Polyeleos Feast. Resurrectional Gospel 11.
GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 8
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
O Christ, during this spiritual service,* we sing to You these evening prayers,* commemorating the mercy You have shown us* by Your resurrection.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Lord, O Lord, do not cast us away from Your face;* but in Your kindness have mercy on us* through Your resurrection.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Rejoice, O holy Sion,* the Mother of Churches and the dwelling-place of God;* for you were the first to receive the forgiveness of sins* through the resurrection.
Tone 1
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Brethren, let us not pray as the Pharisee:* for he who exalts himself shall be humbled.* Let us humble ourselves before God,* and with fasting cry aloud as the Publican:* God be merciful to us sinners.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Brethren, let us not pray as the Pharisee:* for he who exalts himself shall be humbled.* Let us humble ourselves before God,* and with fasting cry aloud as the Publican:* God be merciful to us sinners.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
A Pharisee, overcome with vainglory, and a Publican, bowed down in repentance,* came to You the only Master.* The one boasted and was deprived of blessings,* while the other kept silent and was counted worthy of gifts.* Confirm me, O Christ our God,* in these his cries of sorrow,* for You love mankind.
Tone 1
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
O father Gregory, the grave, the medium of forgetfulness, did not close your mouth;* for you have been shown to be the mouth of theology,* declaring now to the whole world the dogmas of piety.* Therefore, pray that peace and great mercy* be granted to our souls.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O father Gregory, wisely did you turn away from the hostile and treacherous flesh;* and, mounting the heaven-bound chariot drawn by the virtues as by four steeds,* you soared aloft to ineffable beauty.* Delighting therein, you now grant to our souls* peace and great mercy.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O father Gregory, through grace you were a faithful mediator between God and men;* and now, having rendered Christ right mercifully inclined toward us* by your bold supplications, O venerable one,* never cease to entreat the Lord, that He grant our souls* peace and great mercy.
Tone 2
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Come, let us praise the divinely eloquent Gregory with sacred hymns,* for he is the eye of grace, the most wise mouth of the Holy Spirit,* the radiant beacon of the whole world, the great catechizer of the Church,* the most wondrous stream of theology, the ever-rushing river of divine dogmas,* the ever-flowing well-spring of the divine water of incorruption.
Tone 8, Glory…
Almighty Lord, I know how great is the power of tears.* For they led up Hezekiah from the gates of death;* they delivered the sinful woman from the transgressions of many years;* they justified the Publican above the Pharisee.* And with them I also pray:* Have mercy upon me.
Tone 8, Now…
Out of his love for mankind* the King of heaven appeared on earth and dwelt with men,* for He assumed a human body from the pure Virgin* and was seen in the flesh He received from her.* He is the One and only God* having two natures but not two persons.* Wherefore we profess and declare the truth* that Christ our God is perfect God and perfect Man.* O Mother, who knew not carnal union,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on 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.
Readings
(1) Proverbs 3:13-18; (2) Proverbs 10:31-11:2; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15.
Aposticha
Tone 8
O Jesus, You descended from heaven* so that You might ascend the cross.* O immortal Life, You came to die.* You are the true light to those who live in darkness,* and You are the resurrection of the fallen.* Therefore, O Saviour of all, we glorify You.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. * Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
Let us glorify Christ, the Saviour of our Souls* who arose from the dead.* For He took upon himself a soul and a body,* and during His passion He separated the one from the other.* His pure soul went down to conquer Hades,* while His holy body lay uncorrupted in the grave.
For He has made the world firm. * which shall not be moved.
O Christ, we glorify Your resurrection with psalms and hymns.* For by Your victory over death* You delivered us from the sufferings of Hades,* and as God You granted us eternal life and great mercy.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, * for length of days.
O Lord of all, Creator of heaven and earth,* You are above all understanding.* Through Your passion on the cross* You freed us from the sufferings of Hades.* And, after condescending to be buried, You arose in glory;* and with Your mighty arm You also raised up Adam.* O most merciful Lord, we glorify You;* for by Your resurrection on the third day* You granted us remission of sins and eternal life.
Tone 8, Glory…
Cultivating the hearts of the faithful with your tongue, O Gregory,* in them you have grown for God the ever-flourishing fruits of piety,* cutting down the tares of heresy at the root,* and adorning men’s minds with purity.* Therefore, accepting our praises, O theologian,* divine harp, vigilant eye, pastor of pastors, hunter of wolves,* pray earnestly to the Word in behalf of our souls.
Tone 5, Now…
My eyes are weighed down by my transgressions,* and I cannot lift them up and see the height of heaven.* But receive me, Saviour, in repentance as the Publican* and have mercy on me.
Troparia
Tone 8
You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.
