Saturday, April 25, 2026; The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark

When

April 25, 2026

All Day

Polyeleos Feast

AT GREAT VESPERS ON FRIDAY EVENING

After the priest has exclaimed, Blessed be our God… and the people have responded, Amen, the clergy sing the Paschal Troparion once and the people repeat it. Then, the clergy sing the first half, and the people conclude it.

Paschal Troparion

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Kathisma

“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

Tone 2

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

In the deep of dawn, the myrrh-bearing women* came to the Lord’s tomb bearing sweet-smelling spices,* and finding that which they had not expected,* they stood reverently pondering the removal of the stone,* and said one to another: Where are the seals of the sepulchre?* Where are Pilate’s watchmen and the secure sentry?* Upon which a radiant Angel, proclaimed to the women saying to them:* “Why do you lament seeking Him that lives* and has given life to the race of mortals?* Christ our God has arisen from the dead, since He is Almighty,* granting to all incorruption, life, illumination, and great mercy.

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

Why mingle tears with the myrrh-oils, O women disciples?* The stone has been rolled away, the sepulchre has been emptied.* Behold corruption has been trodden under by Life,* the seals clearly bearing witness,* the guards of the disobedient ones are fast asleep.* Mortal nature has been saved by the flesh of God, Hades laments.* Hasten with joy, and say to the Apostles:* Christ, the Firstborn of the dead, who caused death to die,* goes before you into Galilee.

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

Rising up early and coming with earnestness to Your tomb,* the Myrrh-bearers sought for You so as to anoint Your immaculate Body, O Christ.* And having been told by the words of the Angel,* they preached to the Apostles the tokens of joy:* that the Author of our salvation has arisen, having despoiled death,* and granting the world eternal life and great mercy.

Tone 1

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

Come, faithful, let us sing praises to Mark.* He is the wise writer of the Gospel!* The greatest of Egypt’s cities heard his inspired words.* Apostle, by your prayers and teachings,* guide our lives in the way of peace!

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

You became a fellow traveller of Paul, the chosen vessel.* you accompanied him through all Macedonia;* then you followed Peter to Rome.* You were welcomed as his secretary and interpreter.* But it was in Egypt, all-wise Mark,* that you finished your course in a manner well-pleasing to God!

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

You gave life to barren souls,* watering them with the radiant stream of your Gospel.* Because of you, holy Mark,* Alexandria rejoices with us today,* celebrating your blessed memory!

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

Most blessed Mark,* you drank from the fountain of delight;* you became a river of peace, flowing from Eden,* surrounding us as a sea of protection.* The proclamation of your Gospel waters the face of the earth.* By your divinely-inspired teaching the Church is established!

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

Most praised Apostle Mark,* Moses once drowned the Egyptians in the sea,* but you, wise one, have drawn them up from the depths of error!* You lived with them, and showed them power,* destroying their idols with your strong right arm!

Tone 6, Glory…

Grace is poured out upon your lips,* Apostle Mark.* you became a shepherd of Christ’s Church.* You taught the sheep whom God endowed with reason* to believe in the consubstantial Trinity, one Godhead!

Now… Tone 2, Theotokion Dogmat:

O Virgin, the shadow of the Law passed away* with the realization of grace.* For as the bush had burned wiyout being consumed,* so you gave birth while a virgin* and you remained a virgin.* Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.* Instead of Moses, Christ God came forth,* the Saviour of our souls.

Readings

(1) James 1:1-12; (2) James 1:13-27; (3) James 2:1-13

Aposticha

Tone 1

Mark, learned in divine wisdom,* you became the pen of a skilful scribe,* writing of Christ’s life with inspired words.* You clearly proclaim the good news of unending life!* We beseech you: inscribe in the book of life* the names of all those who glorify and praise your memory!

Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the universe!

Mark, you are worthy of highest praise!* You traversed the earth, preaching the Gospel of Christ!* Like the sun, you enlightened men with the rays of faith,* driving away the darkness of idolatry.* Entreat Christ to grant peace and great mercy to our souls!

The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork!

Most blessed Apostle Mark,* you preached to people bound by the madness of idolatry.* Egypt’s darkness was dispelled by the light of your words!* Entreat Christ, whose Gospel you preached,* to grant peace and great mercy to our souls!

