&

Hymns for the Glorious Feast of the Nativity Liturgy

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.(Luke 2: 1 1)

Melody for the Feast of the Nativity

Chanted During the Matins Raising of Incense Following the Doxologies of Nativity

The great living God By His Goodness wished to grant us life

To raise up our dire manner And elevate us to the Kingdom

He sent his shining angel Carrying the message of Love

To Mary, he uttered saying, “Rejoice O highly favored one”

You have found grace And were exalted above the righteous
The God of Abraham has chosen you Overshadowing you with power and grace

To incarnate of you mysteriously The Almighty Son will be born

To grant his servants all grace And shine upon them with His light

When you received the message And submitted to the great mystery
The Word came according to the plan And took flesh from you, O Mary

(Refrain)
Glory to You, O Lord of Hosts Who abides in the great light
Who came to us in humanity And was born of Virgin Mary

The great King of glory The eternal Word of the Father

Came and was incarnate with love Of a pure, chaste Virgin

As the sayings of the Evangelist Who chanted the Gospel of eternal life
The eternal only-begotten Son Who is in His Father’s bosom

By His own will, He came to the world And we beheld His glory
As the glory of an only-begotten True Son of the merciful God

He granted us forgiveness and grace And a shining bright life

He renewed us with His honorable Birth And called us His children through faith

O how great are these glories Poured out on Adam’s race

Uncomprehended with human minds How could the minds understand?!

(Refrain)

© St. Mary & Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church, Houston, TX 56

 All those of human tongues Today rejoice with the Newborn
They sing with joyful voices Chanting merrily with David

All the high ranks Worship His greatness

Crying with spiritual melodies Sanctifying the Lord with reverence

The Almighty Son was born today From the Virgin, the offspring of saints
He was wholly manifested As reveled in the Scriptures

The King of might and glory Will shine in Bethlehem

His manifestation of ancient times Eternal hidden from the eyes

Blessed are you O City of David Wherein goodness has appeared

Your Shepherd came out of You Hail to you O Bethlehem!

(Refrain)

Response to the Gospel In Matins ‫ﻣﺮﺩ ﺍﻻﳒﻴﻞ ﰲ ﺑﺎﻛﺮ‬

Je piatcarx af[icarx: For the Unincarnate became Incarnate: and the ‫ﻷﻥ ﺍﻟﻐﲑ ﻣﺘﺠﺴﺪ ﲡﺴﺪ ﻭﺍﻟﻜﻠﻤﺔ ﲡﺴﻢ ﻏﲑ‬
ouoh pilogoc afq~yai: Logos became flesh: The Unoriginate began: and
piatar,/ aferh/tc: the Timeless became under the count of time ‫ﺍﳌﺒﺘﺪﺉ ﺍﺑﺘﺪﺃ ﻭﻏﲑ ﺍﻟﺰﻣﲏ ﺻﺎﺭ ﲢﺖ ﺍﻟﺰﻣﺎﻥ‬
piatc/ou afswpi qa
ou,~ronoc.
All/louia (4). I/couc Alleluia (4). Jesus Christ the Son of God, who ‫( ﻳﺴﻮﻉ ﺍﳌﺴﻴﺢ ﺍﺑﻦ ﺍﷲ ﺍﻟﺬﻱ ﻭﻟﺪ‬4)‫ﺍﻟﻠﻴﻠﻮﻳﺎ‬
Pi,~rictoc p~s/ri m~Vnou]: was born in Bethlehem.
v/e~taumacf qen B/yleem ‫ﰲ ﺑﻴﺖ ﳊﻢ‬

