This is the authentic feast of Christ the King. On Palm Sunday, Jerusalem received Jesus Christ as the Messianic King. Even in the temple itself, the children cried out the royal acclamation “Hosanna,” which had not been heard since the end of the Macchabean monarchy over a century before. The “authorities” were terrified; if the Roman governor were to take this as a challenge, which he might have done, blood would flow in the streets.
This royal entry was necessary; Jesus Christ had to fulfill the Messianic prophecies which we read at Vespers on the evening of Palm Sunday. The ruler’s staff belongs to Christ the King, and He came to claim it, riding on the colt of an ass. The King of Israel had come again to Jerusalem, bringing victory, but it was to be a different sort of victory from what the Jewish people were expecting. Christ the King was simultaneously triumphant and victorious, but riding on the colt of an ass. Divine royalty is humble; divine humility is regal.
After the Gospel at Matins, the bishop or the priest blesses the pussy willow branches, and distributes them to all the clergy and faithful. We should hold the branches during the Divine Liturgy, and then take them to our homes, where we keep them with the Cross and the holy icons. What do these branches mean?
By accepting the blessed branch on Palm Sunday, we proclaim anew our primary allegiance to Jesus Christ our King. The blessed branch is like a “flag” for the Kingship of Jesus Christ. We acknowledge that Christ is our King, and that His Law, the Law of the Holy Gospel, comes first in our hearts and in our lives. And we keep the blessed branch in our home all year round, as a reminder of the loyalty we owe to Christ our King, and to the Gospel.
This is a matter of the utmost seriousness. Our prayer, fasting, and repentance during Lent should have brought us to realize that the Lord wants to reign in every aspect of our lives. Accepting the branch means accepting the royal authority of Jesus Christ in everything. We cannot promise to succeed, but we dare not take the blessed branch if we are not at least willing to try. By all means take the branch joyfully; the Kingdom of God is very joyful! But take it seriously too, and as you see it through the year remember what it stands for.
Excerpt from Our Paschal Pilgrimage. A Guide for the Great Fast for Ukrainian Catholics by Bishop Basil Losten
GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 6
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together,
and we all take up Your Cross and say:
“Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.”
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together,
and we all take up Your Cross and say:
“Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.”
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Today the Word and co-eternal Son of God the Father,
whose throne is in heaven and whose footstool is the earth,
humbles Himself and comes to Bethany,
seated on a dumb beast, on a foal.
Then the children of the Hebrews, holding branches in their hands,
praise Him saying: “Hosanna in the highest:
blessed is He that comes, the King of Israel.”
Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Today the Word and co-eternal Son of God the Father,
whose throne is in heaven and whose footstool is the earth,
humbles Himself and comes to Bethany,
seated on a dumb beast, on a foal.
Then the children of the Hebrews, holding branches in their hands,
praise Him saying: “Hosanna in the highest:
blessed is He that comes, the King of Israel.”
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Let us also come today, all the new Israel, the Church of the Gentiles,
and let us cry with the Prophet Zechariah:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion;
shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem;
for behold, your King comes to you:
He is meek and brings salvation,
and He rides upon the colt of an ass, the foal of the beast of burden.
Keep the feast with the children,
and holding branches in your hands sing His praises:
Hosanna in the highest:
blessed is He that comes, the King of Israel.”
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Let us also come today, all the new Israel, the Church of the Gentiles,
and let us cry with the Prophet Zechariah:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion;
shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem;
for behold, your King comes to you:
He is meek and brings salvation,
and He rides upon the colt of an ass, the foal of the beast of burden.
Keep the feast with the children,
and holding branches in your hands sing His praises:
Hosanna in the highest:
blessed is He that comes, the King of Israel.”
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Prefiguring for us Your holy Resurrection, loving Lord,
by Your command You raised up from death Lazarus Your friend,
who was without the breath of life;
and after four days in the tomb he had begun to stink.
Then, O Saviour, mounted on a foal, and as though riding in a chariot,
You gave a sign to the Gentiles.
Therefore also Israel Your beloved offers You praise
out of the mouth of innocent babes and sucklings,
as they behold You, O Christ, enter the Holy City
six days before the Passover.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Prefiguring for us Your holy Resurrection, loving Lord,
by Your command You raised up from death Lazarus Your friend,
who was without the breath of life;
and after four days in the tomb he had begun to stink.
