All-Night Vigil Feast. Resurrectional Gospel 2. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy
GREAT VESPERS WITH LYTIA ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man… is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 7
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Come, let us rejoice in the Lord,* who destroyed the power of death* and enlightened the human race;* and let us cry out with the angels:* Glory to You, our Creator and Saviour!
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Saviour, for our sake You suffered crucifixion and burial;* and, as God, You destroyed death by Your death.* Therefore, we adore Your resurrection on the third day* and we sing: Glory to You, O Lord!
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
On seeing the resurrection of the Creator,* the apostles were amazed,* and they sang an angelic hymn of praise:* This is the glory of the Church,* this is the richness of the Kingdom!* O Lord, who suffered for our sake, glory to You!
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
O Christ, although You were taken captive by Your enemies,* I still acknowledge You as my God,* and I am not ashamed of You;* I will not hide the fact that You were nailed to the Cross.* Your death is my life, almighty Lord,* and I extol Your resurrection.* O Lover of mankind, glory to You!
Tone 4
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O Archangel Michael, you manifested yourself* to be the greatest defender of the thrice-holy Source of Light.* Together with the Powers on high, you joyfully call out:* Holy are You, O Father.* Holy are You, O Co-eternal Word.* Holy are You, O Holy Spirit.* You are the one glory, the one kingdom, and one nature;* You are the one Divinity and Power.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
O Archangel Michael, you are like a flaming fire,* and your godliness is awesome.* By your bodiless nature you cross the ends of the earth,* fulfilling the commands of the Creator of all.* You also make your Church a fountain of healings.* You are venerated because of your holy calling.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
You made the winds Your messenger* and flaming fire Your servant, just as it is written.* Among the ranks of Your archangels, O Lord,* You have shown Michael the Archangel to be the leader.* He is obedient to Your commands, O Word.* With fear he sings the thrice-holy hymn to Your glory.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
By divine grace, O Gabriel,* the eternal intelligence created you to be a second light.* You were to illumine the whole world* that you might reveal a divine and truly great mystery* which had been hidden from eternity:* that God Who is bodiless was made flesh in a virgin womb* and became man to save mankind.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
By divine grace, O Gabriel,* the eternal intelligence created you to be a second light.* You were to illumine the whole world* that you might reveal a divine and truly great mystery* which had been hidden from eternity:* that God Who is bodiless was made flesh in a virgin womb* and became man to save mankind.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
O Gabriel, you stand before the throne of the thrice-holy Source of Light.* Glistening with celestial splendour.* We on earth joyfully dance and sing your praises.* O leader of the heavenly hosts,* O intercessor for our souls,* deliver us from the darkness of our passion* by illuminating us with your light.
Tone 6, Glory…
Rejoice with us, all you leaders of the angels;* for the great Archangel, your captain and our guardian,* appears today in his holy church.* He wondrously watches over us and truly sanctifies this place.* Therefore, singing his praises daily,* let us cry out to him:* Keep us safe by the protection of your wings,* O great Archangel Michael.
Tone 7, Now…
Immaculate Mother of God,* you became a mother outside the laws of nature,* remaining a virgin in a way that exceeds all description* and human understanding.* The wonder of your birth-giving could not be told in human language,* for your conception of Christ blinded intelligence,* and your birth-giving exceeded understanding:* for whenever God so desires, the laws of nature are broken.* Wherefore, we all firmly believe that you are the Mother of God,* and we eagerly beseech you to intercede for the salvation of our souls.
Readings
- Joshua 5:13-15; (2) Judges 6:7, 11-24; (3) Isaiah 14:6-20
Lytia
Tone 1
The leaders of the heavenly hosts* stand unceasingly before the throne of the Master.* They pray to the Lord to grant peace to the world* and great mercy to our souls.
As the leader of the Powers on high,* Michael has summoned us today for the feast.* He is always by our side* and preserves us today from every attack of the devil.* Come, therefore, O lovers of the feasts and lovers of Christ,* let us carry the flowers of virtue;* and with a pure mind and a clear conscience,* let us venerate the feast of the Archangel.* For he stands unceasingly before God, singing the thrice-holy hymn,* interceding for our souls to be saved.
