Sunday, December 20 /January 2: Forefeast of the Nativity and the Commemoration of the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer
The Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer, was a disciple of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, as was also St Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (February 23). St Ignatius was the second bishop of Antioch, and successor to Bishop Euodius, Apostle of the Seventy (September 7).
Tradition suggests that when St Ignatius was a little boy, the Saviour hugged him and said: “Unless you turn and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt. 18:3). The saint was called “God-Bearer” (Theophoros), because he bore God in his heart and prayed unceasingly to Him. He also had this name because he was held in the arms of Christ, the incarnate Son of God.
St Ignatius was a disciple of the Apostle John the Theologian, together with St Polycarp of Smyrna. As Bishop of Antioch, St Ignatius was zealous and spared no effort to build up the church of Christ. To him is attributed the practice of antiphonal singing (by two choirs) during church services. He had seen a vision of the angels in heaven alternately singing praises to God, and divided his church choir to follow this example. In the time of persecution he was a source of strength to the souls of his flock, and was eager to suffer for Christ.
In the year 106 the emperor Trajan (98-117), after his victory over the Scythians, ordered everyone to give thanks to the pagan gods, and to put to death any Christians who refused to worship the idols. In the year 107, Trajan happened to pass through Antioch. Here they told him that Bishop Ignatius openly confessed Christ, and taught people to scorn riches, to lead a virtuous life, and preserve their virginity.
St Ignatius came voluntarily before the emperor, so as to avert persecution of the Christians in Antioch. St Ignatius rejected the persistent requests of the emperor Trajan to sacrifice to the idols. The emperor then decided to send him to Rome to be thrown to the wild beasts. St Ignatius joyfully accepted the sentence imposed upon him. His readiness for martyrdom was attested to by eyewitnesses, who accompanied St Ignatius from Antioch to Rome.
On the way to Rome, the ship sailed from Seleucia stopped at Smyrna, where St Ignatius met with his friend Bishop Polycarp. Clergy and believers from other cities and towns thronged to see St Ignatius. He exhorted everyone not to fear death and not to grieve for him.
In his Epistle to the Roman Christians, he asked them to assist him with their prayers, and to pray that God would strengthen him in his impending martyrdom for Christ: “I seek Him Who died for us; I desire Him Who rose for our salvation… In me, desire has been nailed to the cross, and no flame of material longing is left. Only the living water speaks within me, saying, ‘Hasten to the Father.’”
From Smyrna, St Ignatius went to Troas. Here he heard the happy news of the end of the persecution against Christians in Antioch. From Troas, St Ignatius sailed to Neapolis (in Macedonia) and then to Philippi.
On the way to Rome St Ignatius visited several churches, teaching and guiding the Christians there. He also wrote seven epistles: to the churches of Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna. He also addressed a letter to St Polycarp, who mentions a collection of the letters of St Ignatius in his letter to the Philippians (Ch. 13). St Irenaeus of Lyons quotes from St Ignatius’s letter to the Romans (AGAINST HERESIES 5:28:4). All these letters have survived to the present day.
The Roman Christians met St Ignatius with great joy and profound sorrow. Some of them hoped to prevent his execution, but St Ignatius implored them not to do this. Kneeling down, he prayed together with the believers for the Church, for love between the brethren, and for an end to the persecution against Christians.
On December 20, the day of a pagan festival, they led St Ignatius into the arena, and he turned to the people: “Men of Rome, you know that I am sentenced to death, not because of any crime, but because of my love for God, by Whose love I am embraced. I long to be with Him, and offer myself to him as a pure loaf, made of fine wheat ground fine by the teeth of wild beasts.”
After this the lions were released and tore him to pieces, leaving only his heart and a few bones. Tradition says that on his way to execution, St Ignatius unceasingly repeated the name of Jesus Christ. When they asked him why he was doing this, St Ignatius answered that this Name was written in his heart, and that he confessed with his lips Him Whom he always carried within. When the saint was devoured by the lions, his heart was not touched. When they cut open the heart, the pagans saw an inscription in gold letters: “Jesus Christ.” After his execution St Ignatius appeared to many of the faithful in their sleep to comfort them, and some saw him at prayer for the city of Rome.
