Polyeleos Feast. Passing into eternal life of Blessed Vasyl Hopko, Auxiliary Bishop of Presvov

GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY NIGHT

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

Tone 3

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

By Your Cross, O Christ our Saviour,* the power of Death has been vanquished,* and the deceit of the devil has been destroyed.* Therefore, mankind, saved by faith,* offers You hymns of praise forever.

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

O Lord, all creation has been enlightened by Your Resurrection,* and Paradise has been reopened;* therefore, all creation extols You* and offers You hymns of praise forever.

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

I glorify the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;* and I praise the dominion of the undivided Divinity,* the consubstantial Trinity* who reigns forever and ever.

Tone 1

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

O ineffable goodness who created the human form,* You came to heal those who are ill.* O Christ, by Your word You raised the Paralytic at the Sheep Pool;* You healed the suffering of the woman with the flow of blood;* You showed mercy to the tormented daughter of the Canaanite woman;* and You did not disdain the prayer of the centurion.* Because of this we cry out in praise:* O Almighty Lord, glory to You!

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

O ineffable goodness who created the human form,* You came to heal those who are ill.* O Christ, by Your word You raised the Paralytic at the Sheep Pool;* You healed the suffering of the woman with the flow of blood;* You showed mercy to the tormented daughter of the Canaanite woman;* and You did not disdain the prayer of the centurion.* Because of this we cry out in praise:* O Almighty Lord, glory to You!

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

The Paralytic was like an unburied dead man,* and when he saw You, O Lord, he cried out:* Have mercy on me, for my bed has become my grave.* Of what use is my life?* I have no need for the Sheep Pool,* for there is none to put me into the water.* Therefore, I come to You, O Fountain of all healing,* that with all I may cry to You:* O Lord Almighty, glory to You!

Tone 2

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

With what wreaths of praise shall we crown the divinely wise teachers* who illumined with the light of the Gospel the Slavic nations* who sat in the darkness of ignorance and the shadow of death?* By them have we been grafted onto the right fruitful root of the orthodox Church like a wild olive-tree,* and have received from Christ God, peace and great mercy.

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

With what hymns of praise shall we bless the divinely wise teachers:* Methodius, the lover of the wilderness,* who was enriched with the fruits of the Spirit during his solitary sojourn,* and Cyril of golden eloquence,* who through his love of philosophy acquired higher wisdom* and put to shame the vain belief of the pride of Islam?* For their sake has Christ our God granted us great mercy.

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

With what beauties of hymnody shall we praise the divinely wise teachers:* Methodius, who for love of Christ spurned all the beauties of the world* and fought mightily for the King of heaven in the angelic habit,* and Cyril, who from childhood chose wisdom as his companion* and increased the talents given him by God to His glory?* Having come, through them, to know the one God,* the ever-existing Trinity the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,*we have received great mercy from Christ God.

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

With what spiritual hymns shall we magnify you, O all-blessed teachers,* who struggled as an apostle for the salvation of the Slavic peoples* and laboured well in their enlightenment with the light of the knowledge of God,* by whom the closed gates thereto have been opened to us* when you devised the Slavonic alphabet?* Entering therein, we come to understand the mystery of the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ,* and receive from Christ God grace and great mercy.

Tone 6, Glory…

Come, you who love the feasts of the Church,* and with songs of praise let us hymn the peers of the apostles,* the adornment of hierarchs, the enlighteners and fervent helpers of the Slavic peoples, saying:* Rejoice, O Cyril, golden clarion of theology,* who explained the mystery of the Holy Trinity by comparing God to the sun,* and thereby closed the blaspheming mouths of Islam!* And rejoice with him, O Methodius,* who struggled with him in oneness of mind, aiding him with prayers and signs!* And now, O most blessed fathers, never cease to pray to Christ God for us* who magnify you with faith and love.

Tone 3, Now…

O Lady most honourable,* how could we but be rapt in wonder* at your giving birth to the incarnate God* who without a mother was born of a Father before all ages.* You gave Him birth in the flesh without a father,* without a man’s instrumentality.* He is God and man whose two natures are intact,* neither one losing any of its properties.* Therefore, O Virgin Mother, intercede with Him* to save the souls of those who believe and profess in true faith* that you are the Mother of God.

Readings

(1) Deuteronomy 1:8-17; (2) Deuteronomy 10:14-21; (3) Wisdom 3:1-9

Aposticha

Tone 3

O Christ, who darkened the sun by Your passion* and enlightened all creation by Your Resurrection,* accept our evening prayer, for You love mankind.

Let God arise;* let His enemies be scattered!

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

As smoke vanishes,* let them vanish.

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

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

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

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

Pascha of beauty!* The Pascha of the Lord!* Pascha!* A Pascha worthy of all honour* has dawned on us.* Pascha! Let us embrace each other joyously!* Pascha, ransom from affliction!* For today as from a bridal chamber* Christ has shown forth from the Tomb,* and filled the women with joy saying:* “Proclaim the glad tidings to the Apostles!”

Tone 8, Glory…

Rejoice, O sacred two who have illumined us with the light of the knowledge of God:* Cyril, life-bearing well-spring of spiritual wisdom,* who gave drink to the Slavic peoples who were perishing of thirst,* and Methodius, the pure abode of prayer.* Pray earnestly to Christ, before whom you stand in glory,* that, with you, we also may magnify and exalt Him supremely for all ages.

Now…

This is the day of Resurrection,* let us be illumined by the Feast!* Let us embrace each other!* Let us call “Brothers!”* even those that hate us* and forgive all by the Resurrection,* and so let us cry:

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

Troparia

Tone 3

Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.

