Month: April 2016

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

10. Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

The Lord ascended into heaven
to send the Comforter into this world.
The heavens prepared His throne and the clouds were His ladder;
the angels marvelled at the sight of a man more exalted than themselves.
Today, the Father receives again in His bosom
the One who was in Him from all eternity,
and the Holy Spirit gives a command to all the angels:
Lift up your lintels, O you gates!
O you nations of the earth, clap your hands,
for Christ ascends to the place
where He had been from all eternity.

9. The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

The Lord ascended into heaven
to send the Comforter into this world.
The heavens prepared His throne and the clouds were His ladder;
the angels marvelled at the sight of a man more exalted than themselves.
Today, the Father receives again in His bosom
the One who was in Him from all eternity,
and the Holy Spirit gives a command to all the angels:
Lift up your lintels, O you gates!
O you nations of the earth, clap your hands,
for Christ ascends to the place
where He had been from all eternity.

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

O Lord, the Cherubim were amazed at Your Ascension;
they were seized with wonder as they beheld You, O God, rising upon the clouds,
for You are the One who is seated above the clouds.
We sing a hymn of praise to You:
Glory to You for Your tender mercy.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

O Lord, the Cherubim were amazed at Your Ascension;
they were seized with wonder as they beheld You, O God, rising upon the clouds,
for You are the One who is seated above the clouds.
We sing a hymn of praise to You:
Glory to You for Your tender mercy.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

O Christ, splendour and glory of the Father,
when we behold Your Ascension on the holy mountain,
we sing a hymn of praise to the beauty of Your countenance.
We bow down to Your Passion,
we venerate Your holy Resurrection,
and we glorify Your noble Ascension.
O Lord, have mercy on us!

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

O Christ, splendour and glory of the Father,
when we behold Your Ascension on the holy mountain,
we sing a hymn of praise to the beauty of Your countenance.
We bow down to Your Passion,
we venerate Your holy Resurrection,
and we glorify Your noble Ascension.
O Lord, have mercy on us!

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

O Lord and Giver of Life,
when the apostles saw You ascending upon the clouds,
a great sadness overcame them;
they shed burning tears and exclaimed:
O our Master, do not leave us orphans;
we are Your servants whom You loved so tenderly.
Since You are most merciful, send down upon us Your all-holy Spirit
to enlighten our souls, as You promised.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

O Lord and Giver of Life,
when the apostles saw You ascending upon the clouds,
a great sadness overcame them;
they shed burning tears and exclaimed:
O our Master, do not leave us orphans;
we are Your servants whom You loved so tenderly.
Since You are most merciful, send down upon us Your all-holy Spirit
to enlighten our souls, as You promised.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

After fulfilling the mystery of the plan of salvation, O Lord,
You took Your apostles and went up with them to the Mount of Olives,
and there You passed beyond the firmament of heaven.
You humbled Yourself and were clothed in our humanity,
and now You return to the place which You did not leave.
Send down Your all-holy Spirit to enlighten our souls.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

After fulfilling the mystery of the plan of salvation, O Lord,
You took Your apostles and went up with them to the Mount of Olives,
and there You passed beyond the firmament of heaven.
You humbled Yourself and were clothed in our humanity,
and now You return to the place which You did not leave.
Send down Your all-holy Spirit to enlighten our souls.

Glory… Now…

O loving Jesus, while You lived on earth,
You were God inseparable from the Father,
and yet You truly shared our humanity.
Ascending in glory today from the Mount of Olives,
through Your great love, You lifted up our fallen nature
and enthroned it with the Father on high.
Therefore, the bodiless Powers were amazed and filled with awe
at seeing Your great love for all.
Together with them, we who live on earth
glorify your condescension to us
and Your Ascension away from us.
Now we implore You, saying:
Through Your Ascension You have filled Your apostles and Your Mother
with a joy that surpasses every other joy,
and through their intercession
make us worthy of the joy of Your elect,
for You are rich in mercy.

Readings
(1) Isaiah 2:2-3; (2) Isaiah 62: 10-12 and 63: 1-9; (3) Zechariah 14: 1, 4, 8-11

Lytia

In Tone 1

By going up again into heaven from which You had descended,
You did not leave us orphans, O Lord.
Show to all Your people the works of Your power,
that Your Spirit may come down upon us
and bring peace to the world,
O Lord and Lover of Mankind.

You ascended, O Christ, to Your eternal Father,
even though You were not removed from His bosom;
and the Powers could not contain their praise of the Trinity.
Even after the Incarnation
they recognize You as the only Son of the Father.
In the abundance of Your goodness, have mercy on us!

Your angels, O Lord, said to the apostles:
Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky?
Christ our God, who by leaving you ascended into heaven,
will come again
in the manner by which you have seen Him leave.
Therefore, serve Him in justice and holiness.

In Tone 4

When You came to the Mount of Olives, O Christ,
completing the favourable plan of Your Father,
the angels in heaven were moved with wonder,
and the demons trembled beneath the earth.
The apostles were filled with both fear and joy
when You were speaking with them.
A cloud was prepared before You as an awaiting throne;
heaven opened its gates, shining with beauty;
and the earth uncovered its deep abyss
to show the fall of Adam and his rising up to You again.
As an unseen power raised You from the earth,
You gave Your blessing in a loud voice;
the cloud carried You away, and heaven opened to receive You.
Such is the great work that is beyond words, O Lord,
that You accomplished for the salvation of our souls.

You have renewed in Yourself, O Lord,
the human nature which had fallen, in Adam,
into the very depths of the earth.
On this day You are raised far above
the Principalities and Powers of heaven.
Having so loved human nature,
You granted that it may be enthroned with You;
in Your compassion You united it with Yourself;
in union with it You have suffered;
and by Your Passion You glorified it, O God, beyond all suffering.
Now the bodiless Powers are saying:
Who is this man clothed in majesty?
He is not only a man, but is indeed the God-Man,
for He possesses the appearance of both.
And the angels, arrayed in splendid garments, encircle the apostles, saying:
As Jesus the God-Man is separated from you,
in His divine humanity He shall come again
to judge both the living and the dead;
and He grants to all the faithful
forgiveness of sins and great mercy.

When You were raised up in glory, O Christ our God,
in the sight of Your disciples,
the cloud carried Your body away.
The gates in heaven were opened;
the choir of angels exalted and danced with joy;
the Powers on high cried out, saying:
Lift up your lintels, O gates,
that the King of glory may enter.
As for the disciples, they were seized with fear and said:
Do not leave us, O Good Shepherd,
but send down upon us your most Holy Spirit.

Glory… Now…

O Lord most merciful,
after fulfilling the mystery hidden from all eternity,
You, the Creator and Master of all,
went up to the Mount of Olives with your disciples and your Mother.
For the one who, at the sight of your Passion,
had suffered more than anyone else in her motherly heart,
had more than anyone else the right to share the joy that fills us
as we witness your ascending into heaven.
We glorify your infinite mercy overflowing upon us.

Aposticha

In Tone 2

O our God, You were born in a manner of your own choosing;
You appeared and suffered in the flesh as You willed;
You crushed Death through Your Resurrection and ascended into glory,
and You sent down the divine Spirit upon us.
Therefore, we sing a hymn of praise and glorify Your divinity.

All peoples, clap your hands; cry to God with shouts of joy!

O Christ, when the Powers of heaven
beheld Your Ascension from the Mount of Olives,
they wondered and exclaimed: Who is He?
And they heard the reply: He is the mighty Conqueror;
He is the mighty One in battle;
He is indeed the King of glory.
And why are His clothes crimson?
Because He comes from Bosor, which is the flesh.
As for You, O Christ, since You are God,
You are enthroned at the right hand of God the Father;
and You send down upon us the Holy Spirit
that He may enlighten us and save our souls.

God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.

O Christ, You ascended in glory
on the Mount of Olives in the presence of Your disciples;
You fill all things with Your divinity;
You were enthroned at the right hand of the Father
and sent down upon Your disciples the Holy Spirit
who enlightens, strengthens, and saves our souls.

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

God goes up with shouts of joy,
the Lord goes up amid trumpet blast,
in order to raise up the fallen image of Adam
and to send down upon us the Holy Spirit,
the Comforter who will sanctify our souls.

