Resurrectional Gospel 1.
GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man… is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 1
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Accept our evening prayer, O holy Lord,* and grant us forgiveness of sins,* for You alone manifested the resurrection* to the world.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O you people, walk around Sion and encompass her.* And there give glory to Him who is risen from the dead.* For He is our God* who delivers us from our sins.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Come you people, praise and worship Christ.* Glorify His resurrection from the dead;* for He is our God who delivered the world* from the deceit of the enemy.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Rejoice, O you heavens;* sound the trumpets, you foundations of the earth;* cry out with joy, O you mountains.* For behold, Emmanuel has nailed our sins to the Cross;* the Giver of Life has put Death to death;* and the Lover of mankind* has raised up Adam.
Tone 1
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
I was entrusted with a sinless and living land,* but having sowed with sin, I have reaped with a sickle, the ears of slothfulness;* in thick sheaves I garnered my actions* but winnowed them not on the threshing floor of repentance.* But I pray You, O my God, the pre-eternal husbandman,* with the wind of Your loving-kindness winnow the chaff of my works,* and grant to my soul the wheat of forgiveness;* shut me in Your heavenly storehouse and save me.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
I was entrusted with a sinless and living land,* but having sowed with sin, I have reaped with a sickle, the ears of slothfulness;* in thick sheaves I garnered my actions* but winnowed them not on the threshing floor of repentance.* But I pray You, O my God, the pre-eternal husbandman,* with the wind of Your loving-kindness winnow the chaff of my works,* and grant to my soul the wheat of forgiveness;* shut me in Your heavenly storehouse and save me.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Brethren, let us fathom the meaning of this mystery.* For when the Prodigal Son fled back to his father’s home,* the good Father came out to meet him and kissed him,* giving to the Prodigal son once again his former glory,* and mystically rejoicing on high, he sacrificed the fatted calf.* Let our lives, then, be worthy of the man-befriending Father who has offered sacrifice,* and of the glorious Victim, the Saviour of our souls.
Tone 4
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
The honoured temple makes ready to receive within itself* the Lord who cometh as a Babe* and noetically illumines with grace His most faithful assembly beloved of God;* therefore it cries out:* “You are the glory, the boast and the adornment of my fullness,* O Word who became a Babe in the flesh for my sake!”
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The most splendid bridal-chamber,* the all-precious tabernacle, the holy and spacious temple,* bearing the Lord within the chambers of the temple,* betroths herself beforehand to His honoured Church* and ever prays that those who unceasingly glorify her as the true Theotokos* be delivered from corruption and misfortunes.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Let us now offer to Christ the praise of the fore-feast, glorifying His condescension;* for, carried in the Virgin’s arms as an infant,* He comes to lie in the arms of Symeon,* crying out to all men, and to deify their nature,* as Benefactor and Lord.
Tone 2, Glory…
O great are the blessings, which in my wretchedness I have deprived myself!* I have fallen from the kingdom in my misery!* I have wasted the riches given me,* I have transgressed the commandments.* Woe is me, O my soul!* You are henceforth condemned to the eternal fire.* Therefore, before the end cry out to Christ God:* Receive me as the Prodigal Son, O God, and have mercy on me.
Tone 1, Now…
Let us sing a hymn of praise to the Virgin Mary,* glory of the whole world!* She was herself formed by human seed,* yet she became the Mother of the Master, the Gate of heaven,* the theme of the angels’ hymn and beauty of the faithful.* She was seen as being heavenly* and the Tabernacle of the Godhead.* She indeed tore down the wall of enmity between God and man,* and brought peace in its place.* She opened up the kingdom of heaven.* Let us therefore cling fast to her for she is the anchor of faith,* and let us receive as our stronghold the Lord Who was born of her.* Be of good cheer, then, and have confidence, O people of God,* for He will fight our enemies for us,* He is all-powerful!
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 1
O Christ, by Your passion we have been freed from suffering;* and by Your resurrection we have been delivered from corruption.* O Lord, glory to You!
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
Let all creation rejoice, let the heavens be glad,* let the nations clap their hands with joy.* For Christ our Saviour, in His love for mankind,* has nailed our sins to the Cross;* He has put Death to death,* and by raising our fallen forefather, Adam,* He has given life to all mankind.
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O God, You are above all understanding;* You are King and Lord of heaven and earth.* Yet of Your own free will,* You allowed Yourself to be crucified because of Your love for mankind.* When You descended below,* Hades was filled with bitterness as You confronted it;* but the souls of the just received You with great joy.* Adam arose when he saw You, his Creator, down in the depths.* What a wonder this is!* You are the life of all and have tasted death* in order to dispel the darkness of the world with Your light.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory to You!
