulness of heart, Glory to Thine Epiphany, O Christ.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Same Tone

O compassionate Saviour, putting on the nakedness of Adam as a garment of glory, Thou makest ready to stand naked in the flesh in the river Jordan. O marvellous wonder! How shall the water receive Thee, O Master and Lord, who, as it is written, hast covered the roof of heaven with waters? O Jesus our Benefactor, we all sing the praises of Thine Epiphany.

Then follows Psalm 50.

Three Canons are used: of the Forefeast, in six troparia, including the irmos; of St. Synkletika, in four troparia; and of the Martyrs, also in four troparia. The irmos of the Canon of the Martyrs is repeated as katavasia at the end of Canticles Three, Six, Eight, and Nine.

Canon of the Forefeast, by Joseph:

Tone One

Canticle One

Irmos: Delivered from bitter bondage, Israel crossed over the waters as if they were dry land; and seeing the enemy drowning, in gladness they sang a song to God who works wonders with His mighty arm: for He has been glorified.

Christ comes to baptism; Christ approaches Jordan; Christ now buries our sins in the waters, for He is good. In exceeding joy let us sing His praises, for He has been glorified.

Let the clouds, rejoicing, drop down eternal gladness. Jesus Christ comes forth to drown the rivers of sin in the streams of Jordan, granting enlightenment to all.

Behold, the Light is made manifest; behold, our propitiation is revealed; behold, the Saviour approaches to give the light of divine brightness to those in darkness. With pure minds let us welcome Him in joy.

Canticle Three

Irmos: Let no mortal boast of his wisdom and his wealth, but with right faith in the Lord and giving true glory, let him cry to Christ our God and ever sing: Upon the rock of Thy commandments establish me, O Master.

He who was enthroned before the ages with the Father and the Spirit, and who has now in the last times been made flesh of a Virgin, in ways that He alone understands, even Christ, comes to baptism, and through the divine washing He grants immortality unto all.

Wishing to bury our sins with water in the streams of Jordan, Christ our God comes forth in His compassionate mercy, and through baptism He forms us anew who had grown corrupt.

Thou who once hast clothed the shameful nakedness of our forefather Adam, art now of Thine own will stripped bare; and Thou who coverest the roof of heaven with waters, wrappest Thine own self in the streams of Jordan, O Christ who alone art full of mercy.

Sessional hymn of St. Synkletika.

Glory be to the Father…

Sessional hymn to the Martyrs.

Both now…

Sessional hymn of the Forefeast:

Tone One

The mighty Rain comes forth in the flesh to the streams of the river, desiring baptism. Filled with amazement the divine Forerunner said to Him: ‘How shall I baptize Thee, who hast no stain at all? How shall I stretch out my right hand upon Thy head, before which all things tremble?’

Canticle Four

Irmos: Habakkuk the wonderful heard Thy voice in ancient times, and he cried out in fear: ‘God shall come from Teman and the Holy One from the mountain overshadowed by the forest, to save His anointed. Glory to Thy might, O Lord.’

Draw ye from the water of life. Behold, the true River of peace now approaches, to dry up the troubled waters of unbelief and to pour forth enlightenment on those who sing to Him: Glory to Thy might, O Lord.

Let the whole nature of man make glad, that formerly was barren as the wilderness and thirsty. The River of joy has now appeared in the waters of Jordan, setting loose the drought of sin. To Him let us sing with faith: Glory to Thy might, O Lord.

The voice of one crying prophetically sounded in the minds that were barren as the wilderness: ‘Prepare ye the ways and make them straight for Christ who comes, that by baptism He may shape us anew who were grown old, loosing us from the ancient sentence.’

Canticle Five

Irmos: With Thy light that never sets, shine forth, O Christ, in the hearts of those who in faith sing Thy praises, and grant us Thy peace that passeth understanding: that so, running from the night of ignorance towards the day of Thy commandments, we may glorify Thee who lovest mankind.

O Christ the King of peace, Thou hast appeared on earth in the likeness of the flesh and hast destroyed the middle wall of partition and enmity. Therefore John, seeing Thy coming, was seized with fear when Thou hast commanded him to lay his hand on Thee.

