Day: 23 April 2014

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

10. When the doors were closed and the disciples were gathered together,
You suddenly appeared in their midst, O Jesus our Almighty God.
You granted them peace and filled them with the Holy Spirit;
You commanded them to wait and not depart from Jerusalem
until they were clothed with power from on high.
Therefore, we cry to You, O Lord:
Glory to You, our Light,
our Resurrection and our Peace.

9. When the doors were closed and the disciples were gathered together,
You suddenly appeared in their midst, O Jesus our Almighty God.
You granted them peace and filled them with the Holy Spirit;
You commanded them to wait and not depart from Jerusalem
until they were clothed with power from on high.
Therefore, we cry to You, O Lord:
Glory to You, our Light,
our Resurrection and our Peace.

8. Eight days after Your Resurrection, O Lord,
You appeared to Your disciples in the room where they were gathered;
You greeted them, saying: “Peace be with you!”
Then You showed Your hands and side to the doubting disciple.
He, therefore, cried out in an act of faith:
“My Lord, and my God, glory to You!”

7. Eight days after Your Resurrection, O Lord,
You appeared to Your disciples in the room where they were gathered;
You greeted them, saying: “Peace be with you!”
Then You showed Your hands and side to the doubting disciple.
He, therefore, cried out in an act of faith:
“My Lord, and my God, glory to You!”

6. Even though the doors were closed, You came to Your disciples, O Christ,
and Thomas, called the Twin, was not with them.
Therefore, he did not believe what they told him.
You did not deem him unworthy for his lack of faith,
but in Your goodness, You confirmed his faith
by showing him Your pure side
and the wounds in Your hands and feet.
He touched them, and when he saw You,
he confessed You to be neither an abstract God nor merely human;
and he cried out: “My Lord and my God, glory to You!”

5. Even though the doors were closed, You came to Your disciples, O Christ,
and Thomas, called the Twin, was not with them.
Therefore, he did not believe what they told him.
You did not deem him unworthy for his lack of faith,
but in Your goodness, You confirmed his faith
by showing him Your pure side
and the wounds in Your hands and feet.
He touched them, and when he saw You,
he confessed You to be neither an abstract God nor merely human;
and he cried out: “My Lord and my God, glory to You!”

4. On the eighth day the Saviour came to the doubting disciples.
He granted them peace and said to Thomas:
“O Apostle, come and touch my hands which were pierced by nails.”
How wonderful is this doubt of Thomas!
It brought the hearts of believers to the knowledge of God.
Therefore, he cried out with fear:
“My Lord, and my God, glory to You!”

3. On the eighth day the Saviour came to the doubting disciples.
He granted them peace and said to Thomas:
“O Apostle, come and touch my hands which were pierced by nails.”
How wonderful is this doubt of Thomas!
It brought the hearts of believers to the knowledge of God.
Therefore, he cried out with fear:
“My Lord, and my God, glory to You!”

In Tone 2

2. After Your Resurrection, O Lord,
You appeared in the midst of Your disciples and granted them peace
as they gathered behind closed doors.
And Thomas was convinced after seeing Your hands and side;
therefore, he confessed that You are Lord and God,
and Saviour of those who place their trust in You.
O Lover of Mankind, glory to You!

1. Although the doors were closed, Jesus appeared to His disciples.
He took away their fear and granted them peace.
Then He called Thomas and said to him:
“Why did you doubt My Resurrection from the dead?
Place your hand in my side;
and see My hands and My feet.
Through your lack of faith everyone will come to know of My Passion and My Resurrection,
and they will cry out with you:
My Lord and my God, glory to You!”

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

Although the doors were locked, You appeared to Your disciples, O Christ;
but through providence, Thomas was not with them.
For he said: “I will not believe until I see the Lord,
until I see the side from which the blood and water of our baptism came forth,
and until I see the wound by which He healed all people from the great wound,
and I see that He is not a pure spirit, but a person made of flesh and bones.”
Therefore, O Lord, who trampled Death and made Thomas firm in his belief,
O Lord, glory to You!