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
The myrrh-bearing women were filled with grief* as they hastened with spices to Your tomb;* but they did not find Your most pure body.* Instead, they found an angel* who proclaimed Your unique and glorious resurrection,* and commanded them to announce to Your apostles:* The Lord is risen,* granting great mercy to the world.
Tone 6, Glory…
I have wasted the wealth which the Father has given me,* and in my wretchedness I have fed with the dumb beasts,* Yearning for their food, I remained hungry and without my fill.* But I now return to the compassionate Father and cry out with tears:* I fall down before Your loving-kindness,* receive me as a hired servant and save me.
Tone 2, Now…
The sacred Virgin brought the Sacred One to the high priest in the temple,* and Symeon, stretching forth his hands,* received Him, rejoicing, and cried out:* “Now You may let Your servant depart in peace, O Lord,* according to Your word!”
Troparia
Tone 1
Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your Kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan!* O only Lover of mankind.
Tone 1, Glory… Now…
The hosts of angels look down from the balconies of heaven* to behold upon earth the First-fruits of all creation carried into the Temple,* a suckling Babe in the arms of a Mother all-pure.* Together with us, they joyfully sing a hymn in the preparation of the feast.
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 1
Troparia, Tone 1
Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your Kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan!* O only Lover of mankind. (2)
Tone 1, Glory…
The hosts of angels look down from the balconies of heaven* to behold upon earth the First-fruits of all creation carried into the Temple,* a suckling Babe in the arms of a Mother all-pure.* Together with us, they joyfully sing a hymn in the preparation of the feast.
Now…
Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your Kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan!* O only Lover of mankind. (2)
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 1
While watching Your grave, the soldiers became as dead men* from the lightning flash of the Angel* who appeared and proclaimed to the women the Resurrection.* We glorify You, the destroyer of corruption;* we fall down before You, who has risen from the grave* and who alone are our God.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
You were willingly nailed to the Cross, O Compassionate one,* and laid in a tomb as a mortal, O Giver of life.* By Your death, O Powerful one,* You have smashed its might;* for gatekeepers of Hades trembled before You;* You have raised with You the dead from every age,* for You alone love mankind.
Glory… Now…
All we who with love flee for refuge to your goodness* know you to be the Mother of God* and after childbirth still truly Virgin;* for we sinners have you as our protection;* we have you as our salvation in misfortunes,* as the only All-immaculate one.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 1
The women came to Your tomb at dawn* and seeing a vision of an Angel they trembled;* the tomb became resplendent with life;* and amazed by the miracle, they returned to the disciples and proclaimed the Resurrection:* for Christ has despoiled Hades,* as alone almighty and all powerful,* raising up those in corruption,* dispelling the fear of condemnation* by the power of the Cross.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
O Life of all, You were nailed to the Cross;* O immortal Lord, You were numbered among the dead,* arising on the third day, O Saviour,* raising Adam from corruption;* wherefore the heavenly Powers cried out to You:* O Giver of life, Glory to Your sufferings, O Christ;* glory to Your Resurrection;* glory to Your condescension,* O only Lover of mankind’.
Glory… Now…
O Mary, holy tabernacle of the Master,* raise us up who have fallen into the pit of wicked despair, of transgressions and afflictions;* for you are the salvation,* the help and the mighty protection of sinners,* and you save your servants.
Polyeleos
Psalm 136
By the rivers of Babylon there we sat and wept, remembering Sion.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
For it was there that they asked us, our captors, for songs, our oppressors, for joy.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sing to us they said, one of Sion’s songs.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O how could we sing the song of the Lord on alien soil?
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O Babylon, destroyer, one is happy who repays you the ills you brought on us.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory be to You, O God!
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 1
The Thief’s repentance plundered Paradise,* but the Myrrh-bearers’ lamentations announced the joy that You have risen, O Christ God,* granting the world great mercy.
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 1
Antiphon 1
When I am afflicted,* I cry to You, O Lord,* hearken to my pains.
For those who dwell in the desert* the longing for God never ceases,* for they are far from the vanity of this world.
Glory… Now…
To the Holy Spirit, as to the Father and the Son,* are due honour and glory;* thus let us sing to the Trinity,* a single power.
Antiphon 2
Having lifted me up to the summit of Your laws,* make me shine with virtues, O God,* that I may sing Your praises.
Take me with Your right hand, O Word,* guard me and keep me,* lest the fire of sin scorch me.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit all creation is made new* and hastens back to its original condition;* for He is equal in strength* to the Father and the Word.
Antiphon 3
With those who said to me:* Let us journey to the courts of the Lord,* my Spirit was gladdened and my heart rejoices.
In the house of David is great fear;* for when the thrones are set therein,* all the tribes and nations of the earth will be judged.
Glory… Now…
To the Holy Spirit must be offered honor, adoration, glory, and power,* as befits also the Father and the Son;* for the Trinity is a Unity,* one in essence, but not in Hypostases.
