Polyeleos Feast.

AT GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING

Lytis is prescribed this Sunday in the Pentecostarion. If Lytia be omitted, the remainder of the order is unchanged.

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man” is sung.

At Psalm 140

Tone 5

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

With Your precious Cross, O Christ,* You have put the Devil to shame.* With Your Resurrection You have deadened the sting of sin* and have saved us from the gates of Death.* We, therefore, glorify You, O only-begotten Son of God.

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

O Christ, who granted resurrection to mankind,* You were led like a lamb to the slaughter.* Then the princes of Hades were struck with terror* as they saw the gates of their tearful domain being lifted up;* for Christ, the King of Glory, entered therein* and exclaimed to those in chains: Go forth from here!* And to those in darkness: Go forth into the light!

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

What a great wonder!* The Creator of invisible beings suffered in the flesh for mankind* and rose from the dead as immortal.* Come, therefore, all you nations and adore Him;* for through His compassion we have been freed from the snares of the Devil,* and we have learned to praise the one God in three Persons.

Tone 2

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

The man who was blind from birth asked himself:* Was I born blind because of the sin of my parents,* or am I a living sign of the unbelief of the nations?* I am not content to ask whether it is night or day;* my feet can no longer endure tripping upon the stones.* I have not seen the brightness of the sun,* nor have I seen the image and likeness of my Creator.* Yet I beseech You, O Christ, our God,* to look upon me and have mercy on me.

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

The man who was blind from birth asked himself:* Was I born blind because of the sin of my parents,* or am I a living sign of the unbelief of the nations?* I am not content to ask whether it is night or day;* my feet can no longer endure tripping upon the stones.* I have not seen the brightness of the sun,* nor have I seen the image and likeness of my Creator.* Yet I beseech You, O Christ, our God,* to look upon me and have mercy on me.

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

Passing by the Temple, Jesus saw a man who was blind from birth.* He had compassion on him and put mud on his eyes.* He said to him: Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.* He washed and recovered his sight;* then he rendered glory to God.* But his neighbours said to him:* Who opened your eyes which no one before could heal?* And he answered them, saying: A man called Jesus.* He told me to go and wash in the pool of Siloam, and now I see.* He is in truth Christ the Messiah, of whom Moses wrote in the Law.* He is the Saviour of our souls.

Tone 4

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

The wondrous Simon, boast of the apostles,* passed across the earth like a brilliant lightning bolt!* He dispelled the darkness of idolatry* with his saving, brilliant and divine teachings!* He enlightened all people to glorify one God in Three Persons,* indivisible and undivided!

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

The wondrous Simon, boast of the apostles,* passed across the earth like a brilliant lightning bolt!* He dispelled the darkness of idolatry* with his saving, brilliant and divine teachings!* He enlightened all people to glorify one God in Three Persons,* indivisible and undivided!

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

Like a rolling wheel, the blessed Simon ran swiftly through the ends of the earth!* He burned away the madness of idolatry from all the land,* lighting brilliant beacons with piety,* he kindled luminous fires of grace for the faithful* that they may worship one God in Three Persons,* indivisible and undivided!

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

The most radiant and all-wondrous apostle Simon,* the teacher of the nations, the net of God,* draws us up from the depth of perdition with the height of theology!* The true preacher now wisely leads all to the knowledge of Christ.* He sets before us his accomplishments* as a pleasing feast of all good things!

Tone 5, Glory…

As You walked along, O Lord,* You found a man who had been blind from birth.* In surprise, the disciples asked You:* Was it because of the sin of this man or his parents* that he was born blind, O Master?* But You, O Saviour, answered them, saying:* Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents,* but that the works of God would be revealed in him.* I must accomplish the works of Him who sent Me,* which no one else can work.* As You said that, You spat on the ground* and made mud from the dust to anoint his eyes.* And You said to him: Go and wash in the pool of Siloam.* When he washed, he was healed and cried out to You:* O Lord, I believe!* And he bowed down and worshiped You.* Therefore, we also cry out to You: Have mercy on us!

Now…

A symbol of the undefiled Virgin and bride* was revealed in the Red Sea.* There, Moses divided the waters;* here, Gabriel is the messenger of the miracle.* There, the Israelites crossed the deep and their feet were not even wet;* here, the Virgin gives birth to Christ without human seed.* There, the sea remained uncrossed after the passing of Israel;* here, the immaculate remained incorrupt after giving birth to Emmanuel.* Therefore, O immortal God, who appeared in the flesh as true Man,* have mercy on us!

