Event Information:
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Sun09Feb2025
Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee; Octoechos Tone 5; Leave-taking of the Encounter of our Lord; The Holy Martyr Nicephorus.
GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man... is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 5
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
With Your precious cross, O Christ,* You have put the Devil to shame.* With Your resurrection You have deadened the sting of sin,* and have saved us from the gates of death.* We, therefore, glorify You, O only-begotten Son of God.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Christ, who granted resurrection to mankind,* You were led like a lamb to the slaughter.* Then the princes of Hades were struck with terror* as they saw the gates of their tearful domain being lifted up;* for Christ, the King of Glory, entered therein* and exclaimed to those in chains: Go forth from here!* And to those in darkness: Go forth into the light!
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
What a great wonder!* The Creator of invisible beings suffered in the flesh for mankind,* and rose from the dead as immortal.* Come, therefore, all you nations and adore Him;* for through His compassion we have been freed from the snares of the Devil,* and we have learned to praise the one God in three Persons.
Tone 1
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Brethren, let us not pray as the Pharisee:* for he who exalts himself shall be humbled.* Let us humble ourselves before God,* and with fasting cry aloud as the Publican:* God be merciful to us sinners.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Brethren, let us not pray as the Pharisee:* for he who exalts himself shall be humbled.* Let us humble ourselves before God,* and with fasting cry aloud as the Publican:* God be merciful to us sinners.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
A Pharisee, overcome with vainglory, and a Publican, bowed down in repentance,* came to You the only Master.* The one boasted and was deprived of blessings,* while the other kept silent and was counted worthy of gifts.* Confirm me, O Christ our God,* in these his cries of sorrow,* for You love mankind.
Tone 1
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
O Simeon, tell us whom you are joyfully carrying into the Temple.* To whom are you saying:* Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord,* because my eyes have seen my Saviour.* He is the child born of the Virgin.* He is the Word and God of God.* O Lord, who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,* to You we bow in worship.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O Simeon, tell us whom you are joyfully carrying into the Temple.* To whom are you saying:* Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord,* because my eyes have seen my Saviour.* He is the child born of the Virgin.* He is the Word and God of God.* O Lord, who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,* to You we bow in worship.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O Simeon, now receive the One* Whom Moses the lawgiver had foreseen through the cloud on Sinai.* He has become a child and submits Himself to the Law.* This is He who spoke through the Law and whom the prophets foretold.* O Lord, who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,* to You we bow in worship.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
O faithful, come let us welcome Christ* and receive Him with hymns of praise and glory.* He is the salvation Simeon has seen.* He is the One whom David foretold* and of whom the prophets have spoken.* O Lord, who for our sake was incarnate and inspired the Law,* to You we bow in worship.
Tone 8, Glory…
Almighty Lord, I know how great is the power of tears.* For they led up Hezekiah from the gates of death;* they delivered the sinful woman from the transgressions of many years;* they justified the Publican above the Pharisee.* And with them I also pray:* Have mercy upon me.
Tone 5, Now…
A symbol of the undefiled Virgin and bride* was revealed in the Red Sea.* There, Moses divided the waters;* here, Gabriel is the messenger of the miracle.* There, the Israelites crossed the deep and their feet were not even wet;* here, the Virgin gives birth to Christ without human seed.* There, the sea remained uncrossed after the passing of Israel;* here, the immaculate remained incorrupt after giving birth to Emmanuel.* Therefore, O immortal God, who appeared in the flesh as true Man,* have mercy on us!
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
The Lord reigns,* He is clothed in majesty.
verse: Robed is the Lord and girt about with strength.
verse: For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
verse: Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
Aposticha
Tone 5
O Christ our Saviour,* we lift up our voices in song to glorify You.* For, in Your love for mankind,* You became incarnate without leaving heaven;* You accepted the cross and death;* You cast down the gates of Hades;* and on the third day You arose from the dead* for the salvation of our souls.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
O Giver of Life,* streams of forgiveness, life, and salvation* poured forth from Your pierced side upon us all.* By accepting physical death, You granted us immortality;* by lying in the tomb, You freed us from Hades,* and as God, by rising from the dead,* You raised us with Yourself in glory.* Therefore, we cry out to You:* O Lover of mankind, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O Lover of mankind,* Your crucifixion and descent into Hades are most wondrous.* For, as God, You thereby conquered the power of Hades,* and raised up in glory, with Yourself, those who were long imprisoned there.* You reopened Paradise and enabled them to enter.* Grant forgiveness of sins to us* who glorify Your resurrection on the third day,* for You alone are all-merciful.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Lover of mankind,* You accepted suffering in the flesh* and rose from the dead on the third day.* Therefore, heal the passions of our flesh,* raise us from our dreadful iniquities, and save us.
