5 Dec 2024
Archbishop of Myra in Lycia
V. (6) If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You.
You appeared in a dream to the Emperor Constantine and his counselor Avlavius,
speaking to them, and putting them in fear:
“Set free at once those you hold unjustly bound in prison,
for they are not guilty of lawless murder!
And if you do not listen to my words, O King,//
I will beseech the Lord and intercede against you!”
V. (5) For Your Name’s sake I wait for You, O Lord. My soul has waited for Your word; my soul has hoped on the Lord.
O glorious Nicholas, the holy preacher of Christ,
you are the great and fervent protector of those in danger,
those on land and sea, far off or near;
for you are a most compassionate and mighty intercessor.
Therefore, as we assemble, we cry aloud://
“Pray to the Lord that we may be delivered from all danger!”
V. (4) From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope on the Lord!
Tone 2 (With what crowns)
What crowns of praise shall we weave for the Bishop?
Although he lived in Myra,
he reaches out in spirit to all who sincerely love him.
He is the consolation of all in affliction, the refuge of all in danger,
the tower of godliness, the champion of the faithful,//
for whose sake the greatly merciful Christ has laid low the arrogance of the Enemy.
V. (3) For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is plenteous redemption, and He will deliver Israel from all his iniquities.
Tone 2 (by Byzantius)
Christ our God has revealed you to your flock, O Bishop Nicholas,
as an example of faith and an image of meekness.
For you brought a sweet fragrance into Myra,
shining brightly by your divine acts of virtue,
as the advocate of orphans and widows.//
Therefore never cease to intercede that our souls may be saved!
O Father Nicholas,
the shrine of your fragrant relics graces Myra abundantly.
And as you appeared in a dream to the emperor,
setting free those unjustly condemned to prison, death and bonds,//
so now also you visibly intercede for our souls.
O Father Nicholas,
should the city of Myra be silent,
yet the whole world, enlightened by the fragrance of your myrrh and many wonders,
joined by those condemned and saved by you, raises hymns of praise?
Together with the people of Myra we also cry aloud in songs://
“Intercede that our souls may be saved!”
V. (2) Praise the Lord, all nations! Praise Him, all peoples!
What songs of praise shall we sing to the Bishop?
He wrestled against godlessness
and was the champion of godliness,
a great leader, shield and teacher of the Church,
who put all inglorious heresy to shame,
the destroyer and fierce opponent of Arius,
whose arrogance was overthrown by Christ,//
Who grants to the world great mercy.
V. (1) For His mercy is confirmed on us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever.
With what songs of prophecy shall we praise the Bishop?
He foresaw things afar and clearly announced them in advance,
foretelling them as though they were taking place.
He looked around the whole world, making injustice cease;
he appeared in dreams to the emperor wise in God,
and delivered from an unjust execution those who had been in bonds,//
for he is rich in God’s great mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
Tone 6
You that love the feasts,
let us gather and sing the praises of the fair ornament of bishops,
the glory of the Fathers, the fount of wonders and the great protector of the faithful.
Let us say: “Rejoice, guardian of the people of Myra,
their chief and honored counselor and the pillar that cannot be moved!
Rejoice, light filled with brightness!
You make the ends of the world shine with wonders.
Rejoice, divine delight of the afflicted,
the fervent advocate of those who suffer from injustice!
And now, all-blessed Nicholas, never cease praying to Christ our God//
for those who honor the high feast of your memorial with faith and love!“
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Tone 6 (for the Forefeast)
Triumph, O Zion!
Rejoice, Jerusalem, city of Christ our God!
Receive the Creator contained within a cave and a manger!
Open the gates to me;
I will enter to see a Child wrapped in swaddling clothes,
Who upholds the creation in the palm of His hand,
Whose praises the Angels sing with unceasing voice://
the Lord and Giver of Life, Who saves the human race. Tone 6 (for the Forefeast, by Byzantius)
O cave, make ready, for the Ewe Lamb comes,
bearing Christ in her womb!
O manger, receive Him Who by a word has released the dwellers of earth from lawlessness!
You shepherds, abiding in the fields, bear witness to the fearful wonder,
And you magi from Persia, offer to the King gold, myrrh, and frankincense,
for the Lord has appeared from a Virgin Mother!
And she, bending over Him as a handmaiden,
worshipped Him as He lay in her arms, saying to Him:
“How were You sown as seed in me?
How have You grown within me,//
O my Deliverer and my God?”
Aposticha
Tone 5 (Rejoice, O Life-giving Cross)
Rejoice, saintly Bishop Nicholas, pure abode of the virtues,
holy example of the divine priesthood,
great shepherd and bright luminary bearing the name of victory!
You are compassionate to those who call on you in prayer,
and you bear the supplications of the weak;
you are a deliverer and protector of those who honor your glorious memory in faith.//
Pray that Christ may grant the world great mercy!
V. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Ps. 115:6)
Rejoice, most sacred mind,
pure dwelling of the Trinity,
pillar of the Church and support of the faithful,
help of the fallen, star ever dispersing temptations and afflictions
through the radiance of your prayers, well-pleasing to God!
You are a calm haven, O Bishop Nicholas,
where those who flee are saved from the threatening wave of life.//
Pray that Christ may grant our souls great mercy!
V. Your priests shall be clothed in righteousness, and Your saints shall rejoice.
(Ps. 131:9)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Tone 6 (for the Forefeast)
O unwedded Virgin, from where have you come?
Who has given you birth?
Who is your mother?
How can you carry your Creator in your arms?
How is your womb free from corruption?
Most holy one, we see great and fearful mysteries upon earth fulfilled in you;
we adorn the cave as a house worthy of you;
we ask the heavens to send us a star,
for behold, the Magi proceed from the East to the West,
desiring to see the Salvation of mortal men//
shining in your arms as a Pillar of Flame.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Tone 4 Resurrectional Dismissal Theotokion
The mystery of all eternity,
unknown even by Angels,
through you, Theotokos, is revealed to those on earth:
God incarnate by union without confusion.
He voluntarily accepted the Cross for us,
by which He resurrected the first-created man,//
saving our souls from death.
Old Testament Readings
Composite 2
Proverbs 10:31-11:12
Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-15
Epistle (335) Hebrews 13:17-21 (St. Nicholas)
Gospel (24) Luke 6:17-23 (St. Nicholas)