Then, O Saviour, mounted on a foal, and as though riding in a chariot,
You gave a sign to the Gentiles.
Therefore also Israel Your beloved offers You praise
out of the mouth of innocent babes and sucklings,
as they behold You, O Christ, enter the Holy City
six days before the Passover.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Six days before the Passover Jesus entered Bethany,
and His disciples came to Him, saying:
“Lord, where do You will that we prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
Then He sent them saying:
“Go into the village opposite, and you shall find a man bearing a pitcher of water;
follow him, and tell the master of the house:
The Teacher says,
‘In your house with my disciples shall I eat the Passover.’”
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Six days before the Passover Jesus entered Bethany,
and His disciples came to Him, saying:
“Lord, where do You will that we prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
Then He sent them saying:
“Go into the village opposite, and you shall find a man bearing a pitcher of water;
follow him, and tell the master of the house:
The Teacher says,
‘In your house with my disciples shall I eat the Passover.’”
Glory…
Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together,
and we all take up Your Cross and say:
“Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.”
Now…
Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together,
and we all take up Your Cross and say:
“Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.”
Readings
(1) Genesis 49:1-2, 8-12; (2) Zephaniah 3:14-19; (3) Zechariah 9:9-15
Lytia
In Tone 1
The All-Holy Spirit, who taught the apostles to speak in strange
and different tongues,
now inspires the innocent children of the Hebrews to cry aloud:
Hosanna in the highest;
blessed is He that comes, the King of Israel.
The Son and Word of the Father, like Him without
beginning and eternal,
has come today to the city of Jerusalem,
seated on a dumb beast, on a foal.
From fear the cherubim dare not gaze upon Him;
yet the children honour Him with palms and branches,
and mystically they sing a hymn of praise:
“Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna to the Son of David,
who has come to save from error all mankind.”
Six days before the Passover, O Lord, Your voice was heard in
the depths of hell,
and from it You raised up Lazarus who was four days dead.
Then the children of the Hebrews cried aloud:
“Hosanna to our God: glory to You!”
Entering, O Lord, into the Holy City, seated upon a foal,
You drew near with haste to Your Passion,
to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.
Then the children of the Hebrews, foretelling the victory of the Resurrection,
came to meet You with palms and branches, saying:
“Blessed are You, O Saviour; have mercy on us.”
Glory to You, O Christ, who are seated in the heights upon Your throne,
and whom we now await with Your precious Cross.
Therefore the daughter of Zion is glad, and the nations of the
earth rejoice exceedingly.
The children hold branches and the disciples spread their
garments in the way;
and all the inhabited earth is taught to cry aloud to You:
“Blessed are You, O Saviour; have mercy on us.”
In Tone 3, Glory… Now…
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany,
to call back Lazarus who was four days dead,
and to proclaim the coming Resurrection.
The women Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus, came to
meet Him, crying:
“Lord, if You had been here, our brother would not have died.”
Then He answered them: “Did I not say to you before:
He who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet he shall live?
Show Me where you have laid him.”
And the Maker of all cried to him, “Lazarus, come forth.”
Aposticha
In Tone 8
Rejoice and be glad, O city of Zion;
exult and be exceedingly joyful, O Church of God.
For behold, your King has come in righteousness,
seated on a foal, and the children sing His praises:
“Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed are You who shows great compassion:
have mercy on us.”
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings* have You appointed praise.
The Saviour has come today to the city of Jerusalem, to fulfil
the Scriptures;
and all have taken palms into their hands
and spread their garments before Him,
knowing that He is our God, to whom the cherubim sing
without ceasing:
“Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed are You who shows great compassion:
have mercy on us.”
O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful* is Your Name in all the earth.
O You who ride upon the cherubim and are praised by the seraphim,
You have sat, O gracious Lord, like David on a foal,
and the children honoured You with praise fitting for God;
but the priests and scribes blasphemed unlawfully against You.
Your riding on a foal prefigured how the Gentiles, as yet untamed and uninstructed,
were to pass from unbelief to faith.
Glory to You, O Christ, who alone are merciful and loves mankind.
