Nativity Fast. Resurrection Gospel 5.
GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man… is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 2
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Come, let us adore God the Word,* who was born of the Father before all ages,* and was incarnate of the Virgin Mary;* for of His own free will He suffered the Cross* and submitted Himself to burial,* and arose from the dead to save me, a sinful one.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Christ our Saviour cancelled the decree that was written against us,* by nailing it to the Cross;* and He abolished the dominion of Death.* Let us glorify His resurrection on the third day.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Let us, together with the archangels, sing of Christ’s resurrection;* for He is the Redeemer and Saviour of our souls.* He will come again in awesome glory and mighty power* to judge the world which He has fashioned.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Although You died and were buried,* the angel yet declared You as Master.* He said to the women: Come and see where the Lord was placed;* for He is risen as He foretold,* because He is almighty.* Therefore, we worship You, the only Immortal One,* and we beseech You to have mercy on us, O Giver of Life.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O Christ, You have abolished the curse of the tree by Your Cross;* You have destroyed the power of death by Your burial,* and You enlightened the human race by Your resurrection.* Therefore, we cry out to You:* O God and Benefactor, glory to You!
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
O Lord, the gates of death opened before You in fear,* and the gatekeepers of Hades were filled with dread at the sight of You.* You smashed the gates of brass and crushed the posts of iron.* Then You burst our chains asunder,* and led us out from the darkness, away from the shadow of death.
Tone 8
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Today we commemorate the Forefathers of Christ.* Sing with fervour a hymn of praise to Christ the Saviour* who exalted them among the nations.* He is the Lord who does wondrous deeds* because He is powerful and almighty.* From them He brought forth a royal sceptre,* the Immaculate Maiden of God and Virgin Mary.* From her, Christ our God came forth* to give life and eternal salvation for all.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O Lord and Master,* You rescued the three holy youths from the fire.* You saved Daniel from the mouths of the lions;* You blessed Abraham, Isaac Your servant, and Jacob his son.* You willed to be like one of us by choosing to be born from them* in order that You might save our Forefathers who had fallen.* By Your Cross and Resurrection You tore apart the bonds of death.* You raise up all those who for ages had been among the dead* and who bow to You, O Christ, the eternal King.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The three holy youths were refreshed by the Holy Spirit* when they walked in the fire as though in a cool place.* In them the Trinity and the Incarnation of Christ* were prefigured in a mystical manner.* By their wisdom and faith* they overcame the power of fire.* As for the just Daniel, he stopped the mouths of lions.* Through their intercession, we beseech You:* O Saviour and Lover of Mankind,* protect us from eternal fire* and make us worthy of Your heavenly Kingdom.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
When the three holy youths stood in the flaming furnace* as if covered with dew,* they mystically prefigured Your coming from the Virgin,* giving light to us without being consumed.* And Daniel, the just and wondrous prophet,* clearly saw in a vision Your second divine coming.* He said: “I saw thrones set up and the Judge seated* and the river of fire flowing in His presence.”* Through their intercession* deliver us from this fire, O Lord.
Tone 6, Glory…
O believers, let us give praise today* to all the fathers who lived before the Law:* Abraham who was beloved by God,* Isaac who was born according to the promise,* Jacob and the Twelve Patriarchs,* the very meek David and the favoured prophet Daniel.* Let us also glorify with them the three youths* who changed the fiery furnace into a place of refreshing dew.* Let us beg forgiveness of our sins from Christ our God* who is glorified in His Saints.
Tone 2, Now…
O Virgin, the shadow of the Law passed away* with the realization of grace.* For as the bush had burned without being consumed,* so you gave birth while a virgin* and you remained a virgin.* Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.* Instead of Moses, Christ God came forth,* the Saviour of our souls.
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
The Lord reigns,* He is clothed in majesty.
verse: Robed is the Lord and girt about with strength.
verse: For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
verse: Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
Aposticha
Tone 2
Your Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour,* has enlightened the whole universe;* and, through it, You call back to Yourself all Creation.* Almighty God, glory to You!
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
By the wood of Your Cross, O Saviour,* You have abolished the curse of the tree;* by Your burial You have destroyed the power of death;* and by Your resurrection You enlightened the human race.* We, therefore, cry out to You:* O Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O Christ, when You were nailed to the Cross,* the distorted nature of creation was made manifest.* The soldiers showed their inhumanity by piercing Your side with a lance,* and the people showed their ignorance of Your power* by asking that Your tomb be sealed.* But, in Your mercy, You accepted burial* and then arose on the third day.* O Lord, glory to You!
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Christ, Giver of Life,* You freely endured the Passion for the sake of mortals.* In Your power You descended into Hades;* and snatching, as from a mighty monster, the souls of those who awaited Your coming,* You placed them in Paradise.* Therefore, show Your great mercy to us who glorify Your resurrection,* and cleanse our souls.
