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Event Information:
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Sat23Apr2022
Bright Saturday. The Holy and Glorious Great-Martyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George
GREAT VESPERS
The Paschal Troprion is sung three times: first by the clergy, then by the faithful, then half by the clergy, and half by the faithful. We continue to sing the Troparion with verses from Psalm 67:
Paschal Troparion
Priest: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life!
All: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life!
Priest: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death.
All: And to those in the tombs* giving life!
Priest: Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.
All: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life!
Priest: As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish as wax melts before the fire.
All: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life!
Priest: So let the wicked perish at the presence of God, and let the righteous ones rejoice.
All: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life!
Priest: This is the day that the Lord has made, let us exalt and rejoice in it.
Priest: Glory… Now…
All: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life!
Priest: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death.
All: And to those in the tombs* giving life!
Litany of Peace
At Psalm 140
In Tone 8
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
O Christ, during this spiritual service,* we sing to You these evening prayers,* commemorating the mercy You have shown us* by your Resurrection.
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Lord, O Lord, do not cast us away from Your face;* but in Your kindness have mercy on us* through Your Resurrection.
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Rejoice, O holy Zion,* the Mother of Churches and the dwelling place of God;* for you were the first to receive the forgiveness of sins* through the Resurrection.
- Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Christ the Word was begotten by God the Father before all ages;*yet in these latter times,* He freely willed to take flesh from the Virgin who did not know man.* By his death on the Cross and his Resurrection,* He saved the human race from the ancient curse of death.
In Tone 4
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Now…
Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.
Great Prokeimenon, Tone 8
For You, O God, hear my prayer, grant me the heritage of those who fear You.
verse: From the end of the earth I call: my heart is faint.
verse: Let me hide in the shelter of Your wings.
verse: So I will always praise Your name.
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 8
O Jesus, You descended from heaven* so that You might ascend the cross.* O immortal Life, You came to die.* You are the true light to those who live in darkness,* and You are the resurrection of the fallen.* Therefore, O Saviour of all, we glorify You.
Pascha Stichera
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!”
Glory… Now…
This is the day of Resurrection, let us be illumined by the Feast! Let us embrace each other! Let us call “brothers” even those that hate us and forgive all by the Resurrection, and so let us cry:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life. (3)
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. (twice)
In Tone 1
Rejoice, 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 Redeemer of our souls.
Paschal Dismissal
Deacon: Wisdom!
All: 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.
Priest: Glory be to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory be to You.
All: Christ is risen from the dead trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs giving life!* Lord, have mercy. (3)* Give the blessing!
Priest: Christ is risen from the dead trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life! through the prayers of His immaculate Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-praiseworthy apostles; of our venerable and godly fathers; through the prayers of the holy Great-Martyr George, and all the saints, will have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.
All: Amen.
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.
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.
Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Entrance
In the churches bless God, the Lord from the fountains of Israel.
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
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 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 3
The Lord is my light and my Saviour;* whom shall I fear.
verse: The Lord is the protector of my life; of whom shall I be afraid. (Psalm 26:1)
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The just man shall be glad in the Lord and shall hope in Him. (Psalm 63:11)
Epistle
Acts 3:11-16; Acts 12:1-11
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength and has girded himself.
verse: For he has established the world which shall not be shaken. (Psalm 92:1)
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 3:22-33; John 15:17-16:2
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.* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)
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. (3)
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.
Paschal Dismissal
Deacon: Wisdom!
All: 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.
Priest: Glory be to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory be to You.
All: Christ is risen from the dead trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs giving life!* Lord, have mercy. (3)* Give the blessing!
Priest: Christ is risen from the dead trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life! through the prayers of His immaculate Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-praiseworthy apostles; of our venerable and godly fathers; of our father among the saints, John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople; through the prayers of the holy Great-Martyr George, and all the saints, will have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.
All: Amen.
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.