In Tone 6, Glory …
Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together,
and we all take up Your Cross and say:
“Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.”
Now…
Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together,
and we all take up Your Cross and say:
“Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.”
Troparia
In Tone 1
Assuring us before Your Passion of the general resurrection* You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God:* and so, like the children we also carry sign of victory* and cry out to You, the conqueror of death:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes* in the name of the Lord. (twice)
In Tone 4
Buried with You through Baptism, O Christ our God,* we have been granted immortal life by Your Resurrection,* and we sing Your praises, crying out:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!
FESTAL MATINS
Troparia
In Tone 1
Assuring us before Your Passion of the general resurrection* You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God:* and so, like the children we also carry sign of victory* and cry out to You, the conqueror of death:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes* in the name of the Lord. (twice)
In Tone 4
Buried with You through Baptism, O Christ our God,* we have been granted immortal life by Your Resurrection,* and we sing Your praises, crying out:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 4
With our souls cleansed and in spirit carrying branches,* with faith let us sing Christ’s praises like the children,* crying with a loud voice to the Master:* Blessed are You, O Saviour,* who have come into the world to save Adam from the ancient curse;* and in Your love for mankind* You have been pleased to become spiritually the new Adam.* o Word, who have ordered all things for our good,* glory to You.
Glory… Now…
O Lord, You have raised from the tomb Lazarus who was four days dead,* and then taught us all to cry to You with palms and branches:* Blessed are You that come.
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 4
O Christ, mystically You have shed tears over Your friend,* and have raised from the dead Lazarus who lay without life;* and You have shown tender compassion for him in Your love towards mankind.* Learning of Your coming, O Saviour,* a multitude of children went out today,* bearing palms in their hands and crying to You:* “Hosanna: blessed are You,* for You have come to save the world.”
In Tone 1, Glory… Now…
Give praise with one accord, O peoples and nations:* for the King of the angels rides now upon a foal,* and He comes to smite His enemies with the Cross in His almighty power.* Therefore the children sing to Him with palms in their hands:* “Glory be to You who have come as Conqueror;* glory be to You, O Christ the Saviour;* glory be to You, our God, for You alone are blessed.”
Exaltation
We extol You,* O Christ the Giver of Life:* Hosanna in the highest! And we also cry to You:* Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.
verse: O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is Your Name in all the earth.
verse: Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord: the Lord is God and has appeared to us.
Glory… Now…
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory be to You, O God. Thrice
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
He who sits upon the throne of the cherubim, for our sake sits upon a foal;* and coming to His voluntary Passion,* today He hears the children cry ‘Hosanna!’* while the crowd replies, ‘O Son of David, make haste to save those whom You have created,* blessed Jesus, since for this cause You have come,* that we may know Your glory.’
Glory… Now…
He who sits upon the throne of the cherubim, for our sake sits upon a foal;* and coming to His voluntary Passion,* today He hears the children cry ‘Hosanna!’* while the crowd replies, ‘O Son of David, make haste to save those whom You have created,* blessed Jesus, since for this cause You have come,* that we may know Your glory.’
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings have You appointed praise.
verse: O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is Your Name in all the earth.
Gospel
Matthew 21:1-11, 15-17
The blessing of pussywillows takes place after Psalm 50 verses.
Canon
Ode 1
Irmos The springs of the deep were seen bereft of water, and the foundations of the storm-tossed sea were laid bare: for in Your power You have rebuked its fury and saved Your chosen people, as they sang to You, O Lord, a hymn of victory.
Out of the mouth of Your servants, the innocent babes and sucklings, You have received praise. You have overthrown the adversary and by Your Passion on the Cross You have avenged Adam’s fall of old; with the Tree You have raised him up, and he sings to You, O Lord, a hymn of victory.
The Church of the saints offers praise to You, O Christ, who dwell in Sion, and Israel rejoices in You that made him. The mountains, figuring the stony-hearted Gentiles, exult before Your face, and they sing to You, O Lord, a hymn of victory.
Katavasia The springs of the deep were seen bereft of water, and the foundations of the storm-tossed sea were laid bare: for in Your power You have rebuked its fury and saved Your chosen people, as they sang to You, O Lord, a hymn of victory.