Tone 4, Glory… Now…

As equals to the apostles in the way you lived* and teachers of the Slavic lands,* O Cyril and Methodius, divinely wise,* intercede with the Master of all* to confirm the Slavic nations in orthodoxy and oneness of mind;* to grant peace to the world and save our souls.

GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 3

Troparia, Tone 3

Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world. (2)

Tone 4, Glory… Now…

As equals to the apostles in the way you lived* and teachers of the Slavic lands,* O Cyril and Methodius, divinely wise,* intercede with the Master of all* to confirm the Slavic nations in orthodoxy and oneness of mind;* to grant peace to the world and save our souls.

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 3

Christ has arisen from the dead, the first fruits of those that sleep.* The First-born of creation and Creator of all that has come to be,* has renewed in Himself the corrupted nature of our race.* Death, no longer is your lord,* for the Master of all things has destroyed your dominion.

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.

Having tasted death in the flesh, O Lord,* You have blotted out the bitterness of death by Your arising* strengthening mankind against it, and announcing the abolition of the ancient curse.* Defender of our lives, O Lord, glory be to You!

Glory… Now…

Awed by the beauty of your virginity* and the exceeding radiance of your purity,* Gabriel called out to you, O Theotokos:* What worthy hymn of praise can I offer to you?* And what shall I name you?* I am in doubt and stand in awe.* Wherefore as commanded, I cry to you:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace.

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 3

You accepted all things that are by nature man’s;* You made Yours, all Yours, all things that are the attributes of man;* and You were well-pleased to be nailed upon the Cross, O my Creator,* choosing to submit to death as a man,* that You might rescue mankind from the bonds of death for You are God.* For this cause, O Life-giver, we cry aloud:* Glory be to Your tender compassion, O Christ.

I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.

O faithful, let us theologize concerning the incomprehensibility of the crucifixion,* the ineffability of the resurrection, the unspeakable mystery;* for today death and Hades have been made captive,* and the human race has been clothed in incorruption.* Wherefore, giving thanks, we cry to You:* Glory be to Your arising, O Christ!

Glory… Now…

The heavens with love rejoiced* and the earth shook, overcome with fear* when that angelic and pure voice addressed you, O Theotokos.* For one feast has now been revealed for both those here and those on high;* when Christ redeemed the first-fashioned man from death.* Wherefore we cry to you with the Angel, saying:* Rejoice, pure Virgin Mother.

Polyeleos

Magnification

We extol you,* O holy Methodius and Cyril, equals to the apostles,* who illumined all the Slavic nations with your teachings* and led them to Christ.

verse: My lips will speak words of wisdom. My heart is full of insight.

verse: Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly.

verse: The mouth of the just utters wisdom, and his lips speak what is right.

Glory… Now…

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)

Evlogitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 3

A Cause of amazement by his appearance,* and source of refreshment by his speech,* the radiant Angel spoke to the myrrh-bearing women saying:* Why do you seek the living in a grave?* He has arisen, emptying the graves.* Know that the unchangeable One has changed corruption.* Wherefore cry to God saying,* ‘How fearful are Your works!* For You have saved mankind.’

Sessional Hymns

Tone 3

Standing now in unapproachable light before the life-creating Trinity,* whom the angelic hosts unceasingly glorify,* and whom you proclaimed aloud among the nations,* pray earnestly, O Cyril and Methodius, that He deliver from eternal damnation* and grant remission of debts to those who honour your memory with love.

Tone 5

Let the generations of the Slavs rejoice today,* celebrating the sacred memory of the divinely wise teachers with splendour;* for through them did the Divine Liturgy and all the services of the Church* begin to be celebrated for us in our native tongue,* and thereby an inexhaustible well of water pouring forth to eternal life has been given to us,* drinking from which we never cease to magnify you, O Cyril and Methodius.* Rejoicing in the glory of the saints,* pray earnestly that our souls be saved.

Tone 4

Come, with praises let us honour aloud our enlighteners,* for with the manna of their divinely wise teaching they fed the Slavic peoples* who were perishing out of hunger for the word of God,* and illumined them, as with the rays of the sun,* by translating the Gospel of the son of thunder into their native tongue.* And, having received enlightenment from it we cry out in thanksgiving:*  Rejoice, O ever-glorious Cyril and Methodius!

Glory… Now…

O invincible protectress of the afflicted* and benevolent intercessor of those who hope in you,* save us from all dangers,* for you are the help of all.

Hymn of Ascent, Tone 3

Antiphon 1

You, O Word, delivered the captivity of Sion from Babylon,* Deliver me also* from the passions to life.

Those who sow in the South* with tears inspired by God,* shall in joy reap sheaves of everlasting life.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit,* together with the Father and the Son* shines forth the reflection of every good gift,* In Him all things live and have their being.

Antiphon 2

Except the Lord build the house of the virtues,* in vain do we labour.* While He protects our soul no one lays waste our city.

The Saints, O Christ, fruits of the womb,* are by the Spirit, always sons to You,* as You are to the Father.

Glory… Now…

The Holy Spirit is the inspiration of all that is holy and wise;* for He quickens every creature.* Let us worship Him* together with the Father and the Son, for He is God.

Antiphon 3

Those who fear the Lord are blessed* as they walk along the paths of His commandments;* for they partake of the life-giving fruit.

Be glad, Chief Shepherd,* beholding Your offspring around Your table* bearing the branches of good works.

Glory… Now…

In the Holy Spirit is a superabundance of glory;* for from Him proceeds forth grace and life* into all creation;* wherefore He is praised together with the Father and the Word.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3

Proclaim to the nations: God is king. The world He made firm in its place.

verse: O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth.

