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Event Information:
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Sun19Feb2023
Sunday of Cheesefare - Sunday of Forgiveness; Octoechos Tone 4; The Holy Apostle Archippus
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 freed mankind from corruption,* bestowing life, incorruption, and Your great mercy upon the world.
Let Your 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.
O Saviour, with the angels we sing the praises of Your resurrection on the third day.* For the very ends of the universe have, thereby, been enlightened,* and we have been saved from the deceit of the enemy.* Therefore, we cry out to You,* Almighty Saviour, Giver of Life, and Lover of mankind:* Save us by Your resurrection.
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 our God, You have demolished the brazen gates of Hades.* You have broken asunder the bonds of death,* and lifted up the fallen human race.* Therefore, we cry out with one accord:* O Lord, who arose from the dead, glory to You!
In Tone 6
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The Lord my Creator took me as dust from the earth* and formed me into a living creature* breathing into me the breath of life and giving me a soul;* He honoured me,* setting me as a ruler upon the earth over all things visible,* and making me a companion of the angels.* But Satan the deceiver,* using the serpent as his instrument,* enticed me by food;* he parted me from the glory of God* and gave me over to the earth* and to the lowest depths of death.* But, O Master, in compassion, call me back again.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
In my wretchedness I have cast off the robe woven by God,* disobeying Your divine command, O Lord, at the counsel of the enemy;* and I am clothed now in fig leaves and in garments of skin.* I am condemned to eat the bread of toil in the sweat of my brow,* and the earth has been cursed so that it bears thorns and thistles for me.* But, Lord, who in the last times was made flesh of a Virgin, call me back again* and bring me into Paradise.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O precious Paradise, unsurpassed in beauty,* tabernacle built by God, unending gladness and delight,* glory of the righteous, joy of the prophets and dwelling of the saints,* with the sound of your leaves* pray to the Maker of all:* may He open to me the gates which I closed by my transgression,* and may He count me worthy* to partake of the Tree of Life* and of the joy that was mine* when I dwelt in you before.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Adam was banished from Paradise through disobedience and cast out from delight,* beguiled by the words of a woman.* Naked he sat outside the garden, lamenting, “Woe is me!”* Therefore let us all make haste to accept the season of the Fast* and hearken to the teaching of the Gospel,* that we may gain Christ’s mercy* and receive once more a dwelling-place in Paradise.
Glory…
Adam sat before Paradise and lamenting his nakedness,* he wept: “Woe is me!* By evil deceit was I persuaded and led astray,* and now I am an exile from glory.* Woe is me!* In my simplicity I was stripped naked,* and now I am in want.* O Paradise, no more shall I take pleasure in your joy;* for I shall return to the earth from whence I was taken.* O merciful and compassionate Lord,* to You I cry aloud: I am fallen, have mercy on me.”
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 Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
By hanging on the cross, O Almighty One,* You shook the whole creation to its foundations.* When You Yourself were laid in the grave,* You raised to life those who had been lying in the graves,* and You granted life and incorruption to mankind.* We, therefore, praise and glorify Your resurrection on the third day.
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O Christ, the lawless people showed their ingratitude to You, their Benefactor,* by delivering You to Pilate who condemned you to be crucified.* But You willingly suffered death and burial;* and, as God, You rose by Your own power on the third day,* granting us everlasting life and great mercy.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
The women, shedding bitter tears, came to see You in Your tomb;* and not finding Your body, they lamented, saying:* O Saviour and King of All, how were You stolen?* What place holds Your life-bearing body?* An angel answered them, saying:* Do not weep, but go and proclaim that the Lord is risen,* filling our hearts with joy;* for He alone is most compassionate.
In Tone 6, Glory…
Adam was cast out of Paradise through eating from the tree.* Seated before the gates he wept,* lamenting with a pitiful voice and saying:* “Woe is me,* what have I suffered in my misery!* I transgressed one commandment of the Master,* and now I am deprived of every blessing.* O most holy Paradise, planted for my sake and shut because of Eve,* pray to Him that made you and fashioned me,* that once more I may take pleasure in your flowers.”* Then the Saviour said to him:* “I desire not the loss of the creature which I fashioned,* but that he should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth;* and when he comes to me I will not cast him out.”