Tone 2
O bodiless Powers, you intercede for us.* O Leaders of the heavenly hosts,* by the brightness of your thrice-radiant glory* you give light to the whole world;* with unceasing voices you sing the thrice-holy hymn.* Pray, therefore, that our souls may be saved.
O intelligent, celestial, and bodiless Powers,* you surround the heavenly throne* and with flaming lips sing the thrice-holy hymn to God the ruler:* O holy God, O eternal Father;* O holy, mighty, and co-eternal Son;* O holy and immortal Spirit having the same nature,* and glorified together with the Father and the Son.
With immaterial lips and spiritual mouths,* the angelic ranks offer hymns to Your unapproachable divinity, O Lord.* Both the pure spirits and ministers of Your glory,* together with the incorporeal Michael and Gabriel, praise You, O Lord.* The leaders of the heavenly powers,* and the chiefs of the angels welcome us today.* They invite us to sing to Your unapproachable glory.* O Lover of Mankind,* they pray unceasingly for our souls.
Tone 4, Glory…
With flaming lips, the Cherubim extol You, O Christ God;* and with immaterial mouths, the choirs of Archangels* loudly extols Your glory.* Michael, the captain of the heavenly powers,* unceasingly offers a song of victory to Your glory.* He has prepared us today for this feast,* so that even with lips of clay,* we may worthily sing aloud the thrice-holy hymn* as it is in the psalms.* All creation is filled with the praise of You, O Christ.* For this reason You give great mercy to the world.
Now…
Today the Theotokos, the Temple that is to contain God,* is being escorted into the Temple of the Lord,* and Zechariah receives her.* Today the Holy of Holies greatly rejoices,* and the choir of angels mystically celebrates this feast.* Let us also celebrate with them today* and cry out with Gabriel:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you,* and He grants us great mercy.
Aposticha
Tone 7
O Saviour of the world, You arose from the grave,* and together with Your own flesh You raised up mankind.* O Lord, glory to You!
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
Come, let us worship Christ who arose from the dead* and enlightened all creation.* For by His resurrection on the third day,* He set us free from the oppression of Hades,* granting us life and His great mercy.
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O Christ, Lover of mankind,* You descended into Hades and destroyed death.* Then You arose on the third day;* and, together with Yourself You lifted up all of us* who glorify Your mighty resurrection.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Lord, what a fearful sight it was to see You lying in the tomb as if asleep.* Yet on the third day You arose in great power,* and at the same time You raised up Adam who joyfully cried out:* Glory to Your resurrection, O Lover of mankind!
Tone 7, Glory… Now…
All of us on earth hasten to take refuge in you, O Lady;* and we cry out to you:* O Mother of God, you are the only hope for us;* deliver us from our countless sins, and save our souls.
Troparia
Tone 7
By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.
Tone 4, Glory…
Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you* to encircle us through your prayers* under the shelter of the wings of your spiritual glory.* Guard us as we come to you and sincerely cry: * “Deliver us from dangers,* O princes of the powers on high!”
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 7
Troparia, Tone 7
By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world. (2)
Glory… Now…
O Mother of God, we sing your praises,* for you were a virgin before conceiving,* and remained a virgin after giving birth.* And since you have given birth to our Salvation, Jesus Christ,* you have become a treasury of assistance* for all who seek resurrection and eternal life.* Therefore, lift us up from the depth of our transgressions,* for we place our hope in you.
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 7
When Life was laying in the tomb* and a seal laid upon the stone,* the soldiers guarded Christ as a sleeping King* and the Angels glorified Him as immortal God;* while the women cried aloud:* The Lord is risen, granting the world great mercy.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
By Your burial for three days You despoiled death,* and by Your life-bearing Arising* You raised corrupted mankind, O Christ Lord,* as the Lover of mankind. Glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
O Virgin Theotokos unceasingly entreat Christ our God,* who was crucified for us* and arose again destroying the dominion of death,* that He save 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 7
While the grave was sealed, O Christ God,* You, the Life, shone forth from the tomb;* and while the doors were shut, You, the Resurrection of all,* appeared to Your Disciples,* and through them renewed a right Spirit within us,* according to Your great mercy.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
Bringing sweet spices with their tears, the women ran to the tomb,* and while the soldiers guarded You, the King of all,* they spoke one to another:* Who will roll away the stone for us?* The Angel of great Counsel has risen, trampling down death.* O All-powerful Lord, glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
Rejoice Virgin Theotokos, full of grace,* haven and protection of the race of mankind,* for from you the Redeemer of the world has taken flesh,* for you alone are a Mother and Virgin,* ever blessed and exceedingly glorified;* intercede with Christ God to grant peace to all the world.
