When to visit the temple for Christmas. When to visit the temple for Christmas Why is Christmas celebrated on different days
Orthodox Christmas service from January 6 to 7 takes place in churches and temples around the world.
Christmas services begin on January 6th in the morning, ending at 1-3 am on the 7th, but from time to time already at dawn - with a Liturgy with the singing of carols...
On Christmas Eve, parishioners go to church for evening service, confess, and receive communion. The ministers in the church know approximately their own parish; the duration of the service depends on the number of people.
Therefore, the start time is determined differently - the All-Night Vigil occurs on the eve of major church holidays, the beginning in various Temples is from 17:00 to 23:00.
Great Vespers (Great Compline) begins with hymns, after which from time to time they confess almost until midnight, and then at 00:00 the night Christmas liturgy, and from time to time, on the contrary, first the whole service, then confession and communion, there are no strict rules...
The service for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ begins late in the evening on January 6th. Usually at 11 o'clock after midnight in all Orthodox churches a special festive service is held, which lasts until approximately 3 - 4 o'clock in the morning.
On the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, on the night of the event, an all-night vigil, hours and the Divine Liturgy of John Chrysostom are served. The All-Night Vigil begins not with the usual Vespers, but with Compline. Most of the liturgical texts of this service are proofread. However, at Christmas Compline there is a main solemn festive hymn. It involves singing in chorus verses from the prophetic book of Isaiah about how God himself is now present with people, who is great and mighty. The Lord is called in this hymn the Father of the future age. This chant begins with the words “God is with us, understand the pagans and repent, as God is with us.” The holiday chant itself is briefly named after the first words of Isaiah’s prophecy - “God is with us.”
noname writes: I went to church this morning and asked what time the Christmas service would start, they told me it was at twelve. Wow! I have never been to a Christmas service, and in connection with this the question is: how long does it last? 2 hours? Or more? Who was?
As I understand it, at 12 at night, not at 12 in the afternoon. You have two options: 1) from 12 at night the Christmas all-night vigil is served, consisting of Great Compline, Matins and the 1st hour, then, as usual: 3, 6 o’clock and Liturgy, 2) or the all-night vigil is served in advance, in the evening , and at 12 the hours, confession and Liturgy begin. I'm almost sure that you have option 1, although anything can happen in our kingdom. According to the 1st option, 3-4 hours minimum, according to the second - 1.5-3...
I’m telling you, we had something to do - we finished in the morning, an hour before transport, but we had to leave the entrance to the monastery and the Great Cathedral open - many without cars, and there was no way to leave. Then they stopped doing this - apparently, they decided that it wasn’t a good thing, after all, for strangers to hang around the monastery at night.
When we had a smaller parish, we always served at night and finished in the morning. And before the first transport, everyone just had time to break their fast together. But now there are a lot of people, it’s more difficult to organize a general breaking of the fast. In addition, previously those who prepared tea and sandwiches were actually unable to fully participate in the service (and these were not other people’s mercenaries, but our parishioners and church employees). Therefore, now the general holiday no longer takes place after the night service, but in the afternoon of the next day, when people have already rested and slept well.
But if someone does not have time to leave at night for some reason (for example, traveling far and with transfers), they calmly stay overnight in the temple, there is no one in the cold...
At night, festive services were held in all churches and temples in Russia. The center of these celebrations was the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. Over 5 thousand people gathered there last night. Despite the fact that entrance to the temple was free, it could not accommodate everyone.
An icon of the Nativity was installed in the center of the temple; this was a gift from Bethlehem for the 2000th anniversary of Christianity. The Christmas service was led by Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II. He served Compline, Matins and the Divine Liturgy.
On the night of January 6th to 7th, the Nativity Fast also ends. Therefore, all believers have a festive meal in the morning. Usually they bake a goose with apples, and instead of dessert they bake a cake in the shape of a clock with hands approaching midnight.
In the villages they sing carols and exchange gifts. But, perhaps, the most important tradition of Christmas is to do good deeds on these days, so that no one on this bright holiday feels...
The solemn liturgy also took place in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Poikovsky.
Nikolai Savin is always on duty on Christmas Eve. Helps lead the service. For him, this holiday gives special joy.
When a child is born in the house - what feelings can there be? Anticipation of the birth of a new man, and here Christ himself appeared. Life itself has appeared for all of us, believers and non-believers. Savior of all who are waiting for salvation, - Nikolai Savin, head of the household of the Church of the Holy Trinity, shares his joy
Dozens of Poikovo residents came to the all-night vigil to pray for the birth of the savior of the world. But it is precisely on this world-saving holiday that there are always a lot of young people in the church. Moreover, they come to the temple of the urban settlement even from other cities.