Now…
Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,* came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.* He clothed Himself in our human flesh* to set us free from the original curse of Adam.* Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,* as the true Virgin Mother of God,* and we sing with the angels:* Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.
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.”
Glory... Now...
O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created man,*and saved our souls from death.
SUNDAY MATINS
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 4
Troparia, 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.” (2)
Glory... Now...
O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created man,*and saved our souls from death.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
Looking into the entrance of the tomb,* the Myrrh-bearing women were unable to endure the bright radiance of the Angel,* trembling in awe they said;* How is it that He who has opened Paradise to the Thief hath been stolen?* How is it that He who before His passion proclaimed His Arising has been raised?* Truly Christ God has arisen, granting those in Hades life and resurrection.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
Mortal men laid in a new tomb* the One who through a word established the ends of earth,* for You, O Saviour, willingly endured the Cross,* whereby You conquered the adversary, and despoiled death,* for which cause all those in Hades extol Your life-giving Arising saying* Christ, the giver of life, has arisen and abides to the ages.
Glory… Now…
As he contemplated that which was beyond nature* Joseph was struck with wonder, O Theotokos, at you conception without seed.* He contemplated the mysterious dew upon the fleece,* the bush unburnt by fire,* Aaron’s rod which budded.* Thus your Betrothed and guardian bore witness and cried to the priests saying:* A Virgin bears a child,* and after child-birth remains yet a virgin.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
O Saviour, You arose from Hades as immortal,* raising the world together with You by Your might, O Christ our God.* With strength You have overthrown the dominion of death,* revealing the Resurrection to all, O Merciful one.* Wherefore we also glorify You, O only Lover of mankind.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
Gabriel radiant in white vestments descended from the heights above,* and approaching the rock upon which the Rock of life was lying,* cried to the weeping women saying:* Cease your cries of lamentation;* for you have now obtained merciful compassion.* Take courage, for the One you seek is truly risen.* Therefore, cry to the Apostles telling them that the Lord has arisen,* to worship the risen One;* and having received gladness, to take courage, together with Eve.
Glory… Now…
All the choirs of Angels were struck with wonder, O Pure Virgin,* at the awesome mystery of your conception.* How can the One who holds all things in place with only a nod,* now be held in your arms as a man?* How can the Eternal accept a beginning?* How can the One who nourishes everything that has breath by His ineffable goodness,* be suckled at your breast?* And upon seeing these things, with hymns they glorify you* as truly the Mother of God.
Polyeleos
Psalm 136
By the rivers of Babylon there we sat and wept, remembering Sion.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
For it was there that they asked us, our captors, for songs, our oppressors, for joy.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sing to us they said, one of Sion’s songs.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O how could we sing the song of the Lord on alien soil?
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O Babylon, destroyer, one is happy who repays you the ills you brought on us.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory be to You, O God!
Evoglitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 4
The Myrrh-bearing women hastened to proclaim to the Apostles* the news of Your wondrous Rising, O Christ:* that as God You have arisen,* granting the world great mercy.
Gradual Hymns, Tone 4
Antiphon 1
From my youth do many passions war against me;* but do You Yourself defend* and save me, O my Saviour.
You haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord;* for like grass, by the fire* shall you be withered.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit, every soul is quickened,* and, through cleansing, is exalted* and made radiant* by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.
Antiphon 2
From the depths of my soul* I have cried to You fervently, O Lord;* let Your divine ears be attentive to me.
Everyone who has set their hope in the Lord,* is higher than all those* who mourn.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit* the streams of grace swell up;* watering all creation* engendering life.
Antiphon 3
Let my heart be raised to You, O Lord;* and let none of the pleasures of the world lure me* to weakness.
As one that has tender love for one’s mother;* so should we have even more fervent love* for the Lord.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit comes an abundance of divine knowledge,* contemplation and wisdom;* for by Him the Word unveils* all the Father’s teachings.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Arise, O Lord: help us,* and redeem us for Your name’s sake.
verse: We heard with our own ears, O God, our fathers have told us the story of the things You did in days long ago.
Let everything that lives, Tone 4
Gospel
Luke 24:1-12
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
In Tone 8, Glory…
Open to me the doors of repentance, O Giver of Life.* As we worship in Your temple this morning,* teach us how to purify the temples of our bodies,* and in Your compassion, purify me by the goodness of Your mercies.