Tone 1, Glory…
Like a shepherd’s flute, O Father Gregory* your theology vanquished the trumpets of orators,* for searching the depths of the spirit,* beauty of speech was increased in you.* Pray Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Now…
O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel called out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him Who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you!* Glory to Him Who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 8
Troparia, Tone 8
You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You. (2)
Tone 1, Glory…
Like a shepherd’s flute, O Father Gregory* your theology vanquished the trumpets of orators,* for searching the depths of the spirit,* beauty of speech was increased in you.* Pray Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Now…
O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel called out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him Who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you!* Glory to Him Who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
You the Life of all, did rise from the dead,* and an Angel of light cried out to the women saying:* Cease your tears. Bring the good tidings unto the Apostles.* Cry aloud in hymns that Christ the Lord has arisen* who as God was well-pleased to save mankind.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
When You were indeed risen from the tomb* You commanded the holy women to announce the Resurrection to the Apostles, as it is written;* and Peter, having arrived quickly, stood by the grave* and seeing the light in the tomb was frightened,* observing the grave clothes lying therein, without the divine body,* and believing he cried aloud:* Glory be to You O Christ God our Saviour, who has saved us all,* for You are the radiant splendour of the Father.
Glory… Now…
Let us hymn the heavenly gate and ark,* the all-holy mountain, the cloud of light, the heavenly ladder,* the spiritual Paradise, the redemption of Eve,* the great treasure of the world;* because salvation for the world and forgiveness of ancient offences were wrought in her.* Therefore, we cry to her:* Intercede with your own Son and God to grant forgiveness of offences* to those who devoutly worship your most holy Offspring.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
Mortals have sealed Your tomb, O Saviour* and an Angel has rolled away the stone from the door.* Women saw You risen from the dead,* and announced the good tidings to Your Disciples in Sion:* The life of all has risen and the bonds of death are loosed.* O Lord, glory be to You.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
The women having brought sweet-smelling burial spices* heard an Angel’s voice coming from the tomb:* Cease your tears and bring joy instead of sorrow.* Wherefore cry aloud in hymns that Christ the Lord is risen,* who as God was well-pleased to save the race of mankind.
Glory… Now…
In you, O Full of grace, does all creation rejoice,* the ranks of Angels and the race of mankind;* O all-hallowed Temple and spiritual Paradise, boast of Virgins.* For from youGod became incarnate* and He who is our God before the ages became a child.* He has made your womb a throne and rendered it wider than the heavens.* In you, O Full of grace, does all creation rejoice;* glory be to you.
Polyeleos
Magnification
We extol you,* O holy hierarch Gregory,* and we honour your holy memory;* for you entreat Christ God in our behalf.
verses:
Hear this, all nations; give ear, all you that inhabit the world.
My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Glory… Now…
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory be to You, O God. (3)
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 8
The myrrh-bearing women standing at the tomb of the Giver of life* seeking the immortal Master among the dead;* and having received the glad tidings of joy from the Angel* announced to the Apostles that Christ the Lord is risen,* granting the world great mercy.
Sessional Hymns
Tone 3
Inheriting divine enlightenment,* you mastered the immaterial life, excelling in like sanctity;* for, supernaturally elucidating the dogmas of the Church,* you confirmed the Faith with Orthodoxy.* O venerable father, entreat Christ God, that He grant us great mercy.
Tone 5
Vigilant with the word of truth, theologizing the might of the Trinity* and casting down the evil and all-iniquitous heresy of Arius, O holy hierarch,* as a guardian and champion of piety* you have illumined those who sit in the darkness of unbelief.
Tone 8, Glory…
Denouncing the deceit of the impious,* in godly manner you disclosed the meaning of the Scriptures,* sending forth dogmas which delight the hearts of the faithful more than honey, O right wondrous one;* and you have manifestly taught all to worship the unity of the Godhead in Trinity.* Therefore, you set forth the image of the Saviour* on an icon for veneration as a sign of His humanity, O theologian Gregory.* Entreat Christ God that He grant remission of sins to those* who lovingly celebrate your holy memory.
Now…
When the Master and Creator of all shall come to judge the whole world,* number me, the condemned, at His right hand with the sheep;* and rescue me, your unprofitable servant, from the outermost darkness and all torment,* I pray, that with thanksgiving I may magnify the richness of your goodness, O most immaculate one,* and cry out to you, rejoicing:* Pray to Christ God that He grant me remission of transgressions,* for I, your servant, have you as my hope.
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 8
Antiphon 1
From my youth the enemy tempts me, enflaming me with the desire for pleasures;* but placing my trust in You O Lord, I put him to flight.
Let those that hate Sion,* become like grass before it is tilled;* for Christ severs their necks with the sharp blade of torments.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit all things have life;* Light from Light, eminent God:* we hymn Him* together with the Father and the Word.
Antiphon 2
Let my humble heart be sheltered by the fear of You;* lest it fall away from You by being conceited,* O exceedingly compassionate One.
He who has his hope in the Lord* will not be afraid when the Lord judges all things* with fire and torment.
Glory… Now…
Everyone inspired by the Holy Spirit sees all and foretells,* working the greatest wonders, singing of one God in three Hypostases;* for though the Divinity radiates with triune light,* it rules as one.
