GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 4
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
We never cease to adore Your life-giving Cross, O Christ our God,* and we glorify Your Resurrection on the third day.* For You, almighty One, have thereby restored the corrupted nature of all* and reopened the way to heaven,* since You alone are gracious and You love mankind.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Saviour, You have absolved the penalty of disobedience,* committed through the tree of Eden,* by willingly being nailed to the tree of the Cross.* As almighty God, You descended into Hades* and broke asunder the bonds of Death.* We, therefore, venerate Your Resurrection from the dead* and joyfully cry out to You: * almighty Lord, glory to You!
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
O Lord, You have battered down the gates of Hades,* and by Your death You have dissolved the realm of Death.* You have freed mankind from corruption,* bestowing life, incorruption, and Your great mercy upon the world.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Come, all you people,* let us sing the praises of our Saviour’s Resurrection on the third day.* For we have thereby been delivered from the invincible bonds of Hades,* and we have received incorruption together with eternal life.* Therefore, we cry out to You* after Your crucifixion, burial, and resurrection:* Save us by Your Resurrection, for you love mankind.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
The midpoint of the Feast has arrived;* the days which begin with the Resurrection of the Saviour* and are fulfilled in the divine Feast of Pentecost.* Truly it unites both Feasts* and draws light from their double brightness,* giving honour to the Ascension of the Lord,* which prefigures our glory.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Truly Zion heard and was glad* when it received the glad tidings of the Resurrection of Christ.* Faithful children also rejoiced at beholding it.* Seeing the blood of Christ washed away by the Holy Spirit,* the Church prepares to worthily celebrate* the joyous midpoint of these two holy Feasts.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The over-abundant outpouring of the divine Spirit over all is drawing near,* as it is written by the prophet Joel.* The promise of Christ, given to His disciples* after His death, burial, and resurrection,* proclaims the coming of the Comforter.
Tone 1
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
At the sixth hour, You came to the well, O Fountain of Wonders,* to ensnare the fruit of Eve;* for at that very hour, * she had been driven from Paradise by the guile of the serpent.* When the Samaritan woman came to draw water,* You said to her, O Saviour:* Give Me water to drink, and I will give you waters of eternal life.* And the woman hastened to the city and proclaimed to the people:* Come and see Christ the Lord, the Saviour of our souls.
Tone 2
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
When the Lord came to the well of Jacob,* the Samaritan woman entreated Him, saying:* Give me the water of faith, O Giver of life,* that I may obtain the waters of baptism, joy and salvation.* O Lord, glory to You!
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Truly, the Son, Word and God, co-eternal with the Father,* the Fountain of Wonders Himself, came to the fountain,* where a woman of Samaria came to draw water.* And when the Saviour saw her, He said to her:* Give me water to drink and go and call your husband.* But she addressed Him as man and not as God;* wishing to conceal the truth from Him,* she said: I have no husband.* And the Master replied: You have said the truth, that you have no husband;* for you have had five husbands,* and the one whom you now have is not your husband.* Amazed by these words, she went to the town* and proclaimed to the crowds, saying:* Come and behold Christ who grants the world great mercy.
Tone 6, Glory…
Jesus met the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well.* The One who covers the earth with clouds asks water of her.* O, what a wonder!* The One who rides on the Cherubim converses with an adulterous woman.* The One who suspended the earth on the waters asks for water.* The One who caused the springs of water and their lakes to overflow seeks water.* He truly desires to save this woman from the snares of the Enemy* and to fill her with living water* to extinguish the flames of her passions;* for He alone is compassionate and the Lover of Mankind.
Tone 4, Now…
O Mother of God, because of You David the Prophet* became an ancestor of God;* he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise* and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:* “The Queen stood at your right hand.”* God revealed you as a life-giving mother,* when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.* He renewed in man His image which the passions had corrupted.* He found the lost sheep in the mountains, carried it on His shoulders,* offered it to the Father, generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,* and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.
