All-Night Vigil Feast. Resurrection Gospel 6.
GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man… is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 5
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
With Your precious cross, O Christ,* You have put the Devil to shame.* With Your resurrection You have deadened the sting of sin,* and have saved us from the gates of death.* We, therefore, glorify You, O only-begotten Son of God.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Christ, who granted resurrection to mankind,* You were led like a lamb to the slaughter.* Then the princes of Hades were struck with terror* as they saw the gates of their tearful domain being lifted up;* for Christ, the King of Glory, entered therein* and exclaimed to those in chains: Go forth from here!* And to those in darkness: Go forth into the light!
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
What a great wonder!* The Creator of invisible beings suffered in the flesh for mankind,* and rose from the dead as immortal.* Come, therefore, all you nations and adore Him;* for through His compassion we have been freed from the snares of the Devil,* and we have learned to praise the one God in three Persons.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
We offer to You our evening worship,* O Light whom the darkness of night can never extinguish.* For in these latter days Your radiance has appeared to the world,* shining in Your flesh as light reflected from a mirror.* Your brilliance has descended even to the depths of Hades and dissolved its gloom.* O Lord, Giver of Light, glory to You;* for You have shown the radiance of Your resurrection to all the nations.
Tone 1, Podoben “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O all-compassionate Word,* You carried Elias the Tishbite away from the earth in a chariot of fire.* Through his intercession* save us who faithfully glorify You* and who joyously commemorate his feast.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
O blessed Elias,* you encountered God not in an earthquake but in the coolness of a gentle breeze.* O God-inspired one, you went up to heaven in a wondrous way,* on a chariot drawn by four horses.* Thus you became a marvel to all of us.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
O all-wise Elias,* in your burning zeal for God,* you slew the shameful priests with a sword.* With the word of your mouth you dried up the clouds* so that it would not rain.* You perfected Elisha by the gift of your mantle,* filling him with heavenly graces.
Tone 2
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
The two lampstands, Elias and Elisha,* illuminated the whole world.* One prevented raindrops from heaven,* reproved the king, and rose into heaven on a fiery chariot.* The other healed the barren waters,* and having received the two-fold grace,* divided the waters of the Jordan.* Now they sing with the angels* and pray for the salvation of our souls.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The fiery chariot took you up to heaven as in a whirlwind.* O Elias the Tishbite,* God graced you with a fiery zeal of miracles.* You were created incorruptible,* so that you might not see death* until you knew beforehand the death of everyone.* Therefore, come and grant us a warning of your great accomplishments.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
O Prophet Elias, O lampstand of the Church which has no evening,* having been inflamed with divine zeal,* you closed up the rain from heaven;* you were fed by a raven;* you reproved the king and put the priests to death;* you commanded fire from heaven and slew two captains;* you provided abundantly for the widow by means of a little oil* and a small handful of meal;* you resurrected her son by your prayer;* you ignited the fire in water;* you crossed over the currents of the Jordan on foot.* Indeed, you were raised up to heaven by a fiery chariot.* You gave a two-fold grace to Elisha.* Pray unceasingly to God for the salvation of our souls.
Tone 6, Glory…
Come, let us assemble, all you people of God,* in this holy place where we are to honour the two God-inspired Prophets.* Let us sing a special hymn of praise* to the glory of Christ God who chose them.* Let us cry out in joy, saying:* Rejoice, O earthly angel and heavenly man, Elias the Great.* Rejoice, O precious Elisha whom God has filled with the graces of heaven.* Rejoice, O fervent intercessors and mediators,* healers of the souls and bodies of the faithful who love Christ.* Deliver from the attacks of the enemy and from every danger* all those who celebrate your memory with honour.
Tone 5, Now…
A symbol of the undefiled Virgin and bride* was revealed in the Red Sea.* There, Moses divided the waters;* here, Gabriel is the messenger of the miracle.* There, the Israelites crossed the deep and their feet were not even wet;* here, the Virgin gives birth to Christ without human seed.* There, the sea remained uncrossed after the passing of Israel;* here, the immaculate remained incorrupt after giving birth to Emmanuel.* Therefore, O immortal God, who appeared in the flesh as true Man,* have mercy on us!
