Michael Winn

April 12, 2015
Antipascha – Thomas Sunday – Second Sunday of Pascha

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

The doors being shut and the disciples assembled,
You appeared to them as almighty, Jesus, our God.
You stood in their midst giving them peace;
You granted the Holy Spirit to them,
commanding them to wait in Jerusalem
until clothed with the power from on high.
Therefore we cry to You:
Our Illumination and Resurrection and peace, glory to You!

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

Eight days after Your Resurrection, Lord,
You came to Your apostles
proclaiming: Peace be with you all!
To the doubting disciple, You showed Your hands and side.
He believed and cried to You:
My Lord and my God, glory to You!

Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Thomas, who is called the twin,
was not with the disciples, Christ,
when You came to them through closed doors.
Therefore he doubted their word.
You did not reject him for his faithlessness!
When he saw Your side and the wounds in Your hands and feet,
his faith was made certain!
Having desired to see You,
he confessed You to be truly God, not only man,
crying: My Lord and my 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.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

The disciples were assembled on the eighth day,
and the Saviour appeared to them!
He gave them peace and said to Thomas:
Come, apostle! Feel my hands, which were pierced by the nails!
Most wonderful doubt of Thomas!
It brought the hearts of the faithful to knowledge!
My Lord and my God, glory to You!

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

In Tone 2

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

After Your rising, Lord,
though the doors were shut,
You came to Your assembled disciples.
You granted them peace.
Even Thomas believed, seeing Your hands and side!
He confessed You as Lord and God,
Who save those who hope in You, Lover of mankind!

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

When the doors were shut,
Jesus stood in the midst of His disciples.
He calmed their hearts and granted them peace.
Then He spoke to the apostle Thomas:
Do you not believe that I am risen from the dead?
Bring your hands here, and touch My side!
Be no longer an unbeliever!
Proclaim My passion and My Resurrection to all,
that everyone may join your cry:
My Lord and my God, glory to You!

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

When the doors were shut,
Jesus came to his disciples.
The apostle Thomas was not with them,
so he spoke these words:
Unless I see the Master myself,
unless I see His side flowing with baptismal blood and water,
unless I see those wounds which have healed all mankind,
unless I see not a spirit, but flesh and bones,
I will not believe.
Glory to You, O Lord,
for You confirmed Thomas in faith,
and have trampled death by death!

Litya

In Tone 4

Lord, shining with the splendour of Your divinity,
You came through closed doors to Your disciples,
showing Your pierced side, the wounds from the nails,
dispelling all sadness and sorrow!
O friends, see that I am not a spirit, but truly man!
The disciple who did not believe, You commanded to see,
saying: Prove to yourself, then come and believe!
He touched Your side with his own hand and cried in faith and fear:
My Lord and my God, glory to You!

In Tone 8

Touch my side with your hand, O Thomas.
Come and feel the scars of the nails.
Know in faith and do not be faithless, but believing!
Thomas, when he touched the Master, cried:
You are my God and Lord,
O compassionate one, glory to You!

Glory… Now…

The disciples were assembled and the doors were closed.
Jesus appeared in the midst and said to Thomas:
Come, see and feel the marks of the nails,
stretch out your hand and touch My wounds.
Do not disbelieve,
but in faith proclaim my Resurrection from the dead!

Aposticha

In Tone 4

Glorious wonder!
Doubt bore certain faith!
Thomas said: unless I see, I shall not believe!
By touching His side, he blessed the incarnate Son of God
Who suffered in the flesh,
and he proclaimed the resurrected God,
crying out with joy: My Lord and my God, glory to You!

O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! Zion, praise your God!

Glorious wonder!
Thomas placed his hand on the fiery side of Jesus Christ, God!
He was not scorched by this,
his doubt changed to certain faith and he cried fervently:
You are my Master and God,
resurrected from the dead.
O Lord, glory to You!

He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your sons within you.

Glorious wonder!
John the apostle leaned on the Saviour’s breast,
and Thomas was made worthy to touch his side.
The one thus understood the depths of theology;
the other was privileged to announce the mystery of the Resurrection to us,
crying: My Lord and my God, glory to You!

In Tone 5, Glory… Now…

How great is the multitude of your compassion, Lover of mankind!
Because of Your long-suffering You were struck by the Jews,
You were examined by an apostle and touched by those who denied You!
How are You incarnate?
How are You crucified?
You have not known sin!
Make us understand like Thomas that we may call out to You:
My Lord and my God, glory to You!

Troparion

In Tone 7
When the tomb was sealed, O Christ God,* You dawned as life from the sepulchre,* and while the doors were shut,* You came to Your disciples, the Resurrection of all,* renewing a right spirit in us through them,* according to Your great mercy. (3)

DIVINE LITURGY

After “Blessed is the kingdom…” the priest sings “Christ is risen…” in its entirety twice, and again: “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death.” The people then sing: “And to those in the tombs, giving life.”

Antiphon 1
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,* sing now to His name, give glory to His praise.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
Say unto God, “How awesome are Your works* Because of the greatness of Your strength Your enemies will flatter You.”
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
Let all the earth worship You and sing to You,* let it sing to Your name, O Most High!
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
Glory… Now… Only-begotten Son…

Antiphon 3
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God, our Saviour
Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms.
Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
For God is the great Lord and the great king over all the earth.
Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 7: While the tomb was sealed, O Christ God, You dawned as life from the sepulchre, and while the doors were shut, You came to Your disciples, the Resurrection of all, renewing a right spirit in us through them, according to Your great mercy.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 8: With his searching hand, Thomas explored Your life-giving side, O Christ God. For when You entered while the doors were shut, he called out to You with the rest of the Apostles: You are my Lord and my God!

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Great is our Lord and great is His strength;* and of His knowledge there is no end.
verse: Praise the Lord, for a psalm is good; may praise be sweet to our God.

Epistle
Acts 5:12-20

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God our Saviour.
verse: For God is the great Lord and the great king over all the earth.

Gospel
John 20:19-31

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
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem.* Praise your God, O Sion.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

Notes
Instead of “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord,” we sing: “Christ is risen.”

Instead of “We have seen the true light” we sing: “Christ is risen.”

Instead of “May our lips be filled,” we sing “Christ is risen,” thrice.

Instead of “Blessed be the name of the Lord” we sing “Christ is risen” thrice.

After the priest sings: “Glory to You, Christ God,” the people sing: “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs, giving life.* Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.* Give the blessing.”

Then we sing “Christ is risen,” thrice. At the end the following is sung: “And to us He granted life eternal, we bow down before His resurrection on the third day.”

April 5, 2015
PASCHA

THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

PASCHAL MATINS

The clergy, fully vested as for Divine Liturgy in bright vestments, come before the altar in the usual order and all together they make a bow. A light is struck within the Altar, the First Priest lights the Paschal Trikirion and gives the light to all the Clergy. Then, according to custom, the light is passed to the faithful and the procession begins:

Angels in heaven, O Christ our Saviour,
sing of Your Resurrection,
enable us here on earth
to glorify You with a pure heart!

Priest: Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life-giving and undivided Trinity, always, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

PASCHAL TROPARION
Sung by the Clergy, then the people, with verses from Psalm 67:

Slavonic:
Христос воскресе із мертвих, смертію смерть порпав,
і сущим во гробіх живот даровав!

Ukrainian:
Христос воскрес із мертвих, смертю смерть подолав,
і тим що в гробах життя дарував!

English:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death,
and to those in the tombs giving life!

Verses from Psalm 67:
Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered,
and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.

As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish
as wax melts before the fire.

So let the wicked perish at the presence of God,
and let the righteous ones rejoice.

This is the day that the Lord has made,
let us exalt and rejoice in it.

Glory… Now…

The first half of the Paschal Troparion is repeated by the Clergy, then the second half by the people.
The First Priest, with the handcross, knocks on the doors of the church three times,
and having opened them, he enters the church together with the Clergy and the people, singing:

And to those in the tombs, giving life!

Once the Clergy have reached the Altar, the Deacon, taking his place before the iconostasis,
begins the Ekteny of Peace:

EKTENY OF PEACE

Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace throughout the world, for the well-being of God’s holy churches and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence, and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For our most holy universal Pontiff, N., Pope of Rome, for our most blessed Patriarch, N., our most reverend Metropolitan, N., our God-loving Bishop, N., the revered priesthood, diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our nation under God, for our government, and for all the military, let us pray to the Lord.

For this city (or For this village, or For this holy monastery), for every city and country and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

For the seafarers and travelers, for the sick and the suffering, for those held captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and misfortune, let us pray to the Lord.

Help, and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your Grace.

Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For all glory, honor, and worship befit You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

THE PASCHAL CANON
We now sing the Paschal Canon of St. John Damascus. The clergy sing the Irmos of each Ode. The Choir leads the people in singing the troparia.

Ode 1
Irmos O day of Resurrection!* Let us beam with festive joy!* This indeed is the Lord’s own Pasch* for from death to life, fromearth to heaven Christ has led us,* as we shout the vict’ry hymn:
Christ is risen from the dead!
Let our hearts be spotless* as we gaze upon our dazzling Christ* Behold His rising, a brilliant flash of light divine!* Let us listen, clearly hear Him greeting us:* as we shout the vict’ry hymn:
Christ is risen from the dead!
Let all heaven burst with joy!* Let all the earth resound with gladness!* Let all creation dance in celebration!* For Christ has risen:* Christ our lasting joy!
Katavasia O day of Resurrection!* Let us beam with festive joy!* This indeed is the Lord’s own Pasch* for from death to life, fromearth to heaven Christ has led us,* as we shout the vict’ry hymn:
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!

SMALL EKTENY

Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

ODE III
Irmos From barren rock behold the wonder!* The staff of Moses once drew water!* But we have something new to drink:* the drink of deathless life* from the rock that was His tomb;* for in Him is all our might!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Now does light flood all creation:* heaven and earth, the world beneath!* Behold the festival of all creation:* Now we feast the risen Christ,* for in Him is all our might!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Yesterday, my Christ, they buried me with You;* Today I rise with You!* Yesterday Your partner in death was I;* tomorrow, O my Saviour,* let me share the glory of Your realm!
Katavasia From barren rock behold the wonder!* The staff of Moses once drew water!* But we have something new to drink:* the drink of deathless life* from the rock that was His tomb;* for in Him is all our might!
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!