Aposticha
Tone 4
In being lifted upon the Cross, O Lord,* You abolished the curse which we had inherited from our fathers.* By going down into Hades,* You freed from eternal captivity those imprisoned there* and granted incorruption to mankind.* We, therefore praise Your life-giving and redeeming Resurrection.
The Paschal Stichera are now sung in the customary manner:
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…
When You appeared in the flesh, O Christ God,* to accomplish You plan of salvation,* the Samaritan woman heard the word of God’s love for us.* She left the well and ran to the town and said:* Come and see the One who knows the secrets of our hearts;* can this be the Christ, the Messiah whom we await,* the One who bestows great mercy?
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 4
When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles;* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”
Tone 8, Glory… Now…
At the mid-point of the Feast, O Saviour,* water my thirsty soul with streams of true godliness;* for You cried out to all: Let any who thirst come to Me and drink.* O Source of life, Christ our God, glory to You!
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 4
Troparia, Tone 4
When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.” (2)
Tone 8, Glory… Now…
At the mid-point of the Feast, O Saviour,* water my thirsty soul with streams of true godliness;* for You cried out to all: Let any who thirst come to Me and drink.* O Source of life, Christ our God, glory to You!
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
Looking into the entrance of the tomb,* the Myrrh-bearing women were unable to endure the bright radiance of the Angel,* trembling in awe they said;* How is it that He who has opened Paradise to the Thief hath been stolen?* How is it that He who before His passion proclaimed His Arising has been raised?* Truly Christ God has arisen, granting those in Hades life and resurrection.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
Since You are immortal God, You arose from the grave,* and by Your might You raised up with Yourself the world, O Christ our God:* You destroyed death’s dominion,* and show forth, O merciful One, Your Resurrection to all mankind.* Therefore we glorify You, O only Lover of mankind.
Glory… Now…
The mystery hidden from all ages and unknown to the ranks of angels,* has been revealed to those on earth through you, O Theotokos:* God incarnate in an uncommingled union,* who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake,* and through it has raised up the first-formed man,* and saved our souls from death.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
Gabriel radiant in white vestments descended from the heights above,* and approaching the rock upon which the Rock of life was lying,* cried to the weeping women saying:* Cease your cries of lamentation;* for you have now obtained merciful compassion.* Take courage, for the One you seek is truly risen.* Therefore, cry to the Apostles telling them that the Lord has arisen,* to worship the risen One;* and having received gladness, to take courage, together with Eve.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
You who by Your word established the ends of the world,* willingly endured the Cross, O Saviour,* and mortal men laid You in a new tomb,* and thereby You bound the stranger, and despoil bitter death,* and all those in Hades cried aloud, at Your life-bearing Resurrection:* “Christ, the Giver of life has arisen, and shall abide throughout the ages.”
Glory… Now…
As he contemplated that which was beyond nature* Joseph was struck with wonder, O Theotokos, at your conception without seed.* He contemplated the mysterious dew upon the fleece,* the bush unburned by fire, Aaron’s rod which budded.* Thus your Betrothed and guardian bore witness and cried to the priests, saying:* A Virgin bears a child,* and after child-birth remains yet a virgin.
Polyeleos
Evoglitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 4
The Myrrh-bearing women hastened to proclaim to the Apostles* the news of Your wondrous Rising, O Christ:* that as God You have arisen,* granting the world great mercy.
Gradual Hymns, Tone 4
Antiphon 1
From my youth do many passions war against me;* but do You Yourself defend* and save me, O my Saviour.
You haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord;* for like grass, by the fire* shall you be withered.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit, every soul is quickened,* and, through cleansing, is exalted* and made radiant* by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.
Antiphon 2
From the depths of my soul* I have cried to You fervently, O Lord;* let Your divine ears be attentive to me.
Everyone who has set their hope in the Lord,* is higher than all those* who mourn.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit* the streams of grace swell up;* watering all creation* engendering life.