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
The Lord reigns,* He is clothed in majesty.
verse: Robed is the Lord and girt about with strength.
verse: For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
verse: Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
Readings
(1) I Kings 17:1-24; (2) I Kings 18:1-46; 19:1-16; (3) I Kings 19:19-21 & II Kings 2:1, 6-14
Lytia
Tone 4
You are a partaker, O blessed Prophet,* of the incorruptible company of God my Saviour.* Having divided the Jordan by prayer,* you crossed over on dry ground.* After leaving a two-fold grace for Elisha,* you were taken up into heaven on a fiery chariot.* Therefore, we beseech you,* although you were taken up from us in the flesh,* do not separate yourself from us in spirit,* and always pray to Christ that our souls may be saved.
O heavenly Prophet, you appeared as a shining cloud,* raining a shower of an understanding of God to all the faithful.* Like a rich wine you filled with happiness* the faithful who were present in your most divine temple.* Therefore, we entreat you, O heavenly Prophet Elias who sees God,* grant our country victory over her enemies* and great mercy to our souls.
Having complete control of your mind,* you humbled your body, O heavenly Prophet Elias.* Thus you prepared for your divine ascension in your heart.* You reproved the unjust actions of the king;* you took away the curse of God’s anger;* and you destroyed the shameful priests with a sword.* You taught all to loudly cry out:* Truly Elias preaches the one true God.
Tone 6, Glory…
The disgraceful king commanded fasting in order to commit murder;* for after the fasting, blood was shed and the law was broken.* Naboth the Jezreelite was killed.* Then, O Prophet, you revealed the message of the Lord:* Since you killed the Jezreelite man unjustly,* likewise your blood will also be spilled and harlots will bathe in your blood.* O Lover of mankind, by the prayers of Your prophet and preacher,* deliver our souls from such inhumanity.
Now..
O Mother of God, you are the true vine laden with the fruit of life.* There, we implore you, O Lady,* to intercede together with the Apostles and the Saints* so that we may obtain mercy for our souls.
Aposticha
Tone 5
O Christ our Saviour,* we lift up our voices in song to glorify You.* For, in Your love for mankind,* You became incarnate without leaving heaven;* You accepted the cross and death;* You cast down the gates of Hades;* and on the third day You arose from the dead* for the salvation of our souls.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
O Giver of Life,* streams of forgiveness, life, and salvation* poured forth from Your pierced side upon us all.* By accepting physical death, You granted us immortality;* by lying in the tomb, You freed us from Hades,* and as God, by rising from the dead,* You raised us with Yourself in glory.* Therefore, we cry out to You:* O Lover of mankind, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O Lover of mankind,* Your crucifixion and descent into Hades are most wondrous.* For, as God, You thereby conquered the power of Hades,* and raised up in glory, with Yourself, those who were long imprisoned there.* You reopened Paradise and enabled them to enter.* Grant forgiveness of sins to us* who glorify Your resurrection on the third day,* for You alone are all-merciful.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Lover of mankind,* You accepted suffering in the flesh* and rose from the dead on the third day.* Therefore, heal the passions of our flesh,* raise us from our dreadful iniquities, and save us.
Tone 6, Glory…
O Prophet who foretold the coming of Christ,* you are forever in the presence of God’s glory,* and you intercede for those who are suffering.* Since you serve the Majesty on High,* you bless the whole world and are glorified everywhere.* Now obtain for us the forgiveness of our sins.
Now…
Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,* came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.* He clothed Himself in our human flesh* to set us free from the original curse of Adam.* Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,* as the true Virgin Mother of God,* and we sing with the angels:* Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector and salvation of our souls.
Troparia
Tone 1
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace!* The Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women,* and blessed is the fruit of your womb.* For you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls. (2)
Tone 4
The glorious Elias,* angelic in body, pillar of the prophets, second herald of Christ – * by sending grace upon Elisha from on high,* dispels disease, cleanses lepers, and overflows with healing for those who honour him.
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 5
Troparia, Tone 5
Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection. (2)
The glorious Elias,* angelic in body, pillar of the prophets, second herald of Christ – * by sending grace upon Elisha from on high,* dispels disease, cleanses lepers, and overflows with healing for those who honour him. (2)
Glory… Now…O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created,* and saved our souls from death.