SMALL EKTENY

Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For You are our God, and we render glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

HYPAKOE
A choral composition sung by the Krylos, or simply, in Tone 4:
Before the dawn, Mary and her friends approached the tomb,* and she found the stone removed.* and suddenly an angel spoke:* “Why look among the dead for one who lives in light eternal? Look, see the cloth with which they wrapped Him,* Go! Tell the world the Lord has risen, dealing death a death blow;* for He is God’s Son,* the Saviour of mankind!

ODE IV
Irmos Let God’s prophet Habakkuk* now stand with us in godly vigil!* And show the angel radiant with light* whose voice gives forth the joyous news:* salvation visits the earth today,* for Christ has risen in His might!
Christ is risen from the dead!
The first-born of the Virgin,* a small and tender infant,* as man he came among us!* But we called Him, “Lamb,”* pure and undefiled Pasch unblemished,* our real God the perfect One!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Christ our Pasch was sacrificed,* yearling Lamb and crown of prophecy!* For all of us He freely died* and thus became the Pasch that purifies!* Upon us all resplendent sun our righteous Christ* has shown forth from the tomb!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Before the ark symbolic,* God’s forebear David danced and leaped.* But we God’s holy people,* our eyes see all symbols now fulfilled.* For this God’s joy and gladness dance within us,* for Christ has risen in His might!
Katavasia Let God’s prophet Habakkuk* now stand with us in godly vigil!* And show the angel radiant with light* whose voice gives forth the joyous news:* salvation visits the earth today,* for Christ has risen in His might!
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!

SMALL EKTENY

Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For You are the King of Peace and the Saviour of our souls, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

ODE V
Irmos Now at daybreak* let us celebrate.* Let us gaze on Christ, our Sun of holiness.* Instead of spices,* let us offer Him our song* as He brings forth life for all!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Hell’s captives saw Your endless loving kindness;* they fled with joy to You their Light:* and on their lips the happy news:* Christ our God has truly risen!* Clap your hands! Applaud the lasting Pasch!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Come! Let us all go forth to meet Him!* Look behold our Christ triumphant who burst the tomb with glory,* God’s own Pasch, our soul’s salvation!* With angel hosts we celebrate* a festival of joy and gladness!
Katavasia Now at daybreak* let us celebrate.* Let us gaze on Christ, our Sun of holiness.* Instead of spices,* let us offer Him our song* as He brings forth life for all!
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!

SMALL EKTENY

Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For blessed and glorified is Your all-honourable and majestic name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

ODE VI
Irmos O Christ* You pierced the world beneath* and snapped infernal chains that bind forever!* But in three days You came forth from the tomb:* our Jonah from the belly of the whale!
Christ is risen from the dead!
You left the seals of burial intact* in rising from the tomb, O Christ,* who left in birth the portals of virginity unbroken!* But heaven’s gates* You open wide to earth!
Christ is risen from the dead!
O my Saviour!* Victim indestructible!* Our God, who freely gave Himself for us!* When You rose, O Christ, to God the Father,* You also raised up Adam and his race!
Katavasia O Christ* You pierced the world beneath* and snapped infernal chains that bind forever!* But in three days You came forth from the tomb:* our Jonah from the belly of the whale!
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!

SMALL EKTENY

Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For You are the King of Peace and the Saviour of our souls, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

KONTAKION, TONE 8
Although You went down into the grave, Immortal One,* You destroyed the power of hell!* You arose a mighty Victor, Christ our God,* bringing peace to Your apostles,* joy for the myrrh-bearing women;* and resurrection for the fallen!

IKOS
Chanted by a Reader
Before the dawn – as urgently as is in daylight – the women came with their spices to the tomb, looking for Him who existed before the sun was even created. That very Sun had come to set in a grave! They cried to each other: Bring your fragrant ointments, friends, and let us anoint that life-giving body which has been laid in a tomb. His is the body which raises the fallen Adam. Let us go! Let us hurry like the Magi; let us fall before Him in adoration. Let us offer myrrh to Him as He lays there wrapped, not in swaddling clothes, but in a shroud. Let us shed our tears and cry out to Him: Rise up, O Lord, give resurrection to the fallen!
All repeat:
Rise up, O Lord, give resurrection to the fallen!

HYMN OF THE RESURRECTION
Tone 6, Kievan
Having seen the Resurrection of Christ,
let us worship the holy Lord Jesus,
the only sinless One.
We venerate Your Cross, O Christ,
and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify,
for You are our God.
We know no other than You.
We call on Your Name.
O come, all you faithful,
let us worship the holy Resurrection of Christ,
for behold, through the Cross joy has come to all the world.
Ever blessing the Lord
we sing the praises of His Resurrection,
for by enduring the Cross for us
He destroyed death by death!

Then, three times in Tone 6
Jesus is risen from the tomb* as He foretold,
granting us eternal life* and great mercy!

ODE VII
Irmos As He rescued three young men from furnace flames* by His passion* He has rescued us from death,* this One who took our flesh and suffered like all mortals.* He alone is blessed and full of glory:* the only God!* The One our Fathers knew!* Ever robed in splendid glory!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Devoted women followed after You bearing fragrant spices to anoint You;* and though they mourned You first with many tears,* their gloom was turned to joy in finding You, their living God!* They spread the news to
all Your friends, O Christ,* the joy and gladness of the mystic Pasch!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Our feast today is death’s own death!* Hell is shattered!* A new and lasting life begins!* All joy and praise to Him who did this:* The only God — the one our fathers knew — ever robed in splendid glory!
Christ is risen from the dead!
O how holy! How resplendent!* What a truly radiant night!* Brilliant birth of man’s redemption!* The harbinger of resurrection joy!* The night when boundless Light transfigured flesh* as Christ our God escaped the grave — dazzling splendour for the world!
Katavasia As He rescued three young men from furnace flames* by His passion* He has rescued us from death,* this One who took our flesh and suffered like all mortals.* He alone is blessed and full of glory:* the only God!* The One our Fathers knew!* Ever robed in splendid glory!
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!

SMALL EKTENY

Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For blessed and all-glorified is the majesty of Your kingdom, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

ODE VIII
Irmos That hallowed and chosen day has come!* Of all holy Sabbaths the first and foremaost:* the very expectation of the people of God.* The Festivals of festivals;* of all solemnities the greatest:* when all of us bess Christ forever!
Christ is risen from the dead!
That hallowed and chosen day has come!* Let us share this joy divine!* Let us taste the vine’s new fruit* and share the lasting reign of Christ* when all of us bless Christ forever!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Rise up, Sion, lift your eyes!* See your sons arrayed before you!* How they gleam with light divine!* From all the corners of the earth your scattered sons have found you:* They hasten to your bosom where all of us bless Christ forever!
Glory to You, our God – most holy Trinity!
Almighty Father, Word and Spirit,* Trinity of persons one in essence:* God most high, beyond our understanding!* In You have we been born anew,* for this do all of us bless You forever!
Katavasia That hallowed and chosen day has come!* Of all holy Sabbaths the first and foremaost:* the very expectation of the people of God.* The Festivals of festivals;* of all solemnities the greatest:* when all of us bless Christ forever!
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!

SMALL EKTENY

Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For blessed is Your name and glorified is Your kingdom, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

ODE IX
Deacon: Let us greatly extol in hymns the Theotokos and the Mother of Light!
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!
Irmos Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem!* for the glory to 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!
How divine! How mellow! The voice of purest love!*Your promise to remain with us, O Christ,* until the end of time!* Firmly do we hold to this promise,* the well-spring of our faith and joy!
Christ is risen from the dead!
You are the greatest Pasch, O Christ, the holiest!* The Wisdom, Word and Power of God!* Your radiant presence, fuller ever lovelier manifest to us, O Lord* when You come again in glory* on the endless day when the sun will never set!
Katavasia Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem!* for the glory to 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! Truly, He is risen! (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life!

SMALL EKTENY

Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For all the powers of heaven extol You, O Lord, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

EXAPOSTILARION
Sung solemnly three times
In the flesh You fell asleep like a mere mortal, O King, I King and Lord! But three days later You arose, lifting Adam from corruption, putting death to death. O Pasch beyond corruption, O Ransom of the world!

THE PRAISES
Psalms 148, 149, 150
These are sung antiphonally in Tone 1
Psalm 148
Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.* Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the heights.* To You is due a hymn, O God!
Praise Him, all His angels,* praise Him, all His host.* To You is due a hymn, O God!
Praise Him, sun and moon,* praise Him, shining stars.
Praise Him, highest heavens* and the waters above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Lord.* He commanded: they were made.
He fixed them forever;* gave a law which shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth,* sea creatures and all oceans,
Fire and hail, snow and mist,* stormy winds that obey his word;
All mountains and hills,* all fruit trees and cedars,
Beasts, wild and tame,* reptiles and birds on the wing;
All earth’s kings and peoples,* earth’s princes and rulers,
Young men and maidens,* old men together with children.
Let them praise the name of the Lord for He alone is exalted.* The splendor of His name reaches beyond heaven and earth.
He exalts the strength of His people.* He is the praise of all His saints, of the children of Israel, of the people to whom He comes close.
Psalm 149
Sing a new song to the Lord,* His praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its Maker;* let Zion’s sons exalt in their king.
Let them praise His name with dancing* and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in His people.* He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,* shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips* and a two-edged sword in their hand,
To deal out vengeance to the nations* and punishment on all the people;
To bind their kings in chains* and their nobles in fetters of iron.
To carry out the sentence preordained* this honor is for all His faithful.
Praise God in His Holy place,* praise Him in His mighty heavens.

In Tone 1
Praise Him for His powerful deeds,* praise His surpassing greatness.

We praise Your saving passion, O Christ!* We glorify Your resurrection!

O praise Him with sound of trumpet,* praise Him with lute and harp.

You captured Hades, O Christ.* You raised us by Your own resurrection.* Make us worthy to praise and glorify You in purity of heart.

Praise Him with timbrel and dance,* praise Him with strings and pipes.

You captured Hades, O Christ.* You raised us by Your own resurrection.* Make us worthy to praise and glorify You in purity of heart.

