The Three Children of God and Their Savior!
On that day, when King of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar threw Ananias, Azarias, and Misael into the furnace, they prayed to the Lord high up to the heavens in saving them from burning fire.
Blessed art Thou, our God, and the God of our fathers.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers; and praised and glorified is Thy name for ever.
For Thou art righteous in all the things that Thou hast done for us; yea, true are all Thy works, and upright are Thy ways, and all Thy judgments are true.
In all the things that Thou hast brought upon us, and upon Jerusalem the holy city of our fathers, Thou hast executed true judgments; for according to truth and judgment didst Thou bring all these things upon us because of our sins.
For we have sinned and committed iniquity, departing from Thee, and in all things wherein we have sinned greatly; and we have not hearkened unto Thy commandments, nor heeded them; either have we done as Thou hast commanded us, that it might go well with us.
Wherefore all that Thou hast done to us, and all that Thou hast brought upon us, Thou hast done in true judgment; and Thou hast delivered us into the hands of lawless enemies, and of most wicked forsakers of God, and to an unrighteous king, and the most wicked in all the world.
And now we cannot open our mouth; we are become a shame and reproach to Thy servants, and to them that worship Thee.
Deliver us not up for ever, for Thy holy name’s sake, neither forget Thou Thy covenant; and take not away Thy mercy from us, for the sake of Thy beloved Abraham, and Isaac Thy servant, and Israel Thy holy one; o whom Thou hast said that Thou wouldest multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that lieth upon the seashore.
For we, O Lord our King and Master, are become the least of all the heathen, and we are brought low in all the earth this day because of our sins.
Nor is there at this time prince, or prophet, or leader, or whole-burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, nor place of first-fruits before Thee, that we may obtain mercy.
Nevertheless, in a contrite soul and an humble spirit let us be accepted.
Like as in the burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, and like as ten thousands of fat lambs, so let our sacrifice this day be acceptable in Thy sight; and hereafter let it be performed before Thee; for there is no shame to them that put their trust in Thee.
And now we follow Thee with our whole heart, and we fear Thee, and we seek Thy face; put us not to shame.
But deal with us according to Thy tenderness, and according to the multitude of Thy mercy.
Deliver us according to Thy marvelous works, and give glory to Thy name, O Lord.
And let all them that do Thy servants’ hurt be confounded, and let them be ashamed, and deprived of all their might; and let their strength be broken.
And let them know that Thou art the Lord, the only God, and glorious over all the world.
And the king’s servants, that put them in, ceased not to make the furnace hot with brimstone, pitch and tow, and wood of the vine.
And the flame mounted up above the furnace forty and nine cubits; and it brake forth, and wrapped in flames those Chaldeans found about the furnace.
But the angel of the Lord came down to be with Azarias and his companions in the furnace, and drove the flame of the fire out of the furnace.
And made the midst of the furnace as it had been the blowing of a wind bringing dew, and the fire touched them not at all, nor brought grief, nor troubled them.
Then the three, as out of one mouth, praised, and blessed, and glorified God in the furnace, saying,
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
And blessed is Thy glorious and holy name, which is highly praised and exalted above all forever.
Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy holy glory, and to be praised and exalted above all forever.
Blessed art Thou that beholds the depths, that sits upon the cherubim, Thou that art praised and exalted above all forever.
Blessed art Thou on the glorious throne of Thy kingdom, Thou that art praised and exalted above all forever.
Blessed art Thou in the firmament of heaven, Thou that art praised and exalted above all forever.
Then God sent the great Archangel Saint Gabriel where he changed the fire burning into coldness, Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”
They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (Daniel 3:19-25)
Thence, Holy Orthodox Incarnation Church make feast in commemorating this miraculous holiday.
Glory be to God Who is glorified in His Saints. Amen!