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Sun06Oct2024
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost. Octoechos Tone 3. 🕂 The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas.
Polyeleos Feast.
GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man... is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 3
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
By Your cross, O Christ our Saviour,* the power of Death has been vanquished* and the deceit of the devil has been destroyed.* Therefore, mankind, saved by faith,* offers You hymns of praise forever.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Lord, all creation has been enlightened by Your resurrection,* and paradise has been reopened;* therefore, all creation extols You* and offers You hymns of praise forever.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
I glorify the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;* and I praise the dominion of the undivided Divinity,* the consubstantial Trinity,* who reigns forever and ever.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
We adore Your precious cross, O Christ,* and with hymns of praise we glorify Your resurrection;* for by Your wounds we have all been healed.
Tone 4
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O most blessed one, when you touched the side of the Master* you grasped the most excellent of good things,* for like a sponge you soaked up waters therefrom,* the wellspring of blessings and life eternal* and moistened hearts dried up through unbelief,* pouring forth the dogmas of the divine knowledge of God.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
O most blessed one, when you touched the side of the Master* you grasped the most excellent of good things,* for like a sponge you soaked up waters therefrom,* the wellspring of blessings and life eternal* and moistened hearts dried up through unbelief,* pouring forth the dogmas of the divine knowledge of God.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
By your faithful disbelief you assured the faithful,* having begun to speak of God,* that He is the God and Lord of all creation,* who took flesh for the sake of us on earth,* and endured the Cross and death,* the print of the nails, and the piercing of His side with a spear,* from where we draw forth life.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
By your faithful disbelief you assured the faithful,* having begun to speak of God,* that He is the God and Lord of all creation,* who took flesh for the sake of us on earth,* and endured the Cross and death,* the print of the nails, and the piercing of His side with a spear,* from where we draw forth life.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The wondrous Thomas has disclosed the wellspring of dogmas to the divinely wise, O Master;* for, when he touched Your side* and was taught Your twofold energies through Your two Natures,* he rightly cried aloud:* You are my God and Master!* You are the Lord of glory,* who became flesh for my sake!
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The wondrous Thomas has disclosed the wellspring of dogmas to the divinely wise, O Master;* for, when he touched Your side* and was taught Your twofold energies through Your two Natures,* he rightly cried aloud:* You are my God and Master!* You are the Lord of glory,* who became flesh for my sake!
Tone 6, Glory…
As a servant of the Word and of His ineffable incarnation,* you drew forth an abyss of wisdom, O Apostle Thomas;* for luring souls from the depths of deception,* you drew them up with the pole of the Cross.* Hence, with the net of your dogmas, you have brought the whole world to enlightenment* and have illumined the souls of the benighted the people of India with the light of knowledge.* Radiantly delighting in the glories of Christ,* entreat Him to have mercy on our souls.
Tone 3, Now…
O Lady most honourable,* how could we but be rapt in wonder* at your giving birth to the Incarnate God* who, without a mother, was born of a Father before all ages?* You gave Him birth in the flesh without a father,* without a man’s instrumentality.* He is God and man whose two natures are intact,* neither one losing any of its properties.* Therefore, O Virgin Mother,* intercede with Him to save the souls* of those who believe and profess in true faith* that you are the Mother of God.
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
The Lord reigns,* He is clothed in majesty.
verse: Robed is the Lord and girt about with strength.
verse: For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
verse: Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
Readings
(1) 1 John 1:1-7; (2) James 1:1-12; (3) Jude 1-25
Aposticha
Tone 3
O Christ, who darkened the sun by Your passion* and enlightened all creation by Your resurrection,* accept our evening prayer; for You love mankind.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
O Lord, Your life-giving resurrection has enlightened the entire universe* and has revived Your creation which lay in corruption.* Therefore, we, who have been released from the curse of Adam, cry out to You:* Almighty Lord, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O God, although in Your divine nature You are unchangeable,* yet in Your human nature You underwent change by suffering in the flesh.* All creation was prostrate with fear* when it saw You hanging on the cross,* and it groaned in sorrow as it sang the praises of Your long-suffering.* But You descended into Hades and arose on the third day,* granting life and great mercy to the world.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
You suffered death, O Christ, to deliver mankind from death.* And when You arose from the dead on the third day,* You enlightened the world* and resurrected all who acknowledge You as God.
