Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

By the Grace of God

COMPILED, ADAPTED, EDITED & PRINTED
BY
MARGUERITE PAIZIS
ARCHONDISSA & TEACHER BY DIVINE GRACE
GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA & ALL AFRICA
Festal Vespers Hymns
USED TOGETHER WITH THE VESPERS SERVICE BOOK

26 December
ARCHDIOCESE OF GOOD HOPE
HOLY CHURCH OF THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

PO BOX 28348
SUNRIDGE PARK
6008 2ND DAY OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

MARGUERITE.PAIZIS@GMAIL.COM Synaxis of our Ever Blessed, All Pure Lady, Theotokos

ALL THESE LITTLE LABOURS OF LOVE CAN BE DOWNLOADED DIRECTLY FROM
MARGUERITE PAIZIS ON SCRIBD - WWW.SCRIBD.COM/WRITERS4574
LINKS TO THIS SITE ARE PUBLISHED ON FACEBOOK, GOOGLE +, TWITTER AND PINTEREST

OR EMAILED DIRECTLY ON REQUEST

RE-EDITED & PUBLISHED - 13 NOVEMBER 2018

Also the Feast of St Euthymios, Bishop of Hieromartyr of Sardis – St Constantine of
Synnada – St Evarestos of Studion Monastery – St Nicodemos of Tishmana,
Macedonia – St Constantine the Russian Hieromartyr of Lavra, Mount Athos - St
Isaac II of Optina Monastery

Our Eternal Gratitude to Pater Seraphim Dedes & all the contributing Translators
for the Greek & English texts that make our Worship much more easier
to fully understand, to participate and to appreciate.
Glory to God for His Great Mercy!
www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs

8. FESTAL VESPERS – SYNAXIS THEOTOKOS – 26 DECEMBER

 FESTAL APOLYTIKION – SYNAXIS - THEOTOKOS - TONE 4
I Gennisis Sou Hriste O Theos imon, Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has
anetile to kosmo, to Fos to tis caused the Light of Knowledge to
gnoseos. En afti gar it is astris rise upon the world. For therein the
latrevontes, ipo asteros edidaskonto. Worshippers of the Stars were by a
Se proskinin, ton Ilion tis Dikeosinis, Star instructed to worship Thee, the
ke Se Ginoskin ex ipsous anatolin,
Sun of Righteousness, and to know

Elder Philotheos Zervakos Kyrie, Doxa Si! Thee as Orient from on High.
Lord, Glory to Thee!

O

RETURN TO VESPERS SERVICE BOOK –

DISMISSAL BLESSINGS AND
It is God’’s Will that we be United and bound together PRAYERS 

by the bond of Genuine, True, Pure, Guileless

and Sincere Christian Divine Love.
It is a disgrace, a lie, to pray to our Lord
for the Peace of the whole world
and to be separated from one another.

St Ignatios Brianchaninov
Just as a mirror shows objects

St Nektarios of Pentapolis among which we are standing,

so, in our soul, impressions are created
corresponding to our works.
Nothing is equal to Peace -
The images disappear from the mindless mirror
nothing is more harmonious.
when the objects are removed from in front of it,
It is of no Benefit to us
but impressions remain in our rational soul.
if we are pacific towards everyone else,
but hostile to God.
Just as no harm can befall us –
no matter if everyone is against us -
as long as we are at Peace with God.