Polyeleos
Exaltation
We magnify you,* O archangels and angels, principalities, virtues, thrones, dominions, powers, cherubim, and awesome seraphim,* who glorify the Lord.
Verse: I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
Glory: Now: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory be to You, O God (3).
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 7
O Christ God, who took upon Yourself our form* and endured the Cross in the body,* save me by Your Resurrection,* as You alone love mankind.
Sessional Hymns from the Menaion, Tone 1
Ever standing before the dread throne,* illumined with the brilliant rays of the three-sunned Godhead,* dispelling the gloom of sin,* enlighten us who celebrate your assembly with splendour;* and earnestly pray that we be delivered from misfortune, O most radiant intercessors.
Tone 2
You have been revealed as foremost among the legions of the angels, O Michael, supreme commander.* Unceasingly entreat the King Most High to cast down the pride of tyrants here below.* And since you have boldness at the fiery throne,* pray for us, your servants, without ceasing.
Tone 8
Having worthily become, at the command of your Creator, the master of the ranks of heaven and minister of divine glory,* you are a saving mediator for Christians,* watching over those who are on earth with your immaterial glory.* Therefore, we all praise you as is meet,* hymning your divine festivity today.* O Michael, supreme commander,* entreat Christ God to grant remission of sins to those who with love celebrate your holy feast.
Tone 4, Glory…
The ranks of angels stand with fear before Your throne, O Master, Christ God,* and, ever illumined with rays from it,* they unceasingly chant to you a hymn of victory.* Through their sacred prayers grant peace to the world* and great mercy to our souls.
Now…
O pure, all-immaculate one who knew no man,* who alone has given birth within time to the timeless Son and Word of God,* with the holy and honoured patriarchs,* the martyrs, prophets and the venerable ones,* entreat Him, that He grant us purification and great mercy.
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 7
Antiphon 1
Having turned back the captivity of Sion from error,* quicken me also O Saviour,* and deliver me from slavery to the passions.
He who sows tribulations in the south with tears of fasting,* will reap with joy the sheaves of nourishment* of eternal life.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit is the source of divine treasures,* from Him comes wisdom, intelligence, and fear;* and to Him belongs* praise, glory, honour and worship.
Antiphon 2
Unless the Lord builds the house of the soul,* in vain do we labour;* for without Him no deed or word can be perfected.
Of the fruit of the womb the Saints,* moved by the Spirit,* sprout forth the Father’s teachings of filial adoption.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit all things have their being;* in the presence of all He is God,* the sovereign of the universe,* Light unapproachable, Life of all.
Antiphon 3
Those who fear the Lord and find the ways of life,* now and always are blessed* with immortal glory.
As you behold your offspring like shoots around your table,* rejoice, and be glad, bringing them to Christ* the Chief Shepherd of all.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit there be an abundance of grace,* riches of glory and a great depth of judgments;* for He is to be served as identical in glory and honour* with the Father and the Son.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Arise then, Lord,* lift up Your hand.* O God, do not forget the poor!
verse: I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart; I will recount all Your wonders.
Let everything that lives, Tone 7
Matins Gospel 2
Mark 16:1–8
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Canon of the Resurrection, Tone 7
Ode 1
Irmos: At a sign from you, O Lord, the nature of water was changed,* once free and flowing now it became as a wall, hard as the earth;* thus Israel walked dryshod* and sang you a song of victory.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
When you were condemned to an unjust death, O Lord, then the tyranny of death was judged by a tree; the prince of darkness could not prevail against you and was justly cast out.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Hell approached you with teeth which lacked the strength to crush your body and broke his jaws. Thus, O Saviour, you loosed the pains of death and on the third day rose again.
