Resurrectional Gospel 3.
GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man… is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 3
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
By Your cross, O Christ our Saviour,* the power of Death has been vanquished* and the deceit of the devil has been destroyed.* Therefore, mankind, saved by faith,* offers You hymns of praise forever.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Lord, all creation has been enlightened by Your resurrection,* and paradise has been reopened;* therefore, all creation extols You* and offers You hymns of praise forever.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
I glorify the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;* and I praise the dominion of the undivided Divinity,* the consubstantial Trinity,* who reigns forever and ever.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
We adore Your precious cross, O Christ,* and with hymns of praise we glorify Your resurrection;* for by Your wounds we have all been healed.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Let us sing the praises of the Saviour,* who was incarnate of the Virgin;* for He was crucified for our sake,* and on the third day He arose from the dead,* granting us His great mercy.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Christ descended into Hades and announced to those confined there:* Take courage, for today I have conquered death.* I am the Resurrection, the One who will set you free.* I shattered the gates of the realm of death.
Tone 6
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The Lord my Creator took me as dust from the earth* and formed me into a living creature* breathing into me the breath of life and giving me a soul;* He honoured me,* setting me as a ruler upon the earth over all things visible,* and making me a companion of the angels.* But Satan the deceiver,* using the serpent as his instrument,* enticed me by food;* he parted me from the glory of God* and gave me over to the earth* and to the lowest depths of death.* But, O Master, in compassion, call me back again.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
In my wretchedness I have cast off the robe woven by God,* disobeying Your divine command, O Lord, at the counsel of the enemy;* and I am clothed now in fig leaves and in garments of skin.* I am condemned to eat the bread of toil in the sweat of my brow,* and the earth has been cursed so that it bears thorns and thistles for me.* But, Lord, who in the last times was made flesh of a Virgin, call me back again* and bring me into Paradise.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O precious Paradise, unsurpassed in beauty,* tabernacle built by God, unending gladness and delight,* glory of the righteous, joy of the prophets and dwelling of the saints,* with the sound of your leaves* pray to the Maker of all:* may He open to me the gates which I closed by my transgression,* and may He count me worthy* to partake of the Tree of Life* and of the joy that was mine* when I dwelt in you before.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Adam was banished from Paradise through disobedience and cast out from delight,* beguiled by the words of a woman.* Naked he sat outside the garden, lamenting, “Woe is me!”* Therefore let us all make haste to accept the season of the Fast* and hearken to the teaching of the Gospel,* that we may gain Christ’s mercy* and receive once more a dwelling-place in Paradise.
Glory…
Adam sat before Paradise and lamenting his nakedness,* he wept: “Woe is me!* By evil deceit was I persuaded and led astray,* and now I am an exile from glory.* Woe is me!* In my simplicity I was stripped naked,* and now I am in want.* O Paradise, no more shall I take pleasure in your joy;* for I shall return to the earth from whence I was taken.* O merciful and compassionate Lord,* to You I cry aloud: I am fallen, have mercy on me.”
Tone 3, Now…
O Lady most honourable,* how could we but be rapt in wonder* at your giving birth to the Incarnate God* who, without a mother, was born of a Father before all ages?* You gave Him birth in the flesh without a father,* without a man’s instrumentality.* He is God and man whose two natures are intact,* neither one losing any of its properties.* Therefore, O Virgin Mother,* intercede with Him to save the souls* of those who believe and profess in true faith* that you are the Mother of God.
Aposticha
Tone 3
O Christ, who darkened the sun by Your passion* and enlightened all creation by Your resurrection,* accept our evening prayer; for You love mankind.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
O Lord, Your life-giving resurrection has enlightened the entire universe* and has revived Your creation which lay in corruption.* Therefore, we, who have been released from the curse of Adam, cry out to You:* Almighty Lord, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O God, although in Your divine nature You are unchangeable,* yet in Your human nature You underwent change by suffering in the flesh.* All creation was prostrate with fear* when it saw You hanging on the cross,* and it groaned in sorrow as it sang the praises of Your long-suffering.* But You descended into Hades and arose on the third day,* granting life and great mercy to the world.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
You suffered death, O Christ, to deliver mankind from death.* And when You arose from the dead on the third day,* You enlightened the world* and resurrected all who acknowledge You as God.