2. FESTAL VESPERS – SYNAXIS THEOTOKOS – 26 DECEMBER FESTAL VESPERS – SYNAXIS – THEOTOKOS – 26 DECEMBER 7.
 MENAION - APOSTIHA IDIOMELON – SYNAXIS - THEOTOKOS
TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Paradoxon Mystirion, ikonomite simeron! A Paradoxal Mystery has been shown
Kenotomounte
Anthropos
fisis,
gynete.
ke
Oper
Theos
in
to us today. Natures become New,
as God becomes Man. He has
Festal Vespers Hymns – Synaxis of Theotokos
memenike, ke O ouk in proselaven, remained what He always was, and
Kindly use the Service Book until this point, then carefully follow
ou firmon ipominas, oude dieresin. He had assumed what He previously
instructions with regard to these Hymns
was not, yet nothing in Him is
confused or divided.
HYMN OF THE EVENING INCENSE
Ipen O Kyrios to Kyrio mou: Kathou ek The Lord said to My Lord: Sit at My THE CONGREGATION MUST STAND
dexion Mou, eos an Tho tous Right Hand, until I make Thine
ehtrous Sou ipopodion ton Podon enemies the Footstool for Thy Feet. PSALM 140/141 – TONE 2
Sou.
Kyrie ekekraxa pros Se, isakouson mou. Lord, I cry out to Thee: hear me,
Kyrie, en Vithleem paragegonas, en to Lord, Thou went to Bethlehem. Heaven Isakouson mou, Kyrie. Kyrie, O Lord! O Lord, when I cry
Spyleo parokisas, O Ouranon ton is Thy Throne, and yet Thou ekekraxa pros Se, isakouson mou, out to Thee, hear me! Hear
Thronon ehon, en Fatni aneklithis, on sheltered in the Cave. Hoses of proshes ti foni tis deiseos mou, en to my voice, when I cry out to
stratie kiklousin Angelon, Pimesi Angels surround thee, and yet, Thou kekragene me pros Se, isakouson Thee! Hear me, O Lord!
sigkatevis, ina Sosis os Evsplaghnos to lay in a Manger. Thou came down to mou Kyrie.
genos imon,
Doxa Si. the Shepherds, in order to Save all Katevthinthito i prosevhi mou os Let my Prayer rise before Thee
mankind, O Compassionate Lord:
thimiama enopion Sou. Eparsis ton like incense - the lifting up of
Glory to Thee! hiron mou Thisia Esperini. Isakouson my hands as the Evening Sacrifice.
Ek gastros pro eosforou egennisa Se. I have Begotten Thee from the Womb mou Kyrie! Hear me, O Lord!
Omose Kyrios ke ou before the Morning Star. The Lord
metamelithisete. Si Ierefs is ton FESTAL PROSOMIA – SYNAXIS OF THEOTOKOS - TONE 2
swore and will not Repent. Thou
eona kata tin taxin Melhisedek. art a Priest forever, according to Ean anomias paratirisis, Kyrie, Kyrie, If Thou, O Lord, should mark
the Order of Melchizedek. tis ipostisete? Oti para Si O ilasmos transgression, O Lord, who would
Pos exipo to Mega Mystirion? O Asarkos How shall I tell of this Great Mystery? estin. stand? For there is Forgiveness
Sarkoute, O Logos pahinete, O He Who is Without Flesh becomes with Thee.
aoratos orate ke O anafis psilafate. Incarnate; the Word puts on a Body; Defte Agalliasometha to Kyrio, to paron Come, let us Rejoice in the Lord, as we
Ke O anarhos arhete! O Iios tou the Invisible is seen; He Whom no Mystyrion ekdiigoumeni, to relate this Mystery. The Middle Wall
Theou, anthropou Iios ginete, Iisous hand can touch is handled; and He mesotihon tou fragmou dialelite, i of Separation has been broken down;
Hristos - hthes ke simeron O aftos, ke Who knows no beginning now, flogini romfea ta nota didosi, ke ta the fiery sword has turned back, the
is tous eonas! begins to be! The Son of God Herouvim arahori tou xilou tis zois, Cherubim permits access to the Tree
beomes the Son of Man: Jesus Christ kago tou paradisou tis trifis of Life; and I partake of the Delight
– the same yesterday, today, and metalamvano, ou proexelithin dia tis of Paradise, from which I was cast
forever! parakois. I gar aparallaktos ikon tou out because of disobedience. For the
✞ Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ✞ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, Patros, O haraktir tis aidiotitos Aftou, exact Image of the Father, the
ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton and to the Holy Spirit, now and morfin doulou lamvani, ex express Image of His Eternity, takes
eonon. forever, and to the Ages of ages. Apirogamou Mitros proelthos ou the form of a servant, coming forth
tropin ipominas. O gar in diemine, from a Virgin Mother; and He
Amin Amen Theos on Alithinos. Ke O ouk in undergoes no change. He remained
En Bithleem sinedramon Pimenes, ton The Shepherds hasten to Bethlehem, proselaven, anthropos genomenos what He was – True God. And He
Alithi mniontes Pimena, ton revealing the True Shepherd, seated dia Filanthropian. Afto voisomen. O took up what He was not – becoming
kathimenon epi ton Herouvim, ke upon the Cherubim, and lying in a tehthis ek Parthenou Theos, Eleison Man in His Love for mankind. Let us