Glory… Now…
The pains of Eve, first mother, are undone, for your child-bearing was without pain, without knowledge of man. Therefore, All-pure, clearly seeing you to be the Mother of God, we give you glory.
Ode 3
Irmos: Lord and Saviour, who in the beginning* established the heavens and every power of them,* by your almighty Word and the divine and all-effecting Spirit:* establish me firmly on the immovable rock of confession of you.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Of your own will for our sake ascending the cross to suffer the pain, O Saviour compassionate, you bear the stripes which are the cause of salvation and peace for all believers. Through it, O Merciful, we are all reconciled to your Father.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You cleansed me, wounded in soul by the serpent’s bite, O Christ, and showed me light when long ago I lay in darkness and corruption. For, by your cross, you came down into Hell and raised me up with yourself.
Glory… Now…
By the prayers of your Mother who knew no man, O Saviour, grant peace to your world, give victory over his enemies to the king; and make those who praise you worthy of your ineffable glory.
Kontakion, Tone 2
Princes of God’s hosts, ministers of divine glory,* leaders of angels and guides of men,* pray for our welfare and for great mercy,* O princes of the incorporeal powers.
Ikos
In Your Scriptures, O immortal Lover of mankind, You said that a multitude of angels rejoices in heaven over one man who repents. Therefore, O Sinless One, Who alone knows the hearts of all people, amid our transgressions we make bold ever to beseech You to have compassion and send down compunction upon us, unworthy though we be, granting us forgiveness, O Master; since You are compassionate, for the supreme commanders of the bodiless host entreat You on behalf of us all.
Sessional Hymns, Tone 8
Leaders of the heavenly hosts,* foremost among those enthroned on high and awesome in divine glory,* O Michael and Gabriel, supreme commanders and chief captains of the angels,* together with all the bodiless powers, ministers of the Master:* pray unceasingly for the world, asking remission of the sins we have committed,* and that we may find mercy and grace on the day of Judgment.
Glory… Now…
O pure and blessed one, full of divine grace,* in your tender compassion, together with the hosts on high, the archangels, and all the bodiless powers,* unceasingly entreat Him who was born from you,* that before the end He may mercifully grant us forgiveness of sins and amendment of life,* that we may find mercy.
Ode 4
Irmos: Leaving not the deep recesses of the Father,* yet you came to earth, Christ God;* I have heard of the mystery of your dispensation* and I glorify you, Lover of man.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He who was made flesh of the Virgin gave his own back to the scourging, the innocent Master was maltreated for the sinning servant and annulled the charges against me.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The Maker of man, judging as God the whole earth in righteousness, stands before the seat of lawless judges as one called to account and convicted, and is struck by an earthly hand.
Glory… Now…
All-blameless One, as truly Mother of God entreat your Son and Maker to guide me to the safe harbour of his glorious will.
Ode 5
Irmos: Night is without light to unbelievers, O Christ,* but to the faithful it is enlightenment in
the delight of your divine words.* And so I rise early to you* and praise your Godhead.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Christ, you are sold on behalf of your servants, you endure the scourging, bringing freedom to those who sing to you; early I rise to you and sing the praises of your divinity.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
By your divine power, O Christ, by means of the weakness of the flesh, you have overthrown the strong one, and through your resurrection, O Saviour, you have revealed me as a conqueror of death.
Glory… Now…
Pure Mother, all-praised, fittingly you brought forth God, made flesh of you, for without knowledge of man but by the Holy Spirit you conceived.
Ode 6
Irmos: Sick on the rolling swell of the cares of this life,* thrown overboard by the sins that sail with me* and hurled to the soul-destroying beast,* as Jonah I cry to you:* O Christ, lead me up* from these death-dealing deeps.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The souls of the righteous imprisoned in Hell and forsaken had remembered you and were praying for your salvation; and you granted it, Christ, through your cross when you, the Compassionate, went down to the deepest parts of the earth.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The band of the apostles despaired of seeing you again, the living temple not made with human hands and destroyed by all that befell it. But worshipping beyond all hope, they everywhere proclaimed you risen from the dead.
