Advent 3 – Sunday 17 December 2017

Isaiah 61.1-4, 8-11

61 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
   because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
   to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
   and release to the prisoners;
² to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour,
   and the day of vengeance of our God;
   to comfort all who mourn;
³ to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
   to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
   the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
   the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.
⁴ They shall build up the ancient ruins,
   they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
   the devastations of many generations.

8 For I the LORD love justice,
   I hate robbery and wrongdoing;
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
   and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
⁹ Their descendants shall be known among the nations,
   and their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge
   that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed.
¹⁰ I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
   my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
   he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
   and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
¹¹ For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
   and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
   to spring up before all the nations.

 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me (from The Apostles, Op. 49)

Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Sung by the Cambridge Singers
Andrew Lucas, organ
John Rutter, conductor

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord; to give unto them that mourn a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that he might be glorified.

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations.
(Isaiah 61.1–3, 11)

 

For the Psalm: Song of Mary (Luke 1.47–55)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord:
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
For you, Lord, have looked with favour on your lowly servant:
From this day all generations will call me blessed.
You, the Almighty, have done great things for me:
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you:
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm:
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones:
and lifting up the lowly
You have filled the hungry with good things:
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel:
to remember the promise of mercy,
The promise made to our forebears:
to Abraham and his children for ever.

 

Magnificat, Op. 36

Gerald Finzi (1901-1956)
Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge
Christopher Whitton, organ
Christopher Robinson, conductor

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations. He hath shewed strength with his arm he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath helpen his servant Israel as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. Amen.

 

1 Thessalonians 5.12-28

But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labour among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

Beloved, pray for us.

Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all of them.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

 

John  1.6-8, 19-28

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said,
‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
“Make straight the way of the Lord” ’,
as the prophet Isaiah said.

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

 

Apolytikion of the Synaxis of St John the Baptist 

 

Μνήμη δικαίου μετ’ εγκωμίων – from the Festal Menaion of the Greek Orthodox Church
Choir unknown

The memory of the just is praised, but thou art well pleased, O Forerunner with the testimony of the Lord, for thou hast verily been shown forth as more honoured than the prophets, since thou wast counted worthy to baptize in the stream Him whom they foretold. Therefore having mightily contended and suffered for the truth, with joy thou hast preached also to those in Hades, of God’s manifestation in the flesh, who takes away the sin of the world, and grants unto us great mercy.

 

Akathist Hymn of St John the Baptist 

From the Russian Orthodox rites
Choir unknown.

Kontakion 1
You were chosen from days of old, Saint John, to be the Forerunner and Baptist of Christ God the Saviour of the world. Glorifying the Lord who glorified you, we sing hymns of praise to you as to the greatest of those born of woman, as to an angel in the flesh and a preacher of repentance. Since you have great boldness before the Lord, free us from dangers of all kinds and move us to repentance, so that we may cry to you with love:

Rejoice, Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.

Ikos 1
The Archangel Gabriel, who stands before God, was sent to the priest Zachariah, when he, serving according to his rank, entered with incense into the Sanctuary of the Lord. Standing to the right of the Altar of Incense, the angel announced to him the good news of your birth. Gabriel proclaimed joy and gladness to Zachariah, because many would rejoice at God’s amazing goodwill concerning you, Saint John, and so would reverently cry out in praise of you:

Rejoice …
… Ineffable confidant of the counsel of God.
… Fulfilment of God’s marvellous dispensation.
… One foretold many years before by the prophecy of Isaiah.
… Messenger before the face of the Lord, prophesied of old.
… You who were foreordained to be a great prophet of the Most High.
… You who were born according to the promise of an angel.
… You who were filled with the Holy Spirit even in your mother’s womb.
… You who were consecrated for a great ministry before thy birth.
… Release of your parents’ barrenness.
… Joy and gladness of a priest of God.
… Offspring of a daughter of Aaron.
… God-given fruit of prayer.
… Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.

