Resurrection Gospel 4.
GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man… is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 3
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
By Your cross, O Christ our Saviour,* the power of Death has been vanquished* and the deceit of the devil has been destroyed.* Therefore, mankind, saved by faith,* offers You hymns of praise forever.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Lord, all creation has been enlightened by Your resurrection,* and paradise has been reopened;* therefore, all creation extols You* and offers You hymns of praise forever.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
I glorify the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;* and I praise the dominion of the undivided Divinity,* the consubstantial Trinity,* who reigns forever and ever.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
We adore Your precious cross, O Christ,* and with hymns of praise we glorify Your resurrection;* for by Your wounds we have all been healed.
Tone 6
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Chosen Sovereign Lady and Well-Spring of Divine tenderness!* Having gathered together, we are here to glorify you,* the Mother of God of Perpetual Help.* Keep under your perpetual protection your children,* us, who have given over our entire lives into your hands* and who sing to You:* Rejoice, full of grace, all our Hope is in you.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
A certain merchant in Crete knew about your icon,* as about a pearl of great price,* for it was beautiful and glorious on account of miracles.* He had the boldness to steal it from the [church] temple* so that he may use it for protection, hiding it on his ship.* But then he realized his misdeed and repented,* wishing to return the icon, for you are the Mother of all.* And so, having you in our hearts, as a precious treasure,* we pass over the depths of our lives, steering towards the eternal heavenly Jerusalem, singing:* Rejoice, full of grace, all our Hope is in you.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
We see in this the incomprehensible wisdom of the Lord’s Providence:* desiring to hide your most-pure icon from the faithless, O Most-immaculate Virgin,* God used hands of thievery to transfer it to Rome,* from where it could be raised up and glorified by all nations,* bestowing through it, the riches of His kindness and mercy,* on account of your prayers, O Theotokos,* for, in touching this ark, we find not death, but life.* You, O Theotokos, are the true Spirit-filled Ark;* for, you bear in your arms not the law, or the blossoming rod, or even the golden vessel,* but the Bread of Life, the Unfading Flower and Giver-of-the-Law.* Intercede with Him for those who acknowledge you as their Perpetual Help.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
All the ends of the earth saw your co-suffering,* O much-suffering Mother,* depicted upon this icon.* They looked and wondered as You handed over the Priceless One as an offering,* to deliver your children from hostile bondage.* With what glorious songs can we sing the praises of your love?* How will we magnify your majesty in suffering?* What kind of spiritual flowers can we pick with which to decorate the thorny pathways of your life?* But running unto you, O Treasury-of-Mercy,* we will proclaim your greatness to the ends of the world,* teaching all to glorify you, as the Intercessor of mercy;* and thus, through you, to magnify God.
Tone 4
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Seeking help in spiritual and bodily ailments,* we run to You* O Mother of God of Perpetual Help, singing:* It has never been heard that you did not help.* For, through You, O Mother, we will receive the necessary graces for our lives,* the strength to fulfill our duties, overcome our temptations, and bear our crosses.* For, everyone knows – the poor, the afflicted and the lonely, -* that You, O All-Merciful, will never forget about us.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
It is a wondrous and incomprehensible mystery, O Lord our God,* that, being God, You still always listen to the requests of Your Mother,* because she asks only for those things* that are in accord with Your own Will* and she gives gifts in accord with Your Providence* and she desires for us all to be saved.
Tone 1, Glory…
O all-hymned Sovereign Lady, it was through the unspeakable Divine Plan* that You were chosen among women for the salvation of the whole world,* for the Wisdom of God fashioned you into an inexhaustible Well-Spring of His graces* and the first gleam of the saving Light* and a stream of mercy towards sinners.* Therefore, we come to you, the reason for all of the gifts of God,* and, falling before You, we pray:* O Mother of Perpetual Help, do not reject our requests* but graciously deliver us from every kind of evil.
Tone 3, Now…
O Lady most honourable,* how could we but be rapt in wonder* at your giving birth to the Incarnate God* who, without a mother, was born of a Father before all ages?* You gave Him birth in the flesh without a father,* without a man’s instrumentality.* He is God and man whose two natures are intact,* neither one losing any of its properties.* Therefore, O Virgin Mother,* intercede with Him to save the souls* of those who believe and profess in true faith* that you are the Mother of God.
Readings
(1) Genesis 28:10-17; (2) Esther 7:1-10; (3) Proverbs 9:1-11.
