Day 28 of the Great Fast. Resurrectional Gospel 1.

GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

Tone 4

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

We never cease to adore Your life-giving Cross, O Christ our God,* And we glorify Your resurrection on the third day.* For You, Almighty One, have thereby restored the corrupted nature of all* and reopened the way to heaven,* since You alone are gracious and You love mankind.

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

O Saviour, You have absolved the penalty of disobedience,* committed through the tree of Eden,* by willingly being nailed to the tree of the cross.* As Almighty God, You descended into Hades* and broke asunder the bonds of death.* We, therefore, venerate Your resurrection from the dead,* and joyfully cry out to You:* Almighty Lord, glory to You!

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

O Lord, You have battered down the gates of Hades,* and by Your death You have dissolved the realm of death.* You have freed mankind from corruption,* bestowing life, incorruption, and Your great mercy upon the world.

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

Come, all you people,* let us sing the praises of our Saviour’s resurrection on the third day.* For we have, thereby, been delivered from the invincible bonds of Hades,* and we have received incorruption, together with eternal life.* Therefore, we cry out to You* after Your crucifixion, burial, and resurrection:* Save us by Your resurrection, for You love mankind.

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

O Saviour, with the angels we sing the praises of Your resurrection on the third day.* For the very ends of the universe have, thereby, been enlightened,* and we have been saved from the deceit of the enemy.* Therefore, we cry out to You,* Almighty Saviour, Giver of Life, and Lover of mankind:* Save us by Your resurrection.

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

O Christ our God, You have demolished the brazen gates of Hades.* You have broken asunder the bonds of death,* and lifted up the fallen human race.* Therefore, we cry out with one accord:* O Lord, who arose from the dead, glory to You!

Tone 8

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

O holy father John,* truly have you ever carried on your lips the praises of the Lord,* and with great wisdom have you studied the words of Holy Scripture,* that teach us how to practice the ascetic life.* So have you gained the riches of grace,* and you have become blessed,* overthrowing all the purposes of the ungodly.

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

O holy father John,* truly have you ever carried on your lips the praises of the Lord,* and with great wisdom have you studied the words of Holy Scripture,* that teach us how to practice the ascetic life.* So have you gained the riches of grace,* and you have become blessed,* overthrowing all the purposes of the ungodly.

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

Most glorious father John,* with the fountain of your tears you have cleansed your soul,* and by keeping vigils through the night* you have gained God’s mercy.* You were raised on wings, O blessed one,* to the love of Him and of His beauty;* and as is right you dwell now in His unending joy,* with your fellow soldiers in the spiritual fight,* O holy saint of God.

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

O holy father John,* through faith you have lifted up your mind on wings to God;* hating the restless confusion of this world,* you have taken up your Cross;* and, by following Him who sees all things* you have subjected your rebellious body to His guidance through ascetic discipline,* by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Tone 5, Glory…

O holy father,* hearing the voice of the Gospel of the Lord,* you have forsaken the world, counting as naught its riches and its glory;* and so you have cried out to all:* “Love God,* and you shall find eternal grace.* Set nothing higher than His love,* that, when He comes in glory,* you may find rest with all the saints.”* At their prayers, O Christ, guard and save our souls.

Tone 4, Now…

O Mother of God, because of You* David the Prophet became an ancestor of God;* he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise* and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:* “The Queen stood at your right hand.”* God revealed you as a life-giving mother,* when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.* He renewed in man His image* which the passions had corrupted.* He found the lost sheep in the mountains,* carried it on His shoulders,* offered it to the Father,* generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,* and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.

Aposticha

Tone 4

In being lifted upon the cross, O Lord,* You abolished the curse which we had inherited from our fathers.* By going down into Hades,* You freed from eternal captivity those imprisoned there,* and granted incorruption to mankind.* We, therefore, praise Your life-giving and redeeming resurrection.

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

By hanging on the cross, O Almighty One,* You shook the whole creation to its foundations.* When You Yourself were laid in the grave,* You raised to life those who had been lying in the graves,* and You granted life and incorruption to mankind.* We, therefore, praise and glorify Your resurrection on the third day.

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

O Christ, the lawless people showed their ingratitude to You, their Benefactor,* by delivering You to Pilate who condemned you to be crucified.* But You willingly suffered death and burial;* and, as God, You rose by Your own power on the third day,* granting us everlasting life and great mercy.

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

The women, shedding bitter tears, came to see You in Your tomb;* and not finding Your body, they lamented, saying:* O Saviour and King of All, how were You stolen?* What place holds Your life-bearing body?* An angel answered them, saying:* Do not weep, but go and proclaim that the Lord is risen,* filling our hearts with joy;* for He alone is most compassionate.