Antiphon 3
I have cried to You, O Lord, hearken to me,* bend Your ear to my supplications when I cry to You,* and cleanse me before taking me from this life.
Each and every one who returns to mother earth* will depart to receive torments or rewards* in reward for their life’s actions.
Glory… Now…
Contemplation of God by the Holy Spirit is of a thrice-holy unity;* for the Father is beginningless, from Whom the Son was begotten before time,* and the Spirit equal in essence and majesty,* blazes forth equally from the Father.
Antiphon 4
Behold, what is so good, what is so pleasant* as to see brothers dwelling together?* For by this the Lord has promised eternal life.
The One who adorns the lilies of the field* commands us to be unconcerned* over temporal things.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit,* by one single cause all things gain the reward of peace;* for He is God perfectly consubstantial* with both the Father and the Son.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
The Lord will reign forever, Sion’s God, from age to age.
verse: My soul, give praise to the Lord; I will praise the Lord all my days.
Let everything that lives, Tone 8
Gospel
John 21:15-25
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Tone 8, Glory…
Open to me the doors of repentance, O Giver of Life.* As we worship in Your temple this morning,* teach us how to purify the temples of our bodies,* and in Your compassion, purify me by the goodness of Your mercies.
Now…
Lead me to the paths of salvation, O Mother of God,* for I have condemned myself with shameful sins* and have wasted all my life in slothfulness.* By your intercession purify me from all sinfulness.
Tone 6
Have mercy on me, God, in Your kindness. In Your compassion blot out my offense.
When I think upon the multitude of my evil deeds,* I tremble for the terrible day of judgment.* But trusting in the compassion of Your mercy, O Lord,* I cry to You like David:* Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.
Canon
Ode 1
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: When the wonder-working rod of Moses* smote the sea with the sign of the cross and divided it,* Pharaoh the charioteer it overthrew in the deep,* but fugitive Israel, fleeing on foot, it saved,* and he raised a glad shout* of praise to God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
How should we not wonder at the mighty power of Christ’s divinity? Freedom from passions and incorruption to all the faithful flow from his Passion; drop by drop from his holy side a deathless fountain falls; and from the grave comes life unending.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
How beautiful the angel now reveals himself to the women! Bearing the signs of innate and immaterial purity, and in his far-shining form revealing the splendour of the resurrection, he cries: the Lord is risen.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Glorious things are spoken of you, O Virgin Mother of God, from generation to generation, for, remaining undefiled, you found room in your womb for God the Word. Therefore, we honour you as our protector after God.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
We sing your praises, undefiled Mother of God, who gave birth beyond nature to the divi.ne and eternal Word made fie b.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The Virgin gave you birth, O Christ, life-bearing cluster of the vine, distilling sweetness of salvation for all the world.
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
By parables Christ has led all mankind to a life of amendment: Raising up the Publican from humbleness, he showed the Pharisee who exalted himself to be humbled.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
From humility cometh an exalted honour, but from pride we see a grievous fall; let us, then, strive to emulate the good actions of the Publican, and hate the evil ones of the Pharisee.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Every good deed is rendered useless through pride, while every evil is cleansed by humility. Wherefore, let us in faith embrace humility, and utterly abhor the ways of vainglory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The King of all, wishing His own disciples to be humble-minded, taught them to emulate the sighing of the Publican and his humility.
Canon of the Holy Hierarch
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
Come, you who love the words of the second Theologian, the pillar of heavenly light, the clarion of the wisdom of God, and, assembling with love, let us praise him as the preacher of God.
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
The unoriginate Word of the Father, as God who, with providential power, takes thought for all things, gives you to Mother Church as a gift, enriching your mind with wisdom, O blessed one.
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
Making your mind master, you restrained the carnal passions; and, as a receptacle of divine effulgence, you have enlightened us all to worship the one God in three Persons, O Gregory.
Glory… Now…
The Wisdom of God made for Himself a temple, taking up His abode within your most immaculate womb, O you who are full of grace; and, having united Himself thereto hypostatically, in manner past understanding, O pure one, He has appeared as man.
Katavasia: The Sun once shone with its rays upon dry land* in the midst of the deep.* For the water on both sides became firm as a wall* while the people crossed the sea on foot,* offering this song acceptable to God:* Let us sing to the Lord; for gloriously is He glorified.
Ode 3
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: In the beginning, O Christ, you established the heavens in understanding,* and founded the earth upon the waters:* establish me upon the rock of your commandments,* for none is holy but you, only Lover of man.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The saving suffering of your flesh, O Christ, justified Adam, condemned by the taste of sin; for as the sinless one you were shown in the trial as owing no debt to death.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Jesus , my God, shed the light of his resurrection upon those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death; and by his divinity he bound the strong man and seized all his goods.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Higher than Cherubim and Seraphim you are declared to be, Mother of God, for you alone, undefiled, received within your womb the illimitable God. Therefore, all the faithful ever sing to you and bless you.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Grant us the help of your prayers, All-pure, and drive away the attacks from the dangers surrounding us.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Mother of God, you became the restoration of our first mother Eve for you brought into the world the Author of life.