O praise Him with resounding cymbals praise Him with clashing of cymbals.* Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.

We glorify Your divine humility;* we praise You, O Christ.* You were born of a virgin,* yet were not separated from the Father.* You became a mortal and suffered for us,* voluntarily enduring the cross.* You rose from the tomb, coming as from a bridal chamber to save the world.* O Lord, glory be to You!

The two choirs come together in the centre of the temple.

THE PASCHAL STICHERAS

Let God arise;* let His enemies be scattered!

Today a sacred Pascha is revealed to us.* A new and holy Pascha.* A mystical Pascha.* A Pascha worthy of veneration.* A Pascha which is Christ the Redeemer,* a blameless Pascha.* A great Pascha.* A Pascha of the faithful.* A Pascha which has opened for us the gates of Paradise.* A Pascha which sanctifies all the faithful.

As smoke vanishes,* let them vanish.

Come* from that scene, O women bearers of glad tidings,* and say to Sion:* Receive from us the glad tidings of joy* of Christ’s Resurrection:* Exult and be glad,* and rejoice, O Jerusalem,* seeing Christ the King* who comes forth from the tomb like a Bridegroom in procession!

So let sinners flee from before the face of God;* but let the righteous rejoice!

The myrrh-bearing women* at the break of dawn* drew near to the tomb of the LifeGiver.* There they found an angel* sitting upon the stone,* he greeted them with these words:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* Why do you mourn the incorrupt amid corruption?* Go: proclaim the glad tidings to His disciples.

This is the day which the Lord has made:* Let us rejoice and be glad in

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!”

Glory be to the Father, and the Son* and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

This is the day of Resurrection,* let us be illumined by the Feast!* Let us embrace each other!* Let us call “Brothers and Sisters!”* 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 on those in the tombs bestowing life! Thrice

All exchange the Paschal Kiss

THE PASCHAL HOMILY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
If there be any devout people who love God, let them enjoy this splendid and radiant Feast. If any of them be wise servants, let them blissfully enter into the joy of their Lord. If any of them have laboured long in fasting, let them now receive their reward. If any have toiled from the first hour, let them now receive their just wage. If any came at the third hour, let them gratefully join in the Feast. If any arrived at the sixth hour, they should not be afraid, for they will not be deprived of anything. If any of them tarried even until the ninth hour, let them approach without hesitation. If any arrived only at the eleventh hour, they should not worry on account of their tardiness. For the Master loves to grant honours and will receive the last just as the first. He gives rest to the one who came at the eleventh hour, just as He does to the one who toiled from the first hour. He shows His mercy to the last, and His care for the first. To the one He gives; on the other, He showers gifts. He accepts deeds and welcomes intentions. He honours labours and praises resolutions. And so, let all enter into the joy of their Lord, and let the first as well as the last receive the reward. Let the rich and the poor celebrate together. Let the resourceful and the slothful honour this Day. Let those who fasted and those who did not fast be glad today. The Table is bountifully set; let all be satisfied. The Calf is fattened; let no one go away hungry. Let everyone enjoy the Cup of Faith. Let everyone receive the richness of Grace. Let none grieve at their poverty, for the Kingdom that belongs to all people has been revealed. Let none weep for their sins, for forgiveness shines forth from the Tomb. Let no one fear Death, for the Savior’s death has set us free. The One Whom Death imprisoned has extinguished Death. The One Who descended into Hades made Hades the captive. He caused it distress when it tasted His Flesh. When Isaiah foresaw this, he exclaimed: “Hades was all distressed by encountering You in the nether world.” It was distressed because it was abolished. It was distressed because it was mocked. It was distressed because it was slain. It was distressed because it was overthrown. It was distressed because it was chained. It seized a Body but discovered God. It seized the Earthly but encountered the Heavenly. It seized the Visible but was overcome by the Invisible. O Death, where is your sting! O Hades, where is your victory! Christ is risen, and you are abolished! Christ is risen, and the demons are cast down! Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and Life now reigns! Christ is risen, and the Tomb is emptied of the dead! For in rising from the dead, Christ became the First-Fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

After the Homily, this troparion in honour of St. John Chrysostom in Tone 8:

The grace that shines forth from your mouth like a torch has enlightened the universe;* it implanted in the world the treasure of the love of poverty,* it showed us the high value of humility;* instruct us by your words, John Chrysostom, our father,* and intercede with the Word, Christ God,* for the salvation of our souls!

EKTENY OF SUPPLICATION

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, in the greatness of Your compassion, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy. (3)

For our most holy universal Pontiff, N., Pope of Rome, for our most blessed Patriarch, N., our most reverend Metropolitan, N., our God-loving Bishop., N., for those who serve or have served in this holy church, for our spiritual fathers, and for all our brethren in Christ.

We also pray for our nation under God, for our government, and for all the military.

We also pray for the people here present who await Your great and bountiful mercies, for those who have been kind to us, and for all orthodox Christians.

Priest: For You are a merciful and loving God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

EKTENY OF PETITION

Deacon: Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

That this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.

For all that is good and beneficial for our souls and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

That we may spend the rest of our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

For a Christian end to our lives, one that is painless, unashamed, and peaceful,; and for a good defense at the awesome tribunal of Christ, let us ask the Lord.

Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For You are merciful O God, and You love mankind, and to You we send up glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and for ages of ages.

All: Amen.

PASCHAL DISMISSAL

Deacon: Wisdom.

All: Give the blessing.

Priest: Blessed is He-Who-Is, Christ our God, always, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen. O God, uphold the holy orthodox Faith forever!

Priest: O most-holy Mother of God, save us.

All: Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem! For the glory to 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

Priest: Glory be to You, Christ God, our Hope; glory be to You.

All: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs bestowing life! Lord, have mercy. (3) Give the blessing!

The priest intones the Paschal Dismissal.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life! Thrice

And He gave us eternal life… We bow down to His holy resurrection on the third day!

DIVINE LITURGY

After the priest has exclaimed Blessed is the Kingdom and we have responded Amen, the clergy sing the Paschal Troparion once and we repeat it. Then, the clergy sing the first half, and we conclude it. This is done every day until the Wednesday before Ascension Thursday.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs bestowing life.

Antiphon 1
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,* sing now to His name, give glory to His praise.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
Say unto God, “How awesome are Your works!* Because of the greatness of Your strength Your enemies will flatter You.”
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
Let all the earth worship You and sing to You,* let it sing to Your name, O Most High!
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
Glory… Now… Only-begotten Son…

Antiphon 3
Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered; let those who hate Him flee from before His face.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs bestowing life.
As smoke vanishes, let them vanish, as wax melts before the fire.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs bestowing life.
So let the sinners perish before the face of God, but let the righteous be glad.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs bestowing life.

Entrance
In the churches bless God, the Lord from the fountains of Israel.

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs bestowing life.

Glory… Now…

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 myrrhbearing women: Rejoice!* and giving peace to Your Apostles:* You, who grant resurrection to the fallen.

Instead of Holy God, we sing:
All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
This is the day which the Lord has made;* let us rejoice and be glad in it.
verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.

Epistle
Acts 1:1-18

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: When You rise, You will have compassion on Sion.
verse: The Lord looked down from heaven to earth to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free the sons of those put to death.

Gospel
John 1:1-18

Communion Hymn
Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

At Communion, Christ is risen replaces Blessed is He, We have seen the true light and Let our mouths be filled. For the last of these, Christ is risen is sung thrice.

Instead of Blessed be the name of the Lord we sing Christ is risen thrice. It is sung again (using the simple chord chant) instead of Glory to the Father… at the dismissal.

After the final Amen, the priest, with cross raised on high, exclaims Christ is risen thrice and we respond Truly, He is risen each time. Then, the Troparion Christ is risen is sung as at the beginning of the Liturgy, but with the addition:

And to us He has granted eternal life;* we bow down before His resurrection on the third day.

Свята і Велика Неділя Пасхи.
Воскресіння Господа Бога і Спаса нашого Ісуса Христа

Літургійні рубрики: Після того, як священик виголошує “Благословенне Царство” й люди відповідають “Амінь”, священики співають Тропар один раз, а люди його повторюють. Далі священики співають першу половину, а люди завершують другу. Так робимо щодня, аж до середи перед четвергом Вознесіння.

Тропар: Христос воскрес із мертвих, смертю смерть подолав, і тим, що в гробах, життя дарував (х3).

Антифон 1
Стих 1: Воскликніте Господеві, вся земле! Співайте ж імені його, віддайте славу хвалі його (Пс 65,2).

Приспів: Молитвами Богородиці, Спасе, спаси нас.
Стих 2: Скажіте Богові: Як страшні діла твої, задля великої сили твоєї підлещуються тобі вороги твої (Пс 65,3).

Приспів: Молитвами Богородиці, Спасе, спаси нас.
Стих 3: Вся земля нехай поклониться тобі і співає тобі, нехай же співає імені твоєму, Всевишній (Пс 65,4).

Приспів: Молитвами Богородиці, Спасе, спаси нас.
+Слава Отцю, і Сину, і Святому Духові. І нині, і повсякчас, і на віки вічні. Амінь.

Якщо cпіваємо 2ий aнтифон: Приспів: Молитвами Богородиці, Спасе, спаси нас. Як ні то співаємо: Єдинородний Сину

Антифон 2
Стих 1: Боже, ущедри нас і благослови нас, просвіти лице твоє на нас і помилуй нас (Пс 66,2).
Приспів: Спаси нас, Сину Божий, що воскрес із мертвих, співаємо тобі: Алилуя.
Стих 2: Щоб пізнали ми на землі путь твою, у всіх народах спасення твоє (Пс 66,3).
Приспів: Спаси нас, Сину Божий, що воскрес із мертвих, співаємо тобі: Алилуя.
Стих 3: Нехай ісповідують тебе люди, Боже, нехай ісповідують тебе люди всі (Пс 66,4).
Приспів: Спаси нас, Сину Божий, що воскрес із мертвих, співаємо тобі: Алилуя.
Слава і нині: Єдинородний Сину:

Антифон 3
Стих 1: Нехай воскресне Бог і розбіжаться вороги його, і нехай тікають від лиця його ті, що ненавидять його (Пс 67,2).
Тропар: Христос воскрес із мертвих, смертю смерть подолав, і тим, що в гробах, життя дарував.

