A darkened Church, illuminated
but by the flickering of candles lighted for the salvation of our souls and the
souls of others. The sweet smell of incense, reminiscent of heaven itself. And
the quiet chanting of the Akathist of the Holy Nativity of Christ.
Who could ask for more, for
surely in such a time as in our little Mission tonight, as in the cave in
Bethlehem, Heaven itself descended upon us and illumined out hearts and
minds - illumined our hearts and minds so that we can pray with the utmost compunction
the Prayer of the Akathist:
“And we have come to realize that this dread
sentence (what would befall Israel
if they departed from the Way of the Lord)
hath been directed against us and our fathers as well. For, failing to fear Thy threat and paying no
heed to Thy loving-kindness, we have forsaken the path of Thy righteousness and
walked in the will of our own hearts, and have made no attempt to hold Thee,
the God of men’s understandings and hearts, in our mind. Moreover, treating the
traditions of our fathers as of no import, we have abandoned Thee for others……
But do Thou, O compassionate and merciful God, Who art long-suffering, greatly
merciful and true, Who maintainest justice and workest mercy among the
thousands, Who takest away iniquities, injustices and sins, having abandoned us
for a little time, have mercy upon us according to Thy great mercy, and having
visited our unrighteousness with a rod, as a compassionate father doth his
children, so do Thou spare us.”
From the Final Prayer of the Akathist of the Nativity
On the Eve of the Memorial of the 14,000 infants slain by
Herod it is all the more fitting that we recognize in ourselves the same greed and pride
and malice that led to that slaughter and repent.
Herod, the enemy of God, showeth himself to be a pillar and wall of
God-opposing malice and a spawn of great iniquity, who tried to slay Him Who
giveth life unto all, and at his command innocent babes were reaped by the
sword, like unripe grain; wherefore, having driven all malice from our hearts,
let us glorify Him Who came to save us, crying:
Glory to Thee, Who didst show Herod’s intention
to be in vain!
Glory to Thee, Who hast numbered with the
angels the babes he slew!
Glory to Thee, O Destroyer of malice!
From
Ikos 10 of the Akathist of the Nativity
Christ is born! Let us glorify Him!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
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