Lytia
Tone 1
Let us praise, O faithful, the Mother of God of Perpetual Help,* for whosoever but flies to her, finds what they need:* the sick receive health; the suffering – consolation* those in darkness – the enlightenment of their soul and body;* for, she touches all with her goodness;* to draw them to her mother’s heart* and guide everyone to the Never-Setting Light:* Christ, the Redeemer.
Tone 2
A multitude of angels* surround your glorious throne, O Full-of-Grace,* and tirelessly sing: Rejoice,* for they do not know how else to magnify you worthily,* to be awed enough at Your beauty,* or to sufficiently admire your all-pure countenance.* And we who are gathered together today,* lift up our eyes with faith,* as we sing along with them:* Rejoice, Mother of Perpetual Help!
Tone 4
Having your icon as a precious pearl, O Mother of God,* which has come to us from the far east,* we greet you, as a clear dawning,* as an emissary of God’s day,* because you bring salvation.* That is why we call upon you:* Rejoice, Tablet of God’s mercy.* Rejoice, manna, sweeter than honey.* Rejoice, seven-branched lamp that enlightens all.* Rejoice, O Mother of God of Perpetual Help.
Glory… Now…
Desiring to save the whole world by His Resurrection,* the One Who became the Mediator of all,* has chosen You as His Co-Sufferer and the Intercessor for the sake of our salvation.* Therefore, at the time of His suffering in the flesh,* He called You the Mother of all who believe in Him* and who honour you, the Mother of our Saviour.
Aposticha
Tone 3
O Christ, who darkened the sun by Your passion* and enlightened all creation by Your resurrection,* accept our evening prayer; for You love mankind.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
O Lord, Your life-giving resurrection has enlightened the entire universe* and has revived Your creation which lay in corruption.* Therefore, we, who have been released from the curse of Adam, cry out to You:* Almighty Lord, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O God, although in Your divine nature You are unchangeable,* yet in Your human nature You underwent change by suffering in the flesh.* All creation was prostrate with fear* when it saw You hanging on the cross,* and it groaned in sorrow as it sang the praises of Your long-suffering.* But You descended into Hades and arose on the third day,* granting life and great mercy to the world.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
You suffered death, O Christ, to deliver mankind from death.* And when You arose from the dead on the third day,* You enlightened the world* and resurrected all who acknowledge You as God.
Tone 2, Glory… Now…
Having cleansed our thoughts and minds* together with the angels let us celebrate radiantly,* singing David’s psalm to the Virgin and Mother* of the King of All, Who is Christ our God:* “Rise up, O Lord, [to go] to the place of Your rest,* You and the Ark of Your Holiness!”* For You have adorned her, O Master, as a wonderful palace *, and have gifted her to Your people *, so that by her prayers, as if by the very power of Your own authority,* they may be led and protected from all adversaries.
Troparia
Tone 7
O Mother of God and Virgin,* we magnify Your glory,* we ask for Your help,* we venerate Your miracle-working icon.* You are the Mother of grace,* You are the hope of the world;* do not reject our prayers in our times of need,* and free us from all dangers. (3)
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 3
Troparia, Tone 3
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world. (2)
Tone 7, Glory… Now…
O Mother of God and Virgin,* we magnify Your glory,* we ask for Your help,* we venerate Your miracle-working icon.* You are the Mother of grace,* You are the hope of the world;* do not reject our prayers in our times of need,* and free us from all dangers.
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 3
Christ has arisen from the dead, the first fruits of those that sleep.* The First-born of creation and Creator of all that has come to be,* has renewed in Himself the corrupted nature of our race.* Death, no longer is your lord,* for the Master of all things has destroyed your dominion.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
Having tasted death in the flesh, O Lord,* You have blotted out the bitterness of death by Your arising* strengthening mankind against it, and announcing the abolition of the ancient curse.* Defender of our lives, O Lord, glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
Awed by the beauty of your virginity* and the exceeding radiance of your purity,* Gabriel called out to you, O Theotokos:* What worthy hymn of praise can I offer to you?* And what shall I name you?* I am in doubt and stand in awe.* Wherefore as commanded, I cry to you:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 3
Awed by Your immutable Godhead* and by Your voluntary passion, O Lord,* Hades lamented: I tremble at Your body’s essence, which remains incorrupt.* I behold You, the One who is invisible, mystically making war against me;* wherefore those whom I hold cry out:* ‘Glory, O Christ, to Your Resurrection!’
