The offspring of Selyvria and the guardian of Aegina, the true friend of virtue who appeared in the last years. Let us honor Nektarios, O faithful, as a godly servant of Christ. For he pours forth healings of every kind for those who piously cry out: Glory to Christ Who has glorified you. Glory to Him Who has made you wondrous. Glory to Him Who works healings for all through you.

Supreme Commanders of the Hosts of the Heavens, we, the unworthy, importune and beseech you, that by your supplications ye encircle us in the shelter of the wings of your immaterial glory; guarding us who now fall down and cry to you with fervor: Deliver us from dangers of all kinds, as the great marshals of the heavenly hosts on high.

When giving birth, you preserved your virginity; during your dormition, you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. You were translated toward life, since you are the Mother of Life; and through your intercessions liberating our souls from death.

Today the Virgin cometh to ineffably give birth to the pre-eternal Word in the cave. Having heard this dance O world, and glorify along with the angels and shepherds; for the pre-eternal God became a newborn child for us.

Thy nativity, O Christ our God, hath shone forth the light of knowledge upon the world; for thereby they who worshiped the stars, were instructed by a star, to worship Thee the Son of righteousness, and to know Thee the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory be to Thee!

On this day the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent in Essence; and the earth offers a small cave to the Unapproachable. Angels join in choir with shepherds in giving glory; Magi along with the star sojourn. For our sakes, He Who existed before the ages as God, was born a young Child.

When You were baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bore witness to You, calling You His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of this testimonial. O Christ our God, Who appeared and enlightened the world, glory to You.

Rejoice, O full of grace Virgin Theotokos, for from you has risen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, illuminating them in darkness. Be glad as well, O righteous elder, as you receive in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who also grants us the resurrection.

Blessed are You, O Christ our God, Who rendered the fishermen into all-wise Apostles by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit; and through them, You caught the world as with a net. O lover of man, glory to You.

You ascended in glory, O Christ our God, gladdening Your disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit. And through the blessing You gave them, they were assured that You are the Son of God and Redeemer of the world.

Rejoice, O Theotokos and Virgin Mary, you who are full of grace; the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Fruit of your womb; for you have given birth to the savior of our souls.

Christ is risen form the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs bestowing life.

Peter, the divine Cherubic chariot, and heavenly Paul, the Seraphim-like carriage, the fiery tongues of the God-man Logos, deliver me from the fire of Gehenna.

Rich men have become poor and gone hungry; but they who seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good thing (Ps. 33:10)

Many years to you, Master.

Glory to Thee O Lord, Glory to Thee.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.

Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.

Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.

Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.

Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.

We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Lord our God.

We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Lord our God.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Lord our God.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Lord our God.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Lord our God.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Lord our God.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

Every tongue is at a loss to praise thee as is due. Even the heavenly mind of an angel is stunned to hymn thee, O Theotokos. But since you are good, accept our faith; for you are aware of our love inspired by God. You are the Protector of Christians, and we magnify thee.

O, the wonders of thy birthgiving that surpass all understanding, most pure Bride, blessed Mother! Through thee we have received the most perfect salvation, wherefore we fittingly praise you as our Benefactor, offering as a gift a hymn of thanksgiving.

Now things never heard before have been heard. The Son, Who was born of the Virgin without father, is gloriously witnessed by the voice of the Father, that He is God and man, the same unto the ages.

All the generations bless thee, the only Theotokos. In thee the laws of nature have been overcome, O pure Virgin. For birthgiving is virginal and death is betrothed to life. You who remained a Virgin after giving birth and who remains alive after death, O Theotokos, you always save your inheritance.

Virginity is alien to motherhood, and childbearing is a thing foreign to virgins; yet in thee, O Theotokos, both have come to pass. Therefore we, and all the nations of the earth, ceaselessly call thee blessed.

The angels, beholding the entry of the most pure one, were amazed to see the Virgin enter into the Holy of holies. As the living ark of God, let no hand of the uninitiated touch it at all; but let the lips of the faithful ceaselessly cry out with joy to the Theotokos, chanting the words of the angel: Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace! The Lord is with thee!

Thou the radiant lamp and Mother of God, the most wondrous glory, who art more exalted than all creation, we magnify with hymns.

In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be. Alleluia.

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Alleluia.

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Alleluia.

The light of Thy countenance, O Lord, hath been signed upon us. Alleluia.

