GREAT VESPERS

Usual Beginning

Psalm 103

Great Ektenia

Blessed is the Man

Small Ektenia

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

The Forerunner beheld our Enlightenment,
Who has brought light to all mankind,
draw near for baptism:
and he rejoiced in soul while his hand trembled.
And he showed Him to the people, saying:
“Behold, the Redeemer of Israel,
Who sets us free from corruption.”
O sinless Christ our God, glory to You.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

The Forerunner beheld our Enlightenment,
Who has brought light to all mankind,
draw near for baptism:
and he rejoiced in soul while his hand trembled.
And he showed Him to the people, saying:
“Behold, the Redeemer of Israel,
Who sets us free from corruption.”
O sinless Christ our God, glory to You.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

The hosts of angels were filled with fear,
as they saw our Deliverer baptized by a servant
and receiving witness through the coming of the Spirit.
And the Father’s voice was heard from on high:
“He upon Whom the Forerunner lays his hand,
the same is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.”
O Christ our God, glory to You.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

The hosts of angels were filled with fear,
as they saw our Deliverer baptized by a servant
and receiving witness through the coming of the Spirit.
And the Father’s voice was heard from on high:
“He upon Whom the Forerunner lays his hand,
the same is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.”
O Christ our God, glory to You.

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

The streams of the Jordan received You Who are the fountain,
and the Comforter descended in the form of a dove.
He Who bowed the heavens, bowed His head,
and the clay cried aloud to Him that formed him:
“Why do You command of me what lies beyond my power?
For I have need to be baptized of You.”
O sinless Christ our God, glory to You.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

The streams of the Jordan received You Who are the fountain,
and the Comforter descended in the form of a dove.
He Who bowed the heavens, bowed His head,
and the clay cried aloud to Him that formed him:
“Why do You command of me what lies beyond my power?
For I have need to be baptized of You.”
O sinless Christ our God, glory to You.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Wishing to save man gone astray,
You have not disdained to clothe Yourself in the form of a servant.
For it befitted You, as Master and God,
to take upon Yourself our nature for our sakes.
For You, O Deliverer, have been baptized in the flesh,
making us worthy of forgiveness.
Therefore, we cry to You:
“O Christ our God and Benefactor, glory to You.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Wishing to save man gone astray,
You have not disdained to clothe Yourself in the form of a servant.
For it befitted You, as Master and God,
to take upon Yourself our nature for our sakes.
For You, O Deliverer, have been baptized in the flesh,
making us worthy of forgiveness.
Therefore, we cry to You:
“O Christ our God and Benefactor, glory to You.

Glory… Now…

You have bowed Your head before the Forerunner
and have crushed the heads of the dragons.
You have descended into the waters,
and have given light to all things,
that they may glorify You, O Saviour,
the Enlightenment of our souls.

Entrance with the Gospel

Tranquil Light

Prokeimenon
of the day

Readings
Genesis 1: 1-13;
Exodus 14: 15-18, 21-23, 27-29
Exodus 15: 22- 16: 1

Then the priest intones the entire text of the following Troparion in Tone 5:
O Creator of the world, You have appeared in the world to give light to those that sit in darkness. Glory to You who love mankind.

When the priest has finished, we respond by repeating the conclusion:
To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.

Then the priest intones the following verses of Psalm 66 (67), and we repeat the Troparion’s conclusion after each verse.

God, be merciful to us and bless us; make the light of Your face shine upon us and have mercy on us. That we may know Your way upon earth, Your salvation among all nations.

Response: To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.

Let the peoples give praise to You O God, may all the peoples give praise to You. Let the nations be glad and rejoice, for You will judge the peoples with justice and guide the nations on earth.

Response: To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.

Let the peoples give praise to You, O God, may all the peoples give praise to You.

Response: To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.

The earth has yielded her fruit; may God, our God, bless us. May God bless us, and let all the ends of the earth fear Him.

Response: To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Response: To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.

Then the priest intones the first half of the Troparion:
O Creator of the world, You have appeared in the world.

And we conclude:
To give light to those that sit in darkness.* Glory to You who love mankind.

Joshua the Son of Nun 3:7-8, 15-17
The Fourth Book of Kings (2 Kings) 2:6-14
The Fourth Book of Kings (2 Kings) 5:9-14

Then the priest intones another Troparion in Tone 6:
In the greatness of Your compassion You have revealed Yourself, O our Savior, to sinners and publicans. For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.