Prokeimenon, Tone 1
I myself will arise, says the Lord.* I will grant them the salvation for which they thirst.
verse: The words of the Lord are words without alloy.
Let everything that lives, Tone 1
Gospel
Matthew 28:16-20
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: Your warrior hand is glorious in strength, O deathless one!* All-powerful, in manner fit for God,* it broke the enemy in pieces,* and devised for Israel a strange, new way through the deep.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He, who with pure hands divinely working in the beginning formed me from the earth, spread out those hands upon the cross, and from the earth recalled my corruptible body which he had received from the Virgin.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He, who divinely breathing into me implanted within me a soul, suffered dissolution for me, and delivered his soul to death; loosing the age-old bonds and raising me with himself, he made me glorious in incorruption.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Hail, fount of grace! Hail, ladder and gate of heaven! Hail, bearer of the light, vessel of gold,
Canon of the Theotokos
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
What hymn worthy of you can our poor weakness offer? One alone, that joyful one wherein Gabriel unfolds to us the mystery: Hail, God-bearer, virgin Mother unwedded!
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
With most pure hearts let us the faithful cry in spirit to the Ever-virgin Mother of the King of heavenly powers: Hail, God-bearer, virgin Mother unwedded !
Canon of the Pre-feast
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Having made ready our hearts as though they were arms, in purity let us all receive Christ who is coming today, and let us spiritually delight in His divine gifts.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Opening its gates beforehand today, the temple of the law gives splendid entry to the Giver and Creator of the law and prepares divine praise for Him as precious gifts.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
I hymn You, O Lord my God who became a babe in the flesh, submitted to the law and have saved man, for whose sake You became a man.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O all-pure Lady, the old temple, understanding you to be the pure dwelling-place of the Master and God of all, called forth a choir, magnifying your glory.
Canon from the Triodion
Irmos: Taking up the Song of Moses,* cry aloud O my soul:* “A helper and protector for me to salvation, has my God become,* and I glorify Him.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Jesus my God, as the Prodigal Son accept me now in repentance, for I have lived all my life in slothfulness and provoked You to anger.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The divine gifts which You once gave me, I have sinfully wasted. I have departed far from You and lived prodigally. O compassionate Father, accept me also who returns.
Glory…
Open Your fatherly embrace now and accept me also as the Prodigal Son, O most merciful One, that I may glorify You with thanksgiving.
Now…
Bestow upon me O God, the fullness of You goodness, and look not upon the multitude of my offenses, but by the holy prayers of You Mother be my Benefactor.
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: You alone, knowing the frailty of mortal man, tenderly took its form;* gird me with power from on high, crying to you:* Holy is the living temple of your pure glory,* O Lover of man!
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Good One, you are my God, in pity for the fallen you determined to come down to me; you have raised me up by your crucifixion, crying to you: Holy is the Lord of glory, in goodness beyond compare!
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Christ divinely existing life as God compassionate you clothed yourself with me, corrupted one; coming down to the dust of death, O Lord, you broke the chains of man’s mortality and on the third day, rising, clothed the dead with incorruption.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
When by the all-holy Spirit, O Virgin, you conceived God in your womb, you remained unconsumed by the fire; for to Moses the lawgiver, the bush burning yet unconsumed clearly foretold you who received the fire unendurable.
Canon of the Theotokos
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Not falsely, O Virgin, in the prophet’s words, we name you that swift cloud on which the Lord has come to break down Egypt’s idols and enlighten those who served them.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Truly, All-praised, the choir of prophets named you fountain sealed and gate shut fast, thus for us in clearest outlines tracing your virginity guarded in child-bearing.
Canon of the Pre-feast
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Those who went about in the house of God have leapt up noetically to receive Christ the King who is coming in the flesh.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Making ready beforehand precious gifts acceptable to Christ, O faithful, let us greet Him with joy today.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Now has the tabernacle passed on and truth come forth as grace arrived! Take Christ up now, O Symeon.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The proclamation in shadows and descriptive images hath now ceased; for Truth, O pure one, has been manifested through you to the ends of the earth.
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Utterly beside myself, I have clung insanely to the sins suggested to me by the passions. But accept me, O Christ, as the Prodigal.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
With the voice of the Prodigal I cry aloud: I have sinned, O Father; and like him, receive me now in Your embrace and reject me not.
Glory…
Open Your arms, O Christ, and mercifully receive me as I return from the distant land of sin and the passions.
Now…
O fair among women, enrich me with the vision of good things, I who have brought myself to poverty by my many sins, O pure One, that I may glorify 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 6
He who is the invisible Word of the Father* has become visible in the flesh.* He who was born in a mysterious manner from a virgin* is laid in the arms of a blessed old man.* Let us bow to Him, our true God.