Стих 2: Як іщезає дим, нехай іщезнуть, як тане віск від лиця вогню (Пс 67, 3).
Тропар: Христос воскрес із мертвих, смертю смерть подолав, і тим, що в гробах, життя дарував.

Стих 3: Так нехай погибнуть грішники від лиця Божого, а праведники нехай возвеселяться (Пс 67,3-4).
Тропар: Христос воскрес із мертвих, смертю смерть подолав, і тим, що в гробах, життя дарував.

Вхідне: В церквах благословіть Бога, Господа, ви – з джерел ізраїлевих (Пс 67,27).
Тропар: Христос воскрес із мертвих, смертю смерть подолав, і тим, що в гробах, життя дарував.

+Слава Отцю, і Сину, і Святому Духові. І нині, і повсякчас, і на віки вічні. Амінь.

Кондак (глас 8): Хоч і у гріб зійшов ти, Безсмертний,* та адову зруйнував ти силу,* і воскрес єси як переможець, Христе Боже,* жінкам-мироносицям звістивши: Радуйтеся,* і твоїм апостолам мир даруєш,* падшим подаєш воскресіння.
Замість Трисвятого: Ви, що в Христа хрестилися, у Христа зодягнулися. Алилуя!

Прокімен (глас 8): Це день, що його створив Господь,* возрадуємося і возвеселімся в нім (Пс 117,24).
Стих: Сповідуйтеся Господеві, бо він благий, бо на віки милість його (Пс 117,1).

Апостол: (Ді 1,1-8): Першу книгу я написав, о Теофіле, про все, що Ісус робив та що навчав від початку аж до дня, коли вознісся, давши Святим Духом накази апостолам, яких собі вибрав. Він показував їм себе також у численних доказах живим після своєї муки, з’являючись сорок день їм і розповідаючи про Боже Царство. Тоді ж саме, як споживав хліб-сіль із ними, він наказав їм Єрусалиму не кидати, але чекати обітниці Отця, що її ви від мене чули; бо Йоан христив водою, ви ж будете хрищені по кількох цих днях Святим Духом. Отож, зійшовшися, вони питали його: «Господи, чи цього часу знову відбудуєш Ізраїлеві царство?» Він відповів їм: «Не ваша справа знати час і пору, що їх Отець призначив у своїй владі. Та ви приймете силу Святого Духа, що на вас зійде, і будете моїми свідками в Єрусалимі, у всій Юдеї та Самарії й аж до краю землі.»

Алилуя (глас 4): Алилуя, aлилуя , aлилуя !
Стих: Ти, воскресши, помилуєш Сіона (Пс 101,14).
Стих: Господь з неба на землю споглянув (Пс 101,20).

Євангеліє: (Ів 1,1-18): Споконвіку було Слово, і з Богом було Слово, і Слово було – Бог. З Богом було воно споконвіку. Ним постало все, і ніщо, що постало, не постало без нього. У ньому було життя, і життя було – світло людей. І світло світить у темряві, і не пойняла його темрява. Був чоловік, посланий Богом, ім’я йому – Йоан. Прийшов він свідком – свідчити світло, щоб усі з-за нього увірували. Не був він світло – був лише, щоб свідчити світло. Справжнє то було світло – те, що просвітлює кожну людину. Воно прийшло у цей світ. Було у світі, і світ ним виник – і світ не впізнав його. Прийшло до своїх, – а свої його не прийняли. Котрі ж прийняли його – тим дало право дітьми Божими стати, які а ім’я його вірують; які не з крови, ані з тілесного бажання, ані з волі людської, лише – від Бога народилися. І Слово стало тілом, і оселилося між нами, і ми славу його бачили – славу Єдинородного від Отця, благодаттю та істиною сповненого. Свідчить про нього Йоан, і проголошує, промовляючи: «Ось той, про кого я говорив: Той, що йде за мною, існував передо мною, був раніше за мене.» Від його повноти прийняли всі ми – благодать за благодать. Закон бо був даний від Мойсея, благодать же й істина прийшла через Ісуса Христа. Ніхто й ніколи Бога не бачив. Єдинородний Син, що в Отцевому лоні, – той об’явив.
Замість Достойно: Ангел сповіщав Благодатній: Чистая Діво, радуйся. І знову кажу: Радуйся. Твій Син воскрес тридневний із гробу, і мертвих воздвигнув він; люди, веселіться.

Ірмос (глас 1): Світися, світися, новий Єрусалиме, слава бо Господня на тобі возсіяла. Радій нині і веселися, Сіоне. А ти, Чистая, красуйся, Богородице, востанням рождення твого.

Причасний: Тіло Христове прийміть, джерела безсмертного споживіть. Алилуя (х3).

Замість Благословен, хто йде в ім’я Господнє: Христос воскрес із мертвих, смертю смерть подолав, і тим, що в гробах, життя дарував.

Замість Ми бачили світло істинне: Христос воскрес із мертвих, смертю смерть подолав, і тим, що в гробах, життя дарував.

Замість Нехай сповняться: Христос воскрес із мертвих, смертю смерть подолав, і тим, що в гробах, життя дарував (х3).

Замість Будь ім’я Господнє: Христос воскрес із мертвих, смертю смерть подолав, і тим, що в гробах, життя дарував (х3).

Під час відпусту “Христос воскрес” співається один раз (на просту мелодію) замість “Слава Отцю…”

Тоді знову співається Тропар “Христос воскрес”, як і на початку Літургії, але з додатковим закінченням.

Тропар: Христос воскрес із мертвих, смертю смерть подолав, і тим, що в гробах, життя дарував (х3).

І нам дарував життя вічне, поклоняємось його тридневному воскресінню.

AGAPE VESPERS

Deacon: Master, give the blessing.

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

PASCHAL TROPARION

The Paschal Troprion is sung three times: first by the clergy, then by the faithful, then half by the clergy, and half by the faithful. We continue to sing the Troparion with verses from Psalm 67:

Christ is risen from the dead,
trampling death by death,
and to those in the tombs
giving life.

Priest: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered; let those who hate Him flee from before His face!

All: Christ is risen…

Priest: As smoke vanishes, let them vanish, as wax melts before the fire!

All: Christ is risen…

Priest: So let the sinners perish before the face of God, but let the righteous be glad!

All: Christ is risen…

Priest: This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

All: Christ is risen…

Priest: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

All: Christ is risen…

Priest: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death,

All: And to those in the tombs giving life.

LITANY OF PEACE

LAMP-LIGHTING PSALMS

As the deacon (or priest if no deacon) performs the incensation, the Lamp-lighting Psalms (140, 141, 129, 116) are taken, with the introductory verses sung in Tone 2, Samohlasnyj.

Psalm 140

O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me;

Hear me, O Lord!

O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me;

receive the voice of my prayer when I call upon You.

Hear me, O Lord!

Let my prayer rise like incense before You;

the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.

Hear me, O Lord.

Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth, • and a portal around my lips.* Incline my heart away from evil dealings, • from finding excuses for sinful deeds.* In company with men who work iniquity • let me not partake of what they choose.* May a just man chasten me with justice and reprove me; • may the oil of the wicked never touch my head.* Yet even then shall I pray for their welfare. • Their rulers were swallowed near the rock.* My words will be heard for they were sweet. • As a lump of clay broken on the ground, so their bones were strewn near the grave.* To You, Lord, O Lord, my eyes are lifted up; • in You have I hoped: let not my soul be lost.* Keep from me the snare that was set up for me. • and from the stumbling blocks of the wicked.* The wicked shall fall into their own nets • while I remain alone until I can escape.

Psalm 141

With my voice I cried out to the Lord, • with my voice I implored the Lord.* Before Him I pour out my supplication, • before Him I declare my distress.* When my breath was escaping me, • then You knew my paths.* On the road upon which I was walking • they set up snares for me.* I looked to my right and observed: • there was no friendly to me.* Even flight was denied me; • there was no one to take care of my life.* I cried out to You, O Lord, • and said: “You are my hope, my share in the land of the living.”* Listen to my supplication • for I am laid very low.* Deliver me from my oppressors, • for they have overwhelmed me.* Lead my soul forth from prison • that I may give thanks to Your name.* The just shall gather around me • when You have been good to me.

Psalm 129

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; • O Lord, hear my prayer.* Let Your ears be attentive • to the voice of my prayer.

In Tone 2, Samohlasnyj:

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Come, let us worship Him who was born of the Father before all ages.* the Word of God incarnate of the Virgin Mary,* for by His own free will He has suffered crucifixion* and was committed to the tomb* and is now risen from the dead** and has saved me who had been lost.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded;*my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

By His cross, Christ our Saviour* wiped out the sentence written against us.* He wiped it out and abolished the might of death.* Let us therefore bow in adoration** before His resurrection on the third day.

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

With the archangels let us sing a hymn of praise* to the resurrection of Christ,* for He is the Redeemer and Saviour of our souls* and He shall come again with awesome glory and great might** to judge the world He Himself created.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

O You who were crucified and were buried,* the angel proclaimed You the Lord when he said to the women:* Come and see where the Lord was laid.* Since He is almighty* He is risen as He had foretold.* Therefore, we worship You, the only Immortal One,* O Christ, Giver of life,** have mercy on us!

Psalm 116

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all You people.

By Your cross You abolished the curse of the tree.* By Your burial You put to death the might of death* and by Your resurrection You enlightened humankind.* Therefore, we cry out to You:** O Christ our God, the Benefactor, glory to You!

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;*eternally will His truth endure.

O Lord, the gates of death opened to You out of fear,* and when the gate-keepers of Hades saw You, they trembled.* They trembled again when You crushed its gates of bronze and its iron bars* and delivered us from the shadow and gloom of death,** and broke our fetters.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Let us sing a salutary hymn or praise;* let us kneel in the house of the Lord and cry out:* O You who were crucified on a cross and rose from the dead* while still remaining in the bosom of the Father,** forgive us our sins.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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. In stead of Moses, Christ God came forth, the Saviour of our souls.