Now…
Lead me to the paths of salvation, O Mother of God,* for I have condemned myself with shameful sins* and have wasted all my life in slothfulness.* By your intercession purify me from all sinfulness.
In Tone 6
Have mercy on me, God, in Your kindness. In Your compassion blot out my offense.
When I think upon the multitude of my evil deeds,* I tremble for the terrible day of judgment.* But trusting in the compassion of Your mercy, O Lord,* I cry to You like David:* Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.
Canon, Tone 4
Ode 1
Irmos: Through the Red Sea, as on the dry land,* old Israel passed on with unmoistened foot;* crosswise, in the wilderness, Moses held up his arms* and they routed Amalek’s might.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
As good and all-powerful, O Lord, you were lifted up on the immaculate tree of your cross, healing by the tree our utter destruction, setting right our defection.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
In your body in the tomb, as God with your soul in Hell, with the Thief in Paradise, you were yet, O Christ, on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, all things filling, and infinite.
Glory… Now…
You conceived the Son of God without seed, by the Father’s purpose, from the divine Spirit; you bore in flesh the one from the Father without mother: through us, out of you, without father.
Irmos: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land,* on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned,* they cried: Let us sing to God* a song of victory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Come, O wretched soul, and weep today over your acts, remembering how once you were stripped naked in Eden and cast out from delight and unending joy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
In Your abundant compassion and mercy, O Fashioner of creation and Maker of all, You have taken me from the dust and given me life, commanding me to sing Your praises with Your angels.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
For the sake of the wealth of Your goodness, O Creator and Lord, You planted the sweetness of Paradise in Eden, bidding me to take delight of the fair and pleasing, and never-ending fruits therein.
Glory…
Woe to you, O my wretched soul! You have received authority from God to take your pleasure in the joys of Eden, but He commanded you to not eat the fruit of knowledge. Why then have you transgressed the law of God?
Now…
O Virgin Birthgiver of God, as a daughter of Adam by birth, and a Parent of Christ God by grace, call me who am banished from Eden.
Katavasia: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land,* on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned,* they cried: Let us sing to God* a song of victory.
Ode 3
Irmos: Your Church, O Christ, makes merry in you, crying aloud:* You are my strength, O Lord, my refuge, my firm foundation.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The tree of life, the true and intellectual vine, hangs upon the cross pouring forth to all the elixir of life.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
As a great one and fearful, demolishing utterly the insolence of Hell, as God incorruptible, now you have risen in the flesh.
Glory… Now…
You only, O Mother of God, are the friend who procures the good things beyond nature for those upon earth and therefore we bring to you our “Hail.”
Irmos: There is none as holy as You, O Lord my God,* who has exalted the horn of the faithful, O good One,* and strengthened us upon the rock* of Your confession.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The crafty serpent long ago envied my honour and whispered deceit into Eve’s ear. Woe is me! for by her I was led astray and banished from the banquet of life.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Foolishly I stretched out my hand and tasted of the tree of knowledge, from which God has commanded me to in no-wise eat; and I was bitterly cast out from divine glory.
Glory…
Woe to you, O my wretched soul! How have you not recognized the deception of the enemy? How have not perceived his deceit and envy? For you are now darkened in mind having transgressed the commandments of your Creator.
Now…
Thou are my hope and protection, O pure One, for by your childbearing you alone have covered the ancient fall of Adam, clothing me once again with incorruption.
Katavasia: There is none as holy as You, O Lord my God,* who has exalted the horn of the faithful, O good One,* and strengthened us upon the rock* of Your confession.
Sessional Hymns, Tone 4
Adam was cast out from the delight of Paradise:* eating the bitter food and lacking self-constraint,* keeping not the Master’s commandment,* and was thereby condemned to work the earth from which he had himself been taken,* eating his bread in toil.* Wherefore, let us love abstinence,* that we not weep as he did outside the gates of Paradise,* but by it may we enter therein.
Glory…
The season of the virtues has now appeared,* and the judge is at the door.* Let us not be of a sullen countenance,* let us keep the Fast, offering tears, contrition, and almsgiving;* and let us cry aloud:* We have sinned more than there are grains of sand in the sea;* but, O Redeemer of mankind, *forgive each of us, that we may receive a crown of incorruption.
