Fifth Sunday of the Great Fast: Our Venerable Mother, Mary of Egypt; Octoechos Tone 8; The Holy Hieromartyr Basil, Presbyter of Ancyra.

When

March 22, 2026

All Day

Day 35 of the Great Fast. Resurrectional Gospel 8.

GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

Tone 8

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

O Christ, during this spiritual service,* we sing to You these evening prayers,* commemorating the mercy You have shown us* by Your resurrection.

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

O Lord, O Lord, do not cast us away from Your face;* but in Your kindness have mercy on us* through Your resurrection.

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

Rejoice, O holy Sion,* the Mother of Churches and the dwelling-place of God;* for you were the first to receive the forgiveness of sins* through the resurrection.

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

Christ the Word was begotten by God the Father before all ages;* yet in these latter times,* He freely willed to take flesh from the Virgin who did not know man.* By His death on the cross and His resurrection,* He saved mankind from the ancient curse of death.

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

O Christ, we glorify Your resurrection;* for by rising from the dead* You freed the race of Adam from the sufferings of Hades,* and as God You granted eternal life* and great mercy to the world.

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

Glory to You, O Christ our Saviour,* the only-begotten Son of God;* for You were nailed to the cross,* and then arose from the dead on the third day.

Tone 6

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

The pollution of past sins* prevented you from entering the church* to see the elevation of the Holy Cross;* but then your conscience and the awareness of your actions* turned you, O wise in God,* to a better way of life.* And, having looked upon the icon of the blessed Maid of God,* You have condemned all your previous transgressions,* O Mother worthy of all praise,* and so have gone with boldness to venerate the precious Cross.

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

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

Having worshipped at the holy places with great joy,* you have received saving grace for the journey of virtue,* and with all haste you have set out upon the good path you have chosen.* Crossing the stream of the Jordan,* with eagerness you have gone to live* in the dwelling place of the Baptist.* you have tamed the savagery of the passions* through your ascetic way of life,* and boldly you have broken the rebelliousness of the flesh,* O Mother ever-glorious.

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

Having gone to dwell in the wilderness,* you had blotted out from your soul the images of your sensual passions,* and marked upon it the God-given imprint of holiness.* You attained such glory, blessed Mother,* as to walk upon the surface of the water,* and in your prayers to God you were raised up from the earth.* And now, all-glorious Mary,* standing before Christ with boldness,* entreat Him for our souls.

Tone 4, Glory…

The power of Your Cross, O Christ,* has worked wonders,* for even the woman who was once a harlot* chose to follow the ascetic way.* Casting aside her weakness,* bravely she opposed the devil;* and having gained the prize of victory,* she intercedes for our souls.

Tone 8, Now…

Out of his love for mankind* the King of heaven appeared on earth and dwelt with men,* for He assumed a human body from the pure Virgin* and was seen in the flesh He received from her.* He is the One and only God* having two natures but not two persons.* Wherefore we profess and declare the truth* that Christ our God is perfect God and perfect Man.* O Mother, who knew not carnal union,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.

Aposticha

Tone 8

O Jesus, You descended from heaven* so that You might ascend the cross.* O immortal Life, You came to die.* You are the true light to those who live in darkness,* and You are the resurrection of the fallen.* Therefore, O Saviour of all, we glorify You.

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

Let us glorify Christ, the Saviour of our Souls* who arose from the dead.* For He took upon himself a soul and a body,* and during His passion He separated the one from the other.* His pure soul went down to conquer Hades,* while His holy body lay uncorrupted in the grave.

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

O Christ, we glorify Your resurrection with psalms and hymns.* For by Your victory over death* You delivered us from the sufferings of Hades,* and as God You granted us eternal life and great mercy.

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

O Lord of all, Creator of heaven and earth,* You are above all understanding.* Through Your passion on the cross* You freed us from the sufferings of Hades.* And, after condescending to be buried, You arose in glory;* and with Your mighty arm You also raised up Adam.* O most merciful Lord, we glorify You;* for by Your resurrection on the third day* You granted us remission of sins and eternal life.

Tone 2, Glory…

The desire of your soul and the passions of your flesh* you have cut down with the sword of abstinence;* your sinful thoughts you have choked with the silence of the ascetic life.* With the streams of your tears you have watered all the wilderness,* and caused the fruits of repentance to spring up for us:** therefore, O saint, we celebrate your memory.

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 8

You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.

Glory… Now…

O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people!

GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 8

Troparia, Tone 8

You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You. (2)

Tone 8, Glory…

In you, O mother, the image of God was preserved,* for taking up your cross, you followed after Christ;* by activity you learned to disdain the flesh, as something transient,* but to care for your soul as something immortal.* Wherefore, with the angels your spirit rejoices, O venerable Mary.

