The Sixth of December
The Memory of Our Father Among the Saints
Nicholas the Wonder Worker
Archbishop of Myra in Lycia

Vespers

The Proemial Psalm. Great Litany.

At the Kyrie Ekekraksa

Prosomia Stichera of the Saint
Tone 2

You lived among the people of Myra, but were yourself true myrrh, having been anointed with noetic myrrh, Holy Nicholas, Archbishop of Christ; and you anoint the faces of the faithful, who ever celebrate your all-praiseworthy memory, with faith and zeal, delivering them from all misery, distress, and sorrows, father, through your intercessions to the Lord

As your name implies, you were truly a powerful triumph for the faithful people in their trials, Holy Nicholas, true servant of Christ; having been called to every place, you hastened to assist those who sought the shadow of your protection; thus appearing to them by day and by night, you deliver them from all temptations and tribulation.

You truly appeared in a dream to Constantine the Emperor, and to Ablavios, putting fear into them saying: "Release at once from prison those in chains whom you have unjustly arrested; for they are innocent of lawless murder; moreover, if you should disobey me, O king, I will plead against you when I pray to the Lord."

Noble preacher of Christ, glorious and holy Nicholas, you are an exceedingly compassionate and mighty helper to those in difficulties, who are on land, and of those who sail upon the sea, a precious intercessor for those far off and those who are near; thus in our gathering we beseech you to intercede with the Lord that we be delivered from every tribulation.

Idiomelon of the Saint
Tone Plagal 2

Let us who celebrate the feast come together, and praise in hymns the adornment of hierarchs, the pride of the fathers, the fountain of miracles, the great helper of believers, saying: "Rejoice, guardian of the people of Myra, honored chief hierarch, and immovable pillar, Rejoice, all-radiant lamp, lighting the ends of the world with miracles. Rejoice , divine joy of those who sorrow, and fervent champion of the oppressed." Wherefore, all-blessed Nicholas, do not cease to intercede with Christ God, on behalf of those who with faith and love honor your ever-celebrated and joyful memory.

Idiomelon of the Forefeast
Tone Plagal 2

Cave, make ready, for the lamb comes, bearing Christ in her womb. Manger, receive Him Who by His word has loosed us born from the earth of our irrational deeds. Shepherds in the fields watch and bear witness to the fearsome wonder. And you, O Magi who come from Persia, bring forth gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the King, for the Lord has appeared from a Virgin Mother; His Mother worshipped Him also, bowing to Him as a handmaiden, saying to Him held in her embrace: "How were You sown in me, or how were You budded forth in me, O my Redeemer and my God?"

Entrance; "O gladsome Light ..."
Prokeimenon of the day.

Old Testament Readings

First Reading
Proverbs 10:6, 7, 3:14-15, 16a, 8:6, 34-35, 8:4, 8:12, 8:14, 8:17, 8:5-9, 22:21, 22:19

The memory of the righteous is a blessing, and blessings are on his head. Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding, for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right. Happy is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. "To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the sons of men. I, wisdom, dwell in prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. I have counsel and sound wisdom, I have insight, I have strength. I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. O simple ones, learn prudence; O foolish men, pay attention. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right; for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him who understands and right to those who find knowledge. For I will show you what is right and true, that your trust may be in the Lord, and you may be filled with the Spirit.

Second Reading
Proverbs 10:31-32 & 11, 1-12

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse. A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. When the wicked dies, his hope perishes, and the expectation of the godless comes to nought. The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked gets into it instead. With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He who belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Third Reading
Wisdom 4:7-15

But the righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest. For old age is not honored for length of time, nor measured by number of years; but understanding is gray hair for men, and a blameless life is ripe old age. There was one who pleased God and was loved by Him, and while living among sinners he was taken up. He was caught up lest evil change his understanding or guile deceive his soul. For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving desire perverts the innocent mind. Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took him quickly from the midst of wickedness. Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, nor take such a thing to heart, that God's grace and mercy are with His elect, and He watches over His holy ones.