Ikos
A sacred banquet is set forth! Today the assembly of those who love the feasts of the Church, bearing tokens of the forefeast, sing to our true God the praises of the forefeast, hymning the awesome nativity from the Virgin of the forty-day old Lord, the embrace of the honourable elder and the memory of the honoured martyr.
Sessional Hymns, Tone 1
Make haste to open to me Your fatherly embrace,* for I have wasted my life in prodigal living.* In the unfailing wealth of Your compassion, O Saviour,* turn not away from my heart in its poverty,* for with compunction I cry to You, O Lord:* “O Father, I have sinned against heaven* and before You.”
Tone 4, Glory… Now…
O eternal Treasure of the life of all,* who of old inscribed the law on tablets on Mount Sinai,* and who for my sake has become a babe,* that You may release all from bondage to the ancient law:* Glory to Your compassion, O Saviour!* Glory to Your condescension!* Glory to Your dispensation,* O You who alone love mankind!
Ode 4
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: Habbakuk with the foreseeing eyes apprehended you,* the mountain by divine grace overshadowed,* and proclaimed the Holy One of Israel to come forth from you* for our salvation and remaking.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Who is this Saviour that comes from Edom, crowned with thorns, with garments reddened, hanging on a tree? He is the Holy One of Israel for our salvation and remaking.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
See, disobedient people, and be ashamed! He, whom you, as an evildoer, madly begged Pilate to hang upon the cross, he, as belongs to God, has dissolved the power of death and risen from the tomb.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin, we know you as a tree of life, for there sprang from you not the death-bearing fruit of food for mortal men but fruition of life eternal for the salvation of us who sing to you.
Canon of the Theotokos
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Hear the wonder, O heavens, take note of it, earth, for the daughter of earth, of the fallen Adam, bears the name of Mother to her own Creator and God for our salvation and remaking.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
All-praised, we hymn the great and terrible mystery which is yours: keeping it hidden from the ranks of the armies beyond the world, he, who is, came down upon you as dew on the fleece for our salvation and remaking.
Canon of the Pre-feast
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
He who is borne up on a radiant cloud, corporeally, as the Sun of righteousness, giveth forth His divine rays today and illumines His temple beforehand.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Today the Church offers laudation of the forefeast to Christ the Master beforehand, splendidly makes ready to receive Him as its Bridegroom, and rejoices with Symeon.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The ranks of angels are stricken with awe, beholding in the elder’s arms Him who with the Father and the Spirit is praised as the Son and our God.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O all-glorious Theotokos, the tabernacle of the law, desiring to receive you, the tabernacle bearing the Lord of the law in your arms, was made radiant by your grace.
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The wealth of blessings which You gave me, O heavenly Father, I have wickedly wasted and become a slave of foreign strangers. Therefore, I cry to You: I have sinned against You; receive me as of old You received the Prodigal, and open Your arms to me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have become enslaved to every evil and in my wretchedness I have bowed down before those who provoke the passions; through heedlessness I care not for my well-being, have compassion on me O Saviour, heavenly Father, for I flee for refuge to Your abundant compassions.
Glory…
I am filled with every shameful thing and dare not look up at the height of heaven, for I have bowed down to sin. But now I return and cry with compunction: I have sinned against You; receive me, O King of all.
Now…
You are the help of all mankind, the sure hope of all Christians, the refuge, O pure one, of the saved. Save me by your maternal intercessions and deem me worthy of the life to come.
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: O Christ, you have illumined the ends of the earth* by the brightness of your coming and made them radiant with joy by your cross;* enlighten with the light of the knowledge of you* the hearts of those who with right belief sing your praise.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The Jews put to death on the tree of the cross the great shepherd of the sheep and the Lord; but he rescued the dead from the power of death, terrified sheep in Hell.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
When you announced the glad tidings of peace by your cross and proclaimed deliverance to the captives, my Saviour, then, O Christ, you put to shame him who held them in thrall and by your divine rising showed him naked and destitute.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
All-praised, do not despise the prayers of those who faithfully entreat you but receive and present them, O pure one, to your Son, our God and only benefactor; for in you we have gained a protector.
Canon of the Theotokos
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
At sight of you the powers of heaven make merry and are glad and the ranks of mortal men rejoice with them for by your child-bearing, O Virgin Mother of God, both are joined together. Most fittingly, then, we give you glory.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Let every voice and mind of man be roused to life in praise of man’s true boast. The Virgin, in truth here present with us, renders glorious the faithful ones who sing her marvels.
