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Great Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ - Celebration First Day (One of the Twelve Great Feasts, class 1)
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| Cycle | Preparing | Preparing Fasting |
Royal Hours of Paramony Morning |
Feast Nativity |
Vespers Div. Lit. 24th Evening |
Div. Lit. 25th Morning |
Divine Liurgy Changable Prayers |
Homily | Celebrating |
Preparating - 40 Days
| Fast Traditional | Fast Modern | ||
| 1st Day | 40th Day | 1st Day | 15th Day |
| 15 Nov. | 24 Dec. | 10 Dec. | 24 Dec. |
Celebrating - 40 Days
| Feast Nativity | Feast Circumcision | Feast Hypapanty |
| 1st Day | 8th Day | 40th Day |
| 25 Dec. | 1 Jan. | 2 Feb. |
| Cycle Preparing and Celebrating | Preparing (Fasting, Praying, and Performing Charity) | Fasting | Praying | Performing Charity | Feasting (Celebrating) |
| Jesus Christ |
Theotokos | Incar- nation |
Annunci- ation Cycle |
Prep- ara- tion |
Feast Annunci- ation |
Cele- bra- tion Synaxis |
"Son of God became man" |
Acathist Hymn Al-Madayih |
Greeting
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Al-Masihu wulida! Famajjiduh!
Christos yennateh! Dhoxazateh!
Trisagion Hymn is the Baptismal Hymn
All of you who have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia!
or As many as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia!
Antom ol-ladheen bli-Maseeh i'tamadtom al-Maseeh qad labistom, Allilouia!
Ossi ees Christon evaptisthiteh, Christon enedheesasthen, Allilouia!
| Feast | Event Commem- orated | Action of Event | Significance of Event | Celebrate | Apostolos | Gospel | Date | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nativity According to Flesh of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ | Jesus Christ's birth in human form. | Jesus Christ being born in human form. | Messiah is born. | Jesus Christ's birthday. | Gal. 4:4-7 | Mt. 2:1-12 | 25 Dec. | Great Feast Class 1 |
| Sunday | Name | Date | Apostolos | Gospel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nativity | 25 | Gal. 4:4-7 | Mt. 2:1-12 |
25 December - The Great Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ commemorates the birth in human form of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ to the Theotokos. His Father is God the Father. Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ was conceived via God the Holy Spirit to The Theotokos, an Ever-Lasting Virgin.
The Church focuses on Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ's coming as "the Sun of justice," "the Radiance of the Father," "the Light of the World."
Celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ Emphasizes
The article below was written by Rev. Fr. James Graham, Pastor of Saint Elias the Prophet Melkite Greek Catholic Mission, San Jose, CA. The article appeared in Christmas Greetings e-mail to St Elias the Prophet Melkite Greek Catholic Mission, 24 December 2002.
Our celebration of the Nativity of the Lord emphasizes the apparent contradictions of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ ' birth--Holy God becoming human, a virgin giving birth, a King born in a cave--and it shows us that these contradictions, beyond human understanding, are part of God's plan to show us God's supreme dominion over creation, God's power revealed in weakness, God's authority revealed in humility, God's splendor revealed in poverty, God's love revealed in the Gift of God's Son. As the Hypacoi of the feast says, "What is lower than a cave? What is humbler than swaddling clothes? And yet the splendor of your divinity shone forth in them resplendently. O Lord, glory to You!"
Feast Period
This is a time of feasting and celebration. The Pre-Nativity Fast ends just before Vespers of the Great Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, on 24 December. For 40-days from the beginning of Vespers of the Great Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ to just before Vespers on the Great Feast of Holy Hypapanty of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ and the Great Feast of the Purification of The Theotokos on 2 February, we celebrate! Feasting ends with the celebration of the Great Feast of Great Feast of the Holy Hypapanty of Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ and the Purification of The Theotokos on February 2.
We feast for Forty Days! We do not fast, not even on Fridays. Fasting is forbidden.
The one day exception is The Paramony of The Great Feast of Holy Theophany of Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Paramony of Holy Theophany is a day of strict fasting.
Gospels
The birth in human form of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ to the Theotokos is in two Gospels.
- The Gospel according to Holy and Illustrious Apostle Matthew the Evangelist, 2:1-12
- The Gospel according to Holy Apostle Luke the Evangelist, 2:1-20
History
The Great Feast of Holy Theophany of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ is one of the oldest feasts in the Byzantine Church. On January 6, this Feast was celebrated in both East and West to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, his baptism in the River Jordan, and the adoration of the Magi. Its name was the Celebration of the Divine Theophany, the manifestation of Christ our God and His declaration to the World that He was the beloved Son of the Father.
