Day 7 of the Great Fast. Resurrectional Gospel 4.

GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

Blessed is the man… is sung.

At Psalm 140

Tone 4

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

We never cease to adore Your life-giving Cross, O Christ our God,* And we glorify Your resurrection on the third day.* For You, Almighty One, have thereby restored the corrupted nature of all* and reopened the way to heaven,* since You alone are gracious and You love mankind.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O Saviour, You have absolved the penalty of disobedience,* committed through the tree of Eden,* by willingly being nailed to the tree of the cross.* As Almighty God, You descended into Hades* and broke asunder the bonds of death.* We, therefore, venerate Your resurrection from the dead,* and joyfully cry out to You:* Almighty Lord, glory to You!

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

O Lord, You have battered down the gates of Hades,* and by Your death You have dissolved the realm of death.* You have freed mankind from corruption,* bestowing life, incorruption, and Your great mercy upon the world.

Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Come, all you people,* let us sing the praises of our Saviour’s resurrection on the third day.* For we have, thereby, been delivered from the invincible bonds of Hades,* and we have received incorruption, together with eternal life.* Therefore, we cry out to You* after Your crucifixion, burial, and resurrection:* Save us by Your resurrection, for You love mankind.

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

O Saviour, with the angels we sing the praises of Your resurrection on the third day.* For the very ends of the universe have, thereby, been enlightened,* and we have been saved from the deceit of the enemy.* Therefore, we cry out to You,* Almighty Saviour, Giver of Life, and Lover of mankind:* Save us by Your resurrection.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

O Christ our God, You have demolished the brazen gates of Hades.* You have broken asunder the bonds of death,* and lifted up the fallen human race.* Therefore, we cry out with one accord:* O Lord, who arose from the dead, glory to You!

Tone 6

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

The prophets, inspired by Your Spirit, O Lord,* foretold that You, whom nothing can contain or grasp,* and who has shone forth in eternity before the morning star* from the immaterial and bodiless womb of the Father,* was to become a child,* taking flesh from the Virgin,* being joined to men and seen by those on earth.* At the prayers of these Your prophets,* in Your compassion count us worthy of Your light,* for we sing the praises* of Your ineffable and holy Resurrection.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

The divinely-inspired prophets preached You in word and honoured You in works,* and they received as their reward a life without end.* For they steadfastly refused, O Master,* to worship the creation instead of You, the Creator;* They renounced the whole world for the Gospel’s sake,* and in their suffering they were conformed to Your Passion which they had foretold.* At their intercessions, count us worthy to pass through the period of the Fast without offence,* for You alone are rich in mercy.

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

You who are uncircumscribed, O Master, in Your divine nature,* were pleased in the last times to take flesh and be circumscribed;* and in assuming flesh, You have also taken on Yourself all its distinctive properties.* Therefore we depict the likeness of Your outward form,* venerating it with an honour that is relative.* So we are exalted to the love of You,* and following the holy traditions handed down by the apostles,* from Your icon we receive the grace of healing.

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

As a precious adornment* the Church of Christ has received the venerable and holy icons of the Saviour Christ,* of God’s Mother and of all the saints.* Celebrating now their triumphant restoration,* she is made bright with grace and splendour,* and drives away all heretics.* With great rejoicing* she gives glory to God who loves mankind,* and who for her sake* has endured His voluntary Passion.

Tone 2, Glory…

The grace of truth has shone upon us;* the mysteries darkly prefigured in the times of old have now been openly fulfilled.* For behold, the Church is clothed in a beauty that surpasses all things earthly,* through the icon of the incarnate Christ that was foreshadowed by the ark of testimony.* This is the safeguard of the orthodox faith;* for if we hold fast to the icon of the Saviour whom we worship,* we shall not go astray.* Let all who do not share this faith be covered with shame;* but we shall glory in the icon of the Word made flesh,* which we venerate but worship not as an idol.* So let us kiss it, and with all the faithful cry aloud:* O God, save Your people* and bless Your inheritance.

Tone 4, Now…

O Mother of God, because of You* David the Prophet became an ancestor of God;* he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise* and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:* “The Queen stood at your right hand.”* God revealed you as a life-giving mother,* when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.* He renewed in man His image* which the passions had corrupted.* He found the lost sheep in the mountains,* carried it on His shoulders,* offered it to the Father,* generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,* and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.