Readings

(1) 1 John 4:9-16; (2) 1 John 4:20-5:5; (3) 1 John 3:21-4:6

Lytia

Sticheron of the Temple, then:

Tone 4, Glory…

Considering his whole life to be night,* the blind man cried out to You, O Lord:* “Open my eyes, O our Savior, Son of David,* that I also, with everyone else, may hymn Your power!”

Now…

Mercifully regard the supplications of your servants, O all-immaculate one,* quelling the uprisings of the cruel demons against us,* delivering us from every sorrow;* for you alone have we as a steadfast and sure confirmation,* and we have acquired your intercession;* let us not who call upon you be put to shame, O Mistress.* Hasten to answer the entreaty of those who cry out to you with faith:* Rejoice, the help, joy and protection of all, and salvation of our souls!

Aposticha

Tone 5

O Christ our Saviour,* we lift up our voices in song to glorify You.* For, in Your love for mankind,* You became incarnate without leaving heaven;* You accepted the Cross and death;* You cast down the gates of Hades;* and on the third day You arose from the dead* for the salvation of our souls.

Let God arise;* let His enemies be scattered!

Today a sacred Pascha is revealed to us.* A new and holy Pascha.* A mystical Pascha.* A Pascha worthy of veneration.* A Pascha which is Christ the Redeemer,* a blameless Pascha.* A great Pascha.* A Pascha of the faithful.* A Pascha which has opened for us the gates of Paradise.* A Pascha which sanctifies all the faithful.

As smoke vanishes,* let them vanish.

Come* from that scene, O women bearers of glad tidings,* and say to Sion:* Receive from us the glad tidings of joy* of Christ’s Resurrection:* Exult and be glad,* and rejoice, O Jerusalem,* seeing Christ the King* who comes forth from the tomb like a Bridegroom in procession!

So let sinners flee from before the face of God;* but let the righteous rejoice!

The myrrh-bearing women* at the break of dawn* drew near to the tomb of the LifeGiver.* There they found an angel* sitting upon the stone,* he greeted them with these words:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* Why do you mourn the incorrupt amid corruption?* Go: proclaim the glad tidings to His disciples.

This is the day which the Lord has made:* Let us rejoice and be glad in

Pascha of beauty!* The Pascha of the Lord!* Pascha!* A Pascha worthy of all honour* has dawned on us. Pascha! Let us embrace each other joyously!* Pascha, ransom from affliction!* For today as from a bridal chamber* Christ has shown forth from the Tomb,* and filled the women with joy saying:* “Proclaim the glad tidings to the Apostles!”

Tone 6, Glory…

Most holy Simon, disciple and apostle of Christ,* like a high flying eagle you soared over creation!* You burned up the falsehood of idolatry with the fiery sound of your teachings,* leading the nations out of the depths of ignorance* into the knowledge of God.* Now pray to Christ that He be merciful to us on the day of judgment!

Now…

This is the day of Resurrection,* let us be illumined by the Feast!* Let us embrace each other!* Let us call “Brothers!”* even those that hate us* and forgive all by the Resurrection,* and so let us cry:

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life!

Troparia

Tone 5

Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

Tone 3, Glory…

Holy Apostle Simon, intercede with the merciful God* to grant to our souls* forgiveness of sins.

Now…

We sing your praises, O Virgin;* for, as the Mother of God, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from you that our God and Your Son took flesh. * Then, by suffering the passion on the Cross,* and out of love for mankind, He delivered us from corruption.

AT GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 5

Troparia, Tone 5

Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection. (2)

Tone 3, Glory…

Holy Apostle Simon, intercede with the merciful God* to grant to our souls* forgiveness of sins.

Now…

We sing your praises, O Virgin;* for, as the Mother of God, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from you that our God and Your Son took flesh. * Then, by suffering the passion on the Cross,* and out of love for mankind, He delivered us from corruption.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 5

Let us celebrate the Cross of the Lord,* let us honour His holy Burial with hymns,* and let us exulting, glorify His Resurrection.* For with Himself He has raised the dead from their graves,* and as God having despoiled the dominion of death* and the might of the devil,* He has shone forth light upon those in Hades.