When the priest has finished, we respond by repeating the conclusion:
For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.

Then the priest intones the following verses of Psalm 92 (93), and we repeat the Troparion’s conclusion after each verse.

The Lord is King; He is clothed with beauty; the Lord is clothed with strength and has girded Himself. For He has established the world which shall not be shaken.

Response: For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.

Your throne is prepared from of old; You are from everlasting.

Response: For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.

The floods have lifted up, O Lord; the floods have lifted up their voices. The floods shall lift up their breakers with the noise of many waters.

Response: For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.

Wonderful are the surging waves of the sea; wonderful is the Lord on high. Your testimonies have become exceedingly credible; holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

Response: For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Response: For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.

Then the priest intones the first half of the Troparion:
In the greatness of Your compassion You have revealed Yourself, O our Saviour, to sinners and publicans.

And we conclude:
For where should Your light have shone if not on those who sit in darkness? Glory to You.

Isaiah 1:16-20
Genesis 32:1-10
Exodus 2:5-10
Judges 6:36-40
The Third Book of Kings (1 Kings) 18:30-39
The Fourth Book of Kings (2 Kings) 2:19-22
Isaiah 49:8-15

Small Litany

Trisagion

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
The Lord is my light and my Saviour* whom shall I fear (whom shall I fear).
verse: The Lord is the protector of my life; of whom shall I be afraid.

Epistle
1 Corinthians: 9: 19-27

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: My heart erupts with a goodly theme; I address my words to the king.
verse: You are the most splendidly beautiful of men.

Gospel
Luke 3: 1-18

Triple Ektenia

Deign, O Lord

Ektenia of Supplication with Bowing of Heads

Great Blessing of the Water (See below)

 

---

GREAT BLESSING OF THE WATER ON THEOPHANY

Immediately after the Prayer behind the Ambon, the clergy go in procession, with lights and incense, to the place where the Blessing of the Waters is to be held, the priest holding in his hand the Precious Cross. Meanwhile, the following stichera are sung:

Tone 8:

The Lord’s voice cries out over the waters saying:* “Come, all of you, and receive the Spirit of wisdom,* the Spirit of understanding,* the Spirit of the fear of God,* from Christ Who is made manifest.” Thrice

Today the nature of the waters is sanctified,* and the Jordan is parted in two;* it holds back the stream of its own waters,* seeing the Master wash Himself. Twice

O Christ the King, You have come to the river as a man,* and in Your goodness You hasten to receive the baptism of a servant* at the hands of the Forerunner, for the sake of our sins,* O You Who love mankind. Twice

Glory… Now… in the same tone:

At the voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord,”* You have come, O Lord, taking the form of a servant,* and You Who know no sin asked for baptism.* The waters saw You and were afraid;* the Forerunner was seized with trembling, and cried aloud, saying:* “How shall the lamp illuminate the Light?* How shall the servant set his hand upon the Master?* O Saviour Who takes away the sin of the world,* sanctify both me and the waters.”

Reading

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: A reading from the prophecies of Isaiah.

Deacon: Let us be attentive!

Reader: Thus says the LORD: The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it will blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you.” Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah. The scorched land will become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, its resting place, grass becomes reeds and rushes. A highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way, and fools will not wander on it. No lion will be there, nor will any vicious beast go up on it; these will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (35:1-10)

Reading

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: A reading from the prophecies of Isaiah.

Deacon: Let us be attentive!

Reader: Thus says the LORD: “Lo! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy, and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David. Behold, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you will call a nation you do not know, and a nation which knows you not will run to you, because of the LORD your God, even the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you.” Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, and instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, and it will be a memorial to the LORD, for an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.” (55:1-13)

Reading

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: A reading from the prophecies of Isaiah.

Deacon: Let us be attentive!

Reader: Thus says the LORD: Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. And in that day you will say, “Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted.” Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things; let this be known throughout the earth. Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (12:3-6)

Deacon: Let us be attentive!

Priest: Peace be with all!

Deacon: Wisdom! Let us be attentive!

Prokeimenon, Tone 3 (Ps. 26)

The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?

verse: The Lord is the defender of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?