Ode 3
Irmos The people of Israel drew water from the stony rock, for it became at Your command a flowing stream. O Christ, You are Yourself our rock and life; on You the Church is founded, and she cries aloud: Hosanna, blessed are You Who comes.
Trembling at Your command, hell yielded up Lazarus who was four days dead. For You, O Christ, are the resurrection and the life; on You the Church is founded, and she cries aloud: Hosanna, blessed are You Who comes.
O people, sing in Sion a hymn fitting for God, and offer prayer to Christ in Jerusalem. For He comes in power and glory: on Him the Church is founded, and she cries aloud: Hosanna, blessed are You Who comes.
Katavasia The people of Israel drew water from the stony rock, for it became at Your command a flowing stream. O Christ, You are Yourself our rock and life; on You the Church is founded, and she cries aloud: Hosanna, blessed are You Who comes.
SMALL EKTENY
HYPAKOI, TONE 6
First they sang in praise of Christ our God with branches,* but then the ungrateful Jews seized Him and crucified Him on the Cross.* But with faith unchanging let us ever honour Him as Benefactor,* crying always unto Him:* Blessed are You Who comes to call back Adam.
Ode 4
Irmos ‘Christ comes’, the Prophet said of old, ‘revealing Himself as our God; He shall come and shall not tarry, from the mountain overshadowed by the forest, born of a Maiden who has not known man.’ Therefore we all cry aloud: Glory to You power, O Lord.
Let the mountains and all the hills break forth into great rejoicing at the mercy of God, and let the trees of the forest clap their hands. Give praise to Christ, all nations, and magnify Him, all peoples, crying: Glory to Your power, O Lord.’
King of the ages, the Lord comes clothed in strength. The surpassing splendour of His beauty and His glory is revealed in Sion. Therefore we all cry aloud: Glory to Your power, O Lord.
The Lord is here, who measures the heaven with a span and the earth in the hollow of His hand. For He has chosen Sion; there has He been pleased to dwell, ruling over the peoples that cry aloud with faith: Glory to Your power, O Lord.
Katavasia ‘Christ comes’, the Prophet said of old, ‘revealing Himself as our God; He shall come and shall not tarry, from the mountain overshadowed by the forest, born of a Maiden who has not known man.’ Therefore we all cry aloud: Glory to You power, O Lord.
ODE 5
Irmos Go up the mountain, You Who bring good tidings to Sion; and You that preach to Jerusalem, lift up Your voice with strength. Glorious things are spoken of you, O City of God: Peace be upon Israel and salvation to the Gentiles.
God who is enthroned on high upon the cherubim and yet cares for the lowly, is Himself come in power and glory, and all things shall be filled with His divine praise. Peace be upon Israel and salvation to the Gentiles.
O Sion, holy mountain of God, and Jerusalem, lift up your eyes round about and behold your children, gathered in you. For they have come from afar to worship your King. Peace be upon Israel and salvation to the Gentiles.
Katavasia Go up the mountain, You Who bring good tidings to Sion; and You that preach to Jerusalem, lift up Your voice with strength. Glorious things are spoken of you, O City of God: Peace be upon Israel and salvation to the Gentiles.
ODE 6
Irmos The spirits of the righteous cried aloud in joy: ‘Now is a new covenant granted to the world: let the people be renewed through sprinkling with the Blood of God.’
O Israel, receive God’s Kingdom; let him that walks in darkness see the great light; and let the people be renewed through sprinkling with the Blood of God.
Set free your prisoners, O Sion, and let them go; bring them out of the waterless pit of ignorance; and let the people be renewed through sprinkling with the Blood of God.
Katavasia The spirits of the righteous cried aloud in joy: ‘Now is a new covenant granted to the world: let the people be renewed through sprinkling with the Blood of God.’
Kontakion, TONE 6
Seated in heaven upon Your throne and on earth upon a foal, O Christ our God, You have accepted the praise of the angels and the songs of the children who cried out to You: Blessed are You Who comes to call back Adam.