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
From the dunghill of the passions the humble are lifted up on high, while from the height of the virtues the high-minded suffer a grievous fall: let us flee such an image of wickedness.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Vainglory nullifies the riches of righteousness, whereas humility scatters a multitude of passions; bestowing this upon us, show us to be like the Publican O Saviour.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Like the Publican let us also beat our breasts and cry out in compunction, “O God cleanse us sinners,” that like him we may receive forgiveness.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Zealously, O you faithful, let us increase in meekness, and with humility let us live out the days of our lives in suffering of the heart, weeping and prayer, that we may receive forgiveness from God.
Canon I of the Holy Hierarch
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
Possessed of a well-spring of wisdom which unceasingly pours forth your most wise teachings, O most blessed one, you filled the Church of Christ therewith, and it cries out to the God of all: Holy are You, O Lord!
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
The clarion-voiced herald of piety, the far-famed theologian of theology, is set forth as a rich treasure of the vision of God and richly distributes to us the wealth which cannot be taken away.
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
The orator of fiery spirit, the God-proclaiming flute of grace, right excellently thundering forth with theological inspiration and divinely inspired declaration, has played for us the hymn of the Essence in three Hypostases.
Glory… Now…
O Theotokos, Queen of all the creation, never cease to entreat Christ, to whom you gave birth for us for the salvation of those on earth, that He save those who hymn you.
Katavasia: O Lord, the firm foundation of those that put their trust in You,* confirm the Church, which You have purchased with Your precious blood.
Kontakion, Tone 4
Let us flee from the proud-speaking of the Pharisee* and learn from the Publican the loftiness of words of humility,* and with penitential lamentation let us cry aloud: “O Saviour of the world* be merciful to us, and cleanse us You servants’.
Ikos
Let us all humble ourselves, brethren; sighing and lamenting, beating our conscience, that at the eternal judgment we may be numbered with the faithful and the righteous, and receive forgiveness. Let us pray that we behold the place truly peaceful, where there is neither pain, nor sorrow, nor sighing from the soul, in the wondrous Eden fashioned by Christ, for He is God coeternal with the Father.
Sessional Hymns, Tone 4
Humility exalted the Publican who was overcome with shame at his evil deeds,* when he cried to the Creator, “Be merciful:”* but exaltation brought down from righteousness the wretched Pharisee who spoke boastfully.* Therefore let us earnestly desire that which is good* and avoid that which is evil.
Tone 8, Glory…
Opening your mouth with the word of God,* you drew forth wisdom, O proclaimer of the Light,* and sowed divine wisdom throughout the whole world.* And you truly established dogmas, showing yourself to be a champion of the Faith like Paul.* Therefore, revealed as a fellow citizen with the angels and a converser with them, O blessed Gregory the Theologian,* entreat Christ God that He grant remission of transgressions* to those who with love celebrate your holy memory.
Tone 4, Now…
Be swift to receive our prayers, O Lady,* and bring them to your Son and God, all-immaculate Sovereign Lady.* Deliver from tribulations those who flee to you.* Destroy the wiles and subdue the arrogance* of those who godlessly war against your servants, O most pure One.
Ode 4
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: O Lord, you are my strength and my might, you are my God and my joy;* without leaving the deep recesses of the Father, you visited our poverty;* so with Habakkuk the prophet, I cry to you:* Glory to your power, O Lover of man.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Merciful Saviour, you loved me much when I was at enmity with you; in strange self-emptying you came to earth, not rejecting the last recesses of my pride. While remaining still upon the heights of your ineffable glory, you glorified me, formerly so disgraced.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Who is not amazed, O Lord, at seeing death done away through sufferings, corruption take flight through a cross, Hell emptied of its possessions through a death? This is the marvellous work of the divine sovereignty of you, the Crucified One, O Lover of man.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Boast of the faithful, Bride unwed, you are the protection and refuge of Christians, city wall and harbour; for you bring our petitions to your Son and save from danger those who acknowledge you in faith and love as the pure Mother of God.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Field unploughed that brought forth the quickening ear of corn which gives life to the world: Mother of God, save us who sing to you.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
All-pure, we on whom the light has shone know you as Mother of God, for, O Ever-virgin, you gave birth to the Sun of Righteousness.
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The Word, set an example showing that the path to exaltation is humility, having humbled Himself even unto taking the form of a servant, thereby instructing all, that he who humbles himself shall be exalted on high.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The righteous Pharisee exalted himself and fell, wickedly rejecting humility, but through humility the Publican was exalted and justified.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
He who was without need of virtue was deprived of them, and shown to be foolish. Yet the riches of humility justified him who was in most need of them, whose humility let us emulate.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Lord, You did forewarn all that You resist the high-minded, but grant Your grace to the humble. O Saviour send down now Your grace upon us, for we have humbled ourselves.
