The Paris lectionary (liturgy and pericopes)

This is the ordinance and arrangement of the orthodox teachers, which they perform in Jerusalem. In the month of December: 24. At the hour when they go out to the flock, they perform a kuer'ekson and a prayer, and they recite the Hymn of Habakkuk, Tone 2, Side: [Lk_2_14] On the heights, glory; on the earth, peace. Troparion: [Ps_66_7-8] The earth brought forth its fruit; to the ends of the earth. 2. Hymn of Habakkuk: Troparion: [Is_7_14] First Isaiah said: Behold, the virgin. And they perform a kuer'ekson and a prayer; they recite a psalm: 2. Side: [Ps_22_1-2] The Lord shepherds me, and I lack nothing in [place]. Alleluia. Psalm, Tone 2: [Ps_79_2] He who shepherds Israel, look down. Until Joseph.

The Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 8–20: And the shepherds were in that same village... And the shepherds were in that same village, standing in the field, keeping watch over their flock during the night watch. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel of the Lord said to them: Fear not, for behold, I bring you great joy, which shall be for all the people: for a savior has been born for you, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign for you: you will find the child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And immediately there was with that angel a multitude of heavenly hosts, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and goodwill among men. And it came to pass, as the angels ascended to heaven, those shepherds said to one another: Let us go as far as Bethlehem and see this word, which was spoken to us, which the Lord announced to us. And they came quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. And when they saw, they understood the word that had been spoken to them concerning the child. And all who heard were amazed at the word.

The shepherds, those men, towards them. But Mary kept these words, she laid them in her heart. And she turned and went away, those shepherds, praising and blessing God for all this, which they had heard and seen, as it was told to them. After this, I will go up to Bethlehem, I will enter into the cave, at the time of evening. Oikita: D: Side: (Iadg.) Creator of all creatures. Psalm, tone D: Ps 2:7: The Lord called me my son. Dosdebeli: Ps 2:8: They ask of me and I gave. Reading from the prophet Jeremiah: Jer 23:2-6: Because of this, thus says the Lord God of Israel concerning the shepherds of my people... Because of this, thus says the Lord God of Israel concerning the shepherds of my people: You have scattered my sheep and driven them away, and you have neglected them. Behold, I will take vengeance upon you for the wickedness of your ways, says the Lord. And I will have mercy on the remnants of my people from all the earth, wherever I have scattered them, I will establish them.

[They] on their own pasture, and they grew strong and multiplied. And the shepherds who were tending them rose up; and they were no longer afraid, nor were they terrified, says the Lord. Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, I shall raise up David from the east, [the righteous], and the righteous king shall reign, he shall know and execute judgment and righteousness upon the earth. In those days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall take comfort in hope. Reading from Paul to the Hebrews: Heb 1:1-12. In many ways and in many forms, God then spoke to the fathers, the prophets, but in those latter days he spoke to us through his Son, whom he appointed as the redeemer of all, through whom he created the ages, who was the radiance of glory and the image of power, the invincible words of power; he accomplished the purification of our sins; and he sat down at the right hand of the riches in the heights. He was so much more excellent than the angels, as much as he was more excellent than them, he redeemed the name. When, then, did he say to any of the angels: You are my son, today I have given birth to you.

And again he says: I am his father, and he is my son. And when the firstborn is again brought into the world, he says: All the angels of God bowed down to him. And concerning the angels he says: He who created his angels as spirit and his servants as the flame of fire. And concerning the Son he says: Your throne, O God, is from eternity to eternity; the scepter of righteousness and the scepter of your reign. Love righteousness and abhor iniquity. For this reason may God anoint you, your God, with the oil of joy more than your neighbors. From the beginning, O Lord, you established the earth, and the works of your hands are the heavens; ... all things grow old like garments, and like vestments you change them, and they are changed. But you yourself are the same, and your years do not diminish. And your years do not diminish. Alleluia. Psalm, tone 4, right side: Ps 109:1 The Lord said to my Lord, sit:

The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 1, verses 18–25. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was thus: For the mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, and before their marriage she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. But Joseph, her husband, was righteous and did not wish to expose her; he planned to secretly put her away. And as he was pondering this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a vision and said: Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary, your wife, for the one who is to be born from her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and his name shall be called Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Now all this happened so that the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: Behold, the virgin will conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel, which is interpreted: God is with us. Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him; and he took his wife, and he did not know her until she bore a son and called his name Jesus. And she called his name Jesus.