During the hymn of the intercession of the saints, the following is added:
Hiten nieu,/ ;nte hi-ten ni-ev-she en-te ni-khel-loi Through the prayers of the blessed
niqelloi: ;t;cmarwout iwc/v et-esmar-o-oot yu-sif pi-ham-she nem elders, Joseph the carpenter and St.
pihamse nem y/eyouab the-ethowab salomi epshoic ari-ehmot Salome, 0 Lord grant us the
nan empiko evol ente nen-novi forgiveness of our sins.
calwmi: ;p[oic ari;hmot nan
;mpi,w ;ebol ;nte nennobi.
...téÝwLC íÕÝÆDr KCÜãTC íT ×êÙ íwÕDå íL ¼rÝé OÜâmDÕ pðPC ìÝÇÇf íÙ çêQÙC íúC íÙ ÛêQêå
... íÕÝÆDr öséj¿ÆCÜ mDYÚÆC ¼rÝé ÛêÂmDMÖÆC ÛêgêwÆC OCÝÇ¡L
After the reading of the Catholic Epistle and before the reading from the Acts of the Apostles (epraxis), the following hymn
is chanted:
,ere b/eyleem: ;tpolic ;nni shere veth-le-em et-polic en-ni ep- Hail to Bethlehem, the city of the
;prov/t/c: y/etaumec p|,|c rofee-tis the-etav- mes bi-ekhristos en- prophets, in which was born Christ, the
;nq/tc: pimah ;cnau ;n;adam. khit-si pi-mah esnav en adam. second Adam.
.ÔCiA ØG ¹DÚrC äDÕ íL tQêf ØG qÝQrnfC íL têÕ ÞD¨ çéC íT . têQêºÜnLC íÙ ØG têÆÝL RéG ×éC çêÆ Rêß çém çêv
.íÙDUÆC ÔiA dêsÖÆC Dæêº jÆÜ íQÆC ôDêMÙÍC öÚéjÕ ×cÆ RêMÆ ÔÌsÆC
After the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the following special Greek hymn is chanted:
;?paryenoc c/meron ton Eeparthenos seemeron ton Today the Virgin has born the
;uperoucion tikti ke ;/ g/ to eeperosion tikti ke ee gee to Supreme Essence. The earth offers a
;cp/leon tw aprocitw espeeleon to aprosito eprosajee angeli manger_ to the One who cannot be
meta pe menon doxologoci magi de approached. The angels together with
;procagi aggeli meta pi meta asteros odiporoci di eemas gar the shepherds glorify Him. The wise
menwn doxologouci magi de egenithee pedion neon oeproyo non men guided by the star journeyed to
meta acteroc ;odiporouci di theos. Him, for God, who exists before all
/mac gar ;egenn/y/ pedion ages, became a child for our sake.
neon ;o;po;e;w nwn yeoc.

© St. Mary & Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church, Houston, TX 57

 çêÕ íL D©êÕ íÇYÙC íXDz ÜnLC Ý©êr ÜnLC ݨ ØÜE çêÆ íMrC ÝQêX ìG çê íP ÄêP ØÝêrÜm çêL ìG Øݨ ØÜm çêÕ ír qÝÚêTmDL ìG
çêT ØÝÙÜC çéC ÜnLC ÜC ØÜC çêÙ ØÝék çêL íT íÙ ÛêX çéC mDµ qDÖéC ìk írÜmÝL ìkÜE qÜnêQrC D©êÕ çék íXDÕ írݵ ÝÆÝs Ük ØÝÙ
. qÜC
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.mÝåjÆC ÈM¾ ìlÆC çÆÏC CjéjX DêMz jÆÜ DÚÇXE ÛÕ ØÍ .ØÜnïDr