Tone 2, Glory…

Let us honour John, angel upon earth and man of God in heaven,* adornment of the world, joy of the good and virtuous, glory of the ascetics.* For planted in the house of God he has blossomed with the flower of holiness,* and spread abroad like a cedar in the desert,* causing the sheep of Christ’s spiritual flock to increase* in sanctity and righteousness.

Now…

We now behold a new wonder,* greater than the wonders of old.* For who has ever known a mother to bear a child without the help of man?* Who has known a mother to hold in her arms the Source of all Creation?* It was God’s own will to be born in this manner;* and you, O most pure Virgin, carried Him as an infant in your arms.* Because of this, you can approach God with the boldness of a mother.* Therefore, we venerate you, and ask you to always beseech Him* to have mercy on us and save our souls.

Troparia

Tone 4

When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”

Glory… Now…

O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created man,*and saved our souls from death.

GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 4

Troparia, Tone 4

When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.” (2)

Tone 1, Glory…

A dweller in the wilderness and an angel in the body!* You manifested a wonderworker, O John our God-bearing Father!* You received heavenly gifts through fasting, vigil, and prayer:* healing the infirm and the souls of those who flee to you with faith.* Glory to Him Who has given you strength!* Glory to Him Who has crowned you!* Glory to Him Who through you works healings for all!

Now…

When Gabriel announced to you, “Rejoice!”, O Virgin,* the Master of all became incarnate within you, the holy tabernacle,* at his cry, as the righteous David said. You were shown to be more spacious than the heavens,* having borne your Creator.* Glory to Him Who made His abode within you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you! ** Glory to Him Who has set us free by your birthgiving.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4

Looking into the entrance of the tomb,* the Myrrh-bearing women were unable to endure the bright radiance of the Angel,* trembling in awe they said;* How is it that He who has opened Paradise to the Thief hath been stolen?* How is it that He who before His passion proclaimed His Arising has been raised?* Truly Christ God has arisen, granting those in Hades life and resurrection.

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

Mortal men laid in a new tomb* the One who through a word established the ends of earth,* for You, O Saviour, willingly endured the Cross,* whereby You conquered the adversary, and despoiled death,* for which cause all those in Hades extol Your life-giving Arising saying* Christ, the giver of life, has arisen and abides to the ages.

Glory… Now…

As he contemplated that which was beyond nature* Joseph was struck with wonder, O Theotokos, at you conception without seed.* He contemplated the mysterious dew upon the fleece,* the bush unburnt by fire,* Aaron’s rod which budded.* Thus your Betrothed and guardian bore witness and cried to the priests saying:* A Virgin bears a child,* and after child-birth remains yet a virgin.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4

O Saviour, You arose from Hades as immortal,* raising the world together with You by Your might, O Christ our God.* With strength You have overthrown the dominion of death,* revealing the Resurrection to all, O Merciful one.* Therefore we also glorify You, O only Lover of mankind.

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

Gabriel radiant in white vestments descended from the heights above,* and approaching the rock upon which the Rock of life was lying,* cried to the weeping women saying:* Cease your cries of lamentation;* for you have now obtained merciful compassion.* Take courage, for the One you seek is truly risen.* Therefore, cry to the Apostles telling them that the Lord has arisen,* to worship the risen One;* and having received gladness, to take courage, together with Eve.

Glory… Now…

All the choirs of Angels were struck with wonder, O Pure Virgin,* at the awesome mystery of your conception.* How can the One who holds all things in place with only a nod,* now be held in your arms as a man?* How can the Eternal accept a beginning?* How can the One who nourishes everything that has breath by His ineffable goodness,* be suckled at your breast?* And upon seeing these things, with hymns they glorify you* as truly the Mother of God.

Evoglitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 4

The Myrrh-bearing women hastened to proclaim to the Apostles* the news of Your wondrous Rising, O Christ:* that as God You have arisen,* granting the world great mercy.

Gradual Hymns, Tone 4

Antiphon 1

From my youth do many passions war against me;* but do You Yourself defend* and save me, O my Saviour.

You haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord;* for like grass, by the fire* shall you be withered.

Glory… Now…

In the Holy Spirit, every soul is quickened,* and, through cleansing, is exalted* and made radiant* by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.

Antiphon 2

From the depths of my soul* I have cried to You fervently, O Lord;* let Your divine ears be attentive to me.

Everyone who has set their hope in the Lord,* is higher than all those* who mourn.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit* the streams of grace swell up;* watering all creation* engendering life.

Antiphon 3

Let my heart be raised to You, O Lord;* and let none of the pleasures of the world lure me* to weakness.