Tone 6, Glory…
Beholding the divine wisdom of Christ, you were mystically shown to be a noetic bowl* in which the souls of the faithful are gladdened, O Apostle Thomas;* for, with the divine net of the Spirit,* you drew men from the depths of wretchedness.* Hence, you went forth from Sion like a river of grace,* pouring forth your divine dogmas upon the whole world.* Therefore, emulating the sufferings of Christ, you were pierced in your side, entering the shade of incorruption.* Entreat Him that our souls be saved.
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 3
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.
Tone 2, Glory…
O disciple of Christ and member of the apostolic council,* your lack of faith proclaimed Christ’s resurrection,* and your touch confirmed His holy passion.* O Thomas, worthy of all praise,* pray even now that He grant us peace and great mercy.
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.
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 3
Troparia, Tone 3
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world. (2)
Tone 2, Glory…
O disciple of Christ and member of the apostolic council,* your lack of faith proclaimed Christ’s resurrection,* and your touch confirmed His holy passion.* O Thomas, worthy of all praise,* pray even now that He grant us peace and great mercy.
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 3
Christ has arisen from the dead, the first fruits of those that sleep.* The First-born of creation and Creator of all that has come to be,* has renewed in Himself the corrupted nature of our race.* Death, no longer is your lord,* for the Master of all things has destroyed your dominion.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
Having tasted death in the flesh, O Lord,* You have blotted out the bitterness of death by Your arising* strengthening mankind against it, and announcing the abolition of the ancient curse.* Defender of our lives, O Lord, glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
Awed by the beauty of your virginity* and the exceeding radiance of your purity,* Gabriel called out to you, O Theotokos:* What worthy hymn of praise can I offer to you?* And what shall I name you?* I am in doubt and stand in awe.* Wherefore as commanded, I cry to you:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 3
Awed by Your immutable Godhead* and by Your voluntary passion, O Lord,* Hades lamented: I tremble at Your body’s essence, which remains incorrupt.* I behold You, the One who is invisible, mystically making war against me;* wherefore those whom I hold cry out:* ‘Glory, O Christ, to Your Resurrection!’
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
We the faithful contemplate an ineffable mystery:* Your incomprehensible Crucifixion and Your inexplicable Arising.* For today Death and Hades have been despoiled,* but mankind has been clothed in incorruption.* Wherefore with thanksgiving we cry aloud to You:* Glory, O Christ, to Your Resurrection!
Glory… Now…
Mystically did you contain in your womb* the Incomprehensible and Uncircumscribed One,* consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit;* and we acknowledge in your Offspring one unconfused energy of the Trinity Who is glorified in the world.* And so with thanksgiving we cry to you, ** ‘Rejoice, O full of grace!’
Polyeleos
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 3
A Cause of amazement by his appearance,* and source of refreshment by his speech,* the radiant Angel spoke to the myrrh-bearing women saying:* Why do you seek the living in a grave?* He has arisen, emptying the graves.* Know that the unchangeable One has changed corruption.* Wherefore cry to God saying,* ‘How fearful are Your works!* For You have saved mankind.’
Sessional Hymns
Tone 5
With hymns let us all praise the memory of the apostle and disciple of Christ,* for, having in godly manner touched the print of the nails and sought out the true faith,* he has made our thoughts steadfast in the world* and beseeches the Saviour that our souls find mercy.
Tone 4
Having touched the Saviour’s side* and drawn forth from there knowledge of God, O glorious apostle,* by your disbelief you have drawn those of earth to the Faith as faithful;* and having been pierced with spears throughout your whole body,* you enlighten the souls of all that praise thy holy repose.
Tone 3
With the radiance of the Spirit of God* you destroyed the darkness of polytheism and illumined the hearts of the faithful,* chanting the commandments of salvation, O most wise Apostle Thomas.* Beseech Christ God, that He grant us great mercy.
Glory… Now…
Every one that seeks salvation rightly makes haste to a place where such is found.* And what refuge that gives shelter to our souls* have we other than you, O Theotokos?
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 3
Antiphon 1
You, O Word, delivered the captivity of Sion from Babylon,* Deliver me also* from the passions to life.
Those who sow in the South* with tears inspired by God,* shall in joy reap sheaves of everlasting life.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit,* together with the Father and the Son* shines forth the reflection of every good gift,* In Him all things live and have their being.
