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Sun28Jan2024
Sunday of the Prodigal Son. Octoechos Tone 2. Our Venerable Father Ephrem the Syrian (373).
GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man...” is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 2
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Come, let us adore God the Word,* who was born of the Father before all ages,* and was incarnate of the Virgin Mary;* for of His own free will He suffered the Cross* and submitted Himself to burial,* and arose from the dead to save me, a sinful one.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Christ our Saviour cancelled the decree that was written against us,* by nailing it to the Cross;* and He abolished the dominion of Death.* Let us glorify His resurrection on the third day.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Let us, together with the archangels, sing of Christ’s resurrection;* for He is the Redeemer and Saviour of our souls.* He will come again in awesome glory and mighty power* to judge the world which He has fashioned.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Although You died and were buried,* the angel yet declared You as Master.* He said to the women: Come and see where the Lord was placed;* for He is risen as He foretold,* because He is almighty.* Therefore, we worship You, the only Immortal One,* and we beseech You to have mercy on us, O Giver of Life.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O Christ, You have abolished the curse of the tree by Your Cross;* You have destroyed the power of death by Your burial,* and You enlightened the human race by Your resurrection.* Therefore, we cry out to You:* O God and Benefactor, 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.
O Lord, the gates of death opened before You in fear,* and the gatekeepers of Hades were filled with dread at the sight of You.* You smashed the gates of brass and crushed the posts of iron.* Then You burst our chains asunder,* and led us out from the darkness, away from the shadow of death.
Tone 1
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
I was entrusted with a sinless and living land,* but I sowed the ground with sin and reaped with a sickle the ears of slothfulness;* in thick sheaves I garnered my actions,* but winnowed them not on the threshing floor of repentance.* But I beg You, my God, the pre-eternal husbandman,* with the wind of Your loving-kindness winnow the chaff of my works,* and grant to my soul the corn of forgiveness;* shut me in Your heavenly storehouse* and save me.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
I was entrusted with a sinless and living land,* but I sowed the ground with sin and reaped with a sickle the ears of slothfulness;* in thick sheaves I garnered my actions,* but winnowed them not on the threshing floor of repentance.* But I beg You, my God, the pre-eternal husbandman,* with the wind of Your loving-kindness winnow the chaff of my works,* and grant to my soul the corn of forgiveness;* shut me in Your heavenly storehouse* and save me.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Brethren, let us learn the meaning of this mystery.* For when the Prodigal Son ran back from sin to his Father’s house,* his loving Father came out to meet him and kissed him.* He restored to the Prodigal the tokens of his proper glory,* and mystically he made glad on high, sacrificing the fatted calf.* Let our lives, then, be worthy of the loving Father who has offered sacrifice,* and of the glorious Victim* who is the Saviour of our souls.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Brethren, let us learn the meaning of this mystery.* For when the Prodigal Son ran back from sin to his Father’s house,* his loving Father came out to meet him and kissed him.* He restored to the Prodigal the tokens of his proper glory,* and mystically he made glad on high, sacrificing the fatted calf.* Let our lives, then, be worthy of the loving Father who has offered sacrifice,* and of the glorious Victim* who is the Saviour of our souls.
Tone 2, Glory…
Of what great blessings in my wretchedness have I deprived myself!* From what a kingdom in my misery have I fallen!* I have wasted the riches that were given to me,* I have transgressed the commandment.* Alas, unhappy soul!* You are henceforth condemned to the eternal fire.* Therefore before the end cry out to Christ our God:* Receive me as the Prodigal Son, O God,* and have mercy upon me.
Tone 2, Now…
O Virgin, the shadow of the Law passed away* with the realization of grace.* For as the bush had burned without being consumed,* so you gave birth while a virgin* and you remained a virgin.* Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.* Instead of Moses, Christ God came forth,* the Saviour of our souls.
Aposticha
Tone 2
Your Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour,* has enlightened the whole universe;* and, through it, You call back to Yourself all Creation.* Almighty God, glory to You!