Canon of the Pre-feast
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Church, desiring to receive You in the flesh, O Lord, has gloriously been enlightened by the divine and ineffable radiance of Your divinity.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O Lord, vouchsafe that those who praise Your dispensation may receive You with spiritual hands; and accept us who hymn You with faith, in that You love mankind.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O Lord, vouchsafe that we who receive with joyous soul You who desires to come in the flesh for our sake, may give thanks to You with Symeon.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Delivered for your sake from the worship of the temple, O pure one, we glorify you with true understanding and steadfast faith, as is meet.
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have been enslaved to foreign strangers, exiled in the land of corruption, and I am filled with shame. But returning now, O merciful One, I cry to You: “I have sinned.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O heavenly Father, in Your fatherly compassion accept me now, returning from wickedness, and reject me not in Your exceedingly great mercy.
Glory…
I am incapable of looking up to the height of heaven, having angered You beyond measure, O Christ, but knowing Your merciful compassion, I cry: I have sinned against You, be merciful to me and save me.
Now…
O all-holy Virgin, full of grace, you who bore the redeemer of all, by your prayers lighten the heavy burden of my sins.
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: The deepest abyss has surrounded us, there is none to deliver,* we are counted as sheep for the slaughter;* save your people, our God,* for you are the strength and restoring of the weak.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
By the fault of the first-fashioned man, O Lord, we were grievously wounded; by your stripes, O Christ, by which for our sakes you were wounded, we are healed; for you are the strength and restoring of the weak.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You have brought us up from Hell, O Lord, you have crushed the all-devouring whale by your might and laid low his strength, O All-powerful; for you are life and light and resurrection.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O pure Virgin, our forefathers rejoice in you, and regain through you that Eden which they destroyed by transgressions; for you are chaste before your bearing and after the birth.
Canon of the Theotokos
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
As slaves standing by are the heavenly ranks, fittingly struck with amazement, at your seedless bearing, O Ever-virgin. For you are pure before and after the birth.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Before time without flesh, Maker of all, the Word, the Almighty, whose will alone brought to being from nothing the orders of all things incorporeal, has now, O All-pure One, been made flesh from you.
Canon of the Pre-feast
Irmos: I shall sacrifice to You with the voice of praise, O Lord,* the Church cries out to You,* having been cleansed of the blood of demons* by the Blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Your side.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Weaving hymns like flowers today, let us with faith prepare a divine wreath of thanksgiving for the Master who shall come noetically.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Let us prepare the arms of our soul for God, like Symeon the elder, and with gladness let us receive Him who comes to the temple of His divine glory.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Receiving the Creator of the ages as a babe, the elder understood Him to be the pre-eternal God, the Light of the nations, the Christ, the glory of Israel.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The prophets, writing of you in godly manner with the pen of the Spirit, O Virgin, described you as a temple, the tabernacle, the divine home of the Master of all; and in you were they adorned.
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The depth of sin now holds me fast, and the tempest of transgressions overwhelms me. Guide me to the safe haven of life, O Christ my God, and save me, O King of glory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have wasted in riotous living the riches which the Father has given me, and am now filled with shame and enslaved to fruitless thoughts. Therefore I cry to You: “O Lover of mankind be compassionate to me and save me.”
Glory…
In hunger I find myself deprived of every blessing, and exiled from You, O all-good one, be compassionate to me who now return to You, and save me, O Christ, who praises Your love for mankind.
Now…
O Maiden who conceived Christ the Saviour and Master, make me, who in poverty lacks all that is good, worthy of salvation, O pure one, that I may praise your majesty.
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
Foolishly have I fled from Your glory, O Father,* wasting the wealth You gave me on vices.* Therefore, I offer You the words of the Prodigal:* Loving Father, I have sinned before You.* Take me, for I repent, and make me as one of Your hired hands.
Ikos
Every day our Saviour teaches us with His own voice: let us therefore hearken to the Scriptures concerning the Prodigal who once again became wise, and with faith let us emulate the good example of his repentance. With humbleness of heart let us cry out to Him Who knows the hidden things of all: “We have sinned against You, O compassionate Father, and can never be worthy to be called Your children as we were before. But since You are by nature the Lover of mankind, accept me and make me as one of Your hired servants.”
Synaxarion Reading
Verse: If anyone be a prodigal as I, take courage and turn back;
Verse: For the gates of God’s mercies are opened to all.