Great Feast of Holy Theophany was celebrated in the 2nd Century. In the 3rd Century, the Western Rite accepted this feast.
Later, the Western Rite instituted a new feast for the birth of Jesus Christ, which was called the Nativity of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ and made the date of the celebration on December 25. Still later, this new feast was adopted in the Eastern Rite.
The Nativity of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ is the only one of our Great Feast, which originated in the Western Church.
In the Byzantine Church, The Feast of Feasts is Pascha. In the West, the popular celebration of Christmas overshadows that Pascaha, even though Pascha is officially recogized throughtout the Church as the supreme feast. In the East, in contrast, the popular celebration of Pascha is greater than that of any other feast. Also, many of the popular customs of the Nativity are of Western origin.
The Great Feast of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) of The Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary feast
The Great Feast of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) of The Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is 25 March. The Great Feast of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) is exactly 9 months before the Great Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ) because God is perfect. The Great Feast of Nativity is 25 December.
Liturgical Cycle
The Great Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ is Forty Days before The Great Feast of the Holy Hypapanty of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Forty Days after birth was the prescribed time according to Jewish law.
Other Names for this Feast
In English, this Feast is called "Christmas". In Italian, this Feast is called "Natali" from the word "natal" or "birth", in French, "Nokl" from the word "natale", and in Spanish, "Navidad" from the word "Nativitate".
Liturgical Text
English Nativity Text The Melkite Eparchy of Australia and New Zealand, a Microsoft Word .doc file
His Beatitude, Gregorios III, Patriarch / Batriyark of the cities of Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem, of Cilicia, Syria, Iberia, Arabia Mesopotamia, Pentapolis, Ethiopia, of all of Egypt and the entire East, Father of Fathers, Pastor of Pastors, Bishop of Bishops, the Thirteenth of The Holy Apostles (Patriarcat Grec Melkite Catholique) 's Pascha Letter via the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of Newton (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts), United States
2009 Greetings
2009 Letter
2008
Eparch Cyrille Bustros's Nativity Letter , Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of Newton (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts), United States
Eparch John Elya's Nativity Letter, Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of Newton (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts), United States
Paper
Let the Manger Be Prepared Rev. Economos Romanos Russo, Eparchy of Newton, Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States
More Information
The Nativity Saint Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Click on Fixed Feasts of the Lord
Collection of Reflections by Frances Collie Eparchy of Newton, (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States
Ikon
ABOUT THE ICON OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST, Collection of Reflections by Frances Collie Eparchy of Newton, (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States)
The Nativity Saint Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Click on Fixed Feasts of the Lord
Hymns on Web
Chantez au Seigneur un Chant Chantez au Seigneur un Chant Chantez au Seigneur un Chant Nouveau St Jean Chrysostome Brussels, Belgium
Greek Catholic, Melkite Al-Bushra
- Greek Catholic Christmas Songs, Number 1 Christmas
- Greek Catholic Christmas Songs, Number 2 Christmas
Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ Text - Father Romanos Russo, Line Art Iconography Father Mark Melone Saint Ann's Melkite Catholic Church, West Patterson, NJ
School Play
Script for Christmas Play Compiled by Hope Jackson, St. Ignatios of Antioch Melkite Greek Catholic Church Augusta, Georgia
Message
Miilaad mubaaraq! Al Masiiah wulid! Famajjiduhu!
Blessed Christmas! Christ is born! Glorify Him!