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
By the wood of Your Cross, O Saviour,* You have abolished the curse of the tree;* by Your burial You have destroyed the power of death;* and by Your resurrection You enlightened the human race.* We, therefore, cry out to You:* O Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O Christ, when You were nailed to the Cross,* the distorted nature of creation was made manifest.* The soldiers showed their inhumanity by piercing Your side with a lance,* and the people showed their ignorance of Your power* by asking that Your tomb be sealed.* But, in Your mercy, You accepted burial* and then arose on the third day.* O Lord, glory to You!
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Christ, Giver of Life,* You freely endured the Passion for the sake of mortals.* In Your power You descended into Hades;* and snatching, as from a mighty monster, the souls of those who awaited Your coming,* You placed them in Paradise.* Therefore, show Your great mercy to us who glorify Your resurrection,* and cleanse our souls.
Tone 6, Glory…
I have wasted the wealth which the Father gave to me,* and in my wretchedness I have fed with dumb beasts.* Yearning after their food, I remained hungry and could not eat my fill.* But now I return to the compassionate Father* and cry out with tears:* I fall down before Your loving-kindness,* receive me as a hired servant, and save me.
Now…
Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,* came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.* He clothed Himself in our human flesh* to set us free from the original curse of Adam.* Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,* as the true Virgin Mother of God,* and we sing with the angels:* Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.
Troparia
Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”
Glory… Now…
O Mother of God, the mysteries which surround you are exceedingly glorious,* and beyond the power of understanding.* For you retained the seal of purity,* and your virginity remained inviolate;* yet you are acknowledged, without doubt,* to be the Mother who gave birth to the true God.* We beg you, therefore, to entreat Him to save our souls.
SUNDAY MATINS
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 2
Troparia, Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!” (2)
Glory… Now…
O Mother of God, the mysteries which surround you are exceedingly glorious,* and beyond the power of understanding.* For you retained the seal of purity,* and your virginity remained inviolate;* yet you are acknowledged, without doubt,* to be the Mother who gave birth to the true God.* We beg you, therefore, to entreat Him to save our souls.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16Small Litany
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 2
The noble Joseph having taken down You most pure Body from the tree,* wrapped it in a fine linen shroud* covering it with fragrant spices* and placed it in a new sepulchre;* but on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world great mercy.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
The Angel standing by the tomb cried to the myrrh-bearing women,* ‘Myrrh is fitting for the dead,* but Christ has been revealed a stranger to corruption.* rather cry aloud: The Lord is risen,* granting the world great mercy!’
Glory… Now…
You are highly glorified, O Virgin Theotokos,* and we sing your praise,* for through the Cross of your Son Hades has been overthrown,* Death has been slain,* and we who were dead have arisen and been granted life.* We have received Paradise, our ancient delight,* therefore with thanksgiving we glorify Christ our God* as mighty and alone plenteous in mercy.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 2
You did not prevent the grave stone from being sealed,* and having arisen You granted to all the rock of the Faith.* O Lord, glory be to You!
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
The choir of Your Disciples rejoices in harmony with the Myrrh-bearing women;* for with them we celebrate a common feast to the glory and honour of Your Resurrection.* Through them, O Lord who loves mankind,* grant Your people Your great mercy.
Glory… Now…
You are highly blessed, O Virgin Theotokos,* for through Him who was incarnate of you* Hades has been taken captive, Adam recalled, the curse slain, and Eve set free,* death has been put to death and we have been given life;* therefore with hymns we cry to you:* Blessed are You O Christ our God who has been thus well-pleased, glory be to You!
Polyeleos
Psalm 136
By the rivers of Babylon there we sat and wept, remembering Sion.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
For it was there that they asked us, our captors, for songs, our oppressors, for joy.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sing to us they said, one of Sion’s songs.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O how could we sing the song of the Lord on alien soil?
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O Babylon, destroyer, one is happy who repays you the ills you brought on us.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory be to You, O God!
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 2
The women coming to Your grave after the Passion* to anoint Your body, O Christ God,* saw Angels in the tomb and were frightened,* for they heard a message from them:* The Lord has arisen, granting the world His great mercy.
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 2
Antiphon 1
I raise the eyes of my heart to You in heaven, O Saviour.* Save me by Your radiance.