Glory… Now…
Virgin Bride of God, who of mankind can explain the all-spotless manner of your ineffable child-bearing for our sakes? For the Word being united to you, the uncircumscribed God became flesh.
Kontakion, Tone 7
No longer shall the dominion of death be able to hold humanity,* for Christ went down shattering and destroying it s powers.* Hades is bound.* The prophets exult with one voice.* The Saviour has come for those with faith, saying:* “Come forth, O faithful, to the resurrection!”
Ikos
Today, death and Hell and the lowest depths shake with terror at the presence of one of the Trinity. Earth is thrown into confusion, at the sight of you Hell’s doorkeepers cower in fear. But all creation, rejoicing with the prophets, sings to you, sings a song of victory to our Redeemer and God, destroying now the power of death. Come, let us raise a shout of joy to A dam and all his children: The tree has brought him back. Come out, you faithful, into the resurrection.
Ode 7
Irmos: The young men of old have shown us a blazing furnace* cool with the gently falling dew,* and themselves singing the praise of the one God and saying:* The most highly exalted, God of our fathers, glorious above all is he.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
A dam of his own will worked disobedience and was slain by a tree; Christ’s obedience formed him anew; for the Son of God was crucified for me, glorious above all is he.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The whole creation hymns you, Christ, rising from the tomb, for you have caused life to blossom for those in Hell, resurrection for the dead and light for those in darkness. Glorious above all is he.
Glory… Now…
Hail, daughter of the corrupted Adam! Hail, sole bride of God! Hail, you who gave birth to God and through whom corruption has been banished! Pray to him, Pure One, to save us all.
Ode 8
Irmos: Burning yet unconsumed, the bush in Sinai made God known to Moses,* slow of tongue and hard of hearing.* And the burning zeal for God revealed the three young men unharmed in the fire and singing:* Praise the Lord, all his works,* and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The undefiled and reasonable Lamb, in sacrifice slain for the world, brought to an end the offerings according to the law and as God, apart from transgressions, cleansed the law now crying out: Praise the Lord, all his works, and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The flesh the Maker took from us before his Passion was not incorruptible; but after Passion and Rising, it was rendered inaccessible to corruption and re-makes mortal men, who cry: Praise the Lord, all his works, and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory… Now…
Your purity, your total spotlessness, O Virgin, has cleansed the sordid and polluted things of our world, and you, All-pure, have become for us a cause of reconciliation with God. Therefore, O Virgin, we bless and highly exalt you throughout all the ages.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: Conceiving without taint of corruption,* lending your flesh to the Word, the Deviser of all,* Mother knowing no man, Virgin, Godbearer,* vessel receiving the illimitable* and dwelling for your infinite Maker:* we magnify you.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Be silent, you minds estranged, who fit suffering to the divinity; for we magnify the Lord of glory, crucified in the flesh but not crucified in the divine nature: one person in two natures.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
All you who deny the body’s resurrection, go to the tomb of Christ and learn that the flesh of the giver of life was put to death and rose again in assurance of the final resurrection; for this we hope.
We bless the Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
As we worship not a trinity of Godheads but of persons, not oneness of persons but of Godhead, we part from those who divide and confound those who dare to confuse the Trinity whom we magnify.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
When the myrrh-bearing women saw the stone rolled away, they rejoiced; for they saw a young man sitting at the grave who said to them: Behold, Christ is risen! Say to Peter, the disciple of the Lord: Hasten to the mountain in Galilee; there you shall see Christ as He had said to His friends.
Glory…
O Michael, chief captain, from the Father of lights you received command of the fiery servants. Therefore, you have the radiant brilliance of His glory, standing before His most honoured throne as first among the immaterial ranks.
Now…
At the time of Your conception, O Lord, an angel said to the Virgin: Rejoice! At the time of Your resurrection an angel also rolled the stone away from Your glorious tomb. Instead of sadness and death one proclaimed signs of joy; the other announced You as the Source of life extolling Your resurrection to the disciples and the women.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 7
To carry out the sentence pre-ordained:* this honour is for all His faithful.