On this bright holiday, it is customary to wear white clothes and give Christmas gifts. And also go caroling.
According to the Bible, Jesus Christ...
yesterday at 02:15
RIA "Voronezh
About 1.5 thousand people came to Christmas services in the churches of Pavlovsk
Festive services dedicated to the Nativity of Christ were held in the Kazan and Intercession churches of Pavlovsk on Thursday, January 7. ...In the churches, the Christmas messages of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill, the head of the Voronezh Metropolis, Bishop Sergius, and the ruling bishop of the Rossoshan diocese, Bishop Andrei, were read out.
Kommersant-Online
Christmas in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior
On January 7, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the most important Christian holidays - the Nativity of Christ. How the service took place in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior - in the Kommersant photo gallery. On January 7, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the most important Christian holidays - the Nativity of Christ.
Festive services were held across the planet
Festive services...
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Druzhinina Elena, 2-"B" class, MBOU Secondary School No. 4, Lensk
Head: O.N. Plakhova, primary school teacher, Municipal Budgetary Educational Institution Secondary School No. 4
Orthodox holidays. Nativity.
One of my favorite Orthodox holidays is the great twelfth feast of the Church, the Nativity of Christ.
At the time when Mary was destined to give birth to a baby, a census of the population of the Roman Empire was taking place by order of Emperor Augustus. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, because according to the same decree of the emperor, in order to facilitate the census process, each resident had to come to “their” city. Both Mary and Joseph were from the line of David, so they had to go to Bethlehem.
After Mary and Joseph were unable to stay at the inn because all the places were occupied, they were forced to spend the night in a cave intended to shelter livestock for the night. It was in this cave (later called the Cave of the Nativity) that Mary went into labor. She gave birth to a son, whom she named...
For Orthodox Christians who celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar, Christmas Eve began on Wednesday. By tradition, the Orthodox Church celebrates it two weeks later than representatives of other Christian denominations.
Christmas Eve is the eve of the holidays of the Nativity of Christ and the Epiphany, respectively. On Christmas Eve, Christmastide begins - two weeks of winter holidays, continuing until Epiphany, which is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on January 19. According to tradition, on Christmas Eve it is customary to refuse food until the first star.
In Lithuania, services began on the morning of January 6, and on the night of the 6th to the 7th, an All-Night Vigil service will be held at the Prechistensky Cathedral in Vilnius.
In the morning, the service of the Eve of the Nativity of Christ began in Orthodox churches. In different temples it begins at different times.
In Lithuania today there are about 130,000...
Nativity of Christ is the largest Orthodox holiday after Easter (Resurrection of Christ). Celebrated on the evening of January 6th (this day is called “Christmas Eve”) and on the afternoon of January 7th. (These dates correspond to December 24 and 25, old style).
The Nativity of Christ is preceded by the Nativity Fast, which lasts 40 days; from November 28 to January 6 (according to the new calendar). January 6—Christmas Eve—is a day of strict fasting, during which one is supposed to completely abstain from food “until the first star.” The fast ends with the end of the service on January 7th.
The story of the birth of Christ. During services, readings and songs mention the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world (Luke 2:1-21), which was predicted by many prophets. In particular, it is mentioned how this historical event took place: “The Roman Emperor Augustus ordered that...
On the night of January 6 to 7, according to the new style (December 25, according to the old style), the Orthodox Church celebrates with a solemn service perhaps the most joyful Christian holiday - the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. This great holiday is dedicated to the remembrance of the coming to our earthly world of the Limitless and Beginningless Divinity - one of the Persons of the Holy Trinity - God the Son.
The assignment of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ to December 25 according to the old style is not due to the historical correspondence of this date to the true birthday of the Lord, which remains unknown both in antiquity and to this day.
Christ was born more than two thousand years ago from the Most Pure and Immaculate Virgin Mary, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, who lived in the town of Nazareth with her imaginary husband, but rather a guardian,...
On major Orthodox holidays, all Christians try to visit the church in order to take part in the solemn service. Well, since Christmas is considered one of the most significant events in the Christian world, then is held in literally all, even the smallest, churches and chapels. Thus, believers get the opportunity to visit the temple at a place and time convenient for them, especially since Christmas service schedule covers the widest time zones, starting very early and ending well after midnight.
It is an undeniable fact that the bustle of the world does not allow our contemporary to attend church with the regularity that he needs. Meanwhile, on the most important days, such as Christmas, Easter, Trinity, Annunciation and others, true Christians definitely come to church. And in this case Christmas service in church is one of the most important events that are a priority for an Orthodox person. However, Catholic Christmas service is for a believer the measure by which he orients himself and makes his plans. In fact, what we are talking about here is that regardless of religion, a person always worships God, begging him for forgiveness and mercy.
Christmas service in the temple
On Christmas Eve, many of our compatriots, who rarely have the opportunity to visit places of worship, wonder whether What time is Christmas service starts, when should you go to church and how to plan your day? After all, according to tradition, preparations for the holiday of the Nativity of Christ begin on January 6, when you need to have time to prepare 12 dishes and visit the temple. At the same time, it is important to understand that This is an event that you cannot look into for a minute, but you will have to devote quite a lot of time to it.
Festive Christmas service in the church is a special event that the whole family attends. And since we are talking about children here, they need to be prepared for a long and solemn service in advance. On the other hand, it is important to maintain silence and submissiveness, so if the child begins to get tired, then the best option would be to quietly go outside with him. Well, if you find Christmas service text, then in this case you can continue worship at home. Of course, this is not as solemn as in church, but serving and praying to God is not necessarily a triumph; first of all, it is faith and hope.
Beginning of the Christmas service
Christmas is considered one of the biggest Christian holidays, so services on this day are held in each church according to its own schedule. That is, in each specific temple the beginning of the Christmas service determined by the abbot and adjusted with an emphasis on the canons of Christianity. In fact, this means that every believer can come to church at any time convenient for him and stay here for as long as he deems necessary.
On the other hand, since Christmas is a very bright, festive, but also busy day, Christmas service January 6 may be visited. If we take into account the fact that Christmas falls on different days of the week every year, then the duration of the service will depend on this factor. But, be that as it may, and whenever a person comes to the temple, be it January 6 or 7, or on some other date, he can always find support from our Lord Jesus Christ here, light a candle and pray in silence.
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More than 10 thousand people gathered on the main square of Essentuki to celebrate City Day. Disco of the 90s, where the singer performed...
31st Sunday after Pentecost. The Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.
The vigil service of the holiday is being celebrated (according to the Menea). The Sunday Octoechos service is cancelled.
Note. “Be aware: If the Nativity of Christ or the Epiphany happens on Sunday, we will eat nothing on Sunday” (Typikon, December 24, 4th “see”).
The All-Night Vigil for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ consists of Great Compline with lithium, matins And 1st hour. According to the Charter, worship should begin “at about the 10th hour of the night,” that is, according to our reckoning, at 4 o’clock in the morning (see Typikon, December 25). Before it starts it happens the good news and then the sober ringing throughout the whole campaign.
The curtain and the royal gates are opened. The priest and the deacon make the beginning, as on all holidays with a vigil, that is, first they perform incense on the altar and the entire altar. The deacon with a candle goes to the sole and exclaims: “Bless, Master.” The priest before the throne: “Blessed is our God...” (at the same time he makes a cross with a censer). Chorus: "Amen." Reader: “Glory to Thee, our God...”, “Heavenly King,” and reads Great Compline. The priest proceeds from the altar, preceded by the deacon with a candle, and performs a full censing of the entire temple, as at the beginning of the all-night vigil. At the end of the censing, the royal doors are closed. The veil remains open.
According to tradition, the royal doors are opened for the singing of “God is with us...”, the singing of the troparion and kontakion according to the 1st and 2nd Trisagion.
According to the 1st Trisagion - the troparion of the holiday, tone 4: “Thy Nativity, O Christ our God...”.
According to the 2nd Trisagion - the kontakion of the holiday, tone 3: “Today the Virgin gives birth to the Most Essential...”.
According to “Glory to God in the Highest...” - exit to the lithium.
At the litia the stichera of the holiday, tone 1. “Glory” - the holiday, tone 5: “Volsvi, king of Persia...”, “And now” - the holiday, tone 6: “All the Angels in Heaven rejoice...”.
On the poem are the stichera of the holiday, voice 2 and voice 3 (with their own choruses). “Glory” - the holiday, voice 4: “Rejoice, Jerusalem...”, “And now” - the holiday, the same voice: “Thou hast moved into the den...”.
According to the Trisagion - troparion of the holiday, tone 4 (three times).
Calendar notes:From December 25 to January 5 – Svyatki (holy days). No fasting on Wednesday and Friday.
The All-Night Vigil consists of Great Compline, Litia, Matins and the 1st hour. At Great Compline according to the 1st Trisagion the troparion of the holiday is sung, according to the 2nd - kontakion. After reading “Glory to God in the highest...” - lithium.
At matins magnification: “We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, for our sake now born in the flesh from the Blessed and Most Pure Virgin Mary.” After the Gospel according to the 50th Psalm - “Glory”, tone 2: “Every day joys are fulfilled, Christ was born of the Virgin”, “And now” - the same voice: “Every day joys are fulfilled, Christ was born in Bethlehem.” We don’t sing “The Most Honest,” but we sing the choruses of the holiday. 1st chorus: “Glorify, my soul, the Most Honest and Most Glorious of the Hosts of the Mountains, the Most Pure Virgin Mary.”
At the liturgy antiphons of the holiday, entrance verse: « From the womb before the star I gave birth to You, the Lord swears, and will not repent: You – Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek» . Instead of the Trisagion - “Elitsa...”. Instead of “Worthy” - “Magnify, soul... For us to love...” (before giving). Involved in “The Deliverance of the Lord to His People.”
On the weekdays of the after-feast at the liturgy at the entrance: “Come, let us worship... Save us, Son of God, born of the Virgin...”.
Order of readings, according to the calendar: Morning – Matthew, 2 parts, I, 18–25. Lit. – Gal., 209 credits, IV, 4–7.
At matins on “God is the Lord” – troparion of the holiday, tone 4 (twice). “Glory, even now” is the same troparion.
Kathismas 2nd and 3rd. Small litanies. Sedals of the holiday (twice).
Polyeleos. The magnification of the holiday: “We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, for our sake, now born in the flesh of the Blessed and Most Pure Virgin Mary,” and the chosen psalm. Sedalen of the Feast of Polyeleos, Tone 4. “Glory, even now” – the same sedal. Degrees - 1st antiphon of the 4th tone. Prokeimenon, tone 4: “From the womb before the day of birth I gave birth to Thee, the Lord swears and will not repent”; verse: “The Lord speaks to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I will make your enemies your footstool.” The Gospel is a holiday. (“Having seen the Resurrection of Christ...” is not sung.) According to Psalm 50: “Glory” - “Every day joys are fulfilled: Christ was born of the Virgin”, “And now” - “Every day joys are fulfilled: Christ was born in Bethlehem.” Stichera of the holiday, tone 6: “Glory to God in the Highest...”.
Canons: two holidays, for 16 (irmos of the 1st canon: “Christ is born...”, twice, troparia for 6, and irmos of the 2nd canon: “Saved people...”, twice, troparia for 6).
Bible songs “We sing to the Lord...”.
Katavasia – irmos of both canons (for each song).
According to the 3rd song - ipakoi of the holiday, tone 8 (once).
According to the 6th song - kontakion and ikos of the holiday, tone 3.
For the 9th song, we don’t sing “The Most Honest,” but we sing the choruses of the holiday. (The usual incense is performed.)
The 1st lyric sings the chorus of the 1st canon: “Glorify, my soul, the Most Honest and Most Glorious of the Hosts on High, the Most Pure Virgin, Mother of God,” and the irmos of the 1st canon: “I see a strange sacrament...”.
2nd face – the same.
1st lyric chorus: “Glorify, my soul, from the Virgin...”, troparion: “A fair amount of flow is visible...”.
2nd face chorus: “Magnify, my soul, in the den...”, troparion: “A fair amount of flow is seen...”.
1st lyric chorus: “Glorify, my soul, from the sorcerers...”, troparion: “The newborn, by the sorcerer...”.
2nd verse chorus: “Glorify, my soul, from the star...”, troparion: “The newborn, the sorcerer...”.
1st lyric chorus: “Glorify, my soul, the Pure Virgin...”, troparion: “Herod experienced the time of the star...”.
2nd verse chorus: “Volsvi and the shepherd came...”, troparion: “Herod experienced the time of the star...”.
The 1st lyric sings the chorus of the 2nd canon: “Today the Virgin gives birth to the Lord...”, and the irmos of the 2nd canon: “Let us therefore love...”.
2nd lyric chorus: “Today the Lord is born...”, and the same irmos.
1st lyric chorus: “Today the shepherds see the Savior...”, troparion: “The images are dark and canopy...”.
2nd face chorus: “Today the Lord is swaddled in rubble...”, troparion: “Images are dim and canopy...”.
1st lyric chorus: “Today every creature rejoices...”, troparion: “Images are dim and canopy...”.
2nd lyric chorus: “Heavenly Powers of the born Savior...”, troparion: “Receiving the desire of God’s coming...”.
1st lyric chorus (instead of “Glory”): “Glorify, my soul, the Trihypostasis...”, troparion: “Having received the desire of God’s coming...”.
2nd verse chorus (instead of “And now”): “Glorify, my soul, the One who delivers...”, troparion: “The desire that you have received and God’s coming...”.
Then both faces together sing the chorus of the 1st canon: “Glorify, my soul, the Most Honest...”, and the irmos of the 1st canon: “I see a strange sacrament...”, then both faces sing the chorus of the 2nd canon: “Today the Virgin gives birth to the Lord... ”, and the irmos of the 2nd canon: “For us to love...”.
According to the 9th song, “It is worthy to eat” is not sung. (“Holy is the Lord our God” not proclaimed.) The luminary of the holiday: “He has visited us from above...”. “Glory” is the same luminary, “And now” is the same luminary.
“Every breath…” and psalms of praise.
On the praises are the stichera of the holiday, tone 4 - 4. “Glory” - the holiday, tone 6: “When the time was upon the earth...”, “And now” - the holiday, tone 2: “Today Christ is in Bethlehem... "
Great doxology. According to the Trisagion - troparion of the holiday, tone 4 (once).
Let go: “Who was born in the den and reclined in the manger, for our salvation, Christ, our True God, through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother and all the saints, will have mercy and save us, for He is Good and Lover of Mankind.” (Before the giving away on the days of the week, the Great Dismissal begins with the words: “He who was born in a den and reclined in a manger...”)
On the clock there is the troparion and kontakion of the holiday.
Liturgy St. Basil the Great.
Note. “On this day there is a Liturgy for wounds, labor for the sake of vigil” (Typikon, December 25).
Antiphons of the holiday.
Entrance verse for the holiday: “From the womb before the star I gave birth to You, the Lord swears and will not repent: You are a Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Note. Before reciting the entrance verse, one should say “Wisdom, forgive” (see note January 6).
At the entrance - the troparion of the holiday, tone 4, “Glory, and now” - kontakion of the holiday, tone 3.
Instead of the Trisagion - “Those who were baptized into Christ...”.
Prokeimenon, Apostle, Alleluia, Gospel and Communion - the holiday.
Zadostoynik - chorus: “Glorify, my soul...” and irmos: “For us to love...” (and before the celebration of the Nativity of Christ).
Dismissal at the end of the Liturgy - as at Matins.
According to tradition, after the dismissal of the Liturgy, in the middle of the church, in front of the icon of the holiday, the clergy who emerged from the altar sing the troparion of the holiday, “Glory, and now” - the kontakion of the holiday and, according to custom, magnification.
Note. From the Nativity of Christ until the Epiphany, fasting is canceled and there is no kneeling - neither in the church nor in the cells (see Typikon, December 25, 4th “see”).
In the evening on the day of the Nativity of Christ, after the 9th hour, Great Vespers is served.
There is an opinion that the articles of the Typikon for December 25 have a Russian edition, so the calculation of time is presented according to modern reckoning. See: The Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. St. Petersburg, 1993. P. 44.
There is a tradition according to which, when the Twelfth Feast of the Lord coincides with Sunday, the Gospel, by analogy with the divine service of Vaiy Week, relies on a lectern for kissing along with the icon of the holiday (cf.: Typikon, chapter 49, “On Saturday Vaiy Evening”). “If the Nativity of Christ happens on Sunday, nothing will be sung on Sunday, but everything will be celebrated... Neither the Gospel will be read on Sunday, nor Resurrection of Christ not a verb, but rather a kiss to the Gospel...” (Ustav. M., 1641. L. 359 vol.).
According to tradition, the 1st chorus is sung by a priest or deacon.
In accordance with the decree of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill No. U-01/209 of December 31, 2014, “taking into account the special missionary significance of the festive divine service, on the day of the Nativity of Christ in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church it is blessed to annually celebrate the Divine Liturgy with the royal doors open across Our Father...».
AdvertisingChristmas is one of the main Christian holidays established by the church in honor of the birth of the incarnation of Jesus Christ from the Virgin Mary. In Orthodoxy, Christmas is one of the twelve holidays and is preceded by a 40-day Nativity Fast.
On the night of January 6-7, 2018, Christian believers will celebrate the Nativity of Christ. According to legend, Jesus Christ was born on this day.