Tone 3, Glory…
Come, O lovers of the feast,* let us sing a hymn of praise to the assembly of the Forefathers:* Adam, the father of mankind,* Enoch, Noah, Melchizedek, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.* Let us also honour those who came after the Law:* Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Samuel, and David;* together with Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel,* Daniel, and the twelve minor prophets;* likewise Elijah, Elisha, and all the others;* also Zechariah and the Baptist,* and all those who preached Christ, the Life and Resurrection of our race.
Now…
O Virgin Mother, you conceived the Son of God without seed* by the will of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit.* He was begotten of the Father, without a mother, from all eternity.* Yet for our sake, He was born of you in the flesh without a human father,* and you nursed Him as an infant with your milk.* Therefore, never cease to entreat Him to deliver our souls from affliction.
Troparia
Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”
Tone 2, Glory… Now…
By faith you justified Your ancestors* and through them in advance you betrothed the Church taken from the nations.* The saints exult in glory;* from their seed comes the blessed fruit, the one who bore You without seed.* By their prayers, O Christ our God, have mercy on us.
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 2
Troparia, Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!” (2)
Tone 2, Glory… Now…
By faith you justified Your ancestors* and through them in advance you betrothed the Church taken from the nations.* The saints exult in glory;* from their seed comes the blessed fruit, the one who bore You without seed.* By their prayers, O Christ our God, have mercy on us.
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 2
The noble Joseph having taken down You most pure Body from the tree,* wrapped it in a fine linen shroud* covering it with fragrant spices* and placed it in a new sepulchre;* but on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world great mercy.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
The Angel standing by the tomb cried to the myrrh-bearing women,* ‘Myrrh is fitting for the dead,* but Christ has been revealed a stranger to corruption.* rather cry aloud: The Lord is risen,* granting the world great mercy!’
Glory… Now…
You are highly glorified, O Virgin Theotokos,* and we sing your praise,* for through the Cross of your Son Hades has been overthrown,* Death has been slain,* and we who were dead have arisen and been granted life.* We have received Paradise, our ancient delight,* therefore with thanksgiving we glorify Christ our God* as mighty and alone plenteous in mercy.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 2
You did not prevent the grave stone from being sealed,* and having arisen You granted to all the rock of the Faith.* O Lord, glory be to You!
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
The choir of Your Disciples rejoices in harmony with the Myrrh-bearing women;* for with them we celebrate a common feast to the glory and honour of Your Resurrection.* Through them, O Lord who loves mankind,* grant Your people Your great mercy.
Glory… Now…
You are highly blessed, O Virgin Theotokos,* for through Him who was incarnate of you* Hades has been taken captive, Adam recalled, the curse slain, and Eve set free,* death has been put to death and we have been given life;* therefore with hymns we cry to you:* Blessed are You O Christ our God who has been thus well-pleased, glory be to You!
Polyeleos
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 2
The women coming to Your grave after the Passion* to anoint Your body, O Christ God,* saw Angels in the tomb and were frightened,* for they heard a message from them:* The Lord has arisen, granting the world His great mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
With hymns let us all praise Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,* the meek David, Joshua, and the twelve patriarchs,* together with the three youths that quenched the fiery flame with the power of the Spirit.* And let us cry out to them: Rejoice, you that bravely denounced the deception of the mad king!* Pray y to Christ that He grant remission of offenses* to them that celebrate your holy memory with love.
Glory… Now…
Like the widow who gave two mites as an offering,* I offer you the praise of thanksgiving which is your due, O Mistress, for all your gifts;* for you are shown to be a shelter and aid, ever rescuing me from temptations and tribulations.* Therefore, delivered from that which causes me grief,* as from the midst of a burning furnace, I cry out to you with all my heart:* O Theotokos, help me by entreating Christ God to grant me remission of transgressions,* for I, your servant, have you as my hope.
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 2
Antiphon 1
I raise the eyes of my heart to You in heaven, O Saviour.* Save me by Your radiance.
Have mercy, O my Christ, on us who fail You every hour and in many ways,* and grant to us the means to return to You* in repentance before the end.
Glory… Now…
To the Holy Spirit belongs sovereignty,* sanctification and the quickening of creation,* for He is God, one in essence with the Father* and the Word.
Antiphon 2
If the Lord was not among us,* who could be kept safe from the one* who is both our foe and a manslayer?
Do not hand Your servant over to destruction, O my Saviour.* For like a lion they come up against me,* they who are my foes.
Glory… Now…
To the Holy Spirit belongs the source of life and its honour,* for, being God, He preserves all creation* by His power* in the Father through the Son.