Antiphon 3
Let my heart be raised to You, O Lord;* and let none of the pleasures of the world lure me* to weakness.
As one that has tender love for one’s mother;* so should we have even more fervent love* for the Lord.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit comes an abundance of divine knowledge,* contemplation and wisdom;* for by Him the Word unveils* all the Father’s teachings.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Arise, O Lord: help us,* and redeem us for Your name’s sake.
verse: We heard with our own ears, O God, our fathers have told us the story of the things You did in days long ago.
Let everything that lives, Tone 4
Gospel
John 20:1-10
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.
of Mid-Pentecost
Irmos: You made the sea a wall;* You overwhelmed boastful Pharaoh in the deep together with his chariots.* You saved the people dry-shod, O Lord,* and led them forth to a mountain of sanctification, as they cried:* We shall sing a song of victory to You, our God,* who are mighty in wars.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Clap your hands, O you nations; lament, O you Hebrews. For Christ, the Giver of Life, has broken asunder the bonds of Hades, and has raised up the dead and healed sicknesses by a word. This is our God, who grants life to them that believe in His Name.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You showed a wonder by changing the water into wine, O Master, who changed the rivers of Egypt into blood. You also raised up the dead, accomplishing this sign in these latter times. Glory be to Your ineffable counsel, O Saviour; glory be to Your self-abasement, whereby You have renewed us.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You are an ever-flowing stream of true life, O Lord; You are our Resurrection. Willingly did You become weary, O my Saviour, and willingly did You thirst, submitting to the laws of nature. And when You came to Sichar in the flesh, You asked the Samaritan woman for water, that You might drink.
O most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Thou alone didst contain within thy womb the Creator, O Birthgiver of God, ineffably conceiving Him in the flesh yet remaining a Virgin, while thy virginity in no wise suffered harm. Do thou ever entreat Him unceasingly on behalf of thy flock, since He is thy Son and God.
of the Samaritan Woman
Irmos: He who struck Egypt and its tyrant and drowned them in the sea* has saved from the servitude of Pharaoh* his people who sing the victorious hymn of Moses,* for He is covered with glory.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
He that was buried is risen, and has thereby raised up with Himself the race of mankind. Let all creation rejoice, and let the noetic clouds today openly rain down righteousness.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
O Lord, who support Your chambers in the waters, since You are the Water of Life, You granted Your honoured waters to the Samaritan woman who besought You, having learned of Your compassion.
Glory…
O Trinity, Father, Son, and Spirit, save those who glorify You with sincere faith, since You are the Creator of all, and grant to us forgiveness of sins, inasmuch as You are supremely good.
Now…
Rejoice, O fiery throne; rejoice, O all-golden lampstand; rejoice, O cloud of light; rejoice, O palace of the Word and spiritual table, which did worthily bear Christ, the Bread of life.
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 Go* O most pure one.
of Mid-Pentecost
Irmos: My heart is established in the Lord,* my horn is exalted in my God,* my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies,* I am glad in Thy salvation.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Do not judge a judgment according to appearance, O Judeans; thus, as it is written, said the Master when He came to the temple and taught at the Judaic mid-feast.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Do not judge a judgment according to appearance, O Judeans, for Christ is come. The Prophets named Him: He that comes from Sion and has restored the world.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Even though you believe not His Words, O Judeans, be convinced by the works of the Master. Why do you deceive yourselves and disregard the Holy One of whom Moses wrote in the Law?
O most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Though You are one of the Trinity, You assumed flesh, neither undergoing change in Your essence nor burning the uncorrupted womb of her that gave birth to You, O Lord, who are wholly God and Fire.
of the Samaritan Woman
Irmos: My heart is established in the Lord,* my horn is exalted in my God,* my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies,* I am glad in Thy salvation.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
An Angel shining like lightning spoke to the myrrh-bearers: Why are you astonished? Why do you bring myrrh and seek the Master in the grave, O women? He is risen, and has raised the world up with Himself.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Since You are the Life and Well-spring of immortality, You sat down at the well, O Compassionate One, and filled with Your supremely wise waters the Samaritan woman who besought You and praised You.
