Author: Michael Winn

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 18, 2014 Great and Holy Friday

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 17, 2014 Great and Holy Thursday

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)

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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

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 April 15, 2014 Great and Holy Tuesday

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)

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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

 

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)

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GREAT VESPERS

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

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

10. 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.”

9. 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.”

8. 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.”

7. 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.”

6. 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.”

5. 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.”

4. 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.

3. 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.

2. 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.’”

1. 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.’”

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!

 

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FESTAL MATINS

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!

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

6. 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’

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

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’

4. 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’

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

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’

2. 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.

1. 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.’

  

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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.

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 Aaron say that 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.

Let all who feat the Lord say that 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.

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.

 

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Квітна Неділя; Вхід Господній у Єрусалим.

Згідно Типікону в цей день служиться літургія св. Йоана Золотоустого.

Антифон 1
Стих 1: Возлюбив я, бо вислухав Господь голос моління мого (Пс 114,1).
Приспів: Молитвами Богородиці, Спасе, спаси нас.

Стих 2: Бо прихилив вухо своє до мене і у дні мої призову (Пс 114,2).
Приспів: Молитвами Богородиці, Спасе, спаси нас.

Стих 3: Обняли мене болісті смертні, біди адові зустріли мене (Пс 114,3).
Приспів: Молитвами Богородиці, Спасе, спаси нас.

Стих 4: Скорб і болість зустрів я і призвав ім’я Господнє (Пс 114,3-4).
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: Вірував я, тому й заговорив, і я смирився вельми (Пс 115,1).
Приспів: Спаси нас, Сину Божий, що возсів на жереб’я, співаємо тобі: Алилуя.
Стих 2: Що віддам Господові за все. що він воздав мені? (Пс 115,3).
Приспів: Спаси нас, Сину Божий, що возсів на жереб’я, співаємо тобі: Алилуя.
Стих 3: Чашу спасіння прийму і ім’я Господнє призову (Пс 115,4).
Приспів: Спаси нас, Сину Божий, що возсів на жереб’я, співаємо тобі: Алилуя.
Стих 4: Молитви мої Господеві воздам перед усіма людьми його (Пс 115,5).
Приспів: Спаси нас, Сину Божий, що возсів на жереб’я, співаємо тобі: Алилуя.
Слава і нині: Єдинородний Сину:

Антифон 3
Стих 1: Сповідуйтеся Господеві, бо він благий, бо на віки милість його (Пс 117,1).

Тропар (глас 1): Спільне воскресіння перед твоїми страстями запевняючи,* з мертвих воздвигнув ти Лазаря, Христе Боже;* тим-то й ми, як отроки, знамена перемоги носячи, тобі,* переможцеві смерти, воскликуємо:* Осанна в вишніх,* благословен, хто йде в ім’я Господнє.

Стих 2: Нехай же скаже дім Ізраїлів, бо він благий, бо на віки милість його (Пс 117,2).
Тропар (глас 1): Спільне воскресіння…

Стих 3: Нехай же скаже дім Аронів, бо він благий, бо на віки милість його (Пс 117,3).
Тропар (глас 1): Спільне воскресіння…

Стих 4: Нехай же скажуть усі, що бояться Господа, бо він благий, бо на віки милість його (Пс 117,4).
Тропар (глас 1): Спільне воскресіння…

Вхідне: Благословен, хто йде в ім’я Господнє, ми благословляли вас із дому Господнього, Бог – Господь і явився нам (Пс 117,26-27).
Тропар (глас 1): Спільне воскресіння перед твоїми страстями запевняючи,* з мертвих воздвигнув ти Лазаря, Христе Боже;* тим-то й ми, як отроки, знамена перемоги носячи, тобі,* переможцеві смерти, воскликуємо:* Осанна в вишніх,* благословен, хто йде в ім’я Господнє.

+Слава Отцю, і Сину, і Святому Духові.

Тропар (глас 4): Погребавши себе разом з тобою через хрещення, Христе Боже наш,* сподобилися ми безсмертної жизні через твоє воскресіння* і, заспівуючи, кличемо:* Осанна в вишніх,* благословен, хто йде в ім’я Господнє.
І нині, і повсякчас, і на віки вічні. Амінь.