Epistle

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: A reading from the first epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.

Deacon: Let us be attentive!

Reader: Brethren: For I do not want you to be unaware, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. (10:1-4)

Alleluia, Tone 4 (Ps. 28)

verse: The voice of the Lord is upon the waters.

verse: The God of glory thundered, the Lord is upon many waters.

Gospel

Deacon: Wisdom. Stand aright. let us listen to the holy Gospel.

Priest: Peace be with all.

All: And with your spirit.

Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark.

All: Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You.

Deacon: Let us be attentive.

Priest: In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with whom I am well pleased.” (1:9-11)

All: Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You.

Ektenia

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

For peace in the whole world, for the well-being of the holy Churches of God and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy temple and for all who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For the holy ecumenical Pontiff, N., the Pope of Rome, for his beatitude, our Patriarch, N., our most reverend Metropolitan, N., our God-loving Bishop, N., for the honourable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our civil authorities and all the military, let us pray to the Lord.

For seasonable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who travel by sea, air, and land; for the sick, the suffering, the captive, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

For this water, that it may be sanctified by the might and operation and descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

For these waters, that the cleansing operation of the Trinity supreme in being may come down upon them, let us pray to the Lord.

For these waters, that they may be given the grace of redemption and the blessing of the Jordan by the power and operation and descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

That Satan may be swiftly crushed beneath our feet, and that every counsel that is directed against us by the Evil One may be made of no effect, let us pray to the Lord.

That He will deliver us from every attack and temptation of the Adversary, and make us worthy of the good things that are promised, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be enlightened by the light of knowledge and godliness through the descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord may send down the blessing of the Jordan and sanctify these waters, let us pray to the Lord.

For this water, that it may become a gift of sanctification, a remission of sins, for the healing of soul and body and for every purpose that is expedient, let us pray to the Lord.

For this water, that it may become a fountain springing up unto eternal life, let us pray to the Lord.

For this water, that it may serve to the averting of every evil purpose of enemies visible and invisible, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who draw from this water and take it for the sanctification of their dwellings, let us pray to the Lord.

For this water, that it may bestow cleansing of soul and body upon all who draw it with faith and partake of it, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be deemed worthy to be filled with holiness through partaking of these waters, by the invisible manifestation of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord our God may hearken to the entreaty of us sinners and have mercy on us, let us pray to the Lord.

That we be delivered from all affliction, wrath, danger and need, let us pray to the Lord

Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by Your grace.

Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ our God.

All: To You, O Lord.

During this litany, the priest prays quietly:

O Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son, Who are in the bosom of the Father, True God, source of life and immortality, Light of Light, Who came into the world to enlighten it, shine upon our understanding with Your Holy Spirit and accept us who offer You glory and thanksgiving for all Your great and wondrous works from all ages, and for Your saving dispensation in these last times. For You have clothed Yourself in our poor and infirm nature, and have submitted Yourself to servitude, You Who are the King of all; and moreover You have accepted to be baptized in the Jordan by the hand of a servant, that having sanctified the nature of the waters, O sinless Lord, You might lead us to a new birth through water and Spirit, and restore us again to our original freedom. Keeping feast in remembrance of this divine mystery, we entreat You, O Master Who love mankind: sprinkle upon us, Your unworthy servants, according to Your divine promise, cleansing water, the gift of Your compassion; grant that the petition of us sinners over this water may be acceptable to Your goodness, and that thereby Your blessing may be granted to us and to all Your faithful people to the glory of Your holy and venerated Name.

For to You, together with Your Father Who is without beginning, and Your most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, are due glory, honour and worship, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

And now, if he desires, the priest prays this prayer:

Priest: O Trinity supreme in being, in goodness, and in Godhead, almighty, who watch over all, incomprehensible, Maker of spiritual beings and rational natures, innate Goodness, Light that none can approach and that lightens every man that comes into the world: Shine also upon me Your unworthy servant. Enlighten the eyes of my understanding that I may make bold to sing the praises of Your measureless beneficence and Your might. May the prayer that I offer be acceptable for the people here present. Let not my faults hinder Your Holy Spirit from coming to this place, but suffer me now uncondemned to cry to You, O most good Lord, and to say:

We glorify You, O Master who loves mankind, almighty, pre-eternal King. We glorify You, the Creator and Maker of all. We glorify You, O Only-begotten Son of God, born without father from Your Mother and without mother from Your Father. In the preceding feast we saw You as a child, while in the present we behold You full-grown, our God made manifest, perfect God from perfect God. For today the time of the feast is at hand for us: the choir of saints assembles with us and angels join with men in keeping festival. Today the grace of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descended upon the waters. Today the Sun that never sets has risen and the world is filled with splendour by the light of the Lord. Today the moon shines upon the world with the brightness of its rays. Today the glittering stars make the inhabited earth fair with the radiance of their shining. Today the clouds drop down upon mankind the dew of righteousness from on high. Today the Uncreated of His own will accepts the laying on of hands from His own creature. Today the Prophet and Forerunner approaches the Master, but stands before Him with trembling, seeing the condescension of God towards us. Today the waters of the Jordan are transformed into healing by the coming of the Lord. Today the whole creation is watered by mystical streams. Today the transgressions of men are washed away by the waters of the Jordan. Today Paradise has been opened to men and the Sun of Righteousness shines down upon us. Today the bitter water, as once with Moses and the people of Israel, is changed to sweetness by the coming of the Lord. Today we have been released from our ancient lamentation, and  as the new Israel we have found salvation. Today we have been delivered from darkness and illuminated with the light of the knowledge of God. Today the blinding mist of the world is dispersed by the Epiphany of our God. Today the whole creation shines with light from on high. Today error is laid low and the coming of the Master has made for us a way of salvation. Today things above keep feast with things below, and things below commune with things above. Today the triumphant assembly of the orthodox keep this holy festival with great joy. Today the Master hastens towards baptism that He may lift man up to the heights. Today He that bows not, bows down to His own servant that He may set us free from bondage. Today we have purchased the Kingdom of Heaven; for the Lord’s Kingdom shall have no end. Today earth and sea share the joy of the world, and the world is filled with gladness.

The waters saw You, O God, the waters saw You and were afraid. The Jordan turned back, seeing the fire of the Godhead descending bodily and entering its stream. The Jordan turned back, beholding the Holy Spirit coming down in the form of a dove and flying about You. The Jordan turned back, seeing the Invisible made visible, the Creator made flesh, the Master in the form of a servant. The Jordan turned back and the mountains skipped, looking upon God in the flesh; and the clouds gave voice, marveling at Him who was come, the Light of Light, true God of true God. For today in the Jordan they saw the triumph of the Master; they saw Him drown in the Jordan the death of disobedience, the sting of error, and the chains of hell, and bestow upon the world the baptism of salvation. Therefore, sinner and unworthy servant that I am, I recount the majesty of Your wonders and, seized with fear, in compunction I cry aloud to You:

The priest makes the sign of the cross over the water with a trikirion and dips it into the water saying:

Great are You, O Lord,
and marvelous are Your works;
no words suffice to sing the praise of Your wonders. Thrice

For You of Your own will have brought all things out of nothingness into being, and by Your power You hold together the creation, and by Your providence You govern the world. Of four elements You have compounded the creation: with four seasons have You crowned the circuit of the year. All the spiritual powers tremble before You. The sun sings Your praises; the moon glorifies You, the stars supplicate before You; the light obeys You; the deeps are afraid at Your presence; the fountains are Your servants. You have stretched out the heavens like a curtain; You have established the earth upon the waters; You have walled about the sea with sand. You have poured forth the air that living things may breathe. The angelic powers minister to You; the choirs of angels worship You; the many-eyed cherubim and the six-winged seraphim, standing around You and flying about You, hide their faces in fear of Your unapproachable glory. You, the uncircumscribed God, without beginning and beyond speech, have come upon earth, taking the form of a servant and being made in the likeness of man. For You, O Master, in Your merciful compassion could not bear to see mankind beneath the tyranny of the devil, but You have come and saved us. We confess Your grace, we proclaim Your mercy, we hide not Your beneficence. You have set free the offspring of our kind. You have hallowed a Virgin womb by Your Nativity. At Your Epiphany the whole creation sang Your praises. For You, our God, have appeared on earth and dwelt among men, You have sanctified the streams of Jordan, sending down from on high the most Holy Spirit, and You have broken the heads of the dragons hidden therein.