Have mercy, O my Christ, on us who fail You every hour and in many ways,* and grant to us the means to return to You* in repentance before the end.
Glory… Now…
To the Holy Spirit belongs sovereignty,* sanctification and the quickening of creation,* for He is God, one in essence with the Father* and the Word.
Antiphon 2
If the Lord was not among us,* who could be kept safe from the one* who is both our foe and a manslayer?
Do not hand Your servant over to destruction, O my Saviour.* For like a lion they come up against me,* they who are my foes.
Glory… Now…
To the Holy Spirit belongs the source of life and its honour,* for, being God, He preserves all creation* by His power* in the Father through the Son.
Antiphon 3
Those who trust in the Lord are like the holy mountain:* they are utterly unshaken* by the assaults of the enemy.
Let not those who live for God* stretch out their hands in iniquity;* for with the rod of His word Christ forbids such things.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit all wisdom flows forth,* grace to the Apostles,* crowns to the Martyrs,* and to the Prophets, prophetic vision.
Prokeimenon, Tone 2
Lord, rise up in Your anger, rise against the fury of my foes; my God, awake! You will give judgment. Let the company of nations gather round You.
verse: Lord God, I take refuge in You. From my pursuers save me and rescue me.
Let everything that lives, Tone 2
Gospel
Mark 16:1-18
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
After Psalm 50
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.
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 2
Ode 1
Irmos: Once his overwhelming power overturned the whole of Pharaoh's army in the deep;* but the Word made flesh, the Lord of glory, blotted out the wholly wretched sin.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The prince of this world in whose books we, who disobeyed your commands, were inscribed, O Good One, has been judged by your cross; attacking you as a mortal, he fell back from the power of your might and was exposed in his weakness.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Deliverer of the race of mortal men and author of incorruptible life, you came into the world: for you tore in pieces the grave clothes of death in your resurrection, and this we glorify. Gloriously he is glorified.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O pure one, and ever-Virgin, you are shown to be higher than all creatures seen and unseen; for you bore the Creator since he willed to take flesh in your womb; with boldness pray to him to save our souls.
Irmos: Taking up the Song of Moses,* cry aloud O my soul:* “A helper and protector for me unto salvation, has my God become,* and I glorify Him.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Jesus my God, as the Prodigal Son accept me now in repentance, for I have lived all my life in slothfulness and provoked You to anger.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The divine gifts which You once gave me, I have sinfully wasted. I have departed far from You and lived prodigally. O compassionate Father, accept me also who returns.
Glory…
Open Your fatherly embrace now and accept me also as the Prodigal Son, O most merciful One, that I may glorify You with thanksgiving.
Now…
Bestow upon me O God, the fullness of You goodness, and look not upon the multitude of my offenses, but by the holy prayers of You Mother be my Benefactor.
Katavasia: Taking up the Song of Moses,* cry aloud O my soul:* “A helper and protector for me unto salvation, has my God become,* and I glorify Him.”
Ode 3
Irmos: The desert, the barren Church of the nations, has blossomed as a lily at your coming, O Lord;* in this my heart is made firm.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Creation at your Passion was put to confusion to see you in mean disguise and mocked by the lawless, you whose lightest nod had established the universe.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You fashioned me with your hands from the dust in your image; and when, through sin, I was crushed again into the dust of death, you, O Christ, went down with me to Hell and raised me up with yourself.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The ranks of angels were amazed and the hearts of men trembled, All-pure, at your giving birth; wherefore we reverence you in faith, O Mother of God.
Irmos: My mind has not brought forth good fruit,* but You show me to be fruitful* in Your compassion O God,* You husbandman of all good things.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Utterly beside myself, I have clung insanely to the sins suggested to me by the passions. But accept me, O Christ, as the Prodigal.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
With the voice of the Prodigal I cry aloud: I have sinned, O Father; and like him, receive me now in Your embrace and reject me not.
Glory…
Open Your arms, O Christ, and mercifully receive me as I return from the distant land of sin and the passions.
Now…
O fair among women, enrich me with the vision of good things, I who have brought myself to poverty by my many sins, O pure One, that I may glorify you.