Hearing of the saint’s great courage, Trajan thought well of him and stopped the persecution against the Christians. The relics of St Ignatius were transferred to Antioch (January 29), and on February 1, 637 were returned to Rome and placed in the church of San Clemente.
Source: The Orthodox Church in America
Canon of the forefeast, the acrostic whereof is: “Chanted are these hymns of the forefeast”, the composition of Joseph, in Tone I:
Ode 1, Irmos: Let us all chant a triumphant hymn unto God * Who wrought wondrous miracles * with His upraised arm, * and saved Israel, * for He hath been glorified.
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
Let us begin today to celebrate the forefeast of the nativity of Christ Who was born in the flesh from the Virgin Mother in the cave of Bethlehem in His surpassing loving-kindness.
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
The pre-eternal God, Who is seen as a babe, is wrapped in swaddling bands and laid in a manger, releasing me from the bonds of sin. Glory be to His might!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Eden is opened to Thee Who in the flesh wast born in Bethlehem from the divine Virgin Maiden, O Master; we hymn Thine awesome dispensation.
Canon of the hieromartyr, the composition of Andrew of Crete, in the same tone.
Same Irmos: Let us all chant a triumphant hymn unto God …,
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Celebrating with splendour, let us form ourselves into ranks; in a sacred manner the martyr Ignatius doth summon the Church of Christ to his much-hymned suffering.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
O Ignatius, as the most radiant luminary of the Church thou hast enlightened all the ends of the earth, and having arrived from the East, thou hast shone upon the lands of the West.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Emulating the tribulations of Paul in the cities and towns while thou wast a prisoner, O Ignatius, thou wast in nowise troubled, making steadfast the Churches of Christ by thy frequent epistles.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
O all-blessed Ignatius, we all hymn thy glorious memory, and with hymns we honour Him Who crowned thy most precious head, O thou who art blessed of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
“Let my flesh be lacerated, let my blood flow forth! In my desire I make haste, ready for the wild beasts, adorned for crushing, for the fire, for the sword, for being devoured!” the martyr cried aloud.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Adorn thyself, O Eden, for Ephratha hath been made ready for the Creator, Who is to be born from the Virgin Mother in the cave of Bethlehem, in His surpassing loving-kindness.
Ode III, Canon of the Forefeast, Irmos: The stone which the builders have rejected, * the same hath become the cornerstone: * this is the rock upon which Christ hath established the Church, * which He hath redeemed from among the nations.
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
Let all creation chant the hymns of the forefeast unto Him Who was begotten of the Father before the morning-star, and hath now shone forth ineffably from the Virgin, and is born in the flesh in Bethlehem, in His surpassing loving-kindness.
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
A star hath shone forth from the tribe of Judah, which the kings have recognized. They make a journey from the lands of the East, and hasten to arrive, that they might gaze upon Christ Who is born in the flesh in Bethlehem.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Perceiving the incarnation of Christ, Isaiah manifestly prophesieth in the Holy Spirit, saying: “The Lord is born from a Virgin as a babe, for our regeneration! His government is upon His shoulders!”
Canon of the Hieromartyr, Irmos: The stone which the builders have rejected …,
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
O father, thou hast been shown forth as a model of sacred suffering, a tower of endurance, a rule of courage, a pillar of the Church, the confirmation of the Faith, a sign of virtue: having been crowned with honoured sufferings in Christ.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Truly wast thou called the God-bearer, O father, for held in the arms of the Lord while yet a babe, thou wast set forth by Him Who saith to us: “Be ye for Me like unto this child!”
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
“I am the pure wheat of God,” thou didst cry, O father; “and I hasten to be ground by the wild beasts, that my body may be crushed, that my members may be devoured, that I may become food for the beasts, that I may be shown to be pure bread for God!”