Troparion

In Tone 4
You ascended in glory, O Christ our God,* giving joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit,* and assuring them through Your blessing* that You are the Son of God,** the Redeemer of the world. (3)

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DIVINE LITURGY

First Antiphon
Clap your hands, all you nations;* shout to God with the voice of joy.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save, us.
For the Lord most high is awesome,* a great king of all the earth.
Through the prayers…
He has subdued peoples to us,* and nations under our feet.
Through the prayers…
God ascended amid shouts of joy;* the Lord at the sound of the trumpet.
Through the prayers…
Glory… Now… Only-Begotten Son…

Third Antiphon
Hear these things all you nations, give ear, all inhabitants of the world.
Troparion, Tone 4: You ascended in glory, O Christ our God,* giving joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit,* and assuring them through your blessing* that You are the Son of God,* the Redeemer of the world.
Both lowly-born and offspring of the privileged, rich and poor alike.
Troparion, Tone 4: You ascended in glory, O Christ our God,* giving joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit,* and assuring them through your blessing* that You are the Son of God,* the Redeemer of the world.
My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart understanding.
Troparion, Tone 4: You ascended in glory, O Christ our God,* giving joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit,* and assuring them through your blessing* that You are the Son of God,* the Redeemer of the world.

Entrance
God ascended amid shouts of joy;* the Lord at the sound of the trumpet.

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: You ascended in glory, O Christ our God,* giving joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit,* and assuring them through your blessing* that You are the Son of God,* the Redeemer of the world.

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

Kontakion, Tone 6: When you had fulfilled Your plan for us* and united things on earth with those in heaven,* You ascended in glory, O Christ our God,* in no way distant, but remaining in separable,* You cried to those who love You:* I am with You and there is none against you.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;* above all the earth be Your glory.
verse: My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready. I will sing and make music in my glory.

Epistle
Acts 1:1-12

Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: God ascended amid shouts of joy; the Lord at the sound of the trumpet.
verse: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with the voice of joy.

Gospel
Luke 24: 36-53

Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify the Lord who in glory ascended bodily into the heavens.
O Mother of God,* you transcended both mind and word,* and in time, ineffably bore the Timeless One:* it is you who, with one accord,* we, the faithful, magnify.

Communion Hymn
God ascended amid shouts of joy;* the Lord at the sound of the trumpet.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

 

Notes:

Instead of We have seen the true light and Let our mouths be filled we sing: Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, above all the earth be Your glory.

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

The man who had once been blind,
confessed in his soul and mind, and proclaimed with his words
that his eyes had been opened, through spittle and dust
by the Lord and Sustainer of the universe;
that he had been given his bodily sight
by none other than almighty God,
Who in His exceeding benevolence
had become a Man, through His own creature.
The man who had never been able to see
argued boldly with the scribes.
They cast him out of the synagogue;
they themselves were more blind in their souls
than he who beforehand was blind in his bodily eyes!

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Behold a monument of valour!
a man once blind examines those who see, as their judge!
When he obtained his sight by means of spittle and dust
he perceived the Creator and Fashioner of all.
He recognized Him, Who is Giver of light
the Son of God, and Master of the universe.
His accusers could see Him with earthly eyes,
but were blinded by their wicked jealousy,
though He multiplied miracles for all to see,
by His words alone, which are great in power!

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

When he who was blind had been given his sight,
he perceived that the scribes had become blind.
You see no truth, but only falsehood, He said.
You accuse the Saviour, and blind yourselves!
Christ, the most sweet Sun,
has risen for those held in the darkness of the law.
He who made the Sabbath also refashioned my eyes.
He has lifted the veil that darkened me.
He has opened the eyes of the blind.
They proclaim him to the world as the Fountain of light!

In Tone 5

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

O venerable father, God-bearing Theodosius!
You laboured greatly during this earthly life:
with hymns, fasting, and persistent prayer
you became a model for your disciples.
Today you celebrate with the bodiless ones the angels,
unceasingly glorifying Christ, the Word of God, the Redeemer,
Who died on the cross and delivered the human race from deceit.
Pray to Him, venerable father,
that He grant peace and great mercy to the world.

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

O venerable father, God-bearing Theodosius!
You laboured greatly during this earthly life:
with hymns, fasting, and persistent prayer
you became a model for your disciples.
Today you celebrate with the bodiless ones the angels,
unceasingly glorifying Christ, the Word of God, the Redeemer,
Who died on the cross and delivered the human race from deceit.
Pray to Him, venerable father,
that He grant peace and great mercy to the world.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

O venerable father, God-bearing Theodosius!
You truly merited the divine life,
having obtained it through purity and fasting;
for while still alive you renounced everything,
and passed over to the true life.
You now are glorifying with the heavenly hosts Him,
Who mystically took flesh from the Virgin and overthrew Hades
and raised those who had fallen asleep from time beyond memory.
Intercede with Him, O venerable father,
that He may grant peace and great mercy to the world.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

O venerable father, God-bearing Theodosius!
You truly merited the divine life,
having obtained it through purity and fasting;
for while still alive you renounced everything,
and passed over to the true life.
You now are glorifying with the heavenly hosts Him,
Who mystically took flesh from the Virgin and overthrew Hades
and raised those who had fallen asleep from time beyond memory.
Intercede with Him, O venerable father,
that He may grant peace and great mercy to the world.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

O venerable father, God-bearing Theodosius!
You found life because you loved purity,
and the grace of the Holy Spirit dwelled in within you,
like a most pure light shining upon you.
You now are unceasingly glorifying Christ, Who is one God in two natures,
Who suffered on the cross in the flesh,
but as God was incapable of suffering.
Pray to Him, O venerable father,
that He may grant peace and great mercy to the world.

In Tone 8, Glory…

Come, let us all gather together and extol our father, Theodosius!
For already in his youth he received a calling from above,
and was given the name Theodosius which means, “God’s gift.”
To Christ-loving princes He was a teacher of the true faith,
to the nobles an unwavering intercessor,
to orphans a merciful father,
to widows an unwearied defender,
to the afflicted a consolation,
to the poor a treasure,
to the monastics a ladder leading to the heavenly heights;
and to those who directly go to him a sprig of ever-flowing water.
He prays unceasingly for the salvation of our souls.

In Tone 5, Now…

Passing by the way, Lord,
You met a man blind from birth.
Your disciples were puzzled and asked:
Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,
that he was born blind?
Jesus answered: It was not that this man sinned, or his parents,
but that the works of God might be revealed in him!
I must work the works of Him Who sent me,
which no one else can do.
As He said this, He spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle,
and anointed the man’s eyes with the clay and said to him:
Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.
He went and washed, and was made whole, crying: Lord, I believe!
He worshipped You, and we cry: Have mercy on us!

Readings
(1) Wisdom 4:7-15; (2) Wisdom 3:1-9; (3) Wisdom 5:15-6:3

Aposticha

In Tone 8

O God-wise Theodosius!
From childhood you have been drawn to God
and have completely dedicated yourself to the almighty King.
You brought to Him the fruits of your ascetical labours
crowned with the garlands of virtue.
For this, O glorious one, you have gained a reward
for your good deeds.

Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His faithful.

You are a teacher of ascetics a most radiant star of the land of Rus’
which illuminates the whole nation with miracles.
from your youth God chose you as a pastor of spiritual sheep.
For this reason, the assembly of venerable ascetics accepted you.
We beseech you: pray with them,
that the sins of your flock may be forgiven.

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who takes delight in all His commandments.

Rejoice, O ever-praised Virgin,
who by means of a pillar of fire pointed out the pasture,
where the spiritual flock was to graze.
There, Theodosius erected in your honour a beautifully adorned church
where the faithful, standing before the relics of your ambassador,
honour your falling-asleep, O most pure Mother of God.

In Tone 8, Glory…

Countless monks honour you, father Theodosius, as their teacher,
following in your footsteps,
we have truly learned to live righteously.
Blessed are you who have toiled for Christ and have brought low the power of the enemy,
O friend of the angels and companion of the venerable ascetics.
pray with them to the Lord,
that He may have mercy on our souls.