ENTRANCE

The deacon takes the Holy Gospel and with the priest makes the entrance. The following dialogue is recited once they have come before the Royal Doors.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Priest: In the evening, in the morning, and at midday, we praise and bless You, we give You thanks and we entreat You, Master of all things! Let our prayer rise like incense before You, and preserve our hearts from all evil words and thoughts. Rescue us from all those who hunt after our souls, for our eyes are fixed on You, O Lord, and on You we count: do not disappoint us! For you deserve all glory, honour and worship; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

Deacon: Amen. Master, bless the holy entrance!

Priest: Blessed is the entrance into Your holy places, always, now and for ever and ever.

Deacon: Amen.

At the completion of the last stichera, the deacon intones aloud:

Deacon: Wisdom! Stand aright!

EVENING HYMN

While the Evening Hymn is being sung, the deacon incenses the sanctuary, iconostasis and the people.

Tranquil Light of the holy glory the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ; as we come upon the sunset, as we see the evening light, we sing to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. At all times You are worthy of being hymned by joyful voices; O Son of God, You are the giver of life. For this the whole world glorifies You.

THE GREAT PROKEIMENON

The Great Prokeimenon is sung in Tone 7 or to the melody of Bortniansky.

Who is so great a God as our God?
Thou art the God who doest wonders!

verse: Amongst the people hast Thou made Thy power known!

verse: And I said: now have I made a beginning: this change has been wrought by the right hand of the Most High.

verse: I have remembered the works of the Lord, and called to mind Thy wonders from of old.

GOSPEL

Deacon: That we be deemed worthy to hear the holy Gospel, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy. (3)

Deacon: Wisdom! Stand aright! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel.

Priest: Peace be with all

All: And with your spirit.

Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

All: Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You!

Deacon: Let us be attentive!

Priest: On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.” [20:19-25 RSV]

All: Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You!

LITANY OF SUPPLICATION

DEIGN, O LORD

SECOND LITANY OF SUPPLICATION

APOSTICHA

In Tone 2, Samohlasnyj:

Your Resurrection, O Christ, the Saviour,* has lighted up the whole universe.* You have renewed Your creation,* O Lord almighty, glory to You!

Then, the Paschal Stichera as at Matins:

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 Zion: 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!”

Glory… 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.
(3)

At this time, all exchange the Paschal Kiss

DISMISSAL

Deacon: Wisdom!

All: Give the blessing!

Priest: Blessed is the One-Who-is, blessed is Christ our God, always, now and forever and ever.

All: Amen. O God, strengthen the orthodox faith forever and ever.

Priest: O most holy Mother of God, save us.

All: 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

Priest: Glory be to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory be to You!

All: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs, giving life. Lord, have mercy. (3) Give the blessing!

Priest: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs, giving life, through the prayers of His immaculate Mother, of the holy glorious and all-praiseworthy Apostles, of our venerable god-bearing fathers, of Saint N., patron of this temple, of Saint N., whose memory we celebrate this day, and of all the saints, will have mercy and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.

All: Amen.

Christ is risen from the dead,
trampling death by death,
and to those in the tombs,
giving life.
(3)

April 4, 2015
Great and Holy Saturday

In the early Church, Holy Saturday was the day when catechumens were baptized. In the Byzantine tradition, this took place at the Vespers with Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil which we still have on Holy Saturday. This service is the original “Easter Vigil.” In recent centuries it has been sadly neglected; some parishes rush through it. Other parishes abbreviate it in a poorly considered way. And many parishes do not hold it at all. But those who discover the Biblical and dogmatic wealth of this celebration treasure it, and look forward to it every year. Continue reading April 4, 2015 Great and Holy Saturday

April 3, 2015
Great and Holy Friday

According to the Typikon, Vespers should begin at 4:00 pm. Many Ukrainian parishes have a custom of holding this service in the late morning, and I often wondered why. When I spent Holy Week in L’viv in 1991, I suddenly understood: the early time was set to allow people a few more hours to come to kiss the Shroud! At the large churches in L’viv, there were never-ending lines of the faithful, around the clock, from Good Friday morning until midnight Holy Saturday evening, people coming to kiss the Shroud. It was an amazing witness of faith. Continue reading April 3, 2015 Great and Holy Friday

April 2, 2015
Great and Holy Thursday

Let us be honest, and admit that Holy Thursday in the Byzantine liturgical tradition is not entirely successful! The day has become overloaded, and what should be the principal theme has suffered as a result.

That principal theme is, of course, the Last Supper, at which Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us the Holy Eucharist. Nothing could be more obvious than that our main service of the day should be the Divine Liturgy, and that this Divine Liturgy should be in the evening. Continue reading April 2, 2015 Great and Holy Thursday

April 1, 2015
Great and Holy Wednesday

Today at Matins we hear the Gospel warning of the dangers of rejecting Christ, that we should not be like those who “loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” We should he moved, yet again, not to take the grace of God for granted in our lives. Since we have known the Gospel, since we do know Christ, since we belong to the Church, our responsibility is that much greater. At Vespers and the Presanctified Liturgy we hear the Gospel about the woman who came to the house of Simon the leper in Bethany and anointed the head of Jesus with expensive, fragrant oil. The liturgical poetry combines this with the account of similar event in Luke, and another in John. (Bishop Basil Losten)

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

10. In You, born of the Virgin, the harlot recognized her God;
ashamed of her sinful deeds, she sighed and wept, and said:
O Lord, loosen my debt to You, as I unloosen my hair.
Grant Your love to the one who loves You, despite all my unworthiness;
and I shall exalt Your love for all,
harlots and publicans alike,
O Lover of humankind and their Benefactor.

9. The harlot mixed her tears with the precious myrrh,
as she poured them over Your most pure feet,
which she covered with kisses;
thus You showed her to be justified.
O Lord, who suffered for us,
grant us Your forgiveness and save us.

8. While the sinful woman was offering You her ointment,
Your disciple conspired against You.
She rejoiced to pour out the precious myrrh,
while he hastened to sell the One who is beyond price.
As she came to recognize her Lord,
the disciple separated himself;
she was set free,
while Judas became enslaved to the Enemy.
She was ennobled through repentance,
while he was disgraced by his vile actions.
O Saviour, who suffered for us,
grant us Your forgiveness and save us.

7. O the misery of Judas!
He saw the sinful woman kiss the feet of the Lord,
and he shamefully thought of his kiss of betrayal.
She loosened her hair,
while he let himself be bound up by passion;
instead of the fragrance of myrrh, he bore the odour of his perverse and evil ways;
for jealousy does no know how to seek what is good.
O the misery of Judas!
O Lord, keep our souls from falling like him.

In Tone 2

6. The sinful woman hastened to buy the precious myrrh,
in order to anoint her Saviour.
She said to the merchant:
Give me the myrrh that I might anoint the One
who washed me of all my sins.

In Tone 6

5. Drowning in the abyss of sin,
the harlot found in You a harbour of salvation.
She poured out myrrh with her tears, and said:
O Lord, You can forgive sins,
but You await the repentance of sinners.
Behold me, O Master, for I am sinking in the storm of sin;
in Your great goodness, save me.

4. Today Christ comes to the house of the Pharisee,
and the sinful woman falls at His feet.
She bows before Him and says:
Behold, I am drowning in the abyss of sin;
I have lost all hope because of my deeds.
In Your goodness, do not turn away from me;
but grant me forgiveness, O Lord, and save me.

3. The harlot loosened her hair for You, O Lord,
while Judas reached out his hand to the godless ones.
One acted to receive Your forgiveness, the other to gain money.
Therefore, we cry out to You:
O Lord, sold for our deliverance, glory to You.

2. Filled with the odour of sin, the woman drew near to You, O Saviour;
she poured out her tears over Your feet and thus proclaimed Your Passion.
“O Master, how shall I dare to raise my eyes to You,” she cried.
Yet You came to save the fallen;
You raised Lazarus from the tomb;
so lift me also from the abyss of death.
O Lord, accept me in my misery and save me.

1. She who was rejected because of her life,
and who was accepted because of her conversion,
came to You, bearing myrrh, and saying:
Do not cast me out, O Son of the Virgin, for I am a wretched one;
O Joy of the angels do not despise my tears;
but receive me in repentance, and in Your goodness, accept me a sinful one.

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

O Lord, the woman who had fallen into a multitude of sins,
recognized Your divinity and thus joined the ranks of the myrrh-bearing women;
before Your burial, she offered You myrrh with her tears:
“Alas,” she said, “Woe is me!
The stinging night of pleasure seizes me;
the dark and moonless love of sin grasps me.
Accept the stream of my tears and my copious weeping, O Lord,
for You make the waters fall from the clouds into the sea.
Incline Your ear to the cry of my heart,
for You incline the heavens in Your ineffable condescension.
Allow me to kiss Your most pure feet,
and to dry them with the locks of my hair;
for these are the feet that Eve heard in Paradise,
and, trembling at their approach, she hid herself.
O Lord, who can search out the number of my sins?
Who shall search the depth of Your judgments, O Redeemer and Saviour of our souls?!
In Your infinite love, do not despise Your servant.”

Prokeimenon I, Tone 4
To the God of heaven give thanks* for His love endures forever.
verse: Give thanks to the God of gods, for His love endures forever.

Reading I
Exodus 2:11-22

Prokeimenon II, Tone 4
Your love, O Lord, is eternal,* do not discard the work of Your hands.
verse: I thank You, Lord, with all my heart.

Reading II
Job 2:1-10

Gospel
Matthew 26:6-16

March 31, 2015
Great and Holy Tuesday

Today at Matins, we hear the Gospel in which Jesus delivers a ringing, frightening denunciation of religious hypocrisy. We, who have the richest liturgical tradition in Christendom, should listen to this Gospel lesson attentively. Our wonderful, magnificent worship which we love will do us no good at all if we let it become an excuse for spiritual pride, for snobbery, for pretense, for avoiding our duty of justice, mercy, and good faith. Jesus does not teach us to neglect our liturgical worship, but He definitely teaches us to fulfill the Gospel law of service to others, as we saw on Meat-Fare Sunday, which is also called the Sunday of the Last Judgment. May God deliver us from permitting Holy Week to lead us into spiritual complacency. Continue reading March 31, 2015 Great and Holy Tuesday

March 30, 2015
Great and Holy Monday

On Holy and Great Monday, at Matins we hear the Gospel which recounts the lack of faith of the leaders, and the faith of the sinners. The lesson ends with the warning: “the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” We must not be complacent, but always alert to witness to God’s Kingdom.

