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 Lord my Creator took me as dust from the earth* and formed me into a living creature* breathing into me the breath of life and giving me a soul;* He honoured me,* setting me as a ruler upon the earth over all things visible,* and making me a companion of the angels.* But Satan the deceiver,* using the serpent as his instrument,* enticed me by food;* he parted me from the glory of God* and gave me over to the earth* and to the lowest depths of death.* But, O Master, in compassion, call me back again.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
In my wretchedness I have cast off the robe woven by God,* disobeying Your divine command, O Lord, at the counsel of the enemy;* and I am clothed now in fig leaves and in garments of skin.* I am condemned to eat the bread of toil in the sweat of my brow,* and the earth has been cursed so that it bears thorns and thistles for me.* But, Lord, who in the last times was made flesh of a Virgin, call me back again* and bring me into Paradise.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O precious Paradise, unsurpassed in beauty,* tabernacle built by God, unending gladness and delight,* glory of the righteous, joy of the prophets and dwelling of the saints,* with the sound of your leaves* pray to the Maker of all:* may He open to me the gates which I closed by my transgression,* and may He count me worthy* to partake of the Tree of Life* and of the joy that was mine* when I dwelt in you before.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Adam was banished from Paradise through disobedience and cast out from delight,* beguiled by the words of a woman.* Naked he sat outside the garden, lamenting, “Woe is me!”* Therefore let us all make haste to accept the season of the Fast* and hearken to the teaching of the Gospel,* that we may gain Christ’s mercy* and receive once more a dwelling-place in Paradise.
Glory…
Adam sat before Paradise and lamenting his nakedness,* he wept: “Woe is me!* By evil deceit was I persuaded and led astray,* and now I am an exile from glory.* Woe is me!* In my simplicity I was stripped naked,* and now I am in want.* O Paradise, no more shall I take pleasure in your joy;* for I shall return to the earth from whence I was taken.* O merciful and compassionate Lord,* to You I cry aloud: I am fallen, have mercy on me.”
Tone 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 6, Glory…
Adam was cast out of Paradise through eating from the tree.* Seated before the gates he wept,* lamenting with a pitiful voice and saying:* “Woe is me,* what have I suffered in my misery!* I transgressed one commandment of the Master,* and now I am deprived of every blessing.* O most holy Paradise, planted for my sake and shut because of Eve,* pray to Him that made you and fashioned me,* that once more I may take pleasure in your flowers.”* Then the Saviour said to him:* “I desire not the loss of the creature which I fashioned,* but that he should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth;* and when he comes to me I will not cast him out.”
Now…
Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,* came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.* He clothed Himself in our human flesh* to set us free from the original curse of Adam.* Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,* as the true Virgin Mother of God,* and we sing with the angels:* Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.
Troparia
Tone 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)
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!
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.
Polyeleos
Psalm 136
By the rivers of Babylon there we sat and wept, remembering Sion.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
For it was there that they asked us, our captors, for songs, our oppressors, for joy.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sing to us they said, one of Sion’s songs.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O how could we sing the song of the Lord on alien soil?
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O Babylon, destroyer, one is happy who repays you the ills you brought on us.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory be to You, O God!
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 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.
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
Verses at 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
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.
Irmos: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land,* on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned,* they cried: Let us sing to God* a song of victory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Come, O wretched soul, and weep today over your acts, remembering how once you were stripped naked in Eden and cast out from delight and unending joy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
In Your abundant compassion and mercy, O Fashioner of creation and Maker of all, You have taken me from the dust and given me life, commanding me to sing Your praises with Your angels.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
For the sake of the wealth of Your goodness, O Creator and Lord, You planted the sweetness of Paradise in Eden, bidding me to take delight of the fair and pleasing, and never-ending fruits therein.
Glory…
Woe to you, O my wretched soul! You have received authority from God to take your pleasure in the joys of Eden, but He commanded you to not eat the fruit of knowledge. Why then have you transgressed the law of God?
Now…
O Virgin Birthgiver of God, as a daughter of Adam by birth, and a Parent of Christ God by grace, call me who am banished from Eden.
Katavasia: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land,* on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned,* they cried: Let us sing to God* a song of victory.
Ode 3
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.
Irmos: There is none as holy as You, O Lord my God,* who has exalted the horn of the faithful, O good One,* and strengthened us upon the rock* of Your confession.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The crafty serpent long ago envied my honour and whispered deceit into Eve’s ear. Woe is me! for by her I was led astray and banished from the banquet of life.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Foolishly I stretched out my hand and tasted of the tree of knowledge, from which God has commanded me to in no-wise eat; and I was bitterly cast out from divine glory.
Glory…
Woe to you, O my wretched soul! How have you not recognized the deception of the enemy? How have not perceived his deceit and envy? For you are now darkened in mind having transgressed the commandments of your Creator.
Now…
Thou are my hope and protection, O pure One, for by your childbearing you alone have covered the ancient fall of Adam, clothing me once again with incorruption.
Katavasia: There is none as holy as You, O Lord my God,* who has exalted the horn of the faithful, O good One,* and strengthened us upon the rock* of Your confession.
Sessional Hymns, Tone 4
Adam was cast out from the delight of Paradise:* eating the bitter food and lacking self-constraint,* keeping not the Master’s commandment,* and was thereby condemned to work the earth from which he had himself been taken,* eating his bread in toil.* Wherefore, let us love abstinence,* that we not weep as he did outside the gates of Paradise,* but by it may we enter therein.
Glory…
The season of the virtues has now appeared,* and the judge is at the door.* Let us not be of a sullen countenance,* let us keep the Fast, offering tears, contrition, and almsgiving;* and let us cry aloud:* We have sinned more than there are grains of sand in the sea;* but, O Redeemer of mankind, *forgive each of us, that we may receive a crown of incorruption.
Now…
We shall never, O Theotokos, keep silent* nor cease, unworthy though we be, to praise your power.* For had we not the protection of your intercessions,* who would have delivered us from so many dangers?* Who would have preserved us free till now?* We shall never forsake you, O Lady,* for you always save your servants from every misfortune.
Ode 4
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.
Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord,* the holy Church divinely sings,* crying with a pure mind,* keeping festival in the Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I, the wretched one, was deemed worthy of honour from You O Master in Eden. But alas! I have been deceived by the envy of the devil and cast out from before Your face!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Weep for me, O you ranks of angels, beauty of Paradise and glory of the garden: for in my misery I have been led astray and rebelled against God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O blessed meadow, gardens planted by God, sweetness of Paradise: let your leaves, like eyes, shed tears on my behalf, for I am naked and a stranger to God’s glory.
Glory…
No longer do I see you, nor delight in your splendour and divine radiance, O precious Paradise. For having angered my Creator, I am naked and have been driven out into the world.
Now…
O most holy Lady, open to all the faithful the gates of paradise, as once they were shut by the transgression of Adam, and open to me the gates of your mercy.
Katavasia: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord,* the holy Church divinely sings,* crying with a pure mind,* keeping festival in the Lord.
Ode 5
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.
Irmos: Illumine with Your divine light, I pray, O Good One,* the souls of those who with love rise early to pray to You,* that they may know You, O Word of God, as the true God,* Who recalls us from the darkness of sin.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Of old, the enemy who hates mankind, envied the life of happiness that I had in Paradise, and taking the form of a serpent caused me to stumble, thereby showing me to be a stranger to eternal glory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I weep and lament in soul, and with my eyes I shed abundant tears, when I reflect upon, and understand my nakedness, which I have gained from transgressing.
Glory…
From the earth I was fashioned by the hand of God, and I, the wretched one, was told that to the earth I shall return again. Who will not weep for me, who am cast out from God’s presence, exchanging Eden for Hades.
Now…
We the faithful proclaim you to be the mystical bridal-chamber of glory, O all-immaculate Birthgiver of God. Wherefore I entreat you, O pure One: Raise me up, for I am fallen, and make me a dweller in the bridal-chamber of Paradise.
Katavasia: Illumine with Your divine light, I pray, O Good One,* the souls of those who with love rise early to pray to You,* that they may know You, O Word of God, as the true God,* Who recalls us from the darkness of sin.
Ode 6
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.
Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations,* I run to Your calm haven, and cry to You:* Raise up my life from corruption,* O greatly Merciful One.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
In Eden Thou didst clothe me with a divinely woven garment O compassionate Savior; but I, the wretched one, having believed the deceiver, have neglected Thy commandment and find myself naked.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O my most wretched soul, through thy carelessness thou hast departed far from God; and depriving thyself of the delight of Paradise, thou hast been separated from the angels, and led down into corruption. O How thou art fallen!
Glory…
O almighty God, have mercy and take pity on the works of Thy hands. I pray Thee O good One, turn not away from me, who hath cut himself off from the choir of Thine angels.
Now…
O Mary chosen by God, Queen of all, thou didst give birth to the Lord, Redeemer and King of all, whereas I am a prisoner and an exile from Paradise: do thou call me back.
Katavasia: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations,* I run to Your calm haven, and cry to You:* Raise up my life from corruption,* O greatly Merciful One.
Kontakion, Tone 6
O Master, Guide to Wisdom*, Bestower of prudent counsel,* Instructor of the foolish and Defender of the poor ones;* make firm my heart and give it understanding.* Give me a word, O Word of the Father:* Behold, I shall not stop my lips from crying out to You:* In Your mercy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Ikos
Banished from the delights of Paradise, Adam sat outside and wept, and beating his hands upon his face he said: “I am fallen, in Thy compassion have mercy on me.” When Adam saw the angel drive him out and shut the door of the divine garden, he groaned aloud and said: “I am fallen, in Thy compassion have mercy on me.” O Paradise, share in the sorrow of thy master who hath been brought to poverty, and with the rustling of thy leaves beseech the Creator that He not keep thy gate closed. O compassionate One have mercy on me who am fallen. O Paradise, all-perfect, all-holy and most rich, planted for Adam’s sake and shut because of Eve, beseech God on behalf of the fallen. O compassionate One have mercy on me who am fallen.
Ode 7
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.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
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.
Irmos: An Angel made the furnace bedew the holy Children.* But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans* and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry:* O God of our fathers, blessed are You.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Lord Who rules over all the ages, Who by Your own will created me, through the envy of the crafty serpent of old I have been beguiled, and angered You, O Saviour: despise me not, O God, but call me back.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Woe is me, in place of wearing a robe of light, I am clothed in a garment of shame. I weep from my loss, O Saviour, and with faith cry to You, O good One: despise me not, O God, but call me back.
Glory…
The evil serpent in his envy has wounded all my soul and caused me to be banished from the delight of paradise, but O Compassionate Saviour: despise me not, since You are God, and call me back.
Now…
O all-immaculate One, in your tender compassion accept my entreaty; and grant me forgiveness of my offenses, O pure One, for fervently I cry aloud with tears: despise me not, O good One, but call me back.
Katavasia: An Angel made the furnace bedew the holy Children.* But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans* and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry:* O God of our fathers, blessed are You.
Ode 8
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.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
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.
Irmos: You made flame bedew the holy children,* and burned the sacrifice of a righteous man with water.* For You alone, O Christ, do all as You will,* we supremely exalt You throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Of old, You honoured the work of Your hands with every kind of gift, O Lover of mankind; but, woe to me! the wicked serpent has deceived us with seductive whispering, stripping us of the blessings we had received.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Why have you hearkened to bitter counsel and disobeyed the divine command? Woe to you, O miserable soul, you have grieved God! even though you were created to ever glorify Him with the angels.
Let us bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord!
You were the appointed lord over creeping things and wild beasts: why then have you conversed with the destroyer of souls? And why have you taken the deceiver’s counsel as truth? Wretched is your deception, O my soul!
Now…
O Mary, we hymn you who are full of the grace of God, tabernacle of the Light and dwelling-place of the incarnate God. Wherefore shine upon me who am grievously darkened by the passions, the light of mercy, O Hope of the hopeless.
We praise, bless, and worship the Lord, chanting and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.
Katavasia: You made flame bedew the holy children,* and burned the sacrifice of a righteous man with water.* For You alone, O Christ, do all as You will,* we supremely exalt You throughout all ages.
Magnificat
Ode 9
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
Irmos: It is impossible for mankind to see God* upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze;* but through you, O all-pure one,* did the Word Incarnate become a man* and with the Heavenly Hosts* Him we magnify and you we call blessed.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Having taken my fill, and tasted of the fruit of knowledge in Eden, it seemed sweet to me, but the end of it was bitter. Woe to you, wretched soul! See how uncontrolled desire has made you an exile from Paradise!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O God of all, Lord of mercy, look down compassionately upon my humility, and cast me not far away from Eden; but may I see the glory from which I have fallen, and hasten with lamentations to regain that which I have lost.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I lament, I groan and weep, seeing the cherubim with the sword of fire guarding the gate of Eden from all transgressors. Woe is me! a transgressor, for I cannot enter therein, O Saviour, unless You grant it to me.
Glory…
I put my trust in the abundance of Your mercies, O Christ Saviour, and in the Blood from Your divine side; for through Your Blood You have sanctified the nature of mortal man, O good One, opening to those that serve You the gates of Paradise which were formerly closed to Adam.
Now…
O unwedded virgin Theotokos, O impassable door of life, by your prayers open to me the locked gates of paradise, that I may glorify you, who after God, are my helper and most powerful refuge.
Katavasia: It is impossible for mankind to see God* upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze;* but through you, O all-pure one,* did the Word Incarnate become a man* and with the Heavenly Hosts* Him we magnify and you we call blessed.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
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…
I, the wretched one O Lord, have disobeyed Your commandment,* and having been stripped of glory, am filled with shame.* Woe is me! who have been banished from the sweetness of Paradise.* O merciful One, have mercy on me* who has been justly deprived of Your good things.
Now…
We were once banished, O Lord, from Paradise,* through eating from the Tree;* but You have led us back again, O my God and Saviour,* through Your Cross and Passion.* Strengthen us by these, that we may keep the Fast in holiness* and worship Your divine arising, the Passover of salvation,* by the prayers of her who gave birth to You.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 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.’
Tone 5
“Woe is me” lamented Adam crying aloud:* “For the serpent and the woman have deprived me of my boldness before God,* and through eating of the tree I have become an exile from the joys of paradise.”* “Woe is me! I can no more endure the shame.* From the counsel of the evil-one,* I who was once king of all earth’s creatures fashioned by God,* have now become a prisoner.* I who was once clothed in the glory of immortality* must now, as a mortal, wrap myself miserably in the skin of mortality.* Woe is me! who will participate with me in my sorrow?* But, O Lover of mankind, Who have fashioned me from the earth and are clothed in compassion,* deliver me from the works of the enemy and save me.”
The arena of the virtues has been opened,* let all who wish to struggle now enter therein,* girding themselves for the noble struggles of the Fast;* for those that strive lawfully are justly crowned.* Taking up the armour of the Cross* let us make war against the enemy. * Let us have as our invincible rampart—the Faith,* and as our breastplate—prayer,* and as our helmet—almsgiving;* and in place of a sword let us make use of fasting* which cuts away every evil from our heart.* If we do this, we shall receive the true crown from Christ the King of all,* at the day of Judgment.
Tone 6
Adam was driven out of Paradise,* having eaten food as one disobedient;* Moses was a God-seer,* because he had cleansed the eyes of his soul by fasting.* Wherefore, longing to dwell in Paradise * let us abstain from all needless food;* and if we desire to see God,* let us like Moses fast the forty-day fast, with sincere intercessions, patiently praying.* Let us calm the passions of our soul* and subdue the rebelliousness of the flesh.* With light step let us set out upon the path to heaven,* where the choirs of angels with never-silent voices* hymn the praises of the undivided Trinity,* beholding the unsurpassed beauty of the Master.* O Son of God, Giver of Life, in You we set our hope:* Deem us worthy of a place there with the angelic hosts,* by the intercessions of her who bore You, O Christ,* of the apostles and the martyrs and of all the venerable saints.
The time is now at hand* to start upon the spiritual contest,* to gain victory over demonic powers,* to put on the armour of abstinence,* to clothe ourselves in the glory of the angels,* to stand with boldness before God.* By which things Moses spoke to the Creator,* hearing the voice of the invisible One.* By which things also O Lord,* grant that we may worship Your Passion* and Your Holy Resurrection, O Lover of mankind.
Tone 6, Glory…
The time is now at hand* to start upon the spiritual contest,* to gain victory over demonic powers,* to put on the armour of abstinence,* to clothe ourselves in the glory of the angels,* to stand with boldness before God.* By which things Moses spoke to the Creator,* hearing the voice of the invisible One.* By which things also O Lord,* grant that we may worship Your Passion* and Your Holy Resurrection, O Lover of mankind.
Tone 2, Now…
You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!
Great Doxology
Trisagion Prayers
Troparion, Tone 2
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.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 6: O Master, Guide to Wisdom*, Bestower of prudent counsel,* Instructor of the foolish and Defender of the poor ones;* make firm my heart and give it understanding.* Give me a word, O Word of the Father:* Behold, I shall not stop my lips from crying out to You:* In Your mercy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Pray and give praise to the Lord our God.* Pray and give praise to the Lord our God.
verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 75:12,2)
Epistle
Romans 13:11-14:4
Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: It is good to give praise to the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most High.
verse: To announce Your mercy in the morning and Your truth every night. (Psalm 91:2,3)
Gospel
Matthew 6:14-21
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)
VESPERS ON SUNDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
There are no appointed psalms for this evening.
At Psalm 140
Tone 8
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
The angels praise You without ceasing, O King and Master,* and I fall before You crying like the Publican:* God be merciful to me and save me.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Since you are immortal, O my soul,* be not overwhelmed by the waves of this life;* but return to soberness and cry to Your Benefactor:* God be merciful to me and save me.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Give me tears, O God, as once You gave them to the woman that had sinned,* and count me worthy to wash Your feet* that have delivered me from the way of error.* As sweet-smelling ointment let me offer You a pure life,* created in me by repentance;* and may I also hear those words for which I long:* ‘Your faith has saved you, go in peace.’
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
When I call to mind the many evil I have done,* and I think upon the fearful day of judgment,* seized with trembling I flee to You for refuge, O God who loves mankind.* Turn not away from me, I beseech You, who alone are free from sin;* but before the end comes grant compunction* to my humbled soul and save me.
Tone 2
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Let us all make haste to humble the flesh by abstinence,* as we set out upon the God-given course of the holy Fast;* and with prayers and tears let us seek our Lord and Saviour.* Laying aside all memories of evil, let us cry aloud:* We have sinned against You, Christ our King;* save us as the men of Nineveh in days of old,* and in Your compassion* make us sharers in Your heavenly Kingdom.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
When I think of my works, deserving every punishment,* I despair of myself, O Lord.* For see, I have despised Your precious commandments* and wasted my life as the Prodigal.* Therefore, I entreat You:* Cleanse me in the waters of repentance,* and through prayer and fasting make me shine with light,* for You alone are merciful;* abhor me not, O Benefactor of all, supreme in love.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Let us set out with joy upon the season of the Fast,* and prepare ourselves for spiritual combat.* Let us purify our soul and cleanse our flesh;* and as we fast from food,* let us abstain also from every passion.* Rejoicing in the virtues of the Spirit* may we persevere with love,* and so be counted worthy* to see the solemn Passion of Christ our God,* and with great spiritual gladness* to behold His holy Passover.
Tone 1
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O martyrs three in number,* who contended mightily against those that cruelly condemned you,* and who with faith endured all manner of pangs most cruel:* you have received the kingdom on high.* Pray that God grant to our souls* peace and great mercy.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
With spiritual songs let us praise Eutropius, the steadfast Cleonicus and Basiliscus;* for they utterly consumed the tinder of ungodliness with fire by the grace of piety.* And now they illumine the ends of the earth with the divine radiance of fire,* like beacons most bright,* having cast all deception into darkness.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
When your heads were severed,* you crushed the head of the enemy under your beautiful feet, O valiant athletes,* unwavering stars, animate sacrifices,* treasures of the temple of heaven.* O glorious Eutropius, Basiliscus and Cleonicus,* beg peace for us all.
Tone 1, Glory… Now…
Rejoice, O pure one, O strange report!* Rejoice, holy tree of paradise, divinely planted!* Rejoice, destruction of the evil demons!* Rejoice, two-edged sword,* who cut off the head of the enemy by your strange birthgiving!* O most holy and all-immaculate one,* call us back who have gone astray.
Great Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Do not turn Your face away from your son, for I am afflicted; hear me quickly. Be attentive to my soul and deliver it.
verse: Let Your salvation, Lord, help me.
verse: Let the poor see it and be glad.
verse: Seek God, and your souls shall live.
Aposticha
Tone 4
Your grace has shone forth, O Lord,* it has shone forth and given light to our souls.* Behold, now is the accepted time:* behold, now is the season of repentance.* Let us caste off the works of darkness* and put on the armour of light,* that having sailed across the great sea of the Fast,* we may reach the third-day Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ,* the Saviour of our souls.
To You have I lifted up my eyes, O You that dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their master, as the eyes of the handmaiden look to the hands of their mistress, so do our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until He take pity on us.
Your grace has shone forth, O Lord,* it has shone forth and given light to our souls.* Behold, now is the accepted time:* behold, now is the season of repentance.* Let us caste off the works of darkness* and put on the armour of light,* that having sailed across the great sea of the Fast,* we may reach the third-day Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ,* the Saviour of our souls.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are utterly humiliated. Let shame come upon them that prosper, and abatement on the proud.
You are glorified in the memorial of Your saints, O Christ our God:* at their intercessions* send down on us Your great mercy.
Glory… Now…
The ranks of angels glorify You, O Mother of God,* for you have given birth to Him that is God,* who dwells ever with the Father and the Spirit,* who created the angelic hosts out of nothing by an act of His will.* Entreat Him, all-pure Lady, to save and illumine the souls* of those who with true worship sing your praise.
After the Song of Simeon and the Trisagion Prayers, we follow the regular Lenten format for the end of Vespers.
On this night, we also follow the ceremony of mutual forgiveness (often a sermon is preached before the exchange of forgiveness). This ceremony of forgiveness may be celebrated every Sunday night up to the fifth week of the Great Fast.
Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness
The clergy kneel facing the faithful and say:
Clergy: Bless me, brothers and sisters, and forgive me a sinner all the sins which I have committed this day, and every day of my life, in thought, word and deed.
All: May God forgive you, reverend Father!
The faithful kneel and say in turn:
All: Bless us, reverend Father, and forgives us sinners all the sins we have committed this day and every day of our lives in thought, word, and deed.
Clergy: May God forgive you and have mercy on you!
Now, all approach and venerate the icon, and then exchange forgiveness with everyone.
Forgive me!
God forgives! Forgive me and pray for me!