Now…

Christ God, the Sun of righteousness,
by Your pure touch You enlightened him
who lived in darkness from his mother’s womb.
Now enlighten our spiritual eyes.
Show us to be sons of the day,
that in faith we may cry out to You:
Great is Your compassion toward us – beyond all words!
Glory to You, Lover of mankind!

Troparia

In Tone 8
Raised in virtue, O father Theodosius,* from childhood you loved the monastic life* and attained your desire courageously.* You lived in a cave adorning your life with fasting and radiance* and abided in prayer like the bodiless powers.* You shone like a beacon in the land of Rus’.** Entreat Christ God to save our souls.

In Tone 5, Glory… Now…
Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross inn the flesh,* to suffer death and to raise the dead* by His glorious Resurrection.

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DIVINE LITURGY

After Blessed is the kingdom we sing Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs, giving life, thrice.

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 5: Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, and born of the Virgin for our salvation. For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.

Troparion, Tone 8: Raised in virtue, O father Theodosius,* from childhood you loved the monastic life* and attained your desire courageously.* You lived in a cave adorning your life with fasting and radiance* and abided in prayer like the bodiless powers.* You shone like a beacon in the land of Rus’.* Entreat Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion, Tone 3: Today we revere the star of Rus’, blessed Theodosius,* who shone from the east and came to the west;* for he enriched this whole land and all of us* with gentleness and miraculous wonders* by the practice and the grace of the monastic rule.

Glory be to the Father and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 4: Blinded in the eyes of my soul, I come to You, O Christ, like the man who was blind from birth, and I cry in repentance: You are the brilliant light of those in darkness.

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 myrrhbearing women: Rejoice!* and giving peace to Your Apostles:* You, who grant resurrection to the fallen.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Pray and give praise to the Lord our God; pray and give praise to the Lord our God
verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones.

Epistle
Acts 16:16-34; Hebrews 13:7-16

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Look upon me and have mercy.
verse: Direct my steps according to Your Word.
verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments.
verse: His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth.

Gospel
John 9:1-38; Matthew 11:27-30

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.* Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man” is taken.

 At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

With Your precious Cross, O Christ,
You have put the Devil to shame.
With Your Resurrection You have deadened the sting of sin
and have saved us from the gates of Death.
We, therefore, glorify You, O only-begotten Son of God.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O Christ, who granted resurrection to all people,
You were fed like a lamb to the slaughter.
Then the princes of Hades were struck with terror
as they saw the gates of their tearful domain being lifted up;
for Christ, the King of Glory, entered therein
and exclaimed to those in chains: Go forth from here!
And to those in darkness: Go forth into the light!

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

What a great wonder!
The Creator of invisible beings suffered in the flesh for mankind
and rose from the dead as immortal.
Come, therefore, all you nations and adore Him;
for through His compassion we have been freed from the snares of the Devil,
and we have learned to praise the one God in three Persons.

Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

We offer to You our evening worship,
O Light whom the darkness of night can never extinguish.
For in these latter days Your radiance has appeared to the world,
shining in Your flesh as light reflected from a mirror.
Your brilliance has descended even to the depths of Hades and dissolved its gloom.
O Lord, Giver of Light, glory to You;
for You have shown the radiance of Your Resurrection to all the nations.

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Let us glorify Christ, the Author of our salvation;
for by His Resurrection from the dead,
the world has been delivered from the deception of Satan.
The choirs of angels rejoice as the treachery of evil spirits vanishes,
fallen Adam arises, and the Devil is vanquished.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Those who guarded the tomb of Christ
were told by the evil men who hired them:
Take this silver and keep silent.
Tell no one of the Resurrection of Christ;
Rather, tell everyone that while you were sleeping His body was stolen.
But who has ever heard of a body being stolen,
a body which had already been anointed?
Why would anyone take a body from the grave naked
and leave the burial shroud in the tomb?
Do not deceive yourselves, O people of Judea.
Study the teachings of the prophets,
and you will come to understand that Jesus Christ is almighty God
and truly the Saviour of the world.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

O Lord and Saviour,
who subjected hell and conquered Death,
and enlightened the world through Your precious Cross,
have mercy on us.

In Tone 2

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

The man who was born blind from birth asked himself:
Was I born blind because of the sin of my parents,
or am I a living sign of the unbelief of the nations?
I am not content to ask whether it is night or day;
my feet can no longer endure tripping upon the stones.
I have not seen the brightness of the sun,
nor have I seen the image and likeness of my Creator.
Yet I beseech You, O Christ, our God,
to look upon me and have mercy on me.

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

The man who was born blind from birth asked himself:
Was I born blind because of the sin of my parents,
or am I a living sign of the unbelief of the nations?
I am not content to ask whether it is night or day;
my feet can no longer endure tripping upon the stones.
I have not seen the brightness of the sun,
nor have I seen the image and likeness of my Creator.
Yet I beseech You, O Christ, our God,
to look upon me and have mercy on me.

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Passing by the Temple, Jesus saw a man who was blind from birth.
He had compassion on him and put mud on his eyes.
He said to him: Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.
He washed and recovered his sight;
then he rendered glory to God.
But his neighbours said to him:
Who opened your eyes which no one before could heal?
And he answered them, saying: A man called Jesus.
He told me to go and wash in the pool of Siloam, and now I see.
He is in truth Christ the Messiah, of whom Moses wrote in the Law.
He is the Saviour of our souls.

In Tone 5, Glory…

As You walked along, O Lord,
You found a man who had been blind from birth.
In surprise, the disciples asked You:
Was it because of the sin of this man or his parents
that he was born blind, O Master?
But You, O Saviour, answered them, saying:
Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents,
but that the works of God would be revealed in him.
I must accomplish the works of Him who sent Me,
which no one else can work.
As You said that, You spat on the ground
and made mud from the dust to anoint his eyes.
And You said to him: Go and wash in the pool of Siloam.
When he washed, he was healed and cried out to You:
O Lord, I believe!
And he bowed down and worshiped You.
Therefore, we also cry out to You: Have mercy on us!

Now…

A symbol of the undefiled Virgin and bride
was revealed in the Red Sea.
There, Moses divided the waters;
here, Gabriel is the messenger of the miracle.
There, the Israelites crossed the deep and their feet were not even wet;
here, the Virgin gives birth to Christ without human seed.
There, the sea remained uncrossed after the passing of Israel;
here, the immaculate remained incorrupt after giving birth to Emmanuel.
Therefore, O immortal God, who appeared in the flesh as true Man,
have mercy on us!

Aposticha

In Tone 5

O Christ our Saviour,
we lift up our voices in song to glorify You.
For, in Your love for mankind,
You became incarnate without leaving heaven;
You accepted the Cross and death;
You cast down the gates of Hades;
and on the third day You arose from the dead
for the salvation of our souls.

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 worthy of veneration; 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 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 them, 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…

O Christ our God, spiritual Sun of Justice,
by Your pure touch, You enlightened the eyes of him
who from his mother’s womb was without light.
Enlighten the eyes of our hearts
and make us children of the light and of the day,
that we may cry out to You in faith:
How great is Your compassion toward us,
O Lover of Mankind, glory to You!

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.

Troparia

In Tone 5
Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross inn the flesh,* to suffer death and to raise the dead* by His glorious Resurrection.

Glory… Now…
Rejoice, Virgin, impassable gateway of the Lord!* Rejoice, protective wall of those who take refuge in you!* Rejoice, peaceful haven untroubled by storms!* Rejoice, Virgin, who has not known wedlock* and yet has given birth in the flesh to your Creator and God!* O Mother of God, never cease to intercede** for those who praise and worship your Son.

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DIVINE LITURGY

After Blessed is the kingdom we sing Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs, giving life, thrice.

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 5: Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, and born of the Virgin for our salvation. For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.

Glory be to the Father and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 4: Blinded in the eyes of my soul, I come to You, O Christ, like the man who was blind from birth, and I cry in repentance: You are the brilliant light of those in darkness.

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 myrrhbearing women: Rejoice!* and giving peace to Your Apostles:* You, who grant resurrection to the fallen.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Pray and give praise to the Lord our God; pray and give praise to the Lord our God
verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel.

Epistle
Acts 16:16-34

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Look upon me and have mercy.
verse: Direct my steps according to Your Word.