Tone 8, Glory…

Come, all you faithful,* let us praise Mark in psalms and hymns!* He is the herald of heavenly mysteries and interpreter of the Gospel.* He is a river of the spiritual paradise!* He waters the earth with living streams,* that it may bear fruit for Christ our God.* Through his intercession,* forgiveness and great mercy are granted to all!

Tone 5, Now…

How great is Your infinite compassion, O Lover of mankind;* for because of Your long-suffering You were struck by Your enemies;* You were touched by an Apostle* and deeply pierced by those who denied You.* How did You become incarnate?* How were You crucified, O Sinless One?* Teach us to cry out as Thomas:* My Lord and my God, glory to You!

Troparion

Tone 3

Learning from Peter the chief apostle* you too became an apostle of Christ,* and shone on various lands like the sun.* O blessed one, adornment of Alexandrians,* through you Egypt was freed from deceit.* For you are a pillar of light for the Church* enlightening all with your teaching of the Good News.* Therefore, we feast your memorial, O Mark, divinely inspired.* Ask God whom you preached to all to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Glory… Now… Tone 2

When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You!

AT FESTAL MATINS ON SATURDAY MORNING

Paschal Troparion

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord

Troparia

The noble Joseph took down Your most pure Body from the tree.* He wrapped it with a clean shroud and aromatic spices,* and placed it in a new tomb.* But on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world Your great mercy.

Glory… Tone 3

Now… Tone 2

The angel stood by the tomb and cried out to the women bringing ointment:* Ointments are for the dead,* but Christ has shown Himself not subject to corruption.* So now cry out: The Lord is risen,* bestowing great mercy upon the world.

Psalter Reading

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 2

Not having hindered the stone of the tomb from being sealed,* You, on You arising, have granted the rock of faith to all.* O Lord, glory be to You.

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

Not having departed from the immaculate bosom of the Father in the highest,* You accepted burial and Resurrection on behalf of all,* O Lord, glory be to You.

Glory… Now…

All of your most glorious mysteries are beyond comprehension, O Theotokos;* for, your purity sealed and your virginity intact,* you are known to be a true Mother, having given birth to God.* Entreat Him that our souls be saved.

Psalter Reading

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 2

The choir of Your disciples rejoice with one voice together with the Myrrhbearing women, * for they celebrate a common feast with them, * unto the glory and honour of Your Resurrection; * and through them we cry to You: ** O Lord and Lover of mankind, grant great mercy unto Your people.

Glory… Now…

Polyeleos

Magnification

We extol you, O apostle of Christ and evangelist Mark, and we honour the pangs and labours with which you struggled in the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.

verse: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands.

Glory… Now…

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory be to You, O God! (3)

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 1

Having ascended to the summit of virtue, O divine Mark, as a godly preacher you have thundered down upon us the great mysteries of the dogmas of salvation. Wherefore in faith we entreat you, O most blessed one; free us from every sorrow, offense and misfortune.

Glory… Tone 4

As the Sun of righteousness Christ emitted you to enlighten the whole earth with your wondrous gospel, O glorious apostle and evangelist Mark, by your godly supplications and your divine and never-waning light, illumine and enlighten all who celebrate your holy memory with faith.

Now… Tone 8

Filled with inspiration from on high and illumined with divine splendor, O apostle, you were deemed worthy to recount the miracles, doctrines and dogmas of Christ in your glorious gospel, being an eye-witness of grace, and a beholder of the mysteries of God. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love honor your sacred memory.

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.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4

Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, * and their words unto the ends of the world.

verse: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands.

Let everything that lives

Gospel

Luke 10:1-15

Psalm 50

Verses at Psalm 50

Tone 6, Glory…

Through the intercession of the holy apostles,* O Merciful One,* remit our many sins.

Now…

Through the intercession of the Mother of God,* O Merciful One,* remit our many sins.

Have mercy on me, O God, in Your kindness. In Your compassion blot out my offense.

You followed after Christ, O godly Mark,* and despising the world, hid His teachings in your heart,* and was thereby revealed to be His apostle and evangelist.* Wherefore, going unto the darkened souls in Egypt,* you enlightened them with the commandments of the Saviour,** that they might believe in the consubstantial Trinity.