Glory…
The Father, the Son, and the Divine Spirit are praised as one God in Trinity over all, whom the orders of the Heavens glorify with fear as they cry out clearly: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord.
Now…
Having inexplicably conceived in your womb the God of all, O Virgin Mother, you gave birth in a manner transcending mind and speech, and remained a virgin, even as you were before giving birth, O Bride of God.
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, Tone 4
At the mid-point of the Feast according to the Law,* Maker of all things and Master,* You said to those present, O Christ God:* Come, and draw the water of immortality.* And so we fall before You crying out with faith: Grant us Your mercies , for You are the source of our life.
Ikos
With the streams of Your Blood water my soul, which is grown dry and barren because of my iniquities and offences, and show it forth to be fruitful in virtues. For You told all to draw near to You, O all-holy Word of God, and to draw forth the water of incorruption, which is living and which washes away the sins of those who praise Your glorious and divine arising. to them that know You as God, O Good One, grant from on high the strength of the Spirit, which verily was borne by Your disciples, for You are truly the Well-spring of life for all.
Sessional Hymns, Tone 4
Let Heaven joyfully resound and exult now,* and let all things here upon earth dance in gladness;* for from a Virgin, Christ God has appeared as a man.* By His death He has redeemed mortal mankind from corruption.* By great signs He shone forth upon the Samaritan woman.* Requesting water, He bestowed on her the source of healings,* since He is the Lover of mankind.
Glory… Now…
O Sovereign Master and Bestower of wisdom,* who in the midst of the Mosaic feast came to the temple* and sat down there to teach,* You cried for all to hear:* you that thirst, come, draw near to Me;* drink of the water which I bestow now upon you.* By means of this shall all people partake of true and endless delight and divine life.
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.
of Mid-Pentecost
Irmos: With spiritual eyes the Prophet Habakkuk foresaw Your coming, O Lord;* therefore he cried: God shall come out of Teman.* Glory be to Your glory, O Christ;* glory be to Your condescension.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
If the Messiah must come, then Christ is the Messiah, O lawless ones; Why do you not believe in Him? Behold, He is come, and the things He does bears witness to Him: He made the water into wine and strengthened the paralytic by a word.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Since you do not understand the Scriptures, you are all deceived, O lawless Hebrews; for Christ is truly come and has enlightened all mankind, showing forth many signs and wonders among you. In vain do you deny Him who is the true Life.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Christ cried to the Jews: One work have I shown to you, and already you marvel. You circumcise a man even on the Sabbath, He says; why then do you accuse Me, who have raised up a paralytic by a word?
O most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O Bride of God and pure Virgin Mother, who contained God in your womb while He yet remained uncircumscribed: Cease not to intercede on our behalf, that through you we may be delivered from adversities, for to you do we ever flee for refuge.
of the Samaritan Woman
Irmos: I heard your voice, and I was afraid; I acknowledge your works worthy of admiration, * for the earth is filled with your praise, O Lord.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
When Christ died, your dominion was swallowed up, O Death. At His Arising the dead came forth from the graves as from bridal chambers.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
O Lord, You granted knowledge of Your power to the Samaritan woman who asked water of You; therefore, she thirsts not throughout the ages and praises You.
Glory…
O Father and Word and Divine Spirit, O Trinity, transcendent in essence, co-beginningless and of one power: save us all who faithfully praise You.
Now…
Of old the lawgiver beheld you as an unburning bush, and Daniel perceived you as a holy mountain, O only Lady and Virgin Mother.