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 5
Let us celebrate the Cross of the Lord,* let us honour His holy Burial with hymns,* and let us exulting, glorify His Resurrection.* For with Himself He has raised the dead from their graves,* and as God having despoiled the dominion of death* and the might of the devil,* He has shone forth light upon those in Hades.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high; forget not Your poor to the end.
O Lord, You who put death to death, was called dead;* You who have emptied the tombs was placed in a tomb;* above, the soldiers stood guarding the grave,* below, You raised the dead from all ages.* O Lord, All-powerful and Incomprehensible,* glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
Rejoice holy mountain upon which God has walked;* Rejoice! living bush unconsumed by fire;* Rejoice! O only bridge of creation to God, who leads mortals to eternal life;* Rejoice! Maiden undefiled, who has born without wedlock* the salvation of our souls.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 5
O Lord, after Your Resurrection on the third day,* and after the worship of the Apostles, Peter cried to You;* The women had courage, and I was afraid;* the Thief confessed You as God, and I denied You:* will You no longer call me a disciple,* or will You once again declare me a fisher of the deep?* Receive me in my penitence, O God, and save me!’
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will tell of all You wonders.
O Merciful Lord, the lawless Ones nailed You between two condemned thieves* and pierced Your side with a lance,* but You, who destroyed the gates of Hades,* suffered burial and arose on the third day;* The women ran to see You and announced the Resurrection to Your Apostles.* O supremely exalted Saviour whom the Angels hymn,* O blessed Lord, glory be to You.
Glory… Now…
The Bride who knew not wedlock, the Birthgiver of God,* who turned Eve’s grief to joy,* we the faithful hymn and worship,* for you have redeemed us from the ancient curse.* And now, O All-hymned most holy one,* cease not to make intercession for the salvation of our souls.
Polyeleos
We extol you,* O most glorious prophet Elias,* and we honour your fiery ascension* into heaven in the flesh.
verse: So I would escape far away and take refuge in the desert.
verse: I declared Your faithful help and Your truth.
verse: I have not hidden Your justice in my heart from the great assembly.
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)
Evoglitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 5
The Myrrh-bearing women, amazed in their minds by the vision of the Angel* yet enlightened in their souls by the divine Resurrection,* announced the glad tidings to the Apostles:* Proclaim among the nations the Resurrection of the Lord,* who works in us through wonders,* and who grants us great mercy.
Sessional Hymns
Tone 1
Ascending on a fiery chariot as on the wings of the wind, O divine prophet,* you most gloriously made your journey to the Heavens today,* leaving to Elisha a double measure of grace* and your mantle from on high.
Tone 3
Your divine temple pours forth healings upon all, a most wondrous prophet.* With the most marvellous Elisha,* entreat Christ to send down peace upon the world* and great mercy upon the people that honour you.
Tone 8
Being a lover of wisdom, a most honoured prophet,* openly denouncing the unjust king who acted unrighteously,* you constrained him to cry out:* “Truly there is but one God: He that is preached by Elias!”* And then you proceeded to upbraid Jezebel for her plundering and love of gold.* O prophet and forerunner of the Coming of Christ, Elias of great renown:* entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins* to them that with faith glorify your ascent.
Glory… Now…
All we, the generation of man, bless you, the Virgin* who alone among women gave birth without seed to God in the flesh.* For the fire of the Godhead dwelled within you,* and with milk you have nurtured thy Creator and Lord as an infant.* Therefore, we, the race of angels and of men,* glorify your all- holy birthgiving as is meet, and together cry out to you:* Entreat Christ God, that He grant. remission of sins* to them that with faith worship your all-holy birthgiving!
Gradual Hymns, Tone 5
Antiphon 1
When I am troubled I sing to You like David,* O my Saviour:* Deliver my soul from a deceitful tongue.
Blessed is the life of those* who dwell in the desert places,* Divine love gives them wings.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit all things are unshaken,* both visible and invisible;* for He has sovereign power,* being undeniably one of the Trinity.
Antiphon 2
Lift up yourself to the mountains,* O my soul;* go to that place from whence comes our help.
Let Your right hand hover over me,* O Christ,* and guard me from every misfortune.