 

Litya

In Tone 4

Manifesting the brightness of Your divinity,
You appeared even though the doors were closed, O Lord.
Standing in the midst of Your disciples,
You uncovered Your side
and showed them the wounds of Your hands and feet,
delivering them from the sadness that had overcome them.
You spoke to them clearly and said:
“As you see, my friends, I have assumed flesh; I am not a pure spirit.”
You spoke to the disciple who had doubted
and asked him to touch Your wounds, saying:
“Explore My wounds and doubt no longer.
The disciple touched You with his hand
and discovered both divinity and humanity;
filled with fear, he cried out in faith:
“My Lord and my God, glory to You!”

In Tone 8

“Touch My side with your hand, O Thomas;
feel the traces of the nails,
be no longer unbelieving, but believing,” said Christ.
When Thomas touched the Lord, he cried out in a loud voice:
“You are my Lord and my God; glory to You!”

Glory… Now…

Although the doors were closed and the disciples were reunited,
the Saviour appeared in the place where they were gathered.
Standing in the midst of them, He said to Thomas:
“Come and touch My wounds and see the marks of the nails;
do not persist in your unbelief,
but with faith, proclaim my Resurrection from the dead.”

Aposticha

In Tone 4

O marvellous wonder!
The lack of faith gave birth to certainty of faith;
for Thomas said: “Unless I see, I will not believe!”
Therefore, when he touched Your side,
he acknowledged that You were the Incarnate Son of God,
and he knew that You truly suffered in the flesh;
and thus he proclaimed Your Resurrection from the dead, saying:
“My Lord and my God, glory to You!

O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! Zion, praise your God!

O marvellous wonder!
For grass has touched the fire and was not burned.
Thomas placed his hand into the fiery side of the Saviour,
and he was not consumed by touching Him.
Truly, his soul was changed from doubt to faith,
and he exclaimed from the depth of his spirit:
“You are my Master and my God who arose from the dead.
O Lord, glory to You!”

He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed the children within you.

O marvellous wonder!
John leaned on the bosom of the Word,
and Thomas was made worthy to touch His side.
The first discovered the depth of theology,
and the other was privileged to announce the plan of salvation;
for he clearly revealed the mystery of His Resurrection, saying:
“My Lord and my God, glory to You!”

In Tone 5, Glory… Now…

How great is Your infinite compassion, O Lover of Mankind;
for because of Your long-suffering You were struck by Your enemies;
You were touched by an Apostle
and deeply pierced by those who denied You.
How did You become Incarnate?
How were You crucified, O Sinless One?
Teach us to cry out as Thomas:
“My Lord and my God, glory to You!”

 

Troparion

In Tone 7
When the tomb was sealed, O Christ God,* You dawned as life from the sepulchre,* and while the doors were shut,* You came to Your disciples, the Resurrection of all,* renewing a right spirit in us through them,* according to Your great mercy. (3)

 

DIVINE LITURGY

After “Blessed is the kingdom…” the priest sings “Christ is risen…” in its entirety twice, and again: “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death.” The people then sing: “And to those in the tombs, giving life.”

Antiphon 1
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,* sing now to His name, give glory to His praise.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
Say unto God, “How awesome are Your works* Because of the greatness of Your strength Your enemies will flatter You.”
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
Let all the earth worship You and sing to You,* let it sing to Your name, O Most High!
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
Glory… Now… Only-begotten Son…

Antiphon 3
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God, our Saviour
Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms.
Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
For God is the great Lord and the great king over all the earth.
Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 7: While the tomb was sealed, O Christ God, You dawned as life from the sepulchre, and while the doors were shut, You came to Your disciples, the Resurrection of all, renewing a right spirit in us through them, according to Your great mercy.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 8: With his searching hand, Thomas explored Your life-giving side, O Christ God. For when You entered while the doors were shut, he called out to You with the rest of the Apostles: You are my Lord and my God!

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Great is our Lord and great is His strength;* and of His knowledge there is no end.
verse: Praise the Lord, for a psalm is good; may praise be sweet to our God.

Epistle
Acts 5:12-20

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God our Saviour.
verse: For God is the great Lord and the great king over all the earth.

Gospel
John 20:19-31

Hymn to the Mother of God
The Angel cried out to the One full of Grace: O chaste Virgin, rejoice! And again I say, Rejoice! Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day, and raised the dead. Let all people rejoice! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem! for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem.* Praise your God, O Sion.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

Notes
Instead of “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord,” we sing: “Christ is risen.”

Instead of “We have seen the true light” we sing: “Christ is risen.”

