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Event Information:
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Sun16Jul2023
Commemoration of the First Six Ecumenical Councils. Octoechos Tone 6; The Holy Priest-Martyr Athenogenes and His Ten Disciples (284-305)
GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man...” is sung.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 6
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
O Christ, You won the victory over Hades,* You ascended the cross so that You might raise up with Yourself* all those who dwelt in the darkness of death.* Almighty Saviour, You are free from death* and bestow life by Your divine light.* We, therefore, beseech You to have mercy on us.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Today Christ has conquered Death.* He has risen from the grave as He had foretold,* bestowing great joy upon the world.* Therefore, let us all lift up our voices and sing:* O Fount of Life, O Light whom no one can approach,* Almighty Saviour, have mercy on us.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
O Lord, where can we sinners flee from You,* for You are present in all creation?* You are present in heaven, for it is Your dwelling place.* Your power prevails in Hades where You conquered Death.* O Master, Your sustaining hand touches even the depths of the sea.* Where, then, can we take refuge except in You?* We, therefore, prostrate ourselves before You and pray:* O Lord, risen from the dead, have mercy on us.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
We exult in Your cross, O Christ,* and we sing the glory of Your resurrection.* For You are our God, and we have no other Lord but You.
In Tone 6
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O Word and Lover of mankind,* infinite and beyond description in Your taking flesh for our sake,* the nobles assembly of Fathers proclaimed that You are both perfect man and perfect God,* one person in two perfect natures with two perfect wills.* Therefore, we profess that You are one God with the Father and the Holy Spirit.* We sing a hymn of praise to the Fathers, and we adore You.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
O Word and Lover of mankind,* infinite and beyond description in Your taking flesh for our sake,* the nobles assembly of Fathers proclaimed that You are both perfect man and perfect God,* one person in two perfect natures with two perfect wills.* Therefore, we profess that You are one God with the Father and the Holy Spirit.* We sing a hymn of praise to the Fathers, and we adore You.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
O glorious Fathers of the Councils,* you demonstrated that Pyrrhus, Sergius, and Onuphrius,* Dioscorus, and Nestorius were in error* concerning the doctrines of Christ.* You save the flock by teaching the true principle* that Christ is one divine person in two natures.* This Christ we adore as perfect man and perfect God,* one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.* O holy Fathers, we honour you and sing to you a hymn of praise.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O glorious Fathers of the Councils,* you demonstrated that Pyrrhus, Sergius, and Onuphrius,* Dioscorus, and Nestorius were in error* concerning the doctrines of Christ.* You save the flock by teaching the true principle* that Christ is one divine person in two natures.* This Christ we adore as perfect man and perfect God,* one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.* O holy Fathers, we honour you and sing to you a hymn of praise.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The Fathers of the Councils, inspired by God,* declare and explain that in Christ* there is a divine act and a divine will,* uncreated and infinite:* the act and will of the Son of God.* There is also a human act and a human will:* those of the Son of Man.* Thus, they proclaim that Christ is one divine person having two natures,* the one is divine and the other is human.* Therefore, we the faithful honour these Fathers every year* and glorify Christ who glorified them.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The Fathers of the Councils proclaim to us today* that the eternal Trinity is one God and one Lord.* They explain the Trinity is of one nature,* consubstantial, of one will and one act,* not divided nor shared but existing in the simplicity of God’s being.* They define that this will and act of God* had no beginning and will never have and end.* Therefore, we the faithful glorify these Fathers* as the equals of the Apostles,* for they taught all people the true doctrine of God.
In Tone 6, Glory…
Let us honour today those mystical trumpets of the Spirit,* namely the God-mantled Fathers,* who speaking of divine things,* sang in the midst of the Church a hymn in unison,* teaching that the Trinity is one,* not differing in substance or Godhead,* refuting Arius and defending the orthodox faith.* They always intercede with the Lord* to have mercy on our souls.
Now…
Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.