Кондак (глас 6): На престолі на небі,* на жереб’яті на землі тебе носять. Христе Боже;* ангелів хваління і дітей оспівування прийняв ти;* вони кликали до тебе:* Благословенний ти, що йдеш Адама призвати.

Прокімен (глас 4): Благословен, хто йде в ім’я Господнє,* Бог – Господь і явився нам (Пс 117,26-27).
Стих: Сповідуйтеся Господові, бо він благий, бо на віки милість його (Пс 117,1).

Апостол: (Флп 4,4-9): Браття, радуйтеся завжди у Господі; знову кажу: Радуйтеся! Хай ваша доброзичливість буде всім людям відома. Господь близько! Ні про що не журіться, але в усьому появляйте Богові ваші прохання молитвою і благанням з подякою. І мир Божий, що вищий від усякого уявлення, берегтиме серця й думки ваші у Христі Ісусі. Наостанку, брати, усе, що лиш правдиве, що чесне, що справедливе, що чисте, що любе, що шанобливе, коли якась чеснота чи щобудь похвальне, – про те думайте! Чого ви навчилися, що прийняли, що почули та бачили в мені – те чиніте, і Бог миру буде з вами.

Алилуя (глас 1): Алилуя, aлилуя, aлилуя!
Стих: Заспівайте Господеві пісню нову, бо дивне сотворив Господь (Пс 97,1).
Стих: Виділи всі кінці землі спасення Бога нашого (Пс 97,1).

Євангеліє: (Ів 12,1-18): Шість день перед Пасхою прибув Ісус у Витанію, де перебував Лазар, якого воскресив був з мертвих. Там, отже, справили йому вечерю, і Марта прислуговувала; а й Лазар був серед тих, які разом з ним посідали до столу. Марія ж узяла літру мира з щирого нарду, вельми дорогого, помазала ноги Ісуса й обтерла їх волоссям своїм; і наповнився дім пахощами мира. Каже тоді один з його учнів, Юда Іскаріотський, що мав його зрадити: «Чому не продано це миро за триста динаріїв і не роздано бідним?» Сказав же так не тому, що піклувався про бідних, але тому, що був злодій: із скарбнички, яку тримав при собі, крав те, що туди вкидувано. Тож Ісус промовив: «Лиши її. На день мого похорону зберегла вона те миро. Бідних матимете з собою повсякчас, мене ж матимете не завжди.» Тим часом дізналася сила народу, що він там, то й посходились – не тільки Ісуса ради, а й щоб побачити Лазаря, якого він з мертвих воскресив. Тоді первосвященики ухвалили і Лазаря вбити, численні бо юдеї залишили їх із-за нього й увірували в Ісуса. Наступного дня сила людей, що прийшли на свято, зачувши, що Ісус іде в Єрусалим, узяли пальмове гілля й вийшли йому назустріч з окликами: «Осанна! Благословен той, хто йде в ім’я Господнє, ізраїльський цар!» І знайшовши осля, Ісус сів на нього, – як ото написано: Не страхайся, дочко Сіону, ось іде твій цар верхи на жереб’яті ослициному. Не збагнули того спершу його учні, але коли Ісус прославився, згадали вони, що то було написано про нього й що то з ним таке вчинено. Але й народ, що був при ньому, коли то він був викликав Лазаря з гробу та його з мертвих воскресив, – про те свідчив. Тим то, власне, народ і вийшов йому назустріч: довідався бо, що він учинив те чудо.

Замість Достойно: Величай, душе моя, Господа, що сидить на жереб’яті.

Ірмос (глас 4): Бог – Господь і явився нам, справляйте празник і, веселячись, прийдіть, возвеличимо Христа з квітами й галузками, в піснях кличучи: Благословен, хто йде в ім’я Господа, Спаса нашого.

Причасний: Благословен, хто йде в ім’я Господнє,* Бог – Господь і явився нам (Пс 117,26-27). Алилуя (х3).

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Epistle (Phil 4:4-9): Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me,
and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel: (John 12:1-18): Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’ When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus. The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,
‘Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!’ 
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 
‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion.
Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!’ 
His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him.

DIVINE LITURGY

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: Christ, the joy of all, the truth, the light,* the life, the resurrection of the universe,* in His goodness has revealed Himself to those on earth;* He Himself has become the pattern of the Resurrection,* granting divine forgiveness to all.