Glory… Now…
Let us sing to the Holy Spirit, as we contemplate God:* You are God, life, love, light, and intellect,* You are goodness,* and You reign to the ages.
Antiphon 3
Filled with great joy at the words of those who say to me:* “Let us go into the courts of the Lord,”* I offer up my prayers.
Fearful things are accomplished in the house of David;* for a fire is found there,* burning every shameful thought.
Glory… Now…
To the Holy Spirit belongs the lordship of life,* for from Him every living being hath its breath,* as also from the Father* together with the Son.
Prokeimenon, Tone 5
Arise, O Lord my God, lift up Your hand*, for You shall reign forever.
verse: I will confess to You, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will recount all Your marvellous works.
Let everything that lives, Tone 5
Gospel
Luke 24:36-53
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Canon, Tone 5
Ode 1
Irmos: Christ, who breaks the battles,* with uplifted arm shook horse and rider into the Red Sea,* but Israel he saved,* singing a song of victory.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The congregation of the Hebrews preserved no mother’s love for you who gave them every good; they crowned you with thorns, O Christ, you who had loosed from the punishing thorns the first ancestor of man.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Giver of life, you bent down to the pit without danger of falling and raised me up who had fallen; you bore with my evil-smelling corruption, O Christ, yourself untouched, and made me fragrant with the sweet oil of the divine nature.
O most holy Theotokos, save us!
The curse is lifted, sorrow has ceased; O blessed one and full of grace, you have caused joy to spring up for the faithful for from you Christ has flowered, our blessing for ever.
Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land* and escaped the evil of Egypt,* the Israelites cried aloud:* Let us chant to our Deliverer and God!
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
You have been shown to be an instrument struck by the divine plectrum, O most wondrous prophet, hymning the omniscient God who visits retribution upon all according to their deeds.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
O wondrous prophet, unable to endure deception, you denounced the unrighteous king for his iniquity. Therefore, you imposed God’s judgment of condemnation, full of wrath, upon him.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
O divine Elias, prophet and forerunner of grace, having denounced Ahab, the iniquitous king, as a transgressor of the Law, you destroyed the shameful prophets as impious.
Glory… Now…
O faithful, let us make haste to praise in hymns as is meet the Mother of Christ, for she gave birth to the Saviour of all, who is the Master of life and death.
Katavasia: I shall open my mouth, and the Spirit will inspire it,* and I shall utter the words of my song to the Queen and Mother:* I shall be seen radiantly keeping feast* and joyfully praising her wonders.
Ode 3
Irmos: Your command fixed firm the earth upon nothing* and sovereignty poised its vast bulk;* make firm your Church on the immovable rock of your commandments,* O Christ, alone good and Lover of man.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Those who sucked honey from the rock brought you gall for your wonders in the wilderness, O Christ. Vinegar for manna the ungrateful sons of Israel gave you in exchange for your deeds of goodness.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Covered of old by a light-radiant cloud they laid life, O Christ, in the grave: but, you rose of your own power, and you granted mystically to all the faithful the Spirit’s overshadowing shining from above.
O most holy Theotokos, save us!
Mother of God, virginally and without a mother’s pain you bore him, the outshining of the untouched Father; therefore, since you conceived the Word made flesh, in true faith we proclaim you Bearer of God.
Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church:* establish me in Your love,* O Summit of desire, Confirmation of the faithful,* who alone loves mankind.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
With mercy you chastised all, and took pity on all that with faith have recourse to you in your temple. And in asking help of you they have in no wise sinned.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
You denounced Ahab, the impious king, O divine prophet, and you judged him with the judgment of God as a violator of the Law.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
The shameless Queen Jezebel sought to slay you, O prophet most divine, for you pronounced the sentence of death upon her unholy priests, as was meet.
Glory… Now…
O Mistress, we hymn you as a place of the priesthood of glory and the altar which held Christ, the Bread of life, O pure one.
Katavasia: O Mother of God, living and plentiful fount,* give strength to those united in spiritual fellowship,* who sing hymns of praise to you:* and in your divine glory vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.
Kontakion, Tone 2
O prophet and seer of the mighty works of our God,* Elias greatly renowned,* by your word, you stopped the rain clouds.* Pray for us to the only One who loves mankind.
