Day 14 of the Great Fast. Resurrectional Gospel 5.

GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

Blessed is the man… is sung.

At Psalm 140

Tone 5

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

With Your precious cross, O Christ,* You have put the Devil to shame.* With Your resurrection You have deadened the sting of sin,* and have saved us from the gates of death.* We, therefore, glorify You, O only-begotten Son of God.

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

O Christ, who granted resurrection to mankind,* You were led like a lamb to the slaughter.* Then the princes of Hades were struck with terror* as they saw the gates of their tearful domain being lifted up;* for Christ, the King of Glory, entered therein* and exclaimed to those in chains: Go forth from here!* And to those in darkness: Go forth into the light!

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

What a great wonder!* The Creator of invisible beings suffered in the flesh for mankind,* and rose from the dead as immortal.* Come, therefore, all you nations and adore Him;* for through His compassion we have been freed from the snares of the Devil,* and we have learned to praise the one God in three Persons.

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

We offer to You our evening worship,* O Light whom the darkness of night can never extinguish.* For in these latter days Your radiance has appeared to the world,* shining in Your flesh as light reflected from a mirror.* Your brilliance has descended even to the depths of Hades and dissolved its gloom.* O Lord, Giver of Light, glory to You;* for You have shown the radiance of Your resurrection to all the nations.

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

Let us glorify Christ, the Author of our Salvation;* for by His resurrection from the dead,* the world has been delivered from the deception of Satan.* The choirs of angels rejoice as the treachery of evil spirits vanishes.* Fallen Adam arises, and the devil is vanquished.

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

Those who guarded the tomb of Christ* were told by the evil men who hired them:* Take this silver and keep silent.* Tell no one of the resurrection of Christ;* rather tell everyone that while you were sleeping His body was stolen.* But who has ever heard of a body being stolen,* a body which had already been anointed?* Why would anyone take a body from the grave naked,* and leave the burial shroud in the tomb?* Do not deceive yourselves, O people of Judea.* Study the teachings of the prophets,* and you will come to understand that Jesus Christ is Almighty God,* and truly the Saviour of the world.

Tone 4

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

Having first fasted and caused the uprisings of the flesh to wither up through abstinence,* you later set at nought the wiles of the enemy through martyrdom* and triumphed over him, O divinely blessed Eudocia.* Wherefore, Jesus, who loves mankind, the Saviour of our souls,* has crowned you for your twofold struggles.

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

Having first fasted and caused the uprisings of the flesh to wither up through abstinence,* you later set at nought the wiles of the enemy through martyrdom* and triumphed over him, O divinely blessed Eudocia.* Wherefore, Jesus, who loves mankind, the Saviour of our souls,* has crowned you for your twofold struggles.

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

In the furrows of your heart* you received the divine seed like rich soil, O divinely blessed one,* and you truly put forth the grain of martyrdom, producing it a hundredfold.* You laid it up in noetic granaries through the power of the Spirit who transformed you* and wrought in you a greater change through grace,* O most lauded Eudocia.

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

By your life-creating utterance you raised up the dead, O glorious Eudocia,* having first mortified the passions of your body with the pangs of abstinence.* And now you live with the martyrs in the heavens,* having completed the course of martyrdom with the help of the Spirit,* and you pray for all who hymn you with faith.

Tone 5, Glory… Now…

A symbol of the undefiled Virgin and bride* was revealed in the Red Sea.* There, Moses divided the waters;* here, Gabriel is the messenger of the miracle.* There, the Israelites crossed the deep and their feet were not even wet;* here, the Virgin gives birth to Christ without human seed.* There, the sea remained uncrossed after the passing of Israel;* here, the immaculate remained incorrupt after giving birth to Emmanuel.* Therefore, O immortal God, who appeared in the flesh as true Man,* have mercy on us!

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 5

O Christ our Saviour,* we lift up our voices in song to glorify You.* For, in Your love for mankind,* You became incarnate without leaving heaven;* You accepted the cross and death;* You cast down the gates of Hades;* and on the third day You arose from the dead* for the salvation of our souls.