As one that has tender love for one’s mother;* so should we have even more fervent love* for the Lord.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit comes an abundance of divine knowledge,* contemplation and wisdom;* for by Him the Word unveils* all the Father’s teachings.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4

Arise, O Lord: help us,* and redeem us for Your name’s sake.

verse: We heard with our own ears, O God, our fathers have told us the story of the things You did in days long ago.

Let everything that lives, Tone 4

Gospel

Luke 24:1-12

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 4

Ode 1

Irmos: Through the Red Sea, as on the dry land,* old Israel passed on with unmoistened foot;* crosswise, in the wilderness, Moses held up his arms* and they routed Amalek’s might.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As good and all-powerful, O Lord, you were lifted up on the immaculate tree of your cross, healing by the tree our utter destruction, setting right our defection.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

In your body in the tomb, as God with your soul in Hell, with the Thief in Paradise, you were yet, O Christ, on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, all things filling, and infinite.

Glory… Now…

You conceived the Son of God without seed, by the Father’s purpose, from the divine Spirit; you bore in flesh the one from the Father without mother: through us, out of you, without father.

Irmos: Our God and Saviour led the people of Israel across the Red Sea as if on dry land* and drowned Pharaoh and his whole army.* Let us praise Him who alone is worthy of our songs,* for He is clothed with glory.

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

O Christ, I have become like the man who fell among thieves, and grievously beaten, was left barely alive, O Saviour; and more than he, I am also grievously wounded with my sins.

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

Stripped of all Your wealth, he cried out lamenting: “O Saviour, I am gravely wounded; leave me not to the thieves.” Likewise, I also pray to You: “Merciful Lord, save me.”

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

Heal me who am noetically deadened by the scourging of sin, from the unrighteous thieves, my wicked thoughts, O Christ Saviour; save me since You are plenteous in mercy.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

O you who inexplicably gave birth to the Wisdom and Word of the Father, grant healing to my grievously wounded soul, and assuage the infirmity of my heart.

Irmos: When Israel passed through the waters as upon dry land* and escaped the malice of the Egyptians,* they cried out:* Let us sing to our Redeemer and our God.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

Ascending from the sorrow of things material, O holy John, you dwelt in the immaterial noetic light: by your intercessions to the Lord, grant me this light.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

Suckled on the sweetness of abstinence, you cast away the bitterness of sensuality; and so, father, you have granted us a pleasure sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

Glory…

Having ascended to the heights of the virtues, scorning as worthless, sensual pleasures, you have appeared to your flock as the sweetness of salvation, O venerable father.

Now…

O you who ineffably gave birth to the Word and Wisdom of the Father, heal the harsh wounds of my soul and assuage the infirmity of my heart.

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

Ode 3

Irmos: Your Church, O Christ, makes merry in you, crying aloud:* You are my strength, O Lord, my refuge, my firm foundation.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The tree of life, the true and intellectual vine, hangs upon the cross pouring forth to all the elixir of life.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As a great one and fearful, demolishing utterly the insolence of Hell, as God incorruptible, now you have risen in the flesh.

Glory… Now…

You only, O Mother of God, are the friend who procures the good things beyond nature for those upon earth and therefore we bring to you our “Hail.”

Irmos: O Christ, by the power of Your Cross, strengthen our hearts so that we may sing and glorify Your saving Ascension.

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

I have wickedly journeyed on the path of life, O Christ, and been sorely wounded by thieves through my passions: but I beseech You, raise me up.

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

Thieves have robbed my mind and, wounded by my sins, leaving me barely alive: but heal me, O Lord.

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

I have been stripped bare of Your commandments by the passions, O Christ Saviour, and I have been scourged by sensual pleasures, but pour upon me Your mercy.

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Without ceasing, pray, O pure one, to Him who came forth from your womb, that those who sing your praises may be delivered from the wiles of the evil one.

Irmos: You are the rampart of those who hasten to You;* the inhabitants of darkness find their light in You;* and my soul praises You, O Lord.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

With the fiery coal of your asceticism, O saint, you have burnt up the thorns of the passions, warming all those who follow the monastic life.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

The aroma of the sanctifying myrrh of your ascetic struggles, O venerable father, has filled all with the odour of the spiritual fragrance of God.

Glory…

Attentively learning the laws of ascetic struggle, you burned up the passions, as though another army of Pharaoh, by the flow of your tears.

Now…

Put a stop the restless tumult of my thoughts, O pure one, and guide me, O Mother of God, to your Son.