Canon I of the Holy Hierarch
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
As an initiate of the mysteries of the Trinity, you enlightened the whole world with the understanding thereof, O wise and venerable one, shining forth rays of the dogmas of your excellent teaching. And ever instructed thereby, we all piously praise you.
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
Receiving the radiant dawn of piety, the splendour of the threefold Sun, within yourself, you shone forth, O father, and with the effulgence of your wise dogmas you dispelled the dark night of evil heresies and illumined the souls of the faithful.
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
Theologizing from what is supernal, O most blessed father, with your thunderous theology you piously taught the transcendent Mind, the Source of the Word and the Spirit, taught this by Him, in that you had first cleansed your mind of material occupations.
Glory… Now…
With understanding you restored fallen Adam, O most immaculate one, having given birth to hypostatic Life from your virginal womb, which had been cleansed by the Spirit; and you called him to the most divine and incorrupt food of dispassion, O Lady.
Katavasia: Your virtue, O Christ, has covered the heavens,* for proceeding forth from the Ark of Your sanctification, from Your undefiled Mother,* You have appeared in the temple of Your glory as an infant in arms,* and the whole world has been filled with Your praise.
Ode 5
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: Why have you thrust me away from the never-setting light of your face,* so that alien darkness has covered me, most wretched one?* Turn me back, I beg you, and direct my ways* to the light of your commandments.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Before your Passion, O Saviour, you allowed yourself to be clothed in the robe of mockery, thus covering the shameful nakedness of man; and to be nailed naked to the cross while putting off the garment of death.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
When you arose from the dust of death, O Christ, you built again my beggared nature and rendered it immortal, revealing once again the kingly image, radiant with the light of incorruption.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
As you possess a mother’s boldness before your Son, All-pure, do not refuse your far-seeing care for our race, we pray you. For you alone, as Christians, we present to the Lord for gracious favour and propitiation.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Calm the restless waves of my passions, O you who brought forth God, our pilot and our Lord.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The ranks of angels and every company of men worship your child, O pure Mother of God.
Canon from the Tridion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us make haste to follow the Pharisee in his virtues and to emulate the Publican in his humility, and let us hate what is wrong in each of them: foolish opinion and the fall into self-destruction.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The righteousness of the Pharisee proved to be vain and was condemned, for it was yoked to prideful opinion; However, the Publican became a co-companion of humility, the virtue which exalts one on high.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The Pharisee thought to drive swiftly in the chariot of the virtues; but the Publican outran him on foot, for he had yoked humility to compassion.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Pondering with our minds the parable of the Publican, let us all emulate him with tears, offering to God a contrite spirit, seeking the remission of our sins.
Canon I of the Holy Hierarch
Irmos: As God of peace and Father of compassions,* You have sent to us Your Angel of Great Counsel, who grants us peace.* Therefore, guided to the light of knowledge divine, and rising at dawn out of the night,* we glorify You who love mankind.
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
The divine sound of your words and the divine grace of your dogmas has passed round the world like the speed of lightning, O Theologian, theologizing and teaching us to worship the Trinity in Unity and the Unity in Trinity.
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
You truly desired the wisdom of God, loved the beauty of discourse and preferred it to all things beautiful on earth. Therefore, O most blessed one, He has right magnificently adorned you with a crown of gifts and made you a theologian.
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
Like Moses of old, O divinely eloquent one, you desired rationally to behold Him-Who-Is, and, protected by a rock, you were counted worthy to see His back-parts. And you have studied the unapproachable manifestations of the abyss of divine wisdom.
Glory… Now…
He who of old created Eve, your first mother, from whom you were descended, O Theotokos and Mother of God, as One compassionate and the Master of all has manifestly healed and absolved her condemnation and disobedience.
Katavasia: In a figure Isaiah saw God upon a throne,* lifted up on high and borne in triumph by angels of glory;* and he cried: “Woe is me! For I have seen beforehand God made flesh,* Lord of the light that knows no evening and King of peace.”
Ode 6
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: Be merciful to me, O Saviour, for many are my transgressions;* bring me up from the depths of evil, I pray you.* For I have cried out to you,* hear me, O God of my salvation.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Mightily, through a tree, the originating evil overthrew me; uplifted on the cross, O Christ, you cast him down with a greater might, putting him to shame and raising me, the fallen.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Rising from the tomb in compassion you took pity on Zion, by your divine blood bringing about the new in place of the old; and now you reign in her, O Christ, throughout the ages.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
May we be rescued from all our grievous stumblings by your prayers, pure Mother of God, and may we meet with the divine outshining of the Son of God, ineffably made flesh of you.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Mother of God, we your faithful people proclaim you living ark and temple of God, bridal chamber and gate of heaven .
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Mary, Bride of God, your child as God became the destroyer of heathen idols and is worshipped with the Father and the Spirit.
