Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center 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 - Vespers and Divine Liturgy

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 of Feasts and Great Feasts
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

Celebration
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."

24 December - Vespers and Divine Liturgy for the Great Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ

24 December - The Paramony culminates in Vespers and the Divine Liturgy of Our Father among the Saints Basil.
First Reading at Vespers: Genesis 1:1-13
Second Reading at Vespers Isaiah 11:1-10
Third Reading at Vespers Isaiah 9:6-7
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!
Apostolos: Heb. 1:1-12, 2:1-3 Gospel: Lk. 2:1-20
After Communion: Troparion of the Nativity (Tone 4):
Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shed the light of knowledge upon the world. Through it, those who had been star-worshippers learned through a star to worship You, O Sun of Justice, and to recognize in You the One who rises and comes from on high. O Lord, glory to You! (Three times)
At the end of the Liturgy:
Troparion of the Nativity (Tone 4) (3 times): Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shed the light of knowledge upon the world. Through it, those who had been star-worshippers learned through a star to worship You, O Sun of Justice, and to recognize in You the One who rises and comes from on high. O Lord, glory to You!
Glory be:
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and always for ever and ever Amen
Kontakion of the Nativity (Tone 3):
Today the Virgin gives birth to the One who surpasses all essences, and the earth offers a cave to God, the Inaccessible One. Angels sing His glory together with the shepherds, for unto us is born a Child who is God from all eternity.
Priest greets the people 3 times with the people responding each time:
Priest greets: Christ is born!, Al Massih walid! or Christos gennitai! People respond: Glorify Him!, Famajjiduhu!, Doxasate!

Vespers

Vespers contains chants describing the impact of Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ's birth upon the world and prophecies from the Old Testament about the coming of the Messiah.

Transition between Vespers and Divine Liturgy

As Vespers ends and the Divine Liturgy begins, we sing, as the Trisagion Hymn, the special Baptismal song from St Paul's Letter to the Romans--"All of you who have been baptised into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia!"

Epistle and the Gospel

The Epistle and the Gospel show us how the birth of Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies.

Conclude the Divine Liturgy

We sing three times the Troparion of the Nativity: "Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shed the light of knowledge upon the world. Through it, those who had been star-worshippers learned through a star to worship You, O Sun of Justice, and to recognize in You the One who rises from on high. O Lord, glory to You!"

Kontakion, Troparion, Exapostilarion, and Vespers Sticheron or Doxastikon

KONTAKlON (TONE 3)
Today the Virgin is on her way to the cave where she will give birth to the Eternal Word of God in an ineffable manner. Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when you hear this news, and glorify with the angels and the shepherds Him who shall appear as a newborn Babe, being God from all eternity.

TROPARION (Tone 4)
Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shed the light of knowledge upon the world. Through it, those who had been star-worshippers learned through a star to worship You, O Sun of Justice, and to recognize in You the One who rises and comes from on high. O Lord, glory to You! (Three times)

VESPERS STICHERA (Tone 2)
1 and 2. Come, let us rejoice in the Lord! Let us proclaim the present mystery by which the partition has been broken and the flaming sword withheld: Now shall the Cherubim let us come to the Tree of Life. As for me, I am returning to the bliss of paradise whence I had been driven by original sin. Behold, the Image of the Father and his immutable Eternity has taken the form of a servant! He has come down to us from a Mother all-pure, and yet He has remained unchanged: He has remained True God as He was before, and has taken on Himself what He has not been, becoming Man out of his love for man. Wherefore, let us raise our voices in hymns and sing: "O God who were born of the Virgin, O our God, have mercy on us!"
3 and 4. When the Lord Jesus was born of the Virgin, the whole creation lit up. Behold: shepherds keep watch, the Magi adore, angels sing hymns of praise, and Herod trembles, for the Savior of our souls has appeared in the flesh!
5. O Christ our God, your kingdom is eternal and your dominion from generation to generation. You have become incarnate of the Holy Spirit, being made Man through the ever-virgin Mary. Your coming, O Christ, has shed upon us a great light, O You Light of Light and Radiance of the Father! You have illumined the whole creation. Wherefore everything that breathes sings to You a hymn of praise, O Image of the Father's glory, eternal God, existing before all ages, who shone forth from the Virgin! O Lord, glory to You!
6. O Christ, what shall we offer You for your coming on earth as a Man for our sake? Every creature that has its being from You gives thanks to You: the angels offer hymns of praise, the heavens give a star; wise man present their gifts and the shepherds, their wonder; the earth provides a cave and the desert a manger. As for us, we offer You a Mother, a Virgin Mother. O God who are from all eternity, have mercy on us!

Antiphon

Palsm 109
O Son of God, who were born of the Virgin, save us who sing to You. Alleluia.
Khallisna YabnAllah, ya man wulida min al Batul, nahnul muran-neemeena Laka, Halleloueya.

Ikon of the Nativity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ

Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ's Feast of Feasts and Great Feasts
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

Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center
Martha Liles
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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is 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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