Aposticha

Tone 4

In being lifted upon the cross, O Lord,* You abolished the curse which we had inherited from our fathers.* By going down into Hades,* You freed from eternal captivity those imprisoned there,* and granted incorruption to mankind.* We, therefore, praise Your life-giving and redeeming resurrection.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

By hanging on the cross, O Almighty One,* You shook the whole creation to its foundations.* When You Yourself were laid in the grave,* You raised to life those who had been lying in the graves,* and You granted life and incorruption to mankind.* We, therefore, praise and glorify Your resurrection on the third day.

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

O Christ, the lawless people showed their ingratitude to You, their Benefactor,* by delivering You to Pilate who condemned you to be crucified.* But You willingly suffered death and burial;* and, as God, You rose by Your own power on the third day,* granting us everlasting life and great mercy.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

The women, shedding bitter tears, came to see You in Your tomb;* and not finding Your body, they lamented, saying:* O Saviour and King of All, how were You stolen?* What place holds Your life-bearing body?* An angel answered them, saying:* Do not weep, but go and proclaim that the Lord is risen,* filling our hearts with joy;* for He alone is most compassionate.

Tone 2, Glory…

Advancing from ungodliness to the true faith,* and illumined with the light of knowledge,* let us clap our hands and sing aloud,* offering praise and thanksgiving to God;* and with due honour* let us venerate the holy icons of Christ;* of the all-pure Virgin and the saints,* whether depicted on walls, on wooden panels or on holy vessels,* rejecting the impious teachings of the heretics.* For, as Basil says,* the honour shown the icon passes to the prototype it represents.* At the prayers of Your undefiled Mother and of all the Saints,* we beseech You, Christ our God,* to bestow upon us Your great mercy.

Now…

We now behold a new wonder,* greater than the wonders of old.* For who has ever known a mother to bear a child without the help of man?* Who has known a mother to hold in her arms the Source of all Creation?* It was God’s own will to be born in this manner;* and you, O most pure Virgin, carried Him as an infant in your arms.* Because of this, you can approach God with the boldness of a mother.* Therefore, we venerate you, and ask you to always beseech Him* to have mercy on us and save our souls.

Troparia

Tone 4

When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”

Tone 2, Glory…

We bow before Your most pure image, O kind Lord,* and beg pardon for our sins, O Christ our God.* Of Your own will You consented to ascend the Cross in the flesh* to free Your handiwork from enslavement to the enemy.* In thanksgiving we cry aloud to You:* by coming to save the world, our Saviour, You filled all things with joy.

Now…

O Mother of God, the mysteries which surround you are exceedingly glorious,* and beyond the power of understanding.* For you retained the seal of purity,* and your virginity remained inviolate;* yet you are acknowledged, without doubt,* to be the Mother who gave birth to the true God.* We beg you, therefore, to entreat Him to save our souls.

GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 4

Troparia, Tone 4

When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.” (2)

Tone 2, Glory…

We bow before Your most pure image, O kind Lord,* and beg pardon for our sins, O Christ our God.* Of Your own will You consented to ascend the Cross in the flesh to free Your handiwork from enslavement to the enemy.* In thanksgiving we cry aloud to You:* by coming to save the world, our Saviour, You filled all things with joy.

Now…

O Mother of God, the mysteries which surround you are exceedingly glorious,* and beyond the power of understanding.* For you retained the seal of purity,* and your virginity remained inviolate;* yet you are acknowledged, without doubt,* to be the Mother who gave birth to the true God.* We beg you, therefore, to entreat Him to save our souls.

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4

Looking into the entrance of the tomb,* the Myrrh-bearing women were unable to endure the bright radiance of the Angel,* trembling in awe they said;* How is it that He who has opened Paradise to the Thief hath been stolen?* How is it that He who before His passion proclaimed His Arising has been raised?* Truly Christ God has arisen, granting those in Hades life and resurrection.

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.

Mortal men laid in a new tomb* the One who through a word established the ends of earth,* for You, O Saviour, willingly endured the Cross,* whereby You conquered the adversary, and despoiled death,* for which cause all those in Hades extol Your life-giving Arising saying* Christ, the giver of life, has arisen and abides to the ages.