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The Publican along with the Pharisee ran the race of life, but the one was overcome by high-mindedness and shipwrecked, while the other was saved by humility.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Changing to a humble course of life, let us emulate the fervent wisdom of the Publican and flee the deadening conceit of the Pharisee; and we shall live.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us fervently follow the ways of Jesus the Saviour and His humility, if we desire to reach the tabernacle of everlasting joy and to dwell in the land of the living.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Master, You have shown to Your disciples the humility that raises men on high, for girding Your loins with a towel, and washing their feet You prepared them to follow Your example.
Canon I of the Holy Hierarch
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
With the streams of your wise teachings, O most wise one, you dried up the turbulent mind of Arius, preserving your flock in peace, afloat like a noetic ark; and therein, by the beauty of your discourses, you have placed the seeds of piety.
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
With the splendour of the worshipful Trinity you enriched your mind, O father, and have shone forth like a clear and newly polished mirror, made excellent through abstinence. Therefore, you have been shown to be a God-seer by divine phenomena.
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
Wholly imbued with the radiance of the Spirit, you were a most splendid beacon, O father, illumining the ends of the earth with the radiance of your discourses and adorning the assembly of the faithful with the purity of theology, O Gregory the Theologian.
Glory… Now…
You were foreknown to the prophets, O Virgin Mary, Mother and Bride of God, as the pure scroll who received the written Word who before was uncircumscribable in His divinity; for you ineffably contained in your womb the Infinite One.
Katavasia: The Elder, having seen with his eyes the salvation that was to come to the peoples,* cried aloud to You: ‘O Christ that comes from God, You are my God.’
Kontakion, Tone 3
O glorious saint, your tongue, versed in theology,* loosed the webs of vain philosophers;* you adorned the Church with a robe of true belief woven on high.* Wearing it she cries with us, your children:* Rejoice, O Father, highest mind of theology.
Ikos
With the exalted wisdom of your theology fill my impoverished and passion-plagued mind, that I may hymn your life, O father; for I cannot offer you discourse if you will not grant my strength of speech, understanding and wisdom, to bring you yours of your own. From then I shall find a starting point in the wealth of your virtues and shall crown your precious and holy head, crying out with the faithful: Rejoice, O father, uttermost mind of theology!
Ode 7
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: The fire in Babylon once was put to shame by the descent of God* and the young men danced in the furnace,* with joy in their steps, as in a grassy meadow,* and sang: Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Your glorious abasement and the divine wealth of your beggary, O Christ, struck the angels with amazement when they saw you nailed to the cross to save those who cry in faith to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
By your divine descent the lowest depths were filled with light, and the darkness and torment of former ages driven away. Then those in age-old bonds rose up and cried: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, the Lord
In accordance with orthodox doctrine, we proclaim you Lord of all, only Father of the one, only-begotten Son, and we know the one true Spirit proceeding from you, one with you in nature and co-eternal.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Made flesh in a virginal womb you appeared for our salvation. Therefore, knowing your Mother to be the Bearer of God, in thankfulness we cry: God of our fathers, blessed are you.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin, all-blessed rod of the root of Jesse, you have blossomed and brought forth your fruit, salvation to those who cry in faith to your Son : God of our fathers, blessed are you.
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Exalted by the works of self-justification, the Pharisee was grievously snared in the nets of vainglory, boasting madly; but the Publican was lifted on high on the light wings of humility, and drew near to God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Using humility as a ladder, the Publican was raised on high to the heights of heaven; but by the putrid foolishness of pride the wretched Pharisee fell into the abyss of Hades.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The enemy catches the righteous and despoils them through vainglory, blinding sinners in the nets of despair. But let us emulate the Publican and hasten to escape from both these evils.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
In our prayer before God, let us fall down with tears and fervent sighs, emulating the Publican in his lofty humility; and singing in faith: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You”.
Canon I of the Holy Hierarch
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
All your desire, sweetness and discourse, O Gregory, was manifestly full of gladness and radiance, filling with sweet fragrance those who chant with faith: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
With an illumined mind you attained to a well-spring of enlightenment, and, set afire with lightning flashes therefrom, you reduced to ashes the heresy of Eumenius, crying out to the Trinity: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
Releasing the floodgates of the abyss of your wise dogmas, and opening up the spring of wisdom, you inundated the originators of falsehood, shining with the eternal light of the threefold Sun.
Glory… Now…
Descending like dew upon the fleece, the River of peace, the Well-spring of grace who counts the drops of rain, made His abode in your womb. O God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Katavasia: O Word of God who in the midst of the fire* has dropped dew upon the children as they discoursed on things divine,* and who has taken up Your dwelling in the pure Virgin:* we praise You with piety we sing: O God of our fathers, blessed are You.