Ikos
O immortal Lord, You have bound hell, slain death, and raised the world: therefore the children, carrying palms, sing praise to You as Victor, 0 Christ, and they cry aloud to You this day: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! For no more’, say they, ‘shall the little children be slain because of Mary’s Child; but You alone are crucified for all, both young and old. No more shall the sword be drawn against us, for Your side is pierced by a spear. With great rejoicing, then, we cry: Blessed are You Who comes to call back Adam.’
ODE 7
Irmos You have saved the children of Abraham in the fire and slain the Chaldaeans, who plotted unrighteously against the righteous. Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised above all.
With palms in their hands, the people knelt and they rejoiced with the disciples, crying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David: blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised above all.’
The innocent children sang to You a hymn fitting for God, O King of Israel and of the angels: ‘Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised above all.’
With palms and branches the multitude greeted You, O Christ, and cried: ‘Blessed are You who comes, O King of the ages; blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised above all.’
Katavasia You have saved the children of Abraham in the fire and slain the Chaldaeans, who plotted unrighteously against the righteous. Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised above all.
ODE 8
Irmos Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and you that love Sion, keep feast. For He who rules unto all ages, the Lord of Hosts, is come. Let all the earth stand in reverence before His face and cry aloud: O all you works of the Lord, praise the Lord.
Riding upon a young foal, Christ your King is at hand, O Sion. For He has come to destroy the senseless error of idolatry and to restrain the untamed wilfulness of all the Gentiles, teaching them to sing: O all you works of the Lord, praise the Lord.
Greatly rejoice, O Sion, for Christ your God shall reign for ever. As it is written, He is meek and brings salvation. Our righteous Deliverer has come riding on a foal, that He may destroy the proud arrogance of His enemies who will not cry: O all you works of the Lord, praise the Lord.
The lawless company of disobedient men was driven out from the precincts of the temple, for they had made God’s house of prayer into a den of thieves, and they rejected from their hearts the Redeemer unto whom we cry aloud: O all you works of the Lord, praise the Lord.
Katavasia Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and you that love Sion, keep feast. For He who rules unto all ages, the Lord of Hosts, is come. Let all the earth stand in reverence before His face and cry aloud: O all you works of the Lord, praise the Lord.
ODE 9
Irmos The Lord is God and has appeared to us; let us keep the feast together. Come, and with great rejoicing let us magnify Christ with palms and branches, and let us cry aloud: Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord our Saviour.
Why do you rage, you heathen? Scribes and priests, why do you imagine vain things, saying: ‘Who is this to whom children cry aloud with palms and branches, Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord our Saviour?’
This is our God, and there is none other like Him; He has found out every righteous way and given it to Israel His beloved; and afterward He has shown Himself upon earth and lived among men. Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord our Saviour.
O disobedient nation, why do you set stumbling-blocks upon our path? Your feet are swift to shed the blood of the Master, but He shall rise again, to save all those who cry: Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord our Saviour.
Katavasia The Lord is God and has appeared to us; let us keep the feast together. Come, and with great rejoicing let us magnify Christ with palms and branches, and let us cry aloud: Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord our Saviour.
At the Praises
In Tone 4
- To execute on them the judgment written, this honour have all His saints.
A very great multitude spread their garments in the way, O Lord;
others cut down branches from the trees and carried them.
Walking before and after You, they cried:
‘Hosanna to the Son of David:
blessed are You who has come and shall come again
in the Name of the Lord’
- Praise God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of His power.
A very great multitude spread their garments in the way, O Lord;
others cut down branches from the trees and carried them.
Walking before and after You, they cried:
‘Hosanna to the Son of David:
blessed are You who has come and shall come again
in the Name of the Lord’
- Praise Him for His mighty acts, praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
When You were about to enter the Holy City, O Lord,
the multitude carried branches from the trees
and sang to You, the Master of all.
They saw You riding on a foal as though upon the cherubim,
and they cried: ‘Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed are You who has come and shall come again
in the Name of the Lord’
- Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the psaltery and harp.
When You were about to enter the Holy City, O Lord,
the multitude carried branches from the trees
and sang to You, the Master of all.
They saw You riding on a foal as though upon the cherubim,
and they cried: ‘Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed are You who has come and shall come again
in the Name of the Lord’
- Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with the stringed instruments and organs.
Come forth, you nations, and come forth, you peoples:
look today upon the King of heaven,
who enters Jerusalem seated upon a humble colt
as though upon a lofty throne.