Canon

Ode 1

Irmos: Taking up the Song of Moses,* O my soul, cry aloud:* “A helper and a protector has become to me salvation.* My God,* whom I will glorify.”

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

You were crucified in the flesh, O You Who are passionless by the nature of the Father; and You were pierced in the side, thereby causing blood and water to spring forth for the world. You are our God, and we glorify You.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

I honour Your Cross and I glorify Your Burial, O Good One, and I praise and worship Your Arising, and I cry out: You are our God, and we glorify You.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Yough You tasted of gall, O You Who re the sweetness of the Church, yet You caused incorruption to spring forth for us from Your side. You are our God, and we glorify You.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

O Saviour, You were counted among the dead, You Who raised up the dead. You tasted of corruption, yough You did in no wise know corruption. You are our God, and we glorify You.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Let Sion rejoice, and let Heaven be glad; Christ is risen, having raised up the dead who chant: You are our God, and we glorify You.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Having wrapped Your Body with fine linen, O Christ, Joseph laid You, our Salvation, in a new sepulchre; and as God, You raised up the dead.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us!

O blessed one, who like a skillful fisherman have drawn men forth from the deep of transgressions with your net, illumine my soul with radiant splendors, and grant that I may praise your memory as is meet, O divinely revealed evangelist Mark.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us

The pre-eternal and supremely perfect God, Who with the Father is equally beginningless, appeared on earth incarnate as a man, and showed you forth, O blessed one, as His fellow-laborer in grace and His most wise servant, who art strengthened by His power.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

You were a disciple of the most wise Peter, and was greatly enriched thereby, O all-glorious Mark, showing yourself to be an initiate of the divine mysteries, and one who followed in his glorious footsteps.

Glory… Now…

The Angel of Great Counsel, having assumed flesh, manifested Himself to the world through the Virgin Mother, and showed you forth, O father Mark, as a disciple adorned with virtues, a divine herald proclaiming His words.

Katavasia: O day of Resurrection!* Let us beam with festive joy!* This indeed is the Lord’s own Pasch* for from death to life, from earth to heaven Christ has led us,* as we shout the vict’ry hymn.

Ode 3

Irmos: My mind has not brought forth good fruit,* but show me to be fruitful* in Your compassion O God,* husbandman of all good things.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

When Your palms were nailed to the Cross, O Jesus, You brought all the nations together out of error and called them to knowledge of You, O Saviour.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

The people of the Jews cried to Pilate: Release to us the villainous thief; away with the Sinless One, away with Him, crucify Him!

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

When You were crucified, O Christ, the light was darkened, the earth was shaken, and the many of the dead arose from the grave out of fear of Your power.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

As she stood at the Cross, Your ewe-lamb cried out lamenting, O Jesus: To where do you go, my Son? To where do You depart, O Lamb, Who are slain on behalf of all?

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

I worship Your Cross, I praise Your Burial, I honour Your Passion, and the nails in Your hands, and the lance, and Your Resurrection, O Jesus.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

You are arisen, O Jesus, the enemy is despoiled, Adam is delivered together with Eve from the bonds of corruption by Your Resurrection.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

Your friend Mark, O Christ, proclaiming You, the hypostatic Wisdom, hath thereby enlightened the whole world O Lord, with your abundantly splendid rays, O Lover of mankind.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

O Christ, Who lovest mankind, Your eyewitness Mark, having received an ever flowing stream of wisdom resounding like a river, hath watered the ends of the earth with the light of divine knowledge, truly revealing Your prophecy.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

Manifestly following Peter, O wise one, as his disciple you copy the Gospel, receiving from him the light of theology and clearly proclaiming the coming of God in the flesh, O apostle.

Glory… Now…

You cause the temples of the demons to quake, O You Who were aforetime borne to Egypt in the Virgin’s arms, and thither You send Mark, that all might know of Your divine mystery and that You hadst become man.

Katavasia From barren rock behold the wonder!* The staff of Moses once drew water!* But we have something new to drink:* the drink of deathless life* from the rock that was His tomb;* for in Him is all our might!