Gospel
John 9:1-38

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.* Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

Today is the radiant and beautiful day
which marks the middle of the Saviour’s feast of Resurrection!
The feast which fills the world with grace has now reached high noon!
The miracle of Christ’s rising shines on us,
revealing to us the first-fruits of incorruption,
sealed by His Ascension on high,
and manifesting the gracious coming of the Spirit:
The most joyful celebration of Pentecost!
All this grants our souls peace and great mercy!

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

As a river of divine glory
the Lord cries to all in the midst of the feast:
Let him who thirsts come to Me and drink his fill!
He is the Fount of compassion, the Well of mercy,
pouring out forgiveness on the world,
washing away transgressions and cleansing impurities!
He saves those who celebrate His Resurrection,
He covers with love those who honour His Ascension in glory,
and He grants to our souls peace and great mercy!

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Who is this standing in the middle of the Temple?
Our Lord and God, Whom the heavens cannot contain!
He is God by nature, yet for us He humbled himself
to be seen contained in mortal flesh.
The Word of life gushes forth from Him to all:
Cleanse your hearts!  Quench the flames of passion!
Do not refuse the Water of life, children of mankind!
I offer you divine grace, the Kingdom of immortality!
Abide in Me, your Creator, and be glorified!

In Tone 1

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

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!

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

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!

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

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!

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Most blessed Mark,
you drank from the fountain of delight;
you became a river of peace, flowing from Eden,
surrounding us as a sea of protection.
The proclamation of your Gospel waters the face of the earth.
By your divinely-inspired teaching the Church is established!

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Most praised Apostle Mark,
Moses once drowned the Egyptians in the sea,
but you, wise one, have drawn them up from the depths of error!
You lived with them, and showed them power,
destroying their idols with your strong right arm!

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!

In Tone 8, Now…

In the middle of the feast,
before Your passion and glorious Resurrection,
You taught the unbelieving Jews in the Temple, gracious Lord,
You cried out to the scribes and Pharisees:
Let him who thirsts come to Me and drink!
From the heart of him who believes in Me,
rivers of living water – the Spirit of God – shall flow!
Your wisdom and understanding are far beyond our words!
Glory to You, our God, for You perfect all things!

Readings
(1) James 1:1-12; (2) James 1:13-27; (3) James 2:1-13

Aposticha

In Tone 1

Mark, learned in divine wisdom,
you became the pen of a skilful scribe,
writing of Christ’s life with inspired words.
You clearly proclaim the good news of unending life!
We beseech you: inscribe in the book of life
the names of all those who glorify and praise your memory!

Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the universe!

Mark, you are worthy of highest praise!
You traversed the earth, preaching the Gospel of Christ!
Like the sun, you enlightened men with the rays of faith,
driving away the darkness of idolatry.
Entreat Christ to grant peace and great mercy to our souls!

The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork!

Most blessed Apostle Mark,
you preached to people bound by the madness of idolatry.
Egypt’s darkness was dispelled by the light of your words!
Entreat Christ, whose Gospel you preached,
to grant peace and great mercy to our souls!

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!

In Tone 6, Now…

We have assembled, O Christ,
to praise the miracle of Your mysteries:
the mid-feast of Your Resurrection and the coming of Your Holy Spirit.
Send down on us great mercy!

Troparion

In 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.

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…
At the mid-point of the Feast, O Saviour,* water my thirsty soul with streams of true godliness;* for You cried out to all: Let any who thirst, come to Me and drink.* O Source of Life, Christ our God, glory to You!

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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.
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…

Third Antiphon
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.

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: At the mid-point of the Feast, O Saviour,* water my thirsty soul with streams of true godliness;* for You cried out to all: Let any who thirst, come to Me and drink.* O Source of Life, Christ our God, glory to You!

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.

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: You received from on high the grace of the Spirit,* and destroyed the snares of the orators,* O Mark, most glorious apostle.* You caught the nations and brought them to the Master* by preaching to them the divine Good News.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4: At the mid-point of the Feast according to the Law,* Maker of all things and Master,* You said to those present, O Christ God:* Come, and draw the water of immortality.* And so we fall before You crying out with faith: Grant us Your mercies , for You are the source of our life.

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 Him. (Psalm 146:5,1)

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world. (Psalm 18:5)

Epistle
Acts 12:12-17; 1 Peter 5:6-14

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: Remember Your congregation which You acquired from the beginning.
verse: But God is our king before the ages; He has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth. (Psalm 73:2,12)
verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 88:6,8)

Gospel
John 8:42-51; Mark 6:7-13

Hymn to the Mother of God
Virginity is alien to mothers and child-bearing is foreign to virgins; yet in you, O Mother of God, both of them came together. Therefore, we and all the nations of the earth without ceasing magnify you.

Communion Hymn
Those who eat My flesh and drink My blood* abide in Me and I in them, says the Lord. (John 6:56)* Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their word unto the ends of the world. (Psalm 18:5)* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

We never cease to adore Your life-giving Cross, O Christ our God,
and we glorify Your Resurrection on the third day.
For You, almighty One, have thereby restored the corrupted nature of all
and reopened the way to heaven,
since You alone are gracious and You love mankind.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O Saviour, You have absolved the penalty of disobedience,
committed through the tree of Eden,
by willingly being nailed to the tree of the Cross.
As almighty God, You descended into Hades
and broke asunder the bonds of Death.
We, therefore, venerate Your Resurrection from the dead
and joyfully cry out to You:
almighty Lord, glory to You!

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

O Lord, You have battered down the gates of Hades,
and by Your death You have dissolved the realm of Death.
You have free mankind from corruption,
bestowing life, incorruption, and Your great mercy upon the world.

Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Come, all you people,
let us sing the praises of our Saviour’s Resurrection on the third day.
For we have thereby been delivered from the invincible bonds of Hades,
and we have received incorruption together with eternal life.
Therefore, we cry out to You
after Your crucifixion, burial, and resurrection:
Save us by Your Resurrection, for you love mankind.

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

The midpoint of the Feast has arrived;
the days which begin with the Resurrection of the Saviour
and are fulfilled in the divine Feast of Pentecost.
Truly it unites both Feasts
and draws light from their double brightness,
giving honour to the Ascension of the Lord,
which prefigures our glory.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Truly Zion heard and was glad
when it received the glad tidings of the Resurrection of Christ.
Faithful children also rejoiced at beholding it.
Seeing the blood of Christ washed away by the Holy Spirit,
the Church prepares to worthily celebrate
the joyous midpoint of these two holy Feasts.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

The over-abundant outpouring of the divine Spirit over all is drawing near,
as it is written by the prophet Joel.
The promise of Christ, given to His disciples
after His death, burial, and resurrection,
proclaims the coming of the Comforter.

In Tone 1

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

At the sixth hour, You came to the well, O Fountain of Wonders,
to ensnare the fruit of Eve;
for at that very hour,
she had been driven from Paradise by the guile of the serpent.
When the Samaritan woman came to draw water,
You said to her, O Saviour:
Give Me water to drink, and I will give you waters of eternal life.
And the woman hastened to the city and proclaimed to the people:
Come and see Christ the Lord, the Saviour of our souls.

In Tone 2

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

When the Lord came to the well of Jacob,
the Samaritan woman entreated Him, saying:
Give me the water of faith, O Giver of life,
that I may obtain the waters of baptism, joy and salvation.
O Lord, glory to You!

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Truly, the Son, Word and God, co-eternal with the Father,
the Fountain of Wonders Himself, came to the fountain,
where a woman of Samaria came to draw water.
And when the Saviour saw her, He said to her:
Give me water to drink and go and call your husband.
But she addressed Him as man and not as God;
wishing to conceal the truth from Him,
she said: I have no husband.
And the Master replied: You have said the truth, that you have no husband;
for you have had five husbands,
and the one whom you now have is not your husband.
Amazed by these words, she went to the town
and proclaimed to the crowds, saying:
Come and behold Christ who grants the world great mercy.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Jesus met the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well.
The One who covers the earth with clouds asks water of her.
O, what a wonder!
The One who rides on the Cherubim converses with an adulterous woman.
The One who suspended the earth on the waters asks for water.
The One who caused the springs of water and their lakes to overflow seeks water.
He truly desires to save this woman from the snares of the Enemy
and to fill her with living water
to extinguish the flames of her passions;
for He alone is compassionate and the Lover of Mankind.