Ikos
Beholding the great iniquity of men and the great love of God for mankind, the prophet Elias was troubled and grew angry; and he addressed pitiless words to the Merciful One, crying out: Be angered against them that deny You, O righteous Judge! But he did not move the compassion of the Good One to torment them that deny Him, for He that alone loves mankind ever awaits the repentance of all.
Sessional Hymn
Tone 8, Podoben “Of the wisdom…”
Ye faithful, with hymns let us all praise Elias the Tishbite, the wellspring of miracles and adornment of prophets; for, being immortal while yet in the flesh, as a mortal he assureth us of the resurrection of the dead. Therefore, having boldness before God, he granteth healing to them that ask with faith, and earnestly beseecheth Christ to bestow remission of offenses upon them that with love celebrate his holy memory. (Twice)
Glory… Now…
Having fallen into subtle temptations through the activity of mine enemies, visible and invisible, I am caught fast in the tempest of my countless offenses. And I flee to the haven of thy goodness, as to my fervent help and protection, O pure one. Therefore, O most pure lady, earnestly entreat Him that was incarnate of thee without seed, in behalf of all thy servants that unceasingly pray to thee, O all-pure Theotokos, who dost ever beseech Him to grant remission of offenses to them that hymn thy glory as is meet.
Ode 4
Irmos: Habakkuk in prophecy, O Christ, apprehending your divine emptying, in trembling awe cried out to you: For the salvation of your people, to make safe your anointed, you have come.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Good One, the most bitter streams of Meribah you sweetened by a tree, and thus in sign prefigured your pure cross which slays the bitter taste of sin.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You accepted a cross for the tree of knowledge, my Saviour, gall for sweet food, and for the corruption of death you shed the blood of God.
O most holy Theotokos, save us!
Untouched, you conceived incorruptibly in your womb; a Virgin, guarded to bring forth God in the flesh, you bore a child without pain and were virgin after the birth.
Irmos: I heard, O Lord, Your report and was afraid,* for though You are God ever-existent,* You came forth from the Virgin* in Your ineffable counsel.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
The Lord crowned you a prophet, O most wise one, granting you the grace to foretell things of the future as though they were of the present. Therefore, beholding now the fulfilment of your words, we bless you ever with praises as a true prophet.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
As the soul of Your prophet has been most greatly adorned with humble-mindedness, O Christ God, so, aflame with zeal which surpasses fire, he destroyed the shameful priests.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
Reflecting the Light with your countenance, like a mirror, you stood before the face of Christ, O most wondrous prophet. Mercifully visit us, that with praises we may all bless you as a prophet.
Glory… Now…
Having acquired you as our hope and confirmation, an impregnable rampart of salvation, O all-hymned one, we are delivered from all evil.
Katavasia: He who sits in glory upon the throne of the Godhead,* Jesus the true God, is come in a swift cloud* and with His sinless hands he has saved those who cry:* Glory to Your power, O Christ.
Ode 5
Irmos: To you, clothed with light as a garment,* early I rise and cry out.* Lighten my darkened soul,* O Christ, only compassionate.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
In dishonour and inglorious form, of his own will the Lord of glory hung upon the cross, and inconceivably thus procured for me divine glory.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You have changed my clothing for the garment of incorruption, O Christ, for uncorrupted you tasted the corruption of death in the flesh, and on the third day rose from the tomb.
O most holy Theotokos, save us!
Mother of God, you set free our first father’s nature from the curse, for without seed you gave birth to Christ our righteousness and redemption.
Irmos: Therefore, have You thrust me from Your countenance, O never-waning Light?* And why has a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am?* But turn me and guide my steps* to the light of Your commandments, I entreat You.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
O prophet Elias, whom the unwaning splendour of divine grace has revealed: having diligently acquired a mind most divine, you rouse the pious to song.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
Who does not marvel at your divine zeal, O wondrous prophet? And who does not hymn Christ who has given you such great might?
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
With prophecy you were adorned by God, O Elias, most wondrous prophet; hence, having wholly united yourself to God, denouncing deception, you led the Israelites to knowledge of God.
Glory… Now…
O Theotokos, who gave birth to the never-setting Sun, enlighten me who am utterly benighted by the passions, and fill me with light divine.
