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Event Information:
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Sun30Apr2023
Fourth Sunday after Pascha - Sunday of the Paralytic; The Holy Apostle James, Brother of Saint John the Theologian (c. 44)
GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man...” is sung.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 3
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
By Your Cross, O Christ our Saviour,* the power of Death has been vanquished,* and the deceit of the devil has been destroyed.* Therefore, mankind, saved by faith,* offers You hymns of praise forever.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Lord, all creation has been enlightened by Your Resurrection,* and Paradise has been reopened;* therefore, all creation extols You* and offers You hymns of praise forever.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
I glorify the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;* and I praise the dominion of the undivided Divinity,* the consubstantial Trinity* who reigns forever and ever.
In Tone 1
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
O ineffable goodness who created the human form,* You came to heal those who are ill.* O Christ, by Your word You raised the Paralytic at the Sheep Pool;* You healed the suffering of the woman with the flow of blood;* You showed mercy to the tormented daughter of the Canaanite woman;* and You did not disdain the prayer of the centurion.* Because of this we cry out in praise:* O Almighty Lord, glory to You!
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O ineffable goodness who created the human form,* You came to heal those who are ill.* O Christ, by Your word You raised the Paralytic at the Sheep Pool;* You healed the suffering of the woman with the flow of blood;* You showed mercy to the tormented daughter of the Canaanite woman;* and You did not disdain the prayer of the centurion.* Because of this we cry out in praise:* O Almighty Lord, glory to You!
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
The Paralytic was like an unburied dead man,* and when he saw You, O Lord, he cried out:* Have mercy on me, for my bed has become my grave.* Of what use is my life?* I have no need for the Sheep Pool,* for there is none to put me into the water.* Therefore, I come to You, O Fountain of all healing,* that with all I may cry to You:* O Lord Almighty, glory to You!
In Tone 4
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
With the rod of grace, you drew men forth* from the deep of vanity, O right wondrous James,* obedient to the behest of your Teacher,* Who illumined your whole mind* and showed You forth as an apostle and an honoured and divine herald* of His unapproachable divinity, O all-blessed one.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
With the rod of grace, you drew men forth* from the deep of vanity, O right wondrous James,* obedient to the behest of your Teacher,* Who illumined your whole mind* and showed You forth as an apostle and an honoured and divine herald* of His unapproachable divinity, O all-blessed one.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The effulgence of the Spirit descended upon you in the guise of fire* and made of you, O blessed one, a habitation of God* who dispels the darkness of ungodliness with might* and enlightens the world with the radiance of your all-wise words,* O James, initiate of the mysteries, leader of the apostles,* who beheld Christ with your own eyes.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Illumining those who sleep in the darkness of ignorance* with the splendours of your preaching, O glorious James,* you showed them forth as children, by faith, of our Master and God,* Whose suffering and death you emulated;* and, as you are an all-wise herald of God and His true disciple,* you have a share in His glory.
In Tone 8, Glory…
Come, let us all praise James with hymns of psalms:* the preacher of the mysteries of heaven and recounter of the Gospel;* for he has been shown to be a river of the noetic paradise,* watering the furrows of men’s souls with heavenly showers* and showing them to be fertile for Christ God* Who granted cleansing, enlightenment and great mercy* to all through his supplications.
In Tone 3, Now…
O Lady most honourable,* how could we but be rapt in wonder* at your giving birth to the incarnate God* who without a mother was born of a Father before all ages.* You gave Him birth in the flesh without a father,* without a man’s instrumentality.* He is God and man whose two natures are intact,* neither one losing any of its properties.* Therefore, O Virgin Mother, intercede with Him* to save the souls of those who believe and profess in true faith* that you are the Mother of God.
Readings
(1) James 1:1-12; (2) James 1:13-27; (3) James 2:1-13
Aposticha
In Tone 3
O Christ, who darkened the sun by Your passion* and enlightened all creation by Your Resurrection,* accept our evening prayer, for You love mankind.
Let God arise;* let His enemies be scattered!
Today a sacred Pascha is revealed to us.* A new and holy Pascha.* A mystical Pascha.* A Pascha worthy of veneration.* A Pascha which is Christ the Redeemer,* a blameless Pascha.* A great Pascha.* A Pascha of the faithful.* A Pascha which has opened for us the gates of Paradise.* A Pascha which sanctifies all the faithful.
As smoke vanishes,* let them vanish.
Come* from that scene, O women bearers of glad tidings,* and say to Sion:* Receive from us the glad tidings of joy* of Christ’s Resurrection:* Exult and be glad,* and rejoice, O Jerusalem,* seeing Christ the King* who comes forth from the tomb like a Bridegroom in procession!