Katavasia: My mind has not brought forth good fruit,* but You show me to be fruitful* in Your compassion O God,* You husbandman of all good things.
Sessional Hymns, Tone 1
Make haste to open to me Your fatherly embrace,* for I have wasted my life in prodigal living.* In the unfailing wealth of Your compassion, O Saviour,* turn not away from my heart in its poverty,* for with compunction I cry to You, O Lord:* “O Father, I have sinned against heaven* and before You.”
Glory… Now…
O pure Theotokos Virgin who has not known a man,* you alone are the guardian and protection of the faithful:* deliver from danger and affliction, and every evil circumstance* all who put their trust in you, O Maiden,* and save our souls by your divine intercessions.
Ode 4
Irmos: You came forth from the Virgin,* not an ambassador, not an angel,* but the Lord himself made flesh,* and saved my whole humanity.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You were standing, my God, before the judgment seat as one judged, not crying out, bringing, O Lord, judgment upon the nations. Thus, through your Passion, O Christ, you wrought salvation for the world.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
By your Passion the weapons of the enemies failed, by your descent into Hell the cities of the foe were destroyed and the insolence of the tyrant overthrown.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
All we the faithful know you a haven of salvation, a fortified city unshaken, Lady Mother of God; for by your prayers you deliver our souls from danger.
Irmos: The prophet foreseeing Your birth from a virgin, prophesied crying aloud:* “I have heard report of You, and I was afraid;* For from the South, from the Overshadowed mountain* shall You come forth, O Christ.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The wealth of blessings which You gave me, O heavenly Father, I have wickedly wasted and become a slave of foreign strangers. Wherefore I cry to You: I have sinned against You; receive me as of old You received the Prodigal, and open Your arms to me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have become enslaved to every evil and in my wretchedness I have bowed down before those who provoke the passions; through heedlessness I care not for my well-being, have compassion on me O Saviour, heavenly Father, for I flee for refuge to Your abundant compassions.
Glory…
I am filled with every shameful thing and dare not look up at the height of heaven, for I have bowed down to sin. But now I return and cry with compunction: I have sinned against You; receive me, O King of all.
Now…
You are the help of all mankind, the sure hope of all Christians, the refuge, O pure one, of the saved. Save me by your maternal intercessions and deem me worthy of the life to come.
Katavasia: The prophet foreseeing Your birth from a virgin, prophesied crying aloud:* “I have heard report of You, and I was afraid;* For from the South, from the Overshadowed mountain* shall You come forth, O Christ.”
Ode 5
Irmos: Christ God, you are mediator between God and man:* through you, O Lord, we have access from the night of ignorance to your Father, the author of light.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You broke as the cedars, O Christ, the insolence of the enemy when, of your own will, O Lord, you were pleased to be lifted up in the flesh on the cypress, the pine and the cedar.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
They laid you in the lowest pit, O Christ, dead, without breath; but with your stripes you raised with yourself, O Saviour, the wounded and forgotten who slept in the graves.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Pray to your Son and Lord, pure Virgin, to grant deliverance to prisoners and peace from the hostile forces surrounding those who trust in you.
Irmos: The night is far spent, the day is at hand:* Your light has shone upon the world!* Therefore the ranks of angels sing Your praises,* and all things glorify You, O Lord!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have been enslaved to foreign strangers, exiled in the land of corruption, and I am filled with shame. But returning now, O merciful One, I cry to You: “I have sinned.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O heavenly Father, in Your fatherly compassion accept me now, returning from wickedness, and reject me not in Your exceedingly great mercy.
Glory…
I am incapable of looking up to the height of heaven, having angered You beyond measure, O Christ, but knowing Your merciful compassion, I cry: I have sinned against You, be merciful to me and save me.
Now…
O all-holy Virgin, full of grace, you who bore the redeemer of all, by your prayers lighten the heavy burden of my sins.
Katavasia: The night is far spent, the day is at hand:* Your light has shone upon the world!* Therefore the ranks of angels sing Your praises,* and all things glorify You, O Lord!