O unbelieving and adulterous generation of the Jews,
draw near and look on Him whom once Isaiah saw:
He is come for our sakes in the flesh.
See how He weds the New Sion, for she is chaste,
and rejects the synagogue that is condemned.
As at a marriage pure and undefiled,
the pure and innocent children gather and sing praises.
Let us also sing with them the hymn of the angels:
Hosanna in the highest to Him that has great mercy.
- Praise Him upon the well-tuned cymbals; praise Him upon the loud cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Before Your voluntary Passion, Christ our God,
You have given to all men an assurance of the general resurrection;
for at Bethany You have raised by Your almighty power
Lazarus who was four days dead,
and as Giver of Light, O Saviour, You have made the blind to see.
With Your disciples You have entered the Holy City,
seated upon the foal of an ass as though upon the cherubim,
and so You have fulfilled the preaching of the prophets.
The children of the Hebrews with palms and branches came to meet You.
Therefore we also, bearing palms and olive branches,
cry aloud to You in thanksgiving:
Hosanna in the highest;
blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.
In Tone 6, Glory… Now…
Six days before the Passover Jesus entered Bethany,
and His disciples came to Him, saying:
‘Lord, where do You wish that we prepare for You to eat the Passover?’
Then He sent them, saying: ‘Go into the village opposite,
and you ye shall find a man bearing a pitcher of water;
follow him and tell the master of the house:
The Teacher says, In your house shall I eat the Passover with My disciples.’
DIVINE LITURGY
First Antiphon
I am filled with love* for the Lord will hear the voice of my plea.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
For He has inclined His ear to me,* and I will call to Him all the days of my life.
Through the prayers…
The pangs of death encircled me,* the trials of Hades befell me.
Through the prayers…
I met with anguish and pain,* and called upon the name of the Lord.
Through the prayers…
Glory… Now… Only-begotten…
Third Antiphon
Soloist: Give thanks to the Lord for He is good,* for His mercy endures forever.
Troparion, Tone 1: Assuring us before Your Passion of the general resurrection,* You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God:* and so, like the children we also carry signs of victory* and cry to You, the conqueror of death:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes* in the name of the Lord.
Therefore, let the house of Israel say that He is good,* for His mercy endures forever.
Troparion, Tone 1: Assuring us before Your Passion of the general resurrection,* You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God:* and so, like the children we also carry signs of victory* and cry to You, the conqueror of death:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes* in the name of the Lord.
Therefore, let the house of Aaron say that He is good,* for His mercy endures forever.
Troparion, Tone 1: Assuring us before Your Passion of the general resurrection,* You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God:* and so, like the children we also carry signs of victory* and cry to You, the conqueror of death:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes* in the name of the Lord.
Let all who feat the Lord say that He is good,* for His mercy endures forever.
Troparion, Tone 1: Assuring us before Your Passion of the general resurrection,* You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God:* and so, like the children we also carry signs of victory* and cry to You, the conqueror of death:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes* in the name of the Lord.
Entrance
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, we bless you from the house of the Lord,* the Lord is God and has appeared to us.
Troparia and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 1: Assuring us before Your Passion of the general resurrection,* You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God:* and so, like the children we also carry signs of victory* and cry to You, the conqueror of death:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes* in the name of the Lord.
Glory…
Troparion, Tone 4 Buried with You through Baptism, O Christ our God,* we have been granted immortal life by Your resurrection,* and we sing Your praises, crying out:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Now…
Kontakion, Tone 6 Mounted on the throne in heaven, O Christ God,* and on a colt here on earth,* You accepted the praise of the angels,* and the hymn of the children who cried to You:* Blessed are You who have come to call Adam back.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;* God the Lord has appeared to us.
verse: Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
Epistle
Philippians 4:4-9
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: Sing to the Lord a new song, foe He has worked wonders.
verse: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Gospel
John 12:1-18
Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify Christ who seated on a foal.
And the irmos: The Lord is God and has appeared to us:* together let us celebrate.* Come with great rejoicing; let us magnify Christ* with palms and olive branches, and with sings let us cry aloud to Him:* Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Communion Hymn
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;* God the Lord has appeared to us.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.