So let sinners flee from before the face of God;* but let the righteous rejoice!
The myrrh-bearing women* at the break of dawn* drew near to the tomb of the LifeGiver.* There they found an angel* sitting upon the stone,* he greeted them with these words:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* Why do you mourn the incorrupt amid corruption?* Go: proclaim the glad tidings to His disciples.
This is the day which the Lord has made:* Let us rejoice and be glad in 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!”
In Tone 1, Glory…
You followed after Christ, O godly James, and despised the world,* hiding His teachings in your treasury,* and were shown to be His apostle.* Wherefore, going to the nations, with the commandments of the Saviour* you enlightened souls benighted by deception and the passions,* that they might believe in the consubstantial Trinity.
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!
Troparia
In Tone 3
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.
In Tone 3, Glory…
O James, worthy of all praise,* chosen apostle of Christ and only brother of the beloved theologian;* ask God to bestow on those who hymn you forgiveness of sins* and to grant our souls great mercy.
Glory… Now…
We sing your praises, O Virgin;* for, as the Mother of God, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from you that our God and your Son took flesh.* Then, by suffering the passion on the Cross,* and out of love for mankind, He delivered us from corruption.
SUNDAY MATINS
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 3
Troparia, Tone 3
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world. (2)
In Tone 3, Glory…
O James, worthy of all praise,* chosen apostle of Christ and only brother of the beloved theologian;* ask God to bestow on those who hymn you forgiveness of sins* and to grant our souls great mercy.
Glory… Now…
We sing your praises, O Virgin;* for, as the Mother of God, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from you that our God and your Son took flesh.* Then, by suffering the passion on the Cross,* and out of love for mankind, He delivered us from corruption.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16Small Litany
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 3
Christ has arisen from the dead, the first fruits of those that sleep.* The First-born of creation and Creator of all that has come to be,* has renewed in Himself the corrupted nature of our race.* Death, no longer is your lord,* for the Master of all things has destroyed your dominion.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
Having tasted death in the flesh, O Lord,* You have blotted out the bitterness of death by Your arising* strengthening mankind against it, and announcing the abolition of the ancient curse.* Defender of our lives, O Lord, glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
Awed by the beauty of your virginity* and the exceeding radiance of your purity,* Gabriel called out to you, O Theotokos:* What worthy hymn of praise can I offer to you?* And what shall I name you?* I am in doubt and stand in awe.* Wherefore as commanded, I cry to you:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 3
You accepted all things that are by nature man’s;* You made Yours, all Yours, all things that are the attributes of man;* and You were well-pleased to be nailed upon the Cross, O my Creator,* choosing to submit to death as a man,* that You might rescue mankind from the bonds of death for You are God.* For this cause, O Life-giver, we cry aloud:* Glory be to Your tender compassion, O Christ.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
O faithful, let us theologize concerning the incomprehensibility of the crucifixion,* the ineffability of the resurrection, the unspeakable mystery;* for today death and Hades have been made captive,* and the human race has been clothed in incorruption.* Wherefore, giving thanks, we cry to You:* Glory be to Your arising, O Christ!
Glory… Now…
The heavens with love rejoiced* and the earth shook, overcome with fear* when that angelic and pure voice addressed you, O Theotokos.* For one feast has now been revealed for both those here and those on high;* when Christ redeemed the first-fashioned man from death.* Wherefore we cry to you with the Angel, saying:* Rejoice, pure Virgin Mother.
Polyeleos
Magnification
We magnify you, O holy apostle James, and we honour the pangs and labours whereby you struggled in the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.
verses:
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands.
The heavens shall confess Your wonders, O Lord.
Glory… Now…
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory be to You, O God! (3)
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 3
A Cause of amazement by his appearance,* and source of refreshment by his speech,* the radiant Angel spoke to the myrrh-bearing women saying:* Why do you seek the living in a grave?* He has arisen, emptying the graves.* Know that the unchangeable One has changed corruption.* Wherefore cry to God saying,* ‘How fearful are Your works!* For You have saved mankind.’
Sessional Hymns, Tone 8
Fishing for reason-endowed fish with the net of divine words,* you brought the first-fruits thereof to our God;* and, desiring to clothe yourself in the wounds of God,* you showed yourself to be an emulator of His suffering.* Wherefore, assembling, we honour your most festive memory as is meet, O glorious apostle,* and cry out to you together: entreat Christ God,* that He grant remission of sins to those who honour your holy memory with love.
As the Sun of righteousness did Christ emit you* to enlighten the whole earth, O glorious apostle James,* and with your godly supplications and your divine and never-waning light* you illumine and enlighten all* who celebrate your holy memory with faith.