Tone 6, Glory…
Adam was cast out of Paradise through eating from the tree.* Seated before the gates he wept,* lamenting with a pitiful voice and saying:* “Woe is me,* what have I suffered in my misery!* I transgressed one commandment of the Master,* and now I am deprived of every blessing.* O most holy Paradise, planted for my sake and shut because of Eve,* pray to Him that made you and fashioned me,* that once more I may take pleasure in your flowers.”* Then the Saviour said to him:* “I desire not the loss of the creature which I fashioned,* but that he should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth;* and when he comes to me I will not cast him out.”
Now…
Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,* came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.* He clothed Himself in our human flesh* to set us free from the original curse of Adam.* Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,* as the true Virgin Mother of God,* and we sing with the angels:* Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.
Troparia
Tone 3
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.
Glory… Now…
We sing your praises, O Virgin;* for, as the Mother of God, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from you that our God and Your Son took flesh. * Then, by suffering the passion on the Cross,* and out of love for mankind, He delivered us from corruption.
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 3
Troparia, Tone 3
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world. (2)
Glory… Now…
We sing your praises, O Virgin;* for, as the Mother of God, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from you that our God and Your Son took flesh. * Then, by suffering the passion on the Cross,* and out of love for mankind, He delivered us from corruption.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 3
Christ has arisen from the dead, the first fruits of those that sleep.* The First-born of creation and Creator of all that has come to be,* has renewed in Himself the corrupted nature of our race.* Death, no longer is your lord,* for the Master of all things has destroyed your dominion.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
Having tasted death in the flesh, O Lord,* You have blotted out the bitterness of death by Your arising* strengthening mankind against it, and announcing the abolition of the ancient curse.* Defender of our lives, O Lord, glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
Awed by the beauty of your virginity* and the exceeding radiance of your purity,* Gabriel called out to you, O Theotokos:* What worthy hymn of praise can I offer to you?* And what shall I name you?* I am in doubt and stand in awe.* Wherefore as commanded, I cry to you:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 3
Awed by Your immutable Godhead* and by Your voluntary passion, O Lord,* Hades lamented: I tremble at Your body’s essence, which remains incorrupt.* I behold You, the One who is invisible, mystically making war against me;* wherefore those whom I hold cry out:* ‘Glory, O Christ, to Your Resurrection!’
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
We the faithful contemplate an ineffable mystery:* Your incomprehensible Crucifixion and Your inexplicable Arising.* For today Death and Hades have been despoiled,* but mankind has been clothed in incorruption.* Wherefore with thanksgiving we cry aloud to You:* Glory, O Christ, to Your Resurrection!
Glory… Now…
Mystically did you contain in your womb* the Incomprehensible and Uncircumscribed One,* consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit;* and we acknowledge in your Offspring one unconfused energy of the Trinity Who is glorified in the world.* And so with thanksgiving we cry to you, ** ‘Rejoice, O full of grace!’
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 3
A Cause of amazement by his appearance,* and source of refreshment by his speech,* the radiant Angel spoke to the myrrh-bearing women saying:* Why do you seek the living in a grave?* He has arisen, emptying the graves.* Know that the unchangeable One has changed corruption.* Wherefore cry to God saying,* ‘How fearful are Your works!* For You have saved mankind.’
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 3
Antiphon 1
You, O Word, delivered the captivity of Sion from Babylon,* Deliver me also* from the passions to life.
Those who sow in the South* with tears inspired by God,* shall in joy reap sheaves of everlasting life.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit,* together with the Father and the Son* shines forth the reflection of every good gift,* In Him all things live and have their being.
Antiphon 2
Except the Lord build the house of the virtues,* in vain do we labour.* While He protects our soul no one lays waste our city.
The Saints, O Christ, fruits of the womb,* are by the Spirit, always sons to You,* as You are to the Father.
Glory… Now…
The Holy Spirit is the inspiration of all that is holy and wise;* for He quickens every creature.* Let us worship Him* together with the Father and the Son, for He is God.