Christ now comes in haste to the waters, to crush the heads of the dragons, and He cries to the trembling Baptist: ‘Stretch out thine hand and touch my head; and cast fear aside, fulfilling that which I command thee.’

The prophet once disclosed the grace of baptism in the Holy Spirit, when he struck the streams of Jordan with his mantle. Its waters now are parted once again, for Christ has appeared in them and makes a path for us unto divine regeneration.

Canticle Six

Irmos: I am utterly compassed by passions without measure, and I am swallowed up by the sea monster of wickedness. But lead me up from corruption, O God, as Thou hast once led Jonah, and grant me by faith freedom from passion: that with a voice of praise and in the spirit of truth, I may sacrifice to Thee.

Though Thou art changeless, O Christ, yet in Thy compassionate mercy Thou comest to Thy servant in the form of a servant, asking for baptism and snatching mankind from bondage: and struck with wonder at this Thy coming, he is afraid and draws back in fear.

How shall the streams of the river receive Thee, the unbearable fire that now approaches? How shall the angels of heaven look upon this stripping? How shall John stretch out his hand upon Thee, O Word of God who wast before all things began and who hast fashioned him from earth?

The waters divided in two and fled, revealing to the new people a path across the stream, which the Lord has made, coming to the river in the flesh, He who once by a miracle caused springs to gush forth from the rock. Let us glorify Him as God, for He has fashioned anew our broken nature.

Kontakion of the Forefeast

Tone Four

When the Lord descended today into the waters of the Jordan, He cried aloud to John: ‘Be not afraid to baptize me: for I am come to save Adam the first-formed man.’

Ikos

by Romanos the Melodist

‘I ask thee not, O Baptist, to step over the boundaries: I tell thee not, “Say to Me what thou dost say to the transgressors, the counsel that thou givest to sinners”. Only baptize Me in silence and in expectation of all that shall come from this My baptism. For this cause shalt thou have such honour as belongs not to the angels, and I shall make thee greater than all the prophets. Not one of them saw Me openly, but only in figures and shades and dreams, while thou hast seen Me standing of Mine own will before thee. For I am come to save Adam the first-formed man.’

Canticle Seven

Irmos: Made manifest in God’s sight through their piety, the Holy Children entered the unquenchable flames of the furnace as if it were a bridal chamber, and singing with one accord they raised their hymn: ‘O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.’

Christ our salvation has appeared, granting enlightenment. Let the heavens rejoice exceedingly, and let the clouds truly pour down righteousness on those who cry: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.

The fleece that Gideon saw prophetically, from which he wringed a bowl full of water, clearly disclosed the baptism, O Christ, which, having been Thyself baptized, Thou wast to grant unto those who sing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.

Elisha, healing the barren waters with salt, prefigured the many children which the precious Font should bear mystically for those who sing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.

Canticle Eight

Irmos: The furnace in ancient times whose flames were moist with dew prefigured a wonder past nature. For the fire burnt not the young Children, thus foretelling the divine birth of Christ without seed from a Virgin. Therefore, raising hymns of praise let us sing: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.

With mighty voice let us ascribe praise to the Master. He is come and is made manifest, He goes down into the waters; He who covers the heaven with clouds is stripped bare and baptized, cleansing us who sing: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.

Come ye, and let us go in spirit to the Jordan, there to see a great sight. For Jesus our Enlightenment approaches and bows His head beneath the hand of a servant, who sings with trembling: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.

The living coal that Isaiah foresaw is kindled in the waters of the Jordan, and He will burn up the whole substance of sin and grant restoration to the broken. Therefore, raising hymns of praise, let us sing: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.

Canticle Nine

Irmos: The mystery of the Virgin is past speech: for she had been shown forth as Heaven and Throne of the cherubim, and as the light-bearing Bridal Chamber of God the Almighty. Let us magnify her in piety as Theotokos.

A strange and most wonderful mystery do I see! Jesus comes of His own will to the river Jordan, crying aloud to John: ‘O friend, lend Me thy right hand: for fearful things must I perform that I may claim My people for Mine own.’

Let the wilderness of Jordan blossom with flowers; and ye that lie in darkness, leap for joy, for a great light has now appeared to you. Christ, coming from Galilee, suffers Himself to be baptized in the flesh by a servant.