Antiphon 3
Those who trust in the Lord are like the holy mountain:* they are utterly unshaken* by the assaults of the enemy.
Let not those who live for God* stretch out their hands in iniquity;* for with the rod of His word Christ forbids such things.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit all wisdom flows forth,* grace to the Apostles,* crowns to the Martyrs,* and to the Prophets, prophetic vision.
Prokeimenon, Tone 2
Arouse Yourself, O Lord my God, in the commandment which You have enjoined,* and a congregation of peoples shall surround You.
verse: O Lord my God, I have put my hope in You. Save me from all them that pursue me and deliver me.
Let everything that lives, Tone 2
Gospel
Luke 24:12-35
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Canon, Tone 2
Ode 1
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: Once his overwhelming power overturned the whole of Pharaoh’s army in the deep;* but the Word made flesh, the Lord of glory, blotted out the wholly wretched sin.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The prince of this world in whose books we, who disobeyed your commands, were inscribed, O Good One, has been judged by your cross; attacking you as a mortal, he fell back from the power of your might and was exposed in his weakness.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Deliverer of the race of mortal men and author of incorruptible life, you came into the world: for you tore in pieces the grave clothes of death in your resurrection, and this we glorify. Gloriously he is glorified.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O pure one, and ever-Virgin, you are shown to be higher than all creatures seen and unseen; for you bore the Creator since he willed to take flesh in your womb; with boldness pray to him to save our souls.
Canon of the Three Holy Youths and Daniel
Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land* and escaped the land of Egypt,* the Israelites cried aloud:* Let us chant to our Deliverer and God!
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
Let us glorify the unoriginate Word, Who in godly manner was born of the Father before all ages and was visible as a figure to the youths in the furnace.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
The right noble youths, resolutely spitting upon the words of the impious tyrant, did not wish to defile themselves with the food of the iniquitous like the Chaldeans.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
Nourished in soul by the word of God and in body with foods which grew of themselves, they showed themselves to the king as more comely of countenance than them that were fed with coarse foods.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The venom of the serpent, which was bitterly poured into the ears of Eve, you heal, O Maiden, who did spring forth from David and gave birth to the Deliverer.
Canon of the Holy Forefathers
Irmos: Christ is born; let us glorify Him.* Christ comes down from heaven; let us go out to meet Him.* Christ lives on earth; let us exalt in joy.* All you faithful, sing to the Lord, for He has been glorified.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
Let us offer up a hymn to the fathers that shone forth before the Law and under the Law, that, by their upright will, were pleasing to the Lord and Master Who shone forth from the Virgin, and that now delight in unwaning enlightenment.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
Let us honour the first Adam who was honoured by the hand of the Creator, and who is the forefather of us all and rests with all the elect in the mansions of heaven.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
The Lord and God of all accepted the gifts of Abel, who offered them with a most noble soul; and when he was slain by his brother’s murderous hand, He received his soul into light as that of a divine martyr.
Glory… Now…
Let us hearken to the divine sayings which declare the appearance of Christ; for, lo! of a Maiden that knew not man is He born in a cave, Whose awesome nativity the star which appeared to the astrologers proclaims.
Katavasia: Christ is born; let us glorify Him.* Christ comes down from heaven; let us go out to meet Him.* Christ lives on earth; let us exalt in joy.* All you faithful, sing to the Lord, for He has been glorified.
Ode 3
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: The desert, the barren Church of the nations, has blossomed as a lily at your coming, O Lord;* in this my heart is made firm.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Creation at your Passion was put to confusion to see you in mean disguise and mocked by the lawless, you whose lightest nod had established the universe.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You fashioned me with your hands from the dust in your image; and when, through sin, I was crushed again into the dust of death, you, O Christ, went down with me to Hell and raised me up with yourself.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The ranks of angels were amazed and the hearts of men trembled, All-pure, at your giving birth; therefore we reverence you in faith, O Mother of God.
Canon to the Three Holy Youths and Daniel
Irmos: You are the confirmation of them that have recourse to You, O Lord;* You are the Light of the benighted, and my spirit hymns You.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
Having acquired divinely imparted understanding, the children of David kept the laws of their fathers in divinely wise fashion, O Master.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
The fire did not consume the most pure bodies of the pious youths, for they had been watered with a spiritually nourishing fast.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
Wondrously bedewed in the midst of the furnace, the three children chanted the universal and oft chanted hymn of praise.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O Master, You show us a birthgiving from a Virgin’s body and save the bodies of the virginal youths in the furnace.
Canon to the Holy Forefathers
Irmos: To Christ our God,* who is the only-begotten Son of the Father from before all ages,* and in these latter times* has become flesh of the Virgin without seed,* let us cry aloud:* You are our strength; glory to You, O Lord!