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.
of Mid-Pentecost
Irmos: O Lord our God, bestow Your peace upon us;* O Lord our God, take us for Your possession;* O Lord, besides You we know none other:* we call upon Your Name.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Having adorned Your Apostles with miracles and magnified Your disciples with wonders throughout the world, You have glorified them and bestowed upon them Your Kingdom, O our Saviour.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
The disciples have enlightened all the ends of the earth with miracles and teachings, and in diverse ways they preached the word of Your Kingdom, O Christ Saviour.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
We send up praise to Your Kingdom, and we offer a hymn to You who appeared on earth for our sake and enlightened the world and restore Adam.
O most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Your womb becomes a holy table which holds the Heavenly Bread, whereof he that eats does not die, as the Nourisher of all has said, O Birthgiver of God.
of the Samaritan Woman
Irmos: O Lord, let the light of your commandments shine on me,* for my spirit keeps watch before You, O Christ,* and sings: You are my God;* I take refuge in You, O divine King of peace.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
When the myrrh-bearers reached Your holy sepulchre early in the morning, they beheld a youth shining like lightning, and they were astonished on learning of Your divine arising, O Christ.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Since You are the Source of life, O Lord, granted the water of forgiveness and knowledge to the Samaritan woman who asked for it of old; therefore, we praise Your ineffable compassion.
Glory…
We reverence the Unity of three hypostases, the Trinity one in essence: Father, Word, and Holy Spirit, one God undivided in nature, the Creator and Lord and Master of all.
Now…
We call you the impassable gate, the untilled land, the ark bearing the Manna, a vessel and lamp-stand and the censer of the immaterial Ember, O pure One.
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.
of Mid-Pentecost
Irmos: The billows of life trouble me* like the waters of the sea, O Friend of Man.* Therefore, like Jonah I cry to You, O Word:* Raise my life out of corruption, O compassionate Lord.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
O Jesus, who takes care for all the ends of the earth, You went up to the temple at Mid-feast, as John has said, and taught the multitudes the Word of truth.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You opened Your lips, O Master, and preached to the world the most pure Father and the all-Holy Spirit, preserving Your kinship with both even after Your Incarnation.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You accomplished the work of the Father and confirmed Your words by Your deeds, for You performed healings and signs, O Saviour, raising the paralytic, cleansing lepers, and resurrecting the dead.
O most Holy Theotokos, save us!
We praise you who remained a virgin after giving birth; you alone do we glorify as both Virgin and Mother, O pure Maiden, Bride of God; for from you God truly became incarnate and thus quickened us.
of the Samaritan Woman
Irmos: May the storm not drown me,* and may the abyss not swallow me in the ocean of my passions.* For behold, I am thrown into the deep sea, and as Jonah I cry out to You:* From the depths raise me up to You, O my God.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You mightily shattered the bars and gates of Hades and arose, since You are God, O Master. Upon meeting the women, You said to them: Rejoice. And You sent them to tell the disciples: He that lives is risen and has appeared, enlightening the ends of the earth.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Since You, O Lord, are a bounteous stream of life and an abyss of mercy, O Good One, while journeying You sat down near the well of the oath and cried to the Samaritan woman: Give Me water to drink, that you may receive the waters of forgiveness.
Glory…
I faithfully praise the beginningless Father, and the Son who is of one rank with Him and the Spirit who is consubstantial with Them, even one Essence, and Nature, and Glory, and one Kingdom, the God and Creator of all, the Sustainer of all things, together with the bodiless powers.
Now…
We praise you, for you alone gave birth as a virgin and kept your womb incorrupt, O pure One, throne of the Lord, gate and mountain, noetic lamp, bridal chamber of God which are full of light, manifest tabernacle of glory, O ark and vessel and table.
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 8
Drawn to the well by faith,* the Samaritan woman beheld You, the Water of Wisdom,* and drinking abundantly of You,* she inherited the heavenly Kingdom for ever,* becoming everlastingly glorious.