In Tone 4, Now…

O Mother of God, because of You David the Prophet
became an ancestor of God;
he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise
and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:
“The Queen stood at your right hand.”
God revealed you as a life-giving mother,
when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.
He renewed in man His image which the passions had corrupted.
He found the lost sheep in the mountains, carried it on His shoulders,
offered it to the Father, generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,
and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.

Aposticha

In Tone 4

In being lifted upon the Cross, O Lord,
You abolished the curse which we had inherited from our fathers.
By going down into Hades,
You freed from eternal captivity those imprisoned there
and granted incorruption to mankind.
We, therefore praise Your life-giving and redeeming Resurrection.

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 Sion: 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…

When You appeared in the flesh, O Christ God,
to accomplish You plan of salvation,
the Samaritan woman heard the word of God’s love for us.
She left the well and ran to the town and said:
Come and see the One who knows the secrets of our hearts;
can this be the Christ, the Messiah whom we await,
the One who bestows great mercy?

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.

Troparia

In Tone 4
When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles;* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,** granting to the world great mercy.”

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…
At the mid-point of the Feast, O Saviour,* water my thirsty soul with streams of true godliness;* for You cried out to all: Let any who thirst come to Me and drink.** O Source of life, Christ our God, glory to You!

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DIVINE LITURGY

After Blessed is the kingdom we sing Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs, giving life, thrice.

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4 – When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel the glorious news of the resurrection and cast off the ancestral condemnation, they proudly told the apostles: “Death has been plundered! Christ our God is risen, granting to the world great mercy.”

Troparion, Tone 8 – At the mid-point of the Feast, O Saviour, water my thirsty soul with the streams of true godliness; for You cried out to all: Let any who thirst, come to Me and drink. O Source of life, Christ our God, glory to You!

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

Kontakion, Tone 8 – Drawn to the well by faith, the Samaritan woman beheld You, the Water of wisdom, and drinking abundantly of You, she inherited the heavenly Kingdom for ever, becoming everlastingly glorious.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4 – At the mid-point of the Feast according to the Law, Maker of all things and Master, You said to those present, O Christ God: Come, and draw the water of immortality. And so we fall before You crying out with faith: Grant us Your mercies, for You are the source of our life.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Sing to our God, sing; sing to our King, sing
verse: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy.

Epistle
Acts 11:19-26, 29-30

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Poise yourself and advance in triumph and reign in the cause of truth, and meekness and justice.
verse: You have loved justice and hated iniquity.

Gospel
John 5:1-15

Hymn to the Mother of God
Virginity is alien to mothers and childbearing is foreign to virgins; yet in you, O Mother of God, both of them came together. Therefore, we and all the nations of the earth without ceasing magnify you.

Communion Hymn
Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

The Creator of all and Giver of life,
the Word co-eternal with the divine Father,
Who willed to take flesh from the Virgin, becoming a Man,
has manifested the ineffable teachings of wisdom to all!

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

In the midst of the Jewish feast, O Christ,
You stood in the Temple, Master of the law,
teaching with authority and refuting the scribes,
since it was of You that Moses wrote!
amazing all with the wisdom of Your words and wondrous signs!

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

The Giver of wisdom and Bestower of blessings
pouring out divine streams from the inexhaustible fountain, cried:
Come to me, all who thirst, and draw the water of life!
Rivers of divine grace shall flow from you!

In Tone 4

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Having gathered together today,
we praise you, O George, as a valiant martyr.
You kept the faith and completed the course
and received from God the crown of victory.
Entreat Him to deliver from tribulations and corruption
those who faithfully observe your precious memory.

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Drawing hope from your firmness of mind, O glorious one,
you willingly persevered to martyrdom like a lion.
Scorning the body as something that would wither,
you were wisely concerned with your incorruptible soul.
Covered with wounds by various forms of torture, O George,
like gold you were purified sevenfold.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

You suffered martyrdom in behalf of the Saviour, O glorious one,
by a death similar to his voluntary death.
You reign gloriously with Him,
clothed with the resplendent purple robes of your blood,
and you are adorned with the sceptre of your sufferings.
O great-martyr George,
you are resplendent in your crown of victory
throughout all generations.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

With faith as your armour and with grace as your shield,
with the cross as your spear, you waged war.
You were invincible in facing the foes, O George.
Like a mighty warrior, you destroyed the camps of the demons.
Now you are dancing joyfully with the angels.
Indeed you defend, sanctify, and save the faithful who invoke you.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

We recognize you as a very bright star,
a sun shining in the firmament of the heavens,
a very precious pearl sparkling more than a gem.
O George the conqueror, we glorify you
as a son of the day and a courageous martyr.
We commemorate you as a defender of the faithful in tribulations.

In Tone 6, Glory…

You were true to your name, O warrior George,
for you took the cross of Christ upon your shoulders.
You ploughed well the land made barren by the deceits of the devil;
you rooted out the weeds of idol worship
arid planted the vine of the true faith.
Therefore, your healing overflows to the faithful throughout the whole world,
and you have shown yourself to be the righteous gardener of the Trinity.
Pray for peace in the world and salvation for our souls.

In Tone 3, Now…

How can we not wonder
at your mystical childbearing, exalted Mother?
For without receiving the touch of man,
you gave birth to a Son in the flesh, immaculate Virgin!
The Son born of the Father before eternity
was born of you at the fullness of time, honored Lady!
He underwent no mingling, no change, no division,
but preserved the fullness of each nature.
Entreat Him to save the souls, Lady and Virgin and Mother
of those who confess you in the orthodox manner
to be the Theotokos!

Readings
(1) Isaiah 43:9-14; (2) Wisdom 3:1-9; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15

Lytia

In Tone 1

Because of his glorious suffering,
the brilliant warrior George rejoices with the powers above.
At this time we also rejoice with them.
He has inspired the faithful on earth
to observe the feast and to celebrate with them.
Because of that he was considered a servant of Christ.
Let us, therefore, worthily venerate him
who prays unceasingly to the God of all to grant us great mercy.

You produced the best by valiant sufferings
and offered up your fruitful toils, O blessed martyr George.
Strengthening your yearning by faith and scorning fear by hope,
you revealed your love for heaven.
You showed courage to us.
By your fervent prayers ask for peace for our souls,
the cleansing of our sins,
and great mercy for us.

In Tone 4

Come, O assembly of the faithful.
Come, let us celebrate the feast.
Today is manifested the glorious memory of George the martyr.
Sparkling with virtues, he is invisibly illuminating our hearts.
Therefore, let us cry out with one mind:
Rejoice, O warrior of Christ the great king!
Rejoice, O most splendid and rich one!
O most blessed one, in our behalf, implore Christ our God, the Master of all,
that we may be preserved from temptations of the Evil One
and that our souls may be saved.

In Tone 5, Glory… Now…

Come, let us be filled with delight.
Spring has come and brought forth the Resurrection of Christ.
Come, let us be joyful.
The commemoration of the martyr has arrived and illumines the faithful.
Therefore, come, O lovers of feasts;
let us celebrate that mystery.
For, as a good soldier, he courageously overcame and confounded the torturers.
He was an imitator of the passion of Christ the Saviour.
He did not spare his earthen vessel,
but exposed it naked, allowing it to suffer tortures.
Let us cry out to him:
O Martyr, pray that our souls may be saved.

Aposticha

In Tone 4

With psalms and hymns
the people are praising your glorious memory, O George;
for you shone forth as a beautiful bearer of the light,
and you are radiant with grace.
Therefore, the angelic ranks now dance with joy.
The martyrs and apostles are praising the struggles
of the suffering ones, O Martyr.
They are exalting the Saviour, Christ our God, who glorified you.
Implore Him to save and illumine our souls.

The just will flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon.

You have put on the shield of Christ, O George,
and you were not found by those who were hunting you.
Inflamed with the fire of Christ,
you scoffed at the barbarity of the meaningless idols.
You exclaimed to Christ, to the warrior king, and to the transgressors:
Neither wild beasts nor wheels of torture,
neither fire nor sword shall ever separate me from the love of Christ my God.
Implore Him now to save and enlighten our souls.

Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courtyard of our God.

O crown-bearer George,
you scorned the various instruments of torture and the terrifying weapons.
Therefore, we crown your resplendent memory with flowers of hymns,
and we kiss your precious relics with faith.
Since you stand before the Master’s throne,
pray unceasingly that He save and enlighten our souls.

In Tone 4, Glory…

Let us spiritually praise the great-martyr George,
the living steel of endurance.
He was tried by fire and branding irons
and sharp instruments of torture for the sake of Christ.
These various tortures ravaged the body which is perishable by nature;
but love conquered nature,
persuading the beloved to make his way through death to Christ our God,
the Saviour of our souls.

In Tone 1, Now…

You came to the Holy of Holies, Wisdom of God
in the middle of the feast,
to teach and edify the Jews: the Scribes and the Pharisees:
Let him who thirsts come to Me and drink the water of life
that he may never thirst!
Whoever believes in me, streams of living water shall flow from Him!
How great is Your goodness and compassion, Christ God!  Glory to You!

Troparia

In Tone 4
O victorious great-martyr George,* as a liberator of captives and helper of the poor,* physician of the sick,* and champion of kings, entreat Christ God to save our souls. (2)

In Tone 1
Hail, Mother of God, Virgin Mary full of grace! The Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. * For you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Deliverer of our souls. (1)

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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.
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…

Third Antiphon
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.

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: At the mid-point of the Feast, O Saviour,* water my thirsty soul with streams of true godliness;* for You cried out to all: Let any who thirst, come to Me and drink.* O Source of Life, Christ our God, glory to You!

Troparion, Tone 4: O victorious great-martyr George,* as a liberator of captives and helper of the poor,* physician of the sick* and champion of kings,* entreat Christ our God to save our souls.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: You showed yourself a most honourable harvester of godliness,* for it was God who cultivated you.* You gathered the sheaves of virtues;* for, sowing in tears, you reaped in gladness;* and in shedding your blood, you received Christ.* By your prayers, O holy one, you grant pardon of transgressions of all.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4: At the mid-point of the Feast according to the Law,* Maker of all things and Master,* You said to those present, O Christ God:* Come, and draw the water of immortality.* And so we fall before You crying out with faith: Grant us Your mercies , for You are the source of our life.

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 Him. (Psalm 146:5,1)

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The just man shall be glad in the Lord and shall hope in Him. (Psalm 63:11)

Epistle
Acts 12:1-11

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: Remember Your congregation which You acquired from the beginning.
verse: But God is our king before the ages; He has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth. (Psalm 73:2,12)
verse: The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; and he shall grow like the cedar in Lebanon.
verse: They who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish the courts of our God. (Psalm 91:13,14)

Gospel
John 8:31-42; John 15:17-16:2

Hymn to the Mother of God
Virginity is alien to mothers and child-bearing is foreign to virgins; yet in you, O Mother of God, both of them came together. Therefore, we and all the nations of the earth without ceasing magnify you.

Communion Hymn
Those who eat My flesh and drink My blood* abide in Me and I in them, says the Lord. (John 6:56)* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear. (Psalm 111:6)* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 3

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

By Your Cross, O Christ our Saviour,
the power of Death has been vanquished,
and the deceit of the devil has been destroyed.
Therefore, mankind, saved by faith,
offers You hymns of praise forever.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O Lord, all creation has been enlightened by Your Resurrection,
and Paradise has been reopened;
therefore, all creation extols You
and offers You hymns of praise forever.

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

I glorify the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
and I praise the dominion of the undivided Divinity,
the consubstantial Trinity
who reigns forever and ever.

Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

We adore Your precious Cross, O Christ,
and with hymns of praise we glorify Your Resurrection;
for by Your wounds we have all been healed.

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Let us sing the praises of the Saviour,
who was incarnate of the Virgin;
for He was crucified for our sake,
and on the third day He arose from the dead,
granting us His great mercy.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Christ descended into Hades and announced to those confined there:
Take courage, for today I have conquered Death.
I am the Resurrection, the One who will set you free.
I have shattered the gates of the realm of Death.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

O Christ our God, we unworthily stand in Your most pure temple
and offer to You our evening hymns.
From the depths of our souls we cry out to You:
O Lover of Mankind, who has enlightened the world
by Your Resurrection on the third day,
deliver Your people from the hands of Your enemies.

In Tone 1

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

O ineffable goodness who created the human form,
You came to heal those who are ill.
O Christ, by Your word You raised the Paralytic at the Sheep Pool;
You healed the suffering of the woman with the flow of blood;
You showed mercy to the tormented daughter of the Canaanite woman;
and You did not disdain the prayer of the centurion.
Because of this we cry out in praise:
O Almighty Lord, glory to You!

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

O ineffable goodness who created the human form,
You came to heal those who are ill.
O Christ, by Your word You raised the Paralytic at the Sheep Pool;
You healed the suffering of the woman with the flow of blood;
You showed mercy to the tormented daughter of the Canaanite woman;
and You did not disdain the prayer of the centurion.
Because of this we cry out in praise:
O Almighty Lord, glory to You!

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

The Paralytic was like an unburied dead man,
and when he saw You, O Lord, he cried out:
Have mercy on me, for my bed has become my grave.
Of what use is my life?
I have no need for the Sheep Pool,
for there is none to put me into the water.
Therefore, I come to You, O Fountain of all healing,
that with all I may cry to You:
O Lord Almighty, glory to You!

In Tone 5, Glory…

Jesus went up to Jerusalem to the Sheep Pool
which in Hebrew was called Bethesda.
And there lay a great multitude of sick people in its five porticoes;
for the angel of the Lord went down at certain times and stirred the water,
granting healing to those who approach in faith.
The Lord saw there a man with a chronic illness,
and He asked him: Do you want to be healed?
The sick man replied:
I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred.
I have spent my money on physicians
and received no help from anyone.
The Physician of soul and body said to him:
Take up your pallet and walk;
proclaim to the whole world
the greatness of My mercy and My mighty deeds.

In Tone 3, Now…

O Lady most honourable,
how could we be rapt in wonder
at your giving birth to the incarnate God
who without a mother was born of a Father before all ages.
You gave Him birth in the flesh without a father,
without a man’s instrumentality.
He is God and man whose two natures are intact,
neither one losing any of its properties.
Therefore, O Virgin Mother, intercede with Him
to save the souls of those who believe and profess in true faith
that you are the Mother of God.

Aposticha

In Tone 3

O Christ, who darkened the sun by Your passion
and enlightened all creation by Your Resurrection,
accept our evening prayer, for You love mankind.

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…

On Solomon’s porch, there lay many sick,
and in the midst of the Feast, Christ found among them,
a man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years.
To him He called out with a Master’s voice:
Do you wish to be made well?
And the Paralytic man replied:
Lord, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred.
The Lord said to him: Take up your bed.
Behold, you have become whole; do not sin again.
Therefore, O Lord, by the prayers of the Theotokos,
send down upon us Your great mercy.

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.

Troparia

In Tone 3
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.

Glory… 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.

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DIVINE LITURGY

After Blessed is the kingdom sing Christ is risen (3).

Troparion, Tone 3 Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.

Glory…

Kontakion, Tone 3: Lord, as of old You raised the Paralytic,* lift my soul by Your divine presence,* for by my many sins and foolish actions, I, too, am now afflicted and crippled.* Raise me, that being saved I may cry to You: Glory to Your power, O merciful Christ.

Now…

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.

Prokeimenon, Tone 1
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us* as we have hoped in You.
verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O you just; praise befits the righteous.

Epistle
Acts 9:32-42

Alleluia, Tone 5
verse: Of Your mercies, O Lord, I will sing forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your truth from generation to generation.
verse: For You have said, “Mercy will be established forever.”

Gospel
John 5:1-15

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 Verse
Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

Come, let us worship the Word of God
begotten of the Father before all ages,
And incarnate of the Virgin Mary!
Having endured the Cross,
He was buried as He Himself desired!
And having risen from the dead, He saved me, the erring one.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

Christ our Saviour
nailed to the Cross the bond against us,
He voided it and destroyed the dominion of death!
We fall down before His Resurrection on the third day!