Verses from Psalm 15
I will bless the Lord Who hath given me understanding. Alleluia. I beheld the Lord ever before me, for He is at my right hand, that I might not be shaken. Alleluia. Therefore did my heart rejoice and my tongue was glad; moreover, my flesh shall dwell in hope. Alleluia.

Verses from Psalm 135
O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. O give thanks unto the God of gods; for His mercy endureth forever. O give thanks unto the Lord of lords; for His mercy endureth forever. To Him Who alone hath wrought great wonders; for His mercy endureth forever.

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb seeking Thee. When, however, she did not find Thee, she lamented and cried out with grief, “Alas, my Savior, how hast Thou, the King of all, been stolen?” But a pair of radiant Angels from within the sepulcher cried out, “Why dost thou weep, woman?” “I weep,” she replied, “because they have taken my Lord from the tomb and I know not where they have laid him.” Whereupon, turning back and seeing Thee, she at once cried out, “My Lord and my God, glory be to Thee!”

The supremely-good God was not ashamed to be circumcised with the circumcision of the flesh, but provided Himself as an example and pattern for the salvation of all. For the Creator of the law fulfilleth the prescriptions of the law and the predictions of the prophets concerning Himself. O Lord Who holdest all things in the palm of Thy hand, and Who wast wrapped in swaddling-clothes, glory be to Thee!

O venerable one, having become a lover of wisdom, and choosing to live with God over all other things, by meditating upon death you logically abandoned the earthly way of life . You walled off from thyself the carnal passions with the mighty ramparts of abstinence, and through the study of the divine law, thou didst preserve the noble state of thy soul unenslaved, and by the wealth of virtue you subjected the mindset of the flesh completely to thy spirit. Wherefore, having despised the flesh, this world, and its ruler, standing now before Christ ask great mercy for our souls.

To the voice of the one crying in the wilderness “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!” Thou didst come, O Lord, having assumed the form of a servant, asking to be baptized, Thou Who knewest not sin. The waters saw Thee and became afraid; the forerunner trembled and cried aloud, saying: “How can a lamp illuminate the Sun? How can a servant set his hand upon his Master? Sanctify me and the waters, O Savior Who takest away the sin of the world!”

The Light of Light, Christ our God, has shone forth upon the world. He is the God who appeared. Let us worship Him, O ye nations!

How can we servants worthily honor You, O Christ, the Master? For, in the waters, You regenerated all of us.

The true Light has appeared granting enlightenment to all. Christ is baptized with us, Who is above all in purity. He imparts sanctification to the water and it becomes the cleansing of the faithful. This event takes place on earth; however, what is perceived transcends the heavens. Salvation is accomplished through washing; the Spirit comes through water; and our ascent to God takes place through immersion. Wondrous are Thy works, O Lord! Glory be to Thee!

You clothed Yourself in the waters of the Jordan, O Savior, Who are clothed in light as with a garment; and You Who has measured heaven by Your span bowed Your head before the forerunner; in order to turn the world away from falsehood and save it, as a Lover of mankind.

You clothed Yourself in the waters of the Jordan, O Savior, Who are clothed in light as with a garment; and You Who has measured heaven by Your span bowed Your head before the forerunner; in order to turn the world away from falsehood and save it, as a Lover of mankind.

Tell us, O Symeon: Whom do you hold in your arms and bring into the temple rejoicing? To Whom do you cry aloud: “Now have I been freed, for I have beheld my Savior!”? “This is He Who is born of the Virgin! This is God the Word, Who is from God, Who assumed flesh for our sake and saved mankind." Him let us worship!”

Receive, O Symeon, Him Whom Moses foresaw on Sinai within the dark cloud giving the law, Who has now become a babe submitting Himself to the law. This is He Who spoke through the law. This is He Whom the prophets spoke of; Who assumed flesh for our sake and saved mankind. Him let us worship!

Come let us also greet Christ with divine hymns, and let us receive Him Whom Symeon saw as salvation. This is He Whom David proclaimed. This is He Who spoke through the prophets, Who for our sake assumed flesh and declared the law. Him let us worship!

Let the gates of heaven be opened today. For the beginningless Word of the Father, receiving a beginning in time, without abandoning His divinity, is voluntarily offered by His Virgin Mother into the temple of the law as a babe forty days old. And the elder Symeon receiving Him in his arms, cries aloud: “Let Thy servant depart, O Master, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation!" O Lord Who hast come into the world to save the human race, glory be to Thee!

