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Event Information:
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Sun14Apr2024
Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women. Our Holy Father Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome (655). Newly Revealed Martyrs Anthony, John and Eustathius (1342).
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 worship the Word of God* begotten of the Father before all ages,* And incarnate of the Virgin Mary!* Having endured the Cross,* He was buried as He Himself desired!* And having risen from the dead, He saved me, the erring one.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Christ our Saviour* nailed to the Cross the bond against us,* He voided it and destroyed the dominion of death!* We fall down before His Resurrection on the third day!
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
With the archangels* let us praise the Resurrection of Christ!* He is our Saviour, our Redeemer!* He is coming with awesome glory and mighty power* to judge the world which He made!
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
The angel proclaimed You* the crucified and buried Master.* He told the women: Come, see the place where He lay!* He is risen as He said* for He is almighty.* We worship You, only immortal One.* Christ, the Giver of life, have mercy on us.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
By Your Cross, You destroyed the curse of the tree.* By Your burial You destroyed the dominion of death.* By Your rising, You enlightened the human race.* Benefactor, Christ our God, 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 gates of death opened to You from fear, O Lord!* When the guards of hell saw You they were afraid,* for You demolished the gates of brass and smashed the iron chains!* You have led us from the darkness and the shadows of death, and have broken our bonds!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Let us come and worship in the house of the Lord,* singing the hymn of salvation:* Cleanse our sins, for You were crucified and raised from the dead,* and are in the bosom of the Father.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Early in the morning,* the Myrrh-bearing women brought spices to the tomb of the Lord.* They found the stone unexpectedly rolled away,* and they asked among themselves:* Where are the seals of the tomb? Where are Pilate's guards?* The radiant angel came to the wondering women and proclaimed to them:* Why do you seek weeping the Life Who gives life to the human race?* Christ our God has risen from the dead as almighty,* granting life to all; incorruption, enlightenment and great mercy!
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Women disciples,* why do you open the myrrh with tears?* The stone is gone; the tomb is empty:* Behold corruption destroyed by life!* The seals witness that the guards of the godless have watched in vain.* Mortal nature has been saved by the flesh of God.* Hades is wailing.* Go with joy, and proclaim to the apostles:* Christ has slain death as the first-born of the dead.* He awaits you in Galilee!
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The Myrrh-bearers came early to Your tomb, O Christ,* seeking You to anoint Your most pure body.* Enlightened by the angel's words* they proclaimed joyous tidings to the apostles:* The Leader of our salvation has been raised;* He has captured death,* granting the world eternal life and great mercy!
Tone 6, Glory…
The Myrrh-bearing Women reached Your tomb* and saw the seals of the tomb broken.* They wailed as they did not find Your most pure body:* Who has stolen our hope?* Who has taken the dead One, naked and anointed?* The sole consolation of His Mother?* How can the life of the dead have died?* How can the Capturer of hell have been buried?* But arise in three days as You said, Saviour, and save our souls!
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!
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 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 perish before the face of God, but let the righteous scatter rejoice!
The myrrh-bearing women at the break of dawn drew near to the tomb of the Life Giver. There they found an angel sitting upon a stone, he greeted the, with these words: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? Why do you mourn in 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!”
Tone 5, Glory…
When Joseph, together with Nicodemus,* had taken You down from the tree,* and beheld You dead, naked and unburied,* though You clothe Yourself with light as with a garment,* that compassionate man lamented with weeping:* Woe is me, my sweetest Jesus!* The sun, as it beheld You upon the Cross* hid itself in darkness.* The earth trembled with fear; the veil of the temple was torn in two.* Look: Now I behold You, Who for my sake freely endured death.* How shall I bury You, my God?* Or with what linen shall I wrap You?* With what hands shall I touch Your pure body?* What songs shall I sing at Your departure, merciful One?* I magnify Your Passion!* I glorify Your burial, singing Your Resurrection and crying,* O Lord, glory to You!
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
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…
The noble Joseph took down Your most pure Body from the tree.* He wrapped it with a clean shroud and aromatic spices,* and placed it in a new tomb.* But on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world Your great mercy.
Now…
The angel stood by the tomb and cried out to the women bringing ointment:* Ointments are for the dead,* but Christ has shown Himself not subject to corruption.* So now cry out: The Lord is risen,* bestowing great mercy upon the world.
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…
The noble Joseph took down Your most pure Body from the tree.* He wrapped it with a clean shroud and aromatic spices,* and placed it in a new tomb.* But on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world Your great mercy.