Now…
We shall never, O Theotokos, keep silent* nor cease, unworthy though we be, to praise your power.* For had we not the protection of your intercessions,* who would have delivered us from so many dangers?* Who would have preserved us free till now?* We shall never forsake you, O Lady,* for you always save your servants from every misfortune.
Ode 4
Irmos: Seeing you the Sun of Righteousness* lifted high on the cross,* with good reason your Church stood still in her course and exclaimed:* Glory to your power, O Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You went up on the Cross, to the Passion of your pure flesh worn of your own will, thus healing my passions. Therefore we cry to you: Glory to your power, O Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Lord, death tasted of your life-giving, sinless flesh and deservedly was slain. But we cry to you: Glory to your power, O Lord.
Glory… Now…
You bore a child, O Virgin, without a man, and after the birth you were discerned as still a virgin; therefore in faith unwavering we cry in never silent voices: Hail to you, our Lady.
Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord,* the holy Church divinely sings,* crying with a pure mind,* keeping festival in the Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I, the wretched one, was deemed worthy of honour from You O Master in Eden. But alas! I have been deceived by the envy of the devil and cast out from before Your face!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Weep for me, O you ranks of angels, beauty of Paradise and glory of the garden: for in my misery I have been led astray and rebelled against God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O blessed meadow, gardens planted by God, sweetness of Paradise: let your leaves, like eyes, shed tears on my behalf, for I am naked and a stranger to God’s glory.
Glory…
No longer do I see you, nor delight in your splendour and divine radiance, O precious Paradise. For having angered my Creator, I am naked and have been driven out into the world.
Now…
O most holy Lady, open to all the faithful the gates of paradise, as once they were shut by the transgression of Adam, and open to me the gates of your mercy.
Katavasia: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord,* the holy Church divinely sings,* crying with a pure mind,* keeping festival in the Lord.
Ode 5
Irmos: Lord, my light, you have come into the world;* O holy light, turn from the darkness of ignorance all who sing to you in faith.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
In compassion, O Lord, you came down to the earth; hanging upon the tree you raised up the fallen nature of man.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Christ, you bore yourself the reproach of my sins; you loosed the pangs of death, Compassionate, in your holy resurrection.
Glory… Now…
We thrust you forward as an unbreakable shield in face of our enemies; we have gained you, Bride of God, as anchor and hope of our salvation.
Irmos: Illumine with Your divine light, I pray, O Good One,* the souls of those who with love rise early to pray to You,* that they may know You, O Word of God, as the true God,* Who recalls us from the darkness of sin.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Of old, the enemy who hates mankind, envied the life of happiness that I had in Paradise, and taking the form of a serpent caused me to stumble, thereby showing me to be a stranger to eternal glory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I weep and lament in soul, and with my eyes I shed abundant tears, when I reflect upon, and understand my nakedness, which I have gained from transgressing.
Glory…
From the earth I was fashioned by the hand of God, and I, the wretched one, was told that to the earth I shall return again. Who will not weep for me, who am cast out from God’s presence, exchanging Eden for Hades.
Now…
We the faithful proclaim you to be the mystical bridal-chamber of glory, O all-immaculate Birthgiver of God. Wherefore I entreat you, O pure One: Raise me up, for I am fallen, and make me a dweller in the bridal-chamber of Paradise.
Katavasia: Illumine with Your divine light, I pray, O Good One,* the souls of those who with love rise early to pray to You,* that they may know You, O Word of God, as the true God,* Who recalls us from the darkness of sin.
Ode 6
Irmos: I will sacrifice to you, O Lord, with the voice of praise:* so cries your Church to you,* purified from demons’ gore* through the blood which flows in pity from your side.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Girded with power you went up on the cross and came to grips with the tyrant and as God you dashed him down from the heights and raised up Adam with your invincible hand.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You are risen, O Christ, from the tomb in dazzling beauty of lightning flash, scattering to the winds by your power divine every one of your enemies. As God you have filled all things with gladness.
Glory… Now…
O wonder of all wonders, newest and strangest, that a virgin, knowing no man, conceived in the womb him who holds the whole universe in his hands and suffered no straitening.
Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations,* I run to Your calm haven, and cry to You:* Raise up my life from corruption,* O greatly Merciful One.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
In Eden Thou didst clothe me with a divinely woven garment O compassionate Savior; but I, the wretched one, having believed the deceiver, have neglected Thy commandment and find myself naked.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O my most wretched soul, through thy carelessness thou hast departed far from God; and depriving thyself of the delight of Paradise, thou hast been separated from the angels, and led down into corruption. O How thou art fallen!