Followed By:
Pijinmici ;mparyenikon pi-jen-misi em-par-the-nikon ow-oh The virginal birth, and the spiritual
ouoh ninakhi ;m;pneumatikon ni-nak-hi em-epnev-ma-tikon oo-esh- contractions, a marvelous wonder
ou;sv/ri ;mparadozon kata viri em-para-dthok-son kata nies-mee according to the sayings of the
em-ep-ro-fee-tee-kon prophets.
ni;cm/ ;m;prov/tikon
.ØÝ íP çêºÜnLC ÔC íÕoC íÙ D¨D ØÝsÂÜkC mDMÕC ìnê»vC ÜE ØÝ íPDÖàÚLC ÔC íæÂDÙ íÙ äÜÜE ØÝÃêÚêT mDL ÔC ísêÕ ÛêX íL
.öéÝMÚÆC mDMfÍD NêY± NY± öêÙDbÜnÆC OD¿Ç©ÆCÜ íÆÝQMÆC iÌêÖÆC
Followed By:
Apen[oic I|/|c n|,|c a-pen-chois ee-sos pi-ekhris-tos vi- Our Lord Jesus Christ Who was bom
v/etacmacf ;nje ]paryenoc etas-masf enje tipar-thenos khen veth- of the Virgin in Bethlehem of Judea
qen b/yleem ;nte ]ioude;a le-em ente ti-yo-dthe-a kata ni-esme according to the sayings of the
em-ep-ro-fee-tee-kon. prophets.
kata ni;cm/ ;m;prov/tikon. ni-she-ro-bim nem ni-serafim ni- The Cherubim and the Seraphim, the
Ni,eroubim nem niceravim: angelos nem ni-archi-angelos ni-sit-ra- Angels and the Archangels, the
niaggeloc nem niar,/aggeloc ti-a nem ni-exo-sia ni-ethro-nos ni-met- Principalities, the Authorities, the
nicitrati;a nem niexouci;a chois ni-gom. Thrones, the Lordships and the
ni;yronoc nimet[oic nijom ev-osh evol evgo emmos je oo-o- Powers. Proclaiming and saying:
Euos ;ebol eujw ;mmoc oo emef-noti khen nie-tet-chosi nem "Glory to God in the highest, peace on
je ou;wou ;mv] qen n/et[oci oo-hi-ri-ni hijen pi-kahi nem oo-tee-ma- earth good will toward men." (Luke
tee khen ni-ro-mi. 2:14)
nem ouhir/n/ hijen pikahi
nem ou]ma] qen nirwmi.
.ØÝÃêQêºÜnLC ÔC íÕoC íÙ D¨D E ìoÝé íP çêQÙC ×éC çêÆ Vêº Ûêf .qÝÚêTmDL íP çêYÙC ¼rDÕ qD©éC íß qÝQrnfC íL qÝséC téÝwÚLC
íÙ téÝv RêÕ íÙ qÝÙÜm SG íÙ DêrÝsÂC íÙ ×êÙ DêPCnQr íÙ .qÝêÇYÙC ívmC íÙ ×êÙ qÝêÇYÙC íÙ .×êºCm çêr íÙ ×êÙ ×êLÜm çêv íÙ
Ûêf íPDÕ íP ÜC ×êÙ .íåD íL ÛêYêå íÚénêå ÜC ×êÙ .írÝv RéC íÙ Ûêf íPÝÚºC ÔC ÜE ÜE ÜE çêX .qÝÖÕC ÝYºC ÅÝßÜC uãºC . ÔÝX
.íÕÜm íÙ
nÂDs²ÆCÜ öÂÌÖÆC ôDrâmÜ öÃïÌÖÆC ×êºCmDsÆCÜ ×êLÜmDwÆC .öéÝMÚÆC OCÝzÍD öéiÝæêÆC ×cÆ RêL íº ôCml²ÆC çPjÆÜ ìlÆC dêsÖÆC °Ýsé DÚLmDé
.õnsÖÆC qDÚÆC íºÜ ÔÌsÆC £mÍC íÇ±Ü íÆD±ÍC íº Ó jYÖÆC ÛêÇïD¾ ÛêfmDz ODêLÝLnÆCÜ írCnÃÆÜ Ûê¨ÌsÆCÜ
After the Prayer for the Gospel, the Psalm is chanted in a special joyful tune:
All/loui;a |a|l |a|l: P|o|c Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. "The
afjoc n/i je ;nyok pe epchoice avgos nee je enthok pe LORD has said to Me, 'You are My
pas/ri: anok ai;jvok ;mvoou: pasheeri anok ai-egfok emfoo ari-eten Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask
entot entati nak enhan-ethnoc e-tek- of Me, and I will give You The nations
;ari;etin ;ntot ;nta] nak eklironomia owoh pek-amahi sha for Your inheritance, And the ends of
;nhaneynoc etek;kl/ronomi;a: avrigf e-mepkahi. Allelluia. the earth for Your possession.' "
ouoh pek;amhi sa aur/jf (Psalm 2:7-8)
;m;pkahi. All/loui;a
In the presence of the Pope or a Bishop the following is added:
Marou[acf qen ;tek;kl/ci;a ma-ro-itchasf khen et-e-iklisia ente "Let them exalt Him also in the
;nte peflaoc... pef-laos ... congregation of the people...
Followed by the response to the Psalm:
All/loui;a |a|l: I|/|c p|,|c Alleluia. Alleluia. eesos pi- Alleluia. Alleluia. Jesus Christ, the
;ps/ri ;mv] acmacf ;nje ekhristos epsheeri . emefnotee asmasf Son of God, was born of the Virgin in
]paryenoc qen b/yleem ;nte enje ti-parthenos khen vethle-em ente Bethlehem of Judea according to the
ti-yodia kata ni-esmee emep- sayings of the prophets. Alleluia.
]ioude;a kata ni;cm/ rofeetikon. Alleluia.
;m;prov/tikon: All/loui;a Alleluia. Alleluia.
All/loui;a
© St. Mary & Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church, Houston, TX 58
Response to the reading of the Gospel
Ouciou afsai qen nimansai: oo-sio afshai khen nee-manshai A star appeared in the east and
;animagoc mosi ;ncwf: sa animagos moshi ensof sha entef-e-no the wise men followed it until it guided
;ntef;enou e b/yleem: e vethle-em avoo-osht emeporo en- them to Bethlehem and they
nieon. worshipped the King of Ages.
auouwst ;m;pouro ;nni;ewn
All/loui;a |a|l a|l a|l Alleluia (4). Alleluia (4).
I/couc p|,|c ;ps/ri ;mv] eesos pi-ekhristos epsheeri Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was
v/e;taumacf qen beyleem. emefnotee vee-etavmasf khen vethle- born in Bethlehem.
em.
Vai ;ere pi;wou er;prepi vai ere pi-o-oo ereprepi naf nem This is He to Whom the glory is
naf nem pefiwt ;n;agayoc pefiot enagathos nem pi-epnevma due, with His Good Father and the
nem pi|p|n|a ;eyouab icjen ethoub eesjen tee-no nem sha eneh. Holy Spirit, now and forever.
]nou nem sa ;eneh je efismaro-oot enje efiot nem Blessed be the Father and the Son
Je ;f;cmarwout ;nje ;viwt epshiri nem pi-epnevma ethouab tee- and the Holy Spirit. The perfect
nem ;ps/ri nem pi|p|n|a |e|y|u: etrias etjeek evol tenoo-osht emmos Trinity, we worship and glorify Him.
];triac etj/k ;ebol tentee-o-oo nas.
tenouwst ;mmoc ten];wou
nac.
íÙ ØG ÜmãLC ÔC RvâÜE ¹E .×éC çêÆ Vêº çéC ÝÙ çéC ¼êQÙC Dv .¹Ýr ØG ívÝÕ qݵDÕ íÙA .ìDv ØDÕ íÙ Ûêf ìDv ¹C ÝêrÜE
.×éC çêÆ Vêº Ûêf ¼rDÕ ÞD©éC íß íPÝÚºC ÔC ìnêwLC qÝQsfC íL qÝséC .DéÝÇêÇÆC .DéÝÇêÇÆC .DéÝÇêÇÆC .DéÝÇêÇÆC .ØÜE çéG
.DéÝÇêÇÆC .DéÝÇêÇÆC .DéÝÇêÇÆC .DéÝÇêÇÆC .mÝåjÆC ÄÇÖÆ CÜjYrÜ ×cÆ RêL ×æÇfiE íQb , äݲMP qÝYÖÆC , ½mDwÖÆC íº ½nvC ×YÙ
.×cÆ RêL íº jÆÜ ìlÆC ÓC ÛLC dêsÖÆC °Ýsé
After the Prayer of Reconciliation, the following Aspasmos Adam is chanted:
çQrDïm ìlÆC DÚLC DÚꩱEÜ jÆÜ DÚÆ jÆÜ çÙC inahoo wolida lena waladon wa “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a
ª@Ç@@sQÖÆC ìÝ@¿ÆC ç@ÆÏC .ç@êMÃÚÕ í@DZ ayteena ibnan alathee ri-asato-hoo Son is given; and the government will
Yala min-kabay al ilah ol Qawi al be upon His shoulder." (Isaiah 9:6) He
íÖ@@@@®²ÆC õmÝ@@wÖÆC ÁÌ@@@@ÕÜ motasalit wa malekoo al mashoorat il is the Mighty God of authority and the
Yauz-maa messenger of the great counsel. That
Lkay nu-sabihaka ... together with the Cherubim ...
...ÄcMsÙ íÃÆ

