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Event Information:
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Sun26Mar2023
Fifth Sunday of the Great Fast, Octoechos Tone 1; Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel
GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man...” is sung.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 1
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Accept our evening prayer, O holy Lord,* and grant us forgiveness of sins,* for You alone manifested the resurrection* to the world.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O you people, walk around Sion and encompass her.* And there give glory to Him who is risen from the dead.* For He is our God* who delivers us from our sins.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Come you people, praise and worship Christ.* Glorify His resurrection from the dead;* for He is our God who delivered the world* from the deceit of the enemy.
In Tone 4
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
In the sixth month, the archangel was sent to the pure Virgin.* Telling her to rejoice, he announced the good tidings* that the Saviour would be born of her.* Having accepted his greeting, she conceived the eternal God* who ineffably deigned to become incarnate* for the salvation of our souls.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
The Mother of God, upon hearing, did not understand* the message of the archangel* because he was speaking the words of glad tidings to her.* She accepted his greeting with faith* and conceived You, the eternal God.* Therefore, we joyfully sing to You:* O God, You became incarnate, without change, from her;* and You grant peace and great mercy to the world.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Behold, the promised One now manifests himself to us.* It is beyond comprehension that God unites himself to the human race.* At the word of the archangel, deceit is cast out* because the Virgin receives the Joy.* The things of the earth become like heaven;* the world is freed of the original curse.* Let creation rejoice,* and may voices cry out:* O our Creator and Deliverer,* O Lord, glory to You!
In Tone 1
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The archangel Gabriel, the spirit who sees God face to face,* gazes upon the brilliant, saving, and gleaming Light.* He sings heavenly and awesome hymns with the ranks on high.* He implores God to grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
The archangel Gabriel, the spirit who sees God face to face,* gazes upon the brilliant, saving, and gleaming Light.* He sings heavenly and awesome hymns with the ranks on high.* He implores God to grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The great mystery, previously unknown to the angels and hidden from eternity,* is made known to you alone, O Gabriel.* When you came to Nazareth, you told it to the pure One.* Together with her, implore God to grant peace* and great mercy to our souls.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
O prince of angels, all-perfect Gabriel,* you are filled with the divine brightness.* You fulfill the wishes and commands of the Almighty.* Save those who lovingly venerate you.* Always ask God to grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
In Tone 6, Glory…
The archangel Gabriel was sent from heaven* to bring to the Virgin glad tidings of her conception.* When he came to Nazareth,* he marveled at the miracle and thought to himself:* How is it that He whom the heavens cannot comprehend* is now being born of a virgin?* The One who has heaven for a throne and earth for a footstool* is being enclosed within a virgin’s womb.* He, upon whom the six-winged Seraphim and the many-eyed Cherubim cannot gaze,* wills to become incarnate of her by a single word.* The Word of God is at hand.* Then why do I stand by and not say to the Virgin:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace; the Lord is with you!* Rejoice, O pure Virgin and maiden bride!* Rejoice, O Mother of the Life!* Blessed is the fruit of your womb.
In Tone 1, Now...
Let us sing a hymn of praise to the Virgin Mary,* glory of the whole world!* She was herself formed by human seed,* yet she became the Mother of the Master, the Gate of heaven,* the theme of the angels’ hymn and beauty of the faithful.* She was seen as being heavenly* and the Tabernacle of the Godhead.* She indeed tore down the wall of enmity between God and man,* and brought peace in its place.* She opened up the kingdom of heaven.* Let us therefore cling fast to her for she is the anchor of faith,* and let us receive as our stronghold the Lord Who was born of her.* Be of good cheer, then, and have confidence, O people of God,* for He will fight our enemies for us,* He is all-powerful!
Aposticha
In Tone 1
O Christ, by Your passion we have been freed from suffering;* and by Your resurrection we have been delivered from corruption.* O Lord, glory to You!
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
Let all creation rejoice, let the heavens be glad,* let the nations clap their hands with joy.* For Christ our Saviour, in His love for mankind,* has nailed our sins to the Cross;* He has put Death to death,* and by raising our fallen forefather, Adam,* He has given life to all mankind.