Glory… Now…

As he contemplated that which was beyond nature* Joseph was struck with wonder, O Theotokos, at you conception without seed.* He contemplated the mysterious dew upon the fleece,* the bush unburnt by fire,* Aaron’s rod which budded.* Thus your Betrothed and guardian bore witness and cried to the priests saying:* A Virgin bears a child,* and after child-birth remains yet a virgin.

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4

O Saviour, You arose from Hades as immortal,* raising the world together with You by Your might, O Christ our God.* With strength You have overthrown the dominion of death,* revealing the Resurrection to all, O Merciful one.* Wherefore we also glorify You, O only Lover of mankind.

I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.

Gabriel radiant in white vestments descended from the heights above,* and approaching the rock upon which the Rock of life was lying,* cried to the weeping women saying:* Cease your cries of lamentation;* for you have now obtained merciful compassion.* Take courage, for the One you seek is truly risen.* Therefore, cry to the Apostles telling them that the Lord has arisen,* to worship the risen One;* and having received gladness, to take courage, together with Eve.

Glory… Now…

All the choirs of Angels were struck with wonder, O Pure Virgin,* at the awesome mystery of your conception.* How can the One who holds all things in place with only a nod,* now be held in your arms as a man?* How can the Eternal accept a beginning?* How can the One who nourishes everything that has breath by His ineffable goodness,* be suckled at your breast?* And upon seeing these things, with hymns they glorify you* as truly the Mother of God.

Evoglitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 4

The Myrrh-bearing women hastened to proclaim to the Apostles* the news of Your wondrous Rising, O Christ:* that as God You have arisen,* granting the world great mercy.

Gradual Hymns, Tone 4

Antiphon 1

From my youth do many passions war against me;* but do You Yourself defend* and save me, O my Saviour.

You haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord;* for like grass, by the fire* shall you be withered.

Glory… Now…

In the Holy Spirit, every soul is quickened,* and, through cleansing, is exalted* and made radiant* by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.

Antiphon 2

From the depths of my soul* I have cried to You fervently, O Lord;* let Your divine ears be attentive to me.

Everyone who has set their hope in the Lord,* is higher than all those* who mourn.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit* the streams of grace swell up;* watering all creation* engendering life.

Antiphon 3

Let my heart be raised to You, O Lord;* and let none of the pleasures of the world lure me* to weakness.

As one that has tender love for one’s mother;* so should we have even more fervent love* for the Lord.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit comes an abundance of divine knowledge,* contemplation and wisdom;* for by Him the Word unveils* all the Father’s teachings.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4

Arise, O Lord: help us,* and redeem us for Your name’s sake.

verse: We heard with our own ears, O God, our fathers have told us the story of the things You did in days long ago.

Let everything that lives, Tone 4

Gospel

Luke 24:1-12

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 4

Ode 1

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Through the Red Sea, as on the dry land,* old Israel passed on with unmoistened foot;* crosswise, in the wilderness, Moses held up his arms* and they routed Amalek’s might.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As good and all-powerful, O Lord, you were lifted up on the immaculate tree of your cross, healing by the tree our utter destruction, setting right our defection.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

In your body in the tomb, as God with your soul in Hell, with the Thief in Paradise, you were yet, O Christ, on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, all things filling, and infinite.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

You conceived the Son of God without seed, by the Father’s purpose, from the divine Spirit; you bore in flesh the one from the Father without mother: through us, out of you, without father.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

O Lord, renewing mankind by your divine blood you healed its affliction; in power you broke in pieces the might of him who of old broke the work of your hands.

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

By being put to death you became resurrection from death, for when death joined battle with life eternal, God made flesh, ruling all things, the power to slay was taken away.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O pure one, peoples trembled, nations were troubled, mighty kingdoms gave way in awe of your child-bearing; for he came, my King, and overthrew the tyrant and delivered the world from corruption.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Christ who dwells in the highest, coming down to mortal men, hallowed his tabernacle and declared it unshaken; for she, who bore her builder and maker, after the birth treasured still her virginity.

From the Triodion

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Leaping up with joy, let us the faithful cry aloud today: How marvellous are Your works, O Christ! How great is Your might! For You have made us of one mind and brought about concord.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

O Godly-wise people, come let us celebrate a day of joy; for heaven and earth now rejoices, with all the hosts of angels and all mankind, each making festival.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Seeing this great blessing we have received, let us clap our hands; for the divided members of Christ have been brought together, and we give praise to God Who has bestowed peace.