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

O Lord, You who put death to death, was called dead;* You who have emptied the tombs was placed in a tomb;* above, the soldiers stood guarding the grave,* below, You raised the dead from all ages.* O Lord, All-powerful and Incomprehensible,* glory be to You!

Glory… Now…

Rejoice holy mountain upon which God has walked;* Rejoice! living bush unconsumed by fire;* Rejoice! O only bridge of creation to God, who leads mortals to eternal life;* Rejoice! Maiden undefiled, who has born without wedlock* the salvation of our souls.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 5

O Lord, after Your Resurrection on the third day,* and after the worship of the Apostles, Peter cried to You;* The women had courage, and I was afraid;* the Thief confessed You as God, and I denied You:* will You no longer call me a disciple,* or will You once again declare me a fisher of the deep?* Receive me in my penitence, O God, and save me!’

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

O Merciful Lord, the lawless Ones nailed You between two condemned thieves* and pierced Your side with a lance,* but You, who destroyed the gates of Hades,* suffered burial and arose on the third day;* The women ran to see You and announced the Resurrection to Your Apostles.* O supremely exalted Saviour whom the Angels hymn,* O blessed Lord, glory be to You.

Glory… Now…

The Bride who knew not wedlock, the Birth-giver of God,* who turned Eve’s grief to joy,* we the faithful hymn and worship,* for you have redeemed us from the ancient curse.* And now, O All-hymned most holy one,* cease not to make intercession for the salvation of our souls.

Polyeleos

Magnification

We magnify you, O Apostle of Christ Simon, and we honour the pangs and labours, with which you struggled in the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.

verse: The heavens proclaim the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands.

Glory… Now…; Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory be to You, O God (3)

Evlogitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 5

The Myrrh-bearing women, amazed in their minds by the vision of the Angel* yet enlightened in their souls by the divine Resurrection,* announced the glad tidings to the Apostles:* Proclaim among the nations the Resurrection of the Lord,* who works in us through wonders,* and who grants us great mercy.

Sessional Hymns, Tone 2

Fishing for the nations, the glorious apostle taught the ends of the earth to worship You with the Father and the Spirit, O Christ God.* Therefore, establish Your Church, and send down Your blessing upon the faithful, O only Merciful One, and Lover of mankind.

Tone 4, Glory…

Like the sun, Christ emitted you like a ray to enlighten all the earth, O glorious apostle Simon; and with your divine supplications you illumine and enlighten with divine and never-waning light all who celebrate your holy memory with faith.

Tone 8, Now…

Fishing for reason-endowed fish with the net of divine words*, you bring the first-fruits thereof to our God,* and desiring to clothe yourself in the wounds of God,* you show yourself to be an emulator of His suffering.* Wherefore as is meet, assembling, we honour your most festive memory, O glorious apostle,* and cry out to you together:* entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to those who honour your holy memory with love.

Gradual Hymns, Tone 5

Antiphon 1

When I am troubled I sing to You like David,* O my Saviour:* Deliver my soul from a deceitful tongue.

Blessed is the life of those* who dwell in the desert places,* Divine love gives them wings.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit all things are unshaken,* both visible and invisible;* for He has sovereign power,* being undeniably one of the Trinity.

Antiphon 2

Lift up yourself to the mountains,* O my soul;* go to that place from whence comes our help.

Let Your right hand hover over me,* O Christ,* and guard me from every misfortune.

Glory… Now…

Let us sing to the Holy Spirit, as we contemplate God:* You are God, life, love, light, and intellect,* You are goodness,* and You reign to the ages.

Antiphon 3

Filled with great joy at the words of those who say to me:* “Let us go into the courts of the Lord,”* I offer up my prayers.

Fearful things are accomplished in the house of David;* for a fire is found there,* burning every shameful thought.

Glory… Now…

To the Holy Spirit belongs the lordship of life,* for from Him every living being hath its breath,* as also from the Father* together with the Son.

Prokeimenon, Tone 5

Arise, O Lord my God, lift up Your hand*, for You shall reign forever.

verse: I will confess to You, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will recount all Your marvellous works.