Glory…
O almighty God, have mercy and take pity on the works of Thy hands. I pray Thee O good One, turn not away from me, who hath cut himself off from the choir of Thine angels.
Now…
O Mary chosen by God, Queen of all, thou didst give birth to the Lord, Redeemer and King of all, whereas I am a prisoner and an exile from Paradise: do thou call me back.
Katavasia: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations,* I run to Your calm haven, and cry to You:* Raise up my life from corruption,* O greatly Merciful One.
Kontakion, Tone 6
O Master, Guide to Wisdom*, Bestower of prudent counsel,* Instructor of the foolish and Defender of the poor ones;* make firm my heart and give it understanding.* Give me a word, O Word of the Father:* Behold, I shall not stop my lips from crying out to You:* In Your mercy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Ikos
Banished from the delights of Paradise, Adam sat outside and wept, and beating his hands upon his face he said: “I am fallen, in Thy compassion have mercy on me.” When Adam saw the angel drive him out and shut the door of the divine garden, he groaned aloud and said: “I am fallen, in Thy compassion have mercy on me.” O Paradise, share in the sorrow of thy master who hath been brought to poverty, and with the rustling of thy leaves beseech the Creator that He not keep thy gate closed. O compassionate One have mercy on me who am fallen. O Paradise, all-perfect, all-holy and most rich, planted for Adam’s sake and shut because of Eve, beseech God on behalf of the fallen. O compassionate One have mercy on me who am fallen.
Ode 7
Irmos: In a Persian furnace three children of Abraham were set on fire* but more than in the flames they blazed in loving desire to God, and cried:* Blessed are you, O Lord,* in the temple of your glory.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Washed in Christ’s divine blood, mankind has been called to incorruption and sings in thanksgiving: Blessed are you, O Lord, in the temple of your glory.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Your tomb, O Christ, declares itself life-bearing, fairer far than Paradise, more radiant than any kingly hall, fount of our resurrection.
Glory… Now…
Hail, tabernacle of the Most High, hallowed and sacred. Joy is given through you, O Mother of God, to those who cry to you: Blessed are you amongst women, All-holy Lady.
Irmos: An Angel made the furnace bedew the holy Children.* But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans* and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry:* O God of our fathers, blessed are You.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Lord Who rules over all the ages, Who by Your own will created me, through the envy of the crafty serpent of old I have been beguiled, and angered You, O Saviour: despise me not, O God, but call me back.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Woe is me, in place of wearing a robe of light, I am clothed in a garment of shame. I weep from my loss, O Saviour, and with faith cry to You, O good One: despise me not, O God, but call me back.
Glory…
The evil serpent in his envy has wounded all my soul and caused me to be banished from the delight of paradise, but O Compassionate Saviour: despise me not, since You are God, and call me back.
Now…
O all-immaculate One, in your tender compassion accept my entreaty; and grant me forgiveness of my offenses, O pure One, for fervently I cry aloud with tears: despise me not, O good One, but call me back.
Katavasia: An Angel made the furnace bedew the holy Children.* But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans* and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry:* O God of our fathers, blessed are You.
Ode 8
Irmos: Daniel, with hands outspread in the den,* stopped the gaping jaws of the lions;* the three children, lovers of God,* clothed in the virtue of godliness,* quenched the power of the fire and sang aloud:* Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
With hands outspread on the cross, O Lord, you gathered together the nations and showed them to be one Church praising you, with those on earth and those in heaven in harmony singing: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
As lightning flashing, in the unapproachable light of the resurrection, the white-robed angel appeared to the women and cried: Why do you seek the living in the tomb as dead? Christ is risen indeed and we cry to him: All you his works, sing praises to the Lord.
Glory… Now…
You alone, among all the families of the earth, are revealed as Mother of God; wholly without stain, unharmed by the fire of the unapproachable light, you became the dwelling-place of the Godhead. We all bless you, therefore, Mary, God’s bride.
