New Texts arriving in the evening of April 17, 2024!
Event Information:
-
Sun12Apr2020
Pascha: The Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus Christ
PASCHAL MATINS
The clergy, fully vested as for Divine Liturgy in bright vestments, come before the altar in the usual order and all together they make a bow. A light is struck within the Altar, the First Priest lights the Paschal Trikirion and gives the light to all the Clergy. Then, according to custom, the light is passed to the faithful and the procession begins:
In Tone 6
Angels in heaven, O Christ our Saviour,* sing of Your Resurrection,* enable us here on earth* to glorify You with a pure heart!Priest: Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life-giving and undivided Trinity, always, now and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Paschal Troparion
Sung by the Clergy, then the people, with verses from Psalm 67:
Slavonic:
Христос воскресе із мертвих,* смертію смерть порпав,* і сущим во гробіх* живот даровав!Ukrainian:
Христос воскрес із мертвих,* смертю смерть подолав,* і тим що в гробах* життя дарував!English:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life!Verses from Psalm 67:
Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.
As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish as wax melts before the fire.
So let the wicked perish at the presence of God, and let the righteous ones rejoice.
This is the day that the Lord has made, let us exalt and rejoice in it.
Glory… Now…
The first half of the Paschal Troparion is repeated by the Clergy, then the second half by the people. The First Priest, with the handcross, knocks on the doors of the church three times, and having opened them, he enters the church together with the Clergy and the people, singing:
And to those in the tombs, giving life!
Once the Clergy have reached the Altar, the Deacon, taking his place before the iconostasis, begins the Ekteny of Peace:
Ekteny of Peace
The Paschal Canon
We now sing the Paschal Canon of St. John Damascus. The clergy sing the Irmos of each Ode. The Choir leads the people in singing the troparia.
Ode 1
Irmos O day of Resurrection!* Let us beam with festive joy!* This indeed is the Lord’s own Pasch* for from death to life, from earth to heaven Christ has led us,* as we shout the vict’ry hymn:
Christ is risen from the dead!
Let our hearts be spotless* as we gaze upon our dazzling Christ* Behold His rising, a brilliant flash of light divine!* Let us listen, clearly hear Him greeting us:* as we shout the vict’ry hymn:
Christ is risen from the dead!
Let all heaven burst with joy!* Let all the earth resound with gladness!* Let all creation dance in celebration!* For Christ has risen:* Christ our lasting joy!
Katavasia O day of Resurrection!* Let us beam with festive joy!* This indeed is the Lord’s own Pasch* for from death to life, from earth to heaven Christ has led us,* as we shout the vict’ry hymn:
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!
Small Ekteny
Ode 3
Irmos From barren rock behold the wonder!* The staff of Moses once drew water!* But we have something new to drink:* the drink of deathless life* from the rock that was His tomb;* for in Him is all our might!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Now does light flood all creation:* heaven and earth, the world beneath!* Behold the festival of all creation:* Now we feast the risen Christ,* for in Him is all our might!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Yesterday, my Christ, they buried me with You;* Today I rise with You!* Yesterday Your partner in death was I;* tomorrow, O my Saviour,* let me share the glory of Your realm!
Katavasia From barren rock behold the wonder!* The staff of Moses once drew water!* But we have something new to drink:* the drink of deathless life* from the rock that was His tomb;* for in Him is all our might!
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!
Small Ekteny
Hypakoe
A choral composition sung by the Krylos, or simply, in Tone 4:
Before the dawn, Mary and her friends approached the tomb,* and she found the stone removed.* and suddenly an angel spoke:* “Why look among the dead for one who lives in light eternal? Look, see the cloth with which they wrapped Him,* Go! Tell the world the Lord has risen, dealing death a death blow;* for He is God’s Son,* the Saviour of mankind!Ode 4
Irmos Let God’s prophet Habakkuk* now stand with us in godly vigil!* And show the angel radiant with light* whose voice gives forth the joyous news:* salvation visits the earth today,* for Christ has risen in His might!
Christ is risen from the dead!