The petitions, "Let us say with all our soul..."

Litia

Tone 2

Christ revealed you to your flock to be a rule of faith and an icon of meekness, O hierarch Nicholas; for, while making Myra fragrant, a protector of orphans and widows, your deeds brightly shone forth everywhere. Thus intercede without ceasing for the salvation of our souls.

O father Nicholas, the myrrh-containing shrine of your relics enriches Myra, where, having appeared in a vision to the emperor, you set free from death, and chains, and prison those who were bound and unjustly condemned; but now, as you did then, you reveal yourself through visions, interceding for our souls.

O father Nicholas, though the land of Myra be silent, yet the whole world which is enlightened by you through the fragrance of myrrh and a multitude of wonders, shouts hymns of praise, and together with the condemned ones who were saved through you, we together with those in Myra chanting, cry aloud: intercede for the salvation of our souls

Tone 4

O father Nicholas, you are a myrrh-containing shrine of the most-holy Spirit, for in Myra you diffuse a divine aroma; for, being like unto the Apostles, you go throughout the world through the word of your wonders. Wherefore, to those afar you appear as near, manifesting yourself in dreams you deliver those unjustly condemned to death, and unexpectedly saving from many dangers those who call upon you. Wherefore, through your intercessions, free from threatening evils us who ever praise you.

Tone Plagal 2

O good and faithful servant, O laborer in the vineyard of Christ, you bore the burden of the day, and also increased the talent given to you, and you did not envy those who came after you. Wherefore the gates of heaven are opened to you: enter into the joy of your Lord, and intercede for us, O holy Nicholas.

Tone Plagal 4

In praise of the Lord you passed through the temporal life, O Nicholas, and He has glorified you in the heavenly and true life. Wherefore, having acquired boldness before Him, beseech Him to save our souls.

Doxastikon
Tone Plagal 4

The fruit of your valorous deeds, O righteous Father, has enlightened the hearts of the faithful; for who, hearing of your boundless humility, does not wonder at your patience, at your kindness to the needy, and at your consolation of the afflicted? You taught all in a godly manner, O hierarch Nicholas. And now, crowned with an unfading crown, intercede for our souls

Of the Forefeast

Bethlehem rejoice; O manger be ready; O cave prepare to receive; the truth approaches; darkness is dispelled; and God has appeared as a man from the Virgin, taking upon Himself our form, and sanctifies that which was deficient. With Adam and with Eve let us cry aloud: Good will has been manifest upon the earth, the salvation of the human race.

Artoklasia.

Aposticha

Prosomoia Stichera of the Saint
Tone Plagal 1

Rejoice, you whose sacred head is a pure home of the virtues; you who are an example of the divine priesthood; you whose name means victory; you who mercifully inclines to those who entreat you; you who are disposed to hear the prayers of the sick, the ready deliverer, the saving guardian of all who with faith honor your all-glorious memory; blessed one: entreat Christ to send great mercy upon the world.

Rejoice, you whose most-sacred mind is a pure dwelling of the Trinity; you who are a pillar of the Church, the support of the faithful, the help of the defeated, the shining star whose prayers are acceptable to God, ever destroying temptations and the darkness of afflictions; holy hierarch Nicholas, peaceful haven in which the afflicted who flee the tumult of life are saved: entreat Christ to grant our souls great mercy.

Rejoice, you who were filled with divine zeal, and who with dreadful appearance and warning in dreams did deliver from an unjust sentence those who were about to die; holy Nicholas, you are a fountain bringing forth abundant myrrh in Myra, sprinkling souls and dispelling the stench of passions, a sword cutting off the tares of deception, fan winnowing out the weed-filled teachings of Arius: entreat Christ to send down upon our souls great mercy.

Idiomelon of the Saint
Tone Plagal 2

Man of God, faithful servant, minister of the Lord, man worthy of love, chosen vessel, pillar and support of the Church, heir of the kingdom: do not cease crying unto the Lord for us.