anakimeon en Fatni, Nipiou morphin Manger! For our sake He has taken imas. cry out to Him: Thou Who were Born
di’ imas anilifota,
Kyrie, Doxa Si! from a Virgin – O God – have Mercy
upon Himself the Form of a Child.
on us.
O Lord, Glory to Thee!
NIN APOLIIS TON DOULON SOU...” – Eneken tou Onomatos Sou ipemina Se, Because of Thy Law, O Lord, I waited
TRISAGION HYMNS  Kyrie; Ipeminen i psihi mou is ton for Thee; my soul waited for Thy
Logon Sou, ilpisen i psihi mou epi Word. My soul Hopes in the Lord.
ton Kyrion.
Defte Agalliasometha to Kyrio, to paron Come, let us Rejoice in the Lord, as we
6. FESTAL VESPERS – SYNAXIS THEOTOKOS – 26 DECEMBER FESTAL VESPERS – SYNAXIS – THEOTOKOS – 26 DECEMBER 3.
 Mystyrion ekdiigoumeni, to relate this Mystery. The Middle Wall
mesotihon tou fragmou dialelite, i of Separation has been broken down;
flogini romfea ta nota didosi, ke ta the fiery sword has turned back, the
Herouvim arahori tou xilou tis zois, Cherubim permits access to the Tree
kago tou paradisou tis trifis of Life; and I partake of the Delight
metalamvano, ou proexelithin dia tis of Paradise, from which I was cast
parakois. I gar aparallaktos ikon tou out because of disobedience. For the
Patros, O haraktir tis aidiotitos Aftou, exact Image of the Father, the
morfin doulou lamvani, ex express Image of His Eternity, takes
Apirogamou Mitros proelthos ou the form of a servant, coming forth
tropin ipominas. O gar in diemine, from a Virgin Mother; and He
Theos on Alithinos. Ke O ouk in undergoes no change. He remained
proselaven, anthropos genomenos what He was – True God. And He
dia Filanthropian. Afto voisomen. O took up what He was not – becoming
tehthis ek Parthenou Theos, Eleison Man in His Love for mankind. Let us
imas. cry out to Him: Thou Who were Born
from a Virgin – O God – have Mercy
on us.
Apo Filaktis proias mehri niktos, apo From the morning watch until night;
filakis proias, elpisato Israil epi ton from the morning watch until night
Kyrion. – let Israel Hope in the Lord.
Tou Kyriou Iisou Gennithetos ek tis Since the Lord Jesus was Born of the
Agias Parthenou, pefotiste ta Holy Virgin, the Universe has been
Simpanta. Pimenon gar Illumined. Shepherds were keeping
agravlounton, ke Magon Watch, and Magi were adoring Him,
prokinounton, Angelon animnounton, and Angels were singing praises, and
Irodis etaratteto, oti Theos en Sarki Herod was troubled; for God
efani, Sotir ton psihon imon. appeared in the Flesh, yes, our
Saviour of our souls.
Oti para to Kyrio to Eleos ke polli For with the Lord there is Mercy, and
par’ afto litrosis. Ke aftos Litrosete with Him is abundant Redemption.
ton Israil ek pason ton anomion And He will Redeem Israel from all
Aftou. his transgressions.
Tou Kyriou Iisou Gennithetos ek tis Since the Lord Jesus was Born of the
Agias Parthenou, pefotiste ta Holy Virgin, the Universe has been
Simpanta. Pimenon gar Illumined. Shepherds were keeping
agravlounton, ke Magon Watch, and Magi were adoring Him,
prokinounton, Angelon animnounton, and Angels were singing praises, and
Irodis etaratteto, oti Theos en Sarki Herod was troubled; for God
efani, Sotir ton psihon imon. appeared in the Flesh, yes, our
Saviour of our souls.
Enite ton Kyrion, panta ta Ethni, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
epenesate aftn, pantes i lai. praise Him, all you peoples.
I Basilia Sou, Hriste O Theos, Vasilia Thy Kingdom, O Christ God, is a
panton ton eonon, ke i Despotia Sou, Kingdom of all Ages and Thy
en pasi genea ke genea. O sarkothis Dominion is from Generation to
ek Pnevmatos Agiou, ke ek tis Generation. Thou Who were
Aiparthenou Marias enanthropisas, Incarnate by the Holy Spirit and
fos imin elampsas, Hriste O Theos, ti became Man y the Ever Virgin Mary,
Si Parousia. Fos ek Fotos, tou Patros have shone on us as Light, by Thy
to apavgasma, pasan Ktisin Advent, O Christ God. Light of Light,
efedrinas. Pasa pnoi eni Se, ton the Brightness of the Father, Thou
Haraktira tis Doxis tou Patros. O on hast Brightened all Creation.
ke proon, ke eklampsas ek Parthenou
Theos, Eleison imas.
Oti ekrateothi to Eleos Aftou ef’ imas, For
ke i alithia tou Kyriou men ii ton
eona.
Ti Si prosevekomen Hriste, oti ofthis epi What
Gis os anthropos di’ imas? Ekaton
gar ton ipo Sou genomenon
Ktismaton, tin evharistian Si prosagi.
I Angeli ton imnon, i Ourani ton
Astera, i Magi ta dora, i Pimenes to
Thavma, i Gi to splileon, i erimos tin
fatnin. Imis de Mitera Parthenon. O
pro eonon Theos eleison imas.
✞ Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati,
ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton
eonon.
Amin