Antiphon 2
Except the Lord build the house of the virtues,* in vain do we labour.* While He protects our soul no one lays waste our city.
The Saints, O Christ, fruits of the womb,* are by the Spirit, always sons to You,* as You are to the Father.
Glory… Now…
The Holy Spirit is the inspiration of all that is holy and wise;* for He quickens every creature.* Let us worship Him* together with the Father and the Son, for He is God.
Antiphon 3
Those who fear the Lord are blessed* as they walk along the paths of His commandments;* for they partake of the life-giving fruit.
Be glad, Chief Shepherd,* beholding Your offspring around Your table* bearing the branches of good works.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit is a superabundance of glory;* for from Him proceeds forth grace and life* into all creation;* wherefore He is praised together with the Father and the Word.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Proclaim to the nations: God is king. The world He made firm in its place.
verse: O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth.
Let everything that lives, Tone 3
Gospel
John 20:19-31
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Canon, Tone 3
Ode 1
Irmos: In time past by his divine command he gathered the waters into one heap* and divided the sea for the people of Israel:* this is our God, he is glorious,* to him alone we sing, for he is glorified.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He condemned the earth to bring forth thorns, fruit of the transgressor’s sweat; he received in the flesh a crown of thorns from the hands of lawless men : this is our God, he has done away with the curse, he is glorified.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He whom death smote is declared the conqueror who won the victory over death; for taking living flesh subject to suffering, he wrestled with the tyrant and raised up all with himself: he is our God, he is glorified.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
All nations glorify you, true Mother of God, who seedlessly bore your child; for he, our God, stole down into your hallowed womb and, invested with our being, God and man was born of you.
Irmos: O You that were born of the Virgin,* drown, I pray You, the three parts of my soul in the depths of dispassion,* as of old You drowned the mounted captains of Pharaoh,* that in the mortality of my body, as on a timbrel, I may sing a hymn of victory.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
The unoriginate Son of God, God the Word, who appeared on earth in a form like ours, whom you beheld, and whose hands and side you touched, O glorious one, beseech Him that He save your flock.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
Jesus, my God, who knows that which is hidden, who tries the reins and tests hearts, chose you to be a divine apostle and a minister and witness of His manifestation as God, O most blessed Thomas.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
You were shown to be a river of mystic waters falling with streams of divine knowledge and the din of the Spirit upon the face of the earth, the assembly of the Church, dispelling the deception of polytheism.
Glory… Now…
O all-hymned Theotokos, destroyer of death and corruption, you gave birth to Christ, the Source of incorruption, who has adorned human nature with the grace of immortality, O all-pure one.
Katavasia: I shall open my mouth, and the Spirit will inspire it,* and I shall utter the words of my song to the Queen and Mother:* I shall be seen radiantly keeping feast* and joyfully praising her wonders.
Ode 3
Irmos: Almighty Lord,* you brought all things from nothing into being,* created by the Word, perfected by the Spirit.* Make me firm in your love.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The ungodly man was brought to shame by your cross; he dug a pit and opened it up and fell into it himself; the horn of the lowly, O Christ, is lifted up in your resurrection.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The proclamation of righteousness to the nations as water has covered the seas, O Lover of man, for you have risen from the grave and revealed the splendour of the Trinity.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Glorious things are spoken of you, the living city of the King who reigns for ever. For through you, O Lady, God dwelt among those on earth.
Irmos: Neither in wisdom, nor in power, nor yet in riches do we boast,* but in You, O Christ, the hypostatic Wisdom of the Father,* for none is holy, save You,* O Lover of mankind.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
Splendid in the excellence of virtue and miracles, O you that beheld Christ, and having illumined the shapeless darkness of the people of India with divine light, you enlightened them with faith.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
Ablaze with radiance through the activity of the Spirit Himself, you were launched like a bolt of divine light, O you that were pleasing to God, and enlightened the world with miracles, O Thomas.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
Instructed in the mysteries of the dogmas of divine wisdom, which surpasses the swiftness of lightning, O Apostle Thomas, illumined the ends of the earth with light.
Glory… Now…
O you that knew not wedlock, who gave birth to God in the flesh, make me steadfast who am shaken by the assaults of the passions, for I have no other helper, save you, O all-pure one.