Glory…

Today a festival of victory hath been granted to the Church, through the divinely-inspired intent and council of Michael and Theodora, who piously uphold the faith of our Sovereigns.

Now…

The swords of impious heresies have failed: For in deep reverence, O all-immaculate pure One, gazing now upon your temple, beauteously adorned with icons, we rejoice with a most holy joy.

Katavasia: Through the deep of the Red Sea,* marched dry shod Israel of old,* and by Moses’ outstretched hands,* raised in the form of a cross,* the power of Amalek was routed in the wilderness.

Ode 3

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Your Church, O Christ, makes merry in you, crying aloud:* You are my strength, O Lord, my refuge, my firm foundation.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The tree of life, the true and intellectual vine, hangs upon the cross pouring forth to all the elixir of life.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As a great one and fearful, demolishing utterly the insolence of Hell, as God incorruptible, now you have risen in the flesh.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

You only, O Mother of God, are the friend who procures the good things beyond nature for those upon earth and therefore we bring to you our “Hail.”

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

The serpent’s teeth full of venom pierced me; you, O Saviour, Lord Almighty, broke them with the nails in your hands; for none is Holy of the Holies but you, O Lover of man.

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Lover of man, bestower of life, you were seen dead in the grave of your own will; you threw open the gates of Hell to the souls of the agelong dead; for none is Holy of the Holies but you, O Lover of man.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The nature of mortal man, which through you held converse with the fire divine and unendurable, is cleansed; as a hidden loaf in ashes baked in you, All-holy Virgin, by the fire which guarded you and kept you untouched.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Who is she so truly near to God that she surpasses all the. ranks of angels? The one supremely shining in the beauty of virginity, Mother alone of the Almighty.

From the Triodion

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

No longer now are the impious heretics exalted in their pride: For the power of God has firmly established Orthodoxy.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Let the prophets sprinkle upon us today the life-giving dew from heaven, at the restoration of the faith.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

In godly harmony, let the mystical trumpets of Christ’s apostles sound forth, proclaiming the re-establishment of the precious icons.

Glory…

Let us sing in praise of Christ, Who has appointed a devout and pious Empress to rule over us, together with her heir, crowned by God.

Now…

Shine now upon the faithful who have gathered in your holy house, O most pure One, the light of grace, we pray you.

Katavasia: Your Church, O Christ, rejoices in You crying aloud:* You, O Lord, are my strength,* my refuge and foundation.

Sessional Hymn, Tone 1

Depicting Your divine form in icons, O Christ,* we openly proclaim Your birth,* Your ineffable miracles and Your voluntary Crucifixion.* From whence devils are driven out in fear* and their fellow-workers – the heretics, lament in shame.

Glory…

The divine and beauteous images of the prophets,* of the apostles the holy martyrs, and of all the saints* are rendered in holy icons;* in which you, the unwedded Bride,* are also rendered beauteously with noetic splendour,* O Mother of Sion on high.

Now…

With love, O honoured Virgin, we venerate your holy icon; with one accord we proclaim you to be the true Mother of God, and in faith we bow down before you. Since you have power to do all things, be our guardian and our strong protection, and drive far from us every tribulation.

Ode 4

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Seeing you the Sun of Righteousness* lifted high on the cross,* with good reason your Church stood still in her course and exclaimed:* Glory to your power, O Lord.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You went up on the Cross, to the Passion of your pure flesh worn of your own will, thus healing my passions. Therefore we cry to you: Glory to your power, O Lord.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Lord, death tasted of your life-giving, sinless flesh and deservedly was slain. But we cry to you: Glory to your power, O Lord.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

You bore a child, O Virgin, without a man, and after the birth you were discerned as still a virgin; therefore in faith unwavering we cry in never silent voices: Hail to you, our Lady.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

O Christ, Israel, set under the law, knew you not as the God who ordained the law: but, transgressing the law, they, unworthy of that law, nailed you to the cross as lawless.

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

O Saviour, your soul, joined to the Godhead, plundered the treasures of Hell and raised up with itself the souls from ages long ago. From your life-bearing body, incorruption has flowed for all.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

From the beginning existing in the form of the incomprehensible Godhead, he, the unseen, was seen dwelling with men. From you, O Maiden, he received another form and saves those who see you as the pure Mother of God.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The Virgin received the bodiless in body; partaking of bodily nature, the babe in her womb bears the name of her humanity whence is known the one in two natures: God bearing flesh, man beyond being.