Christ is risen from the dead,* loosing the bonds of death;* O earth! proclaim the good tidings of great joy; and you heavens praise the glory of God.
Praise God in His holy place, praise Him in His mighty heavens.
Having seen the Resurrection of Christ,* let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one.
Praise Him for His powerful deeds,* praise His surpassing greatness.
We cease not to worship the Holy Resurrection of Christ,* for He has saved us from our iniquities,* Holy is the Lord Jesus* who has shown us the Resurrection.
O praise Him with sound of trumpet,* praise Him with lute and harp;
What shall we render to the Lord for all that He has rendered unto us?* For our sake God dwelled among us;* for our corrupted nature the Word became flesh and dwelled within us;* to the ungrateful He is the Benefactor;* to prisoners He is the Liberator;* to those in darkness He is the Sun of justice;* the path to the Cross;* the Light to Hades; Life to death;* Resurrection for the fallen:* to Him we cry aloud: Our God, glory be to You!’
Tone 1, Podoben: ‘Joy of the ranks of heaven…’
Praise Him with timbrel and dance,* praise Him with strings and pipes.
O Michael, chief commander,* with fear we hymn you as first captain of the heavenly ranks,* mighty intercessor, protector,* and deliverer of those on earth;* and we pray that you deliver us* from every deadly pestilence.
O praise Him with resounding cymbals, praise Him with clashing of cymbals.* Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.
As chief captain of the divine hosts of heaven,* today you summon the choirs of mankind* to keep one radiant feast with the angels,* celebrating their divine synaxis,* and with them to chant* the thrice-holy hymn to God.
He makes His angels spirits,* and His ministers a flame of fire.
O Michael, divine intellect,* keep and protect throughout life all of us who in faith flee beneath the shelter of your divine wings;* and at the dread hour of our death, O archangel,* stand forth as a most gracious helper for us all.
Tone 5
Praise Him, all you angels of His;* praise Him, all you His hosts.
O supreme commanders,* three-sunned rays made luminous by light divine,* you enlighten the immaterial legions;* shown forth as light with splendid brightness in the highest,* you shine forth the fire of the unapproachable Godhead in the world.* Therefore, with lips of flame you unceasingly chant the thrice-holy hymn:* Holy, holy, holy are You, O our God!* Glory be to You!
Tone 2, Glory…
They who were with Mary came and brought ointments,* but they wondered how they would achieve their goal.* However, they saw that the stone had already been rolled away,* and a divine angel appeared and gave peace to their troubled souls.* He said: The Lord Jesus has risen.* Therefore, proclaim to His disciples that they should hasten to Galilee* and behold Him risen from the dead;* for He is the Lord, the Giver of life.
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 DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 7: By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.
Troparion, Tone 4: Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you* to encircle us through your prayers* under the shelter of the wings your spiritual glory.* Guard us as we come to you and sincerely cry:* Deliver us from dangers,* O princes of the powers on high!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 2: Princes of God’s hosts, ministers of divine glory,* leaders of angels and guides of men,* pray for our welfare and for great mercy,* O princes of the incorporeal powers.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 7: No longer shall the dominion of death be able to hold humanity,* for Christ went down shattering and destroying it s powers.* Hades is bound.* The prophets exult with one voice.* The Saviour has come for those with faith, saying:* “Come forth, O faithful, to the resurrection!”
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The Lord will give strength to His people;* the Lord will bless His people with peace.
verse: Bring to the Lord, O you sons of God; bring to the Lord young rams. (Psalm 28:11,1)
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
He makes spirits His angels and flaming fire His ministers.
Epistle
Ephesians 2:14-22; Hebrews 2:2-10
Alleluia, Tone 7
verse: It is good to give praise to the Lord; and to sing to Your name, O Most High.
verse: To announce Your mercy in the morning, and Your truth every night. (Psalm 91:2,3)
verse: Praise the Lord, all you His angels; praise Him, all you powers.
Gospel
Luke 8:41-56; Luke 10:16-21
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* He makes spirits His angels,* and flaming fire His ministers.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.