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
The zeal of Seth for his Creator is hymned throughout the world, for in his blameless life and spiritual love he was truly pleasing to Him, and now cry out in the land of the living: Holy are You, O Lord!
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
The wondrous Enos trusted in the Spirit and with divine wisdom began to call upon the God and Master of all with mouth, tongue and heart; and having lived on earth in a God-pleasing manner, he received glory.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
Let us bless Enoch with sacred utterances, for, having been well pleasing to the Lord, he was translated in glory, being shown to be greater than death, as it hath been written, since he had been a most earnest servant of God.
Glory… Now…
Now the expectation of the nations comes forth from the Virgin, and Bethlehem radiantly opens the shut gates of Eden, receiving the incarnate Word, Who, in the flesh, is laid in a manger.
Katavasia: To Christ our God,* who is the only-begotten Son of the Father from before all ages,* and in these latter times* has become flesh of the Virgin without seed,* let us cry aloud:* You are our strength; glory to You, O Lord!
Kontakion, Tone 4
O thrice-blessed ones, who did not honour an image wrought by hands,* but were defended by the indescribable Essence,* you were glorified in your ordeal by fire;* and standing in the midst of unbearable flame, you called upon God, saying:* Speed and make haste to our aid, O Compassionate One,* in that You are merciful;* for what Thou will, You can do!
Ikos
Stretch forth Your hand whereby of old the warring Egyptians and the embattled Hebrews were tested. Forsake us not, that death, which thirsts after us, not swallow us up; and spare our souls, as you once spared Your three children in Babylon, who glorified You unceasingly and were cast for Your sake into a furnace, from whence they cried out to You: Speed and make haste to our aid, O Compassionate One,* in that You are merciful;* for what Thou will, You can do!
Sessional Hymn, Tone 2
The fire was transformed into dew for the children,* and the lamentation of the myrrh-bearing women was changed into joy;* and an angel ministered in both wonders, transforming the furnace into a place of rest for the former,* and announcing the Resurrection on the third day to the latter.* O Lord, Author of our life, glory be to You!
Ode 4
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: You came forth from the Virgin,* not an ambassador, not an angel,* but the Lord himself made flesh,* and saved my whole humanity.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You were standing, my God, before the judgment seat as one judged, not crying out, bringing, O Lord, judgment upon the nations. Thus, through your Passion, O Christ, you wrought salvation for the world.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
By your Passion the weapons of the enemies failed, by your descent into Hell the cities of the foe were destroyed and the insolence of the tyrant overthrown.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
All we the faithful know you a haven of salvation, a fortified city unshaken, Lady Mother of God; for by your prayers you deliver our souls from danger.
Canon to the Three Holy Youths and Daniel
Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Your dispensation;* I have considered Your works, and have glorified Your divinity.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
The most wise Daniel, divinely enlightened of mind, interpreted the dreams of the rulers by divine grace.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
The suffering of the youths in the furnace shines forth with wonders, for they brought the tyrant to acknowledge You, O Almighty One.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
The harmonious organs and melodious hymns of music did not distract the valorous ones, and they did not bow down before the golden image.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O all-hymned one, with hymns do the children in Babylon honour your most divine Son, Whom they came to know in the furnace.
Canon to the Holy Forefathers
Irmos: O Christ, You have come forth from the Virgin* as the rod of the root of Jesse and the flower that blossomed from his stem.* You became flesh from her that knew not wedlock,* from the Mountain overshadowed by the forest;* O God, You are not formed from created substance.* Glory to Your power, O Lord!
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
Let us offer up praise unto God, honouring with hymns Noah, who is truly righteous; for he has been shown to be adorned in all the divine commandments, having been well pleasing to Christ, to Whom we, the faithful, chant: Glory to Your power, O Lord!
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
Beholding your nobility and simplicity of character, God clearly showed you forth, O Noah, as perfect in all respects and the leader of the new world, who saved for it, from the deluge, the seed of every species, even as He Himself commanded.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
With hymns let us piously bless Noah, who preserved the Law of God intact; who, alone among all his generation, was found to be righteous, and of old saved the species of the animals with an ark of gopher wood at the command of Him that accomplishes all things.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
O blessed Noah, your memory pours forth upon us that honour you, the wine of compunction, which sever make glad the hearts and souls of them that, in a pure manner, bless your honourable and divine life.
Katavasia: O Christ, You have come forth from the Virgin* as the rod of the root of Jesse and the flower that blossomed from his stem.* You became flesh from her that knew not wedlock,* from the Mountain overshadowed by the forest;* O God, You are not formed from created substance.* Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Ode 5
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: Christ God, you are mediator between God and man:* through you, O Lord, we have access from the night of ignorance to your Father, the author of light.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You broke as the cedars, O Christ, the insolence of the enemy when, of your own will, O Lord, you were pleased to be lifted up in the flesh on the cypress, the pine and the cedar.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
They laid you in the lowest pit, O Christ, dead, without breath; but with your stripes you raised with yourself, O Saviour, the wounded and forgotten who slept in the graves.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Pray to your Son and Lord, pure Virgin, to grant deliverance to prisoners and peace from the hostile forces surrounding those who trust in you.