Let everything that lives, Tone 5

Gospel

John 20:11-18

Hymn of Resurrection (thrice)

Canon

Ordinarily, the Paschal Canon is taken in full, given below;

The full Canon prescribed for today is provided here

Ode 1

Irmos: It is the Day of Resurrection, let us be radiant, O people; Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha: for from death to life, and from earth to heaven, Christ God has brought us, as we sing the song of victory.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Let us purify our senses, and we shall behold Christ, radiant with the unapproachable light of the Resurrection, and we shall clearly hear Him say, Rejoice! as we sing the hymn of victory.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Let the heavens be glad as is meet, and let the earth rejoice, and let the whole world, both visible and invisible, keep festival: for Christ is risen, O gladness eternal.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

You have broken through the barrier of death, by giving birth to Christ, the eternal Life, who today has shone forth from the tomb, O all-immaculate Virgin, and Who has enlightened the world.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Having beheld your resurrected Son and God, rejoice with the apostles, O Pure One who are full of the grace of God, and be the first to rejoice, as you have received the Cause of joy for all, O all-immaculate Mother of God.

Katavasia: It is the Day of Resurrection, let us be radiant, O people; Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha: for from death to life, and from earth to heaven, Christ God has brought us, as we sing the song of victory.

Ode 3

Irmos: Come, let us drink a new drink, not one miraculously brought forth from a barren rock but the Fountain of Incorruption, springing forth from the tomb of Christ, in Whom we are strengthened.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Now all things are filled with light; heaven and earth, and the nethermost pares of the earth; let all creation, therefore, celebrate the arising of Christ whereby it is strengthened.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Yesterday I was buried with You, O Christ; today I rise with Your arising. Yesterday I was crucified with You; glorify me with You, O Saviour, in Your kingdom.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Into incorruptible life have I entered today, through the goodness of Him who was born of you, O Pure One, and who makes all the ends of the earth radiant with joy.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Having beheld God, whom you bore in the flesh, risen from the dead, as He said, O pure one; dance, and magnify Him as Go* O most pure one.

Katavasia: Come, let us drink a new drink, not one miraculously brought forth from a barren rock but the Fountain of Incorruption, springing forth from the tomb of Christ, in Whom we are strengthened.

Small Litany

Kontakion, Tone 2

With praises let all of us call blessed* the divinely eloquent Simon.* He diligently planted the teachings of wisdom in the hearts of the godly* and stands now at the throne of glory* rejoicing with the bodiless powers and praying unceasingly for all of us.

Ikos

Let us all now praise and piously bless the commemoration of the apostle as though it were a day of salvation; for it shines forth like the sun upon the whole world, it dispels all darkness with the rays of its light, and with love illumines those who celebrate his memory and who lovingly honour it. Therefore, let us hasten with zeal, chanting to him, for he stands before Christ, praying unceasingly for all of us.

Sessional Hymn, Tone 3

With the radiant light of the divine Spirit* you have destroyed the darkness of polytheism,* and illumined the hearts of the faithful,* and singing forth the Savior’s commandments,* you abolished the fables of the pagans.* O glorious Simon,* entreat Christ God,* that He grant us great mercy.

Tone 8, Glory… Now…

As the Master and Fashioner of all things passed by,* He encountered along the way a blind man who was seated there* and who mourned aloud, saying:* All my life I have beheld neither the sun shining forth* nor laid eyes on the bright luminescence of the moon.* Yet since You were born of an immaculate Virgin so as to fill all with light,* now fill me with Your light, in that You are compassionate.* And thus I shall adore You and cry:* Sovereign Master, Christ my God, forgive me my sins, in Your abundant compassion,* O You, the only Lover of mankind.

Ode 4

Irmos: On divine watch let the God-inspired Habakkuk stand with us and show forth the light-bearing angel clearly saying: Today salvation is come to the world, for Christ is risen as Almighty.

Christ is risen from the dead.

As a man-child did Christ appear when He came forth from the Virgin’s womb, and as a mortal He was called the Lamb. Without blemish also, is our Pascha for He tasted no defilement; and as true God, perfect was He proclaimed.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Like a yearling lamb,*Christ, our blessed Crown,*of His own will was sacrificed for all,*a Pascha of purification;*and from the tomb the beautiful Sun of Righteousness*shone forth again upon us.

Christ is risen from the dead.

David, the ancestor of God,*danced with leaping before the symbolical Ark;*let us also, the holy people of God, beholding the fulfilment of the symbols, be divinely glad; for Christ is risen as Almighty.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

He Who created Adam your forefather, O Pure One, took form from you, and the habitation of the dead has He demolished today through His death, and shone upon all things with the divine radiance of the Resurrection.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Beholding Christ, whom you have borne, shining forth splendidly from the dead, O Pure One, who are good and spotless among women, and comely today, rejoicing with the apostles in the salvation of all, Him do you glorify.