Ikos
Let us hear of the noble mysteries, as John teaches us what comes to pass in Samaria, how the Lord speaks to a woman, asking water of her, even He that gathered the waters into the places where they are gathered, and who is of one throne with the Father and the Spirit; for He, the renowned One, came, seeking out His image forever.
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.
of Mid-Pentecost
Irmos: When by the providence of God,* the flaming fiery furnace of the Chaldeans* was bedewed by the Spirit,* the Children chanted: Blessed is the God of our Fathers.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You who are rest for all grew weary in the flesh; You who are the well-spring of miracles willingly thirsted. You sought after water, O Jesus, promising living water.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You conversed with a Samaritan woman, O Lord, thereby reproving the mindlessness of the lawless Hebrews, insofar as she believed You to be the Son of God, and they denied You.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
O Saviour, ever-living well-spring, You promised to grant living water which springs forth, the water of immortality, to those who with faith receive Your Spirit, which proceeds from the Father.
O most Holy Theotokos, save us!
You contained within your womb the uncontainable Word, you suckled at your breasts Him that nourishes the world and held in your arms our Sustainer, O pure Birthgiver of God.
of the Samaritan Woman
Irmos: Do not reject us until the end because of Your holy Name;* do not break Your eternal covenant;* do not keep Your love far away from us;* O Lord, God of our fathers, who is glorified forever.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Having descended with Your soul into the lower reaches of Hades, all of those who were bound and whom death, the bitter tyrant, had held from all ages You courageously led forth, as they cried to You, O Christ God: Glory be to Your dread dispensation.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You are the Water of Life, cried the Samaritan woman to Christ. Give me to drink, therefore, who always thirst for Your divine grace, O Word, that I may no longer be held by the drought of ignorance, but may proclaim Your mighty acts, O Lord Jesus.
Glory…
We praise the Father and the Son and the Divine Spirit, the Trinity undivided in nature and divided in Hypostases, one Essence naturally united, the beginningless Creator and God of all, whom all the orders of the Heavens praise.
Now…
After an awesome childbirth you were preserved a pure Virgin, O holy Theotokos. Therefore, with unceasing voices all the choirs of Angels and all the generations of mankind praise you, the pure vessel of the Uncontainable One.
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.
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; Therefore, 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; Therefore we sing His praise throughout the ages.
of Mid-Pentecost
Irmos: O Angels and Heavens,* bless Him that rides upon a throne of glory* and is ceaselessly glorified as God.* Praise and supremely exalt Him to all the ages.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Come, O peoples, and behold Him who is praised upon a throne of glory, being blasphemed by lawless people. And as you behold Him, praise Him as the Messiah, who was foretold by the Prophets.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You are truly the Christ, who has come into the world. With You there is salvation and the remission of the failings of our fathers; You are indeed the Life of those who have come to believe in You.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
As it is written, the Wisdom of God came into the temple at Mid-feast and taught that He is truly Christ the Messiah, from whom there comes salvation.
O most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Tell us, O Theotokos: How did you give birth to Him who has shone forth timelessly from the Father and who is praised together with the Holy Spirit? – except in a manner known only to Him who was well-pleased to be born from you.
of the Samaritan Woman
Irmos: In your wisdom, O Lord,* You gather together the universe and the foundations of the earth;* You establish these foundations again and set them over the great waters.* That is why we sing to You in joy: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You were willingly raised up upon the Tree, O long-suffering One; the rocks were rent asunder, the sun was quenched, the veil of the temple was rent in two, the earth was shaken, and Hades shuddered with fear and loosed all those who were in bonds.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
You appeared to them that sat in darkness, O Lord, since You are the unwaning Light and the Life of all. Therefore, as the assembly of the righteous beheld You, O Word, they leaped for joy and cried aloud: You come to loose all from their bonds; we praise Your dominion.
We bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord!
We praise the Father who is beginningless from before all time, the Son who is co-beginningless, and the Holy Spirit, the Three who are one God, uncommingled, undivided, the Creator of all, the self-determining dominion of one might, and we cry: O you works of the Lord, unceasingly bless the Lord.