Ode 6
Irmos: Engulfed in sin's unfathomed depths* I cry to the fathomless deeps of your tender compassion;* God has brought me up* from corruption.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The righteous was judged as a criminal and nailed to the tree with the lawless with his own blood granting forgiveness to the guilty.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
As by one man, the first Adam, death came of old to the world, so by one, the Son of God, resurrection has been revealed .
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
You knew no man, O Virgin, you bore a child and remained for ever virgin, revealing thus the signs of true divinity of your Son and God.
Irmos: Held fast in the depths of sin, O Saviour, I am overwhelmed by the sea of life,* but as Jonah was delivered from the sea-monster,* so also deliver me from the passions,* and save me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The depth of sin now holds me fast, and the tempest of transgressions overwhelms me. Guide me to the safe haven of life, O Christ my God, and save me, O King of glory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have wasted in riotous living the riches which the Father has given me, and am now filled with shame and enslaved to fruitless thoughts. Wherefore I cry to You: “O Lover of mankind be compassionate to me and save me.”
Glory…
In hunger I find myself deprived of every blessing, and exiled from You, O all-good one, be compassionate to me who now return to You, and save me, O Christ, who praises Your love for mankind.
Now…
O Maiden who conceived Christ the Saviour and Master, make me, who in poverty lacks all that is good, worthy of salvation, O pure one, that I may praise your majesty.
Katavasia: Held fast in the depths of sin, O Saviour, I am overwhelmed by the sea of life,* but as Jonah was delivered from the sea-monster,* so also deliver me from the passions,* and save me.
Kontakion, Tone 3
Foolishly have I fled from Your glory, O Father,* wasting the wealth You gave me on vices.* Therefore, I offer You the words of the Prodigal:* Loving Father, I have sinned before You.* Take me, for I repent, and make me as one of Your hired hands.
Ikos
Every day our Saviour teaches us with His own voice: let us therefore hearken to the Scriptures concerning the Prodigal who once again became wise, and with faith let us emulate the good example of his repentance. With humbleness of heart let us cry out to Him Who knows the hidden things of all: “We have sinned against You, O compassionate Father, and can never be worthy to be called Your children as we were before. But since You are by nature the Lover of mankind, accept me and make me as one of Your hired servants.”
Ode 7
Irmos: The godless decree of the lawless tyrant* re-kindled the soaring flames,* Christ let fall on the God-fearing children the dew of the Spirit.* He is blessed and glorious above all.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Your tender compassion, O Lord, would not allow you to see mankind beneath the sway of death but you came and saved him by your own blood, becoming man. He is blessed and glorious above all.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Seeing you clothed in the robe of vengeance, O Christ. Hell’s doorkeepers cowered in fear for you came to master, O Lord, the slave, the reasonless tyrant. He is blessed and glorious above all.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
We know you the Holy of Holies, Virgin unspotted, Mother unwedded, for you alone bore the unchangeable God: by your divine giving birth you have shed incorruption on all the faithful.
Irmos: Like the Cherubim, the Children rejoicing in the furnace sang:* “Blessed are You, O God,* for in truth You have brought this judgment upon us because of our sins,* You are supremely praised and glorified throughout all ages.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have bowed down miserably to the pleasures of the flesh and have become wholly enslaved to those who incite the passions; and I have become a stranger to You, O Lover of mankind. But now I cry with the voice of the Prodigal: “I have sinned, O Christ, despise me not, for You alone are merciful.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I call out, “I have sinned,” and I dare not look up at the height of heaven, O King of all; for foolishly I alone have angered You, turning away from Your commandments. Wherefore, since You alone are good, cast me not away from Your presence.
Glory…
By the prayers of the apostles, the prophets, the saints, the holy martyrs and the righteous, forgive me all the transgressions, by which I have angered Your compassionate goodness, that I may hymn You throughout all ages.
Now…
O Theotokos, you are more glorious than the cherubim and seraphim and all the heavenly hosts. With them, O all-immaculate one, entreat Him Who took flesh from you, the divine Word of the beginningless Father, that we all may be found worthy of eternal blessings.