Tone 5, Glory…
My eyes are weighed down by my transgressions,* and I cannot lift them up and see the height of heaven.* But receive me, Saviour, in repentance as the Publican* and have mercy on me.
Tone 8, Now…
He who rides on the Cherubim and is praised by the Seraphim* is now being brought into the holy Temple according to the Law.* He is sitting in the arms of an old man as though upon a throne.* From Joseph He receives God-pleasing gifts, a pair of turtle doves,* and from the newly-chosen people of the Gentiles, and undefiled Church.* the two doves indicate that He is the head both of the Old and New Testaments.* As for Simeon, when he saw what had been revealed come to pass,* he received the child and blessed the virgin Mother of God,* pointing out to her the sufferings that she would bear.* He asked the Lord to be released from life, saying:* Now You may dismiss me, O Lord, as You have promised;* for my eyes have seen You, the eternal Light,* the Lord and Saviour of all Christian people.
Troparia
Tone 5
Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.
Tone 1, Glory... Now...
Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,* who grants us resurrection.
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 5
Troparia, Tone 5
Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection. (2)
Tone 1, Glory... Now...
Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,* who grants us resurrection.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16Small Litany
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 5
Let us celebrate the Cross of the Lord,* let us honour His holy Burial with hymns,* and let us exulting, glorify His Resurrection.* For with Himself He has raised the dead from their graves,* and as God having despoiled the dominion of death* and the might of the devil,* He has shone forth light upon those in Hades.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high; forget not Your poor to the end.
O Lord, You who put death to death, was called dead;* You who have emptied the tombs was placed in a tomb;* above, the soldiers stood guarding the grave,* below, You raised the dead from all ages.* O Lord, All-powerful and Incomprehensible,* glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
Rejoice holy mountain upon which God has walked;* Rejoice! living bush unconsumed by fire;* Rejoice! O only bridge of creation to God, who leads mortals to eternal life;* Rejoice! Maiden undefiled, who has born without wedlock* the salvation of our souls.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 5
O Lord, after Your Resurrection on the third day,* and after the worship of the Apostles, Peter cried to You;* The women had courage, and I was afraid;* the Thief confessed You as God, and I denied You:* will You no longer call me a disciple,* or will You once again declare me a fisher of the deep?* Receive me in my penitence, O God, and save me!’
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will tell of all You wonders.
O Merciful Lord, the lawless Ones nailed You between two condemned thieves* and pierced Your side with a lance,* but You, who destroyed the gates of Hades,* suffered burial and arose on the third day;* The women ran to see You and announced the Resurrection to Your Apostles.* O supremely exalted Saviour whom the Angels hymn,* O blessed Lord, glory be to You.
Glory… Now…
The Bride who knew not wedlock, the Birthgiver of God,* who turned Eve’s grief to joy,* we the faithful hymn and worship,* for you have redeemed us from the ancient curse.* And now, O All-hymned most holy one,* cease not to make intercession for the salvation of our souls.
Polyeleos
Evoglitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 5
The Myrrh-bearing women, amazed in their minds by the vision of the Angel* yet enlightened in their souls by the divine Resurrection,* announced the glad tidings to the Apostles:* Proclaim among the nations the Resurrection of the Lord,* who works in us through wonders,* and who grants us great mercy.
Gradual Hymns, Tone 5
Antiphon 1
When I am troubled I sing to You like David,* O my Saviour:* Deliver my soul from a deceitful tongue.
Blessed is the life of those* who dwell in the desert places,* Divine love gives them wings.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit all things are unshaken,* both visible and invisible;* for He has sovereign power,* being undeniably one of the Trinity.