The lines of the edition: 15 The voices of the ranks of the choir {!} a: (Iadg.) The Lord was born in Bethlehem of Judea: Line of edition: 16 Of purity b side: (Iadg.) Why should I offer: Line of edition: 17 From midnight they begin the antiphons and readings: Line of edition: 18 a Antiphon voice b: (Iadg.) At the birth of the Lord in Bethlehem: Line of edition: 19 Psalm: Ps 44:1 My heart has uttered: Page of edition: I-3 Line of edition: 1 a Reading from Genesis: (Gen 1:1–3:24) In the beginning God created Line of edition: 2 the heaven: Hpoo WMagn._7 On Great Saturday: Line of edition: 3 b Antiphon voice d: (Iadg.) Rejoice, righteous ones of the heavens. Line of edition: 4 Psalm mv: Ps 46:1 All peoples, clap [your hands]: Line of edition: 5 b Reading from Isaiah the prophet: Is 7:10–17 And the Lord added Line of edition: 6 a word to Ahaz ... Ms. page: L5A And the Lord added a word to Ahaz and said: Learn for yourself the miracle of the Lord by your God Ms. page: L5B in depth or in height. And Ahaz said: I do not desire and I do not understand the Lord. And Isaiah said: Listen, house of David! Is it not a small thing for you to encounter the struggle of a man? And how will you encounter the struggle with the Lord?

For this reason the Lord himself gave you a miracle: behold, the virgin approached and bore a son, and they called his name Emmanuel. He ate curds and honey until his recognition, and for his distinction from evil, he chose the good. For until the recognition of that child, whether good or evil, he despised evil and chose the good. The land remained, on account of which you fear from the face of the two kings. But the Lord will send upon you and upon your people and upon the house of your father days which are not yet completed, from the day when Ephraim took from Judah that king of the Assyrians. Ms. page: L5B that king of the Assyrians Line of edition: 7 G The setting tone A side: (Iadg.) For grace appeared Line of edition: 8 that grace of God for salvation: Line of edition: 9 Psalm: Ps_47_2 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised: Line of edition: 10 G Reading from Exodus: (Ex_14_24) And it was at the morning watch: Line of edition: 11 Hpoo 726 On Great Saturday.

The line of the edition: 12 The setting of the voice is on the side: (Iadg.) The utterance of that one was completed. The line of the edition: 13 The former prophet[s]. The line of the edition: 14 Psalm: Ps 66:2 O God, have mercy on us and forgive us. The line of the edition: 15 And the reading of Jeremiah {Micah!} the prophet: Mic 5:2-7 And you, Bethlehem, house of Ephrathah, are you not the least among the thousands of Judah? For from you came forth to me a prince, who would rule over Israel, and his outgoings from the days of eternity. Therefore they gave them until the time of birth, for she bore [and] the remnants of his brothers turned toward the sons of Israel. And they stood and glorified and tended the flock with the might of the Lord; and with the glory of the name of the Lord God they were, for now they were magnified to the ends of the earth. And let this be the peace, when that Assyrian comes to your land; and when he arrives at your village, and against him rise up seven shepherds and eight ...