Before "Holy, Holy, Holy", a Aspasmos Vatos is chanted:

Auini naf ;nhandwron avini naf enhan-dthoron oo-nob "They presented gifts to Him: gold,
ounoub nem oulibanoc nem nem oo-livanos nem oo-shal ever- frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew
ousal euerhumnoc nem ;pcepi hym-nos nem epsepi ev-oo-osht 2:11) Praising Him with others and
emmof. worshipping Him.
euouwst ;mmof.
All/loui;a |a|l |a|l: Alleluia (3) Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Jesus
i/couc p|,|c ;ps/ri ;mv]: eesos pi-ekhristos epsheeri emefnofi Christ, the Son of God, was born of
acmacf ;nje ]paryenoc: qen asmasf enje ti-parthenos khen veth-le- the Virgin in Bethlehem of Judea
b/yleem ;nte ]iode;a kata em ente tee-yodia kata ni-esmee according to the sayings of the
ni;cm/ ;m;prov/tikon. emep-rofeetikon. prophets.
;Agioc ;agioc ;agioc kurioc agios agios agios kirios sava-oth Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of
cabawy: ;pl/r/c ;o ouranoc eplirees o ooranos ke ee gee tees Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of
ke ;/ g/ t/c ;agiac cou agias soo dtho-xees. Your Holy glory.
dox/c
¹ÝÖÕC RvâÜC áéC íL çêsLC ×êÙ qÝÚÖêå néC áéC ÅDv ÜC ×êÙ qÝÙDàêÆ ÜC ×êÙ KÝÙ ÜC : ØÜmÜk ØDå ØC ¹DÙ íÚéG ¹E
×éC çêÆ Vêº Ûêf qÝÚêTmDL íP çêYÙC ¼rDÕ qE .íPÝÚßC ×éC ìnêwLC qÝQrnfC íL qÝséC .DéÝÇêÇÆC .DéÝÇêÇÆC .DéÝÇêÇÆC
.ØÝ íP íº ÜnLC ×éC íÕoC íÙ D¨D E ìkÝé íP çêQÙC
íº ôCml²ÆC çPjÆÜ ÓC ÛLC dêsÖÆC °Ýsé .DéÝÇêÇÆC .DéÝÇêÇÆC .DéÝÇêÇÆC .çÆ ÛéjXDr öê¿MÆC ³Õ ÛêcMsÕ CnÕÜ DÙDMÆÜ DMåk DéCjå çÆ CÝÕj¾
.öéÝMÚÆC OCÝzÍD öéiÝæêÆC ×cÆ RêL

© St. Mary & Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church, Houston, TX 59