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O God, You are above all understanding;* You are King and Lord of heaven and earth.* Yet of Your own free will,* You allowed Yourself to be crucified because of Your love for mankind.* When You descended below,* Hades was filled with bitterness as You confronted it;* but the souls of the just received You with great joy.* Adam arose when he saw You, his Creator, down in the depths.* What a wonder this is!* You are the life of all and have tasted death* in order to dispel the darkness of the world with Your light.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory to You!
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
The myrrh-bearing women were filled with grief* as they hastened with spices to Your tomb;* but they did not find Your most pure body.* Instead, they found an angel* who proclaimed Your unique and glorious resurrection,* and commanded them to announce to Your apostles:* The Lord is risen,* granting great mercy to the world.
In Tone 4, Glory… Now…
Today is the joy of the annunciation and the feast of virginity. earth unite with those of heaven.* Adam is renewed and Eve is freed from her ancient sorrow.* She who is of our own substance becomes the temple of God* by the divinity of Him who was conceived.* O what mystery, the incomprehensible quality of the condescension* and the inexpressible wealth of goodness!* An angel announces this miracle.* The virginal womb receives the Son, and the Holy Spirit is sent down,* and the Father on high is well pleased.* Through the universal will, reconciliation is accomplished for all.* Let us, who have been saved in it and through it,* sing with Gabriel to the Virgin:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace!* For our salvation, Christ our God took nature from you and joined it to himself.* Therefore, implore Him to save our souls.
Troparia
In Tone 1
Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your Kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan!* O only Lover of mankind.
In Tone 4, Glory…
Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you to encircle us through your prayers* under the shelter of the wings of your spiritual glory.* Guard us as we come to you and sincerely cry:* “Deliver us from dangers,* O princes of the powers on high!”
Now…
Today is the crown of our salvation,* and the unfolding of the eternal mystery;* the Son of God becomes the Virgin’s Son,* and Gabriel brings the good tidings of grace.* With him let us also cry to the Mother of God:* Rejoice, Full of grace! The Lord is with you.
SUNDAY MATINS
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 1
Troparia, Tone 1
Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your Kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan!* O only Lover of mankind. (2)
In Tone 4, Glory…
Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you to encircle us through your prayers* under the shelter of the wings of your spiritual glory.* Guard us as we come to you and sincerely cry:* “Deliver us from dangers,* O princes of the powers on high!”
Now…
Today is the crown of our salvation,* and the unfolding of the eternal mystery;* the Son of God becomes the Virgin’s Son,* and Gabriel brings the good tidings of grace.* With him let us also cry to the Mother of God:* Rejoice, Full of grace! The Lord is with you.
Psalter Reading
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 1
While watching Your grave, the soldiers became as dead men* from the lightning flash of the Angel* who appeared and proclaimed to the women the Resurrection.* We glorify You, the destroyer of corruption;* we fall down before You, who has risen from the grave* and who alone are our God.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
You were willingly nailed to the Cross, O Compassionate one,* and laid in a tomb as a mortal, O Giver of life.* By Your death, O Powerful one,* You have smashed its might;* for gatekeepers of Hades trembled before You;* You have raised with You the dead from every age,* for You alone love mankind.
Glory… Now…
All we who with love flee for refuge to your goodness* know you to be the Mother of God* and after childbirth still truly Virgin;* for we sinners have you as our protection;* we have you as our salvation in misfortunes,* as the only All-immaculate one.
Psalter Reading
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 1
The women came to Your tomb at dawn* and seeing a vision of an Angel they trembled;* the tomb became resplendent with life;* and amazed by the miracle, they returned to the disciples and proclaimed the Resurrection:* for Christ has despoiled Hades,* as alone almighty and all powerful,* raising up those in corruption,* dispelling the fear of condemnation* by the power of the Cross.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
O Life of all, You were nailed to the Cross;* O immortal Lord, You were numbered among the dead,* arising on the third day, O Saviour,* raising Adam from corruption;* wherefore the heavenly Powers cried out to You:* O Giver of life, Glory to Your sufferings, O Christ;* glory to Your Resurrection;* glory to Your condescension,* O only Lover of mankind’.