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
We the faithful contemplate an ineffable mystery:* Your incomprehensible Crucifixion and Your inexplicable Arising.* For today Death and Hades have been despoiled,* but mankind has been clothed in incorruption.* Wherefore with thanksgiving we cry aloud to You:* Glory, O Christ, to Your Resurrection!
Glory… Now…
Mystically did you contain in your womb* the Incomprehensible and Uncircumscribed One,* consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit;* and we acknowledge in your Offspring one unconfused energy of the Trinity Who is glorified in the world.* And so with thanksgiving we cry to you, ** ‘Rejoice, O full of grace!’
Polyeleos
Polyeleos
Exaltation
We magnify you,* O Mother of God of Perpetual Help,* as we celebrate this, your Feastday,* for you are our Leader to the “Redeemer” (Deliverer).
verse: Great is the Lord and greatly praised in the city of our God, His holy mount. (Ps. 47:2)
verse: Glorious things are spoken of you, O City of God. (Ps. 86:3)
verse: Holy is your temple, wondrous in righteousness. (Ps. 64:5-6)
Glory… Now…
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia: Glory be to You, O God! (3)
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Sessional Hymns
Tone 2
You – the expectation of all peoples,* blessed among women,* the all-pure and all-immaculate Mother,* the beginning and well-spring of all wonders,* we glorify as the Mother of Perpetual Help.
For you, everything is possible, O all-Blessed Virgin Mary,* whether in heaven or on earth* – the conversion of sinners and the healing of the sick.* For, being the Theotokos,* you humbled yourself the most of all* and so we magnify you, O Mother of Perpetual Help.
Glory… Now…
O joy of the world, our Queen,* for the sake of the prayers of countless choirs of saints,* who shine, like heavenly stars, unto the ages,* graciously receive these prayers* and do not withhold your perpetual help* from those who trust in you.
Hypakoe, Tone 3
A Cause of amazement by his appearance,* and source of refreshment by his speech,* the radiant Angel spoke to the myrrh-bearing women saying:* Why do you seek the living in a grave?* He has arisen, emptying the graves.* Know that the unchangeable One has changed corruption.* Wherefore cry to God saying,* ‘How fearful are Your works!* For You have saved mankind.’
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 3
Antiphon 1
You, O Word, delivered the captivity of Sion from Babylon,* Deliver me also* from the passions to life.
Those who sow in the South* with tears inspired by God,* shall in joy reap sheaves of everlasting life.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit,* together with the Father and the Son* shines forth the reflection of every good gift,* In Him all things live and have their being.
Antiphon 2
Except the Lord build the house of the virtues,* in vain do we labour.* While He protects our soul no one lays waste our city.
The Saints, O Christ, fruits of the womb,* are by the Spirit, always sons to You,* as You are to the Father.
Glory… Now…
The Holy Spirit is the inspiration of all that is holy and wise;* for He quickens every creature.* Let us worship Him* together with the Father and the Son, for He is God.
Antiphon 3
Those who fear the Lord are blessed* as they walk along the paths of His commandments;* for they partake of the life-giving fruit.
Be glad, Chief Shepherd,* beholding Your offspring around Your table* bearing the branches of good works.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit is a superabundance of glory;* for from Him proceeds forth grace and life* into all creation;* wherefore He is praised together with the Father and the Word.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Proclaim to the nations: God is king. The world He made firm in its place.
verse: O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth.
Let everything that lives, Tone 3
Gospel
Luke 24:1-12
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Tone 6, Glory…
Through the intercession of the Theotokos,* O merciful One,* cleanse us from the multitude of our sins.
Now…
Through the intercession of the Theotokos,* O merciful One,* cleanse us from the multitude of our sins.
Have mercy on me, O God, in the greatness of Your compassion;* according to the multitude of Your mercies blot out my offence.
As the Nurturer and Mother of our souls,* we glorify you, O God-espoused Virgin.* You have raised us in the love of the Holy Spirit* and unceasingly nourish us with His radiance,* directing us onto the path of all the virtues,* O Intercessor of the whole world *, and you draw the image of the Origin-of-All within the souls of your children,* who glorify you.
Canon, Tone 3
Ode 1
Irmos: In time past by his divine command he gathered the waters into one heap* and divided the sea for the people of Israel:* this is our God, he is glorious,* to him alone we sing, for he is glorified.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He condemned the earth to bring forth thorns, fruit of the transgressor’s sweat; he received in the flesh a crown of thorns from the hands of lawless men : this is our God, he has done away with the curse, he is glorified.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He whom death smote is declared the conqueror who won the victory over death; for taking living flesh subject to suffering, he wrestled with the tyrant and raised up all with himself: he is our God, he is glorified.