Now…

O Good One, Who for our sake was born of the Virgin* and, having endured crucifixion, cast down death by death,* and as God revealed the resurrection:* disdain not that which You have fashioned with Your own hand.* Show forth Your love for mankind, O Merciful One;* Accept the supplications of the Theotokos who bore You,* and save Your despairing people, O our Saviour!

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 8

You the Life of all, did rise from the dead,* and an Angel of light cried out to the women saying:* Cease your tears. Bring the good tidings unto the Apostles.* Cry aloud in hymns that Christ the Lord has arisen* who as God was well-pleased to save mankind.

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

When You were indeed risen from the tomb* You commanded the holy women to announce the Resurrection to the Apostles, as it is written;* and Peter, having arrived quickly, stood by the grave* and seeing the light in the tomb was frightened,* observing the grave clothes lying therein, without the divine body,* and believing he cried aloud:* Glory be to You O Christ God our Saviour, who has saved us all,* for You are the radiant splendour of the Father.

Glory… Now…

Let us hymn the heavenly gate and ark,* the all-holy mountain, the cloud of light, the heavenly ladder,* the spiritual Paradise, the redemption of Eve,* the great treasure of the world;* because salvation for the world and forgiveness of ancient offences were wrought in her.* Therefore, we cry to her:* Intercede with your own Son and God to grant forgiveness of offences* to those who devoutly worship your most holy Offspring.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 8

Mortals have sealed Your tomb, O Saviour* and an Angel has rolled away the stone from the door.* Women saw You risen from the dead,* and announced the good tidings to Your Disciples in Sion:* The life of all has risen and the bonds of death are loosed.* O Lord, glory be to You.

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

The women having brought sweet-smelling burial spices* heard an Angel’s voice coming from the tomb:* Cease your tears and bring joy instead of sorrow.* Wherefore cry aloud in hymns that Christ the Lord is risen,* who as God was well-pleased to save the race of mankind.

Glory… Now…

In you, O Full of grace, does all creation rejoice,* the ranks of Angels and the race of mankind;* O all-hallowed Temple and spiritual Paradise, boast of Virgins.* For from youGod became incarnate* and He who is our God before the ages became a child.* He has made your womb a throne and rendered it wider than the heavens.* In you, O Full of grace, does all creation rejoice;* glory be to you.

Evlogitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 8

The myrrh-bearing women standing at the tomb of the Giver of life* seeking the immortal Master among the dead;* and having received the glad tidings of joy from the Angel* announced to the Apostles that Christ the Lord is risen,* granting the world great mercy.

Hymn of Ascent, Tone 8

Antiphon 1

From my youth the enemy tempts me, enflaming me with the desire for pleasures;* but placing my trust in You O Lord, I put him to flight.

Let those that hate Sion,* become like grass before it is tilled;* for Christ severs their necks with the sharp blade of torments.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit all things have life;* Light from Light, eminent God:* we hymn Him* together with the Father and the Word.

Antiphon 2

Let my humble heart be sheltered by the fear of You;* lest it fall away from You by being conceited,* O exceedingly compassionate One.

He who has his hope in the Lord* will not be afraid when the Lord judges all things* with fire and torment.

Glory… Now…

Everyone inspired by the Holy Spirit sees all and foretells,* working the greatest wonders, singing of one God in three Hypostases;* for though the Divinity radiates with triune light,* it rules as one.

Antiphon 3

I have cried to You, O Lord, hearken to me,* bend Your ear to my supplications when I cry to You,* and cleanse me before taking me from this life.

Each and every one who returns to mother earth* will depart to receive torments or rewards* in reward for their life’s actions.

Glory… Now…

Contemplation of God by the Holy Spirit is of a thrice-holy unity;* for the Father is beginningless, from Whom the Son was begotten before time,* and the Spirit equal in essence and majesty,* blazes forth equally from the Father.

Antiphon 4

Behold, what is so good, what is so pleasant* as to see brothers dwelling together?* For by this the Lord has promised eternal life.

The One who adorns the lilies of the field* commands us to be unconcerned* over temporal things.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit,* by one single cause all things gain the reward of peace;* for He is God perfectly consubstantial* with both the Father and the Son.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

The Lord will reign forever, Sion’s God, from age to age.

verse: My soul, give praise to the Lord; I will praise the Lord all my days.