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

Sessional Hymn, Tone 5

Having Your Most-pure Cross as a weapon of salvation, O Saviour, we cry to You: “O You Who willingly suffered for our sake, save us, O God of all, since You are plenteous in mercy.”

In Tone 4, Glory…

Having ascended to the Heavens, resplendent with virtues and holiness, you have properly entered into the boundless depth of the contemplation of God. Having defeated all the snares of the demons, and protecting mankind from their wickedness, O John—ladder of the virtues—you ever intercede on behalf of your servants, that they be saved.

Now…

He Who is enthroned upon the cherubim and Who dwells in the bosom of the Father, has sat incarnate in your bosom, O Lady, as upon His holy throne. For as God He is the ruler of all nations, and with understanding we now sing to Him; beseech Him, O pure one, on behalf of your servants that they be saved.

Ode 4

Irmos: Seeing you the Sun of Righteousness* lifted high on the cross,* with good reason your Church stood still in her course and exclaimed:* Glory to your power, O Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You went up on the Cross, to the Passion of your pure flesh worn of your own will, thus healing my passions. Therefore we cry to you: Glory to your power, O Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Lord, death tasted of your life-giving, sinless flesh and deservedly was slain. But we cry to you: Glory to your power, O Lord.

Glory… Now…

You bore a child, O Virgin, without a man, and after the birth you were discerned as still a virgin; therefore in faith unwavering we cry in never silent voices: Hail to you, our Lady.

Irmos: O Lord, I heard Your voice and I was filled with fear;* I meditated on Your work of salvation,* and I glorify You, the only Lover of mankind.

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

Thieves have despoiled me of my godly actions and left me wounded and in pangs.

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

My unstable thoughts have stripped me bare of Your commandments, O Saviour, and I have been scourged by my transgressions.

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

The Levite, when he saw me wounded, passed me by, O Saviour; but save me.

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Regally do we glorify you, O unwedded Theotokos, and we the faithful flee to your safe haven for refuge.

Irmos: O Lord, I have heard Your voice, and I was filled with fear.* In your ineffable plan, since You are the eternal God,* You came forth in the flesh from the Virgin.* Glory to Your condescension and Your power, O Christ.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

You are a fragrant flowered meadow and a living paradise of the virtues, in which abstinence blossoms; and with which you nourish all who honour you.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

As a lawgiver for ascetics, and a most meek rule for monastics, you are truly like Moses and David, O father, wherefore we bless you.

Glory…

Planted by the waters of abstinence, you have been revealed O blessed one, to be a vine blossoming with, and bearing, the grapes of piety.

Now…

Within time, O Mother of God, you bore for us Him Who has shone forth timelessly from the Father. Entreat Him to save those who sing your praises.

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: Lord, my light, you have come into the world;* O holy light, turn from the darkness of ignorance all who sing to you in faith.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

In compassion, O Lord, you came down to the earth; hanging upon the tree you raised up the fallen nature of man.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Christ, you bore yourself the reproach of my sins; you loosed the pangs of death, Compassionate, in your holy resurrection.

Glory… Now…

We thrust you forward as an unbreakable shield in face of our enemies; we have gained you, Bride of God, as anchor and hope of our salvation.

Irmos: As we watch in the night and wait for morning,* O Lord, we cry to You:* Have mercy on us and save us,* for You are truly our God and we know no other but You.

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

O Jesus, bind the wounds of my soul, as of old the Samaritan did to him that fell among thieves, and heal me from my pain, I pray You, O my Christ.

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

Sickened by the wounds of my transgressions, I lay helpless, O my Christ, naked and bereft of the divine virtues; but I beseech You, save me.

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

When the priest and the Levite saw me, they could not help me, but passed by on the other side. But since You are compassionate You have granted me salvation and saved me.

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

I beseech You, O Lord, turn not away from me, wretched as I am, for my mind is painfully scourged by noetic thieves, but have compassion upon me, O Saviour, by the prayers of her who gave birth to You.

Irmos: Why have You driven me far from your face, O inaccessible Light?* The outer darkness has enveloped me, wretched creature that I am.* Make me return, I pray You,* and direct my paths toward the light of Your law

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

O blessed father, you quenched all the passions with the dew of your ascetic struggles, abundantly aflame with love and faith you were a lamp of abstinence, a light of dispassion, and a child of the day.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

With your divine husbandry, O father, you tended to the grapes of faith; and gathering them into the winepress you have pressed them out by your ascetic labours; making glad the heart of your flock.

Glory…

Having well withstood the assaults and the wounds of your enemies, you were revealed to be a pillar of patience, strengthening your flock you have guided them with your blessed staff, nourishing them on the waters of abstinence, O blessed one.