Glory… Now…
All nations glorify you, true Mother of God, who seedlessly bore your child; for he, our God, stole down into your hallowed womb and, invested with our being, God and man was born of you.
Katavasia: I shall open my mouth, and the Spirit will inspire it,* and I shall utter the words of my song to the Queen and Mother:* I shall be seen radiantly keeping feast* and joyfully praising her wonders.
Ode 3
Irmos: Almighty Lord,* you brought all things from nothing into being,* created by the Word, perfected by the Spirit.* Make me firm in your love.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The ungodly man was brought to shame by your cross; he dug a pit and opened it up and fell into it himself; the horn of the lowly, O Christ, is lifted up in your resurrection.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The proclamation of righteousness to the nations as water has covered the seas, O Lover of man, for you have risen from the grave and revealed the splendour of the Trinity.
Glory… Now…
Glorious things are spoken of you, the living city of the King who reigns for ever. For through you, O Lady, God dwelt among those on earth.
Katavasia: O Mother of God, living and plentiful fount,* give strength to those united in spiritual fellowship,* who sing hymns of praise to you:* and in your divine glory vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.
Ode 4
Irmos: A mighty love you have shown to us, O Lord,* for you have given over to death for us your only-begotten Son;* therefore we thank you and cry to you:* Glory to your power, O Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Scars and bruises compassionately bearing, insult of blows enduring, long-patient under the spitting, O Christ; through these you have wrought my salvation. Glory to your power, O Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Life in mortal body, you conversed with deatiaor the sake of the misery of the poor and the sighing of the needy; and. destroying the destroyer, O glorified One, you raised up all with yourself, only Lover of man.
Glory… Now…
Remember, O Christ, your flock won by your Passion: visit the afflicted, accept the compassionate prayers of your Mother glorified and save it, O Lord, by your power.
Katavasia: He who sits in glory upon the throne of the Godhead,* Jesus the true God, is come in a swift cloud* and with His sinless hands he has saved those who cry:* Glory to Your power, O Christ.
Ode 5
Irmos: Early I wake to you the Creator of all* and the peace which passes all understanding:* guide me in your ordinances,* for they are light.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Through the envy of the Jews handed over to an unrighteous judge, you, the all-seeing who judges all the earth in righteousness, delivered Adam from the ancient condemnation.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Christ, risen from the dead, grant peace to your churches in the invincible power of your cross, and save our souls.
Glory… Now…
You alone, the Ever-virgin who received the Word of God unbounded by the whole creation, are declared the holy tabernacle wider than the heavens.
Katavasia: The whole world was amazed* at your divine glory:* for you, O Virgin who have not known wedlock,* have held in your womb the God of all* and have given birth to an eternal Son,* who rewards with salvation all who sing your praises.
Ode 6
Irmos: The deepest abyss of sins has surrounded me* and my spirit fails me;* but stretch out your mighty arm, O Lord my pilot, as to Peter,* and save me.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The abyss of mercy and pity has surrounded me in your tender descent, O Lord, for, made flesh and taking the form of a servant, you made me as God and glorified me with yourself.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The one who dealt death has undergone death through seeing the One put to death now brought to life: these things are the tokens of your Resurrection, O Christ, and the rewards of your pure Passion.
Glory… Now…
Only All-pure, beyond understanding you were mediator between the Creator and man, pray to your merciful Son for your stumbling servants and be our defender.
Katavasia: As we celebrate* this sacred and solemn feast of the Mother of God,* let us come, clapping our hands, O people of the Lord,* and give glory to God who was born of her.
Kontakion, Tone 3
You rose from the tomb, O compassionate Lord,* and led us out from the gates of death.* Today Adam exults and Eve rejoices,* and the prophets together with the patriarchs* unceasingly acclaim the divine might of Your power.
Ikos
Let heaven and earth dance together today and with one mind sing to Christ God for he has raised from the graves those held in bonds. All creation rejoices together and brings to our Creator and Redeemer of all its fitting songs. For today, as giver of life, with himself he drew mortal man from Hell and lifts him up to heaven, he dashes down the pride of the enemy and breaks in pieces the gates of Hell by the divine might of his authority.