Today, You decided to recline in elderly arms, as if upon a chariot of the cherubim, O Christ our God. Recall and deliver us, we who hymn you, from the tyranny of the passions, and save our souls.

Today, let us pay tribute to the mystical trumpets of the Spirit, the God-bearing Fathers. To them who in the midst of the Church sang a harmonious song of theology, proclaiming that there is one Trinity, unchanging in essence and Godhead. To the demolishers of deception, and the foremost warriors of Orthodoxy. To them who always entreat the Lord to have mercy on our souls.

Today God, Who rests on noetic thrones, hath prepared for Himself a holy throne upon the earth. He Who hath established the heavens by His wisdom hath in His loving-kindness created an animate heaven. From a barren root He hath brought forth a Life-bearing plant, His Mother. O God of wonders, and the Hope of the hopeless, Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

Tell us, O David: what is this present festival? Who is she whom of old thou didst hymn in the Book of Psalms as the daughter, divine Maiden and Virgin? “The virgins that follow after her, together with those near her,” said he, “shall be mystically brought unto the King.” Make this a wondrous and universal feast for those who cry aloud: the Theotokos is come unto us, the mediatress of salvation!

Assembling today, ye councils of the faithful, let us keep spiritual festival, and let us piously praise the divine Maiden, the Virgin Theotokos, who is led into the temple of the Lord, she who was chosen before out of all generations to be the habitation of Christ God, the King of all. Bearing candles, O virgins, go ye on before, doing homage to the honored entry of the Ever-virgin! Ye mothers, setting aside all grief, follow joyously her who is to become the Mother of God, the mediatress of joy for the world! And with the angel let us all joyfully cry out to the joyous one “Rejoice!”, for she ever prayeth for our souls.

Christ took Peter, James, and John alone up unto a lofty mountain. And He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And Moses and Elijah appeared, speaking with Him. And a cloud of light overshadowed them. And, lo! a voice came forth from the cloud, saying: “This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased! Listen to Him!”

That which Moses at one time prefigured with his body he used to cast down and vanquished Amalek. And David the psalmist, crying out, hath commanded us to bow down before Thy footstool, Thy precious Cross, O Christ God. Today we sinners worship with our unworthy lips Thee Whose will it was to be nailed to it. And, hymning we cry out to Thee: O Lord, along with the thief deem us worthy of Thy Kingdom.

Ode 1
Inscribing the invincible weapon of the Cross upon the waters, Moses marked a straight line before him with his staff and divided the Red Sea, opening a path for Israel who went over dry-shod. Then he marked a second line across the waters and united them in one, overwhelming the chariots of Pharaoh. Therefore let us sing to Christ our God, for He hath been glorified.
Ode 3
The rod of Aaron is an image of this mystery, for when it budded it showed who should be priest. So in the Church, that once was barren, the wood of the Cross hath now budded forth, filling her with strength and steadfastness.

Adorn thyself well, O cave, for the ewe-lamb approacheth, bearing Christ in her womb! O manger, receive Him Who by His word hath loosed us mortals from irrational activity! Ye shepherds, piping, bear witness to the awesome wonder! O magi from Persia, bring ye gold, frankincense and myrrh to the King, for the Lord hath revealed Himself through the Virgin Mother! And, gazing down upon Him, His Mother made obeisance to Him as though she were His handmaiden, and greeted Him as she held Him in her embrace, saying: “How wast Thou sown within me, and how didst Thou spring forth within me, O my Redeemer and God?”

Come ye all, let us faithfully celebrate the annual commemoration of the fathers who lived before the Law: Abraham and those who are with him. Let us honor the tribe of Judah as is meet; let us praise the youths in Babylon, who, as an image of the Trinity, quenched the flame of the furnace, together with Daniel. And holding fast to the prophecies of the prophets, let us cry aloud with Isaiah: Behold, the Virgin shall conceive in the womb, and shall bear a Son, Emmanuel, which means God with us!

When Augustus reigned alone upon the earth, the rule of many came to an end; and when Thou didst become a man through the pure one, the polytheism of idolatry was abolished. All cities came under a single universal empire; and the nations came to believe in a single dominion of the Godhead. The people were registered according to the edict of Caesar; and we, the faithful, have enrolled ourselves under the name of the divinity of Thee our God, Who hast become a man. Great is Thy mercy! O Lord, glory be to Thee!

Christ is born, glorify Him. Christ descends from heaven, come meet Him. Christ upon the earth, raise yourselves up. O all the earth, sing unto the Lord, and sing praises in gladness, O ye people, for He hath been glorified.