From the Triodion

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Through the divine descent of the Comforter sanctify Your temple, and by His coming banish the delusion of heresy, O plenteously merciful Word of God.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Deliver Your people from the aggression of the impious, and enkindle within them a zeal for piety, as they cry aloud to You in faith: Glory to Your power, O Lord.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Seeing the churches of God radiant with the sacred depictions and images of Christ and the Theotokos, we rejoice with a holy joy.

Glory…

Adorned with her royal crown, the Empress, out of a true love for the Kingdom of Christ, has restored in all the churches His most pure icon and the images of the saints.

Now…

You bore the Divine Word incarnate, O divinely glorious One, revealed as one full of grace, therefore we consecrate your bright and splendid temple.

Katavasia: Beholding You, the Sun of righteousness,* lifted up upon the cross,* the Church now stands arrayed and worthily cries aloud:* Glory be to Your power, O Lord!

Ode 5

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Lord, my light, you have come into the world;* O holy light, turn from the darkness of ignorance all who sing to you in faith.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

In compassion, O Lord, you came down to the earth; hanging upon the tree you raised up the fallen nature of man.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Christ, you bore yourself the reproach of my sins; you loosed the pangs of death, Compassionate, in your holy resurrection.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

We thrust you forward as an unbreakable shield in face of our enemies; we have gained you, Bride of God, as anchor and hope of our salvation.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Foolish, senseless Hell swallowed you whole. Having watched you nailed to the tree, pierced with the spear, and lifeless, he accounted you, the living God, as merely a mortal man; then put to the test he discovered the strength of your divinity.

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

O Lover of man and deathless, when the temple of your body was destroyed, Hell and the grave both were laid under tribute: the one to give up the souls of your saints, the other their bodies.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Home of glory, holy mountain of God, bride and bridal chamber, temple of holiness and paradise of everlasting delight: The Son of God, dwelling in you, O pure one, made you these for us.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Flesh from virginal blood you took, O Christ, seedless, pure and subsistent, reasonable, intelligent, endowed with life, possessed of activity and purpose, Lord of itself in freedom of will.

From the Triodion

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Firmly establish Your church, O Lord, that to the ages of ages she may stand unshaken by the tempest of heresy.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

O You Who alone are good and the source of goodness, raise up the horn of the Orthodox who honour Your image.

Glory…

The never-setting light of piety has shone forth upon us, by the divinely-inspired commandment of our faithful pastors.

Now…

Renew for us the ancient splendours, O most pure Mother of God, and sanctify this your dwelling with your grace.

Katavasia: You, O Lord, who came into the world,* art my light,* a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance* those who sing Your praises in faith.

Ode 6

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: I will sacrifice to you, O Lord, with the voice of praise:* so cries your Church to you,* purified from demons’ gore* through the blood which flows in pity from your side.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Girded with power you went up on the cross and came to grips with the tyrant and as God you dashed him down from the heights and raised up Adam with your invincible hand.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You are risen, O Christ, from the tomb in dazzling beauty of lightning flash, scattering to the winds by your power divine every one of your enemies. As God you have filled all things with gladness.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O wonder of all wonders, newest and strangest, that a virgin, knowing no man, conceived in the womb him who holds the whole universe in his hands and suffered no straitening.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Hell opened wide his throat and swallowed me and the fool puffed up his soul. But Christ coming down, as Lover of man, snatched me out alive.

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Death by death has perished for he who died has risen and given me incorruption. He, the deathless one, appears to the women and gives them joy in greeting.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Long ago the serpent deceived me through Eve, my first mother, and put me to death. But now, O pure one, through you, my maker has called me up from corruption.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Unfathomed deeps of compassion revealed you, O Maid, as ineffably chosen unfathomed deeps of wonders; for Christ, the pearl, in lightning flash of Godhead shone out from you.

From the Triodion

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

The Master’s countenance is depicted, honoured with faith, and venerated; whereby the Church regains her boldness before God, reverently glorifying the Saviour.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

The Church of Christ has been delivered from the darkness of heresy: putting on a robe of gladness, she is clothed in the light of divine grace.

Glory…

The Orthodox people have regained the light and glory which it had of old, through the decree of the Empress Theodora and her pious son the Emperor Michael.

