In the New Testament, the ritual of circumcision gave way to the Mystery of Baptism, which it prefigured [Colossians 2:11-12]. Accounts of the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord continue in the Eastern Church right up through the fourth century. The Canon of the Feast was written by Saint Stephen of the Saint Sava Monastery.

Troparion — Tone 1

Enthroned on high with the Eternal Father and Thy divine Spirit, / O Jesus, Thou willed to be born on earth of the unwedded handmaid, Thy Mother. / Therefore Thou wast circumcised as an eight-day old Child. / Glory to Thy most gracious counsel; / glory to Thy dispensation; / glory to Thy condescension, O only Lover of mankind.

Kontakion — Tone 3

The Lord of all accepts to be circumcised, / thus, as He is good, excises the sins of mortal men. / Today He grants the world salvation, / while light-bearing Basil, high priest of our Creator, / rejoices in heaven as a divine initiate of Christ.