Ode 7
Irmos: As, long ago, your dew refreshed the three godly children in the Chaldean flames,* so shine with the enlightening fire of your Godhead* upon us who cry to you:* Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The fair veil of the temple was rent in the cross of the Creator, clearly announcing the hidden truth in the scriptures to the faithful who cry to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
When your side was pierced, O Christ, drops of your life-giving blood, flowing from God by divine dispensation, distilled upon the earth and re-made those born of the earth who cry to you: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Glory… Now…
Let us the faithful glorify the Good Spirit with the Father and the only-begotten Son, one in three, as we worship the first cause and one Godhead, crying: Blessed are you, God of our fathers.
Katavasia: The holy children bravely trampled upon the threatening fire,* refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator,* and they sang in joy:* Blessed are You and praised above all, O Lord God of our Fathers.
Ode 8
Irmos: In the unbearable fire, unharmed by the flames,* the young men, famed for their fear of God, stood as one and sang the divine hymn:* Bless the Lord, all you his works,* and exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The brightness of the temple was rent when your cross was set on Golgotha: all creation bowed down together and raised the song: Bless the Lord, all you his works, and exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You have risen, Christ, from the grave, by the divine power of the cross you have raised man overthrown by treachery and set him straight again, crying out and saying: Bless the Lord, all you his works, and exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory… Now…
You are declared to be the temple of God, living resting-place and ark, for you, pure Mother of God, have reconciled the Creator to mortal man and fittingly we his works sing your praises and exalt you throughout all the ages.
We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord. We extol and exalt Him above all for ever.
Katavasia: The Offspring of the Theotokos saved the holy children in the furnace.* He who was then prefigured has since been born on earth,* and He gathers all the creation to sing:* O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: Marvel new and meet for God!* Through the shut gate of the Virgin the Lord surely passes through.* Unclothed in the entering, flesh-bearing in the coming forth* God has appeared and the gate remains fast closed.* We magnify her beyond utterance* the Mother of God.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Word of God, awful it is to see you, the Creator, hanging on the tree, God suffering in human fashion for the sake of his servants; while lying lifeless in the tomb you yet had loosed the dead from Hell; for this, O Christ, we magnify you as almighty.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Laid dead in the grave, O Christ, you saved our forefathers from the corruption of death; you raised the dead and made life to blossom and, leading mortal nature by the hand to the light, you clothed it with divine incorruptibility; for this we magnify you, fountain of everliving light.
O most holy Theotokos, save us!
Temple and throne of God you are declared to be, All-pure, wherein he who dwells in the highest took up his abode, born without man and guarding entire the doors of your flesh. Holy One, by your unceasing prayers bring swiftly the nations in final subjection to our king.
Irmos: We have heard the words of consolation under the Cross,* that you are our Mother, and we are your children.* Therefore, having assembled today, each of us sincerely pleads:* place the Church and our people beneath [the mantle of] your perpetual protection;* for with faith and love* we magnify you as the Mother of Perpetual Help.
O Mother of Perpetual Help, save us.
Glorious things have been said about you, O City of God:* for, from you was born the One,* Who reigns forever over all in the heavens and on earth* and has brought you over from the earth to heaven.* Therefore intercede unceasingly before Him for those,* who honor Your holy feast,* by which we magnify you.
O Mother of Perpetual Help, save us.
O choirs of bodiless ones and assembly of patriarchs,* divine gathering of apostles and prophets,* company of martyrs,* choirs of hierarchs with venerable fathers, and all you saints!* Rejoice with us who celebrate* and praise this feast of the Mother of God.
Glory… Now…
Raise up the banner of all believers* and humble the conceit of adversaries, O all-Pure Theotokos!* Preserve your cities in peace* and protect all Christian nations,* wherein your great and highly famed name is praised* and faithfully honored by all, O Pure and Sovereign Lady.
Katavasia: We have heard the words of consolation under the Cross,* that you are our Mother, and we are your children.* Therefore, having assembled today, each of us sincerely pleads:* place the Church and our people beneath [the mantle of] your perpetual protection;* for with faith and love* we magnify you as the Mother of Perpetual Help.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
Resplendent with virtues* let us behold the men standing in brilliant clothes inside the grave,* giving life to the saddened myrrh-bearing women.* Let us learn of the resurrection of the Lord of heaven* and hasten with Peter to the tomb of life.* Let us stand before His wondrous resurrection* and contemplate the marvels of Christ.
