tropar
Your birth, Christ our God, has dawned upon the world the Light of knowledge; for in it those who served the stars from the star have learned to worship You, the Sun of righteousness, and to know You, the Dawn from above, O Lord, glory to You.
Kontakion 1
You who were born of the Father from eternity and in the fullness of time were incarnate by the Holy Spirit and were born in the flesh of the Holy Virgin Mary to save us from the slavery of sin, grant peace to Your world and deliver us from all temptations and troubles, so that we may easily sing to You thus: Jesus, Son of God, who was born in the flesh in a cave, have mercy on us!
Icos 1
The angels in heaven, marveling, said: “How will the Virgin, the One who is incomprehensible, nourish You with milk, the One who is the nourisher of all?” And we, marveling at such a mystery, sing to You:
Jesus, who was born from a cave, grant us grace to be born to eternal life;
Jesus, who became a baby, grant us the innocence of babies;
Jesus, who was nourished with milk, nourish us with Your spiritual goodness; Jesus
, who was wrapped in swaddling clothes, free us from the curse of sin;
Jesus, who was carried in your arms, deliver us from the clutches of the devil;
Jesus, who was revealed as a star, make the light of Your divinity shine upon us too;
Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, bring us out of the darkness of sin;
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, seek us, the lost sheep;
Jesus, who descended from heaven, humbling Yourself for us, give us humility too, so that we may ascend to heaven;
Jesus, who took the form of a servant, bring us out of the slavery of sin;
Jesus, who came to save the world, save us, sinners;
Jesus, the Son of God, who was born in the flesh in a cave, save us!
The 2nd Kontakion
Behold, Christ comes, to crush the wicked one, to enlighten those in darkness, and to untie those bound by sins, To whom, with the angels welcoming Him, let us cry out: Alleluia!
Ikos 2nd
With pure souls, with undefiled lips, with humble hearts, come let us magnify Christ, our Savior, Who is born in the flesh for our salvation, crying out:
Jesus, Who descended on earth, raise us up to heaven;
Jesus, Who took on flesh like ours, deliver us from the passions of the flesh;
Jesus, Who are the Lord of Peace, grant us, the enemies, Your peace;
Jesus, Who was praised by all the speechless creatures, grant us, the speechless, to praise You unceasingly;
Jesus, Who called the shepherds to Yourself through the angels, call us also, the humble;
Jesus, Who received the gifts of the Magi, receive also our prayers, from humble hearts;
Jesus, You who at birth had no dwelling place, make our hearts Your dwelling place;
Jesus, You who found all the doors locked, open our hearts, which are locked by sin;
Jesus, You who were born on the outskirts of the city, grant us to flee from the vanities of this world;
Jesus, You who first came at midnight, when You come a second time, have mercy on us;
Jesus, You who were born in the mystery of the night, hide our sinful life in the mystery of the night, having mercy on us;
Jesus, Son of God, You who were born in the flesh in a cave, save us!
The 3rd Kontakion
The star announced to the Magi the Sun of Righteousness, the One who was born ineffably in a cave, to save us, who have made ourselves a cave of all impurity, by breaking His commandments, for which, repenting, we sing: Alleluia!
The 3rd Ikos
The Word of the Father, through whom all things were made, without passion and without corruption, is born in the flesh of the Holy Virgin Mary, to save the world. To whom, welcoming Him, let us cry out:
Jesus, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit are praised by the angels, have mercy
on us; Jesus, Who are praised by the angels, make us, on earth, to magnify You unceasingly;
Jesus, Who, being born on earth, did not separate Yourself from heaven, we humbly serve You;
Jesus, Who by Your Birth united angels with men, we praise You;
Jesus, Who by Your Birth opened for us the doors of heaven, closed by the disobedience of Adam, we thank You;
Jesus, who killed death, through Your Birth, making us sharers in eternal life, we glorify You;
Jesus, who removed enmity and brought peace to the world through Your Birth, we serve You;
Jesus, who through Your Birth brought salvation to the world, grant us forgiveness of sins;
Jesus, who through Your Birth revealed to us God in the Trinity, we worship You;
Jesus, Son of God, who was born in the flesh in a cave, save us!
The 4th Kontakion
To deliver me from the slavery of the wicked one, you were pleased to take on the form of a servant, O Word, without beginning and of one being with the Father and the Holy Spirit, for whom, glorifying Your mercy, we sing unceasingly: Alleluia!
The 4th Ikos
God appeared to such people and was born in a cave and became poor in body, so that we might become rich in grace; for this reason, let us believers with a pure mind receive Him, singing to Him:
Jesus, by Your birth, the kingdom of sin was destroyed;
Jesus, by Your birth, evil thoughts were revealed from many hearts;
Jesus, by Your coming, the power of the devil was weakened and people were strengthened against him;
Jesus, by Your birth, we were delivered from the temptations that come from the world;
Jesus, by taking flesh, we were saved from the temptations of the flesh;
Jesus, by Your birth, we cleansed our bodies and souls from passions;
Jesus, by Your incarnation, you adorned our corruptible body with incorruption;
Jesus, by Your descent, from earthly men, by grace, you made angels;
Jesus, as You rose, the light of truth shone upon all;
Jesus, as You were born, Justice and Truth descended upon the earth;
Jesus, as You appeared, we came to know God in a being;
Jesus, through Your Birth, the world was filled with the joy of salvation;
Jesus, Son of God, Who was born in the flesh in a cave, save us!
The 5th Kontakion
Christ, appearing in the flesh, dwells in us in an ineffable way. Come, believers, let us behold His glory, the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, and let us sing to Him: Alleluia!
The 5th Ikos
He who made heaven and earth is born this day in the flesh as a man, from you, Mother of God, preserving you even after birth as a virgin, for which, rejoicing, we cry out to Him:
Jesus, being born in the flesh of the Holy Virgin Mary, you made her the Mother of God and full of grace;
Jesus, who entrusted yourself to the care of the Most Pure Mother, as an infant, entrust us to her care;
Jesus, who carried you in your arms, open to us, sinners, the arms of your mercy;
Jesus, who wrapped yourself in swaddling clothes, gird us also with the power of your Cross, that we may overcome our enemies;
Jesus, who nourished yourself with milk, nourish us, the hungry and thirsty, from your gifts;
Jesus, who rested in the bosom of the Holy Virgin, grant us also to find peace in the bosom of Your Church;
Jesus, who showed Yourself submissive to the Holy Virgin, grant us also to submit to Your divine will;
Jesus, who received the love of Your Mother, receive from us this little love and multiply it before You;
Jesus, who received gifts from the Magi, receive from us these few tears, through which You cleanse our sins;
Jesus, who receives all sinners who repent, receive us also, who are immersed in sins, for the sake of Your Holy Nativity;
Jesus, who desires to save all people, save us also, according to Your great mercy;
Jesus, Son of God, who was born in the flesh in a cave, save us!
The 6th Kontakion
With mouth and heart, let us, the faithful, with one mind, praise Christ, who was born in the cave, of the pure Virgin, singing together with the angels: Alleluia!
The 6th Ikos
Oh, new miracle, oh, goodness! Oh, unspeakable patience, for behold, He who dwells in the Highest is considered as a babe, Whom, willingly receiving Him into the house of our soul, let us thus cry out to Him:
Jesus, Who was born, protect us from the wickedness of Herod;
Jesus, Who was incarnate, deliver us from the Pharisees of Herod;
Jesus, Who was born in a cave, protect us from the sin of Herod;
Jesus, Who slept in a cave, save us from the unbelief of Herod;
Jesus, Who revealed the evil thoughts of Herod, reveal the evil thoughts of our enemies;
Jesus, the innocent lamb, do not give us, through our sins, to be murderers like Herod;
Jesus, You who know the thoughts of men, cleanse our minds from evil thoughts;
Jesus, You who hid Yourself from the wicked Herod, do not hide Yourself from us, sinners;
Jesus, You who fled from the wrath of Herod, cover us from the wrath of men, who are setting out against us with malice;
Jesus, You who showed Herod as an evildoer, also show those who secretly do us harm;
Jesus, You who love all men, grant us to love everyone, even our enemies;
Jesus, Son of God, You who were born in the flesh in a cave, save us!
The 7th Kontakion
The star sent the Magi to the One who was born, to save the world from sins, and the wicked Herod sent soldiers to kill the divine Infant, from whose wickedness, fleeing, like the Magi, let us sing unceasingly: Alleluia!
The 7th Ikos
For our salvation, Good Lord, You came to Bethlehem and were born in a cave, You who have heaven as your seat and in a manger You lay down, being a baby, You who are unfathomable, You wrapped Yourself in swaddling clothes and nourished Yourself with milk, out of love for us, for which, humbly praising You, we cry out to You:
Jesus, You who were born in a cave, come also to the cave of our souls and save us;
Jesus, You who are unfathomable and allowed Yourself to be contained in a small manger, make Your power encompass even the hearts diminished by passions;
Jesus, You who did not consider this modest dwelling unworthy of Your greatness, make our humble bodies Your dwelling;
Jesus, Whom heaven and earth cannot contain, and through Your Birth You allowed Yourself to be contained by each one of us, have mercy on us;
Jesus, Who through Your Birth You took our fallen nature, raise us also who have fallen into the depths of wickedness;
Jesus, Who was born in the divine form, make our souls also give birth to spiritual things;
Jesus, Who bore You in a virginal body, cleanse also our bodies defiled by the passions of fornication;
Jesus, Who made the Holy Virgin, in giving birth to You, feel no pain, heal all the pains of our bodies; Jesus,
Who in giving birth to You, the Most Pure Mother remained a virgin, preserve our souls and bodies in spiritual virginity;
Jesus, You who chose to be born of the purest of earthlings, with Your grace help us to preserve the purity of our souls and bodies;
Jesus, You who in order to give birth to You, overshadowed the Holy Virgin with the power of the Holy Spirit, make Him dwell in our souls;
Jesus, You who through Your Birth overcame the order of nature, grant us to overcome our nature corrupted by sins;
Jesus, Son of God, You who were born in the flesh in a cave, save us!
The 8th Kontakion
Let us run, believers, to Bethlehem and before the manger welcoming God, let us bring praise, together with the angels and the shepherds, to Jesus, the Word of God, Who out of love for us was made flesh, singing: Alleluia!
The 8th Ikos
Worshiping Your humility, O Christ, Who was born of the Father before all ages, and for our salvation, in the fullness of time, was born in the flesh of the Holy Virgin, with songs like these we praise You:
Jesus, Who for us You humbled Yourself, save us from the sin of pride and clothe us in the garment of humility;
Jesus, Who called the Magi to Your worship, call us also, that we may unceasingly, humbly worship You;
Jesus, Who called the shepherds from the sheep to the feast of Your Nativity, call us also, who stand far from You, guarding the flock of sins;
Jesus, Who by Your Nativity You promised to be with us always, be with us, sinners and those in darkness;
Jesus, Who was born of a Father without a mother and of a mother without a father, have mercy on us, who were born in sins;
Jesus, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin, cleanse us, who were conceived in iniquity;
Jesus, Who was born according to nature, deliver us from sins according to nature;
Jesus, Who was born not of fleshly lust, but of the Holy Spirit, quench all fleshly lust from Your servants;
Jesus, Who was born in the night, bring us out of the darkness of sin;
Jesus, Sun of Righteousness, enlighten us with the light of the knowledge of God;
Jesus, through Your Birth, joy came to the whole world, for God is with us;
Jesus, through Your Birth, heaven was opened, Satan was defeated, and we were saved;
Jesus, Son of God, who was born in the flesh in a cave, save us!
The 9th Kontakion
The unspeakable humility of the Word of God, with the eyes of the mind, having previously seen it, Habakkuk cried out: “From the south will come God our Savior,” To whom, welcoming Him, let us sing: Alleluia!
The 9th Ikos
God so loved the world that He sent His Only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to save the world from its sins. Seeing Him born in a cave with humility, let us praise Him, crying out:
Jesus, Who out of love for us You were born, fill our hearts with love for You;
Jesus, Who out of love for us You appeared on earth to save the world from sins, grant us to hate all sins; Jesus,
Who out of love for men You humbled Yourself in the form of a servant, grant us love and zeal for the good of our neighbor; Jesus, Who out of love for men You humbled Yourself in the form of a servant, grant us love and zeal for the good of our neighbor;
Jesus, Who out of love for men You showed Yourself obedient to the will of the Father, grant us also obedience to all His commandments;
Jesus, Who as a baby You brought Yourself by Your Holy Mother into the Church, grant us to love Your Church;
Jesus, Who through the star You enlightened the Magi, also enlighten our hearts, which evil lust has darkened;
Jesus, Who for the good of mankind came into the world, do not deprive us of Your heavenly good;
Jesus, Who protected the Magi from the wickedness of Herod, protect us from all human wickedness;
Jesus, inflame our hearts with longing for You, as You inflamed the hearts of the three Magi;
Jesus, lead us on the safe path that leads to You, as You led the Magi by a star;
Jesus, grant us, both in this life and in the next, to hear the sweet choir of angels;
Jesus, Who for our salvation You were born man, save us, sinners;
Jesus, Son of God, Who was born in the flesh in a cave, save us!
The 10th Kontakion
Infant Jesus, grant us to love You more than we have loved sin and to do from now on only Your holy will, singing unceasingly: Alleluia!
The 10th Ikos
Let us praise Christ, Who was born of the Virgin Mary in an ineffable way, with all the angels, crying out:
Jesus, perfect purity, cleanse us from all defilement;
Jesus, fountain of life, give us eternal life;
Jesus, perfect beauty, give us the first beauty, which we have lost because of our sins;
Jesus, perfect gentleness, grant us to be gentle with our fellow men;
Jesus, fountain of wisdom, make us wise;
Jesus, the ever-eternal light, enlighten us;
Jesus, our Maker, do not let us perish;
Jesus, from the bodily diseases that come for our sins, heal us;
Jesus, from the passions of the soul, cleanse us;
Jesus, from evil thoughts, deliver us;
Jesus, from the devilish delusions, protect us;
Jesus, from the evil habit of passions, save us;
Jesus, Son of God, Who was born in the flesh in a cave, save us!
The 11th Kontakion
Glory in the highest, the angelic hosts in Bethlehem, before the shepherds stood singing, at Your Nativity, O Christ, and we, sinners, on earth praise You, crying out: Alleluia!
The 11th Ikos
God appeared to men, just as He was born in the cave in the flesh, so that He might make us, who had fallen into sin, His sons, for whom, with thanksgiving, we sing to Him thus:
Jesus, Who came into the world in the flesh, grant us to love You more than we loved the pleasures of the world;
Jesus, Who took flesh for us sinners, grant us to love You more than the pleasures of the flesh;
Jesus, Who was born for sinners, grant us to hate sin with all our souls;
Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, grant us never to speak unseemly words;
Jesus, Who desires that all men be saved, grant that no soul perish because of our evil conduct;
Jesus, Who through Your Incarnation gave us Your Holy Body and Precious Blood for eternal life, make us worthy of sharing in them;
Jesus, Who was born in a poor cave, do not abhor the poverty of our souls, when You come to dwell in them through the communion of the Holy Mysteries;
Jesus, when we approach You, in the Holy Mysteries, make us come with all reverence, with fear, with faith and with love;
Jesus, when we approach You, protect us from the wickedness of Herod;
Jesus, cleanse Your priests, when they serve the Holy Liturgy, from all impurity and make them worthy of serving this divine Mystery;
Jesus, share Your heavenly gifts with Your faithful who take part in the Holy Liturgy;
Jesus, reward those who love the goodness of Your Church with eternal gifts;
Jesus, Son of God, Who was born in the flesh in a cave, save us!
The 12th Kontakion
The Father willed it well, the Word became flesh and the Virgin gave birth to God incarnate, with the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, the star announces, the Magi worship, the shepherds marvel and all creation rejoices, singing: Alleluia!
The 12th Ikos
Behold, the call of all has come, O Christ, purification, light, deliverance, peace, health, goodness, which the faithful with pure hearts receive, and let us cry out to Him:
Jesus, Lord of peace, pacify wars and grant Your peace to the world;
Jesus, source of peace, reconcile all who are at enmity;
Jesus, maker of peace, unite separated spouses again in peace and love;
Jesus, who on earth showed Yourself obedient to Your Father, return children to their parents with love;
Jesus, who showed Yourself as a child, protect our children;
Jesus, make the young wise and guide them in the path of Your teachings;
Jesus, support the elderly and adorn them with the gift of patience and wisdom;
Jesus, protect the good in goodness;
Jesus, turn the wicked from their wickedness;
Jesus, turn those who have strayed from the truth back to the right path with Your goodness;
Jesus, heal the sick and suffering;
Jesus, protect Your Holy Church in peace and tranquility;
Jesus, Son of God, Who was born in the flesh in a cave, save us!
The 13th Kontakion
O Most Sweet Jesus, Who was born in the cave with the flesh, receive from us this humble prayer, just as You received gifts from the Magi and songs from the shepherds, and remove from us all malice, strife, enmity, evil habits, and all temptations and troubles that come upon us, that, living in peace and good understanding with one another, with one mind we may praise You, God on high, singing: Alleluia! ( This kondak is said three times. )
Then again Ikos 1 is said: The angels in heaven marveling…, Kontakion 1: You who were born from eternity of the Father…
Icos 1
The angels in heaven, marveling, said: “How will the Virgin, the One who is incomprehensible, nourish You with milk, the One who is the nourisher of all?” And we, marveling at such a mystery, sing to You:
Jesus, who was born from a cave, grant us grace to be born to eternal life;
Jesus, who became a baby, grant us the innocence of babies;
Jesus, who was nourished with milk, nourish us with Your spiritual goodness; Jesus
, who was wrapped in swaddling clothes, free us from the curse of sin;
Jesus, who was carried in your arms, deliver us from the clutches of the devil;
Jesus, who was revealed as a star, make the light of Your divinity shine upon us too;
Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, bring us out of the darkness of sin;
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, seek us, the lost sheep;
Jesus, who descended from heaven, humbling Yourself for us, give us humility too, so that we may ascend to heaven;
Jesus, who took the form of a servant, bring us out of the slavery of sin;
Jesus, who came to save the world, save us, sinners;
Jesus, the Son of God, who was born in the flesh in a cave, save us!
Kontakion 1
You who were born of the Father from eternity and in the fullness of time were incarnate by the Holy Spirit and were born in the flesh of the Holy Virgin Mary to save us from the slavery of sin, grant peace to Your world and deliver us from all temptations and troubles, so that we may easily sing to You thus: Jesus, Son of God, who was born in the flesh in a cave, have mercy on us!
Prayer to our Savior Jesus Christ
O Lord, God Almighty, when You were born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judea, all creatures were filled with fear and the world rejoiced at Your Nativity, You who made man in Your image and likeness and gave him baptism for repentance; You who have brought us to these most pure days for the bridling of passions, for the hope of the Resurrection, and You direct us to the truth of Your divinity and enlighten our minds to know You, the Son of God, Who takes away the sins of the whole world. And now, O Lord, Lover of mankind, receive Your servants as You received Peter, who had sunk into the sea, and later, denying You, but weeping bitterly, You received him again. For I heard a voice speaking, and the Magi worshipped with gifts, and the angels sang, and Herod was troubled, because God in the flesh had appeared for our salvation. Now, Master, Lover of mankind, all creation praises You, saying: Christ is born, magnify Him! Christ from heaven, greet Him! Christ on earth, ascend! The powers of the angels rejoice, the hosts of martyrs rejoice, seeing the great and honorable celebration, and all praise it with their hearts and lips, as they deserve. And now, Good One, Lover of mankind, receive Your servants, as well as the bowing of our knees and our humility, that fulfilling Your commandments, pure and righteous, now arriving at Your honorable Nativity, we may partake of Your Most Pure Body and Precious Blood, our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom is due glory, honor and worship, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