Glory…
Filled with rays of light from on high* and illumined with divine splendour, O apostle James,* you beheld the Creator and Lord transfigured on Mount Tabor* and were found worthy to hear the voice of the Father.* Wherefore, you have been vouchsafed great rewards as an eyewitness and disciple of grace,* and a beholder of the mysteries of God.* Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses* to those who with love honour your holy memory.
In Tone 3, Now…
A Cause of amazement by his appearance,* and source of refreshment by his speech,* the radiant Angel spoke to the myrrh-bearing women saying,* Why do you seek the living in a grave?* He has arisen, emptying the graves.* Know that the unchangeable One has changed corruption.* Wherefore cry to God saying:* How fearful are Your works!* For You have saved mankind.
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 3
Antiphon 1
You, O Word, delivered the captivity of Sion from Babylon,* Deliver me also* from the passions to life.
Those who sow in the South* with tears inspired by God,* shall in joy reap sheaves of everlasting life.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit,* together with the Father and the Son* shines forth the reflection of every good gift,* In Him all things live and have their being.
Antiphon 2
Except the Lord build the house of the virtues,* in vain do we labour.* While He protects our soul no one lays waste our city.
The Saints, O Christ, fruits of the womb,* are by the Spirit, always sons to You,* as You are to the Father.
Glory… Now…
The Holy Spirit is the inspiration of all that is holy and wise;* for He quickens every creature.* Let us worship Him* together with the Father and the Son, for He is God.
Antiphon 3
Those who fear the Lord are blessed* as they walk along the paths of His commandments;* for they partake of the life-giving fruit.
Be glad, Chief Shepherd,* beholding Your offspring around Your table* bearing the branches of good works.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit is a superabundance of glory;* for from Him proceeds forth grace and life* into all creation;* wherefore He is praised together with the Father and the Word.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Proclaim to the nations: God is king. The world He made firm in its place.
verse: O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth.
Let everything that lives, Tone 3
Gospel
Luke 24:1-12
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Canon
Ode 1
Irmos: It is the Day of Resurrection, let us be radiant, O people; Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha: for from death to life, and from earth to heaven, Christ God has brought us, as we sing the song of victory.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Let us purify our senses, and we shall behold Christ, radiant with the unapproachable light of the Resurrection, and we shall clearly hear Him say, Rejoice! as we sing the hymn of victory.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Let the heavens be glad as is meet, and let the earth rejoice, and let the whole world, both visible and invisible, keep festival: for Christ is risen, O gladness eternal.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
You have broken through the barrier of death, by giving birth to Christ, the eternal Life, Who today has shone forth from the tomb, O all-immaculate Virgin, and Who has enlightened the world.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Having beheld your resurrected Son and God, rejoice with the apostles, O Pure One who are full of the grace of God, and be the first to rejoice, as you have received the Cause of joy for all, O all-immaculate Mother of God.
Irmos: Wondrous are You, O God, Who gloriously works wonders,* Who fashioned the earth from the abyss,* and covered the chariots and save the people who sing to You* as our King and God.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Working signs and doing wonders, O only King, You willingly endured the Cross, since You are compassionate; and having put death to death by death, You quickened us.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Let us dance for joy with faith today on the arising of Christ, O peoples. Hades has been despoiled of them that he held in bonds, and he hastily surrendered them, as they praised the mighty deeds of God.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O You Who by divine might once healed the paralytic by Your word, O Christ, and commanded him who had been ailing for many years to take up his bed, heal my soul, which grievously ails.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Of old an Angel came down to the Sheep’s Pool and healed one man each year; but now Christ cleanses endless multitudes by divine Baptism.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O leader of the Angels and Supreme Commander of the Ministers on high, shelter and protect from all manner of temptations them that are gathered together in thine honoured temple, praising God.
Glory…
With the Bodiless ones, let us unceasingly praise the Beginningless God, Who is in three Hypostases and one Nature, even the Father, Word, and Spirit, Who has a Kingdom and indivisible power.
Now…
Save from dangers, conquest of barbarians, civil war and the sword, and every other danger, this your flock, which ever faithfully honours you, O pure one.
Katavasia: It is the Day of Resurrection, let us be radiant, O people; Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha: for from death to life, and from earth to heaven, Christ God has brought us, as we sing the song of victory.
Ode 3
Irmos: Come, let us drink a new drink, not one miraculously brought forth from a barren rock but the Fountain of Incorruption, springing forth from the tomb of Christ, in Whom we are strengthened.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Now all things are filled with light; heaven and earth, and the nethermost parts of the earth; let all creation, therefore, celebrate the arising of Christ whereby it is strengthened.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Yesterday I was buried with You, O Christ; today I rise with Your arising. Yesterday I was crucified with You; glorify me with You, O Saviour, in Your kingdom.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Into incorruptible life have I entered today, through the goodness of Him Who was born of you, O Pure One, and Who makes all the ends of the earth radiant with joy.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Having beheld God, Whom you bore in the flesh, risen from the dead, as He said, O pure one; dance, and magnify Him as God* O most pure one.