Now…
The angel stood by the tomb and cried out to the women bringing ointment:* Ointments are for the dead,* but Christ has shown Himself not subject to corruption.* So now cry out: The Lord is risen,* bestowing great mercy upon the world.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 2
Not having hindered the stone of the tomb from being sealed,* You, on You arising, have granted the rock of faith to all.* O Lord, glory be to You.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
Not having departed from the immaculate bosom of the Father in the highest,* You accepted burial and Resurrection on behalf of all,* O Lord, glory be to You.
Glory… Now…
All of your most glorious mysteries are beyond comprehension, O Theotokos;* for, your purity sealed and your virginity intact,* you are known to be a true Mother, having given birth to God.* Entreat Him that our souls be saved.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 2
The myrrh-bearers, having risen early and beholding the sepulchre empty,* said to the Apostles: The Mighty One has put down corruption,* and He has carried off them that were held bound in Hades;* proclaim with boldness that Christ God is risen,* granting us great mercy.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
Bringing myrrh for Your burial,* the women came early to the sepulchre in secret,* fearing the remorselessness of the Jews,* and foreseeing the secure sentry of the soldiers.* Yet the weakness of their nature conquered that of men,* for their compassionate intent was pleasing to God.* Wherefore, they cried out as is meet:* Arise, O Lord, help us, and redeem us for Your Name’s sake.
Glory… Now…
Most glorified are you, O Virgin Theotokos.* We praise you, for through the Cross of your Son, Hades has been cast down and death slain.* Having been put to death, we were raised up and were deemed worthy of life.* We received Paradise, the ancient bliss.* Wherefore, in thanksgiving, we glorify Christ our God,* since He is mighty and alone abundant in mercy.
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 16:9-20
Hymn of Resurrection (3)
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: Taking up the Song of Moses,* O my soul, cry aloud:* “A helper and a protector has become to me salvation.* My God,* whom I will glorify.”
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
You were crucified in the flesh, O You Who are passionless by the nature of the Father; and You were pierced in the side, thereby causing blood and water to spring forth for the world. You are our God, and we glorify You.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
I honour Your Cross and I glorify Your Burial, O Good One, and I praise and worship Your Arising, and I cry out: You are our God, and we glorify You.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Though You tasted of gall, O You Who re the sweetness of the Church, yet You caused incorruption to spring forth for us from Your side. You are our God, and we glorify You.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O Saviour, You were counted among the dead, You Who raised up the dead. You tasted of corruption, though You did in no wise know corruption. You are our God, and we glorify You.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Let Sion rejoice, and let Heaven be glad; Christ is risen, having raised up the dead who chant: You are our God, and we glorify You.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Having wrapped Your Body with fine linen, O Christ, Joseph laid You, our Salvation, in a new sepulchre; and as God, You raised up the dead.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Anticipating the dawn, the women beheld Christ, and cried to the divine disciples: Truly Christ is risen; come and praise Him together with us.
Glory…
O all-holy Trinity, one Godhead, beginningless Unity: Father, Son, and Divine Spirit, save the world. You are our God, and we glorify You.
Now…
You loosed the ancient curse by your womb, O modest one, by blossoming forth the Blessing for us, when you gave birth unto a Child. For He is God, though He wears flesh.
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: My mind has not brought forth good fruit,* but show me to be fruitful* in Your compassion O God,* husbandman of all good things.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
When Your palms were nailed to the Cross, O Jesus, You brought all the nations together out of error and called them to knowledge of You, O Saviour.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
The people of the Jews cried to Pilate: Release to us the villainous thief; away with the Sinless One, away with Him, crucify Him!
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
When You were crucified, O Christ, the light was darkened, the earth was shaken, and the many of the dead arose from the grave out of fear of Your power.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
As she stood at the Cross, Your ewe-lamb cried out lamenting, O Jesus: To where do you go, my Son? To where do You depart, O Lamb, Who are slain on behalf of all?
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
I worship Your Cross, I praise Your Burial, I honour Your Passion, and the nails in Your hands, and the lance, and Your Resurrection, O Jesus.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
You are arisen, O Jesus, the enemy is despoiled, Adam is delivered together with Eve from the bonds of corruption by Your Resurrection.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
When You arose, O Christ, the bars were shattered, and the gates of Hades and the bonds of death were straightway rent asunder out of fear of Your power.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O God-receiving Joseph, come and stand with us, and cry: Risen is Jesus the Redeemer, Who in His compassion has raised up Adam.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Let the choir of the twelve disciples rejoice with us, together with the myrrh-bearing women and Joseph, and the other disciples and women disciples of Christ.
