Divine Liturgy - Sunday, December 20, 2020

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20th TONE 3 28th Sunday after Pentecost (13th of Luke) Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ Sunday before the Nativity [Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer, Bishop of Antioch] Today's Liturgical Texts Tone 3 Troparion (Resurrection) Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown strength with His arm. He has trampled down death by death. He has become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted to the world// great mercy. Tone 4 Troparion (Forefeast) Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all! Adorn thyself, O Ephratha, for the Tree of Life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave! Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit; if we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam.// Christ comes to restore the image which He made in the beginning. Tone 2 Troparion (Holy Fathers) Great are the accomplishments of faith, for the three Holy Youths rejoice in the fountain of flames as though in the waters of rest; and the Prophet Daniel appeared a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep.// So by their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls! Tone 1 Kontakion (Fathers) Rejoice, O Bethlehem! Prepare thyself, O Ephratha! The Lamb is on her way to give birth to the Chief Shepherd she carries in her womb. The God-bearing Forefathers will rejoice, beholding Him, and with the shepherds, they will glorify the Virgin nursing Him. Tone 3 Kontakion (Forefeast) Today the Virgin comes to the cave to give birth to the Eternal Word. Hear the glad tidings and rejoice, O universe! Glorify with the angels and the shepherds the Eternal God, Who is willing to appear as a little child! Tone 4 Prokeimenon (Holy Fathers) Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers, / and praised and glorified is Thy Name forever! (Song of the Three Holy Children, v. 3) V. For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done for us! (v. 4) Epistle (328) Hebrews 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40 (Sunday Before) Tone 4 Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! V. We have heard with our ears, O God, for our fathers have told us. (Ps. 43:1a) V. For Thou hast saved us from them that oppose us, and hast put to shame them that hate us. (Ps. 43:8) Gospel (1) Matthew 1:1-25 (Sunday Before) Communion Hymn Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest! (Ps. 148:1) Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous; praise befits the just! (Ps. 32:1) Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!