Let everything that lives, Tone 8

Gospel

John 20:11-18

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 8

Ode 1

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: When the wonder-working rod of Moses* smote the sea with the sign of the cross and divided it,* Pharaoh the charioteer it overthrew in the deep,* but fugitive Israel, fleeing on foot, it saved,* and he raised a glad shout* of praise to God.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

How should we not wonder at the mighty power of Christ’s divinity? Freedom from passions and incorruption to all the faithful flow from his Passion; drop by drop from his holy side a deathless fountain falls; and from the grave comes life unending.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

How beautiful the angel now reveals himself to the women! Bearing the signs of innate and immaterial purity, and in his far-shining form revealing the splendour of the resurrection, he cries: the Lord is risen.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Glorious things are spoken of you, O Virgin Mother of God, from generation to generation, for, remaining undefiled, you found room in your womb for God the Word. Therefore, we honour you as our protector after God.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

We sing your praises, undefiled Mother of God, who gave birth beyond nature to the divine and eternal Word made fie b.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The Virgin gave you birth, O Christ, life-bearing cluster of the vine, distilling sweetness of salvation for all the world.

from the Triodion

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

You have abandoned me due to my abundant lusts, having each day taken enjoyment in them like the rich man. Wherefore I pray to You, O Saviour; deliver me from the fire as you once delivered Lazarus.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

I am clothed in sensual pleasures, O Saviour, like the rich man who once vested himself in fine linen, gold, and golden clothing, but send me not into the fire, as You did him.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Having taken pleasure in the riches and sweet things of this corruptible life, the rich man of old was condemned to torments, whereas the needy Lazarus obtained consolation.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The hosts of angels and mortals ceaselessly praise you, O Mother unwedded, for you carried their creator as a babe in your arms.

Canon to St. Mary of Egypt

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

With love I celebrate your light-giving and holy memory, send down to me the unapproachable light of Christ ,O venerable one, before Whom you now stand, and deliver me from the manifold temptations of life.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

He Who fled to the Egyptians in the flesh, the un-circumscribable and eternal One, has revealed you to be a most radiant beacon issuing forth from whence He once dwelt; Egypt.

Glory…

Not knowing the divine commandments, you sullied the divine image of God within you, but, O all-praised one, through divine providence, you cleansed it once again, rendering yourself godlike by your godly actions, O venerable one.

Now…

O my God, great is Your loving-kindness, and ineffable Your condescension! For, by the intercessions of Your Mother, You rendered the former harlot as pure and spotless, as the angels.

Katavasia: I shall open my mouth, and be filled with the Spirit,* and utter discourse to the Queen and Mother;* and be seen radiantly keeping festival,* joyfully praising her wonders.

Ode 3

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: In the beginning, O Christ, you established the heavens in understanding,* and founded the earth upon the waters:* establish me upon the rock of your commandments,* for none is holy but you, only Lover of man.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The saving suffering of your flesh, O Christ, justified Adam, condemned by the taste of sin; for as the sinless one you were shown in the trial as owing no debt to death.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Jesus , my God, shed the light of his resurrection upon those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death; and by his divinity he bound the strong man and seized all his goods.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Higher than Cherubim and Seraphim you are declared to be, Mother of God, for you alone, undefiled, received within your womb the illimitable God. Therefore, all the faithful ever sing to you and bless you.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Grant us the help of your prayers, All-pure, and drive away the attacks from the dangers surrounding us.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O Mother of God, you became the restoration of our first mother Eve for you brought into the world the Author of life.

from the Triodion

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

O Christ, as You saved Lazarus from the flames, also deliver me, Your unworthy servant, from the fire of Gehenna.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

O Lord, in passions and lusts I am as wealthy as the rich man, yet in my lack of virtues I am as poor as Lazarus. But save me.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The rich man clothed himself in scarlet and fine linen, lusts, and sins, for which sake he was cast into the flames.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Grant to us help, by your intercessions O all-pure one, who can deliver us from every evil circumstance.

Canon to St. Mary of Egypt

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

You drew near to the gates of destruction by your inexcusable actions; but He Who of old, by the power of His Godhead, smashed to pieces the gates of Hades, opened to you the gates of repentance, O all-honoured one; for He Himself is the Gate of life.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

She who was once a weapon of sin, O Longsuffering One, has now been revealed to be a weapon of Your Cross, O Compassionate One, for by venerating it, she conquered all the weapons and cunning of the devils.

Glory…

He who shed His own blood as a ransom for the sake of all, in the waters of your tears cleansed you who were grievously sickened with the leprosy of your wicked deeds, for He is the cause of all that is.

Now…

That which has come to pass within you, O Virgin, transcends description: For the Word of the Father came to dwell within you, granting by His word alone, the remission of sins to all those who transgress.