Kontakion 2
When Zachariah beheld the angel, he was disturbed and fear fell upon him, for he did not believe the words of the announcement concerning your birth. Thereupon being stricken with dumbness for his disbelief, he marvelled at this most glorious wonder, crying to God with all his heart: Alleluia.

Ikos 2
Seeking to understand the unfathomable Mind, the people awaited Zachariah and wondered at his tarrying in the Sanctuary. When he came out and could not speak unto them, but only made signs, then they all understood that he had beheld a vision in the Sanctuary. We therefore glorify God, the marvellous Creator of miracles, and we cry to you:

Rejoice …
… Good source of your father’s silence.
…  Change of your mother’s tears into joy.
… Removal of her reproach among the people.
… Great consolation for those who gave you birth.
… For in the sixth month after your conception the most holy Virgin Mary was visited by an angel in Nazareth.
… For many rejoiced over your birth.
… For you received a grace-filled name, given by an angel.
… For by your name the silence of thy father Zachariah was ended.
… For the Name of God was blessed by your father because of you.
… For fear and wonder over your miraculous birth came upon those living round about.
… For the news of your miraculous birth spread over the entire land of Judea.
… By you salvation appeared to many in this world.
… Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.

Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High ended the barrenness of the righteous Elizabeth, who was beyond the natural age for bearing children, for she conceived you, the glorious Forerunner of the Lord. Keeping this secret for five months, she said: Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days in which he looked on me to take away my reproach among mortals. But when Elizabeth received her who bore Christ in her womb, she was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried with a loud voice: Why is it that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? Rejoicing together with her, she cried to God: Alleluia.
 

Ikos 3
You who were to go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah were filled with the Holy Spirit while in your mother’s womb, from where you appeared as a marvelous prophet. You leapt with rejoicing at the coming of the Mother of the Lord, for you recognized God borne in the womb of her who is full of grace, and by your mother’s voice you preached him. Saint John, it was proper for the beginning of divine things to be most glorious. Humbly marvelling at this, it is right that we cheerfully cry you: 

Rejoice …
… While in your mother’s womb you proclaimed with miraculous gladness the Lord who glorified you.
… By you and your mother Elizabeth, the Incarnation of Christ was revealed.
… For she also was filled with the Holy Spirit.
… By her the most holy Virgin Mary was called blessed among women.
… For she appeared as a most marvellous prophetess.
… By her Mary was also named the Mother of the Lord.
… For within Mary’s womb was the salvation of humanity.
… Manifestation of divine wisdom.
… Heavenly blessing of a holy marriage.
… Wonderful offspring of a barren womb.
… Astonishment of all at your birth.
… Radiant voice of the Word.
… Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.
 

Kontakion 4
Disturbed by a storm of doubt, the priest Zachariah was unable to speak, according to the angel’s word. After your birth, Forerunner of the Lord, he wrote your grace-filled name and immediately his lips and tongue were loosened. Yes, then did Zachariah speak, and he blessed God and prophesied, saying: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, and you, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest, singing unto him: Alleluia.

Ikos 4
On hearing of your most glorious and miraculous birth, the people who lived round about said among themselves with amazement: What will this child become? We who unworthily honour you now, most glorious Forerunner of the Lord, as the greatest of those born of woman, glorify you in this manner:

Rejoice …
… You who were filled with manifestations of grace from your conception.
… You who were glorified by God in your birth.
… You who were in your infancy called a Prophet of the Most High by the Father.
… You who were in your childhood enlightened and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
… You who were a blood relative of God Incarnate.
… You who received from God the lofty calling of Forerunner and Baptist.
… Ray proclaiming new Light to the world.
… Star illumining the path that leads to Christ.
… Morning star of the never-setting Sun.
… Worthy lamp of the never-waning Light.
… You who prepared the way for the approaching Christ.
… You who appear as both angel and man.
… Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.
 