Katavasia: Like the Cherubim, the Children rejoicing in the furnace sang:* “Blessed are You, O God,* for in truth You have brought this judgment upon us because of our sins,* You are supremely praised and glorified throughout all ages.”
Ode 8
Irmos: Once in Babylon by divine command* the blazing furnace divided its work,* the Chaldaeans consuming, the faithful bedewing,* who sang: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The ranks of angels saw the garment of your flesh empurpled with your blood, in trembling amazement at the magnitude of your longsuffering, crying: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Through your rising, O Merciful, you have clothed my mortality with deathlessness; therefore in glad thanksgiving your chosen people raise to you a song of praise, crying: Truly death is swallowed up in victory.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The One inseparable from the Father and humanly, divinely, dwelling in your womb, you conceived without seed and brought forth inexpressibly, Birth-giver of God, all-pure. By this we know you the salvation of us all.
Irmos: To Him Who of old prefigured the miracle of the Virgin,* to Moses in the burning-bush* on Mount Sinai,* let us sing, bless and supremely exult* throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O You Who came down to earth to save the world through Your voluntary self-emptying and Who, for the sake of Your great compassion, has redeemed me who am lacking in all good works, since You are merciful, save me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have departed far from Your commandments and, wretch that I am, have wholly enslaved myself to the deceiver. But having now turned back, as did the Prodigal of old, accept me as I fall down before You, O heavenly Father.
Let us bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord!
Ruled by corrupting thoughts, I am full of darkness and separated far from You, and have lost all care for myself, O compassionate One. Therefore, save me as I fall down before You in repentance.
Now…
O pure Birthgiver of God, the only restoration of the fallen, raise me up who am wholly crushed and humbled by every kind of sin.
We praise, bless and worship the Lord, chanting and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.
Katavasia: To Him Who of old prefigured the miracle of the Virgin,* to Moses in the burning-bush* on Mount Sinai,* let us sing, bless and supremely exult* throughout all ages.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: The Son of the unbegun Begetter, God and Lord, made flesh of the Virgin,* has appeared among us to bring light to the darkened places* and to gather the scattered together.* Therefore, we magnify the all-praised Mother of God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
On Golgotha, as in Paradise, there was planted, O Saviour, the thrice-happy tree of your pure cross, nourished by your blood divine and water; so from the wellspring of your holy side, O Christ, life has blossomed for us.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The crucified, the all-powerful, laid low the strong man armed, and the nature of man, lying below in the dungeon of Hell, he raised and placed on the Father's throne; coming in the midst of which we, worshipping, magnify you.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
In the true faith singing, let us the faithful glorify the Trinity, three in number, one in substance, indivisible nature, supremely divine, triply shining light and never-setting radiance, the only uncompounded shedding light upon all.
Irmos: Who born on Earth has ever heard of, or beheld,* a Virgin miraculously conceiving in her womb,* and painlessly giving birth to a child,* wherefore we magnify you, O pure Virgin.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Behold, O Christ, the affliction of my heart; behold my turning back; behold my tears, O Saviour, and despise me not. But for the sake of Your compassion embrace me also once again, that, with the multitude of the saved, I may with thanksgiving sing the praises of Your mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Like the thief I cry to You, “Remember me.” And like the Publican, with eyes cast down to earth, I beat my breast saying, “Be merciful.” Like the Prodigal O compassionate One, deliver me from every evil, O King of all, that I may sing the praises of Your boundless compassion.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Groan now, O my wretched soul, and cry aloud to Christ: “O Lord Who for my sake voluntarily became poor, in my poverty I lack every good work: enrich me with the abundance of Your blessings, for You alone good and plenteous in mercy.”
Glory…
As You, O Good One, once rejoiced at the voluntary return of the Prodigal: also rejoice over me, wretched as I am, and open to me Your honourable embrace, that saved I may sing the praises of Your boundless compassion.
Now…
By your light-giving intercessions, I pray you, O Virgin, enlighten the eyes of my mind darkened by evil and lead me into the paths of repentance, that I may rightly sing your praises: for you have inexpressibly given birth to the Word in the flesh.