Irmos: You made flame bedew the holy children,* and burned the sacrifice of a righteous man with water.* For You alone, O Christ, do all as You will,* we supremely exalt You throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Of old, You honoured the work of Your hands with every kind of gift, O Lover of mankind; but, woe to me! the wicked serpent has deceived us with seductive whispering, stripping us of the blessings we had received.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Why have you hearkened to bitter counsel and disobeyed the divine command? Woe to you, O miserable soul, you have grieved God! even though you were created to ever glorify Him with the angels.
Let us bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord!
You were the appointed lord over creeping things and wild beasts: why then have you conversed with the destroyer of souls? And why have you taken the deceiver’s counsel as truth? Wretched is your deception, O my soul!
Now…
O Mary, we hymn you who are full of the grace of God, tabernacle of the Light and dwelling-place of the incarnate God. Wherefore shine upon me who am grievously darkened by the passions, the light of mercy, O Hope of the hopeless.
We praise, bless, and worship the Lord, chanting and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.
Katavasia: You made flame bedew the holy children,* and burned the sacrifice of a righteous man with water.* For You alone, O Christ, do all as You will,* we supremely exalt You throughout all ages.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: From you, O Virgin, the mountain unhewn,* is taken the stone uncut by human hands:* Christ the cornerstone, disparate natures joining together.* Therefore, we rejoice and magnify you, Mother of God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Wholly you have taken me up entire into union without confusion through your great mercy, my God, giving me salvation in full through your suffering endured on the cross in the flesh.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Gazing upon your opened tomb and upon the linen clothes, within which God had lain, left empty by your resurrection, your disciples said with the angel: The Lord is risen indeed.
Glory… Now…
All we the faithful worship the one divine nature but Trinity of persons; persons unconfounded, equal in power and equal in honour, we reverently magnify.
Irmos: It is impossible for mankind to see God* upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze;* but through you, O all-pure one,* did the Word Incarnate become a man* and with the Heavenly Hosts* Him we magnify and you we call blessed.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Having taken my fill, and tasted of the fruit of knowledge in Eden, it seemed sweet to me, but the end of it was bitter. Woe to you, wretched soul! See how uncontrolled desire has made you an exile from Paradise!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O God of all, Lord of mercy, look down compassionately upon my humility, and cast me not far away from Eden; but may I see the glory from which I have fallen, and hasten with lamentations to regain that which I have lost.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I lament, I groan and weep, seeing the cherubim with the sword of fire guarding the gate of Eden from all transgressors. Woe is me! a transgressor, for I cannot enter therein, O Saviour, unless You grant it to me.
Glory…
I put my trust in the abundance of Your mercies, O Christ Saviour, and in the Blood from Your divine side; for through Your Blood You have sanctified the nature of mortal man, O good One, opening to those that serve You the gates of Paradise which were formerly closed to Adam.
Now…
O unwedded virgin Theotokos, O impassable door of life, by your prayers open to me the locked gates of paradise, that I may glorify you, who after God, are my helper and most powerful refuge.
Katavasia: It is impossible for mankind to see God* upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze;* but through you, O all-pure one,* did the Word Incarnate become a man* and with the Heavenly Hosts* Him we magnify and you we call blessed.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
Resplendent with virtues* let us behold the men standing in brilliant clothes inside the grave,* giving life to the saddened myrrh-bearing women.* Let us learn of the resurrection of the Lord of heaven* and hasten with Peter to the tomb of life.* Let us stand before His wondrous resurrection* and contemplate the marvels of Christ.
In Tone 3, Glory…
I, the wretched one O Lord, have disobeyed Your commandment,* and having been stripped of glory, am filled with shame.* Woe is me! who have been banished from the sweetness of Paradise.* O merciful One, have mercy on me* who has been justly deprived of Your good things.
Now…
We were once banished, O Lord, from Paradise,* through eating from the Tree;* but You have led us back again, O my God and Saviour,* through Your Cross and Passion.* Strengthen us by these, that we may keep the Fast in holiness* and worship Your divine arising, the Passover of salvation,* by the prayers of her who gave birth to You.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 4
O all-powerful Lord,* Who endured the Cross and death,* and arose from the dead,* we glorify Your Holy Resurrection.
By Your Cross, O Christ, You have delivered us from the ancient curse,* and by Your death You have conquered the devil who tyrannized our nature.* By Your arising You have filled all things with joy,* wherefore we cry to You:* O Lord risen from the dead, glory be to You!