Ode 8
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: The Chaldaean tyrant in fury kindled the furnace sevenfold for those who feared God;* then, as he beheld them saved alive by a mightier power than his, their Creator and Redeemer himself,* he cried: Bless him, young men, praise him, O priests,* highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The power supremely divine of the Godhead of Jesus has shone out in these things: on the cross he tasted death in the flesh for all men, and he brought to nothing the might of Hell. Bless him without ceasing, young men, praise him, O priests, highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The crucified one arose, the boastful and vainglorious fell, the fallen and the broken are restored, corruption is banished, incorruption has blossomed, for death is swallowed up by life. Bless him, young men, praise him, O priests, highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, the Lord
Godhead of threefold light, in single radiance shining from one three-personed nature, Begetter without beginning, Word of the Father’s nature and Spirit consubstantial, co-reigning: bless him, young men, praise him, O priests, exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Quench the darts, fiery and seducing, of those who fight against us, so that we may hymn you, Pure One, throughout all the ages.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin, beyond nature you gave birth to God the Word, Creator and Saviour, and therefore we sing to you throughout all the age .
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The humble-minded sighing of the Publican found the mercy of the Lord, and he was saved; but by the evil tongue of boasting, the Pharisee fell from righteousness.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O you faithful, let us avoid the self-will of the Pharisee; who called himself pure, rather let us strive to emulate the Publican’s goodness, who gained forgiveness with humility.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O you faithful, let us utter the words of the Publican in the holy temple, “God be merciful,” that with him we may obtain forgiveness, and be delivered from the vile boasting of the Pharisee.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us all emulate the sighing of the Publican and, speaking to God with warm tears, let us cry out: “O Lover of mankind, we have sinned, but in Your merciful compassion, cleanse and save us.”
Canon I of the Holy Hierarch
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
You piously preached that the Word and the Spirit are equal to the Father in grace you cry out, rejoicing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
You were counted worthy of angelic glory, for like an angel you shone forth upon the earth, O most wise one, assiduously purifying soul, body and mind for the Trinity. And to the Trinity you now chant in gladness: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
Rendering the Master merciful by your supplications, O father, ask remission of transgressions for those who with faith celebrate your sacred and most festive memorial, whereof with gladness we chant: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Glory… Now…
The rich Word who is glorified by the hymnody of the archangels impoverished Himself for our sake, choosing you, the blessed beauty of Jacob, to be His Mother. Therefore, chanting, we sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord. We extol and exalt Him above all for ever.
Katavasia: Standing together in the unbearable fire, yet not harmed by the flame,* the children, champions of godliness, sang a divine hymn:* O all you works of the Lord,* bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.
Ode 9
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: Heaven is amazed and the ends of the earth stricken with fear* that your womb is become wider than the heavens, and God is seen bodily by men.* Therefore, O Mother of God* the ranks of angels and of men magnify you.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Word of God, simple in your nature divine and unoriginate, by giving existence to flesh and assuming it to yourself you became compound: suffering as a man you remained beyond suffering as God. Therefore, we magnify you in the two natures, indivisible and yet without confusion.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Most High, according to the divine essence you are ever one with God as your Father; but when you took the nature of man, coming down to your servants and rising from the tomb, you made him, who is by nature God and Lord, by grace Father of those born of the earth. You with him we magnify.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin Mother of God, you are seen beyond nature bearing in the body that good Word which the Father as the One Good uttered from his heart before all ages. And we understand him now as being beyond the body, yet clothed with a body
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
How full of joy, how full of gladness and of overflowing healing is the thought of you to those who come to you for help and with devotion proclaim you Mother of God!
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O full of grace, we sing to you our hymns of praise, and bring to you our never silent “Hail,” for from you all joy and exultation spring.
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Christ has set before us as a path to exaltation and an image of salvation, the humility of the Publican: which, let us strive after by rejecting disdainful pride and gaining God’s mercy through humble-mindedness.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us cast away pride and learn the righteousness of the humble-minded; let us not seek to justify ourselves, but rather let us abhor the delusion of vainglory, and with the Publican let us pray to God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Let us offer the Creator entreaties for mercy, as did the Publican,. Let us avoid the ungrateful prayers of the Pharisee and the boastful words with which he judged his neighbour, that we may gain God’s mercy and light.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Weighed down by a great multitude of sins, I have surpassed the Publican in an excess of evil, having embraced the self-adulating madness of the Pharisee, wherefore I am utterly devoid of all that is good: O Lord, spare me.
Canon I of the Holy Hierarch
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
The primal Trinity of whom you theologized grants you life incorruptible, accepting the struggles, teachings and contentions you made for His sake, O father; and now you stand before Him as a most excellent intercessor for peace.
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
Illumined with the radiance of the splendour of the threefold Sun which proceeds from the one Godhead, O Gregory, initiate of sacred mysteries, save those who hymn you with faith and guide them with the light of the theology of your dogmas.
Holy Hierarch Gregory, pray to God for us!
You finished a good race, exerting yourself for the primal Trinity, and, as a theologian, you have received deification; and, as is meet, you have received the fulfilment of your godly desire, O goodly adornment of the Churches.