Instead of “Holy God…”
All you who have been baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ! Alleluia!

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
The Lord is my light and my Saviour;* whom shall I fear?
verse: The Lord is the protector of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Epistle
Hebrews 12:28-13:8

Alleluia, Tone 5
verse: The Lord is King; He is robed in majesty.
verse: For He has established the world which shall not be shaken.

Gospel
John 11:1-45

Hymn to the Mother of God
Let us honour with glory the pure Mother of God;* though she received the Divine Fire within her womb she was not consumed.* With never ceasing hymns, O people,* we magnify her.

Communion Hymn
Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies* You have perfected praise.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

 

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Тропар (глас 1): Спільне воскресіння перед твоїми страстями запевняючи,* з мертвих воздвигнув ти Лазаря, Христе Боже,* тим-то й ми, як отроки, знамена перемоги носячи, тобі,* переможцеві смерти, воскликуємо:* Осанна в вишніх,* благословен, хто йде в ім’я Господнє.

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

Кондак (глас 2): Всіх радість, Христос, істина, світло,* життя і світу воскресіння,* з’явився тим, що на землі, своєю добротою* і став образом воскресення,* всім даруючи божественне відпущення.

Замість Трисвятого: Ви, що в Христа хрестилися, у Христа зодягнулися. Алилуя!

Прокімен (глас 3): Господь просвіщення моє і спасйтель мій,* кого убоюся? (Пс 26,1)
Стих: Господь захисник життя мого, кого устрашуся? (Пс 26,1)

Апостол: (Євр 12,28-13,8): Браття, тому що ми приймаємо непохитне царство, зберігаймо благодать, то й служімо нею довподоби Богові з побожністю й острахом. Бо Бог наш – вогонь, що пожирає. Братня любов нехай перебуває! Гостинности не забувайте, бо нею деякі, не відаючи, ангелів були вгостили. Про в’язнів пам’ятайте, немов би ви самі були в кайданах з ними, та про тих, що страждають, оскільки й ви самі в тілі. Подружжя хай у всіх буде в пошані й ложе хай буде без плями, бо Бог буде судити блудників та перелюбців. У вашій поведінці не будьте грошолюбні, задовольняйтеся тим, що маєте, сам бо говорив: «Я тебе не зоставлю, я тебе не покину», так що ми сміло можемо сказати: «Господь – мій помічник: я не боюся. Що може мені людина зробити?» Пам’ятайте про наставників ваших, які звіщали вам слово Боже, і дивлячись уважно на кінець їхнього життя, наслідуйте їхню віру. Ісус Христос учора й сьогодні – той самий навіки.

Алилуя (глас 5): Алилуя, aлилуя, aлилуя!
Стих: Господь воцарився, в красу зодягнувся, зодягнувся Господь у силу і перепоясався (Пс 92,1).
Стих: Він бо утвердив вселенну, вона не порушиться (Пс 92,1).