Antiphon 2
Lift up yourself to the mountains,* O my soul;* go to that place from whence comes our help.
Let Your right hand hover over me,* O Christ,* and guard me from every misfortune.
Glory… Now…
Let us sing to the Holy Spirit, as we contemplate God:* You are God, life, love, light, and intellect,* You are goodness,* and You reign to the ages.
Antiphon 3
Filled with great joy at the words of those who say to me:* “Let us go into the courts of the Lord,”* I offer up my prayers.
Fearful things are accomplished in the house of David;* for a fire is found there,* burning every shameful thought.
Glory… Now…
To the Holy Spirit belongs the lordship of life,* for from Him every living being hath its breath,* as also from the Father* together with the Son.
Prokeimenon, Tone 5
Arise, O Lord my God, lift up Your hand*, for You shall reign forever.
verse: I will confess to You, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will recount all Your marvellous works.
Let everything that lives, Tone 5
Gospel
Luke 24:12-35
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Tone 8, Glory…
Open to me the doors of repentance, O Giver of Life.* As we worship in Your temple this morning,* teach us how to purify the temples of our bodies,* and in Your compassion, purify me by the goodness of Your mercies.
Now…
Lead me to the paths of salvation, O Mother of God,* for I have condemned myself with shameful sins* and have wasted all my life in slothfulness.* By your intercession purify me from all sinfulness.
Tone 6
Have mercy on me, God, in Your kindness. In Your compassion blot out my offense.
When I think upon the multitude of my evil deeds,* I tremble for the terrible day of judgment.* But trusting in the compassion of Your mercy, O Lord,* I cry to You like David:* Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.
Canon, Tone 5
Ode 1
Irmos: Christ, who breaks the battles,* with uplifted arm shook horse and rider into the Red Sea,* but Israel he saved,* singing a song of victory.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The congregation of the Hebrews preserved no mother’s love for you who gave them every good; they crowned you with thorns, O Christ, you who had loosed from the punishing thorns the first ancestor of man.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Giver of life, you bent down to the pit without danger of falling and raised me up who had fallen; you bore with my evil-smelling corruption, O Christ, yourself untouched, and made me fragrant with the sweet oil of the divine nature.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
The curse is lifted, sorrow has ceased; O blessed one and full of grace, you have caused joy to spring up for the faithful for from you Christ has flowered, our blessing for ever.
Irmos: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land,* on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned,* they cried: Let us sing to God* a song of victory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
By parables Christ has led all mankind to a life of amendment: Raising up the Publican from humbleness, he showed the Pharisee who exalted himself to be humbled.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
From humility cometh an exalted honour, but from pride we see a grievous fall; let us, then, strive to emulate the good actions of the Publican, and hate the evil ones of the Pharisee.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Every good deed is rendered useless through pride, while every evil is cleansed by humility. Wherefore, let us in faith embrace humility, and utterly abhor the ways of vainglory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The King of all, wishing His own disciples to be humble-minded, taught them to emulate the sighing of the Publican and his humility.
Glory…
I groan as did the Publican, and with never-silent lamentations O Lord I now draw near to Your loving compassion, be merciful to me who now passes through life in humility.
Now…
O lady, I dedicate to you my understanding and my counsel, my expectation, my body, soul and spirit. From grievous adversaries and temptations, and from every threat to come, deliver and save me.
Katavasia: I shall open my mouth, and be filled with the Spirit,* and utter discourse to the Queen and Mother;* and be seen radiantly keeping festival,* joyfully praising her wonders.
Ode 3
Irmos: Your command fixed firm the earth upon nothing* and sovereignty poised its vast bulk;* make firm your Church on the immovable rock of your commandments,* O Christ, alone good and Lover of man.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Those who sucked honey from the rock brought you gall for your wonders in the wilderness, O Christ. Vinegar for manna the ungrateful sons of Israel gave you in exchange for your deeds of goodness.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Covered of old by a light-radiant cloud they laid life, O Christ, in the grave: but, you rose of your own power, and you granted mystically to all the faithful the Spirit’s overshadowing shining from above.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
Mother of God, virginally and without a mother’s pain you bore him, the outshining of the untouched Father; therefore, since you conceived the Word made flesh, in true faith we proclaim you Bearer of God.
