Christmas 2008
at New Gracanica

Christmas Eve / "Badnje Vece" service was celebrated by Bishop Longin along with the rest of the New Gracanica clergy. The service was attended in great numbers, probably exceeding five hundred people. The Vigil was followed by the traditional burning of the Badnjak and the traditional Christmas Eve supper at the hall.
Christmas Day Liturgy was served the next morning.

Troparion of the feast of the Nativity:
"Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath shined upon the world the light of knowledge; for thereby, they that worshipped the stars were taught by a star to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory be to Thee."

Kontakion of the Nativity:
"Today the virgin giveth birth to Him Who is above all being, and the earth offereth a cave to Him Whom no man can approach. Angels with shepherds give glory, and magi journey with a star. For our sake is born a Young Child, the Pre-eternal God!"

Hymn of the Nativity:
"How is He contained in a womb, whom nothing can contain?
And how can He who is in the bosom of the Father
be held in the arms of His Mother?
This is according to His good pleasure,
as He knows and wishes.
For being without flesh,
of His own will has He been made flesh;
and He Who Is,
for our sakes has become that which He was not.
Without departing from His own nature
He has shared in our substance.
Desiring to fill the world on high with citizens,
Christ has undergone a twofold birth."

* Prepared by Father Seraphim Baltic