Glory… Now…
O your awesome wonder! For, giving birth to God the Word, O Virgin Theotokos, you have ineffably made manifest a mystery in existence from before all generations and hidden in God from before time began.
Katavasia: In the shadow and the letter of the Law, let us, the faithful, discern a figure:* every male child that opens the womb shall be sanctified to God.* Therefore do we magnify the firstborn Word and Son of the Father without beginning,* the firstborn Child of a Mother who has not known a man.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
After His resurrection the Lord asked Peter three times:* Do you love Me?* Then the Lord set Peter as a shepherd over His sheep.* When Peter saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following Him,* he asked the Lord: What about him?* And the Lord said: If I want him to wait until I come again,* what is that to you, O Peter, my beloved?
Glory…
The sword of your words and its power utterly cut through the tongues of the infidels; for you consumed their ungodly innovations like thorny tinder and in godly manner taught all to worship the Trinity, O Gregory the Theologian.
Now…
Let us flee from the wicked boasting of the Pharisee,* and learn the noble humility of the Publican,* that we may be exalted and cry aloud with him to God:* Be merciful to You servants, O Christ our Saviour,* Who was willingly born from a Virgin,* who has endured the Cross and with Yourself raised up the world* by Your divine power.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 8
O Lord, though You stood before the judgment seat* being judged by Pilate,* yet You were seated with the Father* and were not absent from Your throne.* And risen from the dead You freed the world from slavery to the stranger,* as You are full of compassionate pity and love for mankind.
O Lord, the Jews laid You as a corpse in a grave,* and soldiers guarded You as a sleeping king* sealing You with a seal as if a treasury of life;* but You arose* and grant incorruption to our souls.
O Lord, You have given us Your Cross as a weapon against the devil;* for he quakes and trembles, unable to contemplate Your power;* for raised the dead and abolished death:* wherefore we worship Your Burial and Your Rising.
Your Angel, O Lord, having proclaimed Your Resurrection,* filled the guards with fear,* but he cried to the women saying: Why do you seek the living among the dead?* Being God He is risen* granting life to the whole world.’
Tone 4
Cleaving the darkness with your writing,* with the Spirit you entered in to supernal Light,* and, receiving the effulgence thereof, you have enriched all with theology,* and have dispelled the dark clouds of heresy with the brilliance of your words.* Therefore, you make your abode where the voice of those who keep festival is heard,* O converser with the angels, praying unceasingly that our souls be saved.
O Gregory, second theologian and initiate of the mysteries of divine splendour,* splendid describer of the Trinity* who supernaturally taught the ineffable and divine Essence* and now radiantly delights in God,* be mindful of those who honour you,* and champion the Church which you preserved;* for your sound has gone forth to all the ends of the world,* teaching all to glorify the consubstantial Trinity.
Cultivating the earth with your tongue, O divinely eloquent one,* and planting divine seed in the furrows of men’s hearts,* you have enriched with the most exalted theology all the fullness of the Church.* Therefore, you have burned up the tares of heresies with the fire of the Spirit,* fed with the zeal of divine philosophy,* O father of fathers and pastor of pastors,* word of the faithful, lamp of priests,* glory of the whole world, most blessed Gregory.
Putting your precious mouth to the cup of wisdom, O father Gregory,* you drew forth the divine water of theology* and have given it to the faithful in abundance.* You have staunched the soul-destroying torrent of heresy which is full of blasphemy.* For the Holy Spirit has found you a helmsman* who repels and drives away the assaults of the impious like puffs of wind,* and proclaims the Trinity in oneness of Essence.
Tone 8, Glory…
O Lord, You have condemned the Pharisee* who justified himself by boasting of his works,* and You have justified the Publican who humbled himself and with cries of sorrow begged for mercy.* For You rejected proud-minded thoughts, but do not despise a contrite heart.* Therefore humbled we fall down before You who have suffered for our sake:** Grant us forgiveness and great mercy.
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 8: You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.
Troparion, Tone 1: Like a shepherd’s flute, O Father Gregory* your theology vanquished the trumpets of orators,* for searching the depths of the spirit,* beauty of speech was increased in you.* Pray Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 3: O glorious saint, your tongue, versed in theology,* loosed the webs of vain philosophers;* you adorned the Church with a robe of true belief woven on high.* Wearing it she cries with us, your children:* Rejoice, O Father, highest mind of theology.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 8: When You rose from the tomb,* You also raised the dead and resurrected Adam.* Eve exults in Your resurrection,* and the ends of the world celebrate Your rising from the dead,* O most merciful One.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Pray and give praise to the Lord our God.
verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 75:12,2)
Prokeimenon, Tone 1
My mouth shall speak wisdom* and the meditation of my heart understanding.
Epistle
2 Timothy 3:10-15; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us acclaim God our Saviour.
verse: Let us come before His countenance with praise and acclaim Him with psalms. (Psalm 94:1,2)
verse: Give heed, O my people, to my law, incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
Gospel
Luke 18:10-14; John 10:9-16
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)