Katavasia: The whole world was amazed* at your divine glory:* for you, O Virgin who have not known wedlock,* have held in your womb the God of all* and have given birth to an eternal Son,* who rewards with salvation all who sing your praises.
Ode 6
Irmos: Lord Christ, calm the soul-destroying waves of the raging sea of passions* and, O compassionate, lead me up from corruption.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Our first ancestor fell into corruption, Lord Christ, tasting forbidden fruit; and he was brought back to life by your Passion.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You, the life, came to Hell and to the corrupter became corruption; thus, Lord Christ, through corruption you brought, as fountain springing, resurrection.
O most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Virgin bore a child and after bearing still was pure; holding him up in her arms who supports the whole creation she is truly Virgin Mother.
Irmos: Cleanse me, O Saviour, for many are my transgressions,* and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray,* for to You have I cried,* and You have heard me, O God of my Salvation.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
A hymn of supplication do you offer to God, O most honoured prophet, in behalf of all that have recourse to your divine temple, that we may honour you as a great helper.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
The mind of man does not suffice to praise your life as is meet, O prophet; for, beholding the transfiguration of Christ, you were exalted far above the noetic ranks.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
He that is Lord and Creator of all has appeared to us in accordance with your prophecy, O blessed Elias, calling all men to the knowledge of Him, for He is the Lover of mankind.
Glory… Now…
O Mary, pure vessel of virginity: cleanse my mind of the gloom of the passions, and fill my heart with righteousness, O all-immaculate one.
Katavasia: As we celebrate* this sacred and solemn feast of the Mother of God,* let us come, clapping our hands, O people of the Lord,* and give glory to God who was born of her.
Kontakion, Tone 5
You, my Saviour, descended to Hades,* and as the Almighty, You shattered its gates.* With Yourself You, as the Creator, raised the dead and shattered the sting of death,* and delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Mankind.* And so we cry out: “Save us, O Lord.”
Ikos
The women heard the angel’s words, shed their lamentations, changed to gladness, trembling, saw the resurrection. And Christ drew near in greeting: Joy to you, take courage, I have overcome the world, and set the prisoners free. Run to the disciples and ay: I go before you into Galilee to pr claim the good news. Therefore we all cry out to you: Save us, O Lord.
Ode 7
Irmos: The Lord of the fathers, most highly exalted,* quenched the fire and rained his dew* on the young men in unison singing:* Blessed are you, O God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Clothed with flesh as bait for the hook, by your divine power you dragged the serpent down, and brought back those who cried: Blessed are you, O God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He, the unbounded, who brought into being and knitted together the boundless immensities of earth, in the flesh was concealed in the grave; and we sing to him: Blessed are you, O God.
O most holy Theotokos, save us!
All-holy, you bore one person in two natures, God has taken bodily form and we sing to him: Blessed are you, O God.
Irmos: The children that went down from Judea in Babylon* once trod down the flame of the furnace* by their faith in the Trinity, saying:* Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
The people of Israel that came to you with a captain of fifty you utterly consumed with fire from heaven as unworthy, O divine Elias.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
You were a most divine prophet who was rightly illumined with the vision of God, O most honoured Elias; and you straightway put an end to the sacrifices made to Baal.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
Inasmuch as the all-holy Spirit gave you the gift to prophesy, O most honoured prophet Elias, you foretold the coming of the Son of God and did not sin, O all-blessed one. To Him do we chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
Truly, as was meet, the poison of death was poured forth through the judgment of God and the hand of the prophet upon the shameful priests that ate unrighteously at the table of Jezebel.
Glory… Now…
O Mother of God, save me who am held fast by the abyss of offenses, and rescue me from all the malice of the foe, that, saved by you, I may magnify your aid.
Katavasia: The holy children bravely trampled upon the threatening fire,* refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator,* and they sang in joy:* Blessed are You and praised above all, O Lord God of our Fathers.
Ode 8
Irmos: The young men in the furnace devised a chorus of all creation for you, the Creator of all,* and in song they proclaimed it:* All you his works, sing to the Lord,* and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
As if it were against your will, of that so longed for cup of your saving Passion you prayed that it might not be: two wills to two natures corresponding you bear, O Christ, throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
At your descent, Creator of all, Hell the fool gave up all those who of old had been slain by deceit, and who now, O Christ, highly exalt you throughout all the ages.