Antiphon 3
Those who fear the Lord are blessed* as they walk along the paths of His commandments;* for they partake of the life-giving fruit.
Be glad, Chief Shepherd,* beholding Your offspring around Your table* bearing the branches of good works.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit is a superabundance of glory;* for from Him proceeds forth grace and life* into all creation;* wherefore He is praised together with the Father and the Word.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Proclaim to the nations: God is king. The world He made firm in its place.
verse: O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth.
Let everything that lives, Tone 3
Gospel
Mark 16:9-20
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
After 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, Tone 3
Ode 1
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: In time past by his divine command he gathered the waters into one heap* and divided the sea for the people of Israel:* this is our God, he is glorious,* to him alone we sing, for he is glorified.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He condemned the earth to bring forth thorns, fruit of the transgressor’s sweat; he received in the flesh a crown of thorns from the hands of lawless men : this is our God, he has done away with the curse, he is glorified.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He whom death smote is declared the conqueror who won the victory over death; for taking living flesh subject to suffering, he wrestled with the tyrant and raised up all with himself: he is our God, he is glorified.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
All nations glorify you, true Mother of God, who seedlessly bore your child; for he, our God, stole down into your hallowed womb and, invested with our being, God and man was born of you.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin, every kind fittingly bends the knee to him who took flesh from you: heavenly things together with things on earth and those beneath the earth, for he is glorified.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
What of the transactions, O Maid, which took place in you! He, who is God, source of all good, giver without envy of the divine Spirit to us, took flesh from you: he is glorified.
from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Come, O wretched soul, and weep today over your acts, remembering how once you were stripped naked in Eden and cast out from delight and unending joy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Come, O wretched soul, and weep today over your acts, remembering how once you were stripped naked in Eden and cast out from delight and unending joy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
In Your abundant compassion and mercy, O Fashioner of creation and Maker of all, You have taken me from the dust and given me life, commanding me to sing Your praises with Your angels.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
For the sake of the wealth of Your goodness, O Creator and Lord, You planted the sweetness of Paradise in Eden, bidding me to take delight of the fair and pleasing, and never-ending fruits therein.
Glory…
Woe to you, O my wretched soul! You have received authority from God to take your pleasure in the joys of Eden, but He commanded you to not eat the fruit of knowledge. Why then have you transgressed the law of God?
Now…
O Virgin Birthgiver of God, as a daughter of Adam by birth, and a Parent of Christ God by grace, call me who am banished from Eden.
Katavasia: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land,* on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned,* they cried: Let us sing to God* a song of victory.
Ode 3
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: Almighty Lord,* you brought all things from nothing into being,* created by the Word, perfected by the Spirit.* Make me firm in your love.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The ungodly man was brought to shame by your cross; he dug a pit and opened it up and fell into it himself; the horn of the lowly, O Christ, is lifted up in your resurrection.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The proclamation of righteousness to the nations as water has covered the seas, O Lover of man, for you have risen from the grave and revealed the splendour of the Trinity.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Glorious things are spoken of you, the living city of the King who reigns for ever. For through you, O Lady, God dwelt among those on earth.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
The rod from Jesse’s root had budded, as foretold, from the Virgin rose the flower for us, you, O Christ. Holy are you, O Lord .
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
You were born of the Virgin that you might make the sons of earth partakers of the divine, taking our flesh you came to poverty. Holy are you, O Lord.
from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The crafty serpent long ago envied my honour and whispered deceit into Eve’s ear. Woe is me! for by her I was led astray and banished from the banquet of life.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The crafty serpent long ago envied my honour and whispered deceit into Eve’s ear. Woe is me! for by her I was led astray and banished from the banquet of life.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Foolishly I stretched out my hand and tasted of the tree of knowledge, from which God has commanded me to in no-wise eat; and I was bitterly cast out from divine glory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Foolishly I stretched out my hand and tasted of the tree of knowledge, from which God has commanded me to in no-wise eat; and I was bitterly cast out from divine glory.
Glory…
Woe to you, O my wretched soul! How have you not recognized the deception of the enemy? How have not perceived his deceit and envy? For you are now darkened in mind having transgressed the commandments of your Creator.