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Thou didst complete the strange contest of martyrdom with endurance, and didst show forth wondrous courage surpassing all who suffered before thee, consumed with love of unremitting zeal which, like fire, set thy soul aflame.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Ever burning in spirit, the hieromartyr cried out with love in the midst of his afflictions: “I press on toward Christ, rejoicing! I am crucified with Christ! I no longer live myself, but Christ alone liveth within me!” said he.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Come forth, O Isaiah, and cry aloud: “Behold! a Virgin will conceive in her womb the Redeemer of the world, and will give birth in a cave! And the name of Him Who will be born is Jesus, God is with us, Emmanuel, Sabaoth!”
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Kontakion of the forefeast, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin …”: Today the Virgin cometh to ineffably give birth * to the pre-eternal Word in the cave. * Having heard this dance O world, * and with the angels and shepherds glorify the pre-eternal God, ** Who is to appear as a little babe.
Ikos: O truly awesome wonder past all telling! He Who giveth existence to all, in His goodness hath entered the womb of the holy Virgin, and cometh to be born in the cave, and to be laid in a manger. And His star is a herald from on high to the magi who come to do Him homage with gifts, drawing from afar those who zealously follow the prophecy of Balaam, who said: “A star will proclaim beforehand the little babe, the pre-eternal God!”
Sessional Hymn of the hieromartyr, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity …”: Guided by Christ God, thou didst make bright thy sacred vesture, having truly received witness, O God-bearer; for thou didst provoke the wild beasts to separate thee from the world, emulating the wondrous Apostle Paul. Wherefore, in Rome, O father, thou didst finish thy martyrdom as is meet.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Another Sessional Hymn of the hieromartyr, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom …”: Shining forth like a star from the East, thou didst illumine the world, resplendent in the rays of thy discourses; thou didst drive away the darkness, and like Paul didst valiantly finish the race, enduring tribulations among the nations and in the cities. Wherefore, like wheat thou wast ground by the teeth of wild beasts, as an offering for thy Lord, O blessed God-bearer Ignatius. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to those who honour thy holy memory with love.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Sessional Hymn of the forefeast, in the same tone & melody: The Word of God, Who shone forth without commingling from the bosom of the Father before time began, and within time came forth seedlessly from thy womb, O most pure one, lifting up him who of old had grievously stumbled, raising him up to his primal beauty. The armies of the incorporeal beings come forth for His nativity
and mystically send forth hymns of victory to mortals, crying: Glory to God Who hath given us peace, breaking down the middle wall of enmity, as is His good pleasure!
Ode IV, Canon of the Forefeast, Irmos: Foreseeing in the Spirit O Prophet Habbakuk, * the incarnation of the Word, * thou didst proclaim, crying aloud: * When the years draw nigh, Thou shalt be known; * when the season cometh, Thou shalt be shown forth! * Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
O ye mountains and hills, ye groves of woods, ye rivers and seas, and every living creature, leap up in gladness! For Jesus our salvation cometh to be born of the Virgin in the city of Bethlehem!
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
Take up thy psaltery, O Prophet David, and chant openly, inspired by the Holy Spirit; for Christ God, the Lord of glory, Who without commingling shone forth from the bosom of the Father before the morning-star, is to be born from the Virgin!
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
How can the least of caves, exceedingly poor, receive Thee Who art born in the flesh, O Word? How art Thou wrapped in swaddling-bands, Who clothest the sky in clouds? How dost Thou lie in a manger of dumb beasts as a babe.
Canon of the Hieromartyr, Irmos: Foreseeing in the Spirit …,
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
As a prisoner thou dost illumine the earth with the effulgence of thy sufferings, O sacred Ignatius; for making thy transit like the sun, shedding rays of martyrdom, thou didst enlighten the whole evening, shining forth from the East.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Bound like Paul between irrational beasts, thou didst hasten to Rome, O wise Ignatius; yet even though thou wast chained thou didst not cease to make the Church steadfast, sending epistles to all the cities, that all the hierarchs of Christ be of good cheer.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
“I hasten to become Christ’s! I desire Christ alone, for I am wholly Christ’s!”, thou didst cry out, O spiritual athlete. “I press onward toward Him; I strive, that I might reach Him! Wherefore, I endure fire, the sword and wild beasts, that I may receive life!”