Glory… Now…
O Mary, holy tabernacle of the Master,* raise us up who have fallen into the pit of wicked despair, of transgressions and afflictions;* for you are the salvation,* the help and the mighty protection of sinners,* and you save your servants.
Polyeleos
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 1
The Thief’s repentance plundered Paradise,* but the Myrrh-bearers’ lamentations announced the joy that You have risen, O Christ God,* granting the world great mercy.
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 1
Antiphon 1
When I am afflicted,* I cry to You, O Lord,* hearken to my pains.
For those who dwell in the desert* the longing for God never ceases,* for they are far from the vanity of this world.
Glory… Now…
To the Holy Spirit, as to the Father and the Son,* are due honour and glory;* thus let us sing to the Trinity,* a single power.
Antiphon 2
Having lifted me up to the summit of Your laws,* make me shine with virtues, O God,* that I may sing Your praises.
Take me with Your right hand, O Word,* guard me and keep me,* lest the fire of sin scorch me.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit all creation is made new* and hastens back to its original condition;* for He is equal in strength* to the Father and the Word.
Antiphon 3
With those who said to me:* Let us journey to the courts of the Lord,* my Spirit was gladdened and my heart rejoices.
In the house of David is great fear;* for when the thrones are set therein,* all the tribes and nations of the earth will be judged.
Glory… Now…
To the Holy Spirit must be offered honor, adoration, glory, and power,* as befits also the Father and the Son;* for the Trinity is a Unity,* one in essence, but not in Hypostases.
Prokeimenon, Tone 1
I myself will arise, says the Lord.* I will grant them the salvation for which they thirst.
verse: The words of the Lord are words without alloy.
Let everything that lives, Tone 1
Gospel
John 20:19-31
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
After 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 1
Ode 1
Irmos: Your warrior hand is glorious in strength, O deathless one!* All-powerful, in manner fit for God,* it broke the enemy in pieces,* and devised for Israel a strange, new way through the deep.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He, who with pure hands divinely working in the beginning formed me from the earth, spread out those hands upon the cross, and from the earth recalled my corruptible body which he had received from the Virgin.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He, who divinely breathing into me implanted within me a soul, suffered dissolution for me, and delivered his soul to death; loosing the age-old bonds and raising me with himself, he made me glorious in incorruption.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Hail, fount of grace! Hail, ladder and gate of heaven! Hail, bearer of the light, vessel of gold, mountain unhewn and bearer of Christ, the giver of life to the world!
Irmos: When Israel passed through the waters as upon dry land* and escaped the malice of the Egyptians,* they cried out:* Let us sing to our Redeemer and our God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
You have abandoned me due to my abundant lusts, having each day taken enjoyment in them like the rich man. Wherefore I pray to You, O Saviour; deliver me from the fire as you once delivered Lazarus.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I am clothed in sensual pleasures, O Saviour, like the rich man who once vested himself in fine linen, gold, and golden clothing, but send me not into the fire, as You did him.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Having taken pleasure in the riches and sweet things of this corruptible life, the rich man of old was condemned to torments, whereas the needy Lazarus obtained consolation.
Glory… Now…
The hosts of angels and mortals ceaselessly praise you, O Mother unwedded, for you carried their creator as a babe in your arms.
Ode 3
Irmos: You alone, knowing the frailty of mortal man, tenderly took its form;* gird me with power from on high, crying to you:* Holy is the living temple of your pure glory,* O Lover of man!
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Good One, you are my God, in pity for the fallen you determined to come down to me; you have raised me up by your crucifixion, crying to you: Holy is the Lord of glory, in goodness beyond compare!
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Christ divinely existing life as God compassionate you clothed yourself with me, corrupted one; coming down to the dust of death, O Lord, you broke the chains of man’s mortality and on the third day, rising, clothed the dead with incorruption.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
When by the all-holy Spirit, O Virgin, you conceived God in your womb, you remained unconsumed by the fire; for to Moses the lawgiver, the bush burning yet unconsumed clearly foretold you who received the fire unendurable.