Instead of “May our lips be filled,” we sing “Christ is risen,” thrice.

Instead of “Blessed be the name of the Lord” we sing “Christ is risen” thrice.

After the priest sings: “Glory to You, Christ God,” the people sing: “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs, giving life.* Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.* Give the blessing.”

Then we sing “Christ is risen,” thrice. At the end the following is sung: “And to us He granted life eternal, we bow down before His resurrection on the third day.”

GREAT VESPERS

Paschal Troparion with Versicles

The celebrant sings the following versicles, and to each one the people respond by singing: “Christ is risen …”

v. Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered, * and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.

v. As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish as wax melts before the fire.

v. So let the wicked perish at the presence of God, and let the righteous ones rejoice.

v. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us exalt and rejoice in it.

v. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Litany of Peace

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

6. O Christ, You won the victory over Hades;
You ascended the Cross so that You might raise up with yourself
all those who dwelt in the darkness of Death.
Almighty Saviour, You are free from Death
and bestow life by your divine light.
We, therefore, beseech You to have mercy on us.

5. Today Christ has conquered Death.
He has risen from the grave as He had foretold,
bestowing great joy upon the world.
Therefore, let us all lift up our voices and sing:
O Fount of Life, O Light whom no one can approach,
almighty Saviour, have mercy on us.

4. O Lord, where can we sinners flee from You,
for You are present In all creation?
You are present In heaven, for it is your dwelling place.
Your power prevails in Hades where You conquered Death.
O Master, your sustaining hand touches even the depths of the sea.
Where, then, can we take refuge except in You?
We, therefore, prostrate ourselves before You and pray:
O Lord, risen from the dead, have mercy on us.

In Tone 1

3. Come, faithful, let us sing praises to Mark.
He is the wise writer of the Gospel!
The greatest of Egypt’s cities heard his inspired words.
Apostle, by your prayers and teachings,
guide our lives in the way of peace!

2. You became a fellow traveller of Paul, the chosen vessel.
you accompanied him through all Macedonia;
then you followed Peter to Rome.
You were welcomed as his secretary and interpreter.
But it was in Egypt, all-wise Mark,
that you finished your course in a manner well-pleasing to God!

1. You gave life to barren souls,
watering them with the radiant stream of your Gospel.
Because of you, holy Mark,
Alexandria rejoices with us today,
celebrating your blessed memory!

In Tone 6, Glory…

Grace is poured out upon your lips,
Apostle Mark.
you became a shepherd of Christ’s Church.
You taught the sheep whom God endowed with reason
to believe in the consubstantial Trinity, one Godhead!

Now…

Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?
Who would not sing a hymn of praise
to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?
The Only-begotten Son Himself,
begotten of the Father before all ages,
was made flesh out of you in a manner
that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!
And for our sake, He Who is God by nature
assumed the nature of a man.
He is not divided into two persons;
He is understood to have two natures
without commixion or confusion.
O noble and blessed Woman,
intercede with Him that He may mercy on our souls.

 

Great Prokeimenon, Tone 7
I love You, Lord, my strength, my rock, my fortress, my Saviour.
verse: My God is the rock where I take refuge; my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold.
verse: The Lord is worthy of all praise; when I call I am saved from my foes .
verse: From his temple He heard my voice; my cry came to his ears.

 

Aposticha

In Tone 6

O Christ our Saviour,
the angels in heaven sing the praises of your Resurrection;
make us, on earth, also worthy
to extol and glorify You with a pure heart.

 

The Paschal Stichera are now sung in the customary manner:

 

Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered.

Today a sacred Pascha is revealed to us: a new and holy Pascha; a mystical Pascha; a Pascha which is Christ the Redeemer; a blameless Pascha; a great Pascha; a Pascha of the faithful; a Pascha which has opened for us the gates of Paradise; a Pascha which sanctifies all the faithful.

As smoke vanishes, let them vanish!

Come from that scene O women bearers of glad tidings, and say to Zion: Receive from us the glad tidings of joy of Christ’s Resurrection: Exult and be glad, and rejoice, O Jerusalem, seeing Christ the King who comes forth from the tomb like a Bridegroom in procession!

So let sinners perish before the face of God, but let the righteous scatter rejoice!