Now…
Thou are my hope and protection, O pure One, for by your childbearing you alone have covered the ancient fall of Adam, clothing me once again with incorruption.
Katavasia: There is none as holy as You, O Lord my God,* who has exalted the horn of the faithful, O good One,* and strengthened us upon the rock* of Your confession.
Sessional Hymns, Tone 4
Adam was cast out from the delight of Paradise:* eating the bitter food and lacking self-constraint,* keeping not the Master’s commandment,* and was thereby condemned to work the earth from which he had himself been taken,* eating his bread in toil.* Wherefore, let us love abstinence,* that we not weep as he did outside the gates of Paradise,* but by it may we enter therein.
Glory…
The season of the virtues has now appeared,* and the judge is at the door.* Let us not be of a sullen countenance,* let us keep the Fast, offering tears, contrition, and almsgiving;* and let us cry aloud:* We have sinned more than there are grains of sand in the sea;* but, O Redeemer of mankind, *forgive each of us, that we may receive a crown of incorruption.
Now…
We shall never, O Theotokos, keep silent* nor cease, unworthy though we be, to praise your power.* For had we not the protection of your intercessions,* who would have delivered us from so many dangers?* Who would have preserved us free till now?* We shall never forsake you, O Lady,* for you always save your servants from every misfortune.
Ode 4
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: A mighty love you have shown to us, O Lord,* for you have given over to death for us your only-begotten Son;* therefore we thank you and cry to you:* Glory to your power, O Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Scars and bruises compassionately bearing, insult of blows enduring, long-patient under the spitting, O Christ; through these you have wrought my salvation. Glory to your power, O Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Life in mortal body, you conversed with deatiaor the sake of the misery of the poor and the sighing of the needy; and. destroying the destroyer, O glorified One, you raised up all with yourself, only Lover of man.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Remember, O Christ, your flock won by your Passion: visit the afflicted, accept the compassionate prayers of your Mother glorified and save it, O Lord, by your power.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
You, O Lord, who weighed out the mountains in the scales of divine knowledge, have been hewn from the Virgin, the stone uncut by human hands. Glory to your power, O Lover of man.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
With most drastic remedy you have healed our sick nature, O Lord, in the Virgin, for in her you compounded the healing medicine, your pure divinity, O Word.
from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I, the wretched one, was deemed worthy of honour from You O Master in Eden. But alas! I have been deceived by the envy of the devil and cast out from before Your face!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I, the wretched one, was deemed worthy of honour from You O Master in Eden. But alas! I have been deceived by the envy of the devil and cast out from before Your face!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Weep for me, O you ranks of angels, beauty of Paradise and glory of the garden: for in my misery I have been led astray and rebelled against God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O blessed meadow, gardens planted by God, sweetness of Paradise: let your leaves, like eyes, shed tears on my behalf, for I am naked and a stranger to God’s glory.
Glory…
No longer do I see you, nor delight in your splendour and divine radiance, O precious Paradise. For having angered my Creator, I am naked and have been driven out into the world.
Now…
O most holy Lady, open to all the faithful the gates of paradise, as once they were shut by the transgression of Adam, and open to me the gates of your mercy.
Katavasia: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord,* the holy Church divinely sings,* crying with a pure mind,* keeping festival in the Lord.
Ode 5
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: Early I wake to you the Creator of all* and the peace which passes all understanding:* guide me in your ordinances,* for they are light.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Through the envy of the Jews handed over to an unrighteous judge, you, the all-seeing who judges all the earth in righteousness, delivered Adam from the ancient condemnation.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Christ, risen from the dead, grant peace to your churches in the invincible power of your cross, and save our souls.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
You alone, the Ever-virgin who received the Word of God unbounded by the whole creation, are declared the holy tabernacle wider than the heavens.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin, the Word of God, your Son, creator of Adam, first-formed man, was no created being even though he fashioned for himself from you a living flesh.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Equal to the Father, Son of the Virgin, Word of God, fulness of person in two natures, Jesus is Lord, perfect God and perfect man.
from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Of old, the enemy who hates mankind, envied the life of happiness that I had in Paradise, and taking the form of a serpent caused me to stumble, thereby showing me to be a stranger to eternal glory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Of old, the enemy who hates mankind, envied the life of happiness that I had in Paradise, and taking the form of a serpent caused me to stumble, thereby showing me to be a stranger to eternal glory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I weep and lament in soul, and with my eyes I shed abundant tears, when I reflect upon, and understand my nakedness, which I have gained from transgressing.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I weep and lament in soul, and with my eyes I shed abundant tears, when I reflect upon, and understand my nakedness, which I have gained from transgressing.
