December | Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese

This double Canon of the Nativity of Christ has both sets of Katabasiae from the 1st and 2nd Canon (Odes 1-8), which are sung on the Feast of Christmas itself, December 25th, and on its Leave-taking, December 31st. "Christ is born, glorify Him . . . The Lord performed a miracle . . . ." Updated 12/3/17.

Music Rebuild Tags:

Christ is born glorify Him; Matins of the Nativity of Christ; Two Canons for the Nativity of Christ; Canon for the Nativity; Iambic Canon for the Nativity

Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, Kontakion (choral)

Sheet Music:

mgf_0061a_nativityl.kontakionb.pdf

Grouping:

Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Dec 25)

This is the choral version of the Kontakion of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, December 25th. "The Virgin brings forth today the Omnipotent One . . . ."

Nicholas the Wonderworker, Apolytikion

Sheet Music:

12_06-st_nicholas-byzt4.pdf

Grouping:

Nicholas the Wonderworker (Dec 6)

This is a chant melody, sung on December 6th for the Feast of St. Nicholas. "Thy works of justice did show thee to thy congregation a canon of faith . . . ." Updated 9/27/17.

Ignatius of Antioch, Apolytikion

Sheet Music:

apoly-hieromartyr_ignatius-1220_0129.pdf

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Ignatius of Antioch (Dec 20)

The Apolytikion for St. Ignatius of Antioch, December 20th, and January 29th (Recovery of his relics). "By choosing the Apostles' way of life . . . ." Updated 12/19/2022, with corrected text.

Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ-Post Feast Series

Sheet Music:

Nativity of our Lord-PostFeast Series.pdf

The Kontakion of the Feast (sung Dec. 25-31); the Alleluia & Hymn to the Theotokos for the Synaxis (Dec. 26), & the Troparion of the Sunday after the Nativity (Dec. 25-31)

Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ-Pre Feast Series

Sheet Music:

nativity_of_our_lord-prefeast_series.pdf

The Kontakion and the Troparia of the Prefeast and Paramon of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, November 26th - December 24th. Music has been updated Nov. 30th.

Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ Series

Sheet Music:

nativity_of_our_lord_series.pdf

Grouping:

Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Dec 25)

Divine Liturgy music for December 25th, which includes choral and chant arrangements for the Antiphons, Entrance Hymn, Troparion, Kontakion, Alleluia, Hymn to the Theotokos, and Communion Hymns. Updated 11/9/19.

O What Wonderful Glad Tidings

Sheet Music:

O What Wonderful Glad Tidings.pdf

Grouping:

Paraliturgical Music

Traditional Romanian Nativity Carol

John of Damascus, Apolytikion (choral)

Sheet Music:

trop-st_john_of_damascus-choir.pdf

Grouping:

Troparia (Apolytikia) of the Saints

This is a choral version of the Apolytikion of St. John of Damascus, December 4th, using the standard text for a venerable & monastic bishop. "Thou hast shown thyself, O God-inspired John, as a guide to the Orthodox Faith . . . ."

Nicholas the Wonderworker, Apolytikion (choral)

Sheet Music:

Trop-St_Nicholas-Holwey-choir.pdf

Grouping:

Nicholas the Wonderworker (Dec 6)

This is a choral version of the Apolytikion for St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, December 6th. "Thy righteous acts have manifested thee to thy flock as a model of faith . . . ."

Prefeast of the Nativity of Christ, Kontakion

Sheet Music:

kont-prefeast_nativity_of_christ-htm.pdf

Grouping:

Kontakia of Feasts & Forefeasts

Chant version to be sung November 26 - December 24. "On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave . . . ." Updated 1/21/17.

Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ, Apolytikion (hard chromatic)

Sheet Music:

apolytikion-nativity-christ-forefeast-htm-hc.pdf

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Forefeast and Paramon (Eve) of the Nativity of Christ (Dec 20-24)

This hard chromatic version is sometimes used in the Antiochian patriarchate from December 20th - 23rd, Prosomion "Joseph was amazed," "Be thou ready Bethlehem, Eden hath been opened unto all . . . ." However, it is more proper to use the soft chromatic version when singing it as an Apolytikion. Updated 11/30/17.

Paramon (Eve) of the Nativity of Christ, Apolytikion (hard chromatic)

Sheet Music:

apolytikion-nativity-christ-paramon-htm-hc.pdf

Grouping:

Forefeast and Paramon (Eve) of the Nativity of Christ (Dec 20-24)

This hard chromatic version is sometimes used in the Antiochian patriarchate on December 24th, Prosomion "Joseph was amazed," "As the fruit of David's seed Mary was registered of old . . . ." However, it is more proper to use the soft chromatic version when singing it as an Apolytikion. Updated 11/30/17.