At the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, we hear the Gospel lesson in which Jesus announces the end of the world. We Christians should live in this awareness, that this world is passing, that our true homeland, our true citizenship, is not here but in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Bishop Basil Losten)

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFED GIFTS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

10. Going freely to His Passion,
the Lord said to His disciples along the way:
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of man shall be delivered up, as it is written.
Come, let us purify our thoughts that we may go with Him;
let us be crucified with Him;
in Him we shall die to the pleasures of this life,
that we may live with Him and hear Him say to us:
I am no longer going to the earthly Jerusalem to suffer,
but I am going to My Father and your Father,
to My God and your God;
you shall go with Me to the heavenly Jerusalem
in the Kingdom of Heaven.

9. Going freely to His Passion,
the Lord said to His disciples along the way:
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of man shall be delivered up, as it is written.
Come, let us purify our thoughts that we may go with Him;
let us be crucified with Him;
in Him we shall die to the pleasures of this life,
that we may live with Him and hear Him say to us:
I am no longer going to the earthly Jerusalem to suffer,
but I am going to My Father and your Father,
to My God and your God;
you shall go with Me to the heavenly Jerusalem
in the Kingdom of Heaven.

In Tone 5

8. O faithful, let us hasten to the saving Passion of Christ our God;
let us glorify His long-suffering which is beyond expression,
that He may save us from sin and death,
and that He may also raise us in His goodness and love for humankind.

7. O faithful, let us hasten to the saving Passion of Christ our God;
let us glorify His long-suffering which is beyond expression,
that He may save us from sin and death,
and that He may also raise us in His goodness and love for humankind.

6. When You were going to Your Passion, O Lord,
You reassured Your disciples by taking them aside and saying:
How can You forget the words I have spoken to you?
The Scriptures say that all the prophets die only in Jerusalem!
Now the time of which I have spoken to you has arrived:
Behold, I shall be delivered into the hands of sinners;
they shall mock Me and nail Me to the Cross;
and after burying Me, they shall number Me among the dead.
Take courage, however, for I shall rise on the third day,
to bring joy and eternal life to all the faithful.

5. When You were going to Your Passion, O Lord,
You reassured Your disciples by taking them aside and saying:
How can You forget the words I have spoken to you?
The Scriptures say that all the prophets die only in Jerusalem!
Now the time of which I have spoken to you has arrived:
Behold, I shall be delivered into the hands of sinners;
they shall mock Me and nail Me to the Cross;
and after burying Me, they shall number Me among the dead.
Take courage, however, for I shall rise on the third day,
to bring joy and eternal life to all the faithful.

4. Not understanding the depth of the ineffable mystery of Your plan of salvation,
the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to You, O Lord;
she asked You to grant them the places of honour in a temporal kingdom.
But in place of these honours,
You proclaimed to Your friends that they would drink from the cup of death,
the same cup from which You shall first drink
to cleanse us of our sins.
Therefore, we cry out to You:
O Saviour of our souls, glory to You!

3. Not understanding the depth of the ineffable mystery of Your plan of salvation,
the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to You, O Lord;
she asked You to grant them the places of honour in a temporal kingdom.
But in place of these honours,
You proclaimed to Your friends that they would drink from the cup of death,
the same cup from which You shall first drink
to cleanse us of our sins.
Therefore, we cry out to You:
O Saviour of our souls, glory to You!

2. When You taught Your disciples to seek that which is higher,
You said to them, O Lord:
Do not imitate the pagans by lording over those who are weak;
it shall not be that way with you.
For I have chosen to be poor;
so the first among you shall become the servant of the rest;
the one who commands shall be as the one who obeys;
the most noble shall be as the lowest.
For I Myself have come to serve the poverty of Adam
and to give My life as a ransom for the many
who now sing: O Lord, glory to You!

1. When You taught Your disciples to seek that which is higher,
You said to them, O Lord:
Do not imitate the pagans by lording over those who are weak;
it shall not be that way with you.
For I have chosen to be poor;
so the first among you shall become the servant of the rest;
the one who commands shall be as the one who obeys;
the most noble shall be as the lowest.
For I Myself have come to serve the poverty of Adam
and to give My life as a ransom for the many
who now sing: O Lord, glory to You!

In Tone 8, Glory…

O faithful, let us fear the punishment of the fig tree
which was dried up for not having borne any fruit;
let us offer worthy fruits of repentance to Christ,
who grants us His great mercy.

Now…

The Serpent thought he found a second Eve in the Egyptian woman,
who tried to make Joseph succumb to her words of flattery.
But he avoided sinning;
he left his garment behind, but was not ashamed of his nudity,
as were our first parents after their disobedience.
Through his prayers, O Christ, have mercy on us.

Prokeimenon I, Tone 6
May the Lord bless you from Sion,* and may you see prosperity of Jerusalem.
verse: Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.

Reading 1
Exodus 1:1-20

Prokeimenon II, Tone 8
We bless you* in the name of the Lord.
verse: “They have oppressed me from my youth,” this is the song of Israel.

Reading II
Job 1:1-12

Gospel
Matthew 24:3-35

March 29, 2015
Palm Sunday – The Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem

This is the authentic feast of Christ the King. On Palm Sunday, Jerusalem received Jesus Christ as the Messianic King. Even in the temple itself, the children cried out the royal acclamation “Hosanna,” which had not been heard since the end of the Macchabean monarchy over a century before. The “authorities” were terrified; if the Roman governor were to take this as a challenge, which he might have done, blood would flow in the streets.

Just recently, we have seen a parallel of sorts. As the Soviet Union was crumbling, the forbidden Ukrainian blue and gold flag appeared again, here and there, and people began to sing the banned Ukrainian national anthem. Simultaneously people were joyful and apprehensive: happy to see and hear the symbols they longed for, but frightened over the possibility of retribution from the Soviet forces. There must have been similar ambivalence in Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday. It was joyful to hear the royal acclamation “Hosanna” and to see the palms, and the royal entry of Jesus Christ. But what might it portend? What was going to happen?

This royal entry was necessary; Jesus Christ had to fulfill the Messianic prophecies which we read at Vespers on the evening of Palm Sunday. The ruler’s staff belongs to Christ the King, and He came to claim it, riding on the colt of an ass. The King of Israel had come again to Jerusalem, bringing victory, but it was to be a different sort of victory from what the Jewish people were expecting. Christ the King was simultaneously triumphant and victorious, but riding on the colt of an ass. Divine royalty is humble; divine humility is regal.

After the Gospel at Matins, the bishop or the priest blesses the pussy willow branches, and distributes them to all the clergy and faithful. We should hold the branches during the Divine Liturgy, and then take them to our homes, where we keep them with the Cross and the holy icons. What do these branches mean?

By accepting the blessed branch on Palm Sunday, we proclaim anew our primary allegiance to Jesus Christ our King. The blessed branch is like a “flag” for the Kingship of Jesus Christ. We acknowledge that Christ is our King, and that His Law, the Law of the Holy Gospel, comes first in our hearts and in our lives. And we keep the blessed branch in our home all year round, as a reminder of the loyalty we owe to Christ our King, and to the Gospel.

This is a matter of the utmost seriousness. Our prayer, fasting, and repentance during Lent should have brought us to realize that the Lord wants to reign in every aspect of our lives. Accepting the branch means accepting the royal authority of Jesus Christ in everything. We cannot promise to succeed, but we dare not take the blessed branch if we are not at least willing to try. By all means take the branch joyfully; the Kingdom of God is very joyful! But take it seriously too, and as you see it through the year remember what it stands for. (Bishop Basil Losten)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together,
and we all take up Your Cross and say:
“Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.”

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together,
and we all take up Your Cross and say:
“Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.”

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

Today the Word and co-eternal Son of God the Father,
whose throne is in heaven and whose footstool is the earth,
humbles Himself and comes to Bethany,
seated on a dumb beast, on a foal.
Then the children of the Hebrews, holding branches in their hands,
praise Him saying: “Hosanna in the highest:
blessed is He that comes, the King of Israel.”

Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Let us also come today, all the new Israel, the Church of the Gentiles,
and let us cry with the Prophet Zechariah:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion;
shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem;
for behold, your King comes to you:
He is meek and brings salvation,
and He rides upon the colt of an ass, the foal of the beast of burden.
Keep the feast with the children,
and holding branches in your hands sing His praises:
Hosanna in the highest:
blessed is He that comes, the King of Israel.”

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Prefiguring for us Your holy Resurrection, loving Lord,
by Your command You raised up from death Lazarus Your friend,
who was without the breath of life;
and after four days in the tomb he had begun to stink.
Then, O Saviour, mounted on a foal, and as though riding in a chariot,
You gave a sign to the Gentiles.
Therefore also Israel Your beloved offers You praise
out of the mouth of innocent babes and sucklings,
as they behold You, O Christ, enter the Holy City
six days before the Passover.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Six days before the Passover Jesus entered Bethany,
and His disciples came to Him, saying:
“Lord, where do You will that we prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
Then He sent them saying:
“Go into the village opposite, and you shall find a man bearing a pitcher of water;
follow him, and tell the master of the house:
The Teacher says,
‘In your house with my disciples shall I eat the Passover.’”

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Glory…

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together,
and we all take up Your Cross and say:
“Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.”

Now…

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together,
and we all take up Your Cross and say:
“Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.”

Readings
(1) Genesis 49:1-2, 8-12; (2) Zephaniah 3:14-19; (3) Zechariah 9:9-15

Lytia

In Tone 1

The All-Holy Spirit, who taught the apostles to speak in strange
and different tongues,
now inspires the innocent children of the Hebrews to cry aloud:
Hosanna in the highest;
blessed is He that comes, the King of Israel.

The Son and Word of the Father, like Him without
beginning and eternal,
has come today to the city of Jerusalem,
seated on a dumb beast, on a foal.
From fear the cherubim dare not gaze upon Him;
yet the children honour Him with palms and branches,
and mystically they sing a hymn of praise:
“Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna to the Son of David,
who has come to save from error all mankind.”