The waters will gather the Assyrian with the sword, and the land of Nimrod—in his pride, and they will deliver you from that Assyrian, when they come to your land and when they reach your principalities. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in a multitude of people, like the light of the Lord sent down, and like lambs in the pasture, so that no one may gather them nor stand before them among the sons of men. Line of edition: 17 Ms. page: L6B Nor any: stand before among men Page of edition: I-4 Line of edition: 1 The setting of the voice is on the side: (Iadg.) We saw in the cave Line of edition: 2 Bag[asa]: Line of edition: 3 Psalm: Ps 71:2 O God, your judgment of the king: Line of edition: 4 Reading from Proverbs: Prov 1:1-9 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David Line of edition: 5 ... Ms. page: P382R The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, who reigned over Israel. For the knowledge of wisdom and learning, for the knowledge of words of understanding and the acceptance of conduct by words, for the knowledge of truth and righteousness and the ordering of judgments. So that the knowledge may be given to the blameless and the understanding and knowledge to the foolish children. Which the wise man may hear and become wiser, while the one who understands may gain attainment.

The proverbs, hidden words, spoken by the wise, and the proverbs. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; understanding of all good things, which they may do; and his service is good toward God; the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; wisdom and learning despise the ignorant. Listen, son, to the teaching of your father and do not depart from the law of your mother. For a crown of grace has been placed on your head and a golden necklace on your neck. Ms. page: L7A and a golden necklace on your neck Line of edition: 6 v a setting voice d side: (Iadg.) Today the heavens rejoice Line of edition: 7 and [martial]: Line of edition: 8 Psalm: Ps_84_2 Your land, O Lord, is pleasing: Line of edition: 9 Reading: Of Isaiah the prophet: Is_9_5-7 Line of edition: 10 Ms. page: L7B and even if they were with tongues, burned by fire, because Line of edition: 11 a child was born to us and a son was given to us ... Ms. page: P382R ... and they may desire, even if they were burned by fire. Because a child was born for us, a son was given to us, whose principality is upon his seals, and they call the name of the great plan an angel, a mighty and powerful god, a prince of peace, a father of those future ages, because I shall send peace upon the princes, peace and life.

...and of his peace there is no number... let him sit... at his curse... let him proceed in righteousness and truth henceforth and for ever. Jealousy of the Lord of Hosts did this. Jealousy of the Lord of Hosts did this. Section: The reading from the side: (Iadg.) When we came, we brought... Or: Psalm: Ps 86:2 Its foundations are of the mountains. Section: The reading of the prophet Isaiah: Is 11:1-9 And a rod came forth from the root of Jesse, and a flower from his root came up. And upon it shall rest the spirit of God, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and knowledge and piety, the spirit of might and of the fear of God; and it shall fill him; he shall not judge according to glory, nor reprove according to word, but he shall judge the judgment of righteousness and reprove the glorious ones of the earth. He shall smite the earth with the words of his mouth, and with the spirit of his lips he shall destroy the ungodly. And his loins shall be girded with righteousness, and his sides strengthened with truth.

Then the wolf shall graze with the lambs, and the leopard shall rest with the kids, and the boar and the bull and the lion shall graze together, and a small child shall lead them. And the ox and the lion shall graze together, and their yokes shall be one. And a suckling child shall lay his hand upon the hole of the asp; and it shall not harm him, nor shall it be able to destroy him upon my holy mountain, for the whole earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God, as abundant water covers the sea. Ms. page: L8B as abundant water covers the sea. Page of edition: I-5 Line of edition: 1 The following voice of the feast: (Iadg.) of the one born of the Virgin: Line of edition: 2 Psalm Ps_88_2 With your mercy, O Lord: Line of edition: 3 The reading of the prophet Isaiah: Is_35_3-10 Be strengthened, Line of edition: 4 hands that are withered ... Ms. page: P382V Be strengthened, hands that are withered and knees that are loosened. Comfort the faint-hearted with courage, be strengthened and fear not. Behold, our Lord is bringing judgment and shall bring it. He himself has come and shall save us. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf shall hear.

Then the reapers shall come like deer, and the twisted tongue shall be set right, for water has burst forth in the desert and streams in the thirsty land. And the desert shall become a place of springs, and in the thirsty land there shall be a fountain of waters. There shall be the joy of birds and the dwelling place of beasts—reed and springs. There shall be a straight way, and it shall be called the holy way. The unclean shall not pass that way, nor shall there be the way of the unclean; but the elect shall walk upon it and shall not go astray. There shall be no lion there, nor any of the evil beasts; none shall ascend or be found there, but the redeemed and those gathered by the Lord shall walk upon it. They shall turn and go to Zion with joy and gladness, for upon their heads shall be praise and gladness. And mourning and care, sorrow and lamentation shall depart.