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
“Sweet to me is affliction, and lovely are the chains I bear for Him Whom I desire!”, thou didst cry, O spiritual athlete; “Persecutions are sweeter to me than my homeland, as is my being broken sweeter than any gladness; my pangs are dearer to me than all the health of my body.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
“Let the mouths of the wild beasts be my death and their bellies my tomb!”, thou didst cry, O spiritual athlete; “Let no one hinder, let no one break my might; for I hasten to be ground like wheat, that God may find me to be pure bread!”
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
As God, O Good One, Thou wast well-pleased to be born for our sake in a cave of the earth, abasing Thyself in embracing our low estate in Thy lovingkindness, issuing forth, incarnate, from the Virgin, yet remaining the only Son of the Father and Thy Mother.
Ode V, Canon of the Forefeast, Irmos: Grant us Thy peace, O Son of God, * for we know no other God than Thee, * and we call upon Thy Name, * for Thou art the God of the living and the dead.
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
Rejoicing let the clouds drop forth sweetness; for the Lord draweth nigh already to be born as a babe of the pure Virgin in an earthen cave.
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
O ye divine prophets of God, leap up! For Christ the Truth cometh to fulfil your divine words, being born as a babe.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Eden which wast locked against me of old, open thyself from henceforth, beholding Christ Who is become a babe in the flesh, for He hath been well-pleased to be born in the city of Bethlehem from the Virgin Maiden.
Canon of the Hieromartyr, Irmos: Grant us Thy peace, O Son of God …,
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
“Such a hierarch hath become for us; wise, venerable, faithful, undefiled and innocent,” cried Paul, describing beforehand the hallowed image of thy sacred character.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Bound and led forth as a hierarch and prisoner of Christ, O Ignatius, thou didst write to the Churches and cities, confirming all in confession.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Piously emulating the corrections of Paul, thou didst endure all tribulations, O right wondrous hieromartyr, thou radiance of the East and star of the evening.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Moved to contend by the desire of Paul, with chains on thy hands thou didst travel the world, O hieromartyr, that by thy sacred sufferings thou mightest be right manifest to all.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We hymn thy struggles, we honour thy fetters with censing and psalms, we venerate the dust of thy relics as rendered redolent of myrrh by thy sacred sufferings.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Becoming like unto mankind through thee, God is born as a babe for our sake, O Bride of God, yet remaineth wholly immutable. God, having become man, is seen in the flesh.
Ode VI, Canon of the Forefeast, Irmos: Emulating the Prophet Jonah, I cry aloud: * Free Thou my life from corruption, O Good One; * and save me who crieth out: * O Saviour of the world, Glory be to Thee!
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
To the astrologers doth heaven now shine forth on earth in the city Of David: the King of heaven, Who is born for our sake.
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
Manifestly doth the prophet speak forth with eloquence, crying out: “O Bethlehem, thou house of Ephratha, wherein God appeareth from the Virgin, leap up and dance!”
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
In the cave of Bethlehem the Virgin manifestly giveth birth to the Lord and Creator of all, and, having wrapped Him as babe in swaddling bands, she now layeth Him in the manger.
Canon of the Hieromartyr, Irmos: Emulating the Prophet Jonah …,
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Truly loving Him Whom thou didst unwaveringly desire, and having noetically kindled a fire for Him, O Ignatius, thou didst have in thee the water which liveth and speaketh.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Fulfilling the testimony of thy conscience, thou wast not dissuaded at the sight of the wild beasts, nor wast thou affrighted, for thou didst desire to be ground like wheat by their jaws.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
O hieromartyr, thy long torments and unbroken bonds, thy rending asunder in Rome, and the fire of the torturers, which thou didst endure for thy Creator, thou didst reckon as naught.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Burning greatly with the love of Christ, O spiritual athlete, thou didst tread upon the fire of thy trials as upon the morning dew, that thou mightest attain Him Who loveth thee thereby.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Even though, thirsting, thou didst drain the cup of Christ, yet didst thou ever prefer to suffer rather than to live; and thou didst cry out: “These things are to me nothing more than the means whereby I may attain life!”