| Action | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fast | Pre-Nativity Fast | 40-days Traditional Begins at the beginning of the Vespers of 15 November on 14 November evening Ends just before Vespers of Great Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ (25 December) on 24 December evening Shorter number of days Modern Begins at the beginning of the Vespers of 10 December on 9 December evening Ends just before Vespers of Great Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ (25 December) on 24 December evening |
| Feast | Great Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ | 40-days Begins at the beginning of Vespers of Great Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ (25 December) on 24 December evening Ends just before Vespers on the Great Feast of Holy Hypapanty of Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ and the Great Feast of the Purification of The Theotokos (2 February) on 1 February evening 1-day of fasting in this period The Paramony of The Great Feast of Holy Theophany of Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. |
| Day | Commemorate | Date | Day of Prepar- ation | Apostolos | Gospel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feast St. Philip Apostle | St. Philip Apostle | 14 Nov. | Acts 8:26-39 | Jn. 1:43-51 |
|
| Pre-Nativity Fast Ancient Begins | Philip Fast | Begins 15 Nov. | 1 | 1 Tim. 4:4-8, 16 | Lk. 16:15-18 17:1-4 |
| Conception Anne | Maternity Anne | 9 Dec. | 25 | Gal. 4:22-27 | Lk.8:16-21 |
| Pre-Nativity Fast Modern Begins | Philip Fast | Begins 10 Dec. | 26 - 1 | Heb. 9:8-23 | Mk. 8:22-26 |
| Sunday before Nativity | Sunday Genealogy | Between 18 and 24 | Heb. 11:9-10 32-40 | Mt. 1:1-25 |
|
| Preparation Nativity | Holy Hieromartyr Ignatios, God-Bearer | 20 | 36 - 11 | James 2:1-13 | Mk. 10:23b-32a |
| Second Day Preparation | Holy Martyr Juliana Nicomedia | 21 | 37 - 12 | Gal. 3:8-11 | Lk. 13:19-29 |
| Third Day Preparation | Holy Great Martyr Anastasia | 22 | 38 - 13 | Gal. 3:8-11 | Lk. 13:19-29 |
| Fourth Day Preparation | Ten Holy Great Martyrs Crete | 23 | 39 - 14 | James 2:14-26 | Mk. 10:46-52 |
| Paramony Royal Hours | 24 | 40 - 15 | Many | Many | |
| Paramony Nativity | Holy Woman Martyr Eugenia | 24 | 40 - 15 | Heb. 1:1-12 | Lk. 2:1-20 |
| Pre-Nativity Fast Ends | Philip Fast | Ends just before Vespers on 24 December evening | 40 - 15 |
| Day | Commemorate | Date | Day of Cele- bration | Apostolos | Gospel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nativity 24 Evening | Jesus Christ's birth in human form. | 24 pm | 1 | Gal. 4:4-7 | Mt. 2:1-12 |
| Nativity 25 Morning | Jesus Christ's birth in human form. | 25 am | 1 | Gal. 4:4-7 | Mt. 2:1-12 |
| Second Day Celebration | Synaxis of The Theotokos Holy Hieromartyr Euthymius, Archbishop Sardica | 26 | 2 | Heb. 2:11-18 | Mt. 2:13-23 |
| Saturday after Nativity | Between 26 and 31 | 1 Tim. 6:11b-16 | Mt. 12:15a-21 |
||
| Sunday after Nativity | Holy and Just Man Joseph, spouse Theotokos; James, brother Lord; David, King and Prophet | Between 26 and 31 | Gal. 1:11-19 | Mt. 2:13-23 |
|
| Third Day Celebration | Protomartyer and Archdeacon Stephen; Holy Father Theodore Confessor | 27 | 3 | Acts 6:8-7:5a, 47-50 | Mt. 21:33-42 |
| Fourth Day Celebration | Holy Martyrs Nicomedia | 28 | 4 | James 3:1-10 | Mk. 11:11-23 |
| Fifth Day Celebration | Holy Innocents; our Holy Father Marcellus, Abbot Monastery Acemetes | 29 | 5 | 1 Tim. 6:11b-16 | Mt. 12:15a-21 |
| Sixth Day Celebration | Holy Martyr Anysia; Holy Zoticus, Feeder Orphans | 30 | 6 | Heb. 2:2-10 | Jn. 5:17-24 |
| Leave taking | Venerable Melany/Melania Roman | 31 | 7 | Acts. 19:1-18 | Jn. 5:24-30 |
| Circumcision | Jesus Christ's Circum- cision. | 1 Jan. | 8 | Col. 2:8-12 | Lk. 2:20-21 40-52 |
| Paramony Theophany | Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and theonas; our Venerable Mother Syncletica | 5 Jan. | 12 | 1 Tim. 3:13-4:5 1 Cor. 9:16-27 | Mt. 3:1-6 Lk:3:1-18 |
| Holy Theophany | Jesus Christ's baptism | 6 Jan. | 13 | Gal. 4:4-7 Titus 2:11-14 3:4-7 | Mt. 2:1-12 Mt. 3:13-17 |
| Second Day Celebration | Synaxis of Prophet and Glorious Forerunner John the Baptist | 7 Jan. | 14 | Acts 19:1-8 | Jn. 1:29-34 |
| Preparation Holy Hypapanty | Holy Martyr Tryphon | 1 Feb. | 39 | Rom. 8:23-39 | Lk. 10:19-21 |
| Holy Hypapanty 40th Day Celebration Nativity | Jesus Christ's presen- tation at Temple. | 2 Feb. | 40 | Heb. 7:7-17 | Lk. 2:22-40 |
| Feast | Event Commem- orated | Action of Event | Significance of Event | Celebrate | Apostolos | Gospel | Date | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annun- ciation of Theotokos Ever Virgin Mary | Jesus Christ's conception in human form Incar- nation. | Future Theotokos' accepting Holy God's will saying yes to Holy God. | Holy God becomes human Incar- nation. | Beginning of process of our redemption. | Heb. 2:11-18 | Lk. 1:24-38 | 25 March | Great Feast Class 2 |
| Nativity According to Flesh of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ | Jesus Christ's birth in human form. | Jesus Christ being born in human form. | Messiah is born. | Jesus Christ's birthday. | Gal. 4:4-7 | Mt. 2:1-12 | 25 Dec. | Great Feast Class 1 |