Then the reapers shall come like deer, and the twisted tongue shall be set right, for water has burst forth in the desert and streams in the thirsty land. And the desert shall become a place of springs, and in the thirst [Page L9B] The setting of the voice and the side: (Iadg.) For the manifestation of Christ. Psalm: Ps 109:1 The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand. Reading from the prophet Isaiah: Is 40:9-17 I went up to the high mountain, that herald of Zion. Raise your voice mightily, that herald of Jerusalem; raise it, be not afraid; speak to the cities of Judah: Behold, here is God, our God; behold, here the Lord comes with might, and his arm with authority; behold, here his ransom is with him, and his works before him. Like a shepherd who tends his flocks and with his arm gathers the lambs and comforts those in the womb. Who has measured the waters with his palm and spanned the heavens with his span and the whole earth with his finger? Who has weighed [the mountains with a balance] and the hills with a yoke? Who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counsellor, that he might set him again? Or who has shown him justice, or who has announced to him the way of understanding?

Then all the pagans, like the chosen of the gate, and the cup of the balance shall be counted, and like the spittle of the mouth. But Lebanon is not sufficient for kindling, and all quadrupeds are not sufficient for sacrifice. And all pagans are as nothing, as if they were not and are counted as nothing. And all pagans are not, nor are they counted. And the response, tone 2: (Iadg.) "King of the Hittites and deliverer." Psalm: Psalm 117:1 "Praise the Lord, for he is good." And the reading from the prophet Isaiah: Isaiah 42:1-8 "To Jacob, my servant, I will reveal myself to him, and to Israel, my dominion... To Jacob, my servant, I will offer myself; and Israel, my chosen one, shall receive my soul; I will give my soul over him, and he shall bring forth justice for the pagans. He shall not cry out, nor shall he delay, nor shall his voice be heard outside. A broken reed shall not be shattered, and a twisted thread shall not be torn, but he shall truly bring forth justice. And all shall be [shaken], until justice is established on earth; and at his name the pagans shall tremble.

Thus says the Lord God, who created the heavens and established them; who established the earth and everything that is in it, and gave a place of rest to his people, and the souls that move upon it. I am the Lord God, who called you in righteousness and took your hand and strengthened you and gave you the power to make a vow to the tribes and to baptize the pagans, to give sight to the eyes of the blind and to lead the lame out of prison, who sit in darkness. I am the Lord, and this is my name. I am the Lord God, and this is my name. Insertion on side b: (Iadg.) The city that you loved: Psalm: Ps 131:1 Remember, O Lord, David: Reading from the prophet Daniel: (Dan 3:1-97) In the year eighteenth: Found 735 on Great Saturday.

After this, they say the psalm: Ps 131:8 Arise, O Lord, for rest. The refrain: Ps 131:1 Remember, O Lord, David and... The Gospel of Luke, chapter: Lk 2:1-7 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Augustus Caesar... And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Augustus Caesar to register the whole world. This was the first registration of the world in the years of that Cyrenius of Syria. Everyone went and was registered, each man in his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, for he was of the house and lineage of David, to go and be enrolled in that book of the registration of the world together with Mary, who was betrothed to him. And it came to pass that while they were still there, the days of her giving birth were fulfilled. And she bore her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, for they had no place in that inn. For they had no place in that inn. After the Gospel, they perform the censing and the prayer, and they complete the hour of the dawn.