Glory…
I worship and praise the one Nature: the Father, the Son, and the Upright Spirit, divided in Hypostases and united in Essence.
Now…
Blessed are you, O pure one, who are of the root of Jesse, and from whom Christ, the Rod and Blossom, blossomed forth in the flesh for us.
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.
Sessional Hymn, Tone 2
The women brought myrrh and came to Your sepulchre.* Their souls were filled with joy on seeing the bright Angel’s light.* With great zeal and boldness, O Lord, they preached that You are the God of all,* and to Your disciples they cried:* The Life of all has arisen from the dead.
Glory… Now…
The choir of Your disciples rejoice with one voice together with the myrrh-bearing women,* for they celebrate a common feast with them,* to the glory and honour of Your Resurrection;* and through them we cry to You:* O Lord and Lover of mankind, grant great mercy to Your people.
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: 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!”
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
By the Cross You bound the belly of Hades, and raised up the dead together with Yourself, and destroyed the tyranny of death. Wherefore, we who are of Adam worship and praise Your burial and arising, O Christ.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O our Saviour, Whose good pleasure it was, for the sake of Your compassionate mercy to be nailed to the Cross and redeem us from the paternal curse, loose the bonds of my many transgressions, for You are able to accomplish whatsoever You will.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O You Who nailed to the Cross my ancient curse and caused blessing to pour forth for me from Your side by Your blood, O Saviour, loose the bonds of my many transgressions, for You are able to accomplish whatsoever You will.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
When hades met You in the nethermost regions, it was embittered, O Saviour, seeing those whom it had the power to devour aforetime, now given up involuntarily; and its depths searched out, stripped, and despoiled of its dead.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Though the stone was sealed, and the sentry was present, O lawless foes, yet the Lord arose as He foretold, loosing the bonds of my many transgressions, for He is able to accomplish whatsoever He wills.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O You Who arose from the sepulchre and despoiled Hades and quicken the dead and caused incorruption to flow forth for me by Your arising, loose Thu the bonds of my many transgressions, for You are able to accomplish whatsoever You will.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Truly you have been put to shame, you lawless ones; for Christ is risen and has raised up the dead together with Himself, crying: Take courage, I have conquered the world. Therefore, be convinced by Him or be silent, you deceivers, who set at naught His Resurrection.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O You Who called to the myrrh-bearers: Rejoice, when You arose from the grave, O Good One, and to the Apostles: Proclaim My arising; loose the bonds of my many transgressions, for You are able to accomplish whatsoever You will.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Let us honour the noble Joseph, the zealot of piety, the counsellor and disciple, together with the myrrh-bearers and the apostles, while crying out together with them and radiantly praising the Saviour’s Resurrection with faith.
Glory…
Who can tell of the immeasurable glory of the Godhead, transcendent in essence? For being the Trinity by nature, He is praised as beginningless and consubstantial, and is hymned as a Unity in Trinity, in simple hypostases.
Now…
Unceasingly entreat Him Who dwelt in your womb, O pure Virgin Mother, and Whom you, the Theotokos, bore without knowing a man, that He loose the bonds of my many transgressions; for you are able to help in whatsoever you will.
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: Having dispelled the gloom of my soul, O my Saviour,* illumine me with the light of You commandments for You alone are the King of peace.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
When You were clothed with me, You divested me of my ancient garment which, alas! the sower of sin wove for me, O Saviour.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Alas! My sin has sewn fig leaves for me who by the counsel of the serpent have not kept Your immaculate commandment, O Saviour.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Though my soul was wounded by my thieving thoughts; Christ, Who came forth from Mary, has healed it, by pouring oil thereon.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Standing by the Cross, the most pure Theotokos called out with a maternal voice: You have left me alone, O my Son and God.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
By the weapon of Your Cross, You have put down the serpent, the author of evil, and by Your arising You have broken the sting of death, O Jesus.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Let Adam also cry out: O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? You are destroyed by the quickening of Him that raises the dead.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
The myrrh-bearing women, on reaching the sepulchre of Him that quickens them that are below, heard a voice saying: Christ is risen.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
While celebrating the memory of the pious myrrh-bearers and of all Your disciples on Your radiant arising, we praise You, O Christ.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
As is meet, let us all honour the noble Joseph, who took down the Body of the Lord from the Tree and faithfully buried it.
Glory…
You, the God and Father, and the Son, and the Spirit, do I worship, in three hypostases, and I believe the One to be Three, in one essence.
Now…
We the faithful praise you, who by a seedless conception gave birth in a manner transcending nature, to Christ, the only Master, Who has renewed nature.