Small Litany

Kontakion of the Myrrhbearers, Tone 2

You commanded the myrrh-bearers to rejoice, O Christ God,* and ended the grief of our mother Eve by Your Resurrection.* You ordered the apostles to proclaim to all:* The Saviour is risen from the tomb.

Ikos

As the Myrrh-bearers went to Your tomb, O Saviour, they were perplexed in mind and said to themselves: Who will roll the stone away from the sepulchre for us? And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled away. They were awestruck by the form of the Angel and his raiment. They were taken with trembling and yought to flee; and the youth cried to them: Be not afraid; He Whom you seek is risen; come, behold the place where the body of Jesus lay, and go quickly, proclaim to the disciples: The Saviour is risen from the tomb.

Sessional Hymn, Tone 1 (of the Evangelist)

Glory… Now…, Tone 2

The women brought myrrh and came to Your sepulchre.* Their souls were filled with joy on seeing the bright Angel’s light.* With great zeal and boldness, O Lord, they preached that You are the God of all,* and to Your disciples they cried:* The Life of all has arisen from the dead.

Ode 4

Irmos: The prophet foreseeing Your birth from a virgin, prophesied crying aloud:* “I have heard report of You, and I was afraid;* for from the South, from the Overshadowed mountain* shall You come forth, O Christ!”

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

By the Cross You bound the belly of Hades, and raised up the dead together with Yourself, and destroyed the tyranny of death. Therefore, we who are of Adam worship and praise Your burial and arising, O Christ.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

O our Saviour, Whose good pleasure it was, for the sake of Your compassionate mercy to be nailed to the Cross and redeem us from the paternal curse, loose the bonds of my many transgressions, for You are able to accomplish whatsoever You will.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

O You Who nailed to the Cross my ancient curse and caused blessing to pour forth for me from Your side by Your blood, O Saviour, loose the bonds of my many transgressions, for You are able to accomplish whatsoever You will.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

When hades met You in the nethermost regions, it was embittered, O Saviour, seeing those whom it had the power to devour aforetime, now given up involuntarily; and its depths searched out, stripped, and despoiled of its dead.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Yough the stone was sealed, and the sentry was present, O lawless foes, yet the Lord arose as He foretold, loosing the bonds of my many transgressions, for He is able to accomplish whatsoever He wills.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

O You Who arose from the sepulchre and despoiled Hades and quicken the dead and caused incorruption to flow forth for me by Your arising, loose Thu the bonds of my many transgressions, for You are able to accomplish whatsoever You will.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

Your sound hath gone forth into all the earth, O most wise one, and the power of your words manifestly extendeth to the ends of the world, like David splendidly preaching our salvation and renewal.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

Like lightning Your most wise apostle hath appeared to the world, O Savior, announcing the joy of truth, illumined with the divine radiance of effulgence, unto our salvation and renewal.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

Your feet were adorned prophetically, for ineffably have you announced unto us the Peace that hath manifestly revealed Himself in the flesh to the ends of the world, unto our salvation and renewal.

Glory… Now…

The Word sat upon the cloud of the Virgin and, in that He is merciful, He made foolish the counsels of Egypt and hath destroyed youghts adverse to God through the teachings of the divine Mark, unto our salvation and renewal.

Katavasia Let God’s prophet Habakkuk* now stand with us in godly vigil!* And show the angel radiant with light* whose voice gives forth the joyous news:* salvation visits the earth today,* for Christ has risen in His might!

Ode 5

Irmos: Having dispelled the gloom of my soul, O my Saviour,* illumine me with the light of You commandments for You alone are the King of peace.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

When You were clothed with me, You divested me of my ancient garment which, alas! the sower of sin wove for me, O Saviour.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Alas! My sin has sewn fig leaves for me who by the counsel of the serpent have not kept Your immaculate commandment, O Saviour.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Yough my soul was wounded by my thieving youghts; Christ, Who came forth from Mary, has healed it, by pouring oil thereon.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Standing by the Cross, the most pure Theotokos called out with a maternal voice: You have left me alone, O my Son and God.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

By the weapon of Your Cross, You have put down the serpent, the author of evil, and by Your arising You have broken the sting of death, O Jesus.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Let Adam also cry out: O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? You are destroyed by the quickening of Him that raises the dead.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

You let fall the sweetness of piety, the shower of your divine words, casting light over all in bright beams, clearly revealed by the grace of the noetic Sun, O all blessed and God-pleasing Mark.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

From the house of the Lord you pour forth a wellspring watering barren hearts abundantly with spiritual streams, teaching them to bring forth fruit instead of barrenness, O apostle.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

You were the son of the great Peter, and illumined by his teaching you enlighten the souls who approached you fervently, O blessed apostle, seer of God.