Canon to the Three Holy Youths and Daniel
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 Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
Your favoured ones, the great Daniel and the three divinely wise youths, having learned Your Law, O Saviour, were not rejected; but, having received strength of You, their Benefactor, they manfully vanquished the tyrants.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
Daniel noetically learned Your mysteries, O Lover of mankind, for, with purity of mind, he beheld You as the King and Judge of all nations, coming as the Son of man upon a cloud.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
Your unity is adorned more than with sapphire, O children, who burned like a golden ray with zeal for piety, and joyfully walked about in the furnace, forming a universal chorus.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The divine Daniel clearly described you as a mountain, O Virgin, and the three youths, beholding the dew-bearing flame, praised with hymns your divine Offspring as Saviour, Creator and Lord.
Canon to the Holy Forefathers
Irmos: Since You are a God of peace and a Father of mercies,* You have sent your angel of great counsel to us to bring us peace.* Thus, we are directed towards the light of the knowledge of God,* and at the night vigil we glorify You, O Lover of mankind.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
With divine praises let Shem, who received the blessing of his father, be honoured; for, shown to be well pleasing before the Lord, he has joined the choir of the forefathers and joyously rests in the land of the living.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
As the friend of God, Abraham was vouchsafed to behold the day of his Creator and has become full of spiritual joy; therefore, honouring his uprightness of mind, we all bless him as a divine forefather of Christ.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
You beheld the Trinity, insofar as it is possible for man to do; and as a true servant you offered it hospitality, O most blessed Abraham. Therefore, for your strange hospitality you received a reward: to be, through faith, the father of countless nations.
Glory… Now…
He that is full empties Himself into the flesh for our sake; the Unoriginate One receives a beginning; He that is rich beggars Himself; He that is the Word of God lies like a babe in a manger of dumb beasts, accomplishing the restoration of all who have existed throughout the ages.
Katavasia: Since You are a God of peace and a Father of mercies,* You have sent your angel of great counsel to us to bring us peace.* Thus, we are directed towards the light of the knowledge of God,* and at the night vigil we glorify You, O Lover of mankind.
Ode 6
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: Engulfed in sin’s unfathomed depths* I cry to the fathomless deeps of your tender compassion;* God has brought me up* from corruption.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The righteous was judged as a criminal and nailed to the tree with the lawless with his own blood granting forgiveness to the guilty.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
As by one man, the first Adam, death came of old to the world, so by one, the Son of God, resurrection has been revealed .
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
You knew no man, O Virgin, you bore a child and remained for ever virgin, revealing thus the signs of true divinity of your Son and God.
Canon to the Three Holy Youths and Daniel
Irmos: The abyss of my sins and the tempest of my transgressions discomfit me* and thrust me down into the depths of violent despondency.* But stretch forth Your mighty arm to me, as You did to Peter,* and save me, O my Guide.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
Having mastered the passions of the soul by the power of the Word, you became governors in the lands of the Chaldean peoples, for virtue knows to give honour to them that have acquired her, O wise descendants of David.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
Daniel of old, vested in life-bearing mortality, slew with food the most wicked serpent, which the Chaldeans impiously held to be a god; and wisely did he also slay the impious priests.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O Theotokos, Virgin and Mother, implore the Judge, your Son, the Deliverer from evils, that by your supplications He be merciful to me on the Day of Judgment; for on you alone do I place all my trust.
Canon to the Holy Forefathers
Irmos: Jonah had dwelt like a babe in the womb before the sea monster spew him forth;* the Word dwelt in the womb of the Virgin, taking flesh from her.* Although born from her, He kept her all-pure.* Since Christ Himself was not subject to incorruptibility, He kept His Mother free from the same.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
Led up by thy father’s obedience to be sacrificed, you were plainly an image of the Passion of Christ, O most blessed Isaac. Therefore, you were blessed and did truly show yourself to be a close friend of God, rejoicing now with all the righteous.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
Jacob was shown to be the most faithful of all of God’s favoured ones. Therefore, he wrestled with an angel, beheld a celestial intelligence, was called a god, and, sleeping, saw a divine ladder, whereon God, Who put on our flesh in His goodness, established Himself.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
Loving obedience to his father, and cast into a pit, Joseph was sold, thus becoming an image of Christ, Who was slain and placed in a tomb. And he became dispenser of the grain of Egypt, being chaste and righteous, and a most true governor of the passions.