Six days before the Passover, O Lord, Your voice was heard in
the depths of hell,
and from it You raised up Lazarus who was four days dead.
Then the children of the Hebrews cried aloud:
“Hosanna to our God: glory to You!”

Entering, O Lord, into the Holy City, seated upon a foal,
You drew near with haste to Your Passion,
to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.
Then the children of the Hebrews, foretelling the victory of the Resurrection,
came to meet You with palms and branches, saying:
“Blessed are You, O Saviour; have mercy on us.”

Glory to You, O Christ, who are seated in the heights upon Your throne,
and whom we now await with Your precious Cross.
Therefore the daughter of Zion is glad, and the nations of the
earth rejoice exceedingly.
The children hold branches and the disciples spread their
garments in the way;
and all the inhabited earth is taught to cry aloud to You:
“Blessed are You, O Saviour; have mercy on us.”

In Tone 3, Glory… Now…

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany,
to call back Lazarus who was four days dead,
and to proclaim the coming Resurrection.
The women Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus, came to
meet Him, crying:
“Lord, if You had been here, our brother would not have died.”
Then He answered them: “Did I not say to you before:
He who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet he shall live?
Show Me where you have laid him.”
And the Maker of all cried to him, “Lazarus, come forth.”

Aposticha

In Tone 8

Rejoice and be glad, O city of Zion;
exult and be exceedingly joyful, O Church of God.
For behold, your King has come in righteousness,
seated on a foal, and the children sing His praises:
“Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed are You who shows great compassion:
have mercy on us.”

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings* have You appointed praise.

The Saviour has come today to the city of Jerusalem, to fulfil
the Scriptures;
and all have taken palms into their hands
and spread their garments before Him,
knowing that He is our God, to whom the cherubim sing
without ceasing:
“Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed are You who shows great compassion:
have mercy on us.”

O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful* is Your Name in all the earth.

O You who ride upon the cherubim and are praised by the seraphim,
You have sat, O gracious Lord, like David on a foal,
and the children honoured You with praise fitting for God;
but the priests and scribes blasphemed unlawfully against You.
Your riding on a foal prefigured how the Gentiles, as yet untamed and uninstructed,
were to pass from unbelief to faith.
Glory to You, O Christ, who alone are merciful and loves mankind.

In Tone 6, Glory …

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together,
and we all take up Your Cross and say:
“Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.”

Now…

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together,
and we all take up Your Cross and say:
“Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.”

Troparia

In Tone 1
Assuring us before Your Passion of the general resurrection* You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God:* and so, like the children we also carry sign of victory* and cry out to You, the conqueror of death:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes* in the name of the Lord. (twice)

In Tone 4
Buried with You through Baptism, O Christ our God,* we have been granted immortal life by Your Resurrection,* and we sing Your praises, crying out:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!

FESTAL MATINS

Troparia

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 4
With our souls cleansed and in spirit carrying branches,* with faith let us sing Christ’s praises like the children,* crying with a loud voice to the Master:* Blessed are You, O Saviour,* who have come into the world to save Adam from the ancient curse;* and in Your love for mankind* You have been pleased to become spiritually the new Adam.* o Word, who have ordered all things for our good,* glory to You.

Glory… Now…

O Lord, You have raised from the tomb Lazarus who was four days dead,* and then taught us all to cry to You with palms and branches:* Blessed are You that come.

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 4
O Christ, mystically You have shed tears over Your friend,* and have raised from the dead Lazarus who lay without life;* and You have shown tender compassion for him in Your love towards mankind.* Learning of Your coming, O Saviour,* a multitude of children went out today,* bearing palms in their hands and crying to You:* “Hosanna: blessed are You,* for You have come to save the world.”

In Tone 1, Glory… Now…

Give praise with one accord, O peoples and nations:* for the King of the angels rides now upon a foal,* and He comes to smite His enemies with the Cross in His almighty power.* Therefore the children sing to Him with palms in their hands:* “Glory be to You who have come as Conqueror;* glory be to You, O Christ the Saviour;* glory be to You, our God, for You alone are blessed.”

Exaltation
We extol You,* O Christ the Giver of Life:* Hosanna in the highest! And we also cry to You:* Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.
verse: O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is Your Name in all the earth.
verse: Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord: the Lord is God and has appeared to us.
Glory… Now…
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory be to You, O God. Thrice

Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
He who sits upon the throne of the cherubim, for our sake sits upon a foal;* and coming to His voluntary Passion,* today He hears the children cry ‘Hosanna!’* while the crowd replies, ‘O Son of David, make haste to save those whom You have created,* blessed Jesus, since for this cause You have come,* that we may know Your glory.’

Glory… Now…

He who sits upon the throne of the cherubim, for our sake sits upon a foal;* and coming to His voluntary Passion,* today He hears the children cry ‘Hosanna!’* while the crowd replies, ‘O Son of David, make haste to save those whom You have created,* blessed Jesus, since for this cause You have come,* that we may know Your glory.’

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings have You appointed praise.
verse: O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is Your Name in all the earth.

Gospel
Matthew 21:1-11, 15-17

The blessing of pussywillows takes place after Psalm 50 verses.

Canon

Ode 1
Irmos The springs of the deep were seen bereft of water, and the foundations of the storm-tossed sea were laid bare: for in Your power You have rebuked its fury and saved Your chosen people, as they sang to You, O Lord, a hymn of victory.
Out of the mouth of Your servants, the innocent babes and sucklings, You have received praise. You have overthrown the adversary and by Your Passion on the Cross You have avenged Adam’s fall of old; with the Tree You have raised him up, and he sings to You, O Lord, a hymn of victory.
The Church of the saints offers praise to You, O Christ, who dwell in Sion, and Israel rejoices in You that made him. The mountains, figuring the stony-hearted Gentiles, exult before Your face, and they sing to You, O Lord, a hymn of victory.
Katavasia The springs of the deep were seen bereft of water, and the foundations of the storm-tossed sea were laid bare: for in Your power You have rebuked its fury and saved Your chosen people, as they sang to You, O Lord, a hymn of victory.

Ode 3
Irmos The people of Israel drew water from the stony rock, for it became at Your command a flowing stream. O Christ, You are Yourself our rock and life; on You the Church is founded, and she cries aloud: Hosanna, blessed are You Who comes.
Trembling at Your command, hell yielded up Lazarus who was four days dead. For You, O Christ, are the resurrection and the life; on You the Church is founded, and she cries aloud: Hosanna, blessed are You Who comes.

O people, sing in Sion a hymn fitting for God, and offer prayer to Christ in Jerusalem. For He comes in power and glory: on Him the Church is founded, and she cries aloud: Hosanna, blessed are You Who comes.
Katavasia The people of Israel drew water from the stony rock, for it became at Your command a flowing stream. O Christ, You are Yourself our rock and life; on You the Church is founded, and she cries aloud: Hosanna, blessed are You Who comes.

SMALL EKTENY

HYPAKOI, TONE 6
First they sang in praise of Christ our God with branches,* but then the ungrateful Jews seized Him and crucified Him on the Cross.* But with faith unchanging let us ever honour Him as Benefactor,* crying always unto Him:* Blessed are You Who comes to call back Adam.

Ode 4
Irmos ‘Christ comes’, the Prophet said of old, ‘revealing Himself as our God; He shall come and shall not tarry, from the mountain overshadowed by the forest, born of a Maiden who has not known man.’ Therefore we all cry aloud: Glory to You power, O Lord.
Let the mountains and all the hills break forth into great rejoicing at the mercy of God, and let the trees of the forest clap their hands. Give praise to Christ, all nations, and magnify Him, all peoples, crying: Glory to Your power, O Lord.’
King of the ages, the Lord comes clothed in strength. The surpassing splendour of His beauty and His glory is revealed in Sion. Therefore we all cry aloud: Glory to Your power, O Lord.
The Lord is here, who measures the heaven with a span and the earth in the hollow of His hand. For He has chosen Sion; there has He been pleased to dwell, ruling over the peoples that cry aloud with faith: Glory to Your power, O Lord.
Katavasia ‘Christ comes’, the Prophet said of old, ‘revealing Himself as our God; He shall come and shall not tarry, from the mountain overshadowed by the forest, born of a Maiden who has not known man.’ Therefore we all cry aloud: Glory to You power, O Lord.

ODE 5
Irmos Go up the mountain, You Who bring good tidings to Sion; and You that preach to Jerusalem, lift up Your voice with strength. Glorious things are spoken of you, O City of God: Peace be upon Israel and salvation to the Gentiles.
God who is enthroned on high upon the cherubim and yet cares for the lowly, is Himself come in power and glory, and all things shall be filled with His divine praise. Peace be upon Israel and salvation to the Gentiles.
O Sion, holy mountain of God, and Jerusalem, lift up your eyes round about and behold your children, gathered in you. For they have come from afar to worship your King. Peace be upon Israel and salvation to the Gentiles.
Katavasia Go up the mountain, You Who bring good tidings to Sion; and You that preach to Jerusalem, lift up Your voice with strength. Glorious things are spoken of you, O City of God: Peace be upon Israel and salvation to the Gentiles.

ODE 6
Irmos The spirits of the righteous cried aloud in joy: ‘Now is a new covenant granted to the world: let the people be renewed through sprinkling with the Blood of God.’
O Israel, receive God’s Kingdom; let him that walks in darkness see the great light; and let the people be renewed through sprinkling with the Blood of God.
Set free your prisoners, O Sion, and let them go; bring them out of the waterless pit of ignorance; and let the people be renewed through sprinkling with the Blood of God.
Katavasia The spirits of the righteous cried aloud in joy: ‘Now is a new covenant granted to the world: let the people be renewed through sprinkling with the Blood of God.’

Kontakion, TONE 6
Seated in heaven upon Your throne and on earth upon a foal, O Christ our God, You have accepted the praise of the angels and the songs of the children who cried out to You: Blessed are You Who comes to call back Adam.

Ikos
O immortal Lord, You have bound hell, slain death, and raised the world: therefore the children, carrying palms, sing praise to You as Victor, 0 Christ, and they cry aloud to You this day: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! For no more’, say they, ‘shall the little children be slain because of Mary’s Child; but You alone are crucified for all, both young and old. No more shall the sword be drawn against us, for Your side is pierced by a spear. With great rejoicing, then, we cry: Blessed are You Who comes to call back Adam.’