Now…

As spoken by your own lips, we emulate you, O all-pure one, and call you blessed. For the Lord has indeed done great things to you and has magnified you as the true Mother of God, born from your womb.

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

Ode 6

Irmos: I will sacrifice to you, O Lord, with the voice of praise:* so cries your Church to you,* purified from demons’ gore* through the blood which flows in pity from your side.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Girded with power you went up on the cross and came to grips with the tyrant and as God you dashed him down from the heights and raised up Adam with your invincible hand.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You are risen, O Christ, from the tomb in dazzling beauty of lightning flash, scattering to the winds by your power divine every one of your enemies. As God you have filled all things with gladness.

Glory… Now…

O wonder of all wonders, newest and strangest, that a virgin, knowing no man, conceived in the womb him who holds the whole universe in his hands and suffered no straitening.

Irmos: The abyss surrounds me completely;* the sea monster holds me as if in a tomb;* I cried to You, O Lover of mankind,* and Your right hand has saved me.

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

I have wasted the blessed life given me with passions, O Master, and grievously scourged in every part by my transgressions, I turn back to You for refuge and pray: “Have compassion upon me.”

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

Thieves have seized my wealth and left me as one dead, having scourged my mind with the passions. But have compassion upon me and save me, O Lord.

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

Unable to bear the sight of my pain and wounds, the Levite passed me by; but O Compassionate One, pour on me the oil of Your great mercy.

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

As the bush unconsumed by fire, as the mountain and living ladder, as the heavenly gate, we worthily glorify you, Mary most glorious, the praise of the Orthodox.

Irmos: Grant Your forgiveness, O Saviour,* despite the number of my sins;* draw me out of the abyss of evil, I pray You;* for it is to You that I cry:* O God of my salvation,* hear me, O Lord!

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

You received within your soul the divine wealth of the Spirit; unblemished prayer, purity, modesty, constant watchfulness, the labours of abstinence; by which you have become a temple of God.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

O wise one, you passed by material things as worthless, and having raised your mind on high through noetic prayer; by the perfection of your life thou hast manifest yourself as an heir of peaceful repose in the highest.

Glory…

You truly extinguished the fiery darts of your enemies by your ascetic struggles, and having kindled the fire of faith, you burned up the boastful unbelief of heresy.

Now…

The majesty of the Most High has shone forth from Sion; through an ineffable union He has assumed flesh from you, O undefiled one, and shed light upon the world.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4

Truly has the Lord placed you in the firmament* like an immovable star of abstinence* shedding its light upon all creation,* O father John our teacher.

Ikos

Truly, O father, you have made yourself into a temple of God, adorned through your divine virtues with faith, hope, and true love, as if with gold shining from afar; you have explained the laws of God, and practiced abstinence as if a bodiless one; having acquired wisdom, courage, chastity and humility, you have been raised on high, illumined with unceasing prayer, you have attained to the tabernacles of heaven, O father John our teacher.

Ode 7

Irmos: In a Persian furnace three children of Abraham were set on fire* but more than in the flames they blazed in loving desire to God, and cried:* Blessed are you, O Lord,* in the temple of your glory.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Washed in Christ’s divine blood, mankind has been called to incorruption and sings in thanksgiving: Blessed are you, O Lord, in the temple of your glory.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Your tomb, O Christ, declares itself life-bearing, fairer far than Paradise, more radiant than any kingly hall, fount of our resurrection.

Glory… Now…

Hail, tabernacle of the Most High, hallowed and sacred. Joy is given through you, O Mother of God, to those who cry to you: Blessed are you amongst women, All-holy Lady.

Irmos: The Most High, the Lord and God of our fathers,* extinguished the flame and covered the Youths with dew;* and with one voice they sang:* Blessed are You, O Lord, God of our fathers.

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

Thieves fell upon me, wretch that I am, and left me with wounds as one dead; wherefore I pray to You: O God come Yourself and visit me.

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

My mind, ceaselessly robbed by my thoughts, has pierced me through with the passions, and because of the multitude of my transgressions, left me as one dead. But, O Saviour, grant me healing.

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

Having seen me ailing with painful wounds, the Levite could not bear to look upon me, thinking my wounds incurable, and passed me by O my Savioyr, but You Yourself grant me healing

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Having taken flesh from the Virgin, You have saved me, in Your compassion pouring upon my wounds Your rich mercy, O Christ, wherefore I glorify You.

Irmos: The Youths who came from Judah to Babylon* trampled on the flames in the furnace* by their faith in the Trinity,* and they sang: Blessed are You, O God of our fathers.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

Into the fair meadows of the Kingdom on high, you have lead your flock to pasture, O father, and with the rod of true dogma you have driven away the wild beasts of heresy; chanting: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Venerable father John, Pray to God for us.