Idiomelon of the Forefeast
Tone Plagal 2

Where did you come from, O unwedded Virgin? Who gave you birth? How do you carry the Creator in your Arms? How was your womb kept immaculate? We see a great, marvelous, and fearsome mystery on earth accomplished through you, all-holy one. Since you are worthy, we make ready a cave on earth, we ask heaven to give a star, and we call the Magi from the east to see the Salvation of mankind wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Hymn of Simeon; Trisagion.

Troparia

Apolitikion of Saint Nicholas
Tone 4

An example of the faith and a life of humility: as a teacher of abstinence you did inspire and lead your flock, and through the truthfulness of your deeds were exalted to greatness through your humility, uplifting all, and by poverty gaining wealth. Father and hierarch Saint Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

Theotokion
Tone 4

The mystery that was hidden from the ages and unknown to the angels was made manifest to those on earth through you, O Theotokos. God took flesh in a union without confusion and willingly accepted the cross for our sake, thereby raising up the first man and saving our souls from death.

Dismissal.

The Divine Liturgy.

Divine Liturgy

At the Small Entrance

Apolitikion of Saint Nicholas
Tone 4

An example of the faith and a life of humility: as a teacher of abstinence you did inspire and lead your flock, and through the truthfulness of your deeds were exalted to greatness through your humility, uplifting all, and by poverty gaining wealth. Father and hierarch Saint Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

(Troparion of the Temple)

Kontakion of the Forefeast of the Nativity
Tone 3

The Virgin today comes to the cave, to give birth to the eternal Word in an ineffable way. Rejoice, O universe, having heard of this event; glorify with the angels and the shepherds, Him who willed to be seen as a new child: the God Who existed before the ages.

Epistle

Prokeimenon
Grave Tone

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Psalm 115:6)

What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He has rendered unto me? (Psalm 115:3)

Epistle
Hebrews 13:17-21

The reading from the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews.

BRETHREN, Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia
Tone 1

Your priests, Lord, shall be clothed in righteousness. (Psalm 131:9)

For the Lord has chosen Sion. (Psalm 131:6)

At: "Remembering our most-holy..."

Truly it is proper ...

Communion Hymn
Tone 4

In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be. Alleluia.

At: "We have seen the Light..."

We have seen the true light ...

Matins

Hexapsalm. "God is the Lord ..."

Troparia

Apolitikion of Saint Nicholas
Tone 4

An example of the faith and a life of humility: as a teacher of abstinence you did inspire and lead your flock, and through the truthfulness of your deeds were exalted to greatness through your humility, uplifting all, and by poverty gaining wealth. Father and hierarch Saint Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

Theotokion
Tone 4

The mystery that was hidden from the ages and unknown to the angels was made manifest to those on earth through you, O Theotokos. God took flesh in a union without confusion and willingly accepted the cross for our sake, thereby raising up the first man and saving our souls from death.

Small Litany.

Sessional Hymns (Kathismata)

After the First Stichologia
Tone 1

You brighten the earth with the rays of your miracles, O wise Nicholas, and you move all nations to the glory and praise of Him Who has glorified you; entreat Him to deliver from all necessity those who honor your memory with faith and love, O chosen among the fathers.

Mary, the holy vessel of the Master, raised us who have fallen into the abyss of evil despair, of trespasses, and of sorrows. For you have given salvation, help, and strong protection to sinners, and you save your servants.

After the Second Stichologia
Tone 4

You make intercession for the faithful, protecting, keeping them, O blessed one, plainly delivering them from all tribulation, O fairest glory and boast of hierarchs, O righteous Nicholas.

Invincible advocate of those in need, and ready intercessor for those who hope in you, deliver me from danger and turn not away from me, O you who are the helper of all.