The response for Psalm 150 During the distribution ‫ﺍﺛﻨﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﺘﻮﺯﻳﻊ‬ 150 ‫ﻣﺮﺩ ﻣﺰﻣﻮﺭ‬
I/couc Pi,~rictoc p~s/ri Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born in ‫ﻳﺴﻮﻉ ﺍﳌﺴﻴﺢ ﺍﺑﻦ ﺍﷲ ﻭﻟﺪ ﰲ ﺑﻴﺖ ﳊﻢ‬
m~Vnou]: aumacf qen Bethlehem
B/yleem.
After the Distribution of the Sacrament, the following concluding hymn is chanted:
;Am/n all/loui;a: doxa Ameen alleluia thoxa patri ke i-o ke Amen. Alleluia. Glory be to the
patri ke ;ui;w ke ;agiw agio epnevmati ke neen ke a-i ke is Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
;pneumati: tos e-onas ton e-onon ameen. Now, and forever, and to the ages of
ages. Amen.
ke nun ke ;ai; ke ic touc
;e;wnac twn ;e;wnwn ;am/n. Tenosh evol engo emmos je o- We proclaim, saying, "Our Lord,
tenws ;ebol enjw ;mmoc: penshois isos pi-ekhristos fe-etavmasf Jesus Christ, Who was born in
je ;wpen[oic i/couc pi;,rictoc: khen vethle-em kata ni-esmi em- Bethlehem according to the sayings of
v/;etaumacf qen b/yleem: eprofitikon. the prophets.
kata ni;cm/ ;m;prov/tikon.
soti emmon owoh nai nan Save us and have mercy upon us."
Cw] ;mmon ouoh nai nan.
In the presence of the Pope or a bishop, the following is added:
Ak[i ;t,aric ;mmw;uc/c ... ak-itchl etxaris emmoisis ... You were granted the merits of
Moses...
Followed by:
Kuri;e ;ele;/con kuri;e kirie eleson kirie eleson kirie Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
;ele;/con kuri;e eulog/con evlogison ameen esm-oo eroi esm-oo Lord bless, Amen. Bless me, Bless
;am/n: ;cmou ;eroi ;cmou ;eroi: eroi is ti-metania ko ni evol go empi- me. Accept this metania. Forgive me.
esm-oo Say the blessing.
ic ]metanoi;a: ,w n/i ;ebol
jw ;mpi;cmou.

V/etaumacf qen B/yleem

Melody for the Glorious Feast of
& They Worshipped Him with great faith
Nativity
And offered Him their gifts
& I open my mouth glorifying God
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh
And praise Christ at all times
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
For He has fulfilled His promise
& Daniel saw a vision and did understand
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem1
He proclaimed to all humans
& The angel appeared with the voice of joy
A stone cut out without a human hand
Concerning the Birth of Immanuel
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
He preached to the shepherds in the field
& You were adorned by great mysteries
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
You were called “Ephrathah”, O Bethlehem
& All the tongues cry out saying:
From you, our Master did come
“Glory to God in the highest and peace
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
Be on earth, good will towards men”
& Micah did sing about you
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
And uttered mysteries that are hidden
& The Wise Men came to Him
About the Birth of our Lord Jesus
Diligently from the East
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
And worshipped His holy name
& A flower grew from the house of David