Let everything that lives, Tone 3

Gospel

Luke 24:1-12

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verses at Psalm 50

Canon

Ode 1

Irmos: It is the Day of Resurrection, let us be radiant, O people; Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha: for from death to life, and from earth to heaven, Christ God has brought us, as we sing the song of victory.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Let us purify our senses, and we shall behold Christ, radiant with the unapproachable light of the Resurrection, and we shall clearly hear Him say, Rejoice! as we sing the hymn of victory.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Let the heavens be glad as is meet, and let the earth rejoice, and let the whole world, both visible and invisible, keep festival: for Christ is risen, O gladness eternal.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

You have broken through the barrier of death, by giving birth to Christ, the eternal Life, Who today has shone forth from the tomb, O all-immaculate Virgin, and Who has enlightened the world.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Having beheld your resurrected Son and God, rejoice with the apostles, O Pure One who are full of the grace of God, and be the first to rejoice, as you have received the Cause of joy for all, O all-immaculate Mother of God.

Irmos: Wondrous are You, O God, Who gloriously works wonders,* Who fashioned the earth from the abyss,* and covered the chariots and save the people who sing to You* as our King and God.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Working signs and doing wonders, O only King, You willingly endured the Cross, since You are compassionate; and having put death to death by death, You quickened us.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Let us dance for joy with faith today on the arising of Christ, O peoples. Hades has been despoiled of them that he held in bonds, and he hastily surrendered them, as they praised the mighty deeds of God.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

O You Who by divine might once healed the paralytic by Your word, O Christ, and commanded him who had been ailing for many years to take up his bed, heal my soul, which grievously ails.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Of old an Angel came down to the Sheep’s Pool and healed one man each year; but now Christ cleanses endless multitudes by divine Baptism.

Irmos: He who of old, by His divine gesture,* united the waters into one gathering and parted the sea for the people of Israel:* He is our God and is all-glorious.* To Him alone let us chant, for He has been glorified!

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

At a loss how to traverse the waters of life’s tumult, O venerable Methodius, you abandoned all the beauties of this world and, fighting the invisible foe in the angelic habit, you served the one God, joyously singing: to Him alone let us chant, for He has been glorified!

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

You were shown to be a chosen vessel from thine infancy, O blessed Cyril, in nowise desiring to receive milk from a stranger’s breasts, thereby showing that your mind would not be deceived by a strange doctrine, but would be illumined by the teaching of the holy Orthodox Church, and that you yourself would become the teacher and enlightener of many.

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

Bedewed by the waters of your teachings, even to this day the Slavic lands bring forth fruit right pleasing to Christ the Master; therefore, the Holy Church blesses you, crying aloud: Deliver us from tribulations, for you have been glorified!

Glory… Now…

The waters of sin have entered into my soul, O Mistress, and I am sunk in the mire of the passions. To you do I flee, O most immaculate one: still the turmoil of impure thoughts and grant me peace of mind.

Katavasia: It is the Day of Resurrection, let us be radiant, O people; Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha: for from death to life, and from earth to heaven, Christ God has brought us, as we sing the song of victory.

Ode 3

Irmos: Come, let us drink a new drink, not one miraculously brought forth from a barren rock but the Fountain of Incorruption, springing forth from the tomb of Christ, in Whom we are strengthened.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Now all things are filled with light; heaven and earth, and the nethermost parts of the earth; let all creation, therefore, celebrate the arising of Christ whereby it is strengthened.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Yesterday I was buried with You, O Christ; today I rise with Your arising. Yesterday I was crucified with You; glorify me with You, O Saviour, in Your kingdom.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Into incorruptible life have I entered today, through the goodness of Him Who was born of you, O Pure One, and Who makes all the ends of the earth radiant with joy.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Having beheld God, Whom you bore in the flesh, risen from the dead, as He said, O pure one; dance, and magnify Him as God* O most pure one.

Irmos: O barren and infertile soul,* bring forth a crop of glorious fruit and cry with joy:* I have been firmly established by You, O God;* there is none holy and none righteous save You, O Lord.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

When of old the sun beheld You hanging upon the Tree, O Word, the light withdrew and all the earth was troubled; the dead arose when You reposed, O Almighty One.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

When You went into the womb of the earth with Your soul, Hades hastily gave forth the souls which it possessed, who cried to Your might a song of thanksgiving, O only Lord.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

O supremely good One, heal my soul, which has been ailing grievously for many years, as You once healed the paralytic, that I may walk in Your way, which You showed to them that long for You.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Together with the Hosts on high, O Archangel of God, make supplication for us who praise you with faith, preserving and protecting us from falling into the passions of life.

Irmos: O Most High and Almighty One,* who has brought out of nonexistence all things fashioned by the Word* and perfected by the Spirit:* establish me in Your love.

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

O venerable Methodius, hearing with the ear of your heart: “He who would come after Me, let him take up his cross and follow after Me,” you followed Christ, shouldering the cross of the monastic life. Entreat Him that in His love He establish me, who am cold.

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

He who of old showed Jacob, in a dream, a ladder which extended up into the heavens, O holy Cyril, when you were a boy also in a wondrous dream betrothed you to a maiden more lovely than all others, Sophia by name. And, behold! the wisdom which sits at His throne has established you in the love of the Most High.

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

He who has brought all things out of nonexistence, O right wondrous fathers, sanctified you for Himself as chosen vessels from your mother’s womb, that you might bring His name before the nations. Therefore, celebrating your honoured memory, we entreat you, O Cyril and Methodius, to establish your wavering mind in the confession of the right Faith.

Glory… Now…

O pure one, who has given peace to the world and given birth to the Origin of tranquillity, still the waves of my passions and establish me upon the rock of dispassion.

Katavasia: Come, let us drink a new drink, not one miraculously brought forth from a barren rock but the Fountain of Incorruption, springing forth from the tomb of Christ, in Whom we are strengthened.