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

O Giver of Life,* streams of forgiveness, life, and salvation* poured forth from Your pierced side upon us all.* By accepting physical death, You granted us immortality;* by lying in the tomb, You freed us from Hades,* and as God, by rising from the dead,* You raised us with Yourself in glory.* Therefore, we cry out to You:* O Lover of mankind, glory to You!

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

O Lover of mankind,* Your crucifixion and descent into Hades are most wondrous.* For, as God, You thereby conquered the power of Hades,* and raised up in glory, with Yourself, those who were long imprisoned there.* You reopened Paradise and enabled them to enter.* Grant forgiveness of sins to us* who glorify Your resurrection on the third day,* for You alone are all-merciful.

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

O Lover of mankind,* You accepted suffering in the flesh* and rose from the dead on the third day.* Therefore, heal the passions of our flesh,* raise us from our dreadful iniquities, and save us.

Glory… Now…

O most pure Virgin,* you are the temple, the gate, the palace, and the throne of the King.* Christ, our Redeemer and Lord,* appeared through you to those who slumbered in darkness.* For He, as the Sun of Righteousness,* wished to enlighten those whom He created with His own hands* according to His own image.* Therefore, O Lady, whom we always praise in song,* we beseech you to intercede with Christ for the salvation of our souls;* for, as His Mother, you can approach Him with the greatest confidence.

Troparia

Tone 5

Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

Glory… Now…

Rejoice, O impassable door of the Lord!* Rejoice, O rampart and protection of those who have recourse to you!* Rejoice, O tranquil haven and Virgin,* who gave birth in the flesh to your Maker and God!* Fail not to intercede for those* who sing and worship the Child you bore.

GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 5

Troparia, Tone 5

Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection. (2)

Glory… Now…

Rejoice, O impassable door of the Lord!* Rejoice, O rampart and protection of those who have recourse to you!* Rejoice, O tranquil haven and Virgin,* who gave birth in the flesh to your Maker and God!* Fail not to intercede for those* who sing and worship the Child you bore.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 5

Let us celebrate the Cross of the Lord,* let us honour His holy Burial with hymns,* and let us exulting, glorify His Resurrection.* For with Himself He has raised the dead from their graves,* and as God having despoiled the dominion of death* and the might of the devil,* He has shone forth light upon those in Hades.

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

O Lord, You who put death to death, was called dead;* You who have emptied the tombs was placed in a tomb;* above, the soldiers stood guarding the grave,* below, You raised the dead from all ages.* O Lord, All-powerful and Incomprehensible,* glory be to You!

Glory… Now…

Rejoice holy mountain upon which God has walked;* Rejoice! living bush unconsumed by fire;* Rejoice! O only bridge of creation to God, who leads mortals to eternal life;* Rejoice! Maiden undefiled, who has born without wedlock* the salvation of our souls.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 5

O Lord, after Your Resurrection on the third day,* and after the worship of the Apostles, Peter cried to You;* The women had courage, and I was afraid;* the Thief confessed You as God, and I denied You:* will You no longer call me a disciple,* or will You once again declare me a fisher of the deep?* Receive me in my penitence, O God, and save me!’

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

O Merciful Lord, the lawless Ones nailed You between two condemned thieves* and pierced Your side with a lance,* but You, who destroyed the gates of Hades,* suffered burial and arose on the third day;* The women ran to see You and announced the Resurrection to Your Apostles.* O supremely exalted Saviour whom the Angels hymn,* O blessed Lord, glory be to You.

Glory… Now…

The Bride who knew not wedlock, the Birthgiver of God,* who turned Eve’s grief to joy,* we the faithful hymn and worship,* for you have redeemed us from the ancient curse.* And now, O All-hymned most holy one,* cease not to make intercession for the salvation of our souls.

Polyeleos

Evoglitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 5

The Myrrh-bearing women, amazed in their minds by the vision of the Angel* yet enlightened in their souls by the divine Resurrection,* announced the glad tidings to the Apostles:* Proclaim among the nations the Resurrection of the Lord,* who works in us through wonders,* and who grants us great mercy.

Gradual Hymns, Tone 5

Antiphon 1

When I am troubled I sing to You like David,* O my Saviour:* Deliver my soul from a deceitful tongue.

Blessed is the life of those* who dwell in the desert places,* Divine love gives them wings.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit all things are unshaken,* both visible and invisible;* for He has sovereign power,* being undeniably one of the Trinity.