Irmos: There is none as holy as You, O Lord my God,* who has exalted the horn of the faithful O good One,* and strengthened us upon the rock* of Your confession.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
From the dunghill of the passions the humble are lifted up on high, while from the height of the virtues the high-minded suffer a grievous fall: let us flee such an image of wickedness.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Vainglory nullifies the riches of righteousness, whereas humility scatters a multitude of passions; bestowing this upon us, show us to be like the Publican O Saviour.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Like the Publican let us also beat our breasts and cry out in compunction, “O God cleanse us sinners,” that like him we may receive forgiveness.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Zealously, O you faithful, let us increase in meekness, and with humility let us live out the days of our lives in suffering of the heart, weeping and prayer, that we may receive forgiveness from God.
Glory…
Let us cast away, you faithful, the high-minded boasting and hurtful pride of the Pharisee, and his most wicked, repugnant to God, malice.
Now…
In you, my only refuge, have I set my trust: let me not fall away from my good hope, but grant me your protection, O pure One, and deliver me from every evil snare of my wicked enemies.
Katavasia: O Theotokos, living and plentiful fount,* establish in spiritual fellowship those who sing hymns to you,* and in your divine glory* grant them crowns of glory.
Kontakion, Tone 4
Let us flee from the proud-speaking of the Pharisee* and learn from the Publican the loftiness of words of humility,* and with penitential lamentation let us cry aloud: “O Saviour of the world* be merciful to us, and cleanse us You servants’.
Ikos
Let us all humble ourselves, brethren; sighing and lamenting, beating our conscience, that at the eternal judgment we may be numbered with the faithful and the righteous, and receive forgiveness. Let us pray that we behold the place truly peaceful, where there is neither pain, nor sorrow, nor sighing from the soul, in the wondrous Eden fashioned by Christ, for He is God coeternal with the Father.
Sessional Hymns, Tone 4
Humility exalted the Publican who was overcome with shame at his evil deeds,* when he cried to the Creator, “Be merciful:”* but exaltation brought down from righteousness the wretched Pharisee who spoke boastfully.* Therefore let us earnestly desire that which is good* and avoid that which is evil.
Glory…
Of old humility exalted the Publican who cried aloud with tears,* “Be merciful,” and he was justified.* Let us all follow his example,* for we have fallen into the depths of evil.* Let us cry to the Saviour from the depths of our hearts:* We have sinned, be merciful, O You who alone loves mankind.
Now…
Be swift to receive our prayers, O Lady,* and bring them to your Son and God, all-immaculate Sovereign Lady.* Deliver from tribulations those who flee to you.* Destroy the wiles and subdue the arrogance* of those who godlessly war against your servants, O most pure One.
Ode 4
Irmos: Habakkuk in prophecy, O Christ, apprehending your divine emptying, in trembling awe cried out to you: For the salvation of your people, to make safe your anointed, you have come.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Good One, the most bitter streams of Meribah you sweetened by a tree, and thus in sign prefigured your pure cross which slays the bitter taste of sin.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You accepted a cross for the tree of knowledge, my Saviour, gall for sweet food, and for the corruption of death you shed the blood of God.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
Untouched, you conceived incorruptibly in your womb; a Virgin, guarded to bring forth God in the flesh, you bore a child without pain and were virgin after the birth.
Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord,* the holy Church divinely sings,* crying with a pure mind,* keeping festival in the Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The Word, set an example showing that the path to exaltation is humility, having humbled Himself even unto taking the form of a servant, thereby instructing all, that he who humbles himself shall be exalted on high.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The righteous Pharisee exalted himself and fell, wickedly rejecting humility, but through humility the Publican was exalted and justified.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
He who was without need of virtue was deprived of them, and shown to be foolish. Yet the riches of humility justified him who was in most need of them, whose humility let us emulate.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Lord, You did forewarn all that You resist the high-minded, but grant Your grace to the humble. O Saviour send down now Your grace upon us, for we have humbled ourselves.