Katavasia: Who born on Earth has ever heard of, or beheld,* a Virgin miraculously conceiving in her womb,* and painlessly giving birth to a child,* wherefore we magnify you, O pure Virgin.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
Tone 2
When the myrrh-bearing women saw the stone rolled away, they rejoiced;* for they saw a young man sitting at the grave who said to them:* Behold, Christ is risen!* Say to Peter, the disciple of the Lord:* Hasten to the mountain in Galilee;* there you shall see Christ* as He had said to His friends.
Tone 3, Glory…
I have wasted, and in my wretchedness spent, all the riches* which You have given me, O Saviour,* and having lived prodigally, I have been deceived by the demons.* Wherefore, turn me back, and accept me as the Prodigal,* O compassionate Father, and save me.
Now…
O holy Mother and Virgin, great boast of the apostles, martyrs, prophets and venerable saints,* gain the gracious favour of thy Son and Lord* towards us your servants, O Birthgiver of God,* when He shall sit to judge each and every one according to their own legacy.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 2
Everything that breathes and every creature glorifies You, O Lord,* for through Your Cross You destroyed death* and thus shown the multitude of peoples Your Resurrection from the dead,* as You alone love mankind.
Let the Jews tell how the soldiers lost the King they were guarding.* Why then did the stone not guard the rock of life?* Either let them give up the one who was buried or adore Him as risen,* exclaiming together with us:* Glory to the multitude of Your mercies:* O Saviour, glory be to You!
Rejoice O peoples and be glad!* for an Angel sat upon the grave stone* and gave us good tidings saying:* Christ is risen from the dead* and has filled the universe with sweet fragrance.* Rejoice O peoples and be glad!'
Before Your conception, O Lord,* an Angel brought the greeting ‘Rejoice’ to the one full of grace:* at Your Resurrection an Angel rolled away the stone from Your glorious grave.* The one revealed the signs of joy instead of sorrow;* the other instead of death has proclaimed to us the Master, and giver of life.* Wherefore we cry to You:* O Benefactor of all mankind,* Lord, glory be to You!
The women sprinkled sweet spices* mingled with their tears upon Your grave,* but their mouths were filled with joy as they exclaimed,* The Lord hath arisen!
Tone 2
I bring to You, O Lord, the cry of the Prodigal:* “I have sinned in Your sight, O good One;* I have wasted the riches of Your gifts.* But receive me who repent, O Saviour, and save me.
Tone 4
Like the Prodigal Son I come to You, O compassionate One.* I have wasted my whole life in exile;* I have scattered the wealth which You have given me, O Father.* Receive me who repent, O God,* and have mercy on me.
Tone 8
Having lived prodigally, I have wasted the riches which the Father has given me;* having spent them all I am now destitute,* and dwell in the land of the wicked.* I can no longer bear to live among them,* but turning back I cry to You:* “O merciful Father, I have sinned against heaven and before You,* and I am no more worthy to be called Your son:* make me as one of Your hired servants, O God, and have mercy on me.”
Tone 6, Glory…
O Good One, I have departed far from You,* but forsake me not, neither reject me from Your Kingdom.* The evil enemy has stripped me and taken all of my wealth;* I have squandered, like the Prodigal, the good gifts given to my soul.* But now I have arisen and returned, and to You I cry aloud:* “Make me as one of Your hired servants.* For, for my sake on the Cross You stretched out Your sinless hands,* to snatch me from the evil beast* and to clothe me once again in my first raiment,* for You alone are plenteous in mercy.
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 2: When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 3: Foolishly have I fled from Your glory, O Father,* wasting the wealth You gave me on vices.* Therefore, I offer You the words of the Prodigal:* Loving Father, I have sinned before You.* Take me, for I repent, and make me as one of Your hired hands.
Prokeimenon, Tone 2
The Lord is my strength and my song of praise, and He has become my salvation.
verse: The Lord has indeed chastised me, but He has not delivered me to death. (Psalm 117:14,18)
Epistle
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: The Lord will hear you in the day of tribulation; the name of the God of Jacob will shield you.
verse: Lord, grant victory to the king and hear us in the day that we shall call upon You. (Psalm 19:2,10)
Gospel
Luke 15:11-32
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)