Євангеліє: (Ів 11,1-45): В той час був один недужий, Лазар з Витанії, села Марії та її сестри Марти. Марія ж, брат якої Лазар слабував, була ота, що миром помазала Господа і волоссям своїм обтерла йому ноги. Отож послали сестри до нього сказати йому: «Господи, той, що любиш ти його, слабує.» Зачувши те Ісус, мовив: «Недуга ця не на смерть, а на славу Божу: щоб Син Божий ним прославився.» Любив же Ісус Марту і її сестру, і Лазаря. Тож як зачув, що той хворіє, ще два дні лишився на тому місці, де перебував. Щойно по тому мовив до учнів: «Ще раз до Юдеї вирушаймо.» Учні ж йому казали: «Учителю, оце недавно юдеї тебе каменувати хотіли, а ти знов туди ідеш?» Відрік Ісус: «Чи не дванадцять годин дневі? Коли хтось удень ходить, то не спотикається, бачить бо світло світу цього. Коли ж хтонебудь ходить уночі, то спотикається: у такому нема світла!» Сказав ото, а тоді мовив до них: «Лазар, приятель наш, заснув. Піду, проте, і розбуджу його.» А учні йому: «Господи, коли заснув, то й одужає.» Про його смерть говорив Ісус, вони ж собі гадали, що про спочинок у сні мова його була. Тож Ісус і каже їм одверто: «Лазар упокоївся, і радію я за вас, що мене там не було, – щоб ви увірили! Ходім, однак, до нього.» Тоді Тома, на прізвисько Близнюк, сказав до співучнів: «Ходімо й ми з ним, щоб разом умерти.» Прибувши, застав Ісус його вже чотириденним у гробі. Була ж Витанія недалеко Єрусалиму, стадій з п’ятнадцять, і багато з юдеїв посходилося до Марти та Марії, щоб розважити їх по братові. Почувши ж Марта, що Ісус наближається, метнулась йому назустріч, тоді як Марія сиділа в хаті. Отож заговорила Марта до Ісуса: «Господи, якби ти був тут, – мій брат не вмер би! А й тепер знаю, що все, що попросиш ти в Бога, Бог тобі дасть.» І каже їй Ісус: «Твій брат воскресне.» «Знаю, – каже до нього Марта, – що воскресне у воскресіння, дня останнього.» А Ісус їй: «Я – воскресіння і життя. Хто в мене вірує, той навіть і вмерши – житиме! Кожен, хто живе і в мене вірує, – не вмре повіки. Віриш тому?» «Так, Господи, – каже йому, – вірую, що Христос єси, Божий Син, який гряде у світ цей.» Те сказавши, пішла й покликала свою сестру Марію та й каже пошепки: «Учитель прийшов і тебе кличе.» Ледве та вчула це, підвелася притьмом та й подалась до нього. Ісус ще не ввійшов у село; був він на тому місці, де його зустріла Марта. Юдеї ж, що були в хаті з нею та її розважали, побачивши, що Марія встала похапцем і вийшла, пішли слідом за нею, бо думали, що до гробу подалась, аби там поплакати. Та Марія, прийшовши туди, де був Ісус, і побачивши його, впала йому до ніг і сказала йому: «Господи, якби ти був тут, то мій брат не вмер би!» Побачив Ісус, що вона плаче, а й юдеї, що прийшли з нею, плачуть і собі, тож відчув жалощі в дусі і, зворушений, запитав: «Де поклали ви його?» Кажуть йому: «Іди, Господи, і поглянь.» Заплакав Ісус. І заговорили юдеї: «Бач, як він його любив!» А деякі з них мовили: «Чи ж оцей, що сліпому очі зрячими вчинив, не міг так учинити, щоб і отой не помер?» І знову жалощі відчув Ісус у собі і подався до гробу. А була то печера, і камінь лежав зверху. «Відкотіть камінь», звелів Ісус. Марта ж, сестра померлого, каже йому: «Господи, відгонить уже: четвертий бо день.» «А хіба я тобі не казав, – озвавсь Ісус, – що коли віруєш, то побачиш славу Божу?» Відкотили отже камінь. І звів Ісус очі вгору й мовив: «Отче, тобі подяку складаю, що вислухав єси мене! Я добре знаю, що повсякчас вислуховуєш мене, тож тільки з-за люду, який ото стоїть навколо, сказав я: щоб вони увірили, що ти мене послав.» А промовивши те, кликнув на ввесь голос: «Лазарю, вийди сюди!» І мертвий вийшов із зав’язаними в полотно руками й ногами та обличчям, хусткою обмотаним. І сказав їм Ісус: «Розв’яжіть його і пустіть, нехай ходить.» І бачивши, що вчинив Ісус, увірували в нього численні юдеї, які зійшлися були до Марії.

Замість Достойно: Ірмос (глас 8): Люди, чистую славно почитаймо Богородицю, що вогонь божества в утробі неопалимо прийняла, і піснями невмовкаючими величаймо.

Причасний: Із уст младенців і немовлят* учинив Ти хвалу (Пс 8,3). Алилуя (х3).

 

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Epistle (Hebrews 12:28-13:8): Brethren, we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire. Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honour by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence,
‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?’ Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.

Gospel (John 11:1-45): At that time a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it, he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judea again.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?’ Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.’ After saying this, he told them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.’ Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’ Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow-disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’ When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’ When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, ‘The Teacher is here and is calling for you.’ And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’ Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, ‘Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’
Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.