You have entered on high, into the heavenly bridal chamber of Christ the King, clothed in a garment worthy of Him that has called you; and seated therein, you cried aloud: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Glory…

You are a river of abstinence unpolluted by sin, O father; purging the thoughts and cleansing the filth of those, who sing with faith, “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Now…

The Lord of all came forth from your womb, taking flesh from you, O Virgin. Wherefore with true Orthodox faith we honour you as the Theotokos, and cry aloud to your Son: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

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

Ode 8

Irmos: Daniel, with hands outspread in the den,* stopped the gaping jaws of the lions;* the three children, lovers of God,* clothed in the virtue of godliness,* quenched the power of the fire and sang aloud:* Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

With hands outspread on the cross, O Lord, you gathered together the nations and showed them to be one Church praising you, with those on earth and those in heaven in harmony singing: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As lightning flashing, in the unapproachable light of the resurrection, the white-robed angel appeared to the women and cried: Why do you seek the living in the tomb as dead? Christ is risen indeed and we cry to him: All you his works, sing praises to the Lord.

Glory… Now…

You alone, among all the families of the earth, are revealed as Mother of God; wholly without stain, unharmed by the fire of the unapproachable light, you became the dwelling-place of the Godhead. We all bless you, therefore, Mary, God’s bride.

Irmos: In the furnace the Youths weaved a dance* with the whole universe for You, O God and Creator,* and they sang: Praise the Lord, all you works of the Lord,* and exalt Him forever.

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

From the noetic thieves of my thoughts, O Saviour, I have been robbed, and from the wounds of my transgressions, my life has wasted away, from whence I have been stripped of the divine image of You, O God, who are the Lover of mankind, but have compassion upon me.

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

You came down from on high to the earth, O Saviour, and have compassion upon me, and as I lay wholly wounded by the scourging of sin, O Compassionate One; You have poured the oil of Your mercy upon me, O Christ.

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

For my sake, O Master and Saviour, You have given Your soul and body over to deliver me, and save me, who lay incurably wounded by the sword of my sins, since You are Compassionate.

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Transcending all understanding have you given birth to the Lord, God-man and Word, yet remaining a virgin; wherefore, O Virgin, with all creation we bless and supremely exalt you throughout all ages.

Irmos: He is the King of heaven whom the heavenly hosts praise;* exalt Him for all ages.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

An image and living pillar of abstinence are you shown to be in truth O father, wherefore we honour your memory, O John.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

The multitudes of monastics rejoice, and the assembly of venerable saints and righteous dance with gladness: for you have justly received a crown with them.

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

Adorned with the virtues, you have entered into the ineffable glory of the noetic bridle-chamber singing hymns in praise of Christ throughout the ages.

Now…

Reject us not, O Virgin, for we are in need of your help; and we sing in praise of you and supremely exalt you throughout all ages.

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

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

Magnificat

Ode 9

Irmos: From you, O Virgin, the mountain unhewn,* is taken the stone uncut by human hands:* Christ the cornerstone, disparate natures joining together.* Therefore, we rejoice and magnify you, Mother of God.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Wholly you have taken me up entire into union without confusion through your great mercy, my God, giving me salvation in full through your suffering endured on the cross in the flesh.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Gazing upon your opened tomb and upon the linen clothes, within which God had lain, left empty by your resurrection, your disciples said with the angel: The Lord is risen indeed.

Glory… Now…

All we the faithful worship the one divine nature but Trinity of persons; persons unconfounded, equal in power and equal in honour, we reverently magnify.

Irmos: O Isaiah, dance for joy, for the Virgin has given birth to a Son,* and from her womb is born Emmanuel;* He is God in the flesh among us and Orient is His name.* We glorify Him, O Virgin, and we proclaim you blessed.

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

I have knowingly not kept Your commandments O Lord, and following the passionate impulses of sensual pleasure, I have been stripped of grace, and cast out naked. Wherefore I beseech You, O Saviour, save me

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

The Levite could not cleanse my wounds, but as one who has suffered with me, You came to me O good One, and pouring upon me the mercy of Your compassions; like the best of physicians, You have healed me.

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

Since You are the compassionate One, You have been compassionate to me O Christ, and saved me, who was grievously wounded by thieves, O Saviour; by giving YOur soul and body as the two dinars, in payment for my redemption.

Most Holy Theotokos save us.

Your birth-giving transcends understanding, O Mother of God, for you conceived without knowing a man, and gave birth while remaining a virgin, having given birth to God, Whom magnifying, we call you blessed, O Virgin.