Irmos: O barren and infertile soul,* bring forth a crop of glorious fruit and cry with joy:* I have been firmly established by You, O God;* there is none holy and none righteous save You, O Lord.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
When of old the sun beheld You hanging upon the Tree, O Word, the light withdrew and all the earth was troubled; the dead arose when You reposed, O Almighty One.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
When You went into the womb of the earth with Your soul, Hades hastily gave forth the souls which it possessed, who cried to Your might a song of thanksgiving, O only Lord.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O supremely good One, heal my soul, which has been ailing grievously for many years, as You once healed the paralytic, that I may walk in Your way, which You showed to them that long for You.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Together with the Hosts on high, O Archangel of God, make supplication for us who praise you with faith, preserving and protecting us from falling into the passions of life.
Glory…
Let us cry: Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, for by nature God is one, Whom all the powers of the Heavens glorify in fear, crying: Holy, Holy, Holy.
Now…
Seedless was your conception, and transcending understanding was your childbirth, O immaculate Virgin Mother; an awesome deed, an exceeding great wonder, honoured by the Angels and glorified by mortal men, O Lady and Maiden.
Katavasia: Come, let us drink a new drink, not one miraculously brought forth from a barren rock but the Fountain of Incorruption, springing forth from the tomb of Christ, in Whom we are strengthened.
Kontakion of Pascha, 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.
Ikos
The myrrh-bearing maidens forestalled the dawn, seeking, as it were day, the Sun that was before the sun and Who had once set in the tomb, and they cried out one to another: O friends! come, let us anoint with spices the life-bringing and buried Body, the Flesh that raised up fallen Adam, that now lies in the tomb. Let us go, let us hasten, like the Magi, and let us worship and offer myrrh as a gift to Him Who is wrapped now not in swaddling clothes but in a shroud. And let us weep and cry aloud: O Master, arise, You, Who grant resurrection to the fallen.
Kontakion, Tone 2
When you heard God’s voice calling out to you,* you spurned the love of your father* and fled to Christ with your kinsman, O glorious James.* With him you were favoured to see the Lord’s divine transfiguration.
Ikos
Dwelling with your brother in the mansions of heaven, with your supplications now drive away those who trample upon holy things with vile and unclean feet; and, cutting down the devisings of the tyrants, vouchsafe freedom to those of us now held captive because of the multitude of our offenses, that, assembling together, we may behold the divine transfiguration of the Lord.
Sessional Hymn, Tone 2
The glorious apostle fished for the nations, teaching the ends of the earth to worship You with the Father and the Spirit, O Christ God. For his sake establish Your Church and send down Your blessing upon the faithful, O only Merciful One Who loves mankind.
Glory… Now…, Sessional Hymn, Tone 3
A word alone made strong the paralytic,* since it had been uttered by the universal Word,* Who had appeared upon the earth out of His loving compassion.* Wherefore, he departed hence and went forth bearing his own bed,* and the scribes, although they saw this great deed which was brought to pass,* since they were held by evil,* and palsied in soul by their envy, they endured not.
Glory… Now…
Awed by the beauty of your virginity* and the exceeding radiance of your purity,* Gabriel called out to you, O Theotokos:* What worthy hymn of praise can I offer to you?* And what shall I name you?* I am in doubt and stand in awe.* Wherefore as commanded, I cry to you:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace.
Ode 4
Irmos: On divine watch let the God-inspired Habakkuk stand with us and show forth the light-bearing angel clearly saying: Today salvation is come to the world, for Christ is risen as Almighty.
Christ is risen from the dead.
As a man-child did Christ appear when He came forth from the Virgin’s womb, and as a mortal He was called the Lamb. Without blemish also, is our Pascha for He tasted no defilement; and as true God, perfect was He proclaimed.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Like a yearling lamb,*Christ, our blessed Crown,*of His own will was sacrificed for all,*a Pascha of purification;*and from the tomb the beautiful Sun of Righteousness*shone forth again upon us.
Christ is risen from the dead.
David, the ancestor of God,*danced with leaping before the symbolical Ark;*let us also, the holy people of God, beholding the fulfilment of the symbols, be divinely glad; for Christ is risen as Almighty.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
He Who created Adam your forefather, O Pure One, took form from you, and the habitation of the dead has He demolished today through His death, and shone upon all things with the divine radiance of the Resurrection.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Beholding Christ, Whom you have borne, shining forth splendidly from the dead, O Pure One, who are good and spotless among women, and comely today, rejoicing with the apostles in the salvation of all, Him do you glorify.