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: I am held fast in the depths of sin O Saviour,* and 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.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Hades is dead, take courage, O you earthborn, for while Christ was hanging upon the Tree, He struck the sword against him, and he lies dead; for, being stripped naked, he was despoiled of those he held.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Hades has been despoiled, take courage, O you dead; and the tombs have been opened: arise. Thus did Christ cry to you from Hades, as One Who has come to deliver all from death and corruption.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
The dead, which at one time you had the power to devour, and which now are demanded of you, give back to Me, O Hades, cries God, the Giver of life, Who has come to deliver all from your insatiate belly.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O myrrh-bearing women, why do you hasten now? Why do you bring myrrh to the Living One? Christ is risen, as He foretold. Let your tears cease and be changed into joy.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Having wrapped You in linen, O Christ, the noble Joseph laid You in a tomb; and having anointed with myrrh the fallen temple of Your Body, he rolled a great stone before the sepulchre.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
The Lord is risen and has despoiled the enemy, and having plucked out them that were in fetters, He has led them all forth, as well as Adam the first-fashioned, when He raised them up, since He is compassionate and the Lover of mankind.
Glory…
O faithful, let us praise the Trinity in Unity, glorifying the Father with the Son, and the Spirit Who is consubstantial with the Son, and Who with the Father is co-beginningless and everlasting God.
Now…
Like a vineyard you conceived untilled in your womb the Cluster of grapes where from, like wine, there pour forth for us torrents of immortality, even eternal life.
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 2
You commanded the myrrh-bearers to rejoice, O Christ God,* and ended the grief of our mother Eve by Your Resurrection.* You ordered the apostles to proclaim to all:* The Saviour is risen from the tomb.
Ikos
As the Myrrh-bearers went to Your tomb, O Saviour, they were perplexed in mind and said to themselves: Who will roll the stone away from the sepulchre for us? And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled away. They were awestruck by the form of the Angel and his raiment. They were taken with trembling and thought to flee; and the youth cried to them: Be not afraid; He Whom you seek is risen; come, behold the place where the body of Jesus lay, and go quickly, proclaim to the disciples: The Saviour is risen from the tomb.
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: 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.”
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
You, as the Lover of mankind, wishing to save from error all whom You had fashioned, deigned to be nailed to the Cross, that by Your flesh You might renew this image demolished by the passions, O Saviour; and despoiling Hades, You raised up the dead with Yourself.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
When You were lifted up upon the Cross, O Compassionate One, You called all to Yourself, as You promised, O Good One. For in truth, You were pleased to suffer all these things because of our sins. Wherefore, You also opened the gates of Paradise to the thief, O Saviour.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
You raised up the fallen temple of Your Body from the grave on the third day, as You promised, O Good One, that in truth You might make known Your glory which You caused to flow for us through faith; and You took away those who were in bonds, whom Hades had held of old in fetters.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O mindlessness of the Jews! O frenzy of the lawless! What thing did you see, that you believed not in Christ? For did He not by a word raise up the sick? Or did He not Himself save the whole world? At least, let the soldiers or those that arose from the dead convince you.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Let the guards who became as dead now say: How was He stolen, Whom the ungrateful ones in no wise saw? For if they saw Him not arisen, how would they ever have perceived how He was stolen? At least, let this stone and Christ’s funeral shrouds convince you.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Whom do you guard as dead? What seals have you placed upon the stone, O Jews, who fear the fear of theft? Behold, in truth the grave is sealed. How, therefore, did He arise, were Christ not God? Let them that arose and were seen by many convince you.
Glory…
With the Father we glorify the Son and the Holy Spirit, crying with unceasing voice: O Trinity, single essence, have mercy, save us all, You Who are a Unity in three Hypostases; have compassion on us, O God, Who are glorified to the ages.
Now…
O most pure One, how, except in a manner as He willed and as He knew, did you contain in your womb a Child before Whom the hosts of Angels tremble, since He is God? He dwelt among us, wishing to save all the earthborn of Adam and to loose Adam from that curse which came from the bitter tasting.
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.
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: 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.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
The beams of the sun withdrew themselves in fear before the sufferings of Christ, and the dead arose, and the mountains shook, and the earth trembled, and Hades was laid bare.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
The thrice-blessed Children who were in the furnace of old, raising up their hands, prefigured Your immaculate Cross, O Good One, whereby You cast down the might of the enemy, O Christ.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
O blind Jews, deceivers and transgressors, who disbelieved Christ’s arising as though it were a lie: What do you see that is unbelievable? that Christ, Who raised up the dead, is risen?