Now…

Who of old commanded Moses to make the ark of the covenant, came to dwell within you, as if in a noetic ark: He alone is supremely glorified, making your temple glorious with miracles.

Katavasia: The church cries out to You O Lord,* “I will sacrifice to You with a voice of praise”* having been cleansed of the blood of the demons’* by the blood that for mercy’s sake flowed from Your side.

Kontakion, Tone 8

The uncircumscribed Word of the Father* became circumscribed when He took flesh of you, O Mother of God,* and when He restored the divine image to its ancient glory,* He suffused it with the beauty of God.* Therefore, confessing our salvation in deed and word,* we portray it in images.

Ikos

Enlightened by this mystery of God’s providence, the divinely-inspired prophets foretold it of old; and this they did for our sakes, who see the fulfilment of the ages. Receiving through this mystery divine knowledge, we know one Lord and God, glorified in three Hypostases, and Him alone do we worship; we have one faith, one baptism, and clothed in Christ, we confess in deed and word our salvation, depicting it in the holy icons.

Ode 7

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: In a Persian furnace three children of Abraham were set on fire* but more than in the flames they blazed in loving desire to God, and cried:* Blessed are you, O Lord,* in the temple of your glory.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Washed in Christ’s divine blood, mankind has been called to incorruption and sings in thanksgiving: Blessed are you, O Lord, in the temple of your glory.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Your tomb, O Christ, declares itself life-bearing, fairer far than Paradise, more radiant than any kingly hall, fount of our resurrection.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Hail, tabernacle of the Most High, hallowed and sacred. Joy is given through you, O Mother of God, to those who cry to you: Blessed are you amongst women, All-holy Lady.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Lifted up on the tree you saved mankind, humbling the haughty look, bringing down the eyebrows raised in supercilious pride.

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Praised above all and blessed are you, Lord and God of our fathers. O Lord, you rose from the dead and emptied the erstwhile many-peopled wealth of Hell: in your power lift up the horn of us your worshippers. Blessed are you, Lord and God of our fathers.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The fire of a virginal love in my heart constrains me to song and I cry to the Mother and Virgin: O blessed one, the Lord of Hosts is with you.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

You are seen to be higher than all created things for you bore the Creator and Lord; therefore, O Mother of God, I cry to you: Blessed one, the Lord of Hosts is with you.

From the Triodion

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Let the hosts of angels share in the joy of the Church, that with love and divine wisdom, they may cry aloud: “Blessed are You, O Lord, in the temple of Your glory.”

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

The triumphant assembly and Church of the firstborn rejoices now as it beholds the people of God with one accord crying aloud: “Blessed are You, O Lord, in the temple of Your glory.”

Glory…

Delivered from the dark heresies of the past through the decision of the honoured Empress Theodora, we cry aloud: “Blessed are You, O Lord, in the temple of Your glory.”

Now…

O all-pure One, you are exalted above the choirs on high, for alone among women you have become Mother of the Creator of all. Therefore in joy we cry aloud: “Blessed are you among women, O all-immaculate Lady.”

Katavasia: In the Persian furnace the youths and descendants of Abraham,* burning with a love of piety rather than by a flame of fire,* cried aloud saying:* Blessed are You in the temple of Your glory, O Lord.

Ode 8

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Daniel, with hands outspread in the den,* stopped the gaping jaws of the lions;* the three children, lovers of God,* clothed in the virtue of godliness,* quenched the power of the fire and sang aloud:* Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

With hands outspread on the cross, O Lord, you gathered together the nations and showed them to be one Church praising you, with those on earth and those in heaven in harmony singing: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As lightning flashing, in the unapproachable light of the resurrection, the white-robed angel appeared to the women and cried: Why do you seek the living in the tomb as dead? Christ is risen indeed and we cry to him: All you his works, sing praises to the Lord.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

You alone, among all the families of the earth, are revealed as Mother of God; wholly without stain, unharmed by the fire of the unapproachable light, you became the dwelling-place of the Godhead. We all bless you, therefore, Mary, God’s bride.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Seeing you unjustly led to the slaughter, creation, undone and cast down, wailed and wept; the earth shook and the sun drew black darkness as a garment around him. But we unceasingly sing your praises, O Christ, and highly exalt you throughout all the ages.

