From the Matins Service for St. John the Baptist (January 7)
Apolytikion for St. John:
The memory of the just is observed with hymns of praise; for you suffices the
testimony of the Lord, O Forerunner. You have proved to be truly more venerable
than the Prophets, since you were granted to baptize in the river the One whom
they proclaimed. Therefore, when for the truth you had contested, rejoicing, to
those in Hades you preached the Gospel, that God was manifested in the flesh, and
takes away the sin of the world, and grants to us the great mercy.
The Master once referred to you as Prophet and superior to all the Prophets and
greater than all who were born to women; for all the Prophets and the Law
announced the coming of the Christ, but you have seen Him in the flesh, and more
than all you were honored when you, O Saint John baptized Him.
From the Matins service for Epiphany (January 6)
Apolytikion for Epiphany (Our Lord’s Baptism):
When You were baptized in the River Jordan, O Lord, it was revealed that God is
worshiped in Trinity. For the voice of the Father, who had begotten You, also bore
witness to You, calling You “beloved Son,” and the Spirit, in the form of a dove,
confirmed that what was said is true. In Your epiphany, O Christ God, You
appeared and illumined the world. Glory to You!
At Your epiphany at River Jordan, O Christ, when by the Forerunner, O Savior,
You were baptized, the voice from heaven testified that You are the beloved Son.
Therefore You were shown to be with the Father beginningless, and the Holy
Spirit came down as a dove and alighted on You. In Him we are illumined and cry
out, Glory to God in Trinity.
You hallowed the waters of the Jordan River, O Lord; and by Your own might You
shattered sin’s dominion, O Christ our God. You bowed yourself, O Savior,
beneath the hand of the Baptist, and saved the human race from deception and
error. Therefore, we intently entreat You to save Your world.
God the Logos has appeared in the flesh to the human race. As He stood in the
Jordan waiting to be baptized, the Forerunner said to Him, “How can I reach out
with my hand and touch the head that controls the universe? Though as an infant
You came from Mary, yet I know You to be the pre-eternal God. You walk on
earth, You who are extolled by the Seraphim. And I do not know how a servant
ought to baptize his Master. Incomprehensible Lord, glory to You.”
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