Katavasia: On divine watch let the God-inspired Habakkuk stand with us and show forth the light-bearing angel clearly saying: Today salvation is come to the world, for Christ is risen as Almighty.

Ode 5

Irmos: Let us awake in the deep dawn, and instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Master, and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, who causes life to dawn for all.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Seeing Your boundless compassion they who were held in the bonds of hades hastened to the light, O Christ, with gladsome feet, praising the Pascha eternal.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Bearing lights, let us approach Christ, who comes forth from the tomb like a bridegroom, and with the feast-loving ranks of angels let us celebrate the saving Pascha of God.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Enlightened by the divine rays and the life-bearing Resurrection of your Son, O most pure Mother of God, the gathering of the pious is filled with joy.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

You did not open the gates of virginity in the Incarnation, nor the seal upon the tomb did You destroy, O King of creation; from whence seeing You risen, Your Mother rejoices.

Katavasia: Let us awake in the deep dawn, and instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Master, and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, Who causes life to dawn for all.

Ode 6

Irmos: You descended into the nethermost pares of the earth, and shattered the eternal bars that held the fettered, O Christ, and on the third day* like Jonah from the whale, You arose from the tomb.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Having kept the seals intact, O Christ, You arose from the tomb* O You Who did not break the seal of the Virgin by Your birth, and You have opened for us the doors of Paradise.

Christ is risen from the dead.

O my Saviour, the living and unslain Sacrifice, when, as God, You, of Your Own will, had offered up Yourself to the Father, You raised up with Yourself the whole race of Adam, when You arose from the tomb.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

He that of old was held by death and corruption is raised up by Him who was incarnate of your most pure womb, O Theotokos Virgin, unto incorruption and everlasting life.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

He Who went down into the nethermost pares of the earth, and came into your womb, O Pure One, and dwelt and past understanding was incarnate, has also raised up Adam with Himself when He rose from the tomb.

Katavasia: You descended into the nethermost pares of the earth, and shattered the eternal bars that held the fettered, O Christ, and on the third day* like Jonah from the whale, You arose from the tomb.

Small Litany

Kontakion, Tone 4

Blinded in the eyes of my soul, I come to You, O Christ, like the man who was blind from birth, and I cry in repentance: You are the brilliant light of those in darkness.

Ikos

Grant me a stream of ineffable wisdom and knowledge from on high, O Christ, Light of them that are in darkness and Guide of all those who are gone astray, that I may tell of those things that the divine book of the Gospel of peace has taught, to wit, the miracle that was wrought upon the blind man; for though blind from birth, he receives the physical eyes as well as the eyes of the soul, as he cries out in faith: Of those in darkness are You the most radiant Light.

Ode 7

Irmos: He who delivered the Children from the furnace, became man, suffers as a mortal, and through His Passion clothes mortality with the beauty of incorruption, He is the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

Christ is risen from the dead.

The godly-wise women with myrrh followed after You in haste; but Him Whom they sought with tears as dead, they worshipped joyfully as the living God, and they brought to Your disciples, O Christ, the good tidings of the mystical Pascha.

Christ is risen from the dead.

We celebrate the death of death, the destruction of hades, the beginning of another life eternal, and leaping for joy, we hymn the Cause, the only blessed and supremely glorious God of our fathers.

Christ is risen from the dead.

For truly sacred and all-festive is this saving night, and this shining, light-bearing day, the harbinger of the Resurrection, whereon the Timeless Light bodily from the tomb upon all has shined.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Your Son, having put death to death, O all-immaculate one, today has granted to all mortals the life that abides to the ages of ages, the only blessed and supremely glorious God of our fathers.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

He Who reigns over all creation, became man, dwelling in your God-graced womb, and having endured crucifixion and death, is risen in a God-befitting manner, raising us up with Himself, for He is Almighty.

Katavasia: He who delivered the Children from the furnace, became man, suffers as a mortal, and through His Passion clothes mortality with the beauty of incorruption, He is the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

Ode 8

Irmos: This chosen and holy day is the first of the Sabbaths, the queen and lady, the feast of feasts, and the festival of festivals, wherein we bless Christ throughout the ages.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Come, on this auspicious day of the Resurrection, let us partake of the fruit of the new vine of divine gladness of the kingdom of Christ, praising Him as God throughout the ages.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Lift up your eyes about you, O Sion,* and see, for behold, there comes to you, like God-illumined beacons, from the west, and from the north, and from the sea, and from the east, your children, in you blessing Christ throughout the ages.

O Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory be to You.

O Father Almighty, and Word, and Spirit, one Nature united in three Hypostases, transcendent and most divine! Into You have we been baptized, and You will we bless throughout all ages.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Through you the Lord came into the world, O Virgin Theotokos, and the womb of hades did He tear open, granting to us mortals resurrection; Therefore, we bless Him throughout the ages.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Laying low all the dominion of death by His Resurrection, your Son, O Virgin, as the mighty God, has raised us up with Himself and deified us; Therefore we sing His praise throughout the ages.

We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!

Katavasia: This chosen and holy day is the first of the Sabbaths, the queen and lady, the feast of feasts, and the festival of festivals, wherein we bless Christ throughout the ages.

The Magnificat is not sung.

Ode 9

Irmos: Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.

Christ is risen from the dead.

O how divine, how loving, how sweet is Your voice! For You have truly promised to be with us to the end of the age, O Christ; having this foundation of hope, we the faithful rejoice.

Christ is risen from the dead.

O Christ, You great and most sacred Pascha! O Wisdom, Word, and Power of God! Grant us to partake of You more fully in the unwaning day of Your kingdom.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

With one voice, O Virgin, the faithful bless you. Rejoice, O Portal of the Lord; rejoice, O living City; rejoice, through whom for our sake the Light has shone, Who, born of you, is the Resurrection of the dead.

O most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Be glad and rejoice, O Portal of the Divine Light: for Jesus set into the grave, has dawned forth shining more brightly than the sun, and has illumined all the faithful, O divinely joyous Lady.

Katavasia: Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

Having fallen asleep in the flesh, as a mortal, O King and Lord, on the third day You rose again, raising up Adam from corruption, and abolishing death: O Pascha of incorruption, Salvation of the world!

Glory…

Directing the course of your beautiful feet to the path of heaven, O apostle Simon, you ascended, rejoicing; and, standing before the Trinity, you behold the Son and the divine Spirit in the Father. Therefore, we celebrate with faith your most sacred and divine memory.

Now…

Enlighten my noetic eyes which are bereft of sight, O Lord, because of sin’s gloomy darkness. And since You are compassionate, instil in me humility. Cleanse me by the tears of repentance and change of heart.

Praises

Stichera on the Praises, Tone 5

To carry out the sentence pre-ordained:* this honour is for all His faithful.

You came forth from the grave, O Lord, which had been sealed by the transgressors of the law,* just as You were born of the Theotokos.* For the bodiless angels did not know how You were incarnate.* Likewise, the guardian soldiers did not see the moment of your Resurrection;* for these two marvels were concealed from the curious minds* but were revealed to those who worshiped the mystery in faith.* Therefore, grant joy and great mercy to us who offer You praise.

Praise God in His holy place, praise Him in His mighty heavens.

O Lord, You demolished the gates of everlasting damnation,* and You broke asunder the chains of the grave.* You rose from the tomb leaving your wrappings in the grave* in testimony of your three-day burial;* and leaving the guards watching at the tomb,* You preceded your disciples into Galilee.* Great is your mercy, O Lord whom the whole world cannot contain.* O Saviour, have mercy upon us.

Praise Him for His powerful deeds,* praise His surpassing greatness.

O Lord, who suffered for us,* the women hastened to your tomb to behold You.* When they arrived, they saw an angel sitting on the stone of the grave.* He said to them: The Lord is risen!* Go and tell the disciples that the Saviour of our souls is risen from the dead.

O praise Him with sound of trumpet,* praise Him with lute and harp;

O Lord and Saviour,* You came into the midst of your disciples though the doors were closed* just as You came out of the sealed tomb,* showing the sufferings of the flesh which You accepted;* for You submitted to suffering patiently since You are of the seed of David.* But since You are the Son of God, You saved the world.* Great is your mercy, O Lord whom the whole world cannot contain.* O Saviour, have mercy on us.

Tone 8

Praise Him with timbrel and dance,* praise Him with strings and pipes.

What shall we call you, O apostle? * Heaven, for you declared the glory of God. * A river, for you mystically water all creation. * A star illumining the Church. * A cup pouring forth holy nectar. * A most dear friend of Christ, * a dweller with the incorporeal ones.* Pray for the salvation of our souls.