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

You came down to me, even to Hell, and fashioned for all the road of resurrection; ascending again, you bore me on your shoulders and brought me to the Father. Therefore, I cry to you: Praise the Lord, all his works, and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The Lord of all, who made you from the side of Adam, was made flesh of your virginity and singing his praises we cry: All his works, bless and praise the Lord.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Abraham in his tent beheld the mystery within you, O Mother of God, for there he received as his guest your Son, as yet without flesh, and sang: All his works, bless and praise the Lord.

From the Triodion

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Keeping the laws of the Church that we have received from the Fathers, we write icons, and with our lips and heart and we venerate them as we cry aloud: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

The honour and veneration shown to the icon, is ascribed to the prototype it represents, following the divinely-inspired teachings, therefore with faith we cry aloud to Christ: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.

Let us bless Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Lord!

Her mind enlightened by the illumination of the divine Spirit, the honoured Empress, filled with the fruits of divine wisdom, and with love of the splendour of Christ’s Church, along with all the faithful, blesses Jesus, the God-Man.

Now…

Illumined by rays of noetic light, Your holy house overshadows all with the cloud of the Spirit, and sanctifies the faithful who sing with one accord: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.

We praise, bless and worship the Lord, chanting and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.

Katavasia: Having spread his hands, Daniel closed the lions’ jaws in their den;* while the zealously pious youths, girded with virtue,* quenched the power of the fire and cried aloud:* Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Magnificat

Ode 9

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: From you, O Virgin, the mountain unhewn,* is taken the stone uncut by human hands:* Christ the cornerstone, disparate natures joining together.* Therefore, we rejoice and magnify you, Mother of God.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Wholly you have taken me up entire into union without confusion through your great mercy, my God, giving me salvation in full through your suffering endured on the cross in the flesh.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Gazing upon your opened tomb and upon the linen clothes, within which God had lain, left empty by your resurrection, your disciples said with the angel: The Lord is risen indeed.

Glory be to Youm our God, glory be to You!

All we the faithful worship the one divine nature but Trinity of persons; persons unconfounded, equal in power and equal in honour, we reverently magnify.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

The serpent crept into Eden with guile and took me prisoner; but the Lord Almighty dashed him as a little child against the mighty rock of Golgotha and opened again to me the entrance to delight through the tree of the cross.

Glory to Your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

You have laid waste the mighty stronghold of the enemy by your all-powerful hand and plundered his riches; you have raised me up with yourself from the depths of Hell, O Christ; and that ancient overweening boaster you have exposed as a ludicrous jest and a laughing-stock.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

We see you, O pure one, shining as a lily among thorns, in sea-purple robe dyed in the holy Spirit and filling with fragrance those who truly magnify you.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

In compassion the Incorruptible took from your womb, All-spotless, our unstable, mortal nature and in himself showed it stable; as Mother of God, therefore, we magnify you.

From the Triodion

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Seeing the honourable Church once more adorned with divinely-written images, let us make haste and with reverence cry aloud to God: We magnify You, O Thrice-Holy One.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

As a mark of glory and honour, the Church possesses Your Cross and the honourable icons, and depictions of the saints, and with joy and gladness O Master, she magnifies You.

Glory…

Shine upon our rulers with Your divine glory, O compassionate One, and encompass them about with the protection of the angelic hosts, bringing into subjection, the haughtiness of the heathen, O Master.

Now…

The condemnation of our first mother Eve has been abolished, since you, O pure One, beyond understanding, have given birth to the Master of all; and now we kiss His likeness in the icons.

Katavasia: A cornerstone not cut by hand O Virgin,* was cut from thee the unhewn mountain:* even Christ, Who has joined together the disparate natures;* therefore rejoicing we magnify you, O Theotokos.

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

Tone 4

Resplendent with virtues* let us behold the men standing in brilliant clothes inside the grave,* giving life to the saddened myrrh-bearing women.* Let us learn of the resurrection of the Lord of heaven* and hasten with Peter to the tomb of life.* Let us stand before His wondrous resurrection* and contemplate the marvels of Christ.

Tone 3, Glory…

Leap for joy and clap your hands,* and with gladness sing aloud:* How strange and wonderful are Your works, O Christ!* And who can tell of all Your mighty acts, O Saviour,* Who has united in harmony and with one accord the Church!

Now…

The swords of hostile heresy now have failed,* and every memory of it, with all its tumult, has vanished away.* For we see your temple, O all-pure One, in all its splendour,* adorned with the grace of the precious icons,* and we all are filled therewith.