The first-born of the Virgin,* a small and tender infant,* as man he came among us!* But we called Him, “Lamb,”* pure and undefiled Pasch unblemished,* our real God the perfect One!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Christ our Pasch was sacrificed,* yearling Lamb and crown of prophecy!* For all of us He freely died* and thus became the Pasch that purifies!* Upon us all resplendent sun our righteous Christ* has shown forth from the tomb!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Before the ark symbolic,* God’s forebear David danced and leaped.* But we God’s holy people,* our eyes see all symbols now fulfilled.* For this God’s joy and gladness dance within us,* for Christ has risen in His might!
Katavasia Let God’s prophet Habakkuk* now stand with us in godly vigil!* And show the angel radiant with light* whose voice gives forth the joyous news:* salvation visits the earth today,* for Christ has risen in His might!
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!
Small Ekteny
Ode 5
Irmos Now at daybreak* let us celebrate.* Let us gaze on Christ, our Sun of holiness.* Instead of spices,* let us offer Him our song* as He brings forth life for all!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Hell’s captives saw Your endless loving kindness;* they fled with joy to You their Light:* and on their lips the happy news:* Christ our God has truly risen!* Clap your hands! Applaud the lasting Pasch!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Come! Let us all go forth to meet Him!* Look behold our Christ triumphant who burst the tomb with glory,* God’s own Pasch, our soul’s salvation!* With angel hosts we celebrate* a festival of joy and gladness!
Katavasia Now at daybreak* let us celebrate.* Let us gaze on Christ, our Sun of holiness.* Instead of spices,* let us offer Him our song* as He brings forth life for all!
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!
Small Ekteny
Ode 6
Irmos O Christ* You pierced the world beneath* and snapped infernal chains that bind forever!* But in three days You came forth from the tomb:* our Jonah from the belly of the whale!
Christ is risen from the dead!
You left the seals of burial intact* in rising from the tomb, O Christ,* who left in birth the portals of virginity unbroken!* But heaven’s gates* You open wide to earth!
Christ is risen from the dead!
O my Saviour!* Victim indestructible!* Our God, who freely gave Himself for us!* When You rose, O Christ, to God the Father,* You also raised up Adam and his race!
Katavasia O Christ* You pierced the world beneath* and snapped infernal chains that bind forever!* But in three days You came forth from the tomb:* our Jonah from the belly of the whale!
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!
Small Ekteny
Kontakion, Tone 8
Although You went down into the grave, Immortal One,* You destroyed the power of hell!* You arose a mighty Victor, Christ our God,* bringing peace to Your apostles,* joy for the myrrh-bearing women;* and resurrection for the fallen!
Ikos
Chanted by a Reader
Before the dawn - as urgently as is in daylight - the women came with their spices to the tomb, looking for Him who existed before the sun was even created. That very Sun had come to set in a grave! They cried to each other: Bring your fragrant ointments, friends, and let us anoint that life-giving body which has been laid in a tomb. His is the body which raises the fallen Adam. Let us go! Let us hurry like the Magi; let us fall before Him in adoration. Let us offer myrrh to Him as He lays there wrapped, not in swaddling clothes, but in a shroud. Let us shed our tears and cry out to Him: Rise up, O Lord, give resurrection to the fallen!All repeat:
Rise up, O Lord, give resurrection to the fallen!Hymn of the Resurrection, Tone 6, Kievan
Having seen the Resurrection of Christ,* let us worship the holy Lord Jesus,* the only sinless One.* We venerate Your Cross, O Christ,* and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify,* for You are our God.* We know no other than You.* We call on Your Name.* O come, all you faithful,* let us worship the holy Resurrection of Christ,* for behold, through the Cross joy has come to all the world.* Ever blessing the Lord* we sing the praises of His Resurrection,* for by enduring the Cross for us* He destroyed death by death! (3)
Then, three times in Tone 6
Jesus is risen from the tomb* as He foretold,* granting us eternal life* and great mercy!Ode 7
Irmos As He rescued three young men from furnace flames* by His passion* He has rescued us from death,* this One who took our flesh and suffered like all mortals.* He alone is blessed and full of glory:* the only God!* The One our Fathers knew!* Ever robed in splendid glory!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Devoted women followed after You bearing fragrant spices to anoint You;* and though they mourned You first with many tears,* their gloom was turned to joy in finding You, their living God!* They spread the news to all Your friends, O Christ,* the joy and gladness of the mystic Pasch!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Our feast today is death’s own death!* Hell is shattered!* A new and lasting life begins!* All joy and praise to Him who did this:* The only God — the one our fathers knew — ever robed in splendid glory!