Glory…
The Saviour and Master, ever leading us to blessed exaltation, has shown us that it is humility that raises one on high, for with His own hands He washed the feet of the disciples.
Now…
O Virgin, who has given birth to the unapproachable Light, by your light-giving effulgence disperse the darkness of my soul, and taking me by the hand, guide my life into the path of salvation.
Katavasia: He who sits in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus the true God,* is come in a swift cloud* and with His sinless hands he has saved those who cry:* Glory to Your power, O Christ.
Ode 5
Irmos: To you, clothed with light as a garment,* early I rise and cry out.* Lighten my darkened soul,* O Christ, only compassionate.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
In dishonour and inglorious form, of his own will the Lord of glory hung upon the cross, and inconceivably thus procured for me divine glory.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You have changed my clothing for the garment of incorruption, O Christ, for uncorrupted you tasted the corruption of death in the flesh, and on the third day rose from the tomb.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
Mother of God, you set free our first father’s nature from the curse, for without seed you gave birth to Christ our righteousness and redemption.
Irmos: Illumine with Your divine light, I pray, O Good One,* the souls of those who with love rise early to pray to You,* that they may know You, O Word of God, as the true God,* Who recalls us from the darkness of sin.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us make haste to follow the Pharisee in his virtues and to emulate the Publican in his humility, and let us hate what is wrong in each of them: foolish opinion and the fall into self-destruction.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The righteousness of the Pharisee proved to be vain and was condemned, for it was yoked to prideful opinion; However, the Publican became a co-companion of humility, the virtue which exalts one on high.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The Pharisee thought to drive swiftly in the chariot of the virtues; but the Publican outran him on foot, for he had yoked humility to compassion.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Pondering with our minds the parable of the Publican, let us all emulate him with tears, offering to God a contrite spirit, seeking the remission of our sins.
Glory…
Let us cast far away the wicked haughtiness and boasting of the Pharisee, that we may not be stripped of divine grace.
Now…
A staff of strength grant to all, O good one, who flee to you, grant them victory in the midst of all enemies and deliver them from every evil circumstance.
Katavasia: All creation stands in awe of you divine glory;* for you, O Virgin who have not known wedlock, contained within your womb the God of all,* and gave birth to the timeless Son,* bestowing peace, upon all who hymn you.
Ode 6
Irmos: Lord Christ, calm the soul-destroying waves of the raging sea of passions* and, O compassionate, lead me up from corruption.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Our first ancestor fell into corruption, Lord Christ, tasting forbidden fruit; and he was brought back to life by your Passion.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You, the life, came to Hell and to the corrupter became corruption; thus, Lord Christ, through corruption you brought, as fountain springing, resurrection.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
The Virgin bore a child and after bearing still was pure; holding him up in her arms who supports the whole creation she is truly Virgin Mother.
Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations,* I run to Your calm haven, and cry to You:* Raise up my life from corruption,* O greatly Merciful One.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The Publican along with the Pharisee ran the race of life, but the one was overcome by high-mindedness and shipwrecked, while the other was saved by humility.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Changing to a humble course of life, let us emulate the fervent wisdom of the Publican and flee the deadening conceit of the Pharisee; and we shall live.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us fervently follow the ways of Jesus the Saviour and His humility, if we desire to reach the tabernacle of everlasting joy and to dwell in the land of the living.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Master, You have shown to Your disciples the humility that raises men on high, for girding Your loins with a towel, and washing their feet You prepared them to follow Your example.
Glory…
The Pharisee passed his life in virtue and the Publican in sin; but the former was brought low by his pride, while the latter was raised on high by his humble-mindedness.
Now…
I was formed naked in innocence and simplicity; but the enemy hath clothed me in the raiment of transgressions and the grossness of the flesh. But by your intercessions, O Maiden, I have been saved.
Katavasia: Celebrating the divine and solemn feast of the Mother of God* O you divinely wise, let us come, clapping our hands,* and glorify God who was born of her.
Kontakion, Tone 5
You, my Saviour, descended to Hades,* and as the Almighty, You shattered its gates.* With Yourself You, as the Creator, raised the dead and shattered the sting of death,* and delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Mankind.* And so we cry out: “Save us, O Lord.”