| Circum- cision of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ |
Jesus Christ's Naming and Circum- cision. | Jesus Christ submitted to Mosaic Law. | Jesus Christ is named | Jesus Christ's Naming and Circum- cision. | Col. 2:8-12 | Lk. 2:20-21, 40-52 | 1 Jan. | Feast Class 3 |
| ºHoly Hypapanty of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ ºPurifi- cation of Theotokos | ºJesus Christ's presen- tation at Temple. ºTheotokos' purification. | Theotokos bringing Jesus Christ to Temple at prescribed time for prescribed rituals. | Messiah's first meeting with His people. | A step in process of our redemption. | Heb. 7:7-17 | Lk. 2:22-40 | 2 Feb. | Great Feast Class 2 |
| Holy Theophany of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ | Jesus Christ's baptism | Holy Prophet and Glorious Fore- runner John Baptist baptizing Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ in River Jordan. | ºAs an adult, Jesus Christ shows His people that He is Holy God (manifestation Jesus Christ to the world). ºHoly God shows His people that Holy God is a Holy Trinity. | ºJesus Christ is Holy God. ºHoly God is a Holy Trinity | Tim. 2:11-14, 3:4-7 | Mt. 3:13-17 | 6 Jan. | Great Feast Class 1 |
| Transfig- uration of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ | Jesus Christ's transfig- uration | Jesus Christ showing His disciples "...as much of His glory as they could behold...". | Jesus Christ is both fully Holy God and fully man. | ºReve- lation of glory of Holy God ºConfir- mation of two natures of Jesus Christ both fully Holy God and fully human. | 2 Pet. 1:10-19 | Mt. 17:1-9 | 6 Aug. | Great Feast Class 1 |
| Triumphal Entry of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ into Jerusalem Holy and Glorious Palm Sun. Shaneeneh | Jesus Christ's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. | Children throwing garments into Jesus Christ's path, pulling down branches from olive and palm trees, putting them in the road, and waving them in air, shouting "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" | Jesus Christ's people hailing Him as Messiah. | Jesus Christ is Messiah. | Phil. 4:4-9 | John 12:1-18 | 7 days before Pascha | Great Feast Class 1 |
| Great and Holy Friday | Jesus Christ's death in human form on Holy Cross | Jesus Christ dies on Holy Cross | Holy God redeems our souls. | We have possi- bility of "eternal life". | 1 Cor. 1:18-24 | John 5:48-55 | 2 days before Pascha | Great Holy Fri. |
| Holy and Glorious Pascha | Jesus Christ's resurrection in human form | Jesus Christ rising from dead and giving "eternal life" to good. | ºJesus Christ is Holy God. ºOpening possi- bility of "eternal life" | ºJesus Christ's victory over death. ºWe have possi- bility of "eternal life". | Acts 1:1-9 | John 1:1-17 | 1st Sun. after 1st full moon after 03/20 Ear- liest is 03/22 latest is 04/25. | Feasts of Feasts |
| Ascension into Heaven of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ | Jesus Christ's ascension in human form into heaven. | Jesus Christ going to heaven. | Jesus Christ is Holy God. | Jesus Christ's victory over death. | Acts 1:1-12 | Lk. 24:36-53 | 40th day of Pascha | Great Feast Class 1 |
| Exaltation of Precious and Lifegiving Holy Cross | Jesus Christ's Holy Cross is found. | ºSt Helena finding Holy Cross ºRecovering Holy Cross from Persians, returning It to Jerusalem, and raising It up (exalting). | Holy Cross is a sign of glory and victory. | Jesus Christ's victory over death. | 1 Cor. 1:18-24 | John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28a, 30-35a | 14 Sept. | Great Feast Class 1 |
Liturgical Cycle
Great Feast Days
Feasts Days - Specific
Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ
The Theotokos
The Holy Prophet and Glorious Forerunner John the Baptist
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dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles), Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck), and Donna (Donna Bertha Liles Campbell). Bucky fell asleep in
the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000, Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001, and Donna fell asleep in the Lord on March 9, 2020.
O God of all spirits and of all flesh, who have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and given life to the world: grant, O Lord, to the souls of your servants
Bucky and Shirley, who has departed from this life, that it may rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no
grief, no sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, forgive him/her every sin he/she has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for
there is not a man who lives and does not sin : You alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true. You are the Resurrection and
the Life, and the repose of your departed servants Bucky and Shirley. O Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, together with your eternal Father and your
all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.
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