Irmos: Habakkuk foresaw the overshadowed mountain,* even your immaculate womb, O pure one.* Wherefore he cried; God shall come forth from Thaeman,* and the Holy One from a mountain* densely overshadowed.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Consumed by envy, the multitude of the Hebrews crucified You on the Tree, O Lord; and having annulled the condemnation of death, You arose as One mighty, raising up the world together with Yourself.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Why seek with myrrh the inexhaustible Myrrh, O women? He is risen, said he that sat in white apparel, and He has filled the world with spiritual fragrance.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Taking upon Yourself the likeness of a servant, out of the excess of Your compassion You came and made whole him who had been bedridden for many years, O Word, commanding him to take up his bed.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
An Angel of the Lord at a certain season came down and troubled the water in the Sheep’s Pool, making whole one person only. But Christ saves endless multitudes by divine baptism.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O leader of the Angels and guide of the erring, O Supreme Commander of the Lord, come into our midst at this hour, and bear the prayers of us all to the only Creator and Master.
Glory…
The Holy Trinity is united in nature, divided in Hypostases; being the super-essential Father, the co-eternal Son, and the Holy and Only Almighty Spirit.
Now…
How is it that you suckle a babe, O pure one? How do you give birth to a child more ancient than Adam? How do you carry in your arms a Son, Who is seated upon the shoulders of the Cherubim? As He alone knows, as He understands, even He that has given existence to all that is.
Katavasia: On divine watch let the God-inspired Habakkuk stand with us and show forth the light-bearing angel clearly saying: Today salvation is come to the world, for Christ is risen as Almighty.
Ode 5
Irmos: Let us awake in the deep dawn, and instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Master, and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, Who causes life to dawn for all.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Seeing Your boundless compassion they who were held in the bonds of hades hastened to the light, O Christ, with gladsome feet, praising the Pascha eternal.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Bearing lights, let us approach Christ, Who comes forth from the tomb like a bridegroom, and with the feast-loving ranks of angels let us celebrate the saving Pascha of God.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Enlightened by the divine rays and the life-bearing Resurrection of your Son, O most pure Mother of God, the gathering of the pious is filled with joy.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
You did not open the gates of virginity in the Incarnation, nor the seal upon the tomb did You destroy, O King of creation; from whence seeing You risen, Your Mother rejoices.
Irmos: By Your unwaning light, O Christ, illumine my humble soul* and guide it in Your fear for Your commandments are light.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
You were lifted up upon the Tree of the Cross, thereby raising the whole world together with Yourself; and becoming One among the dead, O God, You have raised up them that were dead from all ages.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Christ is risen, as He said, having emptied the realms of Hades, and He has appeared to the Apostles, granting them everlasting joy.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
The Angel was seen by the women to be as brilliant as lightning and as white as snow, saying: Weep not; our Life has arisen and quickened them that were dead in the graves.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Even as You raised up the paralytic, O Christ, so also raise up my soul which is palsied by transgressions, and grant that I may fare well as I walk in Your upright ways.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O Michael, Leader of the Angels, save the people who are gathered today in your temple, and who proclaim the mighty deeds of God.
Glory…
Of equal honour is the threefold Unity: Divided piously in hypostases, but united in nature is the Father, the Son, and the Divine Spirit.
Now…
Your seedless childbearing, O pure one, and your incomprehensible birthgiving do we praise, while blessing you as the Mother of the Creator and Master of all.
Katavasia: Let us awake in the deep dawn, and instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Master, and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, Who causes life to dawn for all.
Ode 6
Irmos: You descended into the nethermost parts of the earth, and shattered the eternal bars that held the fettered, O Christ, and on the third day* like Jonah from the whale, You arose from the tomb.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Having kept the seals intact, O Christ, You arose from the tomb* O You Who did not break the seal of the Virgin by Your birth, and You have opened for us the doors of Paradise.
Christ is risen from the dead.
O my Saviour, the living and unslain Sacrifice, when, as God, You, of Your Own will, had offered up Yourself to the Father, You raised up with Yourself the whole race of Adam, when You arose from the tomb.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
He that of old was held by death and corruption is raised up by Him Who was incarnate of your most pure womb, O Theotokos Virgin, unto incorruption and everlasting life.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
He Who went down into the nethermost parts of the earth, and came into your womb, O Pure One, and dwelt and past understanding was incarnate, has also raised up Adam with Himself when He rose from the tomb.