The priest blows on the water in the form of cross each time saying:

Therefore, O King who loves mankind,
be present now as then through the descent of Your Holy Spirit,
and sanctify this water. Thrice

And confer upon it the grace of redemption, the blessing of the Jordan. Make it a source of incorruption, a gift of sanctification, a remission of sins, a protection against disease, a destruction to demons, inaccessible to the adverse powers and filled with angelic strength: that all who draw from it and partake of it may have it for the cleansing of their soul and body, for the healing of their passions, for the sanctification of their dwellings, for every purpose that is expedient. For You are our God, who renewed through water and Spirit our nature grown old through sin. You are our God, who drowned sin through water in the days of Noah. You are our God who, through the waters of the sea, at the hand of Moses set free the Hebrew nation from the bondage of Pharaoh. You are our God who cleft the rock in the wilderness: the waters gushed out, the streams overflowed, and You satisfied Your thirsty people. You are our God who by water and fire through Elijah brought back Israel from the error of Baal.

And blessing the water with his hand dipped into the water he says:

Now as then, O Master,
sanctify this water by Your Holy Spirit. Thrice

Grant to all who touch it, who anoint themselves with it or drink from it, sanctification, blessing, cleansing, and health. And save, O Lord, Your servants our faithful rulers. Keep them in peace under Your protection; put under their feet every enemy and adversary; bestow upon them whatsoever they ask unto salvation and eternal life. So, by the elements, by the angels and by men, by things visible and invisible, may Your most holy Name be glorified, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Priest: Peace be with all.

All: And with your spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.

All: To You, O Lord.

The priest prays quietly while bowing:

Incline Your ear and hearken to us, O Lord who accepted baptism in the Jordan and sanctified the waters. Bless us all who by the bowing of our heads outwardly show You our servitude; and count us worthy to be filled with Your sanctification through partaking of this water and being sprinkled with it, and may it bring us, O Lord, health of soul and body.

Priest: For You are the sanctification of our souls and bodies, and to You we ascribe glory, thanksgiving and worship, with Your Father without beginning, and Your most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

The priest now makes the sign of the Cross over the water with the Precious Cross: then, holding the Cross upright in both hands, he plunges it into the water, and lifts it from the water once again. As he does this, he sings the Troparion of the Feast in Tone 1:

At Your Baptism in the Jordan river, O Christ,* the worship due to the Holy Trinity was made manifest,* for the voice of the Father bore You witness by calling You “Beloved Son”* and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove,* confirmed the immutability of this declaration.* O Christ God, who came forth and filled the world with light:* Glory to You! Thrice

The rest of the clergy, and then the people, approach and kiss the Cross, and the priest sprinkles water on the head of each one with a branch of basil. Clergy and people also drink from the water which has been blessed. During this time the choir continues to sing the Troparion.

Then the following sticheron is sung in Tone 6:

You faithful, let us praise the greatness of God’s dispensation towards us.* For, becoming man on account of our transgression,* He who alone is clean and undefiled* was cleansed in the Jordan that we might be made clean,* sanctifying us and the waters,* and crushing the heads of the dragons in the water.* Let us then draw water in gladness, O brethren:* for upon those who draw with faith,* the grace of the Spirit is invisibly bestowed by Christ* the God and Saviour of our souls.

And also:

All: Blessed be the Name of the Lord, now and for ever. Thrice

And Psalm 33:

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall be constantly in my mouth. My soul shall glory in the Lord; let the meek hear and rejoice. Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together. I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Approach the Lord and be enlightened, and your face shall never be shamed. The poor cried out and the Lord heard them and delivered them from all their afflictions. The angel of the Lord will set up camp around those who fear the Lord and save them. Taste and see how good is the Lord; blessed is the one who hopes in Him. Fear the Lord, all you His saints, for there is no privation for those who fear Him. The rich have become poor and hungry but those who seek the Lord shall not want any good.

And after first drinking the holy water, the people receive from the priest the Antidor.

Priest: The blessing of the Lord be upon you with His grace and love for mankind, always, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Priest: Glory be to You, O Christ, our God, our hope, glory be to You.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (3) Give the blessing.

Priest: Christ our true God, Who willed to be baptized in the Jordan by John for our salvation, through the prayers of His immaculate Mother and all the saints, will have mercy and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.

All: Amen.