After the Polyelaios
Tone 4

A most fervent leader of the Church of Christ, have you been shown to be, O Nicholas, and destroying the godless heresies with boldness, you have been revealed to all as a standard of Orthodoxy, praying for all that follow your divine teachings and precepts.

Quickly receive our prayers, O Lady, and present these to Your Son and God, O Mistress all-blameless; deliver from adversity those who hasten to you; shatter the craftiness, and cast down the daring, of the godless who arm themselves, O most-pure One, against your servants.

Anavathmoi.

Anavathmoi

First Antiphon
Tone 4

From the years of my youth many passions combat me; but You, Who are my Savior, assist me and save me. (2)

You haters of Sion shall be put to shame by the Lord almighty, for as grass in the fire, you shall all be withered. (2)

By the Holy Spirit, every soul is made living, is exalted, and made shining through purification, by the Threefold Oneness, in a hidden manner.

By the Holy Spirit, the streams of grace are flowing, watering, all of the creation, granting life upon it.

Prokeimenon

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Psalm 115:6)

What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He has rendered unto me?. (Psalm 115:3)

The order for the Matins Gospel.

Matins Gospel
John 10:1-9

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.&rdqut; Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

Psalm 50.

Intercessory Troparia
Tone Plagal 2

Through the intercessions of the Hierarch, merciful One, blot out the multitude of our transgressions.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O merciful One, blot out the multitude of our transgressions.

Merciful One, have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassions blot out my transgression.

Idiomelon of the Saint
Tone Plagal 2

Good and faithful servant, laborer in the vineyard of Christ, you did bear the burden of the day, and you did also increase the talent that was given to you; and you did not envy those who came after you; wherefore the gates of heaven are opened to you; enter into the joy of your Lord, and intercede for us, holy Nicholas.

O God save Your people ...

Kontakion
Read (Tone 3)

In Myra, O holy one, you proved to be a minister of sacred things; for, having fulfilled the Gospel of Christ, O righteous one, you laid down your life for your people, and you saved the innocent from death. Wherefore, you were sanctified, as a great initiate of the grace of God.

Oikos
Read (Tone 3)

Let us now praise the hierarch in song, the shepherd and teacher of the people of Myra, that through his intercessions we may be enlightened; for behold, he has appeared entirely pure, incorrupt in spirit, offering to Christ the pure and blameless sacrifice acceptable to God, as a hierarch purified in soul and body. Wherefore, he is truly a leader and champion of this Church, as a great initiate of the grace of God.

Synaxarion

On the sixth day of this month, we commemorate our holy Father Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker.

The memory of the holy New Martryr Nicholas of Karamania, who was martyred in Smyrna in the year 1657.

TThrough the prayers of these saints, O God, have mercy upon us, and save us. Amen.

Katavasiai Of the Nativity of Christ
Tone 1

Christ is borne; glorify Him. Christ comes from heaven; meet Him. Christ is on earth; be exalted. All the earth, sing unto the Lord; O you peoples sing praises in gladness, for He is glorified.

To the Son begotten of the Father without change before all ages, and in later times without seed incarnate of the Virgin, let us cry out: Blessed are You, Lord.

Rod of Jesse's root and Flower of his stem, O Christ, You have sprung from the Virgin, from the praiseworthy mountain overshadowed by the forest; You have come, made flesh from her who knew no man, O God not formed from matter. Glory to Your power, Lord.

You the God of peace and Father of mercies, have sent us Your angel of great wisdom to grant us peace; therefore guided by the light to divine knowledge we watch by night, glorifying You, Who loves mankind.

The whale disgorged Jonah from its belly, as it had received him, as if he were a baby. The Word dwelt in the Virgin and was incarnate, passing through her yet keeping her incorrupt; He Who was not subject to mortality preserved His Mother free from harm.

The youths who were brought up together in piety, despised the impious decree and were not afraid of the fiery threat; standing in the midst of the flames they sang: blessed are You, O God of our fathers.

We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord.