Irmos: The abyss of the passions and a storm of adverse winds* have risen up against me.* But make haste, O Saviour,* to save me, and deliver me from corruption,* as You delivered the Prophet from the sea-monster.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Of Your own will You were lifted up upon the Tree, and laid as one dead in the sepulchre, and having quickened together all those who were dead in Hades, O Christ, You raised them by Your divine power.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
When Hades met You below, O Compassionate One, it was embittered, and in haste it gave up those whom it held in bonds, who with unceasing voices praise Your awesome Resurrection, O Saviour.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
On beholding Christ, the Life of all, arisen from the grave, the divine disciples worshipped Him with love, upright knowledge, and joyfulness of soul.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
When he who laid for many years upon a bed of affliction was made whole by Your command, O Christ, he glorified and praised Your compassion, O Giver of life.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O Michael, leader of the Angels, as you stand before the throne of the Master, be present in our midst, guiding toward the paths of life those who possess you as a fervent protector.
Glory…
Together with the awesome Hosts on high I reverence You, Who art a Trinity in Hypostases; I proclaim You, Who are a Unity in essence, O beginningless Father, Son, and Upright Spirit, God of all things.
Now…
He that sustains all things by His divine command is held in your arms, O Virgin Theotokos, and since He is compassionate He rescues us from the enslaving hand of the evil one.
Katavasia: You descended into the nethermost parts of the earth, and shattered the eternal bars that held the fettered, O Christ, and on the third day* like Jonah from the whale, You arose from the tomb.
Kontakion, Tone 3
Lord, as of old You raised the Paralytic,* lift my soul by Your divine presence,* for by my many sins and foolish actions, I, too, am now afflicted and crippled.* Raise me, that being saved I may cry to You: Glory to Your power, O merciful Christ.
Ikos
O You Who hold the ends of the earth in the palm of Your hand, O Jesus our God, Who are co-beginningless with the Father, and Who, together with the Holy Spirit, rule over all things: You appeared in the flesh, healing infirmities, driving away passions, and giving sight to the blind. And, by a divine word, You raised up the paralytic, commanding him to walk straightway and to take up upon his shoulders his bed, which aforetime had borne him. Wherefore, together with him we all praise You and cry: O Compassionate One, glory to Your dominion and might, O Christ.
Ode 7
Irmos: He Who delivered the Children from the furnace, became man, suffers as a mortal, and through His Passion clothes mortality with the beauty of incorruption, He is the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.
Christ is risen from the dead.
The godly-wise women with myrrh followed after You in haste; but Him Whom they sought with tears as dead, they worshipped joyfully as the living God, and they brought to Your disciples, O Christ, the good tidings of the mystical Pascha.
Christ is risen from the dead.
We celebrate the death of death, the destruction of hades, the beginning of another life eternal, and leaping for joy, we hymn the Cause, the only blessed and supremely glorious God of our fathers.
Christ is risen from the dead.
For truly sacred and all-festive is this saving night, and this shining, light-bearing day, the harbinger of the Resurrection, whereon the Timeless Light bodily from the tomb upon all has shined.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Your Son, having put death to death, O all-immaculate one, today has granted to all mortals the life that abides to the ages of ages, the only blessed and supremely glorious God of our fathers.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
He Who reigns over all creation, became man, dwelling in your God-graced womb, and having endured crucifixion and death, is risen in a God-befitting manner, raising us up with Himself, for He is Almighty.
Irmos: You bedewed the furnace and save the Children from its flames:* blessed are You throughout the ages, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
On seeing You stretched out upon the Tree, the sun withdrew its light, not having the strength to shine upon the world when You, O King of all, was setting, so that all the nations might be enlightened.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
You arose, thereby emptying the tombs and despoiling Hades by Your almighty power. Wherefore we praise Your honoured and divine arising, O Christ.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Why seek the Living as one dead? He is risen, He is not in the grave: Thus did the divine Angel of old, who was like lightning, cry to the myrrh-bearers.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Having, by Your word, made whole the paralytic who had been bedridden for many years, You cried aloud: Take up your bed and walk, praising God’s mighty deeds.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O Michael, Supreme Commander of the Lord, by your mediation, guide and shelter from all manner of evil those who are gathered in your temple with faith to the praise of God.
Glory…
O Trinity, since You are the God and Master of all, save from diverse perils us who praise You with faith, and make us partakers of Your blessings.
Now…
After ineffably bearing Him Who without change was begotten of the beginningless Father before all ages, you remained a virgin; for this cause we bless you, O pure one.
Katavasia: He Who delivered the Children from the furnace, became man, suffers as a mortal, and through His Passion clothes mortality with the beauty of incorruption, He is the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.