Kontakion of Pascha, Tone 8

Though You descended into a tomb, O Immortal One,* yet You destroyed the power of Hades;* and You rose as victor, O Christ God,* calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice!* and giving peace to Your Apostles:* You, who grant resurrection to the fallen.

Ikos

The myrrh-bearing maidens forestalled the dawn, seeking, as it were day, the Sun that was before the sun and Who had once set in the tomb, and they cried out one to another: O friends! come, let us anoint with spices the life-bringing and buried Body, the Flesh that raised up fallen Adam, that now lies in the tomb. Let us go, let us hasten, like the Magi, and let us worship and offer myrrh as a gift to Him Who is wrapped now not in swaddling clothes but in a shroud. And let us weep and cry aloud: O Master, arise, You, Who grant resurrection to the fallen.

Kontakion, Tone 3

Let us extol our two sacred teachers.* By their translation of Scriptures* they tapped for us a well that brings knowledge of God.* Drawing from it abundantly to this very day* we call you blessed, O Cyril and Methodius.* As you stand before the throne on high,* fervently pray to God to save our souls.

Ikos

Come, O faithful, let us praise our God-bearing fathers Methodius and Cyril, the preachers of piety who shone forth in virtue, the true pillars and foundation of the Church, the divine clarions of Christian dogmas; for having driven the darkness of unbelief away from us and burned up the impieties of heresy with the fire of the Spirit, by their translation of the Scriptures they transformed the Slavic race from wild olive-trees into a fruitful grove, through divine baptism have brought them into the Christian Faith, and have filled the whole world with a multitude of miracles; therefore, they stand, crowned, before God Almighty. And we cry out to them: O divine fathers, peers of the apostles, entreat Christ, that He grant all the Slavic peoples steadfastness in Orthodoxy and oneness of mind, bring peace to the world, and save our souls.

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4

Thou didst liken the holy consubstantial Trinity to the sun, O divinely inspired Cyril, declaring that the visible, created sun in the sky is an image of the Holy Trinity, saying: “The solar disc is an image of God the Father, Who hath neither beginning nor end; and as a ray of light issueth forth from the solar disc, illumining the earth, so is the Son, the Effulgence of the Father, begotten of God the Father; and the warmth which giveth life to the whole world, and with the ray is poured forth from the same disc, is an image of the Holy Spirit, Who proceedeth from the same Father.” Heeding thy wondrous teaching, we also worship the one God in Trinity, blessing thy memory, O right wondrous one.

Tone 3, Glory… Now…

A word alone made strong the paralytic,* since it had been uttered by the universal Word,* Who had appeared upon the earth out of His loving compassion.* Wherefore, he departed hence and went forth bearing his own bed,* and the scribes, although they saw this great deed which was brought to pass,* since they were held by evil,* and palsied in soul by their envy, they endured not.

Ode 4

Irmos: On divine watch let the God-inspired Habakkuk stand with us and show forth the light-bearing angel clearly saying: Today salvation is come to the world, for Christ is risen as Almighty.

Christ is risen from the dead.

As a man-child did Christ appear when He came forth from the Virgin’s womb, and as a mortal He was called the Lamb. Without blemish also, is our Pascha for He tasted no defilement; and as true God, perfect was He proclaimed.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Like a yearling lamb,*Christ, our blessed Crown,*of His own will was sacrificed for all,*a Pascha of purification;*and from the tomb the beautiful Sun of Righteousness*shone forth again upon us.

Christ is risen from the dead.

David, the ancestor of God,*danced with leaping before the symbolical Ark;*let us also, the holy people of God, beholding the fulfilment of the symbols, be divinely glad; for Christ is risen as Almighty.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

He Who created Adam your forefather, O Pure One, took form from you, and the habitation of the dead has He demolished today through His death, and shone upon all things with the divine radiance of the Resurrection.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Beholding Christ, Whom you have borne, shining forth splendidly from the dead, O Pure One, who are good and spotless among women, and comely today, rejoicing with the apostles in the salvation of all, Him do you glorify.

Irmos: Habakkuk foresaw the overshadowed mountain,* even your immaculate womb, O pure one.* Wherefore he cried; God shall come forth from Thaeman,* and the Holy One from a mountain* densely overshadowed.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Consumed by envy, the multitude of the Hebrews crucified You on the Tree, O Lord; and having annulled the condemnation of death, You arose as One mighty, raising up the world together with Yourself.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Why seek with myrrh the inexhaustible Myrrh, O women? He is risen, said he that sat in white apparel, and He has filled the world with spiritual fragrance.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Taking upon Yourself the likeness of a servant, out of the excess of Your compassion You came and made whole him who had been bedridden for many years, O Word, commanding him to take up his bed.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

An Angel of the Lord at a certain season came down and troubled the water in the Sheep’s Pool, making whole one person only. But Christ saves endless multitudes by divine baptism.

Irmos: You have ordained steadfast love for us, O Lord;* for gave Your only-begotten Son over to death for us.* Therefore, in thanksgiving we cry out to You:* Glory to Your power, O Lord!

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

You set the keeping of the commandments as your corner-stone, O venerable Methodius, and building the house of your soul thereon you made it a habitation of the Holy Spirit. And I, who am the abode of sin, fall down before you, O most blessed one: cleanse me with the dew of your prayers, that I may cry out in thanksgiving: Glory to Your power, O Lord!

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

O blessed Cyril, you cried out: “Grant that I may understand what is pleasing to You, O Master!” when you were given over to study with the young emperor; therefore, in addition to outward philosophy, you received the wisdom of the Spirit and the fear of God from on high, and regarded earthly wisdom as nought, crying: Glory to Your power, O Lord!

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

You set love for your Creator like a seal upon your heart, O most blessed Cyril; therefore, you rejected an earthly betrothal and the glory of this world, and, escaping like a bird from the hunters’ snares, you attained to the calm haven of monastics and were clothed in the robe of joy, chanting with Methodius: Glory to Your power, O Lord!