Irmos: Come, all you people, let us glorify the holy Mother of God,* who, without being consumed,* gave birth to the fire of the divinity in her womb;* with our unceasing hymns we extol her.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

A physician of those sick through sin, O blessed one of God, you are manifest as a slayer and expeller of evil spirits; wherefore we call you blessed.

Venerable father John, pray to God for us.

Leaving the earth wherein corruption dwells, you have gone to live, O father, in the land of the meek, and with them you rejoice in the sweet blessings of God.

Glory…

Today is the day of solemn festivity, for the entire flock of monastics has been called to assemble as a spiritual choir, and liturgizing, partake of eternal life.

Now…

Having taken up His abode within you, O all-immaculate One, He who has overthrown the murderer who maliciously brought about the fall of our first parents, has been born and saved us all.

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

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

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.

Tone 3, Glory…

You shunned worldly ease as enfeebling,* and withering your flesh with fasting,* you renewed the strength of your soul, O venerable one,* gloriously enriching yourself with heavenly glory,* wherefore cease not to intercede on our behalf, O John.

Now…

Saved by you, O Lady, we nobly confess you to be the very Theotokos,* for inexpressibly you bore God, Who has destroyed death by the Cross* and called to Himself the assemblies of venerable saints,* wherefore we, with them, offer praises to you, O Virgin.

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 4

O all-powerful Lord,* Who endured the Cross and death,* and arose from the dead,* we glorify Your Holy Resurrection.

By Your Cross, O Christ, You have delivered us from the ancient curse,* and by Your death You have conquered the devil who tyrannized our nature.* By Your arising You have filled all things with joy,* Therefore we cry to You:* O Lord risen from the dead, glory be to You!

O Christ the Saviour,* with Your Cross, guide us to Your truth,* and deliver us from the snares of the enemy;* O You who are risen from the dead* raise us also who have fallen through sin,* by the stretching out of Your hand,* O Lord, at the behest of the prayers of Your Saints.

Without departing from Your Father’s bosom,* in Your tender compassion, You descended to earth,* O Only-begotten Word of God,* without change becoming man.* While You are impassible in Your divinity,* You suffered the Cross and death in the flesh;* and rising from the dead You have granted immortality to the race of mankind,* as You alone are all-powerful.

You endured death in the flesh* thereby ensuring us of immortality,* and You abided within a tomb,* thereby freeing us from Hades,* and raising us up with together with Yourself,* suffering as a man, but rising as God,* Therefore we cry to You the Lover of mankind:* O Lord giver of life, glory be to You.

The rocks were rent asunder, O Saviour,* when Your Cross was set upon Golgotha;* the gate-keepers of Hades were smitten with terror,* when You were laid in the sepulchre as One dead;* for abolishing the stronghold of death,* You have granted incorruption to all the dead by Your Resurrection,* O Lord and Saviour,* giver of life, glory be to You!

The women longed to see Your Resurrection, O Christ God;* Mary Magdalene having come in anticipation* found the stone rolled away from the tomb,* with an Angel seated upon it, saying:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* He has arisen as God, that He may save all things.

Tell us, O Jews, where is Jesus, whom you have thought to guard?* Where is He whom you placed in the grave, sealing it with the stone?* Give back the dead, you who denied life;* give back the buried One or else believe in the Risen One.* Though you keep silent about the Lord’s Rising,* the stones cry out aloud,* above all the one that was rolled away from the tomb.* Great is Your mercy!* Great the mystery of Your dispensation!* Our Saviour, glory be to You!

Tone 1

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

Come, let us work in the mystical vineyard,* bringing forth fruits of repentance therein;* let us not labour for the sake of food and drink,* but through prayer and fasting let us increase the virtues.* And the Lord of the vineyard, pleased by our labour, will pay us the dinar,* with which He has redeemed our souls from the debt of sin,* for He alone is rich in mercy.

Tone 1, Glory…

Come, let us work in the mystical vineyard,* bringing forth fruits of repentance therein;* let us not labour for the sake of food and drink,* but through prayer and fasting let us increase the virtues.* And the Lord of the vineyard, pleased by our labour, will pay us the dinar,* with which He has redeemed our souls from the debt of sin,* for He alone is rich in mercy.