Glory… Now…
He that is ever with the Father and the Spirit is known on earth as a little Child; and He that wraps the earth in darkness is wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger of dumb beasts. Rejoicing now, we celebrate the forefeast of His seedless nativity.
Katavasia: Jonah had dwelt like a babe in the womb before the sea monster spew him forth;* the Word dwelt in the womb of the Virgin, taking flesh from her.* Although born from her, He kept her all-pure.* Since Christ Himself was not subject to incorruptibility, He kept His Mother free from the same.
Kontakion, Tone 2
You rose from the tomb, O almighty Saviour;* and Hades, seeing this wonder, was stricken with fear; and the dead arose.* Creation saw and rejoices with You, and Adam exults.* And the world, my Saviour, sings Your praises for ever.
Ikos
Light you are to those endarkened, resurrection you are to all and life to mortal man; and when you, the Saviour, raised up all with yourself and despoiled the might of death, when you, O Word, shattered the gates of Hell, the dead saw it and marvelled at the marvel and all creation rejoiced together in your resurrection, O Lover of man. For all of this we glorify and sing your coming down to us and all the universe, my Saviour, hymns you for ever.
Ode 7
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: The godless decree of the lawless tyrant* re-kindled the soaring flames,* Christ let fall on the God-fearing children the dew of the Spirit.* He is blessed and glorious above all.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Your tender compassion, O Lord, would not allow you to see mankind beneath the sway of death but you came and saved him by your own blood, becoming man. He is blessed and glorious above all.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Seeing you clothed in the robe of vengeance, O Christ. Hell’s doorkeepers cowered in fear for you came to master, O Lord, the slave, the reasonless tyrant. He is blessed and glorious above all.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
We know you the Holy of Holies, Virgin unspotted, Mother unwedded, for you alone bore the unchangeable God: by your divine giving birth you have shed incorruption on all the faithful.
Canon to the Three Holy Youths
Irmos: The pious children did not worship the golden image in Babylon;* but, bedewed in the midst of the fiery furnace,* they chanted a hymn, saying:* Blessed are You, O supremely exalted God of our fathers!
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
A pious voice sounded forth to the Almighty from the midst of the fire, for the divine Azariah, forming a choir, chanted a hymn, saying: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
The harp of the youths theologizes concerning the Almighty, the God of all, and to Him that appeared to them openly in the furnace they chanted a hymn, saying: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
The king, seeing the three children who had been cast into the furnace, beheld, as it were, the form of a Fourth, and he called Him the Son of God and cried out to all: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Possessed of a mind illumined with divine radiance, O divinely blessed Daniel, you clearly foresaw the Offspring of the Virgin formed by divine images; and you cried out: Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!
Canon to the Holy Forefathers
Irmos: The youths who had been raised to fear God were not threatened by the fiery torments.* They denounced the wicked decree of the tyrant,* and standing in the midst of the flames,* they sang: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
Let Ananiah, Azariah, and Misael, who quenched the fiery furnace, be hymned, together with Daniel, who stopped the mouths of the lions, for together they chanted to Christ: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
Having lawfully suffered amid temptations and unmitigated tribulations, Job was called the favourite of God, most faithful, meek, guileless, righteous, perfect, blameless, crying aloud: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
With faith let us honour Moses, Aaron, and Hur, praising Joshua and the most sacred Levi, Gideon and Samuel, and let us cry out: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Glory… Now…
Behold! as the prophet has foretold, she that knew not wedlock has conceived in her womb and manifestly comes to Bethlehem to give birth to God. To Him let us chant: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Katavasia: The youths who had been raised to fear God were not threatened by the fiery torments.* They denounced the wicked decree of the tyrant,* and standing in the midst of the flames,* they sang: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.
Ode 8
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: Once in Babylon by divine command* the blazing furnace divided its work,* the Chaldaeans consuming, the faithful bedewing,* who sang: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The ranks of angels saw the garment of your flesh empurpled with your blood, in trembling amazement at the magnitude of your longsuffering, crying: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Through your rising, O Merciful, you have clothed my mortality with deathlessness; therefore in glad thanksgiving your chosen people raise to you a song of praise, crying: Truly death is swallowed up in victory.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The One inseparable from the Father and humanly, divinely, dwelling in your womb, you conceived without seed and brought forth inexpressibly, Birth-giver of God, all-pure. By this we know you the salvation of us all.
Canon to the Three Holy Youths and Daniel
Irmos: Madly did the Chaldean tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones;* but seeing them saved by a greater power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer:* You children, bless; you priests, hymn;* you people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
Striving to preserve the nobility of Abraham, you acquired the foundation of faith and hope which was his very own, O venerable ones, and his patience and endurance of temptations, crying out: Bless the Master, O priests! You people, exalt Him supremely forever!