Readings
(1) Genesis 14:14-20; (2) Deuteronomy 1:8-11, 15-17; (3) Deuteronomy 10:14-21
Aposticha
In Tone 6
O Christ our Saviour,* the angels in heaven sing the praises of Your resurrection;* make us on earth also worthy* to extol and purify You with a pure heart.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
Almighty God, You destroyed the brazen gates and bars of Hades,* and raised up fallen mankind.* Therefore, with one accord, we cry out:* O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
Christ willed to renew us from our corruption of old* by being nailed to a cross and placed in a tomb.* When the women came to anoint His body they tearfully cried out:* O, what sorrow afflicts us!* O Saviour of All, how could You consent to occupy a grave?* If you truly willed this, then why did You allow Your body to be stolen?* How were You removed?* What place now conceals Your life-bearing body?* O Lord, appear to us as You promised* and put an end to our tears.* As they were lamenting, an angel appeared and cried out to them:* Do not weep, but tell the apostles that the Lord is risen,* granting sanctification and great mercy to the world.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Christ, You were crucified of Your own free will,* and by Your burial You imprisoned Death.* As God, You rose in glory on the third day,* granting life and great mercy to the world.
In Tone 4, Glory...
O holy Fathers of the Councils,* you are the faithful keepers of the Apostles’ traditions.* By proclaiming that the three persons of the Holy Trinity* are one and consubstantial,* you refuted the blasphemy of Arius.* By teaching that the Holy Spirit is a distinct person,* one with the Father and the Son,* you put Macedonius, Severus and other heretics to shame.* Therefore, we beseech you to intercede for us,* preserving us from heresy and error* and keeping our lives blameless in God’s sight.
Now...
O most pure Virgin, hear the petitions of your servants.* Remove the burdens which oppress us,* and deliver us from our sorrows;* for you are the only firm and constant support on whom we rely.* O Mother of God, never permit us who call upon you* to be overwhelmed by our cares.* Hasten to fulfil the supplications of all who, in faith, cry out to you:* Rejoice, O Lady, helper of all mankind,* the joy, the refuge, and the salvation of our souls.
Troparia
In Tone 6
Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!
In Tone 8, Glory...
Christ our God, You are glorified above all,* You established our fathers as beacons on earth* and through them guided all of us to the true faith.** Glory to You, most compassionate Lord.
Now...
O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin:* through Your death on the Cross You conquered Death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed Yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people.
SUNDAY MATINS
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 6
Troparia, Tone 6
Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You! (2)
In Tone 8, Glory...
Christ our God, You are glorified above all,* You established our fathers as beacons on earth* and through them guided all of us to the true faith.** Glory to You, most compassionate Lord.
Now...
O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin:* through Your death on the Cross You conquered Death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed Yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16Small Litany
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 6
While the tomb lay open and Hades lamented,* Mary, cried to the Apostles who were in hiding saying:* “Come forth, you workers of the vineyard,* proclaim to the world the word of the Resurrection,* for the Lord is risen,* granting the world His great mercy!”
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
Mary Magdalene stood by Your tomb O Lord,* and mistaking You for the gardener,* weeping she cried aloud to You:* “Where have You hidden the Life eternal?* Where have You placed He who sits on the Cherubic Throne?* For those who were guarding Him have become as dead-men through fear.* Either give me my Lord or cry out with me:* O You who were numbered among the dead and have raised the dead,* glory be to You!”
Glory… Now…
Gideon foretold of your conception,* and David revealed your ineffable child-bearing, O Theotokos;* for the Word descended like a dew upon the fleece of your womb,* and you O Virgin full of grace,* like unto a holy and fertile earth,* budded forth without seed our salvation, Christ God.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 6
Life was laid in the tomb* and a seal was set upon the stone;* the soldiers stood guarding Christ like a sleeping King;* and having invisibly struck His foes the Lord arose.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
Jonah foretold of Your tomb,* and Symeon revealed Your divine Arising, O immortal Lord;* for You descended as One dead into the tomb,* and having smashed the gates of Hades,* You arose without corruption as Master, for the salvation of all the world,* O Christ our God,* enlightening those lying in darkness.
Glory… Now…
O Virgin Theotokos, entreat your Son Christ our God,* who was willingly nailed upon the Cross,* and freed the world from deception,* that He have mercy upon our souls!
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 6
By Your voluntary and life-giving death, O Christ,* You shattered the gates of Hades,* and as God You opened to us the Paradise of old;* and by arising from the dead,* You delivered our lives from corruption.
Gradual Hymns, Tone 6
Antiphon 1
Unto heaven I raise my eyes, even unto You, O Word;* have pity on me,* that I may live for You.