Katavasia: O Theotokos, living and plentiful fount,* establish in spiritual fellowship those who sing hymns to you,* and in your divine glory* grant them crowns of glory.

Kontakion, Tone 3

Once you were filled with every impurity,* now through repentance you have been revealed as a bride of Christ,* following the angelic life, you crushed demons with the weapon of the Cross.* Therefore, O glorious Mary, you have been shown to be a bride of the Kingdom.

Ikos

As the lamb and daughter of Christ we now praise you in our hymns, O ever-memorable Mary. Sprung from the race of the Egyptians, you fled from all their delusions and alone offered yourself to the Church as an example of perfection, in abstinence and prayer struggling above that which is the measure of man’s nature, wherefore the only Pantocrator has exalted you, your life and actions, O most-glorious Mary.

Sessional Hymns, Tone 8

All the rebelliousness of the flesh did you subdue by your ascetic labours,* showing the manly wisdom of your soul.* Desiring to behold the Cross of the Lord, O all-honoured one,* you crucified yourself to the world,* eagerly seeking to emulate the angels in their way of life.* Wherefore with faith we honour your memory, O all-blessed one,* and beseech you to pray on our behalf,* that we may be granted the full remission of our sins* by your intercessions.

Glory… Now…

Let us hymn the heavenly gate and ark,* the all-holy Mountain and the Cloud of light,* the heavenly Ladder and the spiritual Paradise,* the Deliverance of Eve and the great Treasure of the whole world.* For through her was wrought the salvation of the world* and the remission of man’s ancient sins.* Wherefore we cry aloud to her:* “Pray to your Son and God, that remission of sins be granted to those* who devoutly worship your all-holy offspring.”

Ode 4

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: O Lord, you are my strength and my might, you are my God and my joy;* without leaving the deep recesses of the Father, you visited our poverty;* so with Habakkuk the prophet, I cry to you:* Glory to your power, O Lover of man.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Merciful Saviour, you loved me much when I was at enmity with you; in strange self-emptying you came to earth, not rejecting the last recesses of my pride. While remaining still upon the heights of your ineffable glory, you glorified me, formerly so disgraced.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Who is not amazed, O Lord, at seeing death done away through sufferings, corruption take flight through a cross, Hell emptied of its possessions through a death? This is the marvellous work of the divine sovereignty of you, the Crucified One, O Lover of man.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Boast of the faithful, Bride unwed, you are the protection and refuge of Christians, city wall and harbour; for you bring our petitions to your Son and save from danger those who acknowledge you in faith and love as the pure Mother of God.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Field unploughed that brought forth the quickening ear of corn which gives life to the world: Mother of God, save us who sing to you.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

All-pure, we on whom the light has shone know you as Mother of God, for, O Ever-virgin, you gave birth to the Sun of Righteousness.

from the Triodion

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The rich man took delight in sumptuous food and raiment, while Lazarus longed to be fed with the crumbs that fell from his table.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

With their tongues the dogs licked the sores of Lazarus the beggar, showing themselves to be more compassionate to the poor than the rich man.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Before the gates of the rich man, O Saviour, Lazarus once lay wretched and suffering from his wounds, but now he is glorified.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Beseech Him whom you bore, O most pure one, that those who hymn you may be saved from the machinations of the deceiver, for you alone are our sure protector.

Canon to St. Mary of Egypt

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

O Creator of the mortal nature of man, since You are a fount of mercy and a wealth of compassion, O Lover of mankind, You had compassion upon her that fled to You for refuge, snatching her away from the destroying beast.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Hastening to see the Cross, you were illumined by its effulgence O Mary, and having communed with it, by the divine manna of Him who was crucified thereon, you became crucified to the world, O right wondrous one.

Glory…

Previously guilty of leading many astray by wicked lust, you now shine forth like the sun, manifesting yourself as a guide to all transgressors, O venerable one.

Now…

You have surpassed the mind of the noetic heavenly powers of the King of all; for transcending the laws of nature, O pure one, you gave birth to the Lawgiver and Fashioner of all things.

Katavasia: He who sits in glory upon the throne of the Godhead,* Jesus the true God,* is come in a swift cloud* and with His sinless hands* he has saved those who cry:* Glory to Your power, O Christ.

