St. Thomas the Apostle Orthodox Church

The voice of the Lord, which is upon the waters, crieth out, saying: Come ye all, and receive the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of the fear of God: Christ Who hath appeared! O Lord Who knowest not sin, having assumed the appearance of a servant Thou didst come unto the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, asking baptism of him. The waters saw Thee, and were afraid. The Forerunner was seized with trembling, and cried aloud, saying: How can a lamp illumine the Light? How can a slave lay his hand upon his Master? Sanctify me and the waters, O Saviour Who takest away the sin of the world! Stichera at the Great Blessing of Water

Thy sound hath gone forth into all the earth, which hath received thy discourse, whereby thou didst divinely teach and make clear the nature of things, and didst adorn the ways of men. O venerable Father Basil, thou royal priesthood, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved. Troparion of St. Basil

‘O Jesus Who sittest in the highest on the fiery throne with the unoriginate Father and Thy divine Spirit, Thou wast pleased to be born in the flesh of the Virgin who knew not man; wherefore, the star showed Thee to the Magi from Persia. Glory to Thy most good counsel! Glory to Thine appearance! Glory to Thine utter condescension toward men!’ Kathisma Hymn from Matins

‘As One most perfect, Thou bearest the guise of Adam in the image of God, and desirest to be held in mine arms, O Thou Who in Thy power holdest all things in Thy hand. And the pure and most immaculate one declared, saying: How is it that I have wrapped Thee in swaddling bands as a babe? How is it that I nurture Thee with milk, Who feedest all? How is it that I marvel at Thy poverty, which passeth understanding? How can I call Thee my Son, if I am now Thy handmaiden? I hymn and bless Thee, Who grantest the world great mercy!’ Vespers

‘Today invisible nature is joined to men through the Virgin! Today the boundless Essence is wrapped in swaddling bands in Bethlehem! Today God guideth the magi by the star, to offer Him homage, announcing beforehand His own three-day burial in their gold, myrrh and frankincense. To Him do we chant: O Christ God Who hast become incarnate through the Virgin, save Thou our souls!’ --Lauds for the Synaxis of the Mother of God