Ikos
The women heard the angel’s words, shed their lamentations, changed to gladness, trembling, saw the resurrection. And Christ drew near in greeting: Joy to you, take courage, I have overcome the world, and set the prisoners free. Run to the disciples and ay: I go before you into Galilee to pr claim the good news. Therefore we all cry out to you: Save us, O Lord.
Ode 7
Irmos: The Lord of the fathers, most highly exalted,* quenched the fire and rained his dew* on the young men in unison singing:* Blessed are you, O God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Clothed with flesh as bait for the hook, by your divine power you dragged the serpent down, and brought back those who cried: Blessed are you, O God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He, the unbounded, who brought into being and knitted together the boundless immensities of earth, in the flesh was concealed in the grave; and we sing to him: Blessed are you, O God.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
All-holy, you bore one person in two natures, God has taken bodily form and we sing to him: Blessed are you, O God.
Irmos: An Angel made the furnace bedew the holy Children.* But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans* and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry:* O God of our fathers, blessed are You.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Exalted by the works of self-justification, the Pharisee was grievously snared in the nets of vainglory, boasting madly; but the Publican was lifted on high on the light wings of humility, and drew near to God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Using humility as a ladder, the Publican was raised on high to the heights of heaven; but by the putrid foolishness of pride the wretched Pharisee fell into the abyss of Hades.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The enemy catches the righteous and despoils them through vainglory, blinding sinners in the nets of despair. But let us emulate the Publican and hasten to escape from both these evils.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
In our prayer before God, let us fall down with tears and fervent sighs, emulating the Publican in his lofty humility; and singing in faith: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You”.
Glory…
You have forewarned Your disciples, O Master, teaching them not to be lofty of wisdom, but to be numbered with those who are humble-minded. Therefore, O Saviour, in faith we cry aloud to You: O God of our fathers, blessed are You.
Now…
O you beauty of Jacob, divine Ladder which of old he beheld stretching from earth to heaven, you holy Virgin, who have brought down from on high God made flesh, and bring mortal man up to heaven.
Katavasia: Refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator,* the divinely wise youths bravely trampled down the threatening fire* and rejoicing they sang aloud:* O supremely hymned Lord and God of our Fathers, blessed are You.
Ode 8
Irmos: The young men in the furnace devised a chorus of all creation for you, the Creator of all,* and in song they proclaimed it:* All you his works, sing to the Lord,* and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
As if it were against your will, of that so longed for cup of your saving Passion you prayed that it might not be: two wills to two natures corresponding you bear, O Christ, throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
At your descent, Creator of all, Hell the fool gave up all those who of old had been slain by deceit, and who now, O Christ, highly exalt you throughout all the ages.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
O Virgin, beyond thought, in divine and human manner, by the word you bore the Lord, while remaining virgin; we, his creatures, bless and highly exalt you throughout all the ages.
Irmos: You made flame bedew the holy children,* and didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man with water.* For Thou alone, O Christ, do all as You will,* we supremely exalt You throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The humble-minded sighing of the Publican found the mercy of the Lord, and he was saved; but by the evil tongue of boasting, the Pharisee fell from righteousness.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O you faithful, let us avoid the self-will of the Pharisee; who called himself pure, rather let us strive to emulate the Publican’s goodness, who gained forgiveness with humility.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O you faithful, let us utter the words of the Publican in the holy temple, “God be merciful,” that with him we may obtain forgiveness, and be delivered from the vile boasting of the Pharisee.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us all emulate the sighing of the Publican and, speaking to God with warm tears, let us cry out: “O Lover of mankind, we have sinned, but in Your merciful compassion, cleanse and save us.”
Glory…
God accepted the groaning of the Publican and having justified him, has shown to us all, that He is quickly turned to compassion by the sighings and tears of those who ask for the forgiveness of sins.
Now…
I know of no other intercessor save you; I offer you, O pure and all-immaculate One, as my mediator before Him whom you bore. Show me to be free from all that grieves me.
We praise, bless, and worship the Lord, chanting and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.