Whe furnace, moist with dew, showed forth the figure of extraordinary wonder; it did not consume those whom it received, even as the Godhead did not singe the Virgin's womb. Let us therefore sing in praise: all creation bless the Lord, and exalt Him unto all the ages.

"More honorable ..."

Katavasia
Tone 1

Magnify O my soul, the one who is more honorable and more glorious than the host above.

Strange and wonderful mystery: the cave has become as heaven, the Virgin is like the Cherubim, the manger a place wherein lies Christ God Whom nothing can contain; As we praise Him, let us also magnify Him.

Small Litany.

Exaposteilaria

Exaposteilaria of the Saint
Tone 3

Let us all praise Nicholas, the great archpastor and hierarch, the chief bishop of Myra; for he saved many men who had been unjustly condemned to death, and he appeared in a dream to the king and to Ablavios, setting aside an unjust judgment.

The Lord has greatly glorified you in wonders, both in life and afterwards, hierarch Nicholas; for who out of love of the faith, not only calls upon your holy name, and is not heard at once, and does not find you to be a fervent protector.

Theotokion

Virgin, who did bear Christ, the hypostatic Wisdom, and ever-existing Word, and the Physician of all, heal the grievous and deep-rooted sores and wounds of my soul, and mortify the passionate thoughts of my heart.

Praises

Prosomia Stichera of the Saint
Tone 1

Flying around the flowers of the Church like a fledgling from a nest of angels on high, O thrice-blessed Nicholas, you always cry to God for all of us who are in need, misfortune, and temptation, and you always deliver us through your intercessions.

You made the beauty of the priestly vestments most bright with virtuous deeds through activity, O God-bearing father. Wherefore, O priest, you perform wondrous and renowned miracles for us through sacred functions, delivering us from misfortunes.

Having experienced the invisible beauty of the saints, you understood that dread glory, O saint; wherefore you reveal to us heavenly words of those ever-living visions, O most-holy father.

As you once appeared in a dream to the pious emperor, and delivered the prisoners from death, O father, pray unceasingly that through your intercessions those who greatly praise you as is just, may also be delivered from temptations, dangers, and sickness.

Idiomelon of the Hierarch
Tone Plagal 1

Let us sound the music of the trumpet, let us dance festally, rejoicing in prayerful celebration to the God-bearing father. Let kings and princes assemble, and let them praise him who by dread appearance in a dream persuaded the king to loose the three soldiers held without cause. Let the pastors and teachers of the Good Shepherd sing in praise; having come together, let us extol the zealous shepherd. Praising the physician of those in sickness, the deliverer of those in misfortune, the protector of sinners, the treasury of the poor, the consolation of those in affliction, the companion of those who journey, the pilot of those at sea, and the great hierarch who fervently hastens to aid all everywhere, let us say: O most-holy Nicholas, hasten and deliver us from present dangers, and save your flock through your intercessions.

Theotokion

Let us sound the music of the trumpet: for looking down from on high, the Virgin Mother, the Queen of all, crowns with blessing those who chant in praise of her. Let kings and princes assemble, and let them clap their hands in song to the Queen, who gave birth to the King, Who in His love for mankind was pleased to deliver those who were once held fast by death; O you pastors and teachers of he Good Shepherd, having come together let us extol the most-pure Mother: the golden candlestick, the light-bearing cloud, she who is more spacious than the heavens, the living ark, the fiery throne of the Master, the manna-containing golden jar, the closed gate of the Word, the refuge of all Christians; with boastful and inspired songs let us say: O palace of the Word, vouchsafe unto us lowly ones the heavenly kingdom, for nothing is impossible through your mediation.

Great Doxology.

Troparion

Apolitikion of Saint Nicholas
Tone 4

An example of the faith and a life of humility: as a teacher of abstinence you did inspire and lead your flock, and through the truthfulness of your deeds were exalted to greatness through your humility, uplifting all, and by poverty gaining wealth. Father and hierarch Saint Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.