Divine service for the Nativity of Christ, what time does it start: when, what holiday?
The Nativity of Christ is a holiday that people all over the world rejoice at, because on this day a new era began “from the Nativity of Christ.” Great universal teacher Saint John Chrysostom calls the Nativity of Christ “the beginning of all holidays.”
According to the new style, the holiday is celebrated annually from January 6 to 7. The official day of celebrating the Nativity of Christ, in accordance with the Orthodox calendar, is January 7. It should be noted that before the holiday, believers observe a forty-day Nativity Fast, which begins at the end of November. The church charter calls Christmas the “second Easter” and gives it an exclusive place among the days of the liturgical year. This is a holiday twelfth , belonging to the category of the most important 12 Christian holidays. Usually there is one day of pre-celebration before these holidays, and five such days before Christmas. For the sake of the Nativity of Christ, fasting is canceled, even if the holiday falls on the weekly fast days - Wednesday and Friday. After the holiday comes the “Christmastide”, which will last until Epiphany Christmas Eve (January 18).
The holiday is preceded by Christmas Eve, which falls on January 6th. This is a special day, it is the last and strictest day of fasting. Divine service for the Nativity of Christ, what time does it start: Christmas service, when and how does it take place?
On Christmas Eve, around midnight, Christmas services begin in churches. Believers begin to celebrate the Nativity of Christ after the completion of the service.
Christmas is a special holiday. And the service on this day is special. Or rather, at night... After all, in many of our churches the Liturgy (and sometimes Great Compline and Matins) is served precisely at night.
The festive service begins at 23.00.
If we talk about the Christmas service, then this is the best gift for Christ’s birthday!
Let's say a few words about the order and sequence of its performance on Christmas Day:
The service consists of daily services: Matins, Vespers, Compline, Midnight Office, Hours and Liturgy. Before the holidays, morning and evening services are combined into the so-called “ all-night vigil ”, that is, a prayer that continues all night. In practice, such a prayer occurs only twice a year, on the greatest holidays - Christmas and Easter. The All-Night Vigil is a liturgical service that consists of Vespers and Matins. From the prayer “Heavenly King” addressed to Holy Spirit , many liturgical celebrations of the Orthodox Church begin. After the exclamation there follows a litany and the famous hymn “ God is with us " At the end of Compline the troparion and kontakion of the Nativity are sung.
A chant sounds in the church, concluding the service of Compline. The text of the song is taken from the Gospel. After the solemn proclamation and singing of “God is the Lord and appear to us,” the polyeleos begins (translated as “much mercy”). This part of Matins received its name from the content of Psalms 134 and 135, glorifying the mercy of God. Under the arches of the temples, a magnification sounds - a short chant glorifying the celebrated event: “We magnify, magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, for our sake, now born in the flesh from the Blessed and Most Pure Virgin Mary.”
While reading the Gospel, the Gospel stichera is sung, repeating the main ideas of the read passage from Holy Scripture. The singing of the canon is a particularly solemn part of Matins. A canon is a spiritual and poetic work compiled according to certain rules. The word “canon” itself means “measure” or “rule”. The canon consists of nine main parts - songs. The songs consist of several troparions, which are usually read, and irmos, which are performed by the choir. The word "irmos" means "connection". These chants connect the songs of the canon and biblical songs. The first lines of this holiday sermon are as follows: “Christ is born - glorify! Christ from heaven - welcome! Christ is on earth - ascend!” At the end of the singing of the canon (at the patriarchal service it is not sung by the entire canon, but only by the irmos), the song of the Most Holy Theotokos is usually sung. The canon is followed by the singing of stichera on praises - Christmas carols, which are added to verses from the “praise” psalms. Psalms 148, 149 and 150 are called “praiseworthy” or laudatory. They contain praise to God and all creation is called to glorify the Creator: “Let every breath praise the Lord; praise the Lord from heaven; praise Him in the highest; a song to God is due to you.”
With the exclamation " Glory to You, who showed us the light " begins the singing of the Great Doxology, announced by the Angels to the Bethlehem shepherds: "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth." The Great Doxology ends with the singing of the Trisagion: “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.”
Even during the service, a litany of petition is pronounced. In form, the litany is a kind of dialogue. The deacon proclaims prayer requests, and the choir, on behalf of the worshipers, answers these requests: “Give, Lord.” Hence the name of the litany - “petition”. Noticed a typo or error? Select the text and press Ctrl+Enter to tell us about it.