The grotto of the Nativity, Bethlehem, birthplace of our Lord
After many types and prefigurings, messengers and heralds, prophets and righteous men, wise men and kings, finally He appeared, the Lord of the world and King of kings, to perform the work of the salvation of mankind that could not be performed by His servants. May His be eternal glory and praise! Amen.
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One,
And the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One!
Angels with shepherds glorify Him!
The wise men journey with a star!
Since for our sake the Eternal God was born as a Little Child!
Kontakion for the Nativity of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ
After many types and prefigurings, messengers and heralds, prophets and righteous men, wise men and kings, finally He appeared, the Lord of the world and King of kings, to perform the work of the salvation of mankind that could not be performed by His servants. May His be eternal glory and praise! Amen.
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One,
And the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One!
Angels with shepherds glorify Him!
The wise men journey with a star!
Since for our sake the Eternal God was born as a Little Child!
Kontakion for the Nativity of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ
What the Magi saw was no ordinary star. St John Chrysostom and St Theophylactus, commenting on St Matthew’s Gospel, say that it was “a divine and angelic power that appeared in the form of a star.” St Demetrius of Rostov says it was a “manifestation of divine energy'"(Narrative of the Adoration of the Magi).
When the Magi — Melchior, Caspar, and Bathasar (Dec 25) — entered the house where the Holy Infant lay, they “fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11).
When the Magi — Melchior, Caspar, and Bathasar (Dec 25) — entered the house where the Holy Infant lay, they “fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11).
“Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” + St Matthew 2:13-15
Joseph, the Betrothed (Dec 26/ Jan 8 ) was chosen by God to be the guardian of Jesus Christ and His holy Mother, a task which he performed with great humility and diligence.
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” + St Matthew 2:13-15
Joseph, the Betrothed (Dec 26/ Jan 8 ) was chosen by God to be the guardian of Jesus Christ and His holy Mother, a task which he performed with great humility and diligence.
Anysia the Righteous Virgin-martyr of Thessaloniki (Dec 30/ Jan 12) knew that to be a Christian is to live in a world hostile to Christ. Yet, Christ remained her first Love until her last breath.
The Co-Emperor Maximian (286-305) issued an edict stating that anyone had the right to kill Christians with no fear of punishment. Once, when Saint Anysia was on her way to church, a pagan soldier stopped her and demanded that she come to the festival of the sun and offer a sacrifice. At first, St. Anysia gently pulled herself away from him, but when the soldier forcefully grabbed her and attempted to tear the veil from her head, she shoved him, spit in his face and declared, “My Lord Jesus Christ forbids you!” Enraged, the soldier ran her through with his sword. She was buried near the city gates. A chapel was built over her grave.
The relics of St. Anysia are contained in the Church of St. Demetrios in Thessaloniki.
The Co-Emperor Maximian (286-305) issued an edict stating that anyone had the right to kill Christians with no fear of punishment. Once, when Saint Anysia was on her way to church, a pagan soldier stopped her and demanded that she come to the festival of the sun and offer a sacrifice. At first, St. Anysia gently pulled herself away from him, but when the soldier forcefully grabbed her and attempted to tear the veil from her head, she shoved him, spit in his face and declared, “My Lord Jesus Christ forbids you!” Enraged, the soldier ran her through with his sword. She was buried near the city gates. A chapel was built over her grave.
The relics of St. Anysia are contained in the Church of St. Demetrios in Thessaloniki.
Five of her children are commemorated as Saints. The loving zeal for Christ displayed in the life of the holy and righteous Emilia (also Emily or Emmelia) produced Sts. Macrina, Basil the Great, Peter of Sebaste, Gregory of Nyssa, and Theosebia the deaconess.
In addition to giving birth to saints, St. Emilia, was the daughter of a martyr, the wife of St. Basil the Elder, and daughter-in-law of saint Macrina the Elder.
She is commemorated with her son, St. Basil the Great on Jan. 1, as well as on various other days of the year, depending on the Orthodox jurisdiction.
In addition to giving birth to saints, St. Emilia, was the daughter of a martyr, the wife of St. Basil the Elder, and daughter-in-law of saint Macrina the Elder.
She is commemorated with her son, St. Basil the Great on Jan. 1, as well as on various other days of the year, depending on the Orthodox jurisdiction.
The Lord was circumcised so that later no one would doubt that He had truly assumed human flesh, and that his Incarnation was not merely an illusion, as certain heretics taught. Our Lord also received the name Jesus (Saviour) on this day. In the Lord's Circumcision and Naming (Jan 1/Jan 14), we are reminded that we have entered into a New Covenant with God.
"For in [Jesus] the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness of life in Him, Who is the head of all rule and authority. In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ." Col. 2:9-11.
"For in [Jesus] the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness of life in Him, Who is the head of all rule and authority. In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ." Col. 2:9-11.
"You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other " + St Seraphim of Sarov (Jan 2)
St Seraphim, a great 18th-century ascetic of the Russian Church, was raised in piety by his parents, Isidore and Agathia Moshnin, inhabitants of Kursk. St Seraphim loved Christ from his youth and led a notably virtuous life. He was enriched with abundant visions and miracles, including three healings by the Mother of God.
Saint Seraphim has promised to intercede for those who remember his parents, Isidore and Agathia.
St Seraphim, a great 18th-century ascetic of the Russian Church, was raised in piety by his parents, Isidore and Agathia Moshnin, inhabitants of Kursk. St Seraphim loved Christ from his youth and led a notably virtuous life. He was enriched with abundant visions and miracles, including three healings by the Mother of God.
Saint Seraphim has promised to intercede for those who remember his parents, Isidore and Agathia.
The earliest known prayer to the Theotokos (Greek, Θεοτοκος, meaning “Bearer of God”) is found on a fragment of papyrus dating back to approximately AD 250.
"Beneath thy compassion, We take refuge, O Mother of God: do not despise our petitions in time of trouble, but rescue us from dangers, only pure one, only blessed one."
"Beneath thy compassion, We take refuge, O Mother of God: do not despise our petitions in time of trouble, but rescue us from dangers, only pure one, only blessed one."
O Christ, our God, You have revealed Yourself and have enlightened the world, glory to You! #Theophany #Epiphany