Glory… Now…

O Christ Who shone forth from the Father before all creation, and were born of the Virgin as a man, You were sent to the Egyptians. For them, O Wise One, You anoint Mark who hath taught them the mysteries of divine knowledge.

Katavasia Now at daybreak* let us celebrate.* Let us gaze on Christ, our Sun of holiness.* Instead of spices,* let us offer Him our song* as He brings forth life for all!

Ode 6

Irmos: I am held fast in the depths of sin O Saviour,* and am overwhelmed by the sea of life,* but as Jonah was delivered from the sea-monster,* so also deliver me from the passions, and save me.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Hades is dead, take courage, O you earthborn, for while Christ was hanging upon the Tree, He struck the sword against him, and he lies dead; for, being stripped naked, he was despoiled of those he held.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Hades has been despoiled, take courage, O you dead; and the tombs have been opened: arise. Thus did Christ cry to you from Hades, as One Who has come to deliver all from death and corruption.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

The dead, which at one time you had the power to devour, and which now are demanded of you, give back to Me, O Hades, cries God, the Giver of life, Who has come to deliver all from your insatiate belly.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

O myrrh-bearing women, why do you haveen now? Why do you bring myrrh to the Living One? Christ is risen, as He foretold. Let your tears cease and be changed into joy.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Having wrapped You in linen, O Christ, the noble Joseph laid You in a tomb; and having anointed with myrrh the fallen temple of Your Body, he rolled a great stone before the sepulchre.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

The Lord is risen and has despoiled the enemy, and having plucked out them that were in fetters, He has led them all forth, as well as Adam the first-fashioned, when He raised them up, since He is compassionate and the Lover of mankind.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

You set at naught the scorn of the wicked, O Lord, and put down their prideful arrogance, showing forth Your apostle as a conqueror by Your might, for You art the strength and restoration of the afflicted.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

By your words, O wise Mark, you preach the Fashioner of creation, the Crown of hope wherewith we are now crowned, and which, to our glory, hath been wrought of the nature of the flesh.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

O glorious one, the pre-eminent Peter clearly instructed you to mystically record the precious Gospel, showing you to be a servant of divine grace, for you shed the light of divine knowledge upon us.

Glory… Now…

Through the Virgin Mother of God You enlighten Egypt which aforetime was in darkness, entering it as an infant, O Lord; and You reprove its vanity through the teachings pf the divinely eloquent Mark, O You Who lovest mankind.

Katavasia: O Christ* You pierced the world beneath* and snapped infernal chains that bind forever!* But in three days You came forth from the tomb:* our Jonah from the belly of the whale!

Small Litany

Kontakion of the Evangelist, Tone 2:

You received from on high the grace of the Spirit,* and destroyed the snares of the orators,* O Mark, most glorious apostle.* You caught the nations and brought them to the Master* by preaching to them the divine Good News.

Ikos

A disciple of the pre-eminent apostle, with him you preach Christ the Son of God, rendering steadfast upon the rock of truth those who were shaken by falsehood. Do you also make me steadfast thereon, and set aright my steps, that, delivered from the snares of the enemy, I may glorify you wiyout faltering, for you have enlightened all, O wise Mark, preaching the divine Gospel.

Ode 7

Irmos: Like the Cherubim, the Children rejoicing in the furnace sang:* “Blessed are You, O God,* for in truth You have brought this judgment upon us because of our sins,* You are supremely praised and glorified throughout all ages.”

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

You, as the Lover of mankind, wishing to save from error all whom You had fashioned, deigned to be nailed to the Cross, that by Your flesh You might renew this image demolished by the passions, O Saviour; and despoiling Hades, You raised up the dead with Yourself.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

When You were lifted up upon the Cross, O Compassionate One, You called all to Yourself, as You promised, O Good One. For in truth, You were pleased to suffer all these things because of our sins. Therefore, You also opened the gates of Paradise to the thief, O Saviour.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

You raised up the fallen temple of Your Body from the grave on the third day, as You promised, O Good One, that in truth You might make known Your glory which You caused to flow for us through faith; and You took away those who were in bonds, whom Hades had held of old in fetters.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

O mindlessness of the Jews! O frenzy of the lawless! What thing did you see, that you believed not in Christ? For did He not by a word raise up the sick? Or did He not Himself save the whole world? At least, let the soldiers or those that arose from the dead convince you.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Let the guards who became as dead now say: How was He stolen, Whom the ungrateful ones in no wise saw? For if they saw Him not arisen, how would they ever have perceived how He was stolen? At least, let this stone and Christ’s funeral shrouds convince you.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Whom do you guard as dead? What seals have you placed upon the stone, O Jews, who fear the fear of theft? Behold, in truth the grave is sealed. How, therefore, did He arise, were Christ not God? Let them that arose and were seen by many convince you.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

Illumined with divine rays, you dost mystically, by reflection, emit radiant beams, O most blessed Mark, for you preach the Word incarnate, the Timeless One, the praised and supremely glorious God of our fathers.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

O Maker of all, having armed your divinely eloquent disciple with divinely effective power, You make of him a wonderworker, for he hath dispelled affliction and healed wounds, preaching You, the supremely praised and supremely glorious God.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

Having as teacher the divine Peter, the first in rank among the choir of the apostles, you show yourself to be like unto him, for you bring order to all the fullness of the Church of the supremely praised and supremely glorious God of our fathers.

Glory… Now…

Following the saying of Isaiah, O most glorious one, you yourself set up a pillar in Egypt: the scripture of your Gospel, for Him Who, wiyout seed, was born of the Mother of God, proclaiming our supremely praised and supremely glorious God.

Katavasia: As He rescued three young men from furnace flames* by His passion* He has rescued us from death,* this One who took our flesh and suffered like all mortals.* He alone is blessed and full of glory:* the only God!* The One our Fathers knew!* Ever robed in splendid glory!

Ode 8

Irmos: To Him Who of old prefigured the miracle of the Virgin,* to Moses in the burning-bush* on Mount Sinai,* let us sing, bless and supremely exult throughout all ages.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

The beams of the sun withdrew themselves in fear before the sufferings of Christ, and the dead arose, and the mountains shook, and the earth trembled, and Hades was laid bare.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

The thrice-blessed Children who were in the furnace of old, raising up their hands, prefigured Your immaculate Cross, O Good One, whereby You cast down the might of the enemy, O Christ.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

O blind Jews, deceivers and transgressors, who disbelieved Christ’s arising as yough it were a lie: What do you see that is unbelievable? that Christ, Who raised up the dead, is risen?

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Who is it that withered the fig tree? Who is it that healed the withered hand? Who is it that once filled the multitude in the wilderness? Is it not Christ God, Who raised up the dead?

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Who is it that raised from the grave, the man four-days dead, and the son of the widow? Who is it that, as God, strengthened the paralytic on his bed? Is it not Christ God, Who raised up the dead?

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

The stone itself cries, the seals call out; when you placed them, you appointed a watch to guard the tomb. Truly Christ is risen, and He lives throughout the ages.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

Christ, the Word begotten of the Father before all ages, Who clothed Himself in human nature, you preach, O glorious one; and you cry aloud: O all ye works of the Lord, hymn and supremely exalt the Lord throughout all ages!

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

O glorious one, you glorify Christ Who gaveth Himself as deliverance from our offense and passion and raised up the fallen; and you cry: O all ye works of the Lord, hymn and supremely exalt the Lord throughout all ages!

Let us bless the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…

Submitting to the most wise teaching of Peter, O Mark, you most wisely commit to writing the precious Gospel for the faithful who cry aloud: O all ye works of the Lord, hymn and supremely exalt the Lord throughout all ages!

Now…

Bearing Emmanuel as an infant, the Virgin stood before the Egyptians, to whom Mark is set like a radiant star, crying aloud: O all ye works of the Lord, hymn and supremely exalt the Lord throughout all ages!

Katavasia: That hallowed and chosen day has come!* Of all holy Sabbaths the first and foremost:* the very expectation of the people of God.* The Festivals of festivals;* of all solemnities the greatest:* when all of us bless Christ forever!

The Song of the Theotokos (Magnificat) is sung.

Ode 9

Irmos: In a manner surpassing nature* has the Word who timelessly shone forth from the Father,* been conceived within a womb, according to the flesh,* O faithful, with never silent hymns, let us magnify Him.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

When the thief recognized You as God upon the Cross, You made him an heir of the noetic Paradise, as he cried out: Remember me, O Almighty Saviour.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

You were smitten for our sake, You were spat upon by the lawless men, O Jesus, Who inscribed the tablets of the Law on Mount Sinai for Your servant Moses.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

You were pierced in Your life-creating side, O Christ, and You caused Your immaculate Blood and the precious Water to flow forth as an ever-living fount for the world.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

You were accounted among the dead, O You Who quickened the dead; You were laid in a grave, Who emptied the graves; You despoiled Hades, O You Who resurrected Adam.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Glory be to You, O Christ Saviour, Who caused life to flow forth, and the light to shine upon those in the darkness of ignorance, and Who have illumined the whole world by Your arising.

Glory be to You, our God, Glory be to You.

Let us acclaim the wondrous Joseph, as well as Nicodemus and the faithful Myrrh-bearers, O faithful, as we cry out: The Lord is truly risen.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

Having reached the ineffable wellspring of the three-sunned radiance O divinely revealed one, and most manifestly delighting in the divinity therein, which is beyond the mind of mortals, you dost now unceasingly rejoice with the angels O most blessed one.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

As on who was familiar with the teachings of Peter, and his godly preaching, you dwellest now in the heavenly mansions with him, O most blessed and godly spoken one, do you pray for us O apostle Mark.

Holy apostle and evangelist Mark, pray to God for us.

The Light, thrice-radiantly joined and strangely unified, you piously preach, a right worthy one, illumined by a ray of grace. Wherefore, we entreat you: Ever offer supplication in our behalf.

Glory… Now…

The honored apostle Mark was given as a holy hierarch to the Egyptians, to whom the Lord of glory had also come, incarnate as a babe through the pure Virgin Mother of God; and Him do we magnify as is meet.

Katavasia: Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem!* for the glory to the Lord has risen upon you!* Exult now and be glad, O Sion!* And you, O chavee Mother of God,* take delight* in the resurrection of your Son.

Small Litany

Hymn of Light

Having been taught heavenly wisdom, you destroy with your tongue the nets of the orators and the deceptions of the astrologers, O most glorious apostle Mark; and as a disciple of Peter you preach the words of the Gospel to the world. (Twice)

Glory… Now…

Hearken, ye women, and give ear unto the voice of joy, for I have trampled down tyrant Hades and raised the world from corruption. Hasten ye quickly and proclaim the gladsome tidings to My friends; for I have willed that joy shine forth thence upon all My creation from whence there first came sorrow.

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 2

To carry out the sentence pre-ordained:* this honour is for all His faithful.

Everything that breathes and every creature glorifies You, O Lord,* for through Your Cross You destroyed death* and thus shown the multitude of peoples Your Resurrection from the dead,* as You alone love mankind.

Praise God in His holy place, praise Him in His mighty heavens.

Let the Jews tell how the soldiers lost the King they were guarding.* Why then did the stone not guard the rock of life?* Either let them give up the one who was buried or adore Him as risen,* exclaiming together with us:* Glory to the multitude of Your mercies:* O Saviour, glory be to You!

Praise Him for His powerful deeds,* praise His surpassing greatness.

Rejoice O peoples and be glad!* for an Angel sat upon the grave stone* and gave us good tidings saying:* Christ is risen from the dead* and has filled the universe with sweet fragrance.* Rejoice O peoples and be glad!’

Tone 1

O praise Him with sound of trumpet,* praise Him with lute and harp;

O all-blessed Mark, * you drank from a sweet stream, * the pure river of peace * which flows most splendidly from Eden, * flooding the face of the earth with the waters of your preaching of the Gospel * and pouring forth divinely inspired teachings ** upon the firmament of the Church.

Praise Him with timbrel and dance,* praise Him with strings and pipes.

O Mark most glorious, * in times past Moses drowned the Egyptians in the sea, * but you, O most wise one, led them forth from the sea of deception * by the power of Him Who had come to them in the flesh * and utterly destroyed the works of their hands ** with His lofty arm.

O praise Him with resounding cymbals, praise Him with clashing of cymbals.* Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.

O Mark most sacred, * abiding in the light of the Spirit, you were wholly spiritual; * and now, O spiritually rich apostle, deified by adoption and through abundant visions * and exceedingly blessed radiance, * you have attained the summit of your mystery, ** the longed-for goal.

Glory… Tone 6

O fisherman most wise, holy disciple,* husbandman of the Saviour and recounter of His sufferings,* you who traversed the world with faith,* and, having gathered the deluded gentiles, led them to God:* as a sweet-smelling fragrance of incense have you been wafted up to the heavens.* Wherefore, standing before the Judge,* pray that we be delivered from our transgressions* and from torment on the day of judgment.

Now… Tone 1

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary * came unto the tomb, seeking the Lord. * And they beheld an Angel like unto lightning sitting upon the stone, * and saying unto them: * Why do you seek the Living among the dead? * He has arisen as He said; * you shall find Him in Galilee. * Wherefore let us cry unto Him:* O You Who arose from the dead,* Lord, glory be to You.

Great Doxology

Trisagion Prayers

Troparia, Tone 3

Glory… Now…, Tone 2

When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.*When You raised the dead from the nether world, all powers of heaven cried out:* O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to You!

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

AT DIVINE LITURGY ON SATURDAY MORNING

After the priest has exclaimed, Blessed be the Kingdom… and the people have responded, Amen, the clergy sing the Paschal Troparion once and the people repeat it. Then, the clergy sing the first half, and the people conclude it.

Paschal Troparion

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 2: When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”

Troparion, Tone 2: The noble Joseph took down Your most pure body from the tree.* He wrapped it with a clean shroud and aromatic spices* and placed it in a new tomb.* But on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world Your great mercy.

Troparion, Tone 3: Learning from Peter the chief apostle* you too became an apostle of Christ,* and shone on various lands like the sun.* O blessed one, adornment of Alexandrians,* through you Egypt was freed from deceit.* For you are a pillar of light for the Church* enlightening all with your teaching of the Good News.* Therefore, we feast your memorial, O Mark, divinely inspired.* Ask God whom you preached to all to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Kontakion, Tone 2: You received from on high the grace of the Spirit,* and destroyed the snares of the orators,* O Mark, most glorious apostle.* You caught the nations and brought them to the Master* by preaching to them the divine Good News.

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: You commanded the myrrh-bearers to rejoice, O Christ God,* and ended the grief of our mother Eve by Your Resurrection.* You ordered the apostles to proclaim to all:* “The Saviour is risen from the tomb.”

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 8: Yough You descended into a tomb, O Immortal One,* yet You destroyed the power of Hades;* and You rose as victor, O Christ God,* calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice!* and giving peace to Your Apostles:* You, who grant Resurrection to the fallen.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6

Save Your people, O Lord, * and bless Your inheritance.

verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord, my God, lest You turn from me in silence. (Psalm 27:9,1)

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Epistle

Acts 9:20-31; 1 Peter 5:6-14

Alleluia, Tone 8

verse: You have shown favour to Your land, O Lord; You brought back the captives of Jacob.

verse: Mercy and truth have met; righteousness and peace have embraced. (Psalm 84:2,11)

verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.

Gospel

John 15:17-16:2; Mark 6:7-13

Hymn to the Theotokos

The Angel cried out to the One full of Grace: O chavee Virgin, rejoice! And again I say, Rejoice! Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day, and raised the dead. Let all people rejoice! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chavee Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.

Communion Hymn

Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest.* Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their words unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

Instead of Blessed is He Who comes… we sing:

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Instead of We have seen the true light… we sing:

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Instead of May our mouths be filled… we sing three times:

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Instead of Blessed be the name of the Lord… we sing three times:

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

At the dismissal, instead of Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen. we chant:

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs giving life.

After the final Amen, the Troparion Christ is risen is sung as at the beginning of the Liturgy, but with the addition:

And to us He has granted life eternal;* we bow down before His resurrection on the third day.