On this day we celebrate the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, dedicated as the second service of the Triodion by the divine Fathers for the following reason. There are some who recognize much in themselves that is unbecoming, who live a life of great dissipation from their youth, whose lives are full of drunkenness and immorality, who having fallen thus into the depths of evil, become despondent, giving birth to pride, from whence they have no desire to advance to any of the virtues, preferring their bondage to evil and falling ever deeper into evil. Having a fatherly love for even these individuals, and desiring to lead them out of their despair, the Holy Fathers prescribed this parable for the second preparatory Sunday in order to tear up the passion of despair by the roots, to lead them to acceptance of the virtues, and to demonstrate to sinners the abundance of God’s compassion upon sinners and prodigals in His great goodness and love for mankind. For there is no sin which cannot be overcome by the knowledge of His love for mankind, and this is what is presented in this parable of Christ. Now the sons of man, that is of the Word, God and Man, are two: the righteous and the sinful. It is the eldest who abides ever in God’s blessings, following His commandments and remaining always by Him. But the younger son, having become attached to sin and renouncing his closeness to God through shameful deeds, has wasted God’s love for mankind and for him and has lived as a prodigal. For having completely rejected Him after whose image he was created, and having followed an evil demon, willingly enslaving himself to this demon’s pleasure, he was unable to fulfil his desire. For sin is an unsatisfying thing that becomes an habitual source of temporary pleasure. It may be compared to the husks that are fed to swine. At first it seems that they might be something tasty, but they turn out to be very dry and are much like weeds, which is how sin takes possession. For the Prodigal Son had hardly come to his senses when, perishing from hunger for virtue, he comes to his father, saying, “Father, I have sinned before heaven and before thee, and I am not worthy to be called thy son.” Yet the father receives him in repentance, not reproaching him, but embracing him and kissing him in a display of divine and fatherly love. And he clothes him, a symbol of baptism, putting a ring on his finger, a symbol of the grace of the most holy Spirit. He also puts sandals on his feet, not so much as a protection from some serpent or scorpion that might sting him on his path to God, but rather as a means of crushing the heads of those creatures. And then in a tremendous display of joy he slaughters the fatted calf for him, his only-begotten Son, and the Father grants him communion of his body and blood. Now the elder son expresses his amazement at his father’s limitless mercy. But the lover of mankind exhorts him to silence with loving and kind words of humility, saying, “Thou art ever with me, and it was meet that we should make merry and be glad, for my son was formerly dead in his sin and is alive again, having repented of the foolish things he has done. He was lost, since he was far from me in his licentious habits, and he was found by me, suffering in my compassion and calling him back in my mercy.” This parable may be applied to us as well, which is why the holy Fathers have prescribed it for today. We who have sinned as the prodigal are encouraged to weed out despair and fear through repentance, confession and good deeds. For this is a great aid and a powerful weapon against the assaults of the adversary.
In Your ineffable love for mankind, O Christ our God, have mercy upon us. Amen.
Ode 7
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: We, the faithful, discern you, Mother of God, as furnace of intellect:* for as he, the most highly exalted, kept safe the three children* so in your womb he re-fashioned man wholly,* God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The earth shuddered with fear, the sun fled and with it the light darkened, the sacred veil of the temple was torn in two and the rocks were split; for the righteous one was fixed to the cross, God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Of your own will for us you became as one with no help and wounded among the dead, O most highly exalted, and freed us all; and with your strong hand you raised us up with yourself, God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Hail, spring of ever-living water! Hail, paradise of delight! Hail, fortress of the faithful! Hail, unwedded one! Hail, joy of all the world from whom has sprung for us the God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all!
Canon of the Theotokos
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Jacob in prophecy discerned you the ladder, Mother of God, for through you the most highly exalted graciously willed to be seen upon earth and to live amongst men, God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Hail, most revered, from you came forth the Shepherd truly clothed in Adam’s fleece! The most highly exalted in his incomprehensible tender compassion is clothed with my whole humanity, God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.
Canon of the Pre-feast
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Church, adorned with noetic radiance and the love of the Master and Creator of all, makes ready to receive Him and weaves for Him joyous ascents.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
In obedience to the law, the Mother bears in her arms her only-begotten Son in the flesh, who is the Word who abides in the Father’s bosom, and she carries Him as a babe.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
God who made His abode in the womb of the Virgin today sits in the arms of Symeon as on a throne of fire.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
All the nations have seen your glory, O only pure one; therefore, they piously bless you as the Queen of all creation and unceasingly glorify you as the Mother of God in manner transcending nature.
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have bowed down miserably to the pleasures of the flesh and have become wholly enslaved to those who incite the passions; and I have become a stranger to You, O Lover of mankind. But now I cry with the voice of the Prodigal: “I have sinned, O Christ, despise me not, for You alone are merciful.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I call out, “I have sinned,” and I dare not look up at the height of heaven, O King of all; for foolishly I alone have angered You, turning away from Your commandments. Therefore, since You alone are good, cast me not away from Your presence.
Glory…
By the prayers of the apostles, the prophets, the saints, the holy martyrs and the righteous, forgive me all the transgressions, by which I have angered Your compassionate goodness, that I may hymn You throughout all ages.
Now…
O Theotokos, you are more glorious than the cherubim and seraphim and all the heavenly hosts. With them, O all-immaculate one, entreat Him Who took flesh from you, the divine Word of the beginningless Father, that we all may be found worthy of eternal blessings.