Now…
By a live coal was Isaiah cleansed, thereby proclaiming previously the noetic Ember which became incarnate from you in a manner transcending comprehension, O Virgin, and which burns away all the substance of the sins of mortal mankind, deifying our nature in His compassion, O all-immaculate One.
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
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.
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 day of 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.
of Mid-Pentecost
Irmos: Virginity is alien to mothers,* and childbirth is foreign to virgins;* in you, O Theotokos, both were granted.* Therefore, all we the tribes of the earth bless you unceasingly.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
At the Judaic Mid-feast, O my Saviour, You went up to Your temple and taught all. And the Jews marvelled and said: how does this Man know letters, having never learned?
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
My Redeemer performed wonders and signs, welling forth gifts of healings. He drove away illnesses and healed the ailing, but the Jews raged with frenzy at the multitude of His miracles.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
My Redeemer cried out as He reproached the disobedient Jews: Judge not according to appearance, but judge a righteous judgment. For the Law also commands that every man be circumcised, even if it be on the Sabbath.
O most Holy Theotokos, save us!
You, O Virgin Mother, contained in your womb Christ, the Giver of life, who is One of the Trinity; whom all creation praises and before whom the thrones on high tremble. Beseech Him, O all-blessed one, that our souls be saved.
of the Samaritan Woman
Irmos: The Lord works wonders with the strength of his arm;* He overthrows the powerful from their thrones; He raises up the humble.* He is the God of Israel, the rising Sun, and the Light from on high.* He protects us and directs our paths on the way of peace.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Having destroyed the tyranny of death, O Christ, You came forth from the grave like a comely bridegroom coming forth from a bridal chamber. You shattered the bars of Hades by divine might, and You illumined the world with the noetic light of Your Arising.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Let us all now form spiritual choirs and cry: The Lord is risen; let the earth rejoice, let heaven be glad, let the clouds drop down the rain of righteousness upon us who celebrate radiantly and praise Christ.
Glory…
The Unity of threefold splendour, even the beginningless Father, Son, and Spirit, is one Godhead, the Life and Creator of all, one indivisible Light. Together with the bodiless ones let us praise Him with thrice-holy songs as we speak of things sacred, O you faithful.
Now…
Since you have become a dwelling-place of the Light, O pure One, illumine the eyes of my soul, which have been darkened through the many devices of the enemy, and grant that with a pure heart I may see clearly the Light which shone forth from you in a manner transcending understanding.
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 rose again, raising up Adam from corruption, and abolishing death: O Pascha of incorruption, Salvation of the world!
Glory…
On coming to Samaria, O Saviour, Almighty One, spoke there with a woman and ask of her water, though for the Jews You have of old brought forth springs from a cloven rock, You brought her to faith in You, and now she ever enjoys eternal life in the Heavens.
Now…
At Mid-feast, O Lover of Mankind, came to the temple’s courts and to all You said: “All you that thirst, come to Me, and draw from the abundance of living water. For thereby you shall all enjoy sacred delight and divine grace and eternal life.”
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 4
O all-powerful Lord,* Who endured the Cross and death,* and arose from the dead,* we glorify Your Holy Resurrection.
By Your Cross, O Christ, You have delivered us from the ancient curse,* and by Your death You have conquered the devil who tyrannized our nature.* By Your arising You have filled all things with joy,* therefore we cry to You:* O Lord risen from the dead, glory be to You!
O Christ the Saviour,* with Your Cross, guide us to Your truth,* and deliver us from the snares of the enemy;* O You who are risen from the dead* raise us also who have fallen through sin,* by the stretching out of Your hand,* O Lord, at the behest of the prayers of Your Saints.