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
Having shone forth like beacons and made the earth heavenly, and having been illumined with the radiance of piety, forming a universal chorus, they chant to the Master Who saved them from temptations: You children, bless; you priests, hymn; you people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
The descendants of David, having youthfully extinguished the fiery furnace and shut the jaws of the lions, rejoicing, now hymn You, the Benefactor and King of all, saying: You children, bless; you priests, hymn; you people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O all-pure one, the most wise Daniel gives instruction in the mysteries, and the three divinely wise youths prefigure your birth giving, beholding through symbols Him that has come forth ineffably from your womb. Him do the children bless, the priests hymn and the people exalt supremely for all ages!
Canon to the Holy Forefathers
Irmos: The dew-moistened furnace was the image of an incomprehensible wonder.* It did not burn the youths entrapped there,* just as the fire of the Godhead did not consume the Virgin’s womb in which He dwelt.* Therefore, let us praise God, saying: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all forever.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
Let us celebrate today the divine memory of the honoured fathers of all ages past: Adam, Abel, Seth, Noah, Enos, Enoch and Abraham, Melchizedek and Job, Isaac, and the faithful Jacob, crying out: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
Let us praise the divinely beauteous phalange of the divine fathers: Barak, Nathan and Eleazar, Josiah and David, Jephthah and Samuel, who honourably beheld things which were to come and cried out: Let all creation bless the Lord, and exalt Him supremely forever!
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
With hymnody let us offer praise to the prophets of God, praising Hosea and Micah, Zephaniah and Habakkuk, Zechariah and Jonah, Haggai and Amos, Malachi and Obadiah, Nahum, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, together with Daniel, Elijah and Elisha.
Let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Lord.
With threefold utterances let us hymn the all-holy Trinity: the unoriginate Father, the Son and the right holy Spirit, the Unity of three Hypostases, which every breath glorifies, crying out: Let all creation bless the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
O Christ, You have appeared incarnate of the Virgin’s blood by Your ineffable word, being born in a cave as a perfect Babe in the abundance of Your loving-kindness, O Jesus. And the star heralds You from afar to the astrologers, who cry with faith: hymn and exalt Christ supremely forever!
We praise, bless, and worship the Lord, singing and exalting Him throughout all ages.
Katavasia: The dew-moistened furnace was the image of an incomprehensible wonder.* It did not burn the youths entrapped there,* just as the fire of the Godhead did not consume the Virgin’s womb in which He dwelt.* Therefore, let us praise God, saying: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all forever.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: The Son of the unbegun Begetter, God and Lord, made flesh of the Virgin,* has appeared among us to bring light to the darkened places* and to gather the scattered together.* Therefore, we magnify the all-praised Mother of God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
On Golgotha, as in Paradise, there was planted, O Saviour, the thrice-happy tree of your pure cross, nourished by your blood divine and water; so from the wellspring of your holy side, O Christ, life has blossomed for us.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The crucified, the all-powerful, laid low the strong man armed, and the nature of man, lying below in the dungeon of Hell, he raised and placed on the Father’s throne; coming in the midst of which we, worshipping, magnify you.
We bless the Lord; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In the true faith singing, let us the faithful glorify the Trinity, three in number, one in substance, indivisible nature, supremely divine, triply shining light and never-setting radiance, the only uncompounded shedding light upon all.
Canon to the Three Holy Youths and Daniel
Irmos: Saved by you, O pure Virgin, we truly confess you to be the Theotokos,* magnifying you with the bodiless choirs.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
You have attained your desired end, O most blessed youths, and you stand in the mansions of heaven before Him that is the greatest of all desires.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
Rejoicing, you have received a sheaf as the reward of the good husbandry of your tears, having brought forth the grain of incorruption.
O Three Holy Youths and Daniel pray to God for us
Radiance has now shone upon you as is meet, and gladness of heart has blossomed forth, for from whence grief has fled away have you made your abode.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O Virgin, you halted the spread of death, having given birth to the Lord, the Bestower of life, Who imparts life to them that magnify you with faith.
Canon to the Holy Forefathers
Irmos: A strange and glorious mystery do I behold:* the cave is heaven;* the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim;* the manger, a dwelling place* in which is laid Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain.* Singing His praises, we magnify Him.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
By Your might, O Lord, You made powers of old: Your daughters Hannah, Judith, Deborah, Huldah, Jael and Esther, Sarah, Miriam the sister of Moses, Rachel, Rebecca and Ruth the exceedingly wise.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
In a sacred manner let us honour the holy children that quenched the furnace, and with them, Daniel the prophet and all that were clearly righteous, who shone forth well before the Law, and under the Law were pleasing to the Lord.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
The most wise and divine prophets, being descendants of Abraham, proclaimed through the Spirit the Word of God, born of Abraham and Judah. By their prayers, O Jesus, have compassion on us all.