Irmos: You are the rampart* of those who hasten to You;* the inhabitants of darkness find their light in You;* and my soul praises You, O Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Christ, as You saved Lazarus from the flames, also deliver me, Your unworthy servant, from the fire of Gehenna.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Lord, in passions and lusts I am as wealthy as the rich man, yet in my lack of virtues I am as poor as Lazarus. But save me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The rich man clothed himself in scarlet and fine linen, lusts, and sins, for which sake he was cast into the flames.
Glory… Now…
Grant to us help, by your intercessions O all-pure one, who can deliver us from every evil circumstance.
Ode 4
Irmos: Habbakuk with the foreseeing eyes apprehended you,* the mountain by divine grace overshadowed,* and proclaimed the Holy One of Israel to come forth from you* for our salvation and remaking.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Who is this Saviour that comes from Edom, crowned with thorns, with garments reddened, hanging on a tree? He is the Holy One of Israel for our salvation and remaking.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
See, disobedient people, and be ashamed! He, whom you, as an evildoer, madly begged Pilate to hang upon the cross, he, as belongs to God, has dissolved the power of death and risen from the tomb.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin, we know you as a tree of life, for there sprang from you not the death-bearing fruit of food for mortal men but fruition of life eternal for the salvation of us who sing to you.
Irmos: O Lord, I have heard of the mystery of Your work of salvation;* I meditated on Your deeds and glorified Your divinity.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The rich man took delight in sumptuous food and raiment, while Lazarus longed to be fed with the crumbs that fell from his table.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
With their tongues the dogs licked the sores of Lazarus the beggar, showing themselves to be more compassionate to the poor than the rich man.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Before the gates of the rich man, O Saviour, Lazarus once lay wretched and suffering from his wounds, but now he is glorified.
Glory… Now…
Beseech Him whom you bore, O most pure one, that those who hymn you may be saved from the machinations of the deceiver, for you alone are our sure protector.
Ode 5
Irmos: O Christ, you have illumined the ends of the earth* by the brightness of your coming and made them radiant with joy by your cross;* enlighten with the light of the knowledge of you* the hearts of those who with right belief sing your praise.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The Jews put to death on the tree of the cross the great shepherd of the sheep and the Lord; but he rescued the dead from the power of death, terrified sheep in Hell.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
When you announced the glad tidings of peace by your cross and proclaimed deliverance to the captives, my Saviour, then, O Christ, you put to shame him who held them in thrall and by your divine rising showed him naked and destitute.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
All-praised, do not despise the prayers of those who faithfully entreat you but receive and present them, O pure one, to your Son, our God and only benefactor; for in you we have gained a protector.
Irmos: Why have You driven me far from your face, O inaccessible Light?* The outer darkness has enveloped me, wretched creature that I am.* Make me return, I pray You,* and direct my paths toward the light of Your law.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
When the rich man saw Lazarus resting in the bosom Abraham, rejoicing in light and glory, he cried aloud: “O Father Abraham, have mercy on me, for I am condemned to the fire and my tongue burns in bitter torment.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
“During thy life,” said Abraham to the rich man, “you rejoiced living sumptuously; wherefore you are now eternally tormented in the fire, while Lazarus the beggar rejoices in unending gladness.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The life of the rich man was one of delusion in pleasure, and I, like the rich man, also live a sumptuous life, but I beseech of Your compassion, O Lover of mankind, that I may be delivered from the fire, as You once saved Lazarus.
Glory… Now…
Possessing maternal boldness before your Son, O all-pure one, we beseech you who are from our lineage, turn not away from us, for you alone do we Christians bring before the Lord, as a God-pleasing intercessor on our behalf.
Ode 6
Irmos: The deepest abyss has surrounded us, there is none to deliver,* we are counted as sheep for the slaughter;* save your people, our God,* for you are the strength and restoring of the weak.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
By the fault of the first-fashioned man, O Lord, we were grievously wounded; by your stripes, O Christ, by which for our sakes you were wounded, we are healed; for you are the strength and restoring of the weak.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You have brought us up from Hell, O Lord, you have crushed the all-devouring whale by your might and laid low his strength, O All-powerful; for you are life and light and resurrection.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O pure Virgin, our forefathers rejoice in you, and regain through you that Eden which they destroyed by transgressions; for you are chaste before your bearing and after the birth.