The myrrh-bearing women at the break of dawn drew near to the tomb of the Life Giver. There they found an angel sitting upon a stone, he greeted the, with these words: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? Why do you mourn in the incorrupt amid corruption? Go, proclaim the glad tidings to His disciples.”

This is the day which the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Pascha of beauty! The Pascha of the Lord! Pascha! A Pascha worthy of all honour has dawned on us. Pascha! Let us embrace each other joyously! Pascha, ransom from affliction! For today as from a bridal chamber Christ has shown forth from the Tomb, and filled the women with joy saying: “Proclaim the glad tidings to the Apostles!”

In Tone 8, Glory…

Come, all you faithful,
let us praise Mark in psalms and hymns!
He is the herald of heavenly mysteries and interpreter of the Gospel.
He is a river of the spiritual paradise!
He waters the earth with living streams,
that it may bear fruit for Christ our God.
Through his intercession,
forgiveness and great mercy are granted to all!

Now…

This is the day of Resurrection, let us be illumined by the Feast! Let us embrace each other! Let us call “brothers and sisters” even those that hate us and forgive all by the Resurrection, and so let us cry:

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs, giving life. (3)

In Tone 3, Glory…
Learning from Peter the chief apostle* you too became an apostle of Christ,* and shone on various lands like the sun.* O blessed one, adornment of Alexandrians,* through you Egypt was freed from deceit.* For you are a pillar of light for the Church* enlightening all with your teaching of the Good News.* Therefore, we feast your memorial, O Mark divinely inspired.* Ask God whom you preached to all/ to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Now…
We sing your praises, O Virgin;* for, as the Mother of God, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from you that our God and Your Son took flesh. * Then, by suffering the passion on the Cross,* and out of love for mankind, He delivered us from corruption.

 

DIVINE LITURGY

After the priest has exclaimed, “Blessed be the Kingdom…” and the people have responded, “Amen,” the clergy sing the Paschal Troparion once and the people repeat it. Then, the clergy sing the first half, and the people conclude it.

Paschal Troparion
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

First Antiphon
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,* sing now to His name, give glory to His praise.

Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.

Say unto God, “How awesome are Your works!* Because of the greatness of Your strength Your enemies will flatter You.”

Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.

You,* let it sing to Your name, O Most High!

Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.

Glory… Now… Only-begotten Son…

Third Antiphon

Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered; let those who hate Him flee from before His face.

Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

As smoke vanishes, let them vanish, as wax melts before the fire.

Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

So let sinners perish before the face of God, but let the righteous be glad.

Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Entrance
In the churches bless God, the Lord from the fountains of Israel.

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Troparion, Tone 3: Learning from Peter the chief apostle* you too became an apostle of Christ,* and shone on various lands like the sun.* O blessed one, adornment of Alexandrians,* through you Egypt was freed from deceit.* For you are a pillar of light for the Church* enlightening all with your teaching of the Good News.* Therefore, we feast your memorial, O Mark, divinely inspired.* Ask God whom you preached to all to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 8: Though You descended into a tomb, O Immortal One,* yet You destroyed the power of Hades;* and You rose as victor, O Christ God,* calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice!* and giving peace to Your Apostles:* You, who grant resurrection to the fallen.

Instead of Holy God:
All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia! (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
You have put on Christ! Alleluia!
All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia!

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their words unto the ends of the world.
verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hand. (Psalm 19:5,2)

Epistle
Acts 3:1-8; 1 Peter 5:6-14

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The heavens shall confess Your wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 89:6,8)

Gospel
John 2:12-22; Mark 6:7-13

Hymn to the Mother of God
The Angel cried out to the One full of Grace: O chaste Virgin, rejoice! And again I say, Rejoice! Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day, and raised the dead. Let all people rejoice! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.

Communion Hymn
Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

At Communion, “Christ is risen” replaces “Blessed is He,” “We have seen the true light,” and “Let our mouths be filled.” For the last of these, “Christ is risen” is sung thrice.

Instead of “Blessed be the name of the Lord,” we sing “Christ is risen” thrice. It is sung again (using the simple chord chant) instead of “Glory to the Father…” at the dismissal.

After the final Amen, the priest, with cross raised on high, exclaims “Christ is risen” thrice and we respond “Truly, He is risen” each time. Then, the Troparion “Christ is risen” is sung as at the beginning of the Liturgy, but with the addition:

And to us he has granted life eternal;* we bow down before his resurrection on the third day.