O Christ the Saviour,* with Your Cross, guide us to Your truth,* and deliver us from the snares of the enemy;* O You who are risen from the dead* raise us also who have fallen through sin,* by the stretching out of Your hand,* O Lord, at the behest of the prayers of Your Saints.
Without departing from Your Father’s bosom,* in Your tender compassion, You descended to earth,* O Only-begotten Word of God,* without change becoming man.* While You are impassible in Your divinity,* You suffered the Cross and death in the flesh;* and rising from the dead You have granted immortality to the race of mankind,* as You alone are all-powerful.
In Tone 5
“Woe is me” lamented Adam crying aloud:* “For the serpent and the woman have deprived me of my boldness before God,* and through eating of the tree I have become an exile from the joys of paradise.”* “Woe is me! I can no more endure the shame.* From the counsel of the evil-one,* I who was once king of all earth’s creatures fashioned by God,* have now become a prisoner.* I who was once clothed in the glory of immortality* must now, as a mortal, wrap myself miserably in the skin of mortality.* Woe is me! who will participate with me in my sorrow?* But, O Lover of mankind, Who have fashioned me from the earth and are clothed in compassion,* deliver me from the works of the enemy and save me.”
The arena of the virtues has been opened,* let all who wish to struggle now enter therein,* girding themselves for the noble struggles of the Fast;* for those that strive lawfully are justly crowned.* Taking up the armour of the Cross* let us make war against the enemy. * Let us have as our invincible rampart—the Faith,* and as our breastplate—prayer,* and as our helmet—almsgiving;* and in place of a sword let us make use of fasting* which cuts away every evil from our heart.* If we do this, we shall receive the true crown from Christ the King of all,* at the day of Judgment.
In Tone 6
Adam was driven out of Paradise,* having eaten food as one disobedient;* Moses was a God-seer,* because he had cleansed the eyes of his soul by fasting.* Wherefore, longing to dwell in Paradise * let us abstain from all needless food;* and if we desire to see God,* let us like Moses fast the forty-day fast, with sincere intercessions, patiently praying.* Let us calm the passions of our soul* and subdue the rebelliousness of the flesh.* With light step let us set out upon the path to heaven,* where the choirs of angels with never-silent voices* hymn the praises of the undivided Trinity,* beholding the unsurpassed beauty of the Master.* O Son of God, Giver of Life, in You we set our hope:* Deem us worthy of a place there with the angelic hosts,* by the intercessions of her who bore You, O Christ,* of the apostles and the martyrs and of all the venerable saints.
The time is now at hand* to start upon the spiritual contest,* to gain victory over demonic powers,* to put on the armour of abstinence,* to clothe ourselves in the glory of the angels,* to stand with boldness before God.* By which things Moses spoke to the Creator,* hearing the voice of the invisible One.* By which things also O Lord,* grant that we may worship Your Passion* and Your Holy Resurrection, O Lover of mankind.
In Tone 6, Glory…
The time is now at hand* to start upon the spiritual contest,* to gain victory over demonic powers,* to put on the armour of abstinence,* to clothe ourselves in the glory of the angels,* to stand with boldness before God.* By which things Moses spoke to the Creator,* hearing the voice of the invisible One.* By which things also O Lord,* grant that we may worship Your Passion* and Your Holy Resurrection, O Lover of mankind.
In Tone 2, Now…
You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!
Great Doxology
Trisagion Prayers
Troparion, Tone 2
You came forth from death, destroying the eternal bonds of Hades, O Lord.* You broke the curse of Death* and thus delivered us from the snares of the Evil One.* Then You appeared to your apostles and sent them forth to preach,* and through them You have bestowed your peace upon all the world,* for You alone are rich in mercy.
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
DIVINE LITURGY
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.”
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 6: O Master, Guide to Wisdom*, Bestower of prudent counsel,* Instructor of the foolish and Defender of the poor ones;* make firm my heart and give it understanding.* Give me a word, O Word of the Father:* Behold, I shall not stop my lips from crying out to You:* In Your mercy, have mercy on me who am 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. (Psalm 75:12,2)
Epistle
Romans 13:11-14:4
Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: It is good to give praise to the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most High.
verse: To announce Your mercy in the morning and Your truth every night. (Psalm 91:2,3)
Gospel
Matthew 6:14-21
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)