Christ is risen from the dead!
O how holy! How resplendent!* What a truly radiant night!* Brilliant birth of man’s redemption!* The harbinger of resurrection joy!* The night when boundless Light transfigured flesh* as Christ our God escaped the grave — dazzling splendour for the world!
Katavasia As He rescued three young men from furnace flames* by His passion* He has rescued us from death,* this One who took our flesh and suffered like all mortals.* He alone is blessed and full of glory:* the only God!* The One our Fathers knew!* Ever robed in splendid glory!
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!
Small Ekteny
Ode 8
Irmos That hallowed and chosen day has come!* Of all holy Sabbaths the first and foremost:* the very expectation of the people of God.* The Festivals of festivals;* of all solemnities the greatest:* when all of us bless Christ forever!
Christ is risen from the dead!
That hallowed and chosen day has come!* Let us share this joy divine!* Let us taste the vine’s new fruit* and share the lasting reign of Christ* when all of us bless Christ forever!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Rise up, Sion, lift your eyes!* See your sons arrayed before you!* How they gleam with light divine!* From all the corners of the earth your scattered sons have found you:* They hasten to your bosom where all of us bless Christ forever!
Glory to You, our God - most holy Trinity!
Almighty Father, Word and Spirit,* Trinity of persons one in essence:* God most high, beyond our understanding!* In You have we been born anew,* for this do all of us bless You forever!
Irmos That hallowed and chosen day has come!* Of all holy Sabbaths the first and foremost:* the very expectation of the people of God.* The Festivals of festivals;* of all solemnities the greatest:* when all of us bless Christ forever!
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!
Small Ekteny
Ode 9
Deacon: Let us greatly extol in hymns the Theotokos and the Mother of Light!
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!
Irmos Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem!* for the glory to 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.
Christ is risen from the dead!
How divine! How mellow! The voice of purest love!*Your promise to remain with us, O Christ,* until the end of time!* Firmly do we hold to this promise,* the well-spring of our faith and joy!
Christ is risen from the dead!
You are the greatest Pasch, O Christ, the holiest!* The Wisdom, Word and Power of God!* Your radiant presence, fuller ever lovelier manifest to us, O Lord* when You come again in glory* on the endless day when the sun will never set!
Katavasia Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem!* for the glory to 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.
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!
Small Ekteny
Exapostilarion
Sung solemnly three times
In the flesh You fell asleep like a mere mortal, O King, I King and Lord! But three days later You arose, lifting Adam from corruption, putting death to death. O Pasch beyond corruption, O Ransom of the world!The Praises
In Tone 1
Praise Him for His powerful deeds,* praise His surpassing greatness.
We praise Your saving passion, O Christ!
We glorify Your resurrection!O praise Him with sound of trumpet,* praise Him with lute and harp.
You captured Hades, O Christ.
You raised us by Your own resurrection.
Make us worthy to praise and glorify You in purity of heart.Praise Him with timbrel and dance,* praise Him with strings and pipes.
You captured Hades, O Christ.
You raised us by Your own resurrection.
Make us worthy to praise and glorify You in purity of heart.O praise Him with resounding cymbals praise Him with clashing of cymbals.* Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.
We glorify Your divine humility;
we praise You, O Christ.
You were born of a virgin,
yet were not separated from the Father.
You became a mortal and suffered for us,
voluntarily enduring the cross.
You rose from the tomb, coming as from a bridal chamber to save the world.
O Lord, glory be to You!The Paschal Sticheras
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 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 flee from 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 LifeGiver.* There they found an angel* sitting upon the stone,* he greeted them with these words:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* Why do you mourn 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
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!”
Glory be to the Father, and the Son* and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.