Have mercy upon us who are filled with contempt O Word,* repairing Your broken vessels* that we may be found useful.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit is the cause of all salvation,* if He sees fit to breathe on one of His creatures,* He swiftly raises him from the things of this earth, and having given him wings,* makes him to flourish and raises him on high.
Antiphon 2
If the Lord had not dwelt among us,* none could have withstood the attacks of the enemy,* for those who are victorious* are exalted by Him.
Let not my soul be taken like a sparrow by their teeth, O Word;* Woe unto me!* How shall I, the lover of sin, be delivered from the power of the enemy?
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit all find divine inspiration,* goodness, understanding, peace, and blessing;* for He is equal in activity* to the Father and the Word.
Antiphon 3
They that put their trust in the Lord look upon high* and are thus fearful to their foes* and wondrous to all mankind.
Unto the pursuit of iniquities* the righteous stretch not the hands,* having You, O Saviour, as their helper.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit is sovereignty over all creation;* Him the armies of hosts above worship* and by everything that has breath below* is He worshiped.
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
O Lord, stir up Your might* and come to save us.
verse: O Shepherd of Israel, attend, You that lead Joseph like a sheep.
Let everything that lives, Tone 6
Gospel
John 20:1-10
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Canon, Tone 6
Ode 1
Irmos: Israel, marching on foot in the sea as on the dry land,* saw Pharaoh the pursuer overthrown in the deep,* and raised a triumphant shout:* Let us sing to God a hymn of victory.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Good Jesus, with your arms stretched wide upon the cross, you have fulfilled in all things the Father’s good pleasure; therefore let us all sing to you a hymn of victory.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Death, the end of life, as a slave under orders, in fear approaches you, the Lord of life, whereby you award to us life without end and resurrection.
Glory… Now…
Pure one, who beyond understanding received your Creator, of his own will made flesh in your seedless womb, you are declared to be in truth creation’s sovereign Lady.
Ode 3
Irmos: None is holy but you, O Lord my God,* the one who is the Good;* you have exalted the horn of your faithful people,* and founded them on the rock of their confession of you.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Creation, seeing God crucified in the flesh, was dissolving in fear, but by the strong hand of the Crucified it was firmly held together.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Sorry death, destroyed by death, lies lifeless; unable to withstand the God-filled assault of Life, the strong one dies. And so to all is given resurrection.
Glory… Now…
O pure one, the wonder of your divine child-bearing surpasses the laws of nature: marvellous was your conceiving of God in your womb, and marvellous the birth and your abiding virginity.
Kontakion, Tone 4
The Son Who ineffably shone forth from the Father* has been born in two
natures of a woman,* and beholding Him we do not disdain to depict the form
thereof.* But, tracing it piously, we honour it in faith.* Wherefore, the Church,
holding to the true Faith,* venerates the icon of the incarnation of Christ.Ikos
The all-compassionate God, Who ever desires to rouse us to the
perfect memory of His incarnation, gave this suggestion to me: that they depict
His precious form with the pigments of icons; that, beholding these in visible
objects, we may believe what we have heard said, clearly understanding the
activity, the name, the features and the sufferings of holy men and Christ, the
Bestower of crowns, Who presents crowns to the holy athletes and martyrs.
And the Church, most diligently holding fast to the true faith for their sake,
venerates the icon of the incarnation of Christ.Ode 4
Irmos: Christ, my strength, my God, my Lord,* most fittingly your holy Church keeps festival,* singing, dancing, crying out with pure minds,* feasting in the Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Truly, O Christ, the tree of life has blossomed for the cross, planted in the earth, fed with blood and water from your pure side, has put forth life for us.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
No more the serpent’s lying whisper: You shall be like God; for Christ, divine Creator of man’s nature, now has opened out before me, with none to hinder, the pathway of life.
Glory… Now…
Ever-virgin Mother of God, truly beyond speech and incomprehensible to heaven and to earth are the mysteries of your God-befitting child bearing.
Ode 5
Irmos: Shine with your divine splendour, I pray you, O you who are good,* on the souls of those who rise early to you* and long to know you, O Word of God,* as in truth the God who calls them back from sin’s deep darkness.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Now the Cherubim withdraw from me, and the flaming sword is turned back at sight of you, O Word of God, in truth the God who makes for the Thief the path to Paradise.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
I fear no longer the return to the dust, Lord Christ, for in your great mercy through your resurrection you have led me, forgotten, from the dust to the heights of incorruption.