Glory…
From the earth I was fashioned by the hand of God, and I, the wretched one, was told that to the earth I shall return again. Who will not weep for me, who am cast out from God’s presence, exchanging Eden for Hades.
Now…
We the faithful proclaim you to be the mystical bridal-chamber of glory, O all-immaculate Birthgiver of God. Wherefore I entreat you, O pure One: Raise me up, for I am fallen, and make me a dweller in the bridal-chamber of Paradise.
Katavasia: Illumine with Your divine light, I pray, O Good One,* the souls of those who with love rise early to pray to You,* that they may know You, O Word of God, as the true God,* Who recalls us from the darkness of sin.
Ode 6
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: The deepest abyss of sins has surrounded me* and my spirit fails me;* but stretch out your mighty arm, O Lord my pilot, as to Peter,* and save me.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The abyss of mercy and pity has surrounded me in your tender descent, O Lord, for, made flesh and taking the form of a servant, you made me as God and glorified me with yourself.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The one who dealt death has undergone death through seeing the One put to death now brought to life: these things are the tokens of your Resurrection, O Christ, and the rewards of your pure Passion.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Only All-pure, beyond understanding you were mediator between the Creator and man, pray to your merciful Son for your stumbling servants and be our defender.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Without lot or share in form, he has taken our form from a Maid untouched, becoming man in form and in substance without change in his divinity.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
From the abyss of sins, from the storms of passions sweeping tumultuously over me, All-pure, deliver me; for you are a harbour and an abyss of marvels for the faithful who run to you.
from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
In Eden You clothed me with a divinely woven garment O compassionate Saviour; but I, the wretched one, having believed the deceiver, have neglected Your commandment and find myself naked.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
In Eden You clothed me with a divinely woven garment O compassionate Saviour; but I, the wretched one, having believed the deceiver, have neglected Your commandment and find myself naked.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O my most wretched soul, through your carelessness you have departed far from God; and depriving yourself of the delight of Paradise, you have been separated from the angels, and led down into corruption. O How thou art fallen!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O my most wretched soul, through your carelessness you have departed far from God; and depriving yourself of the delight of Paradise, you have been separated from the angels, and led down into corruption. O How thou art fallen!
Glory…
O almighty God, have mercy and take pity on the works of Your hands. I pray You, O good One, turn not away from me, who has cut himself off from the choir of Your angels.
Now…
O Mary chosen by God, Queen of all, you gave birth to the Lord, Redeemer and King of all, whereas I am a prisoner and an exile from Paradise: call me back.
Katavasia: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations,* I run to Your calm haven, and cry to You:* Raise up my life from corruption,* O greatly Merciful One.
Kontakion, Tone 6
O Master, Guide to Wisdom*, Bestower of prudent counsel,* Instructor of the foolish and Defender of the poor ones;* make firm my heart and give it understanding.* Give me a word, O Word of the Father:* Behold, I shall not stop my lips from crying out to You:* In Your mercy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Ikos
Banished from the delights of Paradise, Adam sat outside and wept and beating his hands upon his face he said: “I am fallen, in Your compassion have mercy on me.” When Adam saw the angel drive him out and shut the door of the divine garden, he groaned aloud and said: “I am fallen, in Your compassion have mercy on me.” O Paradise, share in the sorrow of your master who has been brought to poverty, and with the rustling of your leaves beseech the Creator that He not keep thy gate closed. O compassionate One have mercy on me who am fallen. O Paradise, all-perfect, all-holy and most rich, planted for Adam’s sake and shut because of Eve, beseech God on behalf of the fallen. O compassionate One have mercy on me who am fallen.