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 on those in the tombs* bestowing life! (3)
All exchange the Paschal Kiss
The Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom
If there be any devout people who love God, let them enjoy this splendid and radiant Feast. If any of them be wise servants, let them blissfully enter into the joy of their Lord. If any of them have laboured long in fasting, let them now receive their reward. If any have toiled from the first hour, let them now receive their just wage. If any came at the third hour, let them gratefully join in the Feast. If any arrived at the sixth hour, they should not be afraid, for they will not be deprived of anything. If any of them tarried even until the ninth hour, let them approach without hesitation. If any arrived only at the eleventh hour, they should not worry on account of their tardiness. For the Master loves to grant honours and will receive the last just as the first. He gives rest to the one who came at the eleventh hour, just as He does to the one who toiled from the first hour. He shows His mercy to the last, and His care for the first. To the one He gives; on the other, He showers gifts. He accepts deeds and welcomes intentions. He honours labours and praises resolutions. And so, let all enter into the joy of their Lord, and let the first as well as the last receive the reward. Let the rich and the poor celebrate together. Let the resourceful and the slothful honour this Day. Let those who fasted and those who did not fast be glad today. The Table is bountifully set; let all be satisfied. The Calf is fattened; let no one go away hungry. Let everyone enjoy the Cup of Faith. Let everyone receive the richness of Grace. Let none grieve at their poverty, for the Kingdom that belongs to all people has been revealed. Let none weep for their sins, for forgiveness shines forth from the Tomb. Let no one fear Death, for the Saviour’s death has set us free. The One Whom Death imprisoned has extinguished Death. The One Who descended into Hades made Hades the captive. He caused it distress when it tasted His Flesh. When Isaiah foresaw this, he exclaimed: “Hades was all distressed by encountering You in the nether world.” It was distressed because it was abolished. It was distressed because it was mocked. It was distressed because it was slain. It was distressed because it was overthrown. It was distressed because it was chained. It seized a Body but discovered God. It seized the Earthly but encountered the Heavenly. It seized the Visible but was overcome by the Invisible. O Death, where is your sting! O Hades, where is your victory! Christ is risen, and you are abolished! Christ is risen, and the demons are cast down! Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and Life now reigns! Christ is risen, and the Tomb is emptied of the dead! For in rising from the dead, Christ became the First-Fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
After the Homily, this troparion in honour of St. John Chrysostom in Tone 8:
The grace that shines forth from your mouth like a torch has enlightened the universe;* it implanted in the world the treasure of the love of poverty,* it showed us the high value of humility;* instruct us by your words, John Chrysostom, our father,* and intercede with the Word, Christ God,* for the salvation of our souls!Ekteny of Supplication
Ekteny of Petition
Paschal Dismissal
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
Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered; let those who hate Him flee from before His face.
Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
As smoke vanishes, let them vanish, as wax melts before the fire.
Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
So let sinners perish before the face of God, but let the righteous be glad.
Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.Entrance
In the churches bless God, the Lord from the fountains of Israel.Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 8: Though You descended into a tomb, O Immortal One,* yet You destroyed the power of Hades;* and You rose as victor, O Christ God,* calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice!* and giving peace to Your Apostles:* You, who grant resurrection to the fallen.
Instead of Holy God
All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia! (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
You have put on Christ! Alleluia!
All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia!Prokeimenon, Tone 8
This is the day which the Lord has made;* let us rejoice and be glad in it.
verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 117:24,1)Epistle
Acts 1:1-8Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: When you rise, You will have compassion on Sion.
verse: The Lord looked down from heaven to earth to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free the sons of those put to death. (Psalm 101:14,20)Gospel
John 1:1-17Hymn to the Mother of God
The Angel cried out to the One full of Grace: O chaste Virgin, rejoice! And again I say, Rejoice! Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day, and raised the dead. Let all people rejoice! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.Communion Hymn
Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.Instead of “Blessed is He Who comes…” we sing:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.Instead of “We have seen the true light…” we sing:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.Instead of “May our mouths be filled…” we sing three times:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.Instead of “Blessed be the name of the Lord…” we sing three times:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.At the dismissal, instead of “Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.” we chant:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.After the final Amen, the priest, with cross raised on high, exclaims “Christ is risen” thrice and we respond “Truly, He is risen” each time. Then, the Troparion “Christ is risen” is sung as at the beginning of the Liturgy, but with the addition:
And to us He has granted life eternal;* we bow down before His resurrection on the third day.