Glory… Now…
O Lord, when You told the myrrh-bearing women to rejoice,* You ended the sadness of our first parents,* and You brought the joy of the resurrection into the world.* Therefore, O Giver of life* by the prayers of the One who gave You birth,* send the light of Your love to shine in our hearts,* that we may cry to You: O Lover of mankind and our God,* glory to Your resurrection!
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 3
Come all you nations,* acknowledge the power of the dread mystery;* for Christ our Saviour, the beginningless Word,* was crucified for us and was willingly buried* and arose from the dead to save the whole universe.* Let us worship Him.
You guards recounted all the marvels, O Lord,* but, by filling their right hands with money,* the Sanhedrin of folly thought to conceal Your Resurrection,* which the world glorifies;* have mercy upon us.
All things have been filled with joy on receiving proof of the Resurrection.* For Mary Magdalene having come to the tomb,* found an Angel seated upon the stone,* radiant in shining raiment, saying:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* He is not here, but He has arisen, as He foretold,* and goes before you into Galilee.
In Your light, O Master and Lover of mankind,* shall we see light.* For arose from the dead,* granting salvation to the race of mankind,* wherefore all creation glorifies You, the only sinless one;* have mercy upon us.
Tone 1
A wondrous rock of salvation,* as once to Israel, so now to us, O all-Good Master* have You given to Your servants, thirsty as we are in the wilderness of life,* in this icon of Your Mother.* We come to her with hope* and draw the wonderful drink* of Your all-abundant mercy.
A wondrous rock of salvation,* as once to Israel, so now to us, O all-Good Master* have You given to Your servants, thirsty as we are in the wilderness of life,* in this icon of Your Mother.* We come to her with hope* and draw the wonderful drink* of Your all-abundant mercy.
A well-spring of light and an inexhaustible flow of radiance* has your holy feast become for me!* Therefore intercede, O Theotokos,* that I may be delivered from the darkness of foolishness* and from the passions of both soul and body,* and, in the age to come, rescue me also from eternal torment.
The eternal Wisdom of God,* Who Himself was born in the flesh of you,* has, in this your feast, revealed you to be* the Well-Spring of tender wisdom* and the ocean of reason and grace.* Therefore, on account of Him, give me but a drop of your wisdom and understanding* and direct me upon the way to eternal life.
Tone 4, Glory…
The women came at early dawn to Your tomb, O Christ,* but they did not find Your venerable body.* As they were perplexed, an angel in shining clothes said to them:* Why do you seek the Living among the dead?* He is risen as He foretold.* Have you forgotten what He said?* Being assured by the words of the angel,* the women preached to the disciples about the things they saw.* But their good news was received with ridicule;* for the disciples were still without understanding.* Peter, however, hastened to Your tomb* and then glorified Your wonders, O Lord.
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
DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 3: Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.
Troparion of the feast, Tone 7: O Mother of God and Virgin,* we magnify Your glory,* we ask for Your help,* we venerate Your miracle-working icon.* You are the Mother of grace,* You are the hope of the world;* do not reject our prayers in our times of need,* and free us from all dangers.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 3: You rose from the tomb, O compassionate Lord,* and led us out from the gates of death.* Today Adam exults and Eve rejoices,* and the prophets together with the patriarchs* unceasingly acclaim the divine might of Your power.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion of the feast, Tone 6: Our Mother, O Lady of Perpetual Help,* give us boldness in our cares, improvement in our sicknesses,* consolation amid our very sorrows, help in our battles.* Grant unity to Christians, zeal to ministers of the Church,* forgiveness to sinners, steadfastness to the righteous,* salvation to the dying,* beseech to grant cleansing and eternal glory to the souls in purgatory.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Sing to our God, sing; sing to our King, sing.
verse: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 46:7,2)
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God, my Saviour.
Epistle
Romans 6:18-23; 8:28-39; H
Alleluia, Tone 3
verse: In You, O Lord, have I hoped that I may not be put to shame for ever.
verse: Be a protector unto me, O God, and a house of refuge to save me. (Psalm 30:2,3)
verse: Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear. (Ps. 44:11)
Gospel
Matthew 8:5-13; 5:1-16; Luke 10:38-42;11:27-28
Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify the Mother of God of Perpetual Help.
and the Irmos, Tone 8: We heard words of comfort beneath the Cross,* that You are our Mother and we are Your children.* Therefore, having gathered today, we all earnestly ask:* Place the Church and our nation beneath Your perpetual protection,* for we glorify You with faith and love as Mother of Perpetual Help.
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* I will take the cup of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.