Ode 7
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: As, long ago, your dew refreshed the three godly children in the Chaldean flames,* so shine with the enlightening fire of your Godhead* upon us who cry to you:* Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The fair veil of the temple was rent in the cross of the Creator, clearly announcing the hidden truth in the scriptures to the faithful who cry to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
When your side was pierced, O Christ, drops of your life-giving blood, flowing from God by divine dispensation, distilled upon the earth and re-made those born of the earth who cry to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, the Lord
Let us the faithful glorify the Good Spirit with the Father and the only-begotten Son, one in three, as we worship the first cause and one Godhead, crying: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Lord of glory, ruler of the powers above, sitting with the Father, carried in the arms of a virgin: Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Death is bold, but when it joined battle with you, God in person made flesh of the Virgin, you destroyed it.
from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Lord Who rules over all the ages, Who by Your own will created me, through the envy of the crafty serpent of old I have been beguiled, and angered You, O Saviour: despise me not, O God, but call me back.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Lord Who rules over all the ages, Who by Your own will created me, through the envy of the crafty serpent of old I have been beguiled, and angered You, O Saviour: despise me not, O God, but call me back.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Woe is me, in place of wearing a robe of light, I am clothed in a garment of shame. I weep from my loss, O Saviour, and with faith cry to You, O good One: despise me not, O God, but call me back.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Woe is me, in place of wearing a robe of light, I am clothed in a garment of shame. I weep from my loss, O Saviour, and with faith cry to You, O good One: despise me not, O God, but call me back.
Glory…
The evil serpent in his envy has wounded all my soul and caused me to be banished from the delight of paradise, but O Compassionate Saviour: despise me not, since You are God, and call me back.
Now…
O all-immaculate One, in your tender compassion accept my entreaty; and grant me forgiveness of my offenses, O pure One, for fervently I cry aloud with tears: despise me not, O good One, but call me back.
Katavasia: An Angel made the furnace bedew the holy Children.* But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans* and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry:* O God of our fathers, blessed are You.
Ode 8
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: In the unbearable fire, unharmed by the flames,* the young men, famed for their fear of God, stood as one and sang the divine hymn:* Bless the Lord, all you his works,* and exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The brightness of the temple was rent when your cross was set on Golgotha: all creation bowed down together and raised the song: Bless the Lord, all you his works, and exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You have risen, Christ, from the grave, by the divine power of the cross you have raised man overthrown by treachery and set him straight again, crying out and saying: Bless the Lord, all you his works, and exalt him throughout all the ages.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
You are declared to be the temple of God, living resting-place and ark, for you, pure Mother of God, have reconciled the Creator to mortal man and fittingly we his works sing your praises and exalt you throughout all the ages.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Peerless Mother, surpassing far the ranks of angels and set so near to God: O Virgin, blessed one, we bless your child and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
You revealed a fairness more beautiful than nature, shining forth the flesh of God; O Virgin, blessed one, we bless your child and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Of old, You honoured the work of Your hands with every kind of gift, O Lover of mankind; but, woe to me! the wicked serpent has deceived us with seductive whispering, stripping us of the blessings we had received.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Of old, You honoured the work of Your hands with every kind of gift, O Lover of mankind; but, woe to me! the wicked serpent has deceived us with seductive whispering, stripping us of the blessings we had received.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Why have you hearkened to bitter counsel and disobeyed the divine command? Woe to you, O miserable soul, you have grieved God! even though you were created to ever glorify Him with the angels.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Why have you hearkened to bitter counsel and disobeyed the divine command? Woe to you, O miserable soul, you have grieved God! even though you were created to ever glorify Him with the angels.
Let us bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord!
You were the appointed lord over creeping things and wild beasts: why then have you conversed with the destroyer of souls? And why have you taken the deceiver’s counsel as truth? Wretched is your deception, O my soul!
Now…
O Mary, we hymn you who are full of the grace of God, tabernacle of the Light and dwelling-place of the incarnate God. Wherefore shine upon me who am grievously darkened by the passions, the light of mercy, O Hope of the hopeless.