1
And a star appeared from Abraham
Fe-etav-masf khen Veth-le-eem = Who was born in
Bethlehem The promises were now fulfilled
© St. Mary & Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church, Houston, TX 60
 V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
& Salome and Joseph the Carpenter
The glory of the Lord shone upon them & David said in the Book of Psalms
They have received great honors “All the nations worship Him
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem “And offer Him gifts and presents”
& Isaiah spoke with joy and gladness V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
“A Virgin in the fullness of time & All the souls are gathered today
Will bear the Shepherd of His people” This great feast, they celebrate
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem Praising with the voice of joy
& “Unto us a Child is born, and a Son is V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
given
& Luke the Apostle spoke of the news
Upon His shoulders will be the government
“Glory to His people, Israel
His name is Wonderful and Mighty God”
A Light appeared to the Gentiles”
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
& Zephaniah talked about you
& Your birth, our Lord Jesus was
And uttered of your glory, O Mariam
Mysterious with great wonders
The Sun of Righteousness shone from you
The eternal Logos became man
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
& The light of the star was a guide
& We believe in the His holy name
And was leading the way for the Wise Men
And praise with great glories
To the place where the Lord Jesus lay
All of us, the Christians
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
& The high angelic ranks of heaven
& The cursed, King Herod
Praise with gladness and rejoicing
Wanted to kill the Lord of heaven
With the voice of joy saying
Pouro n~e~pouranion2
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
& Our Lord came and granted us His grace
& His wicked judgment was foolish
The promise, He did fulfill
As he killed myriads of children
He was humble and took our form
They died for the sake of our Lord Jesus
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem Christ
& Immanuel is Light out of Light V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
He enlightened us after the darkness & O You who came from heaven up high
He was with us, a manifest God And shone to us from the Virgin
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem Look upon us with Your kindness
& The invisible God became visible V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
For the salvation of Adam His servant
And freed us from Satan’s bondage
V/etaumacf qen B/yleem
& In the manger, He was wrapped
The shepherds worshipped Him 2
Epouro en-epou-ranion = King of the heavenly
© St. Mary & Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church, Houston, TX 61
 Rites of the Feast of Nativity
Vespers Praise The Offering of Morning Incense
The praises are conducted without any prayers of the hours, as 1. The priest prays the “Prayer of Thanksgiving”
they have been prayed in the Paramoun Liturgy (unless the 2. The verses of the Cymbals are said in the festive tune as
Paramoun had fallen on a Saturday or Sunday, in which case the follows:
ninth, vespers, and Compline are prayed, because only the third i. It starts with the Morning Doxology from the
and sixth were prayed in the Paramoun Liturgy). first verse until the end of Hiten noeu,/
1. The hymn Nieynoc T/rou is chanted followed by (Through their prayers…)
the fourth Canticle ii. The verses of the cymbals for the Nativity feast
2. The appropriate Psali of the day (for Nativity) is said in are then said
the festive tune iii. It is concluded as usual for the Feasts of the Lord
3. The Theotokia of the day and its lobsh (explanation) are (the verses of P~ouro…)
said 3. The priest prays the Litany of the sick, but does not
4. The Exposition (Tarh) for the Nativity is read perform the procession of the incense
5. The Conclusion of the Theotokias is said 4. The “Seven tunes” are chanted by the deacons:
The Offering of Evening Incense i. The morning Doxology is continued from

The service is conducted in the festive tune with the following Piwouni until the end of Qen han'~almoc
observations: in the festive “Seven tunes” chant

1. The verses for the Nativity are said in the verses of the ii. The rest of the doxology is completed in the

cymbals regular morning doxology tune, followed by the

2. The doxology for the Nativity is said before the Conclusion of the Adam Theotokias (Nek nai o

doxology of the Virgin panou]) and then concluded with the hymn of joy,
Midnight Praise P~ouro, in its known tune
1. The psalms of Midnight (Agpeya) are not prayed 5. The priest prays the litany of the oblations (in its festive

2. The hymn Teny/nou is said tune) and performs the procession of the incense
6. The congregation recites the praise of the angels (Let us
3. The hymn All/louia is said in its long tune
praise with the angels), the trisagion and the Lord’s
4. The Nativity Canticle
Prayer, and then the introduction of the doxologies in the
5. A psali is said before each Canticle and an exposition is
festive tune
read after each Canticle
7. The doxology for the Nativity is said before the doxology
i.e. Psali, Canticle, and Exposition, as explained in the
of the Virgin
Nativity Paramoun
8. Parts of the ballads (Madeha) for the Nativity are said,
6. The Psalies follow the schedule, printed at the beginning
followed by the conclusion of the doxologies, the
of the annual Psalmody Book, which explains the order
introduction the Creed, and the Creed.
of the psalies for the feasts of Nativity and Epiphany
9. The priest prays V~nou] nai nan (God have mercy
based on the day that the feast falls on.
on us) and the congregation responds with Kurie~
7. The commemoration of the saints is said (in the festive
tune) as explained in the feast of the Cross
Ele/coun three times in the long tune.
8. The Antiphonarium is read, followed by the Conclusion 10. The priest prays the litany of the Gospel and the psalm

of the Theotokias may be chanted in its (“Sengary”) tune or the quick

9. The praise is concluded as usual “festive” tune.