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 4: When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”

Troparion, Tone 1: O John, our God-bearing father,* you were shown to be a citizen of the desert,* an angel in bodily form,* and a worker of miracles.* Through fasting, prayers and vigils you received heavenly gifts* to heal the sick and the souls of those who, in faith, run to you.* Glory to Him who gives you strength.* Glory to Him who crowned you.* Glory to Him who works healing for all through you.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: On the heights of true abstinence,* the Lord established you as a reliable star,* giving light for guidance to the ends of the earth,* O father John, our teacher.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4

How great are Your works, O Lord* You have made all things in wisdom.

verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, You are exceedingly great. (Psalm 103:24,1)

Prokeimenon, Tone 7

The venerable ones will exult in glory* and they shall be joyful in their beds. (Psalm 149:5)

Epistle

Hebrews 6:13-20; Ephesians 5:9-19

Alleluia, Tone 4

verse: Poise yourself and advance in triumph and reign in the cause of truth, and meekness, and justice.

verse: You have loved justice and hated iniquity. (Psalm 44:5,8)

verse: They who are planted in the hose of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.

Gospel

Mark 9:17-31; Matthew 4:25-5:12

Hymn to the Mother of God

In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices: the angelic ranks and all the human race. Sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, virgins’ pride and boast, from whom God is made flesh and became a little Child; and He who is our God before all ages, He made your womb a throne, and He made it wider that all the heavens. In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices. Glory be to you.

Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)

VESPERS ON SUNDAY EVENING

At Psalm 140

Tone 4

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

I want to wash away with tears the record of my sins, O Lord,* and through the rest of my life to please You by repentance;* but the enemy deceives me and fights against my soul.* Before I utterly perish, save me, O Lord.

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

If a man takes refuge from the tempest in this harbour, will he not be saved?* If in his agony he kneels before this house of healing, will he not be cured?* O Maker of all and Physician of the sick,* before I utterly perish, save me, O Lord.

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

Wash me with my tears, O Saviour,* for I am defiled by many sins.* Therefore I fall down before You:* I have sinned, have mercy on me, O God.

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

I am a sheep of Your spiritual flock,* and to You I flee for refuge, O Good Shepherd.* I have gone astray, O God:* seek me and have mercy on me.

Tone 3

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

O faithful, let us take upon ourselves great labours in this season of abstinence,* that we may obtain great glory,* that through the mercy of our great God and King* we may be delivered from the flames of Hades.

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

Now that we have passed the midpoint of the Fast,* let us manifest within ourselves the beginning of a godly life,* and let us hasten eagerly towards our journey’s end;* virtuous living, that we may receive the delight that never grows old.

Tone 7

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

Having passed the middle point of the Fast,* let us proceed with joy to that which remains,* anointing our souls with the oil of almsgiving;* that we be deemed worthy to worship the divine Passion of Christ our God,* and arrive at His holy and fearful Resurrection.

Tone 8

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

O divinely wise Hypatius, raised well in abstinence,* you entered upon the all-glorious heights of the virtues,* manifestly stretching yourself out toward divine vision,* contemplating the beauty of Christ. *And having illumined your mind and thought with His radiance,* you have surrounded all with rays of miracles.

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

O Hypatius, father of fathers, shining with the light of orthodoxy* you have illumined the thoughts of those who have recourse to you with faith;* and blinding the eyes of Arius, you drove him from the Church of Christ, O venerable one.* Therefore, all of us, having acquired you as a beacon,* honour and bless your sacred memory.

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

O sacred father Hypatius, having in your heart Christ the King,* whom you preached as consubstantial with the Father,* you shone forth with wondrous beams,* casting light upon the whole world.* Thou slew the serpent and by your supplications poured forth a torrent of warm waters* for the healing of sufferings.

Glory… Now…

I beseech you, the vessel of virginity and habitation of God,* pure, beauteous and most precious:* Calm my soul, which has been afflicted by the venom of the serpent* and is mortified by my transgressions,* that I may glorify you who have magnified all the faithful,* O divinely joyous one.

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 7

Having planted His vineyard and called the labourers, the Saviour is close at hand.* Come, all who have striven to keep the Fast, and let us enjoy our reward;* for the Giver is rich and merciful.* After labouring a little, let us receive His mercy upon our souls.

I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.

Adam fell among thieving thoughts:* his mind was robbed, his soul wounded, and he lay naked without help.* Neither the priest who was before the Law attended to him;* nor did the Levite who came after the Law look upon him.* You alone helped him, O God,* You who came not from Samaria but from the Theotokos:* O Lord, glory be to You.

Tone 6

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.

Your martyrs, O Lord, denied You not,* nor forsook Your commandments:* by their intercessions have mercy on us.

Tone 6, Glory… Now…

Like the Archangel, let us the faithful hymn the bridal-chamber of heaven,* the portal truly sealed:* Rejoice, for whose sake has budded forth to us Christ the Saviour of all,* the Bestower of life and God!* With your arm, O Sovereign Lady cast down the tyrants, our godless foes,* O most pure one, O hope of Christians!