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 4

O all-powerful Lord,* Who endured the Cross and death,* and arose from the dead,* we glorify Your Holy Resurrection.

By Your Cross, O Christ, You have delivered us from the ancient curse,* and by Your death You have conquered the devil who tyrannized our nature.* By Your arising You have filled all things with joy,* wherefore we cry to You:* O Lord risen from the dead, glory be to You!

O Christ the Saviour,* with Your Cross, guide us to Your truth,* and deliver us from the snares of the enemy;* O You who are risen from the dead* raise us also who have fallen through sin,* by the stretching out of Your hand,* O Lord, at the behest of the prayers of Your Saints.

Without departing from Your Father’s bosom,* in Your tender compassion, You descended to earth,* O Only-begotten Word of God,* without change becoming man.* While You are impassible in Your divinity,* You suffered the Cross and death in the flesh;* and rising from the dead You have granted immortality to the race of mankind,* as You alone are all-powerful.

Tone 4

O Lover of mankind,* the Church now rejoices in You, her Bridegroom and Founder,* for by Your divine Will You have delivered her from the error of idolatry,* and by Your precious Blood You have betrothed her to Yourself.* With joy she accepts the restoration of the holy icons,* and with faith she sings in praise of You* and in faith renders You glory.

Having restored the representations of Your flesh, O Lord,* affectionately kissing them, we elucidate the great mystery of Your dispensation.* For You did not appear to us, O Lover of mankind, merely in outward semblance,* as say the followers of Mani, the enemies of God,* but in the full and true reality of the flesh;* and so the icons that depict Your flesh* lead us to the desire and love of You.

A feast of joy and gladness has been revealed to us today.* For the dogmas of the true Faith shine forth,* rendering the Church of Christ bright with splendour,* adorning her with the holy icons which have now been restored;* whereby God has granted to the faithful unity of mind.

Tone 6

Moses, in the season of abstinence,* received the Law and proclaimed it to the people.* Elijah by fasting closed the heavens;* and the three Children of Abraham through fasting overcame the lawless tyrant.* Count us also worthy, O Christ,* through fasting to attain the Feast of Your Resurrection, as we cry aloud:* Holy God, Holy and Mighty, and Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.

Tone 6, Glory…

Moses, in the season of abstinence,* received the Law and proclaimed it to the people.* Elijah by fasting closed the heavens;* and the three Children of Abraham through fasting overcame the lawless tyrant.* Count us also worthy, O Christ,* through fasting to attain the Feast of Your Resurrection, as we cry aloud:* Holy God, Holy and Mighty, and Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.

Tone 2, Now…

You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!

Great Doxology

Trisagion Prayers

Troparion, Tone 2

You came forth from death, destroying the eternal bonds of Hades, O Lord.* You broke the curse of Death* and thus delivered us from the snares of the Evil One.* Then You appeared to your apostles and sent them forth to preach,* and through them You have bestowed your peace upon all the world,* for You alone are rich in mercy.

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 4: When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”

Troparion, Tone 2: We bow before Your most pure image, O kind Lord,* and beg pardon for our sins, O Christ our God.* Of Your own will You consented to ascend the Cross in the flesh to free Your handiwork from enslavement to the enemy.* In thanksgiving we cry aloud to You:* by coming to save the world, our Saviour, You filled all things with joy.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 8: The uncircumscribed Word of the Father* became circumscribed when He took flesh of you, O Mother of God,* and when He restored the divine image to its ancient glory,* He suffused it with the beauty of God.* Therefore, confessing our salvation in deed and word,* we portray it in images.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4

Blessed are You, Lord God of our fathers,* and praised and glorified is Your Name for ever.

verse: For You are righteous in everything You have done to us. (Daniel 3:26,27)

Epistle

Hebrews 11:24-26,32-40; 12:1-2

Alleluia, Tone 4

verse: Moses and Aaron are among His priests and Samuel among those who call upon His name.

verse: They called on the Lord, and He heard them. (Psalm 98:6)

Gospel

John 1:43-51

Hymn to the Theotokos

In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices: the angelic ranks and all the human race. Sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, virgins’ pride and boast, from whom God is made flesh and became a little Child; and He who is our God before all ages, He made your womb a throne, and He made it wider that all the heavens. In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices. Glory be to you.

Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)