O praise Him with resounding cymbals, praise Him with clashing of cymbals.* Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.

O Simon, boast of the apostles, * having adorned your feet which trod well the path of preaching * you made narrow all the paths of the enemy * by the breadth of you divine understanding * of the Word Who has appeared in the coarseness of the flesh * and Who chose you to be His most glorious disciple, O blessed one. ** Beseech Him that our souls be saved.

Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth and their words to the ends of the universe! 

O divinely eloquent apostle Simon, * you were sent by Christ like a radiant arrow * wounding the enemy and manifestly imparting healing to wounded souls. * Wherefore, as is meet, we call you blessed * and celebrate today your holy solemnity. ** Pray that our souls be saved.

Tone 2

The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament proclaims His handiwork!

Forsaking earthly things,* you followed after Christ,* having been signed with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit* and sent by Him to the nations which were perishing,* that mankind might turn to the light of the knowledge of God;* and having completed the struggles of your divine suffering and diverse torments, O apostle Simon,* you surrendered your soul into the hands of Christ.* Entreat Him, O all-blessed one, that He grant us great mercy.

Tone 8, Glory…

Who can tell of Your mighty acts, O Christ,* or who can number the multitudes of Your wonders?* For even as You, in Your goodness, appeared on earth twofold of nature,* so You granted twofold healings to the sick;* for You opened not only the bodily eyes of the man who was blind from the womb,* but those of his soul also.* Therefore, he confessed You, the hidden God, who grants great mercy to all.

Tone 2, Now…

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

Great Doxology

Trisagion Prayers

Troparion, Tone 2

Today salvation has come to the world.* Let us sing to Him who is risen from the tomb,* the Author of Life who has crushed Death by his death* and bestowed on us victory and great mercy.

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

At the Conclusion of Matins, the Gospel Sticheron

Tone 8, Glory… Now…

The warm tears of Mary were not shed in vain;* for behold, she has been worthy to hear the angels* and to behold Your face, O Jesus.* But being a woman still thinking of earthly things,* she was not permitted to touch You, O Christ.* However, she was sent to proclaim to Your disciples* the good news announcing Your return to Your heavenly inheritance.* With her, therefore, make us worthy to see You, O Lord.

AT DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING

After the priest has exclaimed, Blessed be the Kingdom… and the people have responded, Amen, the clergy sing the Paschal Troparion once and the people repeat it. Then, the clergy sing the first half, and the people conclude it.

Paschal Troparion

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 5: Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.

Troparion, Tone 3: Holy apostle Simon, intercede with the merciful God* to grant forgiveness of sins to our souls.

Kontakion, Tone 2: With praises let all of us call blessed* the divinely eloquent Simon.* He diligently planted the teachings of wisdom in the hearts of the godly* and stands now at the throne of glory* rejoicing with the bodiless powers and praying unceasingly for all of us.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: Blinded in the eyes of my soul,* I come to You, O Christ, like the man who was blind from birth,* and I cry in repentance:* You are the brilliant light of those in darkness.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 8: Though You descended into a tomb, O Immortal One,* yet You destroyed the power of Hades;* and You rose as victor, O Christ God,* calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice!* and giving peace to Your Apostles:* You, who grant Resurrection to the fallen.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

Pray and give thanks to the Lord our God.

verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 76:12,2)

Prokeimenon, Tone 0

Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Epistle

Acts 16:16-34; 1 Corinthians 4:9-16

Alleluia, Tone 8

verse: Look upon me and have mercy.

verse: Direct my steps according to Your word. (Psalm 118:131-132)

verse: The heavens shall confess Your wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.

Gospel

John 9:1-38; Matthew 13:54-58

Hymn to the Theotokos

The Angel cried out to the One full of Grace: O chaste Virgin, rejoice! And again I say, Rejoice! Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day, and raised the dead. Let all people rejoice! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.

Communion Hymn

Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest.* Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their words unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

Instead of Blessed is He Who comes… we sing:

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Instead of We have seen the true light… we sing:

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Instead of May our mouths be filled… we sing three times:

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Instead of Blessed be the name of the Lord… we sing three times:

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

At the dismissal, instead of Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen. we chant:

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs giving life.

After the final Amen, the Troparion Christ is risen is sung as at the beginning of the Liturgy, but with the addition:

And to us He has granted life eternal;* we bow down before His resurrection on the third day.