Isaac the Syrian I, is commemorated on January 28. St. Gregory the Dialogues writes about this Isaac II. He came to Italy at the time of the Goths and entered a church to pray in the city of Spoleto. He implored the verger to allow him to remain locked in the church overnight. And so, he spent the entire night in prayer, remaining in the same place. The same thing happened the next day and even the second night. The verger called him a hypocrite and struck him with his fist. Instantly, the verger went insane. Seeing that the verger was bitterly tormented, Isaac leaned over him and the evil spirit departed from him and the verger was restored to health. Upon hearing of this incident, the entire populace of the city thronged around this amazing foreigner. They offered him money and property, but he declined all and accepted nothing and withdrew into the forest where he built a cell for himself, which was rapidly transformed into a large monastery. Isaac was known for working miracles and especially for his special “gift of discernment.” On one occasion, he ordered the brethren to carry all the hoes into the vineyard and to leave them there. The next day Isaac, along with the brethren, went out into the vineyard and brought along lunch. The brethren were puzzled. Who was this lunch for, since there were no laborers? Upon arriving at the vineyard, there were as many men digging as there were hoes. This is what happened: these men came as thieves to steal the hoes, but by the power of God, they were detained to dig all night. On another occasion, two partly-clad men came to Isaac and sought clothes from him. Isaac sent a monk to a hollow tree along the road to retrieve what he would find there. The monk departed, found some clothing and brought it to the monastery. The abbot took these clothes and gave them to the beggars. The beggars were extremely ashamed when they recognized their own clothes which they had hidden in this tree. Once, a man sent two beehives to the monastery. The monk hid one along the way and the other he brought to the monastery and turned it over to the abbot. The saint said to him: “Be careful upon your return. For in the beehive that you left along the way, a poisonous snake had slithered into it. Be careful, therefore, that it does not bite you.” (Prologue of Ohrid)

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LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 8

10. 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.

9. 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.

8. 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

7. 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.

6. 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.

5. 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.

4. 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.

3. 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.

2. 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!

1. 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

They all suffered for Christ and were crowned with the wreaths of glory during the reign of Emperor Decius. By order of the emperor, the governor of Africa announced to the people that everyone must offer sacrifices to the idols. To those who resisted, the governor threatened with cruel tortures. Upon hearing about these threats many fell away from the Faith and worshipped the idols. However these forty remained unwavering in their faith and were exposed to torture. St. Terentius (Terence) encouraged his companions saying: “Brothers, let us be on guard that we do not deny Christ our God, lest He deny us before His Heavenly Father and Holy Angels.” The governor divided them into two groups. Thirty-six of them, after flogging, scrapping of the skin and pouring salt into their open wounds, were all beheaded. The first four they cast into prison with heavy iron chains around their necks, their hands and their feet. An angel of God appeared in the prison, touched the chains of the shackled and the chains fell off. After that, the angel prepared a bountiful table for them and fed them. Once again, they were brought out and tortured and, again, they were imprisoned. Then the governor ordered the soothsayers to gather as many poisonous, loathsome creatures as possible, such as snakes and scorpions and to lock them up in the same cell with the martyrs. The loathsome creatures did not want to touch those chosen by God but rather lay compressed in the corner where they remained for three days. On the third day, when the door of the cell was opened, the repulsive creatures rushed out and bit the soothsayers. Finally, the governor pronounced the death penalty upon the four martyrs. When they were brought out to be beheaded, they rejoicefully chanted Psalms and praised God, Who made them worthy of a martyr’s death. They suffered honourably in the year 250 A.D., and were found worthy of the Kingdom. (Prologue of Ohrid)

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LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

10. I am rich in all sorts of passions,
and I am clothed in a garment of hypocrisy,
as I revel in the intemperance of sin.
My lack of mercy is beyond measure,
and I disregard my spirit lying before the gates of repentance.
Starved of every good thing, I suffer from illness.
But You, O Lord, make me like Lazarus who was poor in sin,
so that I will not have to beg for a drop of water
for my tongue suffering from thirst in the eternal fire.
Make me dwell in the bosom of the patriarch Abraham, O Lover of humankind.