Kontakion 5
The ungodly command of the lawless murderer of children, Herod, drove you out of your father’s house into the trackless wilderness, carried by your mother. Forerunner of the Lord, there you lived until the day of your appearance to Israel, eating locusts and wild honey, and calling to God: Alleluia.
 

Ikos 5
Beholding God’s wonderful providence concerning you, John praised by God, you appeared as a lover of the life of fasting from infancy’s swaddling clothes. From there, by the will of the Most High, you were sent to preach the approaching salvation in Christ. For this reason, with amazement and love we cry to you: 

Rejoice …
… While yet an infant, you terrified King Herod.
… You who were preserved from his vain murdering by the right hand of the Most High.
… Fragrant rose of the barren desert.
… You who amazed all by the height of your ascetic labours.
… Faithful indicator of the True Way.
…  Most wonderful preserver of purity and chastity.
… Perfect example of the self-denial of the Gospel.
… Protection and security of monks and nuns.
… Enlightenment of the minds of theologians.
… Defence of the poor and widows and orphans.
… You who open the doors of God’s compassion for the sinful.
… You who help to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.
… Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.

Kontakion 6
You were shown to be a glorious preacher and a divine Forerunner in the desert of Jordan on the day of the appearance of Christ our God to the world. On his approaching you, thou showed him to the people, saying: Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Thus having known him through faith, we sing unto him: Alleluia.
 

Ikos 6
You shone as a light of truth, Saint John, enlightened by God, manifesting to all the dazzling glory of the Father, appearing in the flesh for our sake. You cried to the people in the wilderness: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; bring forth fruit worthy of repentance. For behold, there comes after me, One who shall baptize you with water and the Spirit. As a result, we cry to you with praises: 

Rejoice …
… Herald of the coming of the Messiah.
… Preparer of the straight paths of the Lord.
… Intercessor of the old and the new grace.
… End of the prophets and beginning of the apostles.
… Renowned voice of the Word.
… Thundering preacher of repentance.
… You who converted many of the sons of Israel to the Lord.
… You who made people perfect for the Lord.
… You who boldly exposed false teaching.
… You who taught to bear fruit worthy of repentance.
… Indicator of spiritual enlightenment.
… Constant intercessor for those seeking thy protection.
… Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.
 

Kontakion 7
When the Lord Jesus wanted to be baptized, divinely blessed John, you said: I have need to be baptized of you. Notwithstanding, you submitted to him who said: Let it be so now. And so, you raised your right hand over his head and having poured out water on him who did not need purification, you cried out: Alleluia.
 

Ikos 7
Giving you new grace, the Lord willed to be baptized by you, granting you to behold the coming of the Spirit and to hear the Father’s voice from the heavens testifying to his Sonship. From then on  you taught us to worship One God in Three Persons. Glorifying with lips of clay the Trinity, we offer these praises unto you: 

Rejoice …
… First preacher of the manifestation of the Trinity.
… True worshipper of the One God in Three Persons.
… Clear beholder of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.
… Witness of his descent from the Father upon the Son.
… Hearer of the voice of God the Father from Heaven.
… Beholder of the revelation of the Father’s love for the Son.
… Chosen Baptist of the Son of God.
… Glad fulfiller of Christ’s holy will.
… Zealous struggler in glorious service for the salvation of the human race.
… First celebrant of the great mystery of Baptism.
… Fervent messenger of divine joy.
… First teacher of the New Testament.
… Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.
 

Kontakion 8
Having beheld the strange and ineffable humility of the Incarnate God the Word, divinely blessed Baptist, when he bowed his divine head to you and received a servile Baptism, you yourself were wholly filled with great humility. Entreat this divinely beloved virtue for us who are possessed by demonic pride, so that we may also submit to the One who alone is worthy and to say: Alleluia.
 