Irmos: Grant Your forgiveness, O Saviour, despite the number of my sins;* draw me out of the abyss of evil, I pray You;* for it is to You that I cry:* O God of my salvation, hear me, O Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The rich man condemned himself to the flames of fire by his life of pleasure; but Lazarus the poor man chose poverty in this present life, and so was deemed worthy of unending joy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Lazarus was deemed worthy to dwell in the bosom of Abraham, enjoying eternal life, O Christ; but the rich man was condemned to the fire, to be tormented in both soul and body.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The rich man was condemned to the fire because of Lazarus, condemn me not, wretched as I am, but I pray You, O Lover of mankind, grant me, like Lazarus, O Lord, Your light.
Glory… Now…
May we be delivered from grievous sins, by your prayers, O pure Mother of God, and may we be granted the divine enlightenment of the Son of God, who ineffably took flesh from you.
Kontakion, Tone 1
You arose in glory from the tomb* and with Yourself You raised the world.* All humanity acclaims You as God,* and death has vanished.* Adam exults, O Master,* and Eve, redeemed now from bondage, cries out for joy:* “You are the One, O Christ, Who offer resurrection to all.”
Ikos
The third day arising, gates of Hell shattering, the age-long dead raising, as God of all power to him we sing praises: to the myrrh-bearing women in loving good-pleasure appearing, to those who were foremost, saying: Rejoice, joy to the apostles proclaiming, the only giver of life. To disciples in faith then the women proclaim the tokens of victory, and Hell groans and death laments, the whole world exults, all things rejoice together, for you, O Christ, have bestowed upon all resurrection.
Ode 7
Irmos: We, the faithful, discern you, Mother of God, as furnace of intellect:* for as he, the most highly exalted, kept safe the three children* so in your womb he re-fashioned man wholly,* God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The earth shuddered with fear, the sun fled and with it the light darkened, the sacred veil of the temple was torn in two and the rocks were split; for the righteous one was fixed to the cross, God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Of your own will for us you became as one with no help and wounded among the dead, O most highly exalted, and freed us all; and with your strong hand you raised us up with yourself, God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Hail, spring of ever-living water! Hail, paradise of delight! Hail, fortress of the faithful! Hail, unwedded one! Hail, joy of all the world from whom has sprung for us the God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all!
Irmos: The Hebrew youths who came from Judah to Babylon* trampled on the flames in the furnace by their faith in the Trinity,* and they sang:* Blessed are You, O God of our fathers.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Like Job of old, who sat on a dung heap full of decaying filth and worms, Lazarus lay before the gates of the rich man, crying: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
An outcast at the gate of the heartless rich man, Lazarus of old, longed for the crumbs that fell from his table, yet no man gave to him; and in place of this he was granted to dwell in the bosom of Abraham.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O my Christ, I pray You, deliver me from the lot of the heartless rich man, and number me with Lazarus the poor man, that I may be deemed worthy to cry to You with thanksgiving “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”
Glory… Now…
You appeared incarnate from the virginal womb for our salvation. Wherefore we acknowledge Your mother as the Theotokos, and with thanksgiving cry aloud: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”
Ode 8
Irmos: In the fiery oven as in a smelting furnace* the Israelite children shone bright with the beauty of godliness purer than gold,* and they said: Bless the Lord, all his works,* praise and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Word of God, maker and transformer of all by your will, changing the shadow of death into everlasting life by your Passion, we, all your works, unceasingly praise you as Lord, and highly exalt you throughout all the age ·.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Rising on the third day from the grave, O Christ, you demolished the destruction and misery within the gates and strongholds of Hell. All your works unceasingly praise you as Lord, and highly exalt you throughout all the ages.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Let us sing to her who without seed and above nature brought forth Christ the precious pearl from the divine lightning, and let us say: Bless the Lord, all his works, praise and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Irmos: In his fury the tyrant of the Chaldeans* had the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual* for the faithful servants of the Lord;* but when he saw them saved by a more powerful force, he cried out:* O Youths, bless your Creator and Redeemer;* praise Him, you priests; and all you people, exalt Him for all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
In clothes of scarlet raiment, fine linen and purple, the rich man of old splendidly clothed himself in wretchedness, while the poor man Lazarus lay a pitiable outcast at his gate, longing to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table; and no man gave to him. But now he reigns with Christ in glory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Lazarus lay at the gates of the rich man, his body putrid with sores: He longed to eat, and no man gave him food; but the dogs, moved by compassion, licked his sores and wounds. Wherefore he has been deemed worthy of joy in Paradise.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have grown rich in sensual pleasures, like the rich man of old, clothing himself each day in scarlet; and I have condemned myself by taking pleasure and being deceived by the sweet things of this life, O Compassionate One. Wherefore I pray to You, O Christ, deliver me from the eternal fire throughout all ages.