Ode 5

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Why have you thrust me away from the never-setting light of your face,* so that alien darkness has covered me, most wretched one?* Turn me back, I beg you, and direct my ways* to the light of your commandments.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Before your Passion, O Saviour, you allowed yourself to be clothed in the robe of mockery, thus covering the shameful nakedness of man; and to be nailed naked to the cross while putting off the garment of death.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

When you arose from the dust of death, O Christ, you built again my beggared nature and rendered it immortal, revealing once again the kingly image, radiant with the light of incorruption.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

As you possess a mother’s boldness before your Son, All-pure, do not refuse your far-seeing care for our race, we pray you. For you alone, as Christians, we present to the Lord for gracious favour and propitiation.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Calm the restless waves of my passions, O you who brought forth God, our pilot and our Lord.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The ranks of angels and every company of men worship your child, O pure Mother of God.

from the Triodion

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

When the rich man saw Lazarus resting in the bosom Abraham, rejoicing in light and glory, he cried aloud: “O Father Abraham, have mercy on me, for I am condemned to the fire and my tongue burns in bitter torment.”

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

“During thy life,” said Abraham to the rich man, “you rejoiced living sumptuously; wherefore you are now eternally tormented in the fire, while Lazarus the beggar rejoices in unending gladness.”

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The life of the rich man was one of delusion in pleasure, and I, like the rich man, also live a sumptuous life, but I beseech of Your compassion, O Lover of mankind, that I may be delivered from the fire, as You once saved Lazarus.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Possessing maternal boldness before your Son, O all-pure one, we beseech you who are from our lineage, turn not away from us, for you alone do we Christians bring before the Lord, as a God-pleasing intercessor on our behalf.

Canon to St. Mary of Egypt

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Moses once shone in glory on Mount Sinai, for having mystically beheld the most glorious hind-parts of God, he himself became a reflection of the strange mystery; and now, fervently falling down before the image of the most-pure one, the vessel which contained the Manna from heaven, Mary undertakes the angelic life.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Having longed, like the psalmist, to see the majesty of the temple, the noetic tabernacle of Your glory, she who defiled the temple cried; “By the noetic prayers O Christ, and of her who became Your temple, without knowing a man, make me a temple of the all-creating Spirit.”

Glory…

With the baited hook of the flesh, she caught the eye of many, and by short-lived sensual pleasure she made them food for the devil, but in truth having been caught by the divine grace of the precious Cross, she became the most sweet food of Christ.

Now…

Having learned of the mystery concerning you, the choir of the prophets has, with mystical divinely spoken words, O most-pure one, prophesied concerning you in many ways. And now Mary, having fallen down before the most pure image of you, the Vessel that received the divine Manna, she has become a sure intercessor for us sinners before God.

Katavasia: All creation stands in awe of your divine glory;* for you, O Virgin who has not known wedlock,* contained within your womb* the God of all,* and gave birth to the timeless Son,* bestowing peace, upon all who hymn you.

Ode 6

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Be merciful to me, O Saviour, for many are my transgressions;* bring me up from the depths of evil, I pray you.* For I have cried out to you,* hear me, O God of my salvation.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Mightily, through a tree, the originating evil overthrew me; uplifted on the cross, O Christ, you cast him down with a greater might, putting him to shame and raising me, the fallen.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Rising from the tomb in compassion you took pity on Zion, by your divine blood bringing about the new in place of the old; and now you reign in her, O Christ, throughout the ages.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

May we be rescued from all our grievous stumblings by your prayers, pure Mother of God, and may we meet with the divine outshining of the Son of God, ineffably made flesh of you.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O Mother of God, we your faithful people proclaim you living ark and temple of God, bridal chamber and gate of heaven .

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Mary, Bride of God, your child as God became the destroyer of heathen idols and is worshipped with the Father and the Spirit.

from the Triodion

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The rich man condemned himself to the flames of fire by his life of pleasure; but Lazarus the poor man chose poverty in this present life, and so was deemed worthy of unending joy.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Lazarus was deemed worthy to dwell in the bosom of Abraham, enjoying eternal life, O Christ; but the rich man was condemned to the fire, to be tormented in both soul and body.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The rich man was condemned to the fire because of Lazarus, condemn me not, wretched as I am, but I pray You, O Lover of mankind, grant me, like Lazarus, O Lord, Your light.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

May we be delivered from grievous sins, by your prayers, O pure Mother of God, and may we be granted the divine enlightenment of the Son of God, who ineffably took flesh from you.

Canon to St. Mary of Egypt

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

The armies of the angels rejoice, O holy Mary, seeing in you a life equal to their own, and crying out they give glory to the Lord.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

The host of dark spirits tremble at the strength of your patient endurance, marvelling at how a woman naked and alone, has been able to wondrously overcome them.

Glory…

You have shone forth like the sun, O all-praised Mary, illumining the desert with your wonders, also make me radiant with light.