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

With the archangels
let us praise the Resurrection of Christ!
He is our Savior, our Redeemer!
He is coming with awesome glory and mighty power
to judge the world which He made!

Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

The angel proclaimed You
the crucified and buried Master.
He told the women:  Come, see the place where He lay!
He is risen as He said
for He is almighty.
We worship You, only immortal One.
Christ, the Giver of life, have mercy on us.

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

By Your Cross, You destroyed the curse of the tree.
By Your burial You destroyed the dominion of death.
By Your rising, You enlightened the human race.
Benefactor, Christ our God, glory to You.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

The gates of death opened to You from fear, O Lord!
When the guards of hell saw You they were afraid,
for You demolished the gates of brass and smashed the iron chains!
You have led us from the darkness and the shadows of death, and have broken our bonds!

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Let us come and worship in the house of the Lord,
singing the hymn of salvation:
Cleanse our sins, for You were crucified and raised from the dead,
and are in the bosom of the Father.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Early in the morning,
the Myrrhbearing women brought spices to the tomb of the Lord.
They found the stone unexpectedly rolled away,
and they asked among themselves:
Where are the seals of the tomb?  Where are Pilate’s guards?
The radiant angel came to the wondering women and proclaimed to them:
Why do you seek weeping the Life Who gives life to the human race?
Christ our God has risen from the dead as almighty,
granting life to all; incorruption, enlightenment and great mercy!

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Women disciples,
why do you open the myrrh with tears?
The stone is gone; the tomb is empty:
Behold corruption destroyed by life!
The seals witness that the guards of the godless have watched in vain.
Mortal nature has been saved by the flesh of God.
Hell is wailing.
Go with joy, and proclaim to the apostles:
Christ has slain death as the first-born of the dead.
He awaits you in Galilee!

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

The Myrrhbearers came early to Your tomb, O Christ,
seeking You to anoint Your most pure body.
Enlightened by the angel’s words
they proclaimed joyous tidings to the apostles:
The Leader of our salvation has been raised;
He has captured death,
granting the world eternal life and great mercy!

In Tone 6, Glory…

The Myrrhbearing Women reached Your tomb
and saw the seals of the tomb broken.
They wailed as they did not find Your most pure body:
Who has stolen our hope?
Who has taken the dead One, naked and anointed?
The sole consolation of His Mother?
How can the life of the dead have died?
How can the Capturer of hell have been buried?
But arise in three days as You said, Savior, and save our souls!

In Tone 2, Now…

O Virgin, the shadow of the law passed away with the realization of grace.
For as the bush had burned without being consumed
so you gave birth while a virgin
and you remained a virgin.
Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.
Instead of Moses Christ God came forth,
the Saviour of our souls.

Aposticha

In Tone 2

Your Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour,
has enlightened the whole universe;
and, through it, You call back to Yourself all creation.
Almighty God, glory to You!

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 5, Glory…

When Joseph, together with Nicodemus,
had taken You down from the tree,
and beheld You dead, naked and unburied,
though You clothe Yourself with light as with a garment,
that compassionate man lamented with weeping:
Woe is me, my sweetest Jesus!
The sun, as it beheld You upon the Cross
hid itself in darkness.
The earth trembled with fear; the veil of the temple was torn in two.
Look: Now I behold You, Who for my sake freely endured death.
How shall I bury You, my God?
Or with what linen shall I wrap You?
With what hands shall I touch Your pure body?
What songs shall I sing at Your departure, merciful One?
I magnify Your Passion!
I glorify Your burial, singing Your Resurrection and crying,
O Lord, glory to You!

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.

Troparia

In Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:** O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You!

Glory…
The noble Joseph took down Your most pure Body from the tree.* He wrapped it with a clean shroud and aromatic spices,* and placed it in a new tomb.* But on the third day You arose, O Lord,** granting the world Your great mercy.

Now…
The angel stood by the tomb and cried out to the women bringing ointment:* Ointments are for the dead,* but Christ has shown Himself not subject to corruption.* So now cry out: The Lord is risen,** bestowing great mercy upon the world.

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 2: When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.*When You raised the dead from the nether world, all powers of heaven cried out:* O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to You!

Troparion, Tone 2: The noble Joseph took down Your pure body from the tree.* He wrapped it with a clean shroud and aromatic spices and placed it in a new tomb.* But on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world Your great mercy.

Glory…

Kontakion, Tone 2: You commanded the myrrh-bearers to rejoice, O Christ God,* and ended the grief of our mother Eve by Your Resurrection.* You ordered the apostles to proclaim to all:* The Saviour is risen from the tomb.

Now…

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.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6
Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.
verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord my God, lest You turn from me in silence.

Epistle
Acts 6:1-7

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: You have shown favour to Your land, O Lord; You have brought back the captives of Jacob.
verse: Mercy and truth have met; righteousness and peace have embraced.

Gospel
Mark 15:43-16:9

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 Verse
Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest Alleluia. (3)

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

The Lover of mankind, Who rose from the dead on the third day
said to Thomas: See and feel the wounds in My hands and feet.
Know Me as the changeless God
Who accepted the earthly image and suffered in it!

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Thomas the twin was amazed
seeing the wounds on the hands and feet.
He marvelled at the miracle, and touched His side.
Then he proclaimed to the pagans
the rising from the tomb on the third day!

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

I receive great joy, my Saviour,
seeing Your Resurrection confirmed by positive facts
which Thomas had a chance to touch!
So I preach You as truly God and truly Man!

In Tone 4

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

О holy Bishop Methodius,
you took upon yourself task of teaching the law of grace.
By holy letters you brought together and handed on these teachings to your people and your flock,
that by them they could read and contemplate the holy Scriptures,
and they blessed the Lord.
We, therefore, bless you worthily.

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

О holy Bishop Methodius,
you took upon yourself task of teaching the law of grace.
By holy letters you brought together and handed on these teachings to your people and your flock,
that by them they could read and contemplate the holy Scriptures,
and they blessed the Lord.
We, therefore, bless you worthily.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

О blessed Methodius,
you followed the words of the Lord,
and truly blessed the Father,
who gave birth to the Word in essence,
and sent forth the all-holy Spirit.
You continue to profess this, crying aloud,
“Truly the Comforter proceeds from the Father and not from the Son.”
Therefore, О divine preacher,
you stand with the fathers of the First Council in their same profession,
pray with them to the Saviour, that he may save us all.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

О blessed Methodius,
you followed the words of the Lord,
and truly blessed the Father,
who gave birth to the Word in essence,
and sent forth the all-holy Spirit.
You continue to profess this, crying aloud,
“Truly the Comforter proceeds from the Father and not from the Son.”
Therefore, О divine preacher,
you stand with the fathers of the First Council in their same profession,
pray with them to the Saviour, that he may save us all.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

О father Methodius,
you received apostolic grace from God in abundance.
You were counted worthy of the wonder of prophecy,
seeing the future as if it were present.
Rejoice, О glorious father,
sight of the blind, expeller of demons and healer of the sick.
Grant us forgiveness of sins and great mercy.

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

О bishop Methodius, renowned citizen of the land of Moravia,
glory and boast of the northern countries,
your lofty preaching calls us together.
Come, О feast-lovers, let us rejoice in faith and exult with him
on the feast of his glorious falling asleep.
May he offer unceasing prayer to Christ our God,
that our souls may be delivered from all troubles and dangers.

In Tone 4

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Lord, shining with the splendour of Your divinity,
You came through closed doors to Your disciples,
showing Your pierced side, the wounds from the nails,
dispelling all sadness and sorrow!
Friends, see that I am not a spirit, but truly Man!
The disciple who did not believe, You commanded to see,
saying: Prove to yourself, then come and believe!
He touched Your side with his own hand and cried in faith and fear:
My Lord and my God, glory to You!

Readings
(1) Deuteronomy 1:8-17; (2) Deuteronomy 10:14-21; (3) Wisdom 3:1-9

Aposticha

In Tone 8

O hierarch Methodius, aurora of the intellectual light, light of the church,
ornament of hierarchs and of the monks’ life of fasting the true rule,
you have appeared to us a defender
delivering our souls from the destructive enemy.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

O hierarch Methodius, you have received from God a great power,
you have driven off with your prayer
a multitude of the evil demons with their attacks
from all those that in faith have recourse to you.