9. I am rich in all sorts of passions,
and I am clothed in a garment of hypocrisy,
as I revel in the intemperance of sin.
My lack of mercy is beyond measure,
and I disregard my spirit lying before the gates of repentance.
Starved of every good thing, I suffer from illness.
But You, O Lord, make me like Lazarus who was poor in sin,
so that I will not have to beg for a drop of water
for my tongue suffering from thirst in the eternal fire.
Make me dwell in the bosom of the patriarch Abraham, O Lover of humankind.

8. With your souls filled with unquenchable love, O holy martyrs,
you endured the most terrible sufferings without ever denying Christ;
and you laid low the impudence of the torturers.
You kept the faith unwavering and unharmed
and have gone to dwell in heaven.
Therefore, having the boldness to approach the Lord,
beg Him to grant us His great mercy.

7. As You walked in the flesh, O Jesus,
in the land beyond the Jordan,
You said to those who were with You:
Our friend Lazarus has died and has been placed in the tomb.
But I rejoice for you, my friends,
for you will learn that I know all things,
and that with God, I am one,
even though by nature I appear in human form.
Therefore, let us go and give life to Lazarus
so that Death may recognize this victory,
and the perfect consummation I shall bring about
by granting great mercy to the world.

6. O faithful, let us imitate Martha and Mary,
and offer virtuous deeds as ambassadors before the Lord,
that when He comes, He may uplift our minds full of misery which now lie dead in the tomb.
Without life, they have no sense of what they are neglecting,
and they are unaware of the awesomeness of God.
Behold, O Lord, now give life to all and grant us Your great mercy,
as once You had pity on Your friend Lazarus,
and by Your awesome power, You raised him from the dead.

In Tone 6

5. Now Lazarus has been in the tomb for two days,
and he sees all generations of the dead.
He beholds such strange and awesome things
and a countless number held within the power of death.
His relatives weep bitterly before his tomb;
but Christ is on His way to give life to His friend,
that He may stir up the same joy in the hearts of all.
Blessed are You, O Saviour; have mercy on us.

In Tone 4

4. The many-personed unity of martyrs
endured various tortures with firmness.
they went rejoicing to the one God,
celebrating with a host of holy angelic powers!
They overcame many thousands of snakes with firm resistance
and the grace of the Spirit.

3. The many-personed unity of martyrs
endured various tortures with firmness.
they went rejoicing to the one God,
celebrating with a host of holy angelic powers!
They overcame many thousands of snakes with firm resistance
and the grace of the Spirit.

2. Let us honour with hymns the most-glorious Maximus,
the great Terence, the most-wise Pompeius,
the divine Macarius and Africanus
and with them the whole company of martyrs.
By their own blood they purchased the highest kingdom
and were filled with eternal glory!

1. Neither starvation nor misfortune,
nor life nor death
was able to separate you, glorious ones,
from the love you have towards Him Who created you!
Therefore you inherited the Kingdom of heaven,
inexhaustible sweetness and unending joy!
Pray for cleansing and mercy for us.

In Tone 5, Glory… Now…

Come, all faithful, and rejoice in the Holy Scriptures!
Rejoice in the preaching of the apostles!
Rejoice in the Virgin who gave birth to God!
She is the Queen of Heaven.
In her we exult with hymns and songs,
for she is our fervent intercessor before God.

 

Prokeimenon I, Tone 4
I walk in the presence of the Lord* in the land of the living.
verse: I love the Lord, for He has heard the cry of my appeal.

Reading I
Genesis 43:26-31 and 45:1-16

Prokeimenon II, Tone 4
I will pay my vows to the Lord,* in the presence of all His people.
verse: I trusted, even when I said: I am sorely afflicted.

Reading II
Proverbs 21:23-22:4

We are tempted to think of the saints as perfect people, who never did anything wrong, Since we are not like that, we might decide that we cannot become saints ourselves. This is, as I have just called it, a temptation, a deceit of the devil, the father of lies. There is no sinner who cannot repent, and become a great saint. To encourage us, on the fifth (and last) Sunday of Lent, the Church remembers Saint Mary of the Desert, Mary of Egypt as she is also called. Continue reading April 6, 2014 Fifth Sunday of the Great Fast – St. Mary of Egypt, Octoechos Tone 5 Falling Asleep of Methodius