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: In the fiery oven as in a smelting furnace* the Israelite children shone bright with the beauty of godliness purer than gold,* and they said: Bless the Lord, all his works,* praise and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Word of God, maker and transformer of all by your will, changing the shadow of death into everlasting life by your Passion, we, all your works, unceasingly praise you as Lord, and highly exalt you throughout all the age ·.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Rising on the third day from the grave, O Christ, you demolished the destruction and misery within the gates and strongholds of Hell. All your works unceasingly praise you as Lord, and highly exalt you throughout all the ages.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Let us sing to her who without seed and above nature brought forth Christ the precious pearl from the divine lightning, and let us say: Bless the Lord, all his works, praise and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Canon of the Theotokos
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Bridal chamber in radiant light from whom came forth the bridegroom Christ, the Lord of all, let us all sing to you and cry: All you his works, praise the Lord. and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Hail, glorious throne of God! Hail, of believers the wall through which Christ the light shone out on those in darkness! On those who call you blessed and cry : All you his works, praise the Lord and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Canon of the Pre-feast
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Stretching forth his hands, and cleansing his soul with divine activity, Symeon received the Lord who had become an infant in His goodness; and he cried out to Him with gladness: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The light of the grace of Christ hath shone upon us, desiring to be brought into His temple; and as Restorer He transforms all the shadowy images for those who cry out in truth: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord, the pre-eternal God whose good pleasure it has been to become a babe for our sake and to be received by the arms of the elder Symeon!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Christ, who is all-pure and all-immaculate, and who in His surpassing goodness became a man through you, O all-pure one, for our sake offers to the Father today acceptable purification, preserving you, the most pure one, alone as all-holy.
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O You Who came down to earth to save the world through Your voluntary self-emptying and Who, for the sake of Your great compassion, has redeemed me who am lacking in all good works, since You are merciful, save me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have departed far from Your commandments and, wretch that I am, have wholly enslaved myself to the deceiver. But having now turned back, as did the Prodigal of old, accept me as I fall down before You, O heavenly Father.
Let us bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord!
Ruled by corrupting thoughts, I am full of darkness and separated far from You, and have lost all care for myself, O compassionate One. Therefore, save me as I fall down before You in repentance.
Now…
O pure Birthgiver of God, the only restoration of the fallen, raise me up who am wholly crushed and humbled by every kind of sin.
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.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: The bush ever burning and never consumed* was the type of your pure child-bearing;* quench now for us the raging furnace of temptations, we pray you,* that we may unceasingly magnify you, Mother of God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O how the lawless and disobedient people, devising evil, made right the accursed and ungodly man and condemned the righteous, the Lord of glory, to the tree! Worthily, we magnify him!
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Saviour, innocent Lamb, taking away the sins of the world, risen on the third day, we glorify you, together with the Father and your divine Spirit; acknowledging you as God, we magnify you, the Lord of glory.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Save your people, Lord, whom you purchased with your precious blood. Grant strength to the king against his enemies, Lover of man, and bestow peace on your churches through the prayers of the Mother of God.
Canon of the Theotokos
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin, fulfilling prophecy you blossomed from David’s Godparental root. And you truly glorified David since you bore the one whom prophecy foretold, the Lord of glory; most worthily we magnify him.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Mother of God, all pure, every law of praise is defeated by the greatness of your glory; yet, O Lady, graciously accept from these unworthy ones who seek your help the song they bring to you in loving goodwill.
Canon of the Pre-feast
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O Benefactor, vouchsafe that, like Symeon of old, I may receive You in the hands of my soul and delight in Your grace; for You alone are the desire and sweetness for which I most yearn.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Having noetically lighted all the lamps of the virtues, with love let us lamp-bearers go forth with Symeon and Anna to meet Christ who will come to sanctify those who hymn Him.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
In the temple the elder Symeon received Christ our God in his arms and cried aloud, saying: “Now You may let Your servant depart, O Master”
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Word of the Most High, who transcends all that exists, received flesh of you; and in that He is pure He offers purification to the unoriginate Father and cleanses those who magnify you, the Mother of God, with love.
Canon from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Behold, O Christ, the affliction of my heart; behold my turning back; behold my tears, O Saviour, and despise me not. But for the sake of Your compassion embrace me also once again, that, with the multitude of the saved, I may with thanksgiving sing the praises of Your mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Like the thief I cry to You, “Remember me.” And like the Publican, with eyes cast down to earth, I beat my breast saying, “Be merciful.” Like the Prodigal O compassionate One, deliver me from every evil, O King of all, that I may sing the praises of Your boundless compassion.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Groan now, O my wretched soul, and cry aloud to Christ: “O Lord Who for my sake voluntarily became poor, in my poverty I lack every good work: enrich me with the abundance of Your blessings, for You alone good and plenteous in mercy.”