Now…

The angels, illumined by the glory of your Offspring, O Virgin, proclaim to all; peace on earth and good will toward mankind.

Katavasia: Celebrating the divine and solemn feast of the Mother of God* O you divinely wise,* let us come, clapping our hands,* and glorify God who was born of her.

Kontakion, Tone 8

When You rose from the tomb,* You also raised the dead and resurrected Adam.* Eve exults in Your resurrection,* and the ends of the world celebrate Your rising from the dead,* O most merciful One.

Ikos

My Saviour, long-suffering, Giver of life, you harrowed the kingdom of Hell and raised the dead; you met the women bringing the myrrh and for sorrow gave them joy; to the apostles you made known the signs of victory, and you shone upon your creation, O Lover of man. The whole world therefore rejoices together in your rising from the dead, O you of many mercies.

Ode 7

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The fire in Babylon once was put to shame by the descent of God* and the young men danced in the furnace,* with joy in their steps, as in a grassy meadow,* and sang: Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Your glorious abasement and the divine wealth of your beggary, O Christ, struck the angels with amazement when they saw you nailed to the cross to save those who cry in faith to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

By your divine descent the lowest depths were filled with light, and the darkness and torment of former ages driven away. Then those in age-old bonds rose up and cried: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, the Lord

In accordance with orthodox doctrine, we proclaim you Lord of all, only Father of the one, only-begotten Son, and we know the one true Spirit proceeding from you, one with you in nature and co-eternal.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Made flesh in a virginal womb you appeared for our salvation. Therefore, knowing your Mother to be the Bearer of God, in thankfulness we cry: God of our fathers, blessed are you.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O Virgin, all-blessed rod of the root of Jesse, you have blossomed and brought forth your fruit, salvation to those who cry in faith to your Son : God of our fathers, blessed are you.

from the Triodion

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Like Job of old, who sat on a dung heap full of decaying filth and worms, Lazarus lay before the gates of the rich man, crying: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

An outcast at the gate of the heartless rich man, Lazarus of old, longed for the crumbs that fell from his table, yet no man gave to him; and in place of this he was granted to dwell in the bosom of Abraham.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

O my Christ, I pray You, deliver me from the lot of the heartless rich man, and number me with Lazarus the poor man, that I may be deemed worthy to cry to You with thanksgiving “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

You appeared incarnate from the virginal womb for our salvation. Wherefore we acknowledge Your mother as the Theotokos, and with thanksgiving cry aloud: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Canon to St. Mary of Egypt

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Wise Zosimas, greatest among the fathers, wandered in the desert wilderness and was counted worthy to see the venerable mother, and cried aloud; “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

“For what, O father,” said the venerable one to the staretz, “did you come to see a woman who is a stranger to every manner of virtuous action,” and she cried aloud; “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Glory…

You put to death, O blessed one, the rebelliousness of your passions, and now having striven to the safe haven of passionlessness, You cry aloud; “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Now…

In ways transcending speech, O most-pure one, you conceived while yet remaining a virgin, and brought forth into the world the salvation, Christ our God. Wherefore we and all the faithful magnify you in songs.

Katavasia: Refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator,* the divinely wise youths bravely trampled down the threatening fire* and rejoicing they sang aloud:* O supremely hymned Lord and God of our Fathers, blessed are You.

Ode 8

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The Chaldaean tyrant in fury kindled the furnace sevenfold for those who feared God;* then, as he beheld them saved alive by a mightier power than his, their Creator and Redeemer himself,* he cried: Bless him, young men, praise him, O priests,* highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The power supremely divine of the Godhead of Jesus has shone out in these things: on the cross he tasted death in the flesh for all men, and he brought to nothing the might of Hell. Bless him without ceasing, young men, praise him, O priests, highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The crucified one arose, the boastful and vainglorious fell, the fallen and the broken are restored, corruption is banished, incorruption has blossomed, for death is swallowed up by life. Bless him, young men, praise him, O priests, highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, the Lord

Godhead of threefold light, in single radiance shining from one three-personed nature, Begetter without beginning, Word of the Father’s nature and Spirit consubstantial, co-reigning: bless him, young men, praise him, O priests, exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Quench the darts, fiery and seducing, of those who fight against us, so that we may hymn you, Pure One, throughout all the ages.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O Virgin, beyond nature you gave birth to God the Word, Creator and Saviour, and therefore we sing to you throughout all the age .

from the Triodion

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

In clothes of scarlet raiment, fine linen and purple, the rich man of old splendidly clothed himself in wretchedness, while the poor man Lazarus lay a pitiable outcast at his gate, longing to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table; and no man gave to him. But now he reigns with Christ in glory.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Lazarus lay at the gates of the rich man, his body putrid with sores: He longed to eat, and no man gave him food; but the dogs, moved by compassion, licked his sores and wounds. Wherefore he has been deemed worthy of joy in Paradise.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

I have grown rich in sensual pleasures, like the rich man of old, clothing himself each day in scarlet; and I have condemned myself by taking pleasure and being deceived by the sweet things of this life, O Compassionate One. Wherefore I pray to You, O Christ, deliver me from the eternal fire throughout all ages.

