AN EVENING PRAYER SERVICE
OF THE GREAT ADVENT ANTIPHONS
“The Antiphons of the Divine Names”
The Service of Vespers each day during the final week of before Christmas is perhaps the most fulfilling and honorable way to celebrate the closing days of the Advent Season, the period of four or six weeks which precedes the celebration of the Birth in the Flesh of the Son of God – the Feast of the Holy Nativity of the Lord. In celebrating the form of daily prayer in the Western Christian tradition we are presented each day with a series of antiphons for the Magnificat which find their source in the writings of the Prophets of the Israel, foretelling the birth of the Savior and addressing the coming Messiah with titles proclaiming his redemptive role in the salvation of mankind. Before, during and after the singing of the Magnificat (St. Luke 1:46-55) an antiphon based on the reading from the Prophets is sung each day. These antiphons have become known as the “Great ‘O’ Antiphons” as each one begins with the word letter “O.”
The origin of these magnificent hymns is somewhat unknown. However, there is mention of them in the 5th century writings of Boethius and their use was present in 8th century Benedictine practice. Many experts in liturgical studies will conclude that their presence might very well date to early Church practice. Today their use is present in Western Christian liturgical tradition; Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Orthodox. Unfortunately, for the faithful, it is only in monastic houses and prayer communities that the practice is most likely to be frequent.
For this reason, I have endeavored to provide below a simple Evening Service, based on the Great Antiphons of Advent, which can be prayed at home or in a communal setting. The form used as a guide is the “Vespers of the Divine Names” as celebrated by the Orthodox Church of France. This Vesper Service, which was developed by its first Bishop, Jean-Nectaire Kovalesky, is prayed each evening during these seven days in its entirety in many of its parishes throughout France. It is a practice which would provide a worthy preparation, in prayer, Scripture and song, for all Christians during this holy Season. I am deeply grateful to Prof. William Carragan, with whom I collaborated in the translation of these texts, and who has adapted the English translations of this Service to the music arranged by Maxime Kovalesky of the French Orthodox Church.
When celebrated at home, a prominent place should be chosen to pray the Service; an Icon corner, or the living room or dining room. If the Christmas tree has been set up, a crèche scene or holy icon should be placed nearby. It is advisable to plan a time as close to sundown as possible, or when the whole family can gather for prayer. The Service should be led by the head of the household, who might portion out the prayers to those present.
A seven branch candlestick (or seven candles arranged in like manner) is set before the icon. The candles are lighted progressively; the first day one candle, the second, two candles, and so on, according to the custom. The center candle is reserved for the evening of December 23. The leader announces the Divine Name of the day during the candle lighting.
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The Proclamation of the Divine Name
DECEMBER 17
Beloved brothers and sisters, the Church begins today her seven-day celebration of the Divine Names, which precedes the Vigil of Christmas. Each day, at Vespers, that is to say at this hour, she issues forth in these solemn antiphons a cry to the coming Messiah. Today the Church is heard calling out the first Divine Name of the Son of God and Son of Man: O WISDOM.
DECEMBER 18
Beloved brothers and sisters, the Church continues the seven-day celebration of the Divine Names, which precedes the Vigil of Christmas. Each day at Vespers, that is to say, at this hour, she issues forth in these solemn antiphons a cry to the coming Messiah. Today the Church is heard calling out the second Divine Name of the Son of God and Son of Man: O ADONAI.
DECEMBER 19
Beloved brothers and sisters, the Church continues the seven-day celebration of the Divine Names, which precedes the Vigil of Christmas. Each day at Vespers, that is to say, at this hour, she issues forth in these solemn antiphons a cry to the coming Messiah. Today the Church is heard calling out the third Divine Name of the Son of God and Son of Man: O ROOT OF JESSE.
DECEMBER 20
Beloved brothers and sisters, the Church continues the seven-day celebration of the Divine Names, which precedes the Vigil of Christmas. Each day at Vespers, that is to say, at this hour, she issues forth in these solemn antiphons a cry to the coming Messiah. Today the Church is heard calling out the fourth Divine Name of the Son of God and Son of Man: O KEY OF DAVID.
DECEMBER 21
Beloved brothers and sisters, the Church continues the seven-day celebration of the Divine Names, which precedes the Vigil of Christmas. Each day at Vespers, that is to say, at this hour, she issues forth in these solemn antiphons a cry to the coming Messiah. Today the Church is heard calling out the fifth Divine Name of the Son of God and Son of Man: O DAY-STAR.
DECEMBER 22
Beloved brothers and sisters, the Church continues the seven-day celebration of the Divine Names, which precedes the Vigil of Christmas. Each day at Vespers, that is to say, at this hour, she issues forth in these solemn antiphons a cry to the coming Messiah. Today the Church is heard calling out the sixth Divine Name of the Son of God and Son of Man: O KING OF NATIONS.