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Adorn thyself, O Bethlehem! Prepare thyself, O Ephratha! For He who was begotten of the Father without mother is carried in the womb by a Mother without father, and is born thereby saving us.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin …”: The luminous day of thy radiant struggles proclaimeth to all beforehand * Him Who hath been born in the cave; * for thirsting to delight in His love, * thou didst hasten to be devoured by the wild beasts. ** Wherefore, thou hast been called the God-bearer, O all-wise Ignatius.
Ikos: Once Abraham sacrificed his son, prefiguring the slaying of Him Who sustaineth all things; and thou, O divinely wise one, hast offered thy whole self to Him as a sacrifice, becoming food for the wild beasts, and showing thyself to be pure wheat for thy Creator, truly abiding forever in the granaries of heaven, delighting Him by thy zeal. Having forsaken the whole world for His sake, thou hast been called the God-bearer, O all-wise Ignatius.
Ode VII, Canon of the Forefeast ,Irmos: Thy children who were in the furnace O Saviour, * were neither touched nor troubled by the fire. * Whereupon the three sang, as with a single mouth * Thy praises and blessed Thee, saying: * ‘O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou.’
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
Showing forth the advent of Christ in the flesh, Jeremiah cried aloud: “God hath appeared on earth, incarnate; and He hath found every path of knowledge, being born of His Mother in Bethlehem.”
Lo! from the root of Jesse a rod hath sprung forth producing Christ as its flower.
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
On Him Who is now born thereon in the cave doth the Spirit of understanding, counsel and divine vision rest.
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
Let us listen to the sacred words: the Lord is born as a babe for our sake. His government is upon His shoulders, and He is called the Angel of the great Counsel of the great Father, Christ, the Prince of peace!
Canon of the Hieromartyr, Irmos: Thy children who were in the furnace O Saviour …,
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Thou didst have within thee none of the fire which loveth fuel, O Ignatius, but rather the living water which speaketh, the water which crieth aloud: “Come thou to the Father!”, the water which runneth from life to the life which transcendeth us.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
“Let the fangs of the wild beasts be for me a sword, weapons and slaughter; let the bellies of the lions be for me a tomb; and let the fire devour me before corruption devoureth my remains!” said Ignatius.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
“To me death is sweet,” he said; “to me all the pangs of my labours are sweet: the wild beasts are delightful, and this fire is like dew unto me, if it doth not withhold Life from me. Wherefore, I hasten to die, that I may live with Christ!”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
“I prefer not to live in the body, for I desire to live in spirit. A thing of divine love is it for me to live for Christ. To Him do I go; Him. do I love, and Him do I hope to receive!”, he said.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He Who was foretold by the prophet of old approacheth me as a babe born from the Virgin; Adam rejoiceth, and Eve, our first mother, is released from her pangs. And David, the father of her who giveth birth, danceth with her.
Ode VIII, Canon of the Forefeast, Irmos: Him of whom the angels and all the hosts of heaven are in awe * as their Lord and Creator, * ye priests hymn, ye children praise, * ye peoples bless and supremely exalt * throughout all ages.
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
The Lord manifestly cometh to His own by a strange birth, let us receive Him, that, being born in the cave, He may again make His own those who were exiled from the sweetness of paradise.
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
Lo! our Restoration cometh! With zeal let us give voice to hymns of joy and let us chant the songs of the forefeast, unto Him Who is to be contained by the least of caves.
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
That which the Lord hath promised, He hath already fulfilled, having given us His Virgin Mother from the seed of David. From her hath a Babe been born in the flesh in the city of Bethlehem, in a manner past all telling.