Glory… Now…
O good Lady of the world, keep safe those who from the heart confess you God-bearer, for we have gained you, true Mother of God, for our invincible protection.
Ode 6
Irmos: Watching life’s sea rising in the surging waves of temptations,* fast making for your calm harbour, I cry out to you:* Lead my life up from corruption,* O you of many mercies .
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Crucified, O Lord, by the nails which fastened you, you annulled the curse upon us; pierced in the side by the spear, you tore up the written scroll against Adam, and set the whole world free.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Deception tripped up Adam and brought him to the depth of Hell. But you, God and compassion by nature, came down to seek him and, lifting him up on your shoulders, raised him up with yourself.
Glory… Now…
All-holy Lady, who bore to mortal man his Lord and pilot, quieten the fearful and unresting tumult of my passions, and grant to my heart tranquillity.
Kontakion
With His life-giving hand* Christ our God, the Giver of life,* raised all the dead from the murky abyss* and bestowed resurrection upon humanity.* He is for all the Saviour,* the resurrection and the life, and the God of all.
Ikos
O Giver of life, we sing and we worship your cross and your burial, for you entered Hell, O deathless one, as God of all power, and raising the dead with yourself and shattering the gates of Hell, as God you demolished the might of death. Therefore with love and with longing we who are born of the earth praise you as risen from the dead, overthrowing the might of the all-destroying foe, raising up all who believe in you, delivering the world from the stings of the serpent and us from the wiles of the enemy, as the one who alone possesses the power. Devoutly we sing, therefore, the praises of your resurrection, for by this, as God of all, you have saved us.
Ode 7
Irmos: As falling dew the angel made the furnace to the holy children,* and the command of God burned the Chaldeans;* and the tyrant was convinced, crying aloud:* Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The sun lamenting your Passion, O Lord, drew darkness around him and the light of the day was darkened over the whole of the earth, which cried aloud: Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
At your descent, O Christ, the underworld was clothed in splendour; our first father, filled with gladness of heart, sprang up, dancing and crying out: Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.
Glory… Now…
Through you, O Virgin Mother, light has risen and joy to all the inhabited earth, for you gave birth to God the Creator of all; ask him for us, All-pure, to send down to your faithful people great mercy.
Ode 8
Irmos: Dew from the flames you shed on the holy ones,* burning thus with water the sacrifice of the righteous.* All things, O Christ, you bring about according to your holy will;* we highly exalt you throughout the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Envy has finished its work on the people of the Jews: of old the slayers of the prophets now they are slayers of God; they set you upon the cross, O Word of God, you whom we highly exalt throughout the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Christ, without leaving the courts of Heaven you came to Hell. Together with yourself you awakened the whole man, lying m corruption, and he highly exalts you now throughout the ages.
Glory… Now…
From light you conceived the light-giving Word, ineffably you gave him birth, and are glorified. For the Holy Spirit dwelt in you, O Maid, and therefore we praise you throughout the ages.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: No man can see God, on whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze;* but, through you, All-holy One, the Word made flesh is seen of mortal men.* Magnifying him with all the heavenly hosts,* we call you blessed.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Free from passions you remained, O Word of God, when you held converse with passions in the flesh. But having dealt to passion a Passion, you loosed man from his passions. For you alone are impassible and almighty, our Saviour.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Accepting the corruption of death, O Lord, you kept your body from tasting corruption, and your soul, life-giving, divine, was not left in Hell. But, as from sleep arising, you raised us up with yourself.
Glory… Now…
With pure lips we mortal men give glory to God the Father, to the Son with him without beginning, and we worship the inexpressible power, most glorious, of the All-holy Spirit; for you alone subsist almighty, undivided Trinity.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
When Mary Magdalene said they have carried away my Lord,* Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved hastened to the grave.* They both came and found the wrappings inside the tomb,* and the cloth, which was on His head, lying aside.* The disciples remained silent until they truly beheld Christ.
Glory…
By celebrating today the memory of the holy Fathers, O all-compassionate Lord,* we implore You, through their petitions* to deliver your people from the harm of unbelievers.* Make us all worthy to glorify the Father, the Word, and the all-holy Spirit.