Glory… Now…

Setting my iniquities and injustices before me, I see that they have multiplied more than the sands of the sea. To you do I flee, O most immaculate one: heal the sores of my soul, that in thanksgiving I may cry out to Him who was born of you: Glory to Your power, O Lord!

Katavasia: On divine watch let the God-inspired Habakkuk stand with us and show forth the light-bearing angel clearly saying: Today salvation is come to the world, for Christ is risen as Almighty.

Ode 5

Irmos: Let us awake in the deep dawn, and instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Master, and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, Who causes life to dawn for all.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Seeing Your boundless compassion they who were held in the bonds of hades hastened to the light, O Christ, with gladsome feet, praising the Pascha eternal.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Bearing lights, let us approach Christ, Who comes forth from the tomb like a bridegroom, and with the feast-loving ranks of angels let us celebrate the saving Pascha of God.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Enlightened by the divine rays and the life-bearing Resurrection of your Son, O most pure Mother of God, the gathering of the pious is filled with joy.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

You did not open the gates of virginity in the Incarnation, nor the seal upon the tomb did You destroy, O King of creation; from whence seeing You risen, Your Mother rejoices.

Irmos: By Your unwaning light, O Christ, illumine my humble soul* and guide it in Your fear for Your commandments are light.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

You were lifted up upon the Tree of the Cross, thereby raising the whole world together with Yourself; and becoming One among the dead, O God, You have raised up them that were dead from all ages.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Christ is risen, as He said, having emptied the realms of Hades, and He has appeared to the Apostles, granting them everlasting joy.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

The Angel was seen by the women to be as brilliant as lightning and as white as snow, saying: Weep not; our Life has arisen and quickened them that were dead in the graves.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Even as You raised up the paralytic, O Christ, so also raise up my soul which is palsied by transgressions, and grant that I may fare well as I walk in Your upright ways.

Irmos: In a vision Isaiah beheld God exalted upon a throne borne aloft by angels of glory;* and he cried: Woe is me!* for I have beheld beforehand the incarnate God, the unwaning Light,* who reigns with peace!

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

You flowered like a fragrant lily in the wilderness, O venerable Methodius, adorning your soul with prayer, vigils and fasting; and, having lived angelically upon the earth, with the angels you now contemplate in splendour the never-waning Light who reigns with peace.

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

Praying in the wilderness to Him who is borne up by the angels of glory, O Cyril, you were prevailed upon to return to the Imperial City and adorned with priestly rank, that you might show the way of salvation to men, illumining them with the light of doctrine and offering up the un-bloody sacrifice to the never-waning Light who reigns with peace, for all.

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

You were shown to be an inexhaustible well of wisdom, O God-bearing Cyril, when you were sent by the emperor to dispute with the Saracens, who blaspheme the all-holy Trinity; and they were unable to drown in the turgid waters of their false religion you who are illumined from on high by the never-waning Light.

Glory… Now…

How can I fail to fear the dread felling, since I am a barren tree, wretch that I am? Make haste quickly to her who is full of grace, O my soul; for if she will not help you, you will never behold the never-waning Light who reigns with peace!

Katavasia: Let us awake in the deep dawn, and instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Master, and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, Who causes life to dawn for all.

Ode 6

Irmos: You descended into the nethermost parts of the earth, and shattered the eternal bars that held the fettered, O Christ, and on the third day* like Jonah from the whale, You arose from the tomb.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Having kept the seals intact, O Christ, You arose from the tomb* O You Who did not break the seal of the Virgin by Your birth, and You have opened for us the doors of Paradise.

Christ is risen from the dead.

O my Saviour, the living and unslain Sacrifice, when, as God, You, of Your Own will, had offered up Yourself to the Father, You raised up with Yourself the whole race of Adam, when You arose from the tomb.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

He that of old was held by death and corruption is raised up by Him Who was incarnate of your most pure womb, O Theotokos Virgin, unto incorruption and everlasting life.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

He Who went down into the nethermost parts of the earth, and came into your womb, O Pure One, and dwelt and past understanding was incarnate, has also raised up Adam with Himself when He rose from the tomb.

Irmos: The abyss of the passions and a storm of adverse winds* have risen up against me.* But make haste, O Saviour,* to save me, and deliver me from corruption,* as You delivered the Prophet from the sea-monster.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Of Your own will You were lifted up upon the Tree, and laid as one dead in the sepulchre, and having quickened together all those who were dead in Hades, O Christ, You raised them by Your divine power.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

When Hades met You below, O Compassionate One, it was embittered, and in haste it gave up those whom it held in bonds, who with unceasing voices praise Your awesome Resurrection, O Saviour.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

On beholding Christ, the Life of all, arisen from the grave, the divine disciples worshipped Him with love, upright knowledge, and joyfulness of soul.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

When he who laid for many years upon a bed of affliction was made whole by Your command, O Christ, he glorified and praised Your compassion, O Giver of life.

Irmos: The uttermost abyss has encompassed me, and my spirit is failing;* but stretch forth Your upraised arm, O Master and Helmsman, and save me, as You did Peter.

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

O all-wise Cyril, you said to the Khazars who disputed with you,” Our God is like the deep of the sea, unfathomable by the mind and indescribable in words;” and some who attempt to sail across this deep in the leaky boats of their own intellect are drowned, falling into errors and heresies, while others are buffeted by incomprehension and doubt, knowing not how to chant: O Helmsman, save us, as You did Peter!

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

Sunk deep in the abyss of their false understandings, the Khazars secretly offered you deadly poison. But He who said: “If you drink anything deadly, it will not harm you,” preserved you whole and returned you with honour to the Imperial City. And, fittingly blessed by the emperor and patriarch, you were supremely exalted, crying: “O Helmsman, You have saved me as You did Peter!”