To the Son who was begotten of the Father without change before all ages, and in the last times, without seed, was made flesh of the Virgin, to Christ our God let us cry aloud: Thou hast raised up our horn, holy are You, O Lord.

Be glad, O ye righteous! Rejoice, O heavens! Leap up, ye mountains for Christ hath been born! The Virgin sitteth like the cherubim, holding the incarnate Word of God in her bosom. Shepherds marvel at Him Who has been born; the magi offer gifts to the Master; and the angels say, chanting: O unapproachable Lord, glory be to Thee!

The Father was well pleased; the Word became flesh; the Virgin gave birth to God incarnate; the star proclaims Him; the magi offer Him worship; the shepherds marvel, and creation rejoices.

O Virgin Theotokos having given birth to the Savior, you abolished the ancient curse of Eve. For you became the Mother of Him in Whom the Father is well pleased, bearing the incarnate Word of God in your bosom. This mystery is not subject to scrutiny; rather, with faith alone we all glorify it, crying out with you and saying: O ineffable Lord, glory be to Thee!

When the time arrived for Thy coming to earth, the first census of the whole world took place. At that time You were preparing to enroll the names of them who believed in Thy nativity, and this is why Caesar proclaimed such a decree. For the timelessness of Your eternal kingdom was restored by Thy birth. Wherefore we also offer unto You, greater than monetary tax, the abundant wealth of Orthodox theology, to the God and Savior of our souls.

Brethren, let us not pray like the Pharisee. For he who exalts himself shall be humbled. Let us humble ourselves before God as did the Publican, and with fasting cry aloud: "O God be merciful to us sinners."

The Pharisee overcome with vainglory, and the Publican bowing down in repentance, approached Thee the only Master. The one boasted and was deprived of the blessings, while the other kept silent and was found worthy of gifts. Confirm me in these cries of sorrow, O Christ God, as a lover of mankind.

Almighty Lord, I know how great is the power of tears. For they pulled out Hezekiah from the gates of death; they delivered the sinful woman from the transgressions of many years; and they justified the Publican more than the Pharisee. And I also pray: "Number me amongst them and have mercy on me.”

You condemned the Pharisee who justified himself by boasting of his works, O Lord. But You justified the Publican who humbled himself and with sighs of sorrow begged for mercy. For You do not accept proud-minded thoughts, and You do not despise contrite hearts. Therefore, with humility we also fall down before You, Who suffered for our sake. Grant us forgiveness and great mercy.

O Good Father, I have distanced myself from Thee. Do not forsake me, or reject me from Thy Kingdom. The cunning enemy hath stripped me and robbed me of my wealth. I have squandered the gifts given to my soul, like the Prodigal. But having arisen and returning to Thee I cry aloud: “Make me as one of Thy hired servants.” For my sake Thou stretched out Thy sinless hands on the Cross, in order to snatch me from the terrible beast, and to clothe me once again in my first raiment. For Thou alone art plenteous in mercy.

Let us cleanse ourselves, brethren, with fasting, the Queen of the virtues. For behold, she has arrived, bringing a wealth of blessings for us. She quells the uprising of the passions, and reconciles them who have sinned with the Master. Therefore let us joyfully welcome her, crying aloud to Christ our God: O Thou Who rose from the dead, preserve us irreproachable, we who glorify You, Who alone is sinless.

The time has arrived to embark on spiritual struggles: to gain victory over the demons, to put on the armor of abstinence, to conduct ourselves with angelic modesty, to acquire boldness before God. Through fasting, Moses became worthy of conversing with the Creator, and he perceived an invisible voice with his ears. Through fasting, O Lord, make us worthy as well of worshipping Thy Passion and Thy Holy Resurrection, as a Lover of mankind.

Let us present a good fast, well-pleasing unto the Lord! A true fast is alienation from evils; the bridling of one’s tongue, the laying aside of all anger, the separation from all sensual desires, from gossip, falsehood, and the sin of swearing. Fasting destitute of these is true and well pleasing.

Great is the might of Thy martyrs, O Christ! For they lay in tombs and yet they drive away demons. They abolished the power of the enemy. They have lived their lives in battle for piety, by faith in the consubstantial Trinity.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

O Theotokos, you are the protection of all who pray unto thee. In thee we take courage, in thee we boast, and all our hope is in thee. Intercede to the one Whom thou didst bear on behalf of thy wretched servants.

Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride!