Post-feast of the Transfiguration. Dormition Fast. Resurrection Gospel 9.

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.

Tone 4, Podoben “You have granted a sign…”

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

You have shone forth today* in manifest splendour on Mount Tabor like the radiant sun,* O Saviour, Word of the Father,* showing Your friends that You are He who in His lovingkindness* assumed human nature, O Christ.* Wherefore, we glorify Your loving dispensation,* O almighty Jesus, Saviour of our souls.

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

Today the angels of heaven rejoice with men,* celebrating Your glorious effulgence, O Christ,* and Your appearance upon Mount Tabor,* whereat You stood in the presence of Moses and Elijah, and Peter, James, and John,* who hymned You, O Christ who loves mankind,* almighty Jesus, Saviour of our souls.

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

Let all the worldly and supernatural order* now be moved to praise Christ our God* who has dominion over both the living and the dead;* for, divinely transfigured, He stood on Tabor* in the presence of the first heralds of the law and grace,* as He, the Saviour of our souls, was well pleased to do.

Tone 1, Podoben “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”

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

Having served the Word blamelessly, O venerable one,* you were offered to the Lord as a sacrifice of sweet savour, consumed by material fire;* and you have been counted worthy of the joy of heaven,* where you pray in behalf of those* who honour you, O Lawrence.

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

Having laid yourself up as a treasure for the Lord* and submitted to His words, O divinely blessed one,* you richly distributed inviolate wealth to the poor, O wise martyr,* wisely and wondrously enduring torments.

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

Let Lawrence now be splendidly praised:* the beauty of the martyrs, the glorious and wondrous warrior,* the well-spring of miracles, the helper of the oppressed,* the star of great radiance,* the sacred martyr.

Tone 4, Glory…

When You were transfigured, O Lord,* and the Father bore witness to You before Your crucifixion,* and the mountain became like to the heavens,* You were covered with a cloud as with a tent.* In that place were Peter, James, and John,* for they were to be with You also at the time of Your betrayal,* that, beholding Your wonders,* they might not fear Your sufferings. Grant that we also may honour them in peace,* for the sake of Your great mercy.

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.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6

The Lord reigns,* He is clothed in majesty.

verse: Robed is the Lord and girt about with strength.

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

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

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 4, Glory… Now…

Taking Your disciples up to a lofty mountain before Your crucifixion, O Lord,* You were transfigured before them,* desiring in Your lovingkindness and authority to show forth the splendour of the resurrection,* which You also grant us in peace, O God,* as You are merciful and love mankind.

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.

Tone 4, Glory…

Your martyr, Lawrence, O Lord,* by his passion acquired the crown of incorruptibility from You, our God.* For possessing Your power he overcame the torturers* and shattered the feeble insolence of demons.* By his supplications, save our souls.

Tone 7, Now…

You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* showing Your glory to Your disciples as much as they could bear.* Make Your eternal light shine* also on us who are sinners,* through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Giver of Light, glory to You!

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)

Tone 4, Glory…

Your martyr, Lawrence, O Lord,* by his passion acquired the crown of incorruptibility from You, our God.* For possessing Your power he overcame the torturers* and shattered the feeble insolence of demons.* By his supplications, save our souls.

Tone 7, Now…

You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* showing Your glory to Your disciples as much as they could bear.* Make Your eternal light shine* also on us who are sinners,* through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Giver of Light, glory to You!

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

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.

Antiphon 4

Behold, what is so good, what is so pleasant* as to see brothers dwelling together?* For by this the Lord has promised eternal life.

The One who adorns the lilies of the field* commands us to be unconcerned* over temporal things.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit,* by one single cause all things gain the reward of peace;* for He is God perfectly consubstantial* with both the Father and the Son.

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 20:19-31

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verses at Psalm 50

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.

Glory… Now…

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: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land,* and escaped the evil of Egypt,* the Israelites cried out:* Let us chant to our Deliverer and God!

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

Moses of old, prophetically beholding the glory of the Lord upon the sea in the cloud and the pillar of fire, cried out: Let us chant to our Deliverer and God!

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

His body shielded as by a stone, Moses the beholder of God, seeing Him who is invisible in His divinity, cried aloud: Let us chant to our Deliverer and God!

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

Of old You were seen by Moses in darkness on the mount of the law, but now You are beheld in the unapproachable light of the Godhead on Tabor.

Irmos: O You who were born of the Virgin,* I pray You, drown the three parts of my soul in the depths of dispassion,* as of old You drowned the mounted captains of Pharaoh;* that in the mortality of my body, as on a timbrel, I may chant a hymn of victory.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Taking delight in the garden of sweetness and joining chorus with the angelic hosts as is meet, as a warrior of Christ, pray that He grant effulgent radiance to me who hymn you, O blessed Lawrence.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Entering upon the feats of honoured torment, O Lawrence, in steadfastness of soul you showed yourself to be a victorious athlete, magnificently arrayed in the crown of righteousness and the diadem of victory.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

As you were a child of the light and of the day, you have shone forth upon us sensibly like the sun from the west, illumining the ends of the earth with most splendid radiance, O all-glorious martyr Lawrence.

Glory… Now…

Delivered from the bonds of Hades and corruption, and from the condemnation of the law, by your honoured birth-giving, O all-holy Virgin, we cry to you in thanksgiving: Rejoice, O you who are full of joy, O saving portal of grace!

Katavasia: The choirs of Israel passed dry-shod across the Red Sea and the watery deep;* and beholding the riders and captains of the enemy swallowed by the waters,* they cried out for joy:* Let us sing to our God, for He has been glorified.

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.

Glory… Now…

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: O Lord, Creator of the vault of heaven and Fashioner of the Church:* establish me in Your love,* O Summit of desires, Confirmation of the faithful,* who alone love mankind.

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

The overshadowing glory in the tabernacle of old, when You conversed with Moses, Your favoured one, was a figure of Your transfiguration which shone forth ineffably on Tabor, O Master.

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

You summoned the foremost of the apostles to You on Mount Tabor, O only-begotten Word; and Moses and Elijah stood before You, as servants of God, O You who alone love mankind.

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

Though God the Word, You became wholly earthly, uniting humanity to Your whole divinity in Your hypostasis, which Moses and Elijah beheld on Mount Tabor in two natures.

Irmos: The bow of the mighty has waxed feeble and the weak have girded themselves with strength:* therefore is my heart established in the Lord.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

With the Cross as your standard, you valiantly arrayed yourself against the enemy, and were shown to be crowned with victory, O right wondrous one.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Protected by the law of Christ, as one invincible you oppsed the laws of the impious with courageous endurance, O most blessed one.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Strengthened by the power of God, you destroyed the feebleness of polytheism and elucidated the pre-eternal divinity of Christ.

Glory… Now…

Equal to the Father and the Spirit in nature, essence and divinity, and to men also, was the Word who became incarnate of you, O all-immaculate one.

Katavasia: The bow of the mighty has waxed feeble and the weak have girded themselves with strength:* therefore is my heart established in the Lord.

Kontakion, Tone 7

You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ our God,* and Your disciples saw Your glory as much as they could;* that when they saw You crucified* they might know that You suffered willingly,* and might proclaim to the world* that You are truly the brightness of the Father.

Ikos

Awake from the lethargy that has overcome you, do not lie there on the ground; and you thoughts which weigh heavily upon my soul, arise and ascend to the summit of godliness. Let us hasten to join Peter and the sons of Zebedee, that we may behold with them the glory of God on Mount Tabor and hear the voice from heaven which they themselves heard. It impelled them to proclaim to the world that they had witnessed the glory of the Father.

Kontakion, Tone 2

As a bright and unerring star you appeared to the world* proclaiming with your rays the Sun, that is, Christ, O martyr, Lawrence,* and you have extinguished all error.* But to us you give light, praying without ceasing for all of us.

Ikos

Assembling, O faithful, with hymns let us all honour the athlete Lawrence, who shone forth in the world like a steady beacon, as an initiate of ineffable mysteries; for by his supplications we are delivered from grievous transgressions. And having cleansed our hearts, let us glorify Christ who glorifies him who is mighty amid sufferings and says: Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ!

Sessional Hymn, Tone 8

Having amassed heavenly riches and brought them to the poor,* You distributed them, and gave thy bread also to the hungry;* and thereby having acquired life incorruptible,* you shone forth in confessing Christ, O glorious one.* Therefore, having courageously suffered under the law,* you received from God a crown for your labours, O athlete Lawrence.* Entreat Christ God that He grant forgiveness of sins* to those who with love honour your holy memory.

Glory… Now…

On the holy mountain You showed forth the lightning of the divine majesty* hidden under the flesh of Your nature, O Christ our Benefactor,* shining forth upon the disciples who were with You.* And comprehending Your unbearable glory, they cried out:* Holy are You! For though unapproachable, you were seen by the world in the flesh,* O You who alone love mankind.

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.

Glory… Now…

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: Rays of divinity issued forth from Your flesh upon the prophets and the apostles.* Therefore, chanting, the leaders cried out: Glory to Your power, O Lord!

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

O Master who preserved intact the bush which had been touched by the fire, You showed Your divinely radiant flesh to Moses who chanted: Glory to Your power, O Lord!

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

The material sun was eclipsed by the radiance of the Godhead, seeing You transfigured on Mount Tabor, O my Jesus. Glory to Your power, O Lord!

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

When You revealed Yourself to Moses, Elijah and the apostles, O Master, You were seen to be an immaterial fire which consumes not the matter of the body, being One in two essences, in two perfect natures.

Irmos: Seated in glory on the throne of the Godhead,* Jesus the all-divine comes on a light cloud,* and with His incorrupt arm He has saved those who cry:* Glory to Your power, O Christ!

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

For love of the Word, the servant of the Word, adorned with eloquence and spirituality, is slaughtered; and he now reigns in righteousness with the Word, enjoying gladness and His glory.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Piously fighting off the slumber of impiety with divine vigilance, O sacred martyr of Christ, by your martyr’s stand you cut off from your eyes the sleep which is to death.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Protected by the true armour of piety against the proponents of the impious opposition, for the sake of the Faith you utterly cast down the memory of them by your love of morality.

Glory… Now…

Having put aside all the defilement of the primeval food, we are nurtured with the Grain of Life from heaven, which arose from the earth of the Virgin. Let us hymn her as the mediatress of good things.

Katavasia: I have heard of Your glorious dispensation, O Christ our God:* how You were born of the Virgin,* so that You might deliver from error those who cry aloud to You:* Glory to Your power, O 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.

Glory… Now…

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: Why have You turned me from Your countenance, O Light never-waning?* And why has a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am?* But convert me, and guide me* to the light of Your commandments, I pray.

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

The tongue of the orator is unable to proclaim Your greatness; for You, who has control over life and dominion over death, stood forth on Mount Tabor before Moses and Elijah, who bore witness to Your divinity.

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

O Christ who with invisible hands fashioned man according to Your image, You have shown forth Your original beauty in Your creation; for You were both God and man, not in image, but as You Yourself are in essence.

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

United without confusion, on Mount Tabor, You showed us the burning ember of divinity, which burns up sins and enlightens souls; and You struck Moses, Elijah and the foremost disciples with awe.

Irmos: The impious cannot see Your glory, O Christ;* but, rising at dawn out of the night, we hymn You, O Only-begotten One,* Effulgence of the glory of the Father’s divinity,* who love mankind.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Your eyes fixed with unwavering vision upon divine beauties, O right wondrous Lawrence, You spurned all the beautiful things on earth and the cruel pangs of your body.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Having recognized Christ, who became a servant for us, through gifts received from the Father, and become His servant, you departed to Him through the shedding of your blood, O all-blessed one.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

O blessed one, you offered yourself to Christ as a sacred oblation and a magnificent ornament; and you have adorned the tabernacle of heaven where, now abiding, you delight in radiance.

Glory… Now…

The only-begotten Son, of the same essence and like to the Father, of His own will became akin to men, the Most High being incarnate of your womb, O Virgin Mother.

Katavasia: You have parted the light from the original chaos,* that Your works might celebrate You in light, O Christ, as their Creator: direct our paths in Your light.

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.

Glory… Now…

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: Cleanse me, O Saviour, for many are my transgressions;* and lead me up from the depths of evils, I pray;* for to You have I cried, and You hearkened to me,* O God of my salvation.

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

How great and awesome was the vision beheld this day! From the sky the material sun shone forth, while from the earth the noetic Sun of righteousness, beyond compare, shone forth on Mount Tabor.

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

“The shadow of the law, grown weak, has passed away, and Christ the Truth is manifestly come!” cried Moses on Tabor, beholding Your divinity.

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

The pillar of fire and the cloud most manifestly prefigured the transfigured Christ and the grace of the Spirit which overshadowed Him on Tabor.

Irmos: In the depths of the sea have I arrived,* and the tempest of many sins has engulfed me;* but, as You are God, lead up my life from the depths,* O most Merciful One.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Kindling a material fire, you prepared yourself as sweet food for the King of all, who loves and craves our salvation, O most glorious one.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

You drew nigh wholly to the light of the ruling Trinity, and being radiant, as God’s servant, you illumine those who hymn you, O athlete.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Strengthened with divine power, lying on the heated grill you endured torment for the love of Christ, enkindling your soul with fire and spiritual dew.

Glory… Now…

O Virgin Mother, you were the place of God’s lodging, an animate throne, the holy mountain, the ark, the divinely wrought tabernacle, and the golden candle-stand.

Katavasia: In my affliction I cried to the Lord, the God of my salvation,* and He hearkened to me.

Kontakion, Tone 6

When You rose from the tomb,* You also raised the dead and resurrected Adam.* Eve exults in Your resurrection,* and the ends of the world celebrate Your rising from the dead,* O most merciful One.

Ikos

My Saviour, long-suffering, Giver of life, you harrowed the kingdom of Hell and raised the dead; you met the women bringing the myrrh and for sorrow gave them joy; to the apostles you made known the signs of victory, and you shone upon your creation, O Lover of man. The whole world therefore rejoices together in your rising from the dead, O you of many mercies.

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.

Glory… Now…

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: Of old the Hebrew children in Babylon* trampled down the flame of the furnace,* while crying out with hymns:* Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

Now have invisible things become visible to the apostles: the Divinity which shone forth in the flesh on Mount Tabor upon those who cry: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers!

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

The apostles were overawed with fear on Mount Tabor, marvelling at the majesty of the kingdom of God, and crying out: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers!

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

Now have things never before heard become audible; for the Son, who was born of the Virgin without father, is borne witness gloriously by the voice of the Father, in that He is God and man, the same forever.

Irmos: Blessed are You, O all-hymned Lord God of our fathers,* who saved the children of Abraham in the fire,* and slew the Chaldeans,* whom justice rightly pursued.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Fore-chosen to celebrate the Mysteries and serve the Word, you were shown to be a sacred vessel and oblation of the temple of heaven, chanting to the Creator: O all-hymned Lord God of our fathers, blessed are You!

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Covered by the law of the life which is in Christ, O all-blessed Lawrence, you did not bow your mind to those who imposed laws of death and corruption, but chanted: O all-hymned Lord God of our fathers, blessed are You!

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Clad in a body as one who manifestly felt no pain, O all-blessed one, with valorous mind you dared the all-devouring fire, crying out, O you who are most rich: O all-hymned Lord God of our fathers, blessed are You!

Glory… Now…

You were shown to be the noetic eastward portal of the Most High who, in manner beyond speech and understanding, appeared to men on earth through you, O Bride of God: the blessed God of our fathers.

Katavasia: Of old the Hebrew children in Babylon* trampled down the flame of the furnace,* while crying out with hymns:* Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.

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.

Glory… Now…

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: Madly did the Chaldean tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones;* but beholding them saved by a higher power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer:* You children, bless; you priests, hymn;* you people exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

Your disciples, O Master, having heard You borne witness by the Father, and unable to bear the sight of the splendour of Your countenance, though it was a most firm human visage, fell face down upon the ground, crying out in fear: You priests, bless; you people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

You are the all-comely King of kings, the mighty Lord of all who rule in every place, the Blessed One who dwells in light unapproachable. And marvelling at You, the disciples, Moses, and Elijah cried out: You children, bless; you priests, hymn; you people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

The apostles, from among those on earth, and Elijah the Tishbite and Moses, from among the dead, stood before You, O Christ, as before the Master of heaven, the Lord of earth, the One who has dominion over the nethermost depths; and they chanted together: You people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Irmos: O almighty Deliverer of all,* descending, You bedewed the pious in the midst of the flame,* and taught them to chant:* O all you works, bless and hymn the Lord!

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

In your steadfastness of mind you were mightier than the unbearable flame, burning as in another’s body, O blessed one, yet chanting with faith: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Like the three children, you quenched the burning embers of the fire with the dew of divine grace, crying out and chanting: O all you works, bless and hymn the Lord!

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

As Christ was your enlightenment, He girded you about with His own might, and led you up to Himself as you piously chanted: O all you works, bless and hymn the Lord!

Glory… Now…

You were a rod sprung forth from the root of Jesse, and in manner past nature you gave rise to Christ my God and Lord, the Flower of the Godhead. Let all works bless your birthgiving, O Virgin!

We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord. We extol and exalt Him above all for ever.

Katavasia: In Babylon the Children, burning with zeal for God* bravely trampled upon the threat of the tyrant and the fire;* thrown into the midst of the flames but refreshed with dew they sang:* O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.

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.

Glory… Now…

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: Every ear is stricken with awe on hearing of the ineffable condescension of God:* how the Most High, of His own will, came down and took flesh upon Himself,* becoming man through the Virgin’s womb.* Therefore, O faithful, let us magnify the all-pure Theotokos!

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

That You may clearly show forth Your ineffable Second Coming, that You may reveal Yourself as the Most High God, standing in the midst of gods, on Tabor You ineffably illumined the apostles, Moses and Elijah. Therefore, all glorify You, O Christ.

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

Come and submit yourselves to Me, O peoples! And ascending the holy and super-celestial mountain, let us stand immaterially in the city of the living God, and noetically behold the immaterial Godhead of the Father and the Spirit which shines forth in the only begotten Son.

Glory to Your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!

You have drawn me to Yourself with love, O Saviour, and have transformed me by Your divine desire; but burn up my sins with immaterial fire, and count me worthy to partake of Your food, that, rejoicing in both, I may magnify Your mighty works, O Good One.

Irmos: Eve, through weakness, came to dwell under the curse of disobedience;* but you, O Virgin Theotokos,* have budded forth blessing upon the world with the Offspring of your pregnancy.* Therefore, we all magnify you.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

You offered yourself as a perfect sacrifice and incense pleasing to the Master, being tried by the fire of suffering like gold in a crucible; and you became a foremost adornment of the Church, O right wondrous one.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

Deified by the direct sight of God and by a higher union, O Lawrence, in word and by divine vision you were radiantly illumined by the uttermost Light. Therefore, we all call you blessed.

O holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence, pray to God for us!

You shone forth from the West like the sun, O blessed one, O great and all-glorious wonder; illumining all the Church with your beams, O right wondrous one; and warming all with the fervour of faith. Therefore, we all call you blessed.

Glory… Now…

The prophets, beholding figures of your birthgiving, O all-immaculate one, were instructed thereby from afar by divine inspiration; and they proclaimed it aloud to the world. And we now marvel at the fulfilment thereof.

Katavasia: Your birthgiving was undefiled:* God came forth from your womb, and He appeared upon earth wearing flesh* and made His dwelling among men;* therefore we all magnify you, O Theotokos.

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

Though the doors were locked, O Lord,* You entered and filled Your apostles with the Holy Spirit,* and breathing over them, You gave them Your peace.* You said to them: Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven;* whose sins you bind, they are bound.* After eight days You showed Thomas Your hands and Your side.* With them, therefore, we cry to You: You are my Lord and my God!

Glory… Now…

O Word and unchangeable Light,* O Light of the Unbegotten Father,* today we see in your light on Tabor* the light of the Father and the light of the Spirit* which gives light to the whole world.

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 6

Shining forth past understanding from the all- holy Virgin, O Word of God,* and clothing Yourself wholly in Adam,* with the divine transformation of Your countenance,* when You were transfigured on Mount Tabor* before Your honoured crucifixion, O Master,* You illumined our whole nature* which of old had become darkened, O Christ our God.

Shining forth past understanding from the all- holy Virgin, O Word of God,* and clothing Yourself wholly in Adam,* with the divine transformation of Your countenance,* when You were transfigured on Mount Tabor* before Your honoured crucifixion, O Master,* You illumined our whole nature* which of old had become darkened, O Christ our God.

Behold, the mountain which before was gloomy and enshrouded with smoke,* is now honoured and holy.* Christ who of old guided Israel, as it is written, with a pillar of fire and cloud,* today has shone forth ineffably thereon more brightly than the sun,* illumining all things, in that He is God.

Now as he was conversing with the Master as a servant,* Cephas beheld two men on Tabor, and he cried out:* “It is good to be here!* Let us fashion three tabernacles, if You desire:* one for You, O my Christ, and others for Moses and Elijah, Thy servants!”* But he knew not what he said, being held fast by wonder.

Tone 5, Glory…

In the fullness of time, O Christ,* You appeared among Your beloved ones on the Sabbath evening.* And through a new wonder,* You confirmed Your resurrection from the dead* by Your entrance while the doors were closed.* You filled the disciples with joy,* granting them the Holy Spirit and bestowing on them power to forgive sins.* As for Thomas, You did not permit him to drown in the depths of faithlessness.* Therefore, grant us the knowledge of the truth* and forgiveness of sins, O compassionate 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

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

Antiphon 1

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, sing now to His name, give glory to His praise.

Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; Your lightning lit up the world.

Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

You have clothed Yourself in praise and splendour; You robe Yourself in light as with a cloak.

Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

Glory… Now… Only-begotten Son…

Antiphon 3

Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God, our Saviour.

Son of God, transfigured on the mount, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms.

Son of God, transfigured on the mount, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

For God is the great Lord, and the great king over all the earth.

Son of God, transfigured on the mount, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Entrance

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ.

Son of God, transfigured on the mount, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

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.

Troparion, Tone 7: You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* showing Your glory to Your disciples as much as they could bear.* Make Your eternal light shine* also on us who are sinners,* through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Giver of Light, glory to You!

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

Kontakion, Tone 8: When You rose from the tomb,* You also raised the dead and resurrected Adam.* Eve exults in Your resurrection,* and the ends of the world celebrate Your rising from the dead,* O most merciful One.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 7: You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* and Your disciples saw Your glory as much as they could;* that when they saw You crucified* they might know that You suffered willingly*, and might proclaim to the world* that You are truly the brightness of the Father.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

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

1 Corinthians 3:9-17

Alleluia, Tone 8

verse: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us acclaim God our Saviour.

verse: Let us come before His countenance with praise and acclaim Him with psalms. (Psalm 94:1,2)

Gospel

Matthew 14:22-34

Hymn to the Mother of God

O my soul, magnify the Lord transfigured on the mountain.

And the Irmos, Tone 4: Your giving birth was revealed as incorrupt; for it was God who came forth from your womb; He appeared on earth in the flesh, and made His dwelling among us. Thus, O Mother of God, all of us magnify you.

Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.