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

The Holy Spirit once said to the disciples: “Separate for Me Barnabas and Saul for the task to which I have called them,” the enlightenment of the nations who are perishing in the abyss of ignorance of God; and He likewise commanded that you be sent to the lands of the Slavs, O venerable fathers. And, illumined by the light of your teaching, people who sat in darkness and the shadow of death have cried out: “O Helmsman, You have us as You did Peter!”

Glory… Now…

The uttermost abyss of sins has encompassed me, and, beset with trembling and terrified of utter drowning, I offer you entreaty, O all-immaculate one: Have mercy upon my passion-plagued soul! Stretch forth your hands, in that you are good, and as your Son saved Peter, so save me, O you who steer my soul.

Katavasia: You descended into the nethermost parts of the earth, and shattered the eternal bars that held the fettered, O Christ, and on the third day* like Jonah from the whale, You arose from the tomb.

Kontakion, Tone 3

Lord, as of old You raised the Paralytic,* lift my soul by Your divine presence,* for by my many sins and foolish actions, I, too, am now afflicted and crippled.* Raise me, that being saved I may cry to You: Glory to Your power, O merciful Christ.

Ikos

O You Who hold the ends of the earth in the palm of Your hand, O Jesus our God, Who are co-beginningless with the Father, and Who, together with the Holy Spirit, rule over all things: You appeared in the flesh, healing infirmities, driving away passions, and giving sight to the blind. And, by a divine word, You raised up the paralytic, commanding him to walk straightway and to take up upon his shoulders his bed, which aforetime had borne him. Wherefore, together with him we all praise You and cry: O Compassionate One, glory to Your dominion and might, O Christ.

Ode 7

Irmos: He Who delivered the Children from the furnace, became man, suffers as a mortal, and through His Passion clothes mortality with the beauty of incorruption, He is the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

Christ is risen from the dead.

The godly-wise women with myrrh followed after You in haste; but Him Whom they sought with tears as dead, they worshipped joyfully as the living God, and they brought to Your disciples, O Christ, the good tidings of the mystical Pascha.

Christ is risen from the dead.

We celebrate the death of death, the destruction of hades, the beginning of another life eternal, and leaping for joy, we hymn the Cause, the only blessed and supremely glorious God of our fathers.

Christ is risen from the dead.

For truly sacred and all-festive is this saving night, and this shining, light-bearing day, the harbinger of the Resurrection, whereon the Timeless Light bodily from the tomb upon all has shined.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Your Son, having put death to death, O all-immaculate one, today has granted to all mortals the life that abides to the ages of ages, the only blessed and supremely glorious God of our fathers.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

He Who reigns over all creation, became man, dwelling in your God-graced womb, and having endured crucifixion and death, is risen in a God-befitting manner, raising us up with Himself, for He is Almighty.

Irmos: You bedewed the furnace and save the Children from its flames:* blessed are You throughout the ages, O Lord, the God of our fathers.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

On seeing You stretched out upon the Tree, the sun withdrew its light, not having the strength to shine upon the world when You, O King of all, was setting, so that all the nations might be enlightened.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

You arose, thereby emptying the tombs and despoiling Hades by Your almighty power. Wherefore we praise Your honoured and divine arising, O Christ.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Why seek the Living as one dead? He is risen, He is not in the grave: Thus did the divine Angel of old, who was like lightning, cry to the myrrh-bearers.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Having, by Your word, made whole the paralytic who had been bedridden for many years, You cried aloud: Take up your bed and walk, praising God’s mighty deeds.

Irmos: The three youths did not worship the golden image, the Persian idol,* but chanted in the midst of the furnace: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

Abiding alone in solitude before, O Methodius, you made your soul like a divinely planted garden; but later, undertaking the apostolic preaching with the divinely wise Cyril, you laboured in the lands of the Slavs, where, unburnt by the fire of impiety like the youths in the furnace, you chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

You bested the Jews and Saracens in argument, O all-wise Cyril, and enlightened the land of the Khazars with holy baptism, freeing a multitude of captives, and transformed brackish water in an arid wilderness into potable water; and, saved by you, the people chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

O venerable fathers, you were vessels chosen to bear the name of the Lord before the nations; therefore, the Slavic peoples desired to be illumined by the light of your doctrine. And you deemed it better to exchange the sweetness of solitude for apostolic labour, that you might win a great many for Christ; and together with them you chant: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!

Glory… Now…

I am a vessel full of the passions, O all-holy Virgin Theotokos, and fear ultimate death and the threat of the fire. But save me who am perishing, O all-pure one, and gird my spirit about with strength, that, bursting the bonds of sin, I may chant in thanksgiving: Blessed are you who gave birth to Him who has delivered the captives!

Katavasia: He Who delivered the Children from the furnace, became man, suffers as a mortal, and through His Passion clothes mortality with the beauty of incorruption, He is the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

Ode 8

Irmos: This chosen and holy day is the first of the Sabbaths, the queen and lady, the feast of feasts, and the festival of festivals, wherein we bless Christ throughout the ages.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Come, on this auspicious day of the Resurrection, let us partake of the fruit of the new vine of divine gladness of the kingdom of Christ, praising Him as God throughout the ages.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Lift up your eyes about you, O Sion,* and see, for behold, there comes to you, like God-illumined beacons, from the west, and from the north, and from the sea, and from the east, your children, in you blessing Christ throughout the ages.

O Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory be to You.