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Who is it that withered the fig tree? Who is it that healed the withered hand? Who is it that once filled the multitude in the wilderness? Is it not Christ God, Who raised up the dead?
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Who is it that raised from the grave, the man four-days dead, and the son of the widow? Who is it that, as God, strengthened the paralytic on his bed? Is it not Christ God, Who raised up the dead?
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
The stone itself cries, the seals call out; when you placed them, you appointed a watch to guard the tomb. Truly Christ is risen, and He lives throughout the ages.
Let us bless Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Lord!
We glorify the Son and the Holy Spirit together with the Father, even the Holy Trinity in one Godhead and we cry: Holy, Holy, Holy are You throughout the ages.
Now…
Without suffering change, you gave birth to One, even Christ God, Who is twofold of nature, Who, as the ever-living Bread, was fashioned without fashioning in your womb, according to our fashion.
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: In a manner surpassing nature* has the Word who timelessly shone forth from the Father,* been conceived within a womb, according to the flesh,* O faithful, with never silent hymns, let us magnify Him.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
When the thief recognized You as God upon the Cross, You made him an heir of the noetic Paradise, as he cried out: Remember me, O Almighty Saviour.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
You were smitten for our sake, You were spat upon by the lawless men, O Jesus, Who inscribed the tablets of the Law on Mount Sinai for Your servant Moses.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
You were pierced in Your life-creating side, O Christ, and You caused Your immaculate Blood and the precious Water to flow forth as an ever-living fount for the world.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
You were accounted among the dead, O You Who quickened the dead; You were laid in a grave, Who emptied the graves; You despoiled Hades, O You Who resurrected Adam.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Glory be to You, O Christ Saviour, Who caused life to flow forth, and the light to shine upon those in the darkness of ignorance, and Who have illumined the whole world by Your arising.
Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.
Let us acclaim the wondrous Joseph, as well as Nicodemus and the faithful Myrrh-bearers, O faithful, as we cry out: The Lord is truly risen.
Glory…
You are beginningless, O Father; uncreated are You, O Son; of equal rank is the Spirit; the Three being One by nature and Three in Hypostases, even one true God.
Now…
Let Jesse rejoice and let David dance, for behold, the Virgin, the rod planted by God, has blossomed forth the Flower, even the everlasting Christ.
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
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)
Glory… Now…
Hearken, O women, and give ear to the voice of joy, for I have trampled down tyrant Hades and raised the world from corruption. Hasten quickly and proclaim the gladsome tidings to My friends; for I have willed that joy shine forth upon all My creation from where there first came sorrow.
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 has arisen!
Let the nations and the peoples praise Christ our God,* who willingly endured the Cross for us and suffered three days in Hades;* let them worship His Resurrection from the dead,* through which all the ends of the world have been enlightened.
You were crucified, and You were buried, O Christ,* as You willed;* You have despoiled death as God and Master,* granting the world eternal life and Your great mercy.
In truth, O wicked ones,* by sealing the tomb you have granted us a greater wonder;* for the guards having complete knowledge of that which took place were compelled by you to say* “while we slept the Disciples came and stole him.”* And who would steal a corpse, especially one that is naked?* But He has arisen by His own authority as God,* leaving behind His grave-clothes in the tomb.* Come, O Jews,* see that He did not burst the seals,* the One who has trampled on death* and granted mankind life without end* and His great mercy.
Tone 2, Glory…
To the women with Mary who came carrying sweet spices* and were at a loss how to obtain their desire,* the stone appeared lifted and a divine young man calmed the tumult of their souls,* for he said: “The Lord Jesus is risen.* Therefore, proclaim this to His heralds and disciples, for them to hasten to Galilee* and you shall see Him risen from the dead* as Giver of life and Lord.”
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
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 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!”
Troparion, Tone 2: The noble Joseph took down Your most pure body from the tree.* He wrapped it with a clean shroud and aromatic spices* and placed it in a new tomb.* But on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world Your great mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 2: You commanded the myrrh-bearers to rejoice, O Christ God,* and ended the grief of our mother Eve by Your Resurrection.* You ordered the apostles to proclaim to all:* “The Saviour is risen from the tomb.”
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 6
Save Your people, O Lord, * and bless Your inheritance.
verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord, my God, lest You turn from me in silence. (Psalm 27:9,1)
Epistle
Acts 6:1-7
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: You have shown favour to Your land, O Lord; You brought back the captives of Jacob.
verse: Mercy and truth have met; righteousness and peace have embraced. (Psalm 84:2,11)
Gospel
Mark 15:43-16:8
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.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)
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.