Most holy Trinity our God glory be to You.

The threefold light of the Godhead shines with a single radiance, from one Hypostatic essence, The Father without beginning, the Son of the same essence as the Father, and the co-enthroned consubstantial Spirit, O you children bless, you priests praise, and you peoples supremely exalt throughout all ages.

Canon to St. Mary of Egypt

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

He Who searches the depths of the heart, and who, before we came into being, foresees all things concerning us, has freed from a life of bondage the woman who fled to You, O Saviour; in need of Your love for mankind she cried out to You with never-silent voice: “O you priests bless Him, and you people supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.”

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Honourable is the change of life that has brought you to a better way! O divine the love that has taught you to despise the sensual pleasures of the flesh! O all-praised Mary, fervent and divine in the faith, which we faithfully praise and supremely exalt throughout the ages.

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

You received a recompense for your sufferings, and a reward for your labours, O honoured Mary, by which you slew the murderous enemy: and now with the angels you cry aloud with never-ceasing hymns supremely exalting Christ throughout the ages.

Now…

For the sake of His goodness the Lord of all the ages has completely renewed me within your womb, O pure one, without commingling that which is unique to each nature. Wherefore, as the cause of our salvation, with hymns we praise you throughout all ages.

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

Katavasia: The Offspring of the Theotokos saved the holy children in the furnace.* He who was then prefigured has now been born on earth,* and He gathers all creation to hymn you:* all you works praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.

Magnificat

Ode 9

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Heaven is amazed and the ends of the earth stricken with fear* that your womb is become wider than the heavens, and God is seen bodily by men.* Therefore, O Mother of God* the ranks of angels and of men magnify you.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Word of God, simple in your nature divine and unoriginate, by giving existence to flesh and assuming it to yourself you became compound: suffering as a man you remained beyond suffering as God. Therefore, we magnify you in the two natures, indivisible and yet without confusion.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Most High, according to the divine essence you are ever one with God as your Father; but when you took the nature of man, coming down to your servants and rising from the tomb, you made him, who is by nature God and Lord, by grace Father of those born of the earth. You with him we magnify.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O Virgin Mother of God, you are seen beyond nature bearing in the body that good Word which the Father as the One Good uttered from his heart before all ages. And we understand him now as being beyond the body, yet clothed with a body

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

How full of joy, how full of gladness and of overflowing healing is the thought of you to those who come to you for help and with devotion proclaim you Mother of God!

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O full of grace, we sing to you our hymns of praise, and bring to you our never silent “Hail,” for from you all joy and exultation spring.

from the Triodion

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

I pray You, O Christ, make me like Lazarus the beggar, banishing my desire for sensual pleasure, since You are God in essence: and make me as wealthy as the rich man, only, in the virtues, that with faith I may magnify You in hymns.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Rich and unmerciful, my mind has despised faith in Your commandments, O Lover of mankind, and been cast out before the gates. But since You are a fellow sufferer, and lovingly compassionate, raise it up as once You raised up Your friend Lazarus, who was four days dead.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

All have learned the meaning of this parable of the Lord, let us, the faithful despise the lack of compassion of the rich man, that we may escape torments, and eternally rejoice in the bosom of Abraham.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The invisible God have you carried in your arms, He who is praised in the heavens and by all of creation, by you we have been granted salvation at all times, wherefore with faith we magnify you.

Canon to St. Mary of Egypt

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

You more easily endured your labours in the wilderness; strengthened by the almighty strength of Christ, quenching the impure thoughts that came to you, by the streams of your godly tears, O mother, the summit of ascetics and glory of the venerable saints.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

With rays of exceeding brightness, the only birth-giver of Christ the light, the pure virgin, shone upon you, making thee frightening to your enemies, O honoured one; and revealing you to us all, O Mary, as the beauty of ascetics, and the foundation of venerable saints.

Glory…

Having wisely abandoned all the things of this world, you became a sacred dwelling of the Spirit: Beseech Christ the Redeemer, that we who faithfully celebrate your memory may be freed from the grief of worldly passions.