O most holy Theotokos, save us!
O Virgin, beyond thought, in divine and human manner, by the word you bore the Lord, while remaining virgin; we, his creatures, bless and highly exalt you throughout all the ages.
Irmos: The Heavenly King, whom the angelic hosts hymn, *praise and exalt supremely for all ages!
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
He that, as God, knows all things, entrusts to you, O Elias, in that you are faithful, the knowledge of things to come and of things that shall come to pass; and He shows you things which are afar off as though they were near.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
Having strengthened your mind with pious boldness, O blessed prophet, you foretell those things that are far off as though they were near, O most honoured prophet.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
Having cleansed your mind of all defilement, O divine prophet, you therefore became completely holy, guiding all to the Light divine.
Glory… Now…
The Word, to whom you gave birth indescribably, entreat in behalf of them that faithfully honour you, O pure Theotokos.
We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord. We extol and exalt Him above all for ever.
Katavasia: The Offspring of the Theotokos saved the holy children in the furnace.* He who was then prefigured has since been born on earth,* and He gathers all the creation to sing:* O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: Rejoice and sing, Isaiah,* the Virgin has conceived and bears a son, Emmanuel,* God and man, his name the Dayspring;* we magnify him and we call the Virgin blessed.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Fallen man, Lord Christ, you assumed; wholly joined to him in a virginal womb, sin alone excepted, wholly you have freed him from corruption by your pure sufferings.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Your pure and life-giving side, Lord Christ, was emptied of the blood which flowed from God, and sacrifice to idols ceased; and all we of the earth bring to you the sacrifice of praise.
O most holy Theotokos, save us!
Not God bodiless, nor yet mere man, the pure and honourable Maid bore to us, but perfect man and perfect God, in very truth; we magnify him, together with the Father and the Spirit.
Irmos: Saved by you, O pure Virgin, we truly confess you to be the Theotokos,* magnifying you with the bodiless choirs.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
You have been deified by the immaterial splendour of the life-creating Trinity, O prophet Elias; therefore, we all appoint you as an intercessor to God for the world, O blessed one.
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
You were known as an angel on earth, O divine prophet, and in heaven as a man of God; for the Lord Himself said: Because you are an austere man, O Elias, you cannot endure iniquitous Israel. Come up to Me, that I may come down!
O glorious prophet Elias, pray to God for us!
You lived on earth as one of the bodiless ones, O divine prophet, and now, borne up to heaven, you join chorus with the angelic choirs. From on high watch over us that hymn you, O blessed one.
Glory… Now…
You bear in your arms God who bears all things, and you feed the Nourisher who became like to us, O pure one. Beseech Him that He grant to your people deliverance from all oppressors.
Katavasia: Let every mortal born on earth,* radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy;* and let the host of the angelic powers* celebrate and honour the holy feast of the Mother of God,* and let them cry:* Rejoice! Pure and blessed Ever-Virgin, who gave birth to God.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
Tone 5
After Your resurrection from the grave, O Saviour,* You revealed Your human nature as You stood in the midst of the disciples;* You ate with them and taught them the baptism of repentance.* Then You ascended to Your Father and promised to send them the Paraclete.* Therefore, O Lover of mankind and God most high,* glory to Your holy resurrection!
Podoben “O immutable Light…”
The Light who showed you to be a charioteer traversing the sky on a fiery chariot drawn by four steeds, O Elias, did not consume you utterly; for with your fiery tongue you drew fire down and dried it up with showers.
Glory…
You were caught up on a fiery chariot to the circles of heaven; whence looking down, as you are close to the Light, grant noetic light to us that now celebrate your holy memory with faith.
Tone 5, Now…
The Author of all creation and the God of all* took a human body from your pure womb, O holy Virgin.* He renewed our nature which had been corrupt,* preserving Your virginity after birthgiving as you were before.* Therefore, we all praise you in faith and exclaim:* Rejoice, O Queen of the whole world!