ODE 7
Irmos You have saved the children of Abraham in the fire and slain the Chaldaeans, who plotted unrighteously against the righteous. Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised above all.
With palms in their hands, the people knelt and they rejoiced with the disciples, crying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David: blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised above all.’
The innocent children sang to You a hymn fitting for God, O King of Israel and of the angels: ‘Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised above all.’
With palms and branches the multitude greeted You, O Christ, and cried: ‘Blessed are You who comes, O King of the ages; blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised above all.’
Katavasia You have saved the children of Abraham in the fire and slain the Chaldaeans, who plotted unrighteously against the righteous. Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised above all.

ODE 8
Irmos Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and you that love Sion, keep feast. For He who rules unto all ages, the Lord of Hosts, is come. Let all the earth stand in reverence before His face and cry aloud: O all you works of the Lord, praise the Lord.
Riding upon a young foal, Christ your King is at hand, O Sion. For He has come to destroy the senseless error of idolatry and to restrain the untamed wilfulness of all the Gentiles, teaching them to sing: O all you works of the Lord, praise the Lord.
Greatly rejoice, O Sion, for Christ your God shall reign for ever. As it is written, He is meek and brings salvation. Our righteous Deliverer has come riding on a foal, that He may destroy the proud arrogance of His enemies who will not cry: O all you works of the Lord, praise the Lord.
The lawless company of disobedient men was driven out from the precincts of the temple, for they had made God’s house of prayer into a den of thieves, and they rejected from their hearts the Redeemer unto whom we cry aloud: O all you works of the Lord, praise the Lord.
Katavasia Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and you that love Sion, keep feast. For He who rules unto all ages, the Lord of Hosts, is come. Let all the earth stand in reverence before His face and cry aloud: O all you works of the Lord, praise the Lord.

ODE 9
Irmos The Lord is God and has appeared to us; let us keep the feast together. Come, and with great rejoicing let us magnify Christ with palms and branches, and let us cry aloud: Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord our Saviour.
Why do you rage, you heathen? Scribes and priests, why do you imagine vain things, saying: ‘Who is this to whom children cry aloud with palms and branches, Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord our Saviour?’
This is our God, and there is none other like Him; He has found out every righteous way and given it to Israel His beloved; and afterward He has shown Himself upon earth and lived among men. Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord our Saviour.
O disobedient nation, why do you set stumbling-blocks upon our path? Your feet are swift to shed the blood of the Master, but He shall rise again, to save all those who cry: Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord our Saviour.
Katavasia The Lord is God and has appeared to us; let us keep the feast together. Come, and with great rejoicing let us magnify Christ with palms and branches, and let us cry aloud: Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord our Saviour.

At the Praises

In Tone 4

To execute on them the judgment written, this honour have all His saints.

A very great multitude spread their garments in the way, O Lord;
others cut down branches from the trees and carried them.
Walking before and after You, they cried:
‘Hosanna to the Son of David:
blessed are You who has come and shall come again
in the Name of the Lord’

Praise God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Praise Him for His mighty acts, praise Him according to His excellent greatness.

When You were about to enter the Holy City, O Lord,
the multitude carried branches from the trees
and sang to You, the Master of all.
They saw You riding on a foal as though upon the cherubim,
and they cried: ‘Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed are You who has come and shall come again
in the Name of the Lord’

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the psaltery and harp.

Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with the stringed instruments and organs.

Come forth, you nations, and come forth, you peoples:
look today upon the King of heaven,
who enters Jerusalem seated upon a humble colt
as though upon a lofty throne.
O unbelieving and adulterous generation of the Jews,
draw near and look on Him whom once Isaiah saw:
He is come for our sakes in the flesh.
See how He weds the New Sion, for she is chaste,
and rejects the synagogue that is condemned.
As at a marriage pure and undefiled,
the pure and innocent children gather and sing praises.
Let us also sing with them the hymn of the angels:
Hosanna in the highest to Him that has great mercy.

Praise Him upon the well-tuned cymbals; praise Him upon the loud cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Before Your voluntary Passion, Christ our God,
You have given to all men an assurance of the general resurrection;
for at Bethany You have raised by Your almighty power
Lazarus who was four days dead,
and as Giver of Light, O Saviour, You have made the blind to see.
With Your disciples You have entered the Holy City,
seated upon the foal of an ass as though upon the cherubim,
and so You have fulfilled the preaching of the prophets.
The children of the Hebrews with palms and branches came to meet You.
Therefore we also, bearing palms and olive branches,
cry aloud to You in thanksgiving:
Hosanna in the highest;
blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

Six days before the Passover Jesus entered Bethany,
and His disciples came to Him, saying:
‘Lord, where do You wish that we prepare for You to eat the Passover?’
Then He sent them, saying: ‘Go into the village opposite,
and you ye shall find a man bearing a pitcher of water;
follow him and tell the master of the house:
The Teacher says, In your house shall I eat the Passover with My disciples.’

DIVINE LITURGY

First Antiphon

I am filled with love* for the Lord will hear the voice of my plea.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
For He has inclined His ear to me,* and I will call to Him all the days of my life.
Through the prayers…
The pangs of death encircled me,* the trials of Hades befell me.
Through the prayers…
I met with anguish and pain,* and called upon the name of the Lord.
Through the prayers…
Glory… Now… Only-begotten…

Third Antiphon

Soloist: Give thanks to the Lord for He is good,* for His mercy endures forever.

Troparion, Tone 1: Assuring us before Your Passion of the general resurrection,* You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God:* and so, like the children we also carry signs of victory* and cry to You, the conqueror of death:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes* in the name of the Lord.

Therefore, let the house of Israel say that He is good,* for His mercy endures forever.

Therefore, let the house of Aaron say that He is good,* for His mercy endures forever.

Let all who feat the Lord say that He is good,* for His mercy endures forever.

Entrance
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, we bless you from the house of the Lord,* the Lord is God and has appeared to us.

Troparia and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 1: Assuring us before Your Passion of the general resurrection,* You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God:* and so, like the children we also carry signs of victory* and cry to You, the conqueror of death:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes* in the name of the Lord.

Glory…

Troparion, Tone 4 Buried with You through Baptism, O Christ our God,* we have been granted immortal life by Your resurrection,* and we sing Your praises, crying out:* Hosanna in the highest!* Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Now…

Kontakion, Tone 6 Mounted on the throne in heaven, O Christ God,* and on a colt here on earth,* You accepted the praise of the angels,* and the hymn of the children who cried to You:* Blessed are You who have come to call Adam back.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;* God the Lord has appeared to us.
verse: Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.

Epistle
Philippians 4:4-9

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: Sing to the Lord a new song, foe He has worked wonders.
verse: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Gospel
John 12:1-18

Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify Christ who seated on a foal.
And the irmos: The Lord is God and has appeared to us:* together let us celebrate.* Come with great rejoicing; let us magnify Christ* with palms and olive branches, and with sings let us cry aloud to Him:* Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Communion Hymn
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;* God the Lord has appeared to us.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

March 27, 2015
Friday of the Sixth Week of Great Lent

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 8

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

Having come to the end of the forty days,
we beseech You, O Lord and Lover of humankind:
May we also behold the holy week of Your passion,
and glorify in it Your lofty deeds
and Your ineffable work of salvation,
as we sing with one voice:
O Lord, glory to You.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

O martyrs of the Lord,
we entreat you to beseech our God,
and ask great mercy for our souls
and forgiveness of our many offences.

In Tone 6

Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Desiring to see the tomb of Lazarus, O Lord,
since You were soon going to dwell willingly in the tomb,
You asked: Where have you placed him?
And, when You learned that which You already knew,
You called to the one whom You loved:
Lazarus, come forth from the tomb!
And Death obeyed the Giver of life,
the Saviour of our souls.

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Having arrived at the tomb of Lazarus on the fourth day,
You wept for Your friend, O Lord.
You gave life to the one who had been dead four days;
Death was bound up by Your voice,
and the grave-clothes were unbound by Your hands.
Therefore, the company of apostles were filled with joy,
and all the choirs sang with one voice:
Blessed are You, O Saviour; have mercy on us.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

The kingdom of Hades was demolished at the sound of You voice, O Lord;
Your powerful word awakened from the tomb one who had been dead for days.
Lazarus becomes a saving prelude of our regeneration.
Nothing is impossible for the King of the universe;
O Lord, grant to Your servants forgiveness and great mercy.

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Desiring to assure Your disciples of Your own Resurrection from the dead,
You came to the tomb of Lazarus.
And when You called him, Hades was despoiled,
and it gave up the one who had been dead four days;
and he cried out to You, O Saviour:
Blessed are You, O Lord, glory to You!

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Taking Your disciples with You, O Lord,
You came to Bethany to awaken Lazarus from the dead;
and, weeping over him in accordance with your human nature,
as God, You raised the one who had been dead four days;
and he cried out to You, O Saviour:
Blessed are You, O Lord, glory to You!

In Tone 8, Glory…

You have come to the tomb of Lazarus, O Lord,
and You called the dead one to awaken as from his sleep.
He shook off the dust of the tomb at Your immortal words;
and, still bound by the grave-clothes,
he came forth at the sound of Your voice.
For You have power and lordship over all things,
and You are the Master of the whole world, O Lover of humankind:
O Lord, glory to You.

Now…

Having come to the end of the forty days, we cry out:
Rejoice, O city of Bethany, the home of Lazarus.
Rejoice, Martha and Mary, for Christ shall come to you tomorrow;
by His word, He shall give life to your departed brother.
Hearing His voice, the cruel and insatiable Hades will give up Lazarus after four days.
Struck with admiration, the Hebrew people will carry palms and branches,
and they shall go before Him.
The children shall praise the One whom their parents looked upon with envy:
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!

Prokeimenon I, Tone 6
Our help is in the name of the Lord,* who made heaven and earth.
verse: “If the Lord had not been on our side,” this is the song of Israel.

Reading I
Genesis 49:33-50:26

Prokeimenon II, Tone 4
Those who put their trust in the Lord* are like Mount Sion.
verse: They cannot be shaken, for it stands unmoved forever.

Reading II
Proverbs 31:8-31