Ikos 8
Wholly filled with the gifts of grace, in finishing the course of earthly life, O John the divinely chosen, you taught all to please God well through fulfilment of the Law and repentance. We fervently sing out thankful praises to you who are the great teacher of truth: 

Rejoice …
… Planter of the Law and statues of the Lord.
… Blameless exposer of Herod’s lawlessness.
… Upright zealot for his correction.
… You who suffered imprisonment and bondage for the sake of righteousness.
… You who were beheaded for the truth.
… For your body was given an honourable burial by your disciples.
… For your head was preserved incorrupt by God’s providence.
… For it has granted consolation, sanctification and healing to Christians.
… For the faithful piously bow down also before your right hand which baptized the Lord.
… For many miracles are thereby accomplished even to the present day.
… By you the faithful are delivered from the dishonour of passions.
… By you the sinful are moved to repentance.
… Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.
 

Kontakion 9
The angelic realm was amazed at the loftiness of your ministry, and the Church reverently praises you as the friend of Christ our God, coming before him in the spirit and power of Elijah. Zealous for truth, you boldly exposed false teaching and also the lawless Herod from whom you received a martyr’s end. For this cause, we bow down before your holy head, and we pray to you to deliver us from the distress of passions, so that with pure heart and lips we may chant: Alleluia.
 

Ikos 9
No rhetoric of the earthly born can suffice to praise thee, John the divinely praised. Only the lips of Christ rightfully praised you, calling you higher than the prophets and the greatest of all those born of woman. We therefore, not knowing how to offer you worthy praise, cry unto thee such things as these: 

Rejoice …
… Great glory of the Church of Christ.
… Most marvellous wonder of the angels.
… Joy and glorification of the forefathers.
… Lofty praise of the prophets.
… Divinely illumined crown of the apostles.
… Magnificent beauty of hierarchs.
… Beginning of martyrs in the new grace.
… Perfection of holy monks and nuns.
… Adornment of the righteous.
… Foundation of virgins and fasters.
… Great consolation of all Christians.
… For your name is glorified by all Christian generations.
… Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.
 

Kontakion 10
You proclaimed to those in Hades the good news of Christ, come in the flesh to save the world. Like the morning star preceding the sun, you illumined those sitting in the darkness and in the shadow of death. Hence, you were soon led forth by the Lord with all the righteous from the beginning of the age, chanting to him as the deliverer from sin and the conqueror of death: Alleluia.
 

Ikos 10
You are a wall and a saving refuge to all who hasten to you in prayer, O Baptist John. We bless your holy life with hymns of praise: 

Rejoice …
… Mighty intercessor and faithful preserver from harm.
… Quick helper and deliverer of those suffering from the spirits of malice.
… You who send down the blessing of God upon the barren.
… You who deliver those who run to you with faith from great disturbance of passions.
… You who quickly reconcile those who are at enmity.
… You who grant speedy help to those who fervently hasten to you in every need and sorrow.
… You who rescue those who are running the good race from self-deception and spiritual delusion.
… You who help those who entrust themselves to your intercession at the hour of death.
… You who by you intercession deliver those who love you from the toll-houses of the air.
… You who graciously show eternal life to those who honour your glorious memory.
… You who, after God and the Theotokos, are the refuge and hope of Christians.
… Great John, Prophet Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.
 

Kontakion 11
No hymn is sufficient to praise you according to the legacy of your great deeds, blessed John. Compelled by love, however, we dare to hymn your greatness. Mercifully accept this from us, O intercessor before the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity. Pray to free us from every sinful corruption, that with pure heart and lips we may sing to God: Alleluia.
 

Ikos 11
Knowing you to be a lamp of the unapproachable Light and entirely filled with the all-radiant gifts of grace, John the divinely enlightened, joyfully we offer you such words as these: 

Rejoice …
… Eyewitness of the Divine Light shining from on high.
… Gladness of those who acquire the Christian virtures.
… Beacon of the majestic glory of the Most Holy Trinity.
… Indicator of the correct and marvellous path to Heaven.
… Harbinger of the good news of God Incarnate for those in Hades.
… Bearer of glad tidings for the righteous held in the nether regions from the beginning of the age.
… Sincere friend of the Master, Christ our God.
… Revealer to the world of the True Light from Heaven.
… Radiance of the shining light of the Gospel.
… Glorification of the Christian race.
… Fulfilment of the counsel of God.
… From the rising of the sun till the going-down of the same, your name is to be praised.
… Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.
 