We praise, bless, and worship the Lord, chanting and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.
Katavasia: You made flame bedew the holy children,* and burned the sacrifice of a righteous man with water.* For You alone, O Christ, do all as You will,* we supremely exalt You throughout all ages.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Canon of the Resurrection
Irmos: Marvel new and meet for God!* Through the shut gate of the Virgin the Lord surely passes through.* Unclothed in the entering, fleshbearing in the coming forth* God has appeared and the gate remains fast closed.* We magnify her beyond utterance* the Mother of God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Word of God, awful it is to see you, the Creator, hanging on the tree, God suffering in human fashion for the sake of his servants; while lying lifeless in the tomb you yet had loosed the dead from Hell; for this, O Christ, we magnify you as almighty.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Laid dead in the grave, O Christ, you saved our forefathers from the corruption of death; you raised the dead and made life to blossom and, leading mortal nature by the hand to the light, you clothed it with divine incorruptibility; for this we magnify you, fountain of everliving light.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Temple and throne of God you are declared to be, All-pure, wherein he who dwells in the highest took up his abode, born without man and guarding entire the doors of your flesh. Holy One, by your unceasing prayers bring swiftly the nations in final subjection to our king.
Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
For the devoted faithful, no songs in praise of you, O Virgin, can satisfy; for ever in their yearning they acquire divine and spiritual yearning as they magnify the Mother of God.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
You have appointed for us, O Christ, an ambassador who cannot be gainsaid: she who bore you. Treating with her, may you in your mercy grant us the Spirit freely imparting all goodness who through you proceeds from the Father.
from the Triodion
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Having taken my fill, and tasted of the fruit of knowledge in Eden, it seemed sweet to me, but the end of it was bitter. Woe to you, wretched soul! See how uncontrolled desire has made you an exile from Paradise!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Having taken my fill, and tasted of the fruit of knowledge in Eden, it seemed sweet to me, but the end of it was bitter. Woe to you, wretched soul! See how uncontrolled desire has made you an exile from Paradise!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O God of all, Lord of mercy, look down compassionately upon my humility, and cast me not far away from Eden; but may I see the glory from which I have fallen, and hasten with lamentations to regain that which I have lost.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I lament, I groan and weep, seeing the cherubim with the sword of fire guarding the gate of Eden from all transgressors. Woe is me! a transgressor, for I cannot enter therein, O Saviour, unless You grant it to me.
Glory…
I put my trust in the abundance of Your mercies, O Christ Saviour, and in the Blood from Your divine side; for through Your Blood You have sanctified the nature of mortal man, O good One, opening to those that serve You the gates of Paradise which were formerly closed to Adam.
Now…
O unwedded virgin Theotokos, O impassable door of life, by your prayers open to me the locked gates of paradise, that I may glorify you, who after God, are my helper and most powerful refuge.
Katavasia: It is impossible for mankind to see God* upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze;* but through you, O all-pure one,* did the Word Incarnate become a man* and with the Heavenly Hosts* Him we magnify and you we call blessed.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
Tone 3
Truly Christ is risen.* Let no one doubt or be suspicious.* For He appeared to Mary and then to those who went fishing.* Then He appeared to His eleven apostles as they were eating.* He sent them forth to baptize the whole world;* then He ascended to heaven from which He had descended,* confirming His divine message by a multitude of miracles.
Tone 3, Glory…
I, the wretched one O Lord, have disobeyed Your commandment,* and having been stripped of glory, am filled with shame.* Woe is me! who have been banished from the sweetness of Paradise.* O merciful One, have mercy on me* who has been justly deprived of Your good things.
Now…
We were once banished, O Lord, from Paradise,* through eating from the Tree;* but You have led us back again, O my God and Saviour,* through Your Cross and Passion.* Strengthen us by these, that we may keep the Fast in holiness* and worship Your divine arising, the Passover of salvation,* by the prayers of her who gave birth to You.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 3
Come all you nations,* acknowledge the power of the dread mystery;* for Christ our Saviour, the beginningless Word,* was crucified for us and was willingly buried* and arose from the dead to save the whole universe.* Let us worship Him.
