GREAT VESPERS
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.
At Psalm 140
In Tone 6
10. Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
O Christ, You won the victory over Hades,* You ascended the cross so that You might raise up with Yourself* all those who dwelt in the darkness of death.* Almighty Saviour, You are free from death* and bestow life by Your divine light.* We, therefore, beseech You to have mercy on us.
9. The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Today Christ has conquered Death.* He has risen from the grave as He had foretold,* bestowing great joy upon the world.* Therefore, let us all lift up our voices and sing:* O Fount of Life, O Light whom no one can approach,* Almighty Saviour, have mercy on us.
8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
O Lord, where can we sinners flee from You,* for You are present in all creation?* You are present in heaven, for it is Your dwelling place.* Your power prevails in Hades where You conquered Death.* O Master, Your sustaining hand touches even the depths of the sea.* Where, then, can we take refuge except in You?* We, therefore, prostrate ourselves before You and pray:* O Lord, risen from the dead, have mercy on us.
7. Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
We exult in Your cross, O Christ,* and we sing the glory of Your resurrection.* For You are our God, and we have no other Lord but You.
6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Glory to Your might, O Lord,* for You have conquered the power of death.* You have renewed us through Your cross,* granting us life and incorruption.
5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
We forever bless the Lord and praise His resurrection,* for by suffering crucifixion,* He has destroyed death by His death.
In Tone 6
4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
When you shall come, O righteous Judge, to execute just judgment,* seated on Your Throne of glory,* a river of fire will draw all men amazed before Your judgment seat;* the powers of heaven will stand beside You,* and in fear mankind will be judged* according to the deeds that each has done.* Then spare us, Christ, in Your compassion,* with faith we entreat You,* and count us worthy of Your blessings* with those that are saved.
3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
The books will be opened* and the acts of men will be revealed* before the unbearable judgment-seat;* and the whole vale of sorrow* shall echo with the fearful sound of lamentation,* as all the sinners, weeping in vain,* are sent by Your just judgment to everlasting torment.* Therefore, we beseech You,* O compassionate and loving Lord:* spare us who sing Your praise,* for You alone are rich in mercy.
2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The trumpets shall sound and the tombs shall be emptied,* and all mankind in trembling shall be raised.* Those that have done good shall rejoice in gladness, awaiting their reward;* those that have sinned shall tremble and bitterly lament,* as they are sent to punishment and parted from the chosen.* O Lord of glory, take pity on us in Your goodness,* and count us worthy of a place with them that have loved You.
1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
I lament and weep when I think of the eternal fire,* the outer darkness and the nether world,* the dread worm and the gnashing of teeth,* and the unceasing anguish that shall befall those* who have sinned without measure,* by their wickedness arousing You to anger, O Supreme in love.* Among them in misery I am first:* but O Judge compassionate, in Your mercy save me.
In Tone 8
Glory…
When the thrones are set up and the books are opened,* and God sits in judgment,* O what fear there will be then!* When the angels stand trembling in Your presence* and the river of fire flows before You,* what shall we do then, guilty of many sins?* When we hear Him call the blessed of His Father into the Kingdom,* but send the sinners to their punishment,* who shall endure His fearful condemnation?* But Saviour, who alone love mankind, King of the ages,* before the end comes turn me back through repentance* and have mercy on me.
In Tone 6
Now…
Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.
Aposticha
In Tone 6
O Christ our Saviour,* the angels in heaven sing the praises of Your resurrection;* make us on earth also worthy* to extol and purify You with a pure heart.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
Almighty God, You destroyed the brazen gates and bars of Hades,* and raised up fallen mankind.* Therefore, with one accord, we cry out:* O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
Christ willed to renew us from our corruption of old* by being nailed to a cross and placed in a tomb.* When the women came to anoint His body they tearfully cried out:* O, what sorrow afflicts us!* O Saviour of All, how could You consent to occupy a grave?* If you truly willed this, then why did You allow Your body to be stolen?* How were You removed?* What place now conceals Your life-bearing body?* O Lord, appear to us as You promised* and put an end to our tears.* As they were lamenting, an angel appeared and cried out to them:* Do not weep, but tell the apostles that the Lord is risen,* granting sanctification and great mercy to the world.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Christ, You were crucified of Your own free will,* and by Your burial You imprisoned Death.* As God, You rose in glory on the third day,* granting life and great mercy to the world.
In Tone 8
Glory…
Alas, black soul!* How long will you continue in evil?* How long will you lie in idleness?* Why do you not think of the fearful hour of death?* Why do you not tremble at the dread judgment-seat of the Saviour?* What defence will you make, or what will you answer?* Your works will be there to accuse you:* your actions will reproach you and condemn you.* O my soul, the time is near at hand;* make haste before it is too late, and cry aloud in faith:* I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against You;* but I know Your love for man and Your compassion.* O good Shepherd, deprive me not of a place at Your right hand* in Your great mercy.
Now…
O Virgin, You have never known wedlock,* Yet You conceived God in the flesh* in a manner which words can never describe.* You thus became the Mother of God on high.* O Immaculate Lady, receive the supplication of your servants* and grant us the cleansing of our sins.* Accept now our prayers and beseech God to save all of us.
Troparia
In Tone 6
Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
Christ, Who called you “Mother” and “The Blessed One,”* accepted the Passion of His own free will.* In His desire to find the fallen Adam,* He caused light to shine from His cross in order to search him out.* then He said to the angels:* Rejoice with Me, for I have found the lost piece of silver.* Glory to You, O God,* Who accomplished all things in such wisdom.
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 6: Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 1: When You come on earth, O God, in glory,* and the universe trembles,* while the river of fire flows before the seat of judgement,* and the books are opened and all secrets disclosed,* then deliver me from the unquenchable fire,* and count me worthy to stand at Your right hand,* O Judge who are most just.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Great is our Lord and great is His strength;* and of His knowledge there is no end.
verse: Praise the Lord, for a psalm is good; may praise be sweet to Him. (Psalm 146:5,1)
Epistle
1 Corinthians 8:8-9:2
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us acclaim God our Saviour.
verse: Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms. (Psalm 94:1,2)
Gospel
Matthew 25:31-46
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)