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 5
You came forth from the grave, O Lord, which had been sealed by the transgressors of the law,* just as You were born of the Theotokos.* For the bodiless angels did not know how You were incarnate.* Likewise, the guardian soldiers did not see the moment of your Resurrection;* for these two marvels were concealed from the curious minds* but were revealed to those who worshiped the mystery in faith.* Therefore, grant joy and great mercy to us who offer You praise.
O Lord, You demolished the gates of everlasting damnation,* and You broke asunder the chains of the grave.* You rose from the tomb leaving your wrappings in the grave* in testimony of your three-day burial;* and leaving the guards watching at the tomb,* You preceded your disciples into Galilee.* Great is your mercy, O Lord whom the whole world cannot contain.* O Saviour, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, who suffered for us,* the women hastened to your tomb to behold You.* When they arrived, they saw an angel sitting on the stone of the grave.* He said to them: The Lord is risen!* Go and tell the disciples that the Saviour of our souls is risen from the dead.
O Lord and Saviour,* You came into the midst of your disciples though the doors were closed* just as You came out of the sealed tomb,* showing the sufferings of the flesh which You accepted;* for You submitted to suffering patiently since You are of the seed of David.* But since You are the Son of God, You saved the world.* Great is your mercy, O Lord whom the whole world cannot contain.* O Saviour, have mercy on us.
Tone 8, Podoben “What shall we call you…”
O wondrous prophet, when you united yourself to God by your pure life of virtue,* and had received dominion thereby, you traversed creation in mind,* by your will you shut up the portals of the rain, called down fire from on high, and destroyed the enemy.* Pray that our souls be saved.
Aflame with zeal for the Lord, you openly denounced the iniquitous king,* and zealously put to death the shameless priests,* kindling fire amid the water, O blessed one.* And you were a source of food not produced by cultivation,* and with your mantle parted the waters of the Jordan.* Pray that our souls be saved.
O prophet, when you showed forth on earth a life which was truly heavenly,* enriched by the hypostatic Life within you,* you resurrected a dead boy by your breath;* and you remained apart from death for many years,* for you sat upon a fiery chariot and was raised up to the Highest.* Pray that our souls be saved.
Tone 1, the composition of Germanus
The zealous Elias, ruler over the passions,* has today been taken up in the air,* the initiate of the mysteries and the inaugurator of universal salvation.* O precious glory, which the heaven-traversing prophet has been vouchsafed!* O eminent adornment of the prophets!* For, lo! by his reproofs he showed himself to be an angel in the flesh and an incorporeal man.* Praising him, let us say:* Help us, O wise one, on the day of Judgment!
Tone 6, Glory…
Since You are the true peace of God for us, O Christ,* You gave Your peace to Your disciples after Your resurrection.* They were frightened when they thought that they were beholding a spirit.* But You removed the anxiety of their hearts when You showed them Your hands and feet,* yet they were still in doubt.* But when You took food with them, reminding them of Your preaching,* You opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.* You made the eternal covenant with them;* You blessed them and rose, ascending into heaven. Therefore, with them, we worship You;* O Lord, glory 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
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 5: Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.
Troparion, Tone 4: The glorious Elias* angelic in body, pillar of prophets, second herald of Christ,* by sending grace upon Eliseus from on high,* dispels disease, cleanses lepers, and overflows with healing* for those who honour him.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 5: You, my Saviour, descended to Hades,* and as the Almighty, You shattered its gates.* With Yourself You, as the Creator, raised the dead and shattered the sting of death,* and delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Mankind.* And so we cry out: “Save us, O Lord.”
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 2: O prophet and seer of the mighty works of our God,* Elias greatly renowned,* by your word, you stopped the rain clouds.* Pray for us to the only ne who loves mankind.
Prokeimenon, Tone 5
You, O Lord, will guard us and will keep us* from this generation and for ever.
verse: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer left a just man. (Psalm 11:8,2)
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Epistle
Romans 12:6-14; James 5:10-20
Alleluia, Tone 5
verse: Your mercies, O Lord, I will sing for ever; from generation to generation I will announce Your truth with my mouth.
verse: For You have said: Mercy shall be built up for ever; in the heavens Your truth shall be prepared. (Psalm 88:2,3)
verse: Moses and Aaron are among His priests and Samuel among those who call upon His name. (Psalm 96:11)
Gospel
Matthew 9:1-8; Luke 4:22-30
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.