You guards recounted all the marvels, O Lord,* but, by filling their right hands with money,* the Sanhedrin of folly thought to conceal Your Resurrection,* which the world glorifies;* have mercy upon us.
All things have been filled with joy on receiving proof of the Resurrection.* For Mary Magdalene having come to the tomb,* found an Angel seated upon the stone,* radiant in shining raiment, saying:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* He is not here, but He has arisen, as He foretold,* and goes before you into Galilee.
In Your light, O Master and Lover of mankind,* shall we see light.* For arose from the dead,* granting salvation to the race of mankind,* wherefore all creation glorifies You, the only sinless one;* have mercy upon us.
Tone 5
“Woe is me” lamented Adam crying aloud:* “For the serpent and the woman have deprived me of my boldness before God,* and through eating of the tree I have become an exile from the joys of paradise.”* “Woe is me! I can no more endure the shame.* From the counsel of the evil-one,* I who was once king of all earth’s creatures fashioned by God,* have now become a prisoner.* I who was once clothed in the glory of immortality* must now, as a mortal, wrap myself miserably in the skin of mortality.* Woe is me! who will participate with me in my sorrow?* But, O Lover of mankind, Who have fashioned me from the earth and are clothed in compassion,* deliver me from the works of the enemy and save me.”
The arena of the virtues has been opened,* let all who wish to struggle now enter therein,* girding themselves for the noble struggles of the Fast;* for those that strive lawfully are justly crowned.* Taking up the armour of the Cross* let us make war against the enemy. * Let us have as our invincible rampart—the Faith,* and as our breastplate—prayer,* and as our helmet—almsgiving;* and in place of a sword let us make use of fasting* which cuts away every evil from our heart.* If we do this, we shall receive the true crown from Christ the King of all,* at the day of Judgment.
Tone 6
Adam was driven out of Paradise,* having eaten food as one disobedient;* Moses was a God-seer,* because he had cleansed the eyes of his soul by fasting.* Wherefore, longing to dwell in Paradise * let us abstain from all needless food;* and if we desire to see God,* let us like Moses fast the forty-day fast, with sincere intercessions, patiently praying.* Let us calm the passions of our soul* and subdue the rebelliousness of the flesh.* With light step let us set out upon the path to heaven,* where the choirs of angels with never-silent voices* hymn the praises of the undivided Trinity,* beholding the unsurpassed beauty of the Master.* O Son of God, Giver of Life, in You we set our hope:* Deem us worthy of a place there with the angelic hosts,* by the intercessions of her who bore You, O Christ,* of the apostles and the martyrs and of all the venerable saints.
The time is now at hand* to start upon the spiritual contest,* to gain victory over demonic powers,* to put on the armour of abstinence,* to clothe ourselves in the glory of the angels,* to stand with boldness before God.* By which things Moses spoke to the Creator,* hearing the voice of the invisible One.* By which things also O Lord,* grant that we may worship Your Passion* and Your Holy Resurrection, O Lover of mankind.
Tone 6, Glory…
The time is now at hand* to start upon the spiritual contest,* to gain victory over demonic powers,* to put on the armour of abstinence,* to clothe ourselves in the glory of the angels,* to stand with boldness before God.* By which things Moses spoke to the Creator,* hearing the voice of the invisible One.* By which things also O Lord,* grant that we may worship Your Passion* and Your Holy Resurrection, O Lover of mankind.
Tone 2, Now…
You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!
Great Doxology
Trisagion Prayers
Troparion, Tone 2
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 3: Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 6: O Master, Guide to Wisdom*, Bestower of prudent counsel,* Instructor of the foolish and Defender of the poor ones;* make firm my heart and give it understanding.* Give me a word, O Word of the Father:* Behold, I shall not stop my lips from crying out to You:* In Your mercy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Pray and give praise to the Lord our God.* 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)
Epistle
Romans 13:11-14:4
Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: It is good to give praise to the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most High.
verse: To announce Your mercy in the morning and Your truth every night. (Psalm 91:2,3)
Gospel
Matthew 6:14-21
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)