Ode 8
Irmos: This chosen and holy day is the first of the Sabbaths, the queen and lady, the feast of feasts, and the festival of festivals, wherein we bless Christ throughout the ages.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Come, on this auspicious day of the Resurrection, let us partake of the fruit of the new vine of divine gladness of the kingdom of Christ, praising Him as God throughout the ages.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Lift up your eyes about you, O Sion,* and see, for behold, there comes to you, like God-illumined beacons, from the west, and from the north, and from the sea, and from the east, your children, in you blessing Christ throughout the ages.
O Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory be to You.
O Father Almighty, and Word, and Spirit, one Nature united in three Hypostases, transcendent and most divine! Into You have we been baptized, and You will we bless throughout all ages.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Through you the Lord came into the world, O Virgin Theotokos, and the womb of hades did He tear open, granting to us mortals resurrection; Wherefore, we bless Him throughout the ages.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Laying low all the dominion of death by His Resurrection, your Son, O Virgin, as the mighty God, has raised us up with Himself and deified us; wherefore we sing His praise throughout the ages.
Irmos: God is unceasingly glorified on high by the Angels,* O heaven of heavens, earth and mountains, plains and abysses, and all the race of mankind,* with hymns as to the Creator and Redeemer,* bless and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
The veil was rent in two when You were crucified, O our Saviour, and death gave up the dead which it had devoured; and Hades was stripped bare when it saw You coming into the nethermost regions of the earth.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? You were put to death and destroyed by the risen King. No longer do you reign; for the Mighty One has taken away those whom you had in bondage.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Run quickly and proclaim the Resurrection to the Apostles, said the youth who appeared to the myrrh-bearers. The Master is risen, and, in a marvellous manner, those dead from all ages have arisen together with Him.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Having lain bedridden for many years, the paralytic cried: Have mercy on me, who am oppressed by need, O Redeemer. And He commands him to take up his bed in haste and walk upright.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
As the Leader of the Immaterial Hosts, O Supreme Commander, pray together with them that we be granted deliverance from our offences, correction of life, and the enjoyment of everlasting good things yonder.
Let us bless Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Lord!
With one accord let us praise the uncreated, undivided Essence, the Godhead of three Hypostases, the beginningless God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, as we cry out the awesome melody of the Seraphim.
Now…
Of old Isaiah beheld you as a book, O Ever-virgin, wherein, by the finger of the Father, the timeless Word was inscribed, Who saves from all irrationality us who praise you with sacred words.
We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, praising and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.
Katavasia: This chosen and holy day is the first of the Sabbaths, the queen and lady, the feast of feasts, and the festival of festivals, wherein we bless Christ throughout the ages.
The Magnificat is not sung.
Ode 9
Irmos: 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.
Christ is risen from the dead.
O how divine, how loving, how sweet is Your voice! For You have truly promised to be with us to the end of the age, O Christ; having this foundation of hope, we the faithful rejoice.
Christ is risen from the dead.
O Christ, You great and most sacred Pascha! O Wisdom, Word, and Power of God! Grant us to partake of You more fully in the unwaning dayof Your kingdom.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
With one voice, O Virgin, the faithful bless you. Rejoice, O Portal of the Lord; rejoice, O living City; rejoice, through whom for our sake the Light has shone, Who, born of you, is the Resurrection of the dead.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Be glad and rejoice, O Portal of the Divine Light: for Jesus set into the grave, has dawned forth shining more brightly than the sun, and has illumined all the faithful, O divinely joyous Lady.
Irmos: Upon Mount Sinai Moses saw you in the bush,* as one who conceived the fire of the Godhead within your womb,* and yet remained unconsumed.* Daniel saw you as a mountain not cut by the hand of man,* and Isaiah proclaimed you as the Rod that blossomed forth* from the root of David.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
When You were lifted up upon the Tree, O Jesus, thereby raising us up together with Yourself. And when of Your own will You were laid in the tomb, You rose from the tombs all the dead who praised Your incomprehensible power and Your invincible might.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
You dawned forth from the grave as One most comely, like a bridegroom from a bridal chamber, O most comely Word; and You dispelled the gloom of Hades, leading forth those who were in bonds, and who cried with one accord: Glory be to YOur glory, glory be to Your arising, O Jesus our God.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Bringing their tears and sighs mingled together with myrrh, the women came with haste to Your all-holy sepulchre. And through faith they were instructed concerning the glorious arising of Christ, which we celebrate, as we rejoice in gladness of soul.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Bodily health followed Your command, O Christ, and the former paralytic was seen walking with haste and bearing his bed whereon he had lain for many years, and he praised Your great might.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Pray for our enlightenment, O great Supreme Commander, who ever stands in the presence of the great Light, that our life may be peaceful, for it is ever troubled by the assaults of the serpent and by the circumstances of life, O right glorious one.