O Father Almighty, and Word, and Spirit, one Nature united in three Hypostases, transcendent and most divine! Into You have we been baptized, and You will we bless throughout all ages.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Through you the Lord came into the world, O Virgin Theotokos, and the womb of hades did He tear open, granting to us mortals resurrection; Wherefore, we bless Him throughout the ages.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Laying low all the dominion of death by His Resurrection, your Son, O Virgin, as the mighty God, has raised us up with Himself and deified us; wherefore we sing His praise throughout the ages.

Irmos: God is unceasingly glorified on high by the Angels,* O heaven of heavens, earth and mountains, plains and abysses, and all the race of mankind,* with hymns as to the Creator and Redeemer,* bless and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

The veil was rent in two when You were crucified, O our Saviour, and death gave up the dead which it had devoured; and Hades was stripped bare when it saw You coming into the nethermost regions of the earth.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? You were put to death and destroyed by the risen King. No longer do you reign; for the Mighty One has taken away those whom you had in bondage.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Run quickly and proclaim the Resurrection to the Apostles, said the youth who appeared to the myrrh-bearers. The Master is risen, and, in a marvellous manner, those dead from all ages have arisen together with Him.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Having lain bedridden for many years, the paralytic cried: Have mercy on me, who am oppressed by need, O Redeemer. And He commands him to take up his bed in haste and walk upright.

Irmos: The youths who beheld God* caused the flame of material fire to wither away through that which is immaterial,* and they chanted:* Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

Continually illumined by the immaterial fire of grace, you received the rank of priest, O blessed Cyril; and with the aid of the Holy Spirit, you devised an alphabet for the Slavs, that the people, enlightened by the translation of divinely inspired books into their native speech, might chant: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

O most lauded fathers, you first thundered out the chief heading of our Faith, the unearthly words of the son of thunder: “In the beginning was the Word, and then the melodious Psalter, wherewith the Holy Church cries out in gladness: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

You have enriched us with an immaterial treasure, O right wondrous fathers, for thanks to you, the Divine Liturgy began to be celebrated in the Slavonic language; and partaking of this grace to this day, we bless you, chanting: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!

Let us bless the Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

The fire of temptations and evil perils hath surrounded me. To you do I flee, O Virgin Theotokos, disdain not the supplications of your servant, O pure one, but deliver me from the cruel ones who beset me, that, uttering blessing, I may bless you and exalt your name supremely forever.

We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, praising and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.

Katavasia: This chosen and holy day is the first of the Sabbaths, the queen and lady, the feast of feasts, and the festival of festivals, wherein we bless Christ throughout the ages.

The Magnificat is not sung.

Ode 9

Irmos: Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.

Christ is risen from the dead.

O how divine, how loving, how sweet is Your voice! For You have truly promised to be with us to the end of the age, O Christ; having this foundation of hope, we the faithful rejoice.

Christ is risen from the dead.

O Christ, You great and most sacred Pascha! O Wisdom, Word, and Power of God! Grant us to partake of You more fully in the unwaning dayof Your kingdom.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

With one voice, O Virgin, the faithful bless you. Rejoice, O Portal of the Lord; rejoice, O living City; rejoice, through whom for our sake the Light has shone, Who, born of you, is the Resurrection of the dead.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Be glad and rejoice, O Portal of the Divine Light: for Jesus set into the grave, has dawned forth shining more brightly than the sun, and has illumined all the faithful, O divinely joyous Lady.

Irmos: Upon Mount Sinai Moses saw you in the bush,* as one who conceived the fire of the Godhead within your womb,* and yet remained unconsumed.* Daniel saw you as a mountain not cut by the hand of man,* and Isaiah proclaimed you as the Rod that blossomed forth* from the root of David.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

When You were lifted up upon the Tree, O Jesus, thereby raising us up together with Yourself. And when of Your own will You were laid in the tomb, You rose from the tombs all the dead who praised Your incomprehensible power and Your invincible might.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

You dawned forth from the grave as One most comely, like a bridegroom from a bridal chamber, O most comely Word; and You dispelled the gloom of Hades, leading forth those who were in bonds, and who cried with one accord: Glory be to YOur glory, glory be to Your arising, O Jesus our God.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Bringing their tears and sighs mingled together with myrrh, the women came with haste to Your all-holy sepulchre. And through faith they were instructed concerning the glorious arising of Christ, which we celebrate, as we rejoice in gladness of soul.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Bodily health followed Your command, O Christ, and the former paralytic was seen walking with haste and bearing his bed whereon he had lain for many years, and he praised Your great might.

Irmos: We magnify you, the unburnt bush, the holy Virgin,* the Mother of the Light, the Theotokos, the hope of us all.

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

Who can praise you fittingly, O most glorious Methodius? O Cyril who can reckon the labours you undertook, like to an apostle, for the salvation of an erring people? We who have been taught by you to glorify God Most High in our native tongue magnify you in oneness of mind.

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

When you had completed your work and finished the race, O blessed Cyril, you received word of your repose from on high, and, accepting it joyfully, you chanted: “My spirit was glad because of them that said to me, Let us go into the courts of the Lord!” And yearning for the heavens, you were borne aloft in soul, where with the hosts of heaven you continually magnify the consubstantial Trinity.

Holy Fathers Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us!

Receiving the episcopacy of the Church of Moravia, O venerable Methodius, in proclaiming the Holy Faith you undertook many labours and struggles, and endured many tribulations and persecutions; and, rejoicing now in the highest with the holy Cyril, pray for us, that we may continually magnify you as our helpers and mediators.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O you who are most exalted than the angels and more honourable than the cherubim, we pray: through the intercession of the holy Cyril and Methodius have pity on our lowliness, lead us up from the depths of sin, and deliver us from everlasting damnation, that with them we may magnify you, the Theotokos and Mother of the Light, and our hope.

Katavasia: Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

Having fallen asleep in the flesh, as a mortal, O King and Lord, on the third day You arose again* raising up Adam from corruption, and abolishing death: O Pascha of incorruption, Salvation of the world!