Glory…
As You, O Good One, once rejoiced at the voluntary return of the Prodigal: also rejoice over me, wretched as I am, and open to me Your honourable embrace, that saved I may sing the praises of Your boundless compassion.
Now…
By your light-giving intercessions, I pray you, O Virgin, enlighten the eyes of my mind darkened by evil and lead me into the paths of repentance, that I may rightly sing your praises: for you have inexpressibly given birth to the Word in the flesh.
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
O faithful, let us gather with the disciples on the mountain in Galilee* to behold Christ as He says to them:* I have received all power over all things on high and those below.* Let us learn how He taught them to baptize all nations* in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,* and how He promised His disciples* to be present with them to the end of the world.
Glory…
I have wasted, and in my wretchedness spent, all the riches* which You have given me, O Saviour,* and having lived prodigally, I have been deceived by the demons.* Therefore, turn me back, and accept me as the Prodigal,* O compassionate Father, and save me.
Now…
When the most immaculate Maiden bore her Babe into the sanctuary to fulfil the law, the righteous Symeon received Him in his arms and said to the Virgin: “This Child is set for the fall and rising again of many, and for a sign in the world!”
Praises
Stichera of the Praises
Tone 1
We sing the praise of Your saving Passion, O Christ,* and we glorify Your Resurrection.
Having endured the Cross,* and destroyed death* and risen from the dead,* grant peace to our lives, O Lord,* as You alone are All-powerful.
Having despoiled Hades* and raised mankind by Thy Resurrection, O Christ, ** grant that with pure hearts we may praise and glorify Thee.
As we glorify Your divine condescension,* we praise You, O Christ:* For You were born of a Virgin,* yet You were not separated from the Father;* as man You suffered and willingly endured the Cross;* arising from the grave, as though coming forth from Your bridal chamber,* that You might save the world.* O Lord, glory be to You!
When You were nailed to the Tree of the Cross,* then the might of the enemy was slain;* creation shook in fear of You,* and Hades was despoiled by Your might.* You raised the dead from their tombs* and opened Paradise to the Thief.* O Christ our God, glory be to You!
Tone 2
I bring to You, O Lord, the cry of the Prodigal:* “I have sinned in Your sight, O good One;* I have wasted the riches of Your gifts.* But receive me who repent, O Saviour, and save me.
Tone 4
Like the Prodigal Son I come to You, O compassionate One.* I have wasted my whole life in exile;* I have scattered the wealth which You have given me, O Father.* Receive me who repent, O God,* and have mercy on me.
Tone 8
Having lived prodigally, I have wasted the riches which the Father has given me;* having spent them all I am now destitute,* and dwell in the land of the wicked.* I can no longer bear to live among them,* but turning back I cry to You:* “O merciful Father, I have sinned against heaven and before You,* and I am no more worthy to be called Your son:* make me as one of Your hired servants, O God, and have mercy on me.”
Tone 6, Glory…
O Good One, I have departed far from You,* but forsake me not, neither reject me from Your Kingdom.* The evil enemy has stripped me and taken all of my wealth;* I have squandered, like the Prodigal, the good gifts given to my soul.* But now I have arisen and returned, and to You I cry aloud:* “Make me as one of Your hired servants.* For, for my sake on the Cross You stretched out Your sinless hands,* to snatch me from the evil beast* and to clothe me once again in my first raiment,* for You alone are plenteous in 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
Today salvation has come to the world.* Let us sing to Him who is risen from the tomb,* the Author of Life who has crushed Death by his death* and bestowed on us victory and great mercy.
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 1: Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans,* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day,* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan,* O only Lover of mankind.
Troparion: Tone 1: The heavenly choir of angels* has come down to the earth* to behold the First-born of creation* born from an unwedded Mother* brought to the Temple as an Infant,* as the angels join us in our expectant song.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 3: Foolishly have I fled from Your glory, O Father,* wasting the wealth You gave me on vices.* Therefore, I offer You the words of the Prodigal:* Loving Father, I have sinned before You.* Take me, for I repent, and make me as one of Your hired hands.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 6: The Word invisible with the Father is now beheld in the flesh.* He is born ineffably of the Virgin* and given to the high priest on the arms of the elder.* Let us worship Him as our true God!
Prokeimenon, Tone 1
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in You.
verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O you just; praise befits the righteous. (Psalm 32:22,1)
Epistle
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: God gives me vindication, and has subdued peoples under me.
verse: Making great the salvation of the king, and showing mercy to His anointed, to David, and to His posterity forever. (Psalm 17:48,51)
Gospel
Luke 15:11-32
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.