Glory…
Most reverently do I glorify You, O Light and Lights, O Life and Lives, O Father, Word and Holy Spirit, tri-hypostatic Unity, indivisible Dominion, uncommingled Godhead; and together with the Hosts on high, I cry out: Holy, Holy, Holy.
Now…
Christ, the great Sun, came forth from your light-bearing womb, and with brilliant rays enlightened the world, O immaculate one, and dispelled the darkness of our transgressions. Wherefore, we praise you, since you are the cause of all good things, O Bride of God.
Katavasia: 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.
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.
Glory…
Let us all hymn James, son of Zebedee, for he ascended Mount Tabor with Christ and beheld the divine transfiguration; and, having descended, he preached with Peter and James to all the four corners of the earth.
Now…
Having fallen asleep in the flesh, as a mortal, O King and Lord, on the third day You arose again* raising up Adam from corruption, and abolishing death: O Pascha of incorruption, Salvation of the world! (2)
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 3
Come all you nations,* acknowledge the power of the dread mystery;* for Christ our Saviour, the beginningless Word,* was crucified for us and was willingly buried* and arose from the dead to save the whole universe.* Let us worship Him.
You guards recounted all the marvels, O Lord,* but, by filling their right hands with money,* the Sanhedrin of folly thought to conceal Your Resurrection,* which the world glorifies;* have mercy upon us.
All things have been filled with joy on receiving proof of the Resurrection.* For Mary Magdalene having come to the tomb,* found an Angel seated upon the stone,* radiant in shining raiment, saying:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* He is not here, but He has arisen, as He foretold,* and goes before you into Galilee.
In Your light, O Master and Lover of mankind,* shall we see light.* For arose from the dead,* granting salvation to the race of mankind,* wherefore all creation glorifies You, the only sinless one;* have mercy upon us.
O blessed James who beheld God,* when you heard the voice of the Word* you straightway abandoned your love for your father, and your desire to please him;* wherefore, forsaking the tumult of life, and traversing the noetic sea,* you troubled it with your teachings of piety* and with your heavenly radiance,* O you who are blessed of God.
O blessed James who beheld God,* when you heard the voice of the Word* you straightway abandoned your love for your father, and your desire to please him;* wherefore, forsaking the tumult of life, and traversing the noetic sea,* you troubled it with your teachings of piety* and with your heavenly radiance,* O you who are blessed of God.
O blessed James, who with your own eyes* beheld the Word, the Author of life,* pleasing the Father to things of come by your actions,* you have deprived of his primacy the most abominable Ishmael* who worships his belly as god,* and you have tripped him and shown him to be devoid of the Father’s protection,* having no share in His blessing and inheritance.
You have now been appointed prince over all the earth, O glorious one,* as was written of you before,* for you were a disciple of Him Who created all things;* and by your steadfast zeal and invincible boldness* you endured to be put to death, O blessed one,* the first slain among the honoured company of the twelve disciple.
In Tone 8, Glory…
O Lord, not the pool, but Your word healed and renewed the paralytic;* nor was he hindered by his infirmity of many years;* for the might of Your voice proved to be more effective.* And he cast off his heavy burden and carried the weight of his bed* as a testimony to the abundance of Your compassions.* Glory be to You.
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
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.
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 3: Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.
Troparion, Tone 3: O James, worthy of all praise,* chosen apostle of Christ and only brother of the beloved theologian.* Ask God to bestow on those who hymn you forgiveness of sins* and to grant our souls great mercy.
Kontakion, Tone 3: Lord, as of old You raised the Paralytic,* lift my soul by Your divine presence,* for by many sins and foolish actions,* I, too, am now afflicted and crippled.* Raise me, that being saved I may cry to You:* Glory to Your power, O merciful Christ.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 2: When you heard God’s voice calling out to you,* you spurned the love of your father* and fled to Christ with your kinsman, O glorious James.* With him you were favoured to see the Lord’s divine transfiguration.
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.
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 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world.
Epistle
Acts 9:32-42; Acts 12:1-11
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: Of Your mercies, O Lord, I will sing forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your truth from generation to generation.
verse: For You have said, “Mercy will be established forever.” (Psalm 32:22,1)
verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints. (Psalm 88:6)
Gospel
John 5:1-15; Luke 5:1-11
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.* Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their word unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)
Instead of Blessed is He Who comes… we sing:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Instead of We have seen the true light… we sing:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Instead of May our mouths be filled… we sing three times:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Instead of Blessed be the name of the Lord… we sing three times:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
At the dismissal, instead of Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen. we chant:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
After the final Amen, the 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.