Katavasia: O Mother of God, living and plentiful fount,* give strength to those united in spiritual fellowship,* who sing hymns of praise to you:* and in your divine glory vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.
Kontakion, Tone 4
Filled with the grace of wisdom,* Your apostle and genuine servant, O Christ,* cried out to You in his change of heart:* You are my God and Lord.
Ikos
Peter cried out to the divinely eloquent Thomas, the disciple of the Lord and great initiate of the mysteries: We have seen the Lord! And his friend said to him and cried out: Except I see the wounds of His hands, I will not believe. Then the Master of all came as a servant, wishing to save all, and said to Thomas: Touch My hands and side, and be not unbelieving; for I am your Lord and God. And he, in repentance, cried out: You are my Lord and God!
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
Seining for reason-endowed fish with the net of divine words,* you offered them to our God as first-fruits;* and, wishing to be arrayed in the wounds of Christ,* you showed yourself to be an emulator of His suffering.* Wherefore, assembling together, we honour your all-festive memory as is meet, O glorious apostle,* and with one accord we cry out to You:* Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins* to them that honour your holy memory with love. (2)
Glory… Now…
All we, the generations of mankind, bless you who without seed gave birth to God in the flesh,* as her who alone among women was Virgin;* for the fire of the Godhead made its abode within you,* and you gave suck to our Lord and Creator as a babe.* Hence, we, the race of angels and of men, glorify your all-holy birthgiving as is meet,* and with one accord cry out to you:* Entreat Christ God that He grant remission of transgressions to them* that with faith worship your all-holy birthgiving.
Ode 4
Irmos: A mighty love you have shown to us, O Lord,* for you have given over to death for us your only-begotten Son;* therefore we thank you and cry to you:* Glory to your power, O Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Scars and bruises compassionately bearing, insult of blows enduring, long-patient under the spitting, O Christ; through these you have wrought my salvation. Glory to your power, O Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Life in mortal body, you conversed with deatiaor the sake of the misery of the poor and the sighing of the needy; and. destroying the destroyer, O glorified One, you raised up all with yourself, only Lover of man.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Remember, O Christ, your flock won by your Passion: visit the afflicted, accept the compassionate prayers of your Mother glorified and save it, O Lord, by your power.
Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Cherubim,* Jesus most divine is come on a light cloud,* and with His incorrupt right arm has saved them that cry out:* Glory to Your power, O Christ!
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
Beginning with a most magnificent manifestation of wonders, and radiantly propounding the glory of the divine dogmas, with your preaching you embraced the whole world, which cried out: Glory to Your power, O Christ!
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
O blessed and most honoured Thomas, we praise you as one who himself beheld the Word, and who are an apostle and a fervent minister and witness to His glory and majesty.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
Having set a foundation firmly upon the chief Cornerstone, O blessed and ever all memorable one, you built a bridal chamber and a heavenly tabernacle for them that cry: Glory to Your power, O Christ!
Glory… Now…
We call the all-holy Virgin the unploughed soil which put forth the Grain of life, the light cloud which let fall the Bestower of life as a shower, crying: Glory to Your power, O Christ!
Katavasia: He who sits in glory upon the throne of the Godhead,* Jesus the true God, is come in a swift cloud* and with His sinless hands he has saved those who cry:* Glory to Your power, O Christ.
Ode 5
Irmos: Early I wake to you the Creator of all* and the peace which passes all understanding:* guide me in your ordinances,* for they are light.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Through the envy of the Jews handed over to an unrighteous judge, you, the all-seeing who judges all the earth in righteousness, delivered Adam from the ancient condemnation.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Christ, risen from the dead, grant peace to your churches in the invincible power of your cross, and save our souls.
Glory… Now…
You alone, the Ever-virgin who received the Word of God unbounded by the whole creation, are declared the holy tabernacle wider than the heavens.
Irmos: The impious do not perceive Your glory, O Christ;* but, waking at dawn out of the night, O Only-begotten One, we hymn You,* the Radiance of the Father's glory,* O Lover of mankind.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
Radiant with the glory of Christ, O apostle, having touched the life-creating side, you drew forth an unfathomable abyss of theology and enriched the world.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
O greatly Merciful One, Thomas, who had not been present at Your first entrance, did not believe the disciples, but, believing later, rejoicing, he cried out, proclaiming You God and Lord.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
Like an animate heaven Thomas proclaimed Your glory with spiritual thunder, O Christ, and confessing You to be God and Lord, he announced the glad tidings to the faithful.