O holy Forefathers, pray to God for us!
All creation is sanctified by your memory and, keeping festival, doth callout, crying aloud as befits a servant: Ever offer entreaty to the Lord, O blessed ones, that they that praise you may receive eternal blessings!
Glory… Now…
The Word of the Father, Who has robed Himself in me, comes forth from the Virgin and is born in the cave in unconfused manner. Dance, O creation, magnifying, with thankful voices His all-holy condescension which He has shown forth in His lovingkindness.
Katavasia: A strange and glorious mystery do I behold:* the cave is heaven;* the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim;* the manger, a dwelling place* in which is laid Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain.* Singing His praises, we magnify Him.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
Christ our Way and our Life,* after His resurrection from the dead,* accompanied Luke and Cleopas,* who had recognized Him at Emmaus in the breaking of the bread.* Their hearts and souls were inflamed as He spoke to them on the way,* explaining to them all the Scriptures that pertained to Him.* Let us, therefore, shout with them, saying:* Truly, the Lord is risen and has appeared to Peter.
Glory…
Let us praise Adam, Abel, Seth and Enos, Enoch and Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Moses, Job and Aaron, Eleazar and Joshua, Barak, Sampson and Jephthah, David, and Solomon.
Now…
The great Sun, the Creator, Who shall come forth from the Virgin who knew not man, makes haste to Bethlehem to enlighten all that are descended from Adam. Therefore, the most radiant memory of the forefathers proclaims the wonder.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 2
Everything that breathes and every creature glorifies You, O Lord,* for through Your Cross You destroyed death* and thus shown the multitude of peoples Your Resurrection from the dead,* as You alone love mankind.
Let the Jews tell how the soldiers lost the King they were guarding.* Why then did the stone not guard the rock of life?* Either let them give up the one who was buried or adore Him as risen,* exclaiming together with us:* Glory to the multitude of Your mercies:* O Saviour, glory be to You!
Rejoice O peoples and be glad!* for an Angel sat upon the grave stone* and gave us good tidings saying:* Christ is risen from the dead* and has filled the universe with sweet fragrance.* Rejoice O peoples and be glad!’
Before Your conception, O Lord,* an Angel brought the greeting ‘Rejoice’ to the one full of grace:* at Your Resurrection an Angel rolled away the stone from Your glorious grave.* The one revealed the signs of joy instead of sorrow;* the other instead of death has proclaimed to us the Master, and giver of life.* Therefore we cry to You:* O Benefactor of all mankind,* Lord, glory be to You!
Tone 2
Let us all now celebrate the memory of the forefathers,* hymning their life which was pleasing to God,* for Whose sake they have been magnified.
Let us all now celebrate the memory of the forefathers,* hymning their life which was pleasing to God,* for Whose sake they have been magnified.
Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name unto the ages.
The children quenched the power of the fire,* dancing in the midst of the furnace,* and hymning God the Almighty.
For righteous are You in all which You have done for us.
Daniel the prophet, who, imprisoned in a pit,* dwelt with wild beasts,* was shown forth as one who did not partake of their ferocity.
Tone 7, Glory…
Come all, let us faithfully celebrate* the annual commemoration of Abraham and them that are with him,* the fathers that lived before the Law.* Let us honour the tribe of Judah as is meet;* let us praise the youths in Babylon,* who, as an image of the Trinity, quenched the flame of the furnace,* together with Daniel;* and holding fast to the prophecies of the prophets,* let us cry aloud with Isaiah:* Behold, a Virgin shall conceive in her womb,* and shall bear a Son, Emmanuel, God with us!
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
DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 2: When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”
Troparion, Tone 2: By faith You justified Your ancestors* and through them in advance You betrothed the Church taken from the nations.* The saints exult in glory;* from their seed comes the blessed fruit, the one who bore You without seed.* By their prayers, O Christ our God, have mercy on us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 6: Armed by the Being that defies description,* you defied the man-made idol, O thrice blessed youth.* In the midst of the unbearable flames you stood and cried out to God:* “In Your mercy, O gracious One, hasten and come to our aid,”* for You can do whatever You will.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Blessed are You, Lord God of our fathers,* and praised and glorified is Your Name forever.
verse: For You are righteous in everything that You have done to us. (Daniel 3:26,27)
Epistle
Colossians 3:4-11
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Moses and Aaron are among His priests and Samuel among those who call upon His name.
verse: They called on the Lord and He heard them. (Psalm 98:6)
Gospel
Luke 14:16-24
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous (Psalm 32:1).* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.