On the eve of the Nativity of Christ at the 9th hour.

December 26, to the Most Holy Theotokos.

December 29, to the Holy Infants.

Sunday after the Nativity of Christ.

The Gospel of Matthew, conceived 5

In those days John the Baptist came and preached in the wilderness of Judea, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." For he is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah said: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight." John himself had a robe of camel's hair and a leather belt on his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. And when John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to be baptized, he said to them, "Offspring of vipers! Who inspired you to flee from the wrath to come? Make therefore the worthy fruit of repentance, and do not think to say in yourselves, 'Our father is Abraham,' for I say to you, God is able to raise up children for Abraham out of these stones. Already the axe lies at the root of the trees: every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you in water for repentance, but He who comes after me is stronger than I; I am not worthy to bear His shoes; He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire.

Matthew 3:1–11

Saturday before Epiphany.

On the eve of Theophany, at 1 hour.

Евангелие от Матфея, зачало 6

В те дни приходит Иисус из Галилеи на Иордан к Иоанну креститься от него. Иоанн же удерживал Его и говорил: мне надобно креститься от Тебя, и Ты ли приходишь ко мне? Но Иисус сказал ему в ответ: оставь теперь, ибо так надлежит нам исполнить всякую правду. Тогда Иоанн допускает Его. И, крестившись, Иисус тотчас вышел из воды, — и вот, отверзлись Ему небеса, и увидел Иоанн Духа Божия, Который сходил, как голубь, и ниспускался на Него. И вот, глас с небес глаголющий: Сей есть Сын Мой возлюбленный, в Котором Мое благоволение.

Мф 3:13–17

Навечерие Богоявления, на 9 часе.

Богоявление, на литургии.