Glory… Now…
O all-undefiled one, show forth our mind to be a vanquisher of the passions, and put down the assaults of the thoughts thereof, O Bride of God, who gave birth to God, the Saviour of our souls.
Katavasia: The whole world was amazed* at your divine glory:* for you, O Virgin who have not known wedlock,* have held in your womb the God of all* and have given birth to an eternal Son,* who rewards with salvation all who sing your praises.
Ode 6
Irmos: The deepest abyss of sins has surrounded me* and my spirit fails me;* but stretch out your mighty arm, O Lord my pilot, as to Peter,* and save me.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The abyss of mercy and pity has surrounded me in your tender descent, O Lord, for, made flesh and taking the form of a servant, you made me as God and glorified me with yourself.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The one who dealt death has undergone death through seeing the One put to death now brought to life: these things are the tokens of your Resurrection, O Christ, and the rewards of your pure Passion.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Only All-pure, beyond understanding you were mediator between the Creator and man, pray to your merciful Son for your stumbling servants and be our defender.
Irmos: I shall sacrifice to You with a voice of praise,* the Church cries out to You, O Lord,* cleansed of the blood of demons through the Blood which, for mercy's sake,* flowed from Your side.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
O blessed Thomas, your disbelief heals the soul-destroying disbelief of all, for without doubt you probed the wounds made by the nails and the spear.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
O Christ, as You are powerful, You launched Your apostle like a speeding arrow into the hearts of Your enemies, and he has brought them to You as spoils of war.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
O compassionate one, you abolished idolatrous sacrifices, being yourself slain on a tree, and by the holy sacrifices of the divinely inspired apostles who emulated your sufferings.
Glory… Now…
O wonder more novel than all wonders! As a Virgin, without knowing man, conceiving in your womb Him that holds all things, yet did not confine Him.
Katavasia: As we celebrate* this sacred and solemn feast of the Mother of God,* let us come, clapping our hands, O people of the Lord,* and give glory to God who was born of her.
Kontakion, Tone 3
You rose from the tomb, O compassionate Lord,* and led us out from the gates of death.* Today Adam exults and Eve rejoices,* and the prophets together with the patriarchs* unceasingly acclaim the divine might of Your power.
Ikos
Let heaven and earth dance together today and with one mind sing to Christ God for he has raised from the graves those held in bonds. All creation rejoices together and brings to our Creator and Redeemer of all its fitting songs. For today, as giver of life, with himself he drew mortal man from Hell and lifts him up to heaven, he dashes down the pride of the enemy and breaks in pieces the gates of Hell by the divine might of his authority.
Ode 7
Irmos: As, long ago, your dew refreshed the three godly children in the Chaldean flames,* so shine with the enlightening fire of your Godhead* upon us who cry to you:* Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The fair veil of the temple was rent in the cross of the Creator, clearly announcing the hidden truth in the scriptures to the faithful who cry to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
When your side was pierced, O Christ, drops of your life-giving blood, flowing from God by divine dispensation, distilled upon the earth and re-made those born of the earth who cry to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Let us the faithful glorify the Good Spirit with the Father and the only-begotten Son, one in three, as we worship the first cause and one Godhead, crying: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace,* aflame more with love of piety than with the fire,* cried out: Blessed are You* in the temple of Your glory, O Lord!
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
As an apostle, rejoicing, you hold chorus with the choirs on high in the heavens, O blessed one, and you chant in gladness: Blessed are You in the temple of Your glory, O Lord!
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
From one end of the earth to the other have has proclamation and the utterance of your divine words passed, teaching them that cry: Blessed are You in the temple of Your glory, O Lord!
Glory… Now…
By your birthgiving have we been delivered from slavery to the Law, for you, O Theotokos, without knowing man, gave birth to the Deliverer for us. Blessed are you among women, O all-undefiled Mistress!
Katavasia: The holy children bravely trampled upon the threatening fire,* refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator,* and they sang in joy:* Blessed are You and praised above all, O Lord God of our Fathers.