Be glad now and dance, O Jordan; leap for joy, O John, and let the whole inhabited earth rejoice exceedingly. Behold, Christ has appeared: He is stripped bare and baptized, wrapping human nature in a garment of incorruption.

Theotokion

O spotless Maiden, thou hast conceived without corruption Him whom no mind can comprehend. Thou hast borne, beyond nature and words, Him who by a word in wisdom upholds all things through His will. Do thou ever entreat Him as God for our salvation.

Exapostilarion:

Seeing Thee stripped naked, with fear Jordan said to him who had been born of a barren womb: ‘Suffer the Lord, who cleanses the whole creation by fire and Spirit, to be baptized, O John. For behold, for this cause He has come to sanctify the elements of earth and water.’

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Thou who in Bethlehem hast shone forth in the flesh from a Virgin, dost now hasten towards Jordan to wash clean the filth of those born on earth, through holy baptism leading those in darkness to the light.

Lauds. Four stichera are sung:

Tone Six

to the special melody, Go ye on before, O ye angelic powers…

‘Why dost thou doubt, O Baptist, concerning the dispensation that I fulfil for the salvation of all? Set now aside the old and think of the new. Believe in God who has come down to earth, and drawing near, obey Me. For I have come as God, to cleanse in My compassion fallen Adam.’

‘Taking our sins upon Thy shoulders, Thou art come, O Jesus, to the streams of Jordan: and I am afraid at Thy dread coming. How, then, dost Thou bid me baptize Thee? Thou Thyself hast come to cleanse me, and how dost Thou, the Cleanser of all, seek baptism of me?’

‘My nature is beyond all understanding: but clothed in the form of a servant have I come forth to Jordan. Doubt not at all concerning me. Come, fear not, draw near me. Place thy right hand upon my head and cry aloud, Blessed art Thou, our God made manifest: glory to Thee.’

Beyond all thought and without measure is Thy poverty, O Word of God! I know that, for my sake who am fallen, Thou hast from pity clothed Thyself in Adam, and all the posterity of Adam Thou makest new again. Obeying Thy command I cry to Thee in faith, Blessed art Thou, our God made manifest: glory to Thee.

Glory be to the Father…

Same Tone

O John, who dost minister in trembling to the Master, be joyful in soul and cry with gladness: ‘Rejoice with me, O all ye generations of the Forefather. For our expectation has come: Christ has drawn nigh to Jordan to cleanse all from the sin of Adam, for He is full of lovingkindness.’

Both now…

Same Tone

O ye peoples, let us sing to Him who was born of a Virgin, and baptized in the river Jordan, and let us cry to Him: O King of all the creation, grant us uncondemned, with a clear conscience, to attain in faith Thy holy Resurrection from the dead on the third day.

Aposticha:

Tone Two

to the special melody, O house of Ephratah…

Behold the King: lo, the expectation of Israel is at hand. O ye people, rejoice exceedingly. For the Light is made manifest.

℣. Therefore will I remember Thee from the land of Jordan and of the Hermonites (Psalm 41:7).

The Godhead has appeared in the flesh to the dwellers upon earth: light has now shone on those in darkness, and grace has shed its bright rays upon all.

℣. The waters saw Thee, O God, the waters saw Thee and were afraid (Psalm 76:17).

O Candlestick of the Light, Ray of the Sun, Forerunner of the Word, Friend of the Bridegroom, fulfil thy ministry, O Prophet.

Glory be to the Father… Both now…

Tone Eight

‘O John the Baptist, who from the womb hast known Me as the Lamb, minister to Me in the river, serving Me with the angels. Stretch out thy hand and touch My undefiled head; and when thou seest the mountains tremble and Jordan turn back, do thou cry aloud with them: O Lord who hast been made flesh of a Virgin for our salvation, glory to Thee.’

The rest of the service of Mattins as usual, and the Dismissal.

The Forefeast of the Theophany (5 January) is observed as a fast, and neither animal products nor fish may be eaten. In the Greek use, wine and oil are not permitted, except when the Forefeast falls on Saturday or Sunday: but in the Slav use wine and oil may be taken, whatever day of the week it may be.