Now…

In a manner transcending nature, O Virgin, you have been freed from the laws of nature, and brought forth on earth a newborn Child, Who is the Giver of the Law and the Ancient of Days. Wherefore, O noetic heaven of the Creator of all, with faith and love we call you blessed.

Katavasia: Let every mortal born on earth, radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy;* and let the host of the angelic powers celebrate and honour the holy feast of the Mother of God,* and let them cry aloud:* Rejoice! O Theotokos, pure Ever-Virgin.

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

Tone 8

When Mary saw two angels inside the grave,* she was seized with fright.* She did not recognize Christ but thought that He was the gardener;* she said to Him: “Sir, where have You placed the body of Jesus?”* She knew from His voice that He was the Saviour,* and she obeyed Him when He said:* “Touch Me not for I am going to My Father.* Tell this to My disciples.”

Tone 3, Glory…

You do we have as an image of repentance, O all-venerable Mary,* pray to Christ that in the season of the Fast* we may also be granted repentance,* that with faith and love we may praise you with hymns.

Now…

O sweetness of the angels, joy of the afflicted,* intercessor on behalf of Christians,* Virgin Mother of the Lord,* help me and deliver me from eternal torment.

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 8

O Lord, though You stood before the judgment seat* being judged by Pilate,* yet You were seated with the Father* and were not absent from Your throne.* And risen from the dead You freed the world from slavery to the stranger,* as You are full of compassionate pity and love for mankind.

O Lord, the Jews laid You as a corpse in a grave,* and soldiers guarded You as a sleeping king* sealing You with a seal as if a treasury of life;* but You arose* and grant incorruption to our souls.

O Lord, You have given us Your Cross as a weapon against the devil;* for he quakes and trembles, unable to contemplate Your power;* for raised the dead and abolished death:* wherefore we worship Your Burial and Your Rising.

Your Angel, O Lord, having proclaimed Your Resurrection,* filled the guards with fear,* but he cried to the women saying: Why do you seek the living among the dead?* Being God He is risen* granting life to the whole world.’

You endured the Cross, O You who are impassible in Your Divinity,* to free us from slavery to the enemy* and You accepted burial for three days, making us immortal,* and granting life unto us through Your Resurrection,* O Christ God, Lover of mankind.

O Christ, I worship, I glorify, and I praise Your Resurrection from the tomb,* through which You delivered us from the unbreakable bonds of Hades* and as God granted the world eternal life and great mercy.

The Lawless men, watching over Your grave* which had received life, sealed it;* but You, as the immortal and all-powerful God,* arose on the third day.

When You entered the gates of Hades, O Lord, and shattered them,* the prisoners therein cried aloud:* Who is this? for He has not been condemned to the lowest parts of the earth,* but has torn down the prisons of death as if a tent,* we received Him as One mortal, and we tremble before Him as God.* O All-powerful Saviour have mercy on us.

Tone 1

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

The Kingdom of God is not food and drink,* but righteousness and abstinence with holiness:* And so the rich shall not enter into it,* but those who invest their treasures into the needful hands of the poor.* This is what David the Prophet has taught us, saying:* “The righteous man shows mercy all the day long;* his delight is in the Lord, and walking in the light he shall not stumble.”* All this was written for our admonition,* that we fast and undertake the doing of good deeds;* that in place of earthly things the Lord may grant us heavenly things.

Tone 1, Glory…

Tone 2, Now…

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

Great Doxology

Trisagion Prayers

Troparion, Tone 2

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

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 8: You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.

Troparion, Tone 8: The divine image was faithfully preserved in you, O mother,* for taking up the Cross, you followed Christ.* By your deeds you have taught us to see beyond the flesh, which passes,* and care for the soul, a thing immortal.* And so, O venerable Mary,* your spirit rejoices with the angels.

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

Kontakion, Tone 3: Once you were filled with every impurity,* now through repentance you have been revealed as a bride of Christ,* following the angelic life, you crushed demons with the weapon of the Cross.* Therefore, O glorious Mary, you have been shown to be a bride of the kingdom.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

Pray and give praise to the Lord our God.

verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 75:12,2)

Prokeimenon, Tone 4

God is wonderful in His saints,* the God of Israel. (Psalm 67:36)

Epistle

Hebrews 9:11-14; Galatians 3:23-29

Alleluia, Tone 8

verse: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us acclaim God our Saviour.

verse: Let us come before His countenance with praise and acclaim Him with psalms. (Psalm 94:1,2)

Gospel

Mark 10:32-45; Luke 7:36-50

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)* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)