What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?

How can we worthily hymn the great hierarch Methodius,
the venerable mind,
the light God-illumined that enlighten us
and grants the divine understanding,
the confessor of the profound mysteries.
Let us harmoniously say: Hail, O Methodius, the father of fathers.

Glory…

Come, О feast-lovers,
let us rejoice and exult with holy hymns,
the falling asleep of the bishop Methodius, the enlightener of Moravia,
the equal-to-the apostles of the Slavic peoples.
Behold, he rejected the pleasures of the world,
and took the apostolate of the cross on his shoulders,
together with his brother, enlightening the Slavic nations.
After his falling asleep, he received from God the reward of righteousness,
and prays without ceasing,
that our souls may be delivered from all troubles and dangers.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Thomas, touch My side with your hand.
Come and feel the scars of the nails.
Know in faith and do not be faithless, but believing!
Thomas, when he touched the Master, cried:
You are my God and Lord, compassionate One, glory to You!

Troparia

In Tone 4
O Christ, bestow from above Your mercies* to those who radiantly feast Your bishop’s falling asleep.* Through the intercession of our father Methodius,* Your holy disciple,* open to us the doors of the Kingdom* and loose the chains of our many sins. (2)

Troparion, Tone 1: Hail, Mother of God, Virgin Mary full of grace!* The Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women,* and blessed is the fruit of your womb.* For you have borne Christ, the Saviour* and Deliverer of our souls. (1)

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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.
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…

Third Antiphon
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.

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 7: While the tomb was sealed, O Christ God, You dawned as life from the sepulcher, 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.

Troparion, Tone 4: O Christ, bestow from above Your mercies* to those who radiantly feast Your bishop’s falling asleep.* Through the intercession of our father Methodius,* Your holy disciple,* open to us the doors of the Kingdom* and loose the chains of our many sins.

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: Let us hymn the godly and faithful Methodius,* and lovingly call him blessed;* the pastor of the Slavs and the precious servant of the Trinity,* the one who banished heresy,* for he prays on behalf of all of us.

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. (Psalm 146:5,1)

Prokeimenon, Tone 1
My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart understanding. (Psalm 28:4)

Epistle
Acts 4:13-22; Hebrews 7:26-8:2

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. (Psalm 94:1,3)
verse: The mouth of the just man shall meditate wisdom and his tongue shall speak judgment.
verse: The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps will not falter. (Psalm 36:30,31)

Gospel
John 5:17-24; John 10:9-16

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. (Psalm147:1)* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear. (Psalm 111:6)* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

The doors being shut and the disciples assembled,
You appeared to them as almighty, Jesus, our God.
You stood in their midst giving them peace;
You granted the Holy Spirit to them,
commanding them to wait in Jerusalem
until clothed with the power from on high.
Therefore we cry to You:
Our Illumination and Resurrection and peace, glory to You!

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

The doors being shut and the disciples assembled,
You appeared to them as almighty, Jesus, our God.
You stood in their midst giving them peace;
You granted the Holy Spirit to them,
commanding them to wait in Jerusalem
until clothed with the power from on high.
Therefore we cry to You:
Our Illumination and Resurrection and peace, glory to You!

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

Eight days after Your Resurrection, Lord,
You came to Your apostles
proclaiming: Peace be with you all!
To the doubting disciple, You showed Your hands and side.
He believed and cried to You:
My Lord and my God, glory to You!

Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Eight days after Your Resurrection, Lord,
You came to Your apostles
proclaiming: Peace be with you all!
To the doubting disciple, You showed Your hands and side.
He believed and cried to You:
My Lord and my God, glory to You!

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Thomas, who is called the twin,
was not with the disciples, Christ,
when You came to them through closed doors.
Therefore he doubted their word.
You did not reject him for his faithlessness!
When he saw Your side and the wounds in Your hands and feet,
his faith was made certain!
Having desired to see You,
he confessed You to be truly God, not only man,
crying: My Lord and my God, glory to You!

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Thomas, who is called the twin,
was not with the disciples, Christ,
when You came to them through closed doors.
Therefore he doubted their word.
You did not reject him for his faithlessness!
When he saw Your side and the wounds in Your hands and feet,
his faith was made certain!
Having desired to see You,
he confessed You to be truly God, not only man,
crying: My Lord and my God, glory to You!

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

The disciples were assembled on the eighth day,
and the Saviour appeared to them!
He gave them peace and said to Thomas:
Come, apostle!  Feel my hands, which were pierced by the nails!
Most wonderful doubt of Thomas!
It brought the hearts of the faithful to knowledge!
My Lord and my God, glory to You!

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

The disciples were assembled on the eighth day,
and the Saviour appeared to them!
He gave them peace and said to Thomas:
Come, apostle!  Feel my hands, which were pierced by the nails!
Most wonderful doubt of Thomas!
It brought the hearts of the faithful to knowledge!
My Lord and my God, glory to You!

In Tone 2

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

After Your rising, Lord,
though the doors were shut,
You came to Your assembled disciples.
You granted them peace.
Even Thomas believed, seeing Your hands and side!
He confessed You as Lord and God,
Who save those who hope in You, Lover of mankind!

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

When the doors were shut,
Jesus stood in the midst of His disciples.
He calmed their hearts and granted them peace.
Then He spoke to the apostle Thomas:
Do you not believe that I am risen from the dead?
Bring your hands here, and touch My side!
Be no longer an unbeliever!
Proclaim My passion and My Resurrection to all,
that everyone may join your cry:
My Lord and my God, glory to You!

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

When the doors were shut,
Jesus came to his disciples.
The apostle Thomas was not with them,
so he spoke these words:
Unless I see the Master myself,
unless I see His side flowing with baptismal blood and water,
unless I see those wounds which have healed all mankind,
unless I see not a spirit, but flesh and bones,
I will not believe.
Glory to You, O Lord,
for You confirmed Thomas in faith,
and have trampled death by death!

Litya

In Tone 4

Lord, shining with the splendour of Your divinity,
You came through closed doors to Your disciples,
showing Your pierced side, the wounds from the nails,
dispelling all sadness and sorrow!
O friends, see that I am not a spirit, but truly man!
The disciple who did not believe, You commanded to see,
saying: Prove to yourself, then come and believe!
He touched Your side with his own hand and cried in faith and fear:
My Lord and my God, glory to You!

In Tone 8

Touch my side with your hand, O Thomas.
Come and feel the scars of the nails.
Know in faith and do not be faithless, but believing!
Thomas, when he touched the Master, cried:
You are my God and Lord,
O compassionate one, glory to You!

Glory… Now…

The disciples were assembled and the doors were closed.
Jesus appeared in the midst and said to Thomas:
Come, see and feel the marks of the nails,
stretch out your hand and touch My wounds.
Do not disbelieve,
but in faith proclaim my Resurrection from the dead!

Aposticha

In Tone 4

Glorious wonder!
Doubt bore certain faith!
Thomas said: unless I see, I shall not believe!
By touching His side, he blessed the incarnate Son of God
Who suffered in the flesh,
and he proclaimed the resurrected God,
crying out with joy: My Lord and my God, glory to You!

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

Glorious wonder!
Thomas placed his hand on the fiery side of Jesus Christ, God!
He was not scorched by this,
his doubt changed to certain faith and he cried fervently:
You are my Master and God,
resurrected from the dead.
O Lord, glory to You!

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

Glorious wonder!
John the apostle leaned on the Saviour’s breast,
and Thomas was made worthy to touch his side.
The one thus understood the depths of theology;
the other was privileged to announce the mystery of the Resurrection to us,
crying: My Lord and my God, glory to You!

In Tone 5, Glory… Now…

How great is the multitude of your compassion, Lover of mankind!
Because of Your long-suffering You were struck by the Jews,
You were examined by an apostle and touched by those who denied You!
How are You incarnate?
How are You crucified?
You have not known sin!
Make us understand like Thomas that we may call out to You:
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)

 

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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.