Ode 8
Irmos: In the unbearable fire, unharmed by the flames,* the young men, famed for their fear of God, stood as one and sang the divine hymn:* Bless the Lord, all you his works,* and exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The brightness of the temple was rent when your cross was set on Golgotha: all creation bowed down together and raised the song: Bless the Lord, all you his works, and exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You have risen, Christ, from the grave, by the divine power of the cross you have raised man overthrown by treachery and set him straight again, crying out and saying: Bless the Lord, all you his works, and exalt him throughout all the ages.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
You are declared to be the temple of God, living resting-place and ark, for you, pure Mother of God, have reconciled the Creator to mortal man and fittingly we his works sing your praises and exalt you throughout all the ages.
Irmos: The Offspring of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the furnace,* then in figure, but now in deed;* and He moves all the world to sing to You:* Hymn the Lord, O works, and exalt Him supremely forever!
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
Conversing with God incarnate, forgetting the flesh, O blessed one, you have been enriched with supra-normal deification, rendered divine by your closeness to God, and crying out: Hymn the Lord, O works, and exalt Him supremely forever!
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
Uniting yourself to Christ with love, you loved to die with Him, O blessed one, proclaiming to your fellow apostles: Come, let us accept death with Him, crying out: Hymn the Lord, O works, and exalt Him supremely forever!
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
O apostles, Christ has shown you to be clouds full of the rain of His will which waters the Church with showers of divine knowledge, O most wise ones, and give drink to them that sing: Hymn the Lord, O works, and exalt Him supremely forever!
Glory… Now…
O you that are devoid of lusts and defilement, you are the temple of the All-holy Word who sanctifies all things, and who is co-unoriginate with the Father. Wherefore, O Virgin, we hymn and supremely exalt you forever.
We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord. We extol and exalt Him above all for ever.
Katavasia: The Offspring of the Theotokos saved the holy children in the furnace.* He who was then prefigured has since been born on earth,* and He gathers all the creation to sing:* O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: Marvel new and meet for God!* Through the shut gate of the Virgin the Lord surely passes through.* Unclothed in the entering, flesh-bearing in the coming forth* God has appeared and the gate remains fast closed.* We magnify her beyond utterance* the Mother of God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Word of God, awful it is to see you, the Creator, hanging on the tree, God suffering in human fashion for the sake of his servants; while lying lifeless in the tomb you yet had loosed the dead from Hell; for this, O Christ, we magnify you as almighty.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Laid dead in the grave, O Christ, you saved our forefathers from the corruption of death; you raised the dead and made life to blossom and, leading mortal nature by the hand to the light, you clothed it with divine incorruptibility; for this we magnify you, fountain of ever-living light.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Temple and throne of God you are declared to be, All-pure, wherein he who dwells in the highest took up his abode, born without man and guarding entire the doors of your flesh. Holy One, by your unceasing prayers bring swiftly the nations in final subjection to our king.
Irmos: Christ, who has united the two disparate Natures,* the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands,* was cut from you, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin.* Wherefore, in gladness we magnify you, O Theotokos.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
O glorious one, you were shown to be a splendid chariot bearing the Word seated upon your most comely and God-bearing soul, directing to salvation them that hymn you.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
Celebrating your most blessed memory, we pray that we may be delivered from every threefold wave by the boldness which you have as an apostle of Christ, O all-honoured beholder of God.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!
This day do we all celebrate thy memory, O Apostle Thomas; sanctify and forgive us, delivering us by faith from all temptations, evil circumstances, and passions through thy prayers.
Glory… Now…
From the soil of the Virgin has God the Word, the comely Ear of grain, sprung forth, whereof tasting O faithful, we live and are established in Him. Wherefore, you, who gave Him birth, we magnify you.
Katavasia: Let every mortal born on earth,* radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy;* and let the host of the angelic powers* celebrate and honour the holy feast of the Mother of God,* and let them cry:* Rejoice! Pure and blessed Ever-Virgin, who gave birth to God.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
Though the doors were locked, O Lord,* You entered and filled Your apostles with the Holy Spirit,* and breathing over them, You gave them Your peace.* You said to them: Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven;* whose sins you bind, they are bound.* After eight days You showed Thomas Your hands and Your side.* With them, therefore, we cry to You: You are my Lord and my God!
O apostle of the all-compassionate Christ, thou who thyself didst behold Him: entreat Him to grant peace unto all the world, victory over heresy and schism unto Christ-loving hierarchs, and salvation and remission of transgressions unto them that praise thee as a divinely eloquent disciple, O Thomas.