DECEMBER 23
Beloved brothers and sisters, the Church concludes today the seven-day celebration of the Divine Names, which precedes the Vigil of Christmas. Each day at Vespers, that is to say, at this hour, she issues forth in these solemn antiphons a cry toward the coming Messiah. Today the Church is heard calling out the seventh Divine Name of the Son of God and Son of Man: O EMMANUEL.
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Opening Sentences
V/. O God, make speed to save me.
R/. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V/. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
V/. As in the beginning, so now and ever, unto ages of ages. Amen.
Psalmody: Psalm 104 is said. The appropriate antiphon below is recited before and after the Psalm.
December 17. Your works are wonderful, O Lord; you have made all by your wisdom, alleluia!
December 18. Like a burning bush which burns without being consumed; divinity does not consume humanity, alleluia!
December 19. The Root of the tree of Jesse has flourished,
announcing the endless summer and the flight of winter.
December 20. Blessed is he who comes to open the gate to paradise;
Hosanna to the Son of David, alleluia.
December 21. The Sun, like a bridegroom coming out of the nuptial chamber, rises up from the east with a hero’s joy, alleluia.
December 22. The nations walk toward his light,
and the kings of the earth bring their gifts, alleluia.
December 23. Come and be ours with no further delay;
be with us, O Emmanuel, to the end of time, alleluia.
December 17: Wisdom 7: 15 – 8:1
December 19: Isaiah 11: 1-9
December 20: Isaiah 22: 21-23
December 21: Isaiah 60: 1-3
December 22: Jeremiah 10: 6-7
December 23: Isaiah 8:5-8
(For home use, the abbreviated office resumes with the Great Antiphon itself and the Magnificat.)
Magnificat
Preface:
The great “O” Antiphons of the day are given below, in their long and short forms. The long form is sung before and after the Magnificat, with the short and long forms also intercalated between the verses as shown. For the Magnificat, either the “omnibus” tone or the eighth tone may be used.
DECEMBER 17
Long form:
and reaching from one end of the earth to the other,
disposing all things with power and gentleness:
Come and do not delay,
come to show us the path of prudence and love of your beauty.
Short form:
DECEMBER 18
Long form:
who appeared to Moses in the flames of the burning bush,
and gave him the Law on Mount Sinai:
Come and do not delay,
come, redeem us by your outstretched arm.
Short form: O Adonai, come, redeem us by your outstretched arm.
DECEMBER 19
Long form:
before whom kings fall silent,
and whom the nations invoke:
Come and do not delay,
come to free us, and tarry no longer.
Short form: O Root of Jesse, come to free us, and tarry no longer.
DECEMBER 20
Long form;
who opens what no one can shut,
and shuts what no one can open:
Come and do not delay, come to liberate the captive,
plunged in the darkness and shadow of death.
Short form; O Key of David, come to liberate he captive;
DECEMBER 21
Long form:
Come and do not delay, come to lighten those who dwell in the darkness and shadow of death.
Short form
O Day-Star, come to lighten those who dwell in the darkness and shadow of death.
DECEMBER 22
Long form ;
the cornerstone which reunites the separated peoples:
Come and do not delay,
come to save humanity, which you formed out of dust.
Short form; O King of Nations, come to save humanity, which you formed out of dust.
DECEMBER 23
Long form:
the hope of nations and their Savior:
Come and do not delay,
come to save us, our Lord and our God.
Short form; O Emmanuel, come to save us, our Lord and our God.
The Canticle
Antiphon, use the long form
1. MY SOUL MAGNIFIES THE LORD,
and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
2. For he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid;
behold, from this day forth all generations will call me blessèd.
3. For he who is powerful has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
Antiphon, short form
4. His mercy is from generation to generation,
to those who fear him.
5. He has achieved domination with his arm;
he has scattered the haughty of mind and heart.
6. He has brought down the powerful from their seat,
and has raised up the lowly ones.
Antiphon, short form
7. He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
8. He has defended his servant Israel,
as he promised our ancestors.
9. He has remembered his mercies,
to Abraham and his descendants for ever.
Antiphon, short form
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As in the beginning, so now and ever, unto ages of ages. Amen.
Antiphon, long form
Trisagion (A simple setting should be used.)
Agios o Theos, Agios ischyros, Agios athanatos, eleison imas.
Sanctus Deus, sanctus fortis, sanctus immortalis, miserere nobis.
Holy God, holy mighty, holy immortal, have mercy on us.