Katavasia: The Offspring of the Theotokos saved the holy children in the furnace.* He who was then prefigured has now been born on earth,* and He gathers all creation to hymn you:* all you works praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: Rejoice and sing, Isaiah,* the Virgin has conceived and bears a son, Emmanuel,* God and man, his name the Dayspring;* we magnify him and we call the Virgin blessed.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Fallen man, Lord Christ, you assumed; wholly joined to him in a virginal womb, sin alone excepted, wholly you have freed him from corruption by your pure sufferings.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Your pure and life-giving side, Lord Christ, was emptied of the blood which flowed from God, and sacrifice to idols ceased; and all we of the earth bring to you the sacrifice of praise.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
Not God bodiless, nor yet mere man, the pure and honourable Maid bore to us, but perfect man and perfect God, in very truth; we magnify him, together with the Father and the Spirit.
Irmos: It is impossible for mankind to see God* upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze;* but through you, O all-pure one, did the Word Incarnate become a man* and with the Heavenly Hosts we magnify Him and we call you blessed.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Christ has set before us as a path to exaltation and an image of salvation, the humility of the Publican: which, let us strive after by rejecting disdainful pride and gaining God’s mercy through humble-mindedness.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us cast away pride and learn the righteousness of the humble-minded; let us not seek to justify ourselves, but rather let us abhor the delusion of vainglory, and with the Publican let us pray to God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us offer the Creator entreaties for mercy, as did the Publican,. Let us avoid the ungrateful prayers of the Pharisee and the boastful words with which he judged his neighbour, that we may gain God’s mercy and light.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Weighed down by a great multitude of sins, I have surpassed the Publican in an excess of evil, having embraced the self-adulating madness of the Pharisee, wherefore I am utterly devoid of all that is good: O Lord, spare me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Lord, grant blessedness to those who for Your sake are poor in spirit, and who follow Your teachings, bringing to You a contrite heart. Receive and save them who worship You.
Glory…
May we never pray to You as did the Pharisee, may we enter the Temple justified by sighing and tears, with a heart that is broken and humbled, laying aside the heavy yoke of sin and thus be cleansed.
Now…
Grant us to hymn, glorify, and bless you, to worthily honour you, O most pure one; glorifying your birth-giving, O only-blessed one, for you are the praise of Orthodox Christians, and their divinely-acceptable intercessor before God
Katavasia: Let every mortal born on earth, radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy;* and let the host of the angelic powers celebrate and honour the holy feast of the Mother of God,* and let them cry aloud:* Rejoice! O Theotokos, pure Ever-Virgin.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
Christ our Way and our Life,* after His resurrection from the dead,* accompanied Luke and Cleopas,* who had recognized Him at Emmaus in the breaking of the bread.* Their hearts and souls were inflamed as He spoke to them on the way,* explaining to them all the Scriptures that pertained to Him.* Let us, therefore, shout with them, saying:* Truly, the Lord is risen and has appeared to Peter.
Glory…
Let us flee from the wicked boasting of the Pharisee,* and learn the noble humility of the Publican,* that we may be exalted and cry aloud with him to God:* Be merciful to You servants, O Christ our Saviour,* Who was willingly born from a Virgin,* who has endured the Cross and with Yourself raised up the world* by Your divine power.
Now…
Inspired by the Spirit, the Elder Simeon came to the Temple.* He received in his arms the Master of the Law and cried out: O Lord, release your servant from the bonds of the flesh* according to your word, in peace;* because my eyes have seen your revelation,* who is a light to the Gentiles and the salvation of Israel.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 5
You came forth from the grave, O Lord, which had been sealed by the transgressors of the law,* just as You were born of the Theotokos.* For the bodiless angels did not know how You were incarnate.* Likewise, the guardian soldiers did not see the moment of your Resurrection;* for these two marvels were concealed from the curious minds* but were revealed to those who worshiped the mystery in faith.* Therefore, grant joy and great mercy to us who offer You praise.