Canon of the Hieromartyr, Irmos: Him of Whom the angels …,
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Hymned be Ignatius, the godly hierarch, twice crowned, as martyr and pastor; for, having suffered for the love of God, desiring to be desired, he was not dissuaded from suffering.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
With journeys of faith, like the sun from the heavens thou didst valiantly pass over the ends of the earth; and having passed without waning, from the earth to Christ, thou illuminest the world with the light of incorruption.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Thirsting for the cup of the suffering of Christ, thou didst hasten, bound, O wise Ignatius; and having reached the arena, thou didst not pause, crying aloud: “I thirst for Christ with an eternal thirst!”
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
O the love and ardour of divine zeal! He is crucified to the desires that he might live for Him Who loveth. He thirsteth for Him Who thirsted and loveth Him Who loveth, preferring to die, that He might live forever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Putting aside the flesh, he immaterially furnished wings to his mind; to soar aloft to Him Who Is, desiring Him Who loveth; for He is truly eternal Desire, Wisdom, the Life of those who have existed.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Christ, the Star, hath shone forth out of Jacob, and the magi hasten to the city of Bethlehem, to hymn, worship and honour Him Who was born from the womb of the pure Theotokos.
Ode IX, Canon of the Forefeast, Irmos: The ever-flowing wellspring of life, * light-bearing candlestick of grace, * the animate temple, and most pure cloud, * wider than the heavens and the
earth, * the Theotokos do we the faithful magnify.
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
With the patriarchs and all the righteous, and with the holy prophets let us leap up. The Lord Jesus, our Deliverance, Enlightenment, Life and Salvation, is now born from the Virgin in the city of David!
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
Already the outer gates of the incarnation of the divine Word have manifestly been opened unto all! Rejoice, O ye heavens! Ye angels, leap up! Let the earth be glad in the Spirit with the shepherd and magi!
Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.
As a noetic phial the Virgin holdeth Christ as though He were ointment which hath not been poured forth; and He cometh forth to be manifestly poured out by the Spirit in the cave, that He might fill our souls with His sweet fragrance.
Canon of the Hieromartyr, Irmos: The ever-flowing wellspring of life …,
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Ignatius, the seer of things afar off, the minister of the highest mysteries, performing the immaculate service, as a priest hath made himself a sacrifice through martyrdom, and prepareth himself for the wild beasts and the fire.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
Desiring to clothe thyself in the image of God, thou didst remove the ancient image. Wherefore, receiving the pristine beauty of man’s primal appearance through that which is new, not that which is old, thou dwellest together with Christ.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
By thy sufferings thou didst make thy sacred vesture yet more sacred, O most sacred one; wherefore, having received a twofold crown, with the martyrs and pastors thou dost hymn Christ our God, O Hieromartyr.
Holy hieromartyr, Ignatius, pray to God for us.
“I am the pure wheat of God,” thou didst say; “and I am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that in sanctity I may be made into pure bread for God Who loveth mankind; and, loving Him, I do not refuse to die.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Illumined with light unapproachable, and dwelling in the mansions on high, O sacred Ignatius, praying continually to God thy Creator on behalf of thy flock, cease thou never in thy supplications.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Rejoice, O pure one, thou animate city of God, wherein God was well-pleased to make His abode! For, without leaving the highest, He descended within thee, like rain upon the earth, O Birthgiver of God, and is born as a babe in the city of Bethlehem.
Troparion of the forefeast, in Tone IV: Make ready, O Bethlehem! * Open unto all, O Eden! * Adorn thyself, O Ephratha! * For the Tree of life hath blossomed forth from the Virgin in the cave. * Her womb is shown to be a noetic paradise, * wherein lieth a divine garden, * eating from whence we live, not dying like Adam. * Christ is born to raise up His image ** which before was fallen.
Troparion of the hieromartyr, in Tone IV: As thou didst share in the ways of the apostles * and didst occupy their throne, * thou didst find thine activity to be a passage to divine vision, * O divinely inspired one. * Wherefore, ordering the word of truth, * thou didst suffer for the Faith even to the shedding of thy blood, ** O hieromartyr Ignatius, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.