Now…
Behold the end of night and dawn of day.* Why have you stood at the grave, O Mary?* Great darkness covered your mind, so you asked the angel:* Where has Jesus been placed?* Behold, the disciples who hastened to the tomb* saw a sign of His resurrection in the burial wrappings and the cloth* and remembered what was said about Him in the Scriptures.* Therefore, we who believe through them* praise You, O Christ, the Giver of life.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 6
Your Cross, O Lord, is the life and resurrection of Your people,* and trusting in it we sing Your praises:* O our risen God, have mercy upon us.
Your burial, O Master, opened Paradise to mankind,* and thus delivered from corruption we sing Your praises:* O our risen God, have mercy upon us.
With the Father and the Spirit* let us hymn Christ risen from the dead,* and let us cry out to Him:* You are our life and resurrection, have mercy upon us.
On the third day You arose from the tomb, O Christ, as it was written,* raising together with Yourself our Forefather;* therefore the race of mankind glorifies You, and hymns Your Resurrection.
In Tone 6
The venerable, glorified, and all-holy Fathers,* having carefully considered the whole knowledge of the soul in the Holy Spirit,* inscribed in divine writings the honourable and heavenly Canon* in which they clearly teach that the Word is co-eternal and consubstantial with the Father.* Thus they follow without error the teachings of the apostles.
The venerable, glorified, and all-holy Fathers,* having carefully considered the whole knowledge of the soul in the Holy Spirit,* inscribed in divine writings the honourable and heavenly Canon* in which they clearly teach that the Word is co-eternal and consubstantial with the Father.* Thus they follow without error the teachings of the apostles.
When the holy preachers of Christ fully received the light* from the Holy Spirit, they spoke with divine insight,* with few but deeply meaningful words inspired from above,* bringing to the front the evangelical doctrines and traditions of true worship.* When these were clearly revealed to them from on high,* they were enlightened* and thus established the faith received from God.
Truly the divine shepherds were favoured servants of God* and honoured preachers of the divine Word.* They were indeed the true shepherds;* and having now been justly angered,* in a judgment of truth they expelled from the perfection of the Church* all those devouring and destructive wolves.* They cast them down with the power of the Spirit.* The unbelievers fell prey to great affliction.
In Tone 8, Glory…
When the holy Fathers gathered from the ends of the world,* they believed in one substance and one nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.* They delivered plainly to the Church the mystery of discoursing in theology.* Therefore, we honour them in faith and bless them, saying:* What a divine army, O God-inspired soldiers of the camp of the Lord,* O most brilliant luminaries in the heavens,* you mighty towers of the mystical Sion,* you scented flowers of Paradise, the golden lights of the Word,* the pride and delight of the whole universe,* intercede unceasingly for our souls.
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 6: Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!
Troparion, Tone 8: Christ our God, You are glorified above all,* You established our fathers as beacons on earth* and through them guided all of us to the true faith.* Glory to You, most compassionate Lord.
Kontakion, Tone 6: With His life-giving hand* Christ our God, the Giver of life,* raised all the dead from the murky abyss* and bestowed resurrection upon humanity.* He is for all the Saviour,* the resurrection and the life, and the God of all.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 6: The Son who ineffably shone from the Father* was born two-fold of nature from a woman.* Beholding Him, we do not reject the image of His form;* but depicting it, we revere it faithfully.* Therefore, the Church, holing the true faith,* kisses the icon of Christ’s becoming man.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Theotokion, Tone 6: Undaunted patroness of Christians,* O steadfast intermediary with the Creator,* turn not away from the suppliant voices of sinners,* but in your kindness come to help us who cry out to you in faith.* Be quick to intercede, make haste to plead,* for you are ever the patroness of those who honour you, O Mother of God.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Blessed are You, Lord God of our fathers,* and praised and glorified is Your Name forever.
verse: For You are righteous in everything that You have done to us. (Daniel 3:26-27)
Epistle
Hebrews 13:7-16
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The God of gods, the Lord, spoke and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
verse: Gather to Him His devout ones, who with sacrifice make covenant with Him. (Psalm 49:1,5)
Gospel
John 17:1-13
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens,* praise Him in the highest.* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalms 184:1; 32:1)