Without departing from Your Father’s bosom,* in Your tender compassion, You descended to earth,* O Only-begotten Word of God,* without change becoming man.* While You are impassible in Your divinity,* You suffered the Cross and death in the flesh;* and rising from the dead You have granted immortality to the race of mankind,* as You alone are all-powerful.
You endured death in the flesh* thereby ensuring us of immortality,* and You abided within a tomb,* thereby freeing us from Hades,* and raising us up with together with Yourself,* suffering as a man, but rising as God,* therefore we cry to You the Lover of mankind:* O Lord giver of life, glory be to You.
The rocks were rent asunder, O Saviour,* when Your Cross was set upon Golgotha;* the gate-keepers of Hades were smitten with terror,* when You were laid in the sepulchre as One dead;* for abolishing the stronghold of death,* You have granted incorruption to all the dead by Your Resurrection,* O Lord and Saviour,* giver of life, glory be to You!
Tone 3
Let heaven and earth radiantly rejoice today,* for Christ has appeared as a man in the flesh,* that He might deliver from the curse the posterity of Adam;* and when He came to Samaria, He was made wondrous by miracles.* He who is compassed about by the waters of the clouds* stands nigh to a woman and seeks water.* Therefore, let all us the faithful worship Him,* who of His own will became poor for our sake,* in His tenderly compassionate counsel.
Tone 6
Thus says the Lord to the woman of Samaria:* If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you:* Give Me water to drink,* you would have asked Him, and He would have given to you to drink,* that you might never thirst to eternity, says the Lord.
Tone 6, Glory…
The Well-spring of the principle of life, Jesus, our Saviour,* came to the well of the Patriarch Jacob,* and sought water from a Samaritan woman that He might drink thereof.* And when she addressed Him* and said that the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans,* the wise Creator diverted her by the sweetness of His words,* so that she would seek from Him everlasting water,* which, when she received it, she proclaimed to all, saying:* Come and see the Knower of things hidden,* God who is come in the flesh to save mankind.
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
You came forth from death, destroying the eternal bonds of Hades, O Lord.* You broke the curse of Death* and thus delivered us from the snares of the Evil One.* Then You appeared to your apostles and sent them forth to preach,* and through them You have bestowed your peace upon all the world,* for You alone are rich in mercy.
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
At the Conclusion of Matins, the Gospel Sticheron
Tone 7, Glory… Now…
Behold the end of night and dawn of day.* Why have you stood at the grave, O Mary?* Great darkness covered your mind, so you asked the angel:* Where has Jesus been placed?* Behold, the disciples who hastened to the tomb* saw a sign of His resurrection in the burial wrappings and the cloth* and remembered what was said about Him in the Scriptures.* Therefore, we who believe through them* praise You, O Christ, the Giver of life.
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 4: When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”
Troparion, Tone 8: At the mid-point of the Feast, O Saviour,* water my thirsty soul with streams of true godliness;* for You cried out to all: Let any who thirst, come to Me and drink.* O Source of Life, Christ our God, glory to You!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 8: Drawn to the well by faith,* the Samaritan woman beheld You, the Water of Wisdom,* and drinking abundantly of You,* she inherited the heavenly Kingdom for ever,* becoming everlastingly glorious.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: At the mid-point of the Feast according to the Law,* Maker of all things and Master,* You said to those present, O Christ God:* Come, and draw the water of immortality.* And so we fall before You crying out with faith: Grant us Your mercies , for You are the source of our life.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Sing to our God, sing; sing to our King, sing.
verse: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 46:7,2)
Epistle
Acts 11:19-26, 29-30
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Poise yourself and advance in triumph and reign in the cause of truth, and meekness, and justice.
verse: You have loved justice and hated iniquity. (Psalm 44:5,8)
Gospel
John 4:5-42
Hymn to the Mother of God
Virginity is alien to mothers and child-bearing is foreign to virgins; yet in you, O Mother of God, both of them came together. Therefore, we and all the nations of the earth without ceasing magnify you.
Communion Hymn
Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)
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.