Glory…
O glory of the apostles, like the most radiant sun of the east, thou wast sent to the people of India, and thou didst illumine them with the light of thy words and by faith in the Trinity. Wherefore, we celebrate thy holy and divine memory.
Now…
We, the faithful, bring before Thee as is meet Thine all-holy Mother as an intercessor and fervent helper, O Christ. Vouchsafe Thy servants to share in Thy glory and the inheritance of the righteous and the food of paradise; and grant us the Kingdom of heaven.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 3
Come all you nations,* acknowledge the power of the dread mystery;* for Christ our Saviour, the beginningless Word,* was crucified for us and was willingly buried* and arose from the dead to save the whole universe.* Let us worship Him.
You guards recounted all the marvels, O Lord,* but, by filling their right hands with money,* the Sanhedrin of folly thought to conceal Your Resurrection,* which the world glorifies;* have mercy upon us.
All things have been filled with joy on receiving proof of the Resurrection.* For Mary Magdalene having come to the tomb,* found an Angel seated upon the stone,* radiant in shining raiment, saying:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* He is not here, but He has arisen, as He foretold,* and goes before you into Galilee.
In Your light, O Master and Lover of mankind,* shall we see light.* For arose from the dead,* granting salvation to the race of mankind,* wherefore all creation glorifies You, the only sinless one;* have mercy upon us.
Tone 1
You followed after Christ, O Apostle Thomas, and disdained the world.* And laying up His teachings in your treasury, you were shown to be an apostle.*Being amongst pagans, souls darkened by their deception and passions you illumined with the Saviour's commandments* that they might believe in the consubstantial Trinity.
You followed after Christ, O Apostle Thomas, and disdained the world.* And laying up His teachings in your treasury, you were shown to be an apostle.*Being amongst pagans, souls darkened by their deception and passions you illumined with the Saviour's commandments* that they might believe in the consubstantial Trinity.
Tone 4
You enlightened your mind with the divine fire of the Master,* as a lawful disciple, O Apostle Thomas;* for with the Cross as a rod you drew the souls of the impious, from the depths of ignorance.* Wherefore, with the rod of the divine Spirit* you even fished to enlighten the darkened conscience of those in India.* Ever beseech Christ God, that we be delivered from the sight of the dark enemy,* and that our souls be saved.
Abandoning the depths which were fished,* with faith you hastened to the rod of the Cross,* and there you fished for men, O Apostle Thomas.* Wherefore, having touched the all-pure side of the Word,* you were vouchsafed also to feel with your finger the wounds of the nails’ entry.* Entreat earnestly Christ God that He save our souls.
Tone 5, Glory…
In the fullness of time, O Christ,* You appeared among Your beloved ones on the Sabbath evening.* And through a new wonder,* You confirmed Your resurrection from the dead* by Your entrance while the doors were closed.* You filled the disciples with joy,* granting them the Holy Spirit and bestowing on them power to forgive sins.* As for Thomas, You did not permit him to drown in the depths of faithlessness.* Therefore, grant us the knowledge of the truth* and forgiveness of sins, O compassionate 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
Today salvation has come to the world.* Let us sing to Him who is risen from the tomb,* the Author of Life who has crushed Death by his death* and bestowed on us victory and great mercy.
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 3: Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.
Troparion, Tone 2: O disciple of Christ and member of the apostolic council,* your lack of faith proclaimed Christ’s resurrection,* and your touch confirmed His holy passion.* O Thomas, worthy of all praise,* pray even now that He grant us peace and great mercy.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 3: You rose from the tomb, O compassionate Lord,* and led us out from the gates of death.* Today Adam exults and Eve rejoices,* and the prophets together with the patriarchs* unceasingly acclaim the divine might of Your power.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: Filled with the grace of wisdom,* Your apostle and genuine servant, O Christ,* cried out to You in his change of heart:* You are my God and Lord.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Sing to our God, sing; sing to our King, sing.
verse: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 46:7,2)
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Epistle
Galatians 1:11-19; 1 Corinthians 4:9-16
Alleluia, Tone 3
verse: In You, O Lord, have I hoped that I may not be put to shame for ever.
verse: Be a protector unto me, O God, and a house of refuge to save me. (Psalm 30:2,3)
verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
Gospel
Luke 7:11-16; John 20:19-31
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their words unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)