Kontakion 12
Bearing the name of grace, O Baptist of the Lord, and enriched by it, you appeared as a most glorious bearer of victory. You conquered enemies and every malice, and sealed your ministry with martyrdom. Standing now at the Throne of the King of kings, entreat him to grant all the faithful victory over their enemies and Godspeed in all things, and the strengthening of grace in virtues as they humbly chant to Him: Alleluia.
 

Ikos 12
Hymning God, who was wondrously glorified in you, we praise you, Saint John the Baptist, as the sincere friend of Jesus Christ. We praise your great ascetic struggles, we bless your martyr’s death, and we truly cry to you such things as these: 

Rejoice …
… Universal apostle and first martyr of the New Testament.
… First preacher of the Kingdom of Heaven manifested by the appearance of Christ on the earth.
… Foreteller of the divine calling of the Gentiles.
… You who showed the world the hidden and secret things of the wisdom of God.
… You who were shown to be more fruitful than others in divine deeds.
… For you glorified the Heavenly Father by your holy deeds.
… For you unspeakably gladden the Church of Christ concerning your memory.
… For now you eternally enjoy abundant gladness.
… For you are illuminated by the divine rays of the light of the Three-Sunned Light.
… For you unceasingly chant with the angels the thrice-holy hymn unto God.
… For with the veil removed, you directly gaze on the Holy Trinity.
… Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.
 

Kontakion 13
Great and most glorious John, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, receive from us now this supplication offered to you. By your prayers which are pleasing unto God, deliver us from every kind of evil. Rescue us from eternal torment and make us heirs of the kingdom of heaven, that throughout the ages we may chant unto God: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

(Repeated three times.)
 

Kontakion 1 (repeated)

You were chosen from days of old, Saint John, to be the Forerunner and Baptist of Christ God the Saviour of the world. Glorifying the Lord who glorified you, we sing hymns of praise to you as to the greatest of those born of woman, as to an angel in the flesh and a preacher of repentance. Since you have great boldness before the Lord, free us from dangers of all kinds and move us to repentance, so that we may cry to you with love:

Rejoice, Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.
 

Ikos 1 (repeated)

The Archangel Gabriel, who stands before God, was sent to the priest Zachariah, when he, serving according to his rank, entered with incense into the Sanctuary of the Lord. Standing to the right of the Altar of Incense, the angel announced to him the good news of your birth. Gabriel proclaimed joy and gladness to Zachariah, because many would rejoice at God’s amazing goodwill concerning you, Saint John, and so would reverently cry out in praise of you:

Rejoice …

… Ineffable confidant of the counsel of God.
… Fulfilment of God’s marvellous dispensation.
… One foretold many years before by the prophecy of Isaiah.
… Messenger before the face of the Lord, prophesied of old.
… You who were foreordained to be a great prophet of the Most High.
… You who were born according to the promise of an angel.
… You who were filled with the Holy Spirit even in your mother’s womb.
… You who were consecrated for a great ministry before thy birth.
… Release of your parents’ barrenness.
… Joy and gladness of a priest of God.
… Offspring of a daughter of Aaron.
… God-given fruit of prayer.
… Great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.

 

A Prayer

Saint John, prophet and martyr, you who were a blessing to the righteous Elizabeth and a friend of Christ the Lord, teach us to repent that we may also be a blessing to others and that we may prepare a straight path from this sinful world to the Kingdom of Heaven. Correct us if we stray from truth, deliver us if we fall into passions, and purify us if we love not our neighbour as Christ has loved us. Baptist John, let us bring forth fruits worthy of repentance — fruits from the barren deserts and fruits from the dark forests which are transfigured only by reconciliation in Christ our God. We thank you, voice in the wilderness, for proclaiming the message of salvation to all people. Amen.

 

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