Doxa en Ipstistis Theo ke epi Gis
Irini. Simeron dehete i Vithleem, ton
kathimeron dia pantos Sin Patri.
Simeron Angeli to vrefos to tehthen,
Theopropos Doxologousi.
Doxa
en Ipsistis Theo, ke epi Gis Irini, en
anthropis evdokia.
THE ENTRANCE – “FOS ILARON....” 
PROKEIMENON – NATIITY – SYNAXIS THEOTOKOS – TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
✶ Tis Theos Megas, os O Theos imon!
Si i O Theos, O Pion Thavmasia
Monos!
1. Egnorisas en tis lais tin Dinamin
Sou.✶
2. Ke ipa: Nin irxamin. Afti i alliosis tis
dexias tou Ipsistou. ✶
3. Emnisthin ton Ergon Kyriou, oti
mnisthisome apo tis arhis ton
Thavmasion Sou.✶
LITANY OF FERVENT
SUPPLICATIONS
Everything that breathes praises
Thee, the express Image of the
Father’s Glory. O God, the One Who
is and Who Pre-existed, and Who
shone forth from the Virgin, have
Mercy on us.
His Mercy Rules over us; and the
Truth of the Lord endures forever.
shall we offer Thee, O Christ,
because Thou hast appeared on
Earth as a Man for our sake? For
each of the creatures made by Thee
offers Thou its gratitude: the Angels
– their Hymn; the Heavens – the
Star; the Shepherds – their Wonder;
the Magi – their Gifts; the Earth –
the Cave; the Desert – the Manger;
and we – A Virgin Mother. God
before Ages, have Mercy on us.
✞ Glory to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now
and forever, and to the Ages of
ages.
Amen

Glory to God in the Highest, and
Peace on Earth. Today Bethlehem
received Him Who is ever seated
with the Father. Today Angels
Glorify in a manner fitting God the
Infant Who is Born.
Glory to God
in the Highest, and on Earth Peace,
and Good Will among men.
✶ Who is as Great as our God? Thou
art the Only God Who does Wonders!
1. Thou made known among the
People Thy Power. ✶
2. And said: Now I Am beginning to
see! This change is by the Right
Han dof the Most High! ✶
3. I remembered our Lord’s Works, for
I will remember Thy Wonders of
old! ✶

4. FESTAL VESPERS – SYNAXIS THEOTOKOS – 26 DECEMBER FESTAL VESPERS – SYNAXIS – THEOTOKOS – 26 DECEMBER 5.