Fifteen, with the same refrain: (Iadg.) "All creatures." The same psalm: Tone 2. Ps 2:7 The Lord said to me, "You are my son." The refrain: Ps 2:8 "Ask of me." The reading from Proverbs: Prov 8:22-31 "The Lord established me at the beginning of his ways, upon his works." Ms. page P371V: The Lord established me at the beginning of his ways, upon his works. Before the ages he established me at the beginning, before the creation of the earth. And before the creation of the abysses, and before the uprising of the sources of waters. And before the mountains, and before the fixing of the hills, he fashioned me. The Lord created the plain and the wilderness, the ends beneath the sky. And when he governed the heavens, I was with him; and when he set up his thrones upon the winds; and when he strengthened the upper clouds; and when he secretly placed the waters beneath the sky. For he placed his fear upon the sea, Ms. page P372R so that all waters would not transgress his commands at that time when he established the foundations of the earth; I was with him as governor.

And I was, with whom the Lord is always joyful, and I rejoiced before him at all times, when he was joyful over the completion of the world and rejoiced for the sons of men. And he rejoiced for the sons of men. Reading from Proverbs {of Jesus Sirach!} Sir_24_2-12: I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and like a mist I covered the earth. I dwelt in the heights, and my throne was on a pillar of cloud. I alone received the firmament of heaven and went into the depths of the abysses. I overcame all the waves of the sea, over every land and over every people and nation. After this I sought a resting place, in whom I might rest. Then the creator of all things instructed me, and he who established me in my tabernacle said to me: Dwell among Jacob and settle among Israel. He established me before the ages, and I did not cease until the ages. And I served as a dwelling place, and I was established in Zion. He settled me in the holy city, and my authority was in Jerusalem. And I planted roots...

The holy city he also built, and in Jerusalem my power. And I planted the roots... Reading 7 from Daniel the Prophet: Dan 2:34-35. We see, behold, a stone was hewn from the mountain without human craftsmanship... It was hewn from the king without the work of a human hand, and it fell upon that image, upon its feet of iron and clay and pottery, and utterly shattered them. Then they were shattered together, the iron and the pottery and the bronze and the gold, and they became like the chaff of the summer threshing floor. And a multitude of wind took them away, and no place at all was found for them; and that stone which fell upon the image became a great mountain and covered the earth. And it covered the whole earth.

11th reading from Paul to the Hebrews: (Heb_1_1-12) Many times: 8 from the upper chapter. Alleluia, Psalm, tone 1, side: Ps_109_1 The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right. Gospel of Matthew, chapter: Mt_2_1-23 Now at the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, and [behold, Magi came from the East to Jerusalem and said: Where is the newly born king of the Jews]? For we saw his star in the East and came to worship him. When King Herod heard this, he was terrified, and all Jerusalem with him. And he gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them: Where is Christ born? And they said: In Bethlehem of Judea. For it is written thus by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, you are the most unworthy among the princes of Judah, for from you came forth the prince who will shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod secretly summoned those Magi and inquired of them the time of the appearance of that star.

And he sent them to Bethlehem and said to them: Go and truly inquire concerning that child, and when you find him, inform me, so that I too may go and worship him. And when they heard this from the king, they set out, and behold, that star which they had seen in the east went before them, until it came and stood over that cave where the child was. And when they saw that star, they rejoiced with great joy. And they came to that house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him, and opened their treasures and offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And they received a command by revelation from angels, not to return to Herod, but to go by another way to their own country. And when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a revelation and said: Arise and take this child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod intends to kill this child and destroy him. And he arose and took the child and his mother by night. And they went to Egypt, and he stayed there until the death of Herod. So that the saying of the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, which said: From Egypt I called my son.

When Herod saw that he had been mocked by the Magi, he became very angry and sent and slaughtered all the children of Bethlehem and of all its territories from two years old and under, according to the time which he had inquired of the Magi. Then was fulfilled that saying of the prophet Jeremiah, which says: A voice was heard in Ramah of weeping and lamentation; Rachel wept for her children and would not be comforted, for they are not. But when Herod had died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said to him: Arise and take this child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for all those who sought the life of that child have perished. Joseph arose and took the child and his mother and came to his own land as far as Jerusalem. And when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he feared to go there, and received a command from the angel in a dream and went to the land of Galilee. And there he settled in a city called Nazareth, so that the saying of the prophet might be fulfilled, that he should be called a Nazarene.

The hand-washing of the sanctuary, the whole of the forefeast, he said.