Glory… Celebrating your memory with splendour, O holy teachers, we entreat you most earnestly: establish on the rock of the confession of Christ the nations which you enriched with the treasure of the glad tidings, and preserve our life in peace.

Now…

The Lover of mankind, the all-compassionate Lord, drew nigh and stood at the Sheep’s Pool that He might heal men’s diseases; and there He found a man who had lain bed-ridden, and enfeebled for many years. And He cried aloud to him, saying: Take up your bed now, and go forth; walk in the upright and straight paths.

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 3

Come all you nations,* acknowledge the power of the dread mystery;* for Christ our Saviour, the beginningless Word,* was crucified for us and was willingly buried* and arose from the dead to save the whole universe.* Let us worship Him.

You guards recounted all the marvels, O Lord,* but, by filling their right hands with money,* the Sanhedrin of folly thought to conceal Your Resurrection,* which the world glorifies;* have mercy upon us.

All things have been filled with joy on receiving proof of the Resurrection.* For Mary Magdalene having come to the tomb,* found an Angel seated upon the stone,* radiant in shining raiment, saying:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* He is not here, but He has arisen, as He foretold,* and goes before you into Galilee.

In Your light, O Master and Lover of mankind,* shall we see light.* For arose from the dead,* granting salvation to the race of mankind,* wherefore all creation glorifies You, the only sinless one;* have mercy upon us.

Tone 4

O divinely wise Cyril and Methodius, following in the steps of the apostles, with oneness of mind you laboured to search out the lost; and like fleet-winged eagles you soared above the Slavic lands, and, having illumined them with the light of the knowledge of God, you brought them to Jesus who loves mankind, the Saviour of our souls.

O divinely wise Cyril and Methodius, following in the steps of the apostles, with oneness of mind you laboured to search out the lost; and like fleet-winged eagles you soared above the Slavic lands, and, having illumined them with the light of the knowledge of God, you brought them to Jesus who loves mankind, the Saviour of our souls.

O God-bearing fathers, husbandmen of the vineyard of Christ, planters of piety: after diligent search you found the Slavic peoples like a lost coin; and, rejoicing with the angels, Jesus who loves mankind, the Saviour of our souls, has taken it into the treasury of everlasting life.

O champions of the Holy Trinity, guides of the lost, who bested the blasphemy of Islam and put to shame the impiety of the Jews: the Church which you acquired through your God-pleasing labours and your sweat, strive to preserve unharmed by the assaults of the enemy and well-pleasing to Jesus who loves mankind, the Saviour of our souls.

Tone 8, Glory…

O Lord, not the pool, but Your word healed and renewed the paralytic;* nor was he hindered by his infirmity of many years;* for the might of Your voice proved to be more effective.* And he cast off his heavy burden and carried the weight of his bed* as a testimony to the abundance of Your compassions.* Glory be to You.

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

After the priest has exclaimed, Blessed be the Kingdom… and the people have responded, Amen, the clergy sing the Paschal Troparion once and the people repeat it. Then, the clergy sing the first half, and the people conclude it.

Paschal Troparion

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

First Antiphon

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,* sing now to His name, give glory to His praise.

Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.

Say unto God, “How awesome are Your works!* Because of the greatness of Your strength Your enemies will flatter You.”

Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.

Let all the earth worship You and sing to You,* let it sing to Your name, O Most High!

Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.

Glory… Now… Only-begotten Son…

Third Antiphon

Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God, our Saviour

Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms.

Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

For God is the great Lord and the great king over all the earth.

Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 3: Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.

Troparion, Tone 4: As equals to the apostles in the way you lived* and teachers of the Slavic lands,* O Cyril and Methodius, divinely wise,* intercede with the Master of all* to confirm the Slavic nations in orthodoxy and oneness of mind;* to grant peace to the world and save our souls.

Kontakion, Tone 3: Let us extol our two sacred teachers.* By their translation of Scriptures* they tapped for us a well that brings knowledge of God.* Drawing from it abundantly to this very day* we call you blessed, O Cyril and Methodius.* As you stand before the throne on high,* fervently pray to God to save our souls.

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

Kontakion, Tone 3: Lord, as of old You raised the Paralytic,* lift my soul by Your divine presence,* for by many sins and foolish actions,* I, too, am now afflicted and crippled.* Raise me, that being saved I may cry to You:* Glory to Your power, O merciful Christ.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 8: Though You descended into a tomb, O Immortal One,* yet You destroyed the power of Hades;* and You rose as victor, O Christ God,* calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice!* and giving peace to Your Apostles:* You, who grant Resurrection to the fallen.

Prokeimenon, Tone 1

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in You.

verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O you just; praise befits the righteous. (Psalm 32:22,1)

Prokeimenon, Tone 7

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones.

Epistle

Acts 9:32-42; Hebrews 7:26-8:2

Alleluia, Tone 5

verse: Of Your mercies, O Lord, I will sing forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your truth from generation to generation.

verse: For You have said, “Mercy will be established forever.” (Psalm 32:22,1)

verse: Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice, and Your venerable ones shall rejoice. (Psalm 131:9)

Gospel

John 5:1-15; John 10:9-16

Hymn to the Mother of God

The Angel cried out to the One full of Grace: O chaste Virgin, rejoice! And again I say, Rejoice! Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day, and raised the dead. Let all people rejoice! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.

Communion Hymn

Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

Instead of Blessed is He Who comes… we sing:

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

Instead of We have seen the true light… we sing:

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

Instead of May our mouths be filled… we sing three times:

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

Instead of Blessed be the name of the Lord… we sing three times:

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

At the dismissal, instead of Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen. we chant:

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

After the final Amen, the Troparion Christ is risen is sung as at the beginning of the Liturgy, but with the addition:

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