Glory… Now…
The threefold light of the Godhead shines with a single radiance, from one Hypostatic essence, The Father without beginning, the Son of the same essence as the Father, and the co-enthroned consubstantial Spirit, O you children bless, you priests praise, and you peoples supremely exalt throughout all ages.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: The bush ever burning and never consumed* was the type of your pure child-bearing;* quench now for us the raging furnace of temptations, we pray you,* that we may unceasingly magnify you, Mother of God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O how the lawless and disobedient people, devising evil, made right the accursed and ungodly man and condemned the righteous, the Lord of glory, to the tree! Worthily, we magnify him!
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Saviour, innocent Lamb, taking away the sins of the world, risen on the third day, we glorify you, together with the Father and your divine Spirit; acknowledging you as God, we magnify you, the Lord of glory.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Save your people, Lord, whom you purchased with your precious blood. Grant strength to the king against his enemies, Lover of man, and bestow peace on your churches through the prayers of the Mother of God.
Irmos: O Mother of God and spouseless Virgin,* by your word you ineffably conceived the true God.* You are higher than the most pure powers;* with our unceasing hymns, we extol you.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I pray You, O Christ, make me like Lazarus the beggar, banishing my desire for sensual pleasure, since You are God in essence: and make me as wealthy as the rich man, only, in the virtues, that with faith I may magnify You in hymns.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Rich and unmerciful, my mind has despised faith in Your commandments, O Lover of mankind, and been cast out before the gates. But since You are a fellow sufferer, and lovingly compassionate, raise it up as once You raised up Your friend Lazarus, who was four days dead.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
All have learned the meaning of this parable of the Lord, let us, the faithful despise the lack of compassion of the rich man, that we may escape torments, and eternally rejoice in the bosom of Abraham.
Glory… Now…
The invisible God have you carried in your arms, He who is praised in the heavens and by all of creation, by you we have been granted salvation at all times, wherefore with faith we magnify you.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
Though the doors were locked, O Lord,* You entered and filled Your apostles with the Holy Spirit,* and breathing over them, You gave them Your peace.* You said to them: Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven;* whose sins you bind, they are bound.* After eight days You showed Thomas Your hands and Your side.* With them, therefore, we cry to You: You are my Lord and my God!
Glory… Now…
The leader of the angelic hosts* was sent from God almighty to the pure Virgin* to announce the strange and ineffable miracle:* the incarnation of God and His birth from a virgin,* in order to refashion the human race.* Therefore, O peoples, proclaim with joy the renewal of the world.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 1
We sing the praise of Your saving Passion, O Christ,* and we glorify Your Resurrection.
Having endured the Cross,* and destroyed death* and risen from the dead,* grant peace to our lives, O Lord,* as You alone are All-powerful.
Having despoiled Hades* and raised mankind by Thy Resurrection, O Christ, ** grant that with pure hearts we may praise and glorify Thee.
As we glorify Your divine condescension,* we praise You, O Christ:* For You were born of a Virgin,* yet You were not separated from the Father;* as man You suffered and willingly endured the Cross;* arising from the grave, as though coming forth from Your bridal chamber,* that You might save the world.* O Lord, glory be to You!
When You were nailed to the Tree of the Cross,* then the might of the enemy was slain;* creation shook in fear of You,* and Hades was despoiled by Your might.* You raised the dead from their tombs* and opened Paradise to the Thief.* O Christ our God, glory be to You!
Lamenting, the holy women came with haste to Your grave;* but finding the tomb opened and learning from the Angel* the new and marvelous wonder,* they announced to the Apostles,* The Lord has arisen,* granting the world His great mercy.