The Litany of Advent (The leader of household prayer prays the Deacon’s petitions)
Deacon: That the heavens might drop down dew in manifesting Christ, and that the clouds might rain down the Just One, whose coming is announced by the saints, we ask, beseech, and pray to the Lord:
Faithful: Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: That the earth might open, according to the Angel’s word, that the Virgin might conceive and give birth to the Savior, we ask, beseech, and pray to the Lord:
Faithful: Kyrie
Deacon: That the dew which proceeds from the almighty Father be healing for the infirm and liberation for the obsessed, we ask, beseech, and pray to the Lord:
Faithful: Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: That the morning rain might water the parched soil of our time, we ask, beseech, and pray to the Lord:
Faithful: Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: That the Spirit might wash away the ancient sins in the gushing forth of so abundant a grace, and that he might pour out upon humanity the eternal light of his righteousness, we ask, beseech, and pray to the Lord:
Faithful: Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: That we might be able to contemplate without danger the presence among us of the pre-eternal Son, walking before him with great jubilation, we ask, beseech, and pray to the Lord:
Faithful: Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: That we, joined with all the inhabitants of heaven, might come to hear the triumphal hymn of joy: “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord!”, we ask, beseech, and pray to the Lord:
Faithful: Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: That God, who comes to save us by his Advent, and to illumine us by his Nativity, might enlighten our intelligence, we ask, beseech, and pray to the Lord:
Faithful: Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: Let us say with all our soul and all our spirit:
Faithful: Kyrie eleison, ✠ Kyrie eleison, ✠ Kyrie eleison!
The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer should be sung recto tono (on one note), with an inflection at the end. The traditional 19th century English form may be used.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day the bread that is needed, and forgive us our debts as we forgive those indebted to us. Do not put us to the test, but save us from the evil one. Amen.
Collect of the Day
DECEMBER 17
O Christ, Son of God, born of a virgin into this world, you who have shaken and astounded the nations by your nativity, and compelled kings to be struck with wonder. Give to us your fear, which is the beginning of wisdom, that we may thereby masterfully cultivate it and manifest to you with homage the effects of its peace. Having called the nations, having arrived with the swiftness of a rushing stream, having been born on the earth for the conversion of sinners, and having shown forth your gift of grace, may you thereby banish all fear from us, that we may follow you always through the love of inner charity. Through your mercy, O our God, who are blest, and who live, reign, and triumph with the Father and the Holy Spirit unto ages of ages. Amen.
DECEMBER 18
O Adonai, who can fully understand your ways? Who can say by what path you entered the Virgin’s womb through which you were born, and by which paths you reascend to the heavens? You alone know all things, you whose name lives higher than the boundaries of the universe. Grant that we may always understand and speak of your law in words without error. You who descended the heights of your majesty to bring help to those who are the most lowly, make us worthy of your wondrous deeds, through your mercy, O our God, who are blest, and who lives, reigns, and triumphs with the Father and the Holy Spirit, unto ages of ages. Amen.
DECEMBER 19
O Father most holy, the earth is glad and leaps with joy at your heavenly blessing, the Word made flesh. He is ready to burst the sacred and virginal womb, to annul the sin of Adam. The mountains leap, the seas overflow, and the trees of the forest dance with joy, for God has become man; from the Root of Jesse, the tree of life shoots forth toward immortality; from the seed of the earth has been brought forth the radiant Sun of Justice, traveling through the spiritual heavens and concealed in the cave, the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. We therefore beseech you, Almighty God who became a child of the race of Jesse, that our spirits may be purified and made ready to receive this divine connection; by your voluntary assumption of our Nature, by your coming among us, and by your mercy, O our God, who are blessed, and who live, reign, and triumph with the Father and the Holy Spirit, unto ages of ages. Amen.
DECEMBER 20
O Key of David, Lord Jesus Christ, having taken upon yourself human nature, and having become the savior of man, you were given to us to be the light of the nations. Open the eyes and hearts of the peoples who believe in you. In your mercy, draw out from their prison all those who are still in the bondage of defiance, and to those who still walk in the shadows of captivity, grant the enlightenment of the splendor of the knowledge of you. Through your mercy, O our God, who are blest, and who live, reign, and triumph with the Father and the Holy Spirit, unto ages of ages. Amen.
DECEMBER 21
DECEMBER 22
DECEMBER 23
O Emmanuel, God-with-us, Christ, the Son of God, who was foretold by the mouth of the prophet Isaiah to be born of a Virgin who was made by his hands, by her prayers, grant that we may always dwell with you as you dwell with us; O our God, who are blessed and who live, reign, and triumph with the Father and the Holy Spirit, unto ages of ages. Amen.
Dismissal
V/. O Lord, hear my prayer. R/. And let my cry come unto you.
V/. Let us bless the Lord. R/. Thanks be to God.
V/. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R/. Amen.
Byzantine form:
V/. Through the prayers of the Holy Fathers, especially N… (saint of the day and patron of the parish) have mercy on us and save us for he is good and the Lover of Mankind.
R/. Amen.
Western form:
V/. May Christ the Lord, (Saturday evening) risen form the dead, (or) (during the week) glorious in his saints, grant us his peace.
R/. And life eternal. Amen.