O Lord, You demolished the gates of everlasting damnation,* and You broke asunder the chains of the grave.* You rose from the tomb leaving your wrappings in the grave* in testimony of your three-day burial;* and leaving the guards watching at the tomb,* You preceded your disciples into Galilee.* Great is your mercy, O Lord whom the whole world cannot contain.* O Saviour, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, who suffered for us,* the women hastened to your tomb to behold You.* When they arrived, they saw an angel sitting on the stone of the grave.* He said to them: The Lord is risen!* Go and tell the disciples that the Saviour of our souls is risen from the dead.
O Lord and Saviour,* You came into the midst of your disciples though the doors were closed* just as You came out of the sealed tomb,* showing the sufferings of the flesh which You accepted;* for You submitted to suffering patiently since You are of the seed of David.* But since You are the Son of God, You saved the world.* Great is your mercy, O Lord whom the whole world cannot contain.* O Saviour, have mercy on us.
In fulfilment of the Law,* the Lover of Mankind now is brought to the Temple.* Simeon takes Him in his aged arms and cries out:* Now let me depart to the blessedness of the world to come;* for I have beheld on this day, clothed in mortal flesh,* the One who is Lord of life and Master of death.
In fulfilment of the Law,* the Lover of Mankind now is brought to the Temple.* Simeon takes Him in his aged arms and cries out:* Now let me depart to the blessedness of the world to come;* for I have beheld on this day, clothed in mortal flesh,* the One who is Lord of life and Master of death.
As a light of revelation to the Gentiles,* You manifested yourself, O Lord.* The Sun of Justice sits upon a light cloud.* You fulfilled the shadow of the Law* and showed the beginning of the new grace.* Therefore, beholding You, Simeon cried out:* Release me from corruption, for I have seen You today.
When You became incarnate as You willed,* You did not separate yourself from the bosom of the Father.* You uphold the whole world with your hand,* yet You were held in the arms of the ever-Virgin,* and You were handed over to the arms of Simeon, the servant of God.* Therefore, he cried out with joy:* Now You may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, for I have seen You.
Tone 8, Glory…
O Lord, You have condemned the Pharisee* who justified himself by boasting of his works,* and You have justified the Publican who humbled himself and with cries of sorrow begged for mercy.* For You rejected proud-minded thoughts, but do not despise a contrite heart.* Therefore humbled we fall down before You who have suffered for our sake:** Grant us forgiveness and great mercy.
Tone 2, Now…
You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!
Great Doxology
Trisagion Prayers
Troparion, Tone 2
Today salvation has come to the world.* Let us sing to Him who is risen from the tomb,* the Author of Life who has crushed Death by his death* and bestowed on us victory and great mercy.
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 5: Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.
Troparion, Tone 1: Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,* who grants us resurrection.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 3: Let us bring sighs of sorrow to the Lord as did the Publican* and approach the Master as sinners,* for He desires salvation for everyone.* He grants forgiveness to all who repent.* For as God, the One-who-is, co-eternal with the Father, He became flesh for us.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 1: By Your birth, You sanctified a virgin womb* and fittingly blessed the hands of Simeon.* You have come also now and saved us, O Christ our God;* give peace to Your community in time of war,* and strengthen its rulers, whom You love,* for You alone,* are the Lover of mankind.
Prokeimenon, Tone 5
You, O Lord, will guard us and will keep us* from this generation and for ever.
verse: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer left a just man. (Psalm 11:8,2)
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
My soul magnifies the Lord,* and my spirit has rejoiced in God, My Saviour.
Epistle
2 Timothy 3:10-15
Alleluia, Tone 5
verse: Your mercies, O Lord, I will sing for ever; from generation to generation I will announce Your truth with my mouth.
verse: For You have said: Mercy shall be built up for ever; in the heavens Your truth shall be prepared. (Psalm 88:2,3)
verse: Now, O Master, You dismiss Your servant in peace according to Your word. (Luke 2:29)
Gospel
Luke 18:10-14
Hymn to the Mother of God
O God-bearing Virgin, hope of Christians, protect and guard and save all those who put their trust in you.
and the Irmos, Tone 3: In the law, the shadow, and the scriptures, we the faithful see a figure: every male child that opens the womb shall be sanctified to God. Therefore do we magnify the first-born Word and Son of the Father who is without beginning, the first-born Child of a Mother who had not known man.
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* I will take the chalice of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 116:13)