We bow down before the divine stripes of Your passion, O Christ God,* and the royal sacrifice that took place divinely revealed in Sion at the end of the ages;* for You, the Sun of righteousness,* enlightened those who slept in darkness,* leading them to the never-setting radiance,* O Lord, glory be to You!
O Tumultuous race of the Jews, give ear.* Where are those who approached Pilate?* Let the soldiers who kept watch say,* where are the seals of the grave?* To where has the one who was buried been moved?* Where has the One who is not for sale been sold?* How has the treasure been burgled?* O Lawless Jews, why do you slander the Rising of the Crucified?* He has arisen, as one free among the dead,* and grants to the world His great mercy.
In Tone 1
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted high;* forget not Your paupers to the end.
The Kingdom of God is not food and drink,* but righteousness and abstinence with holiness:* And so the rich shall not enter into it,* but those who invest their treasures into the needful hands of the poor.* This is what David the Prophet has taught us, saying:* “The righteous man shows mercy all the day long;* his delight is in the Lord, and walking in the light he shall not stumble.”* All this was written for our admonition,* that we fast and undertake the doing of good deeds;* that in place of earthly things the Lord may grant us heavenly things.
Glory…
The Kingdom of God is not food and drink,* but righteousness and abstinence with holiness:* And so the rich shall not enter into it,* but those who invest their treasures into the needful hands of the poor.* This is what David the Prophet has taught us, saying:* “The righteous man shows mercy all the day long;* his delight is in the Lord, and walking in the light he shall not stumble.”* All this was written for our admonition,* that we fast and undertake the doing of good deeds;* that in place of earthly things the Lord may grant us heavenly things.
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
Today salvation has come to the world.* Let us sing to Him who is risen from the tomb,* the Author of Life who has crushed Death by his death* and bestowed on us victory and great mercy.
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 1: Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans,* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day,* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan,* O only Lover of mankind.
Troparion, Tone 4: Today is the crown of our salvation,* and the unfolding of the eternal mystery;* the Son of God becomes the Virgin’s Son,* and Gabriel brings the good tidings of grace.* With him let us also cry to the Mother of God:* Rejoice, Full of grace! The Lord is with you.
Troparion, Tone 4: Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you to encircle us through your prayers* under the shelter of the wings of your spiritual glory.* Guard us as we come to you and sincerely cry:* “Deliver us from dangers,* O princes of the powers on high!”
Kontakion, Tone 1: You arose in glory from the tomb* and with Yourself You raised the world.* All humanity acclaims You as God,* and death has vanished.* Adam exults, O Master,* and Eve, redeemed now from bondage, cries out for joy:* “You are the One, O Christ, Who offer resurrection to all.”
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 2: Princes of God’s hosts, ministers of divine glory,* leaders of angels and guides of men,* pray for our welfare and for great mercy,* O princes of the incorporeal powers.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 8: To You, O Mother of God,* the invincible leader,* we, your servants, ascribe these victory hymns* in thanksgiving for our deliverance from evil.* With your invincible power free us from all dangers* that we may cry out to you:* Hail, O Bride and pure Virgin!
Prokeimenon, Tone 1
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in You.
verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O you just; praise befits the righteous. (Psalm 32:22,1)
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
He makes spirits His angels and flaming fire His ministers.
Epistle
Hebrews 9:11-14; Hebrews 2:2-10
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: God gives me vindication, and has subdued peoples under me.
verse: Making great the salvation of the king, and showing mercy to His anointed, to David, and to His posterity forever. (Psalm 17:48,51)
verse: Praise the Lord, all you His angels; praise Him, all His powers. (Psalm 148:2)
Gospel
Mark 10:32-45; Luke 10:16-21
Hymn to the Mother of God
In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices: the angelic ranks and all the human race. Sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, virgins’ pride and boast, from whom God is made flesh and became a little Child; and He who is our God before all ages, He made your womb a throne, and He made it wider that all the heavens. In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices. Glory be to you.
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear (Psalm 111:6)* He makes spirits His angels,* and flaming fire His ministers.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 103:4)