Antiphon 2

Lift up yourself to the mountains,* O my soul;* go to that place from whence comes our help.

Let Your right hand hover over me,* O Christ,* and guard me from every misfortune.

Glory… Now…

Let us sing to the Holy Spirit, as we contemplate God:* You are God, life, love, light, and intellect,* You are goodness,* and You reign to the ages.

Antiphon 3

Filled with great joy at the words of those who say to me:* “Let us go into the courts of the Lord,”* I offer up my prayers.

Fearful things are accomplished in the house of David;* for a fire is found there,* burning every shameful thought.

Glory… Now…

To the Holy Spirit belongs the lordship of life,* for from Him every living being hath its breath,* as also from the Father* together with the Son.

Prokeimenon, Tone 5

Arise, O Lord my God, lift up Your hand*, for You shall reign forever.

verse: I will confess to You, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will recount all Your marvellous works.

Let everything that lives, Tone 5

Gospel

Luke 24:1-12

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

After Psalm 50

Tone 8, Glory…

Open to me the doors of repentance, O Giver of Life.* As we worship in Your temple this morning,* teach us how to purify the temples of our bodies,* and in Your compassion, purify me by the goodness of Your mercies.

Now…

Lead me to the paths of salvation, O Mother of God,* for I have condemned myself with shameful sins* and have wasted all my life in slothfulness.* By your intercession purify me from all sinfulness.

Tone 6

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

When I think upon the multitude of my evil deeds,* I tremble for the terrible day of judgment.* But trusting in the compassion of Your mercy, O Lord,* I cry to You like David:* Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.

Canon, Tone 5

Canon, Tone 5

Ode 1

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Christ, who breaks the battles,* with uplifted arm shook horse and rider into the Red Sea,* but Israel he saved,* singing a song of victory.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The congregation of the Hebrews preserved no mother’s love for you who gave them every good; they crowned you with thorns, O Christ, you who had loosed from the punishing thorns the first ancestor of man.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Giver of life, you bent down to the pit without danger of falling and raised me up who had fallen; you bore with my evil-smelling corruption, O Christ, yourself untouched, and made me fragrant with the sweet oil of the divine nature.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The curse is lifted, sorrow has ceased; O blessed one and full of grace, you have caused joy to spring up for the faithful for from you Christ has flowered, our blessing for ever.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Let us sing to him alone who of his own will was nailed to the cross in the flesh and set free from the ancient sentence the one who fell by a tree: for he is glorified.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Let us sing to Christ alone who was dead and rose from the grave, and raised up fallen man and with himself enthroned him with the Father: for he is glorified.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Virgin Mother, all-pure, entreat Christ, the light which dwelt in you and lights the world with Godhead’s shining rays, to shine on all who sing your praises.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Full of grace, arrayed in the beauty of virtues, you received by the Spirit’s overshadowing radiance a majesty which fashions beauty and makes beautiful the whole creation.

from the Triodion

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

Shedding fervent tears, with the words of the Prodigal we fall down before You O God and Father of all, saying: “We have sinned, departing far from You, we have made ourselves the slaves of prodigality; accept our repentance.”

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

I have wasted the royal birth-right You conferred upon me, by becoming, a man for my sake, O Word: and I have been bitterly condemned to feed swine, with my taste for things sinful. But do spare me, O Saviour, in Your compassion.

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

I kneel before You, as did the Prodigal Son of old, O Lord and Master: run out to meet me and receive me, and taking me in Your embrace grant me the tokens of Your salvation. Instead of a hired servant, O Lover of mankind, make me once again Your son.

Canon of the martyred nun

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

Be well pleased to transform the misery of my soul into delight, O Good One, through the entreaties of Your passion-bearer Eudocia; and grant that I may hymn her, O Word.

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

Who can openly confess the depth of Your compassion, O Christ? For it has made into a refuge of salvation one who of old was an abyss of transgressions.

Glory… Now…

You have truly been shown to be a godly habitation more spacious and honourable than the heavens, O Virgin Theotokos; and the choir of the angels now rejoices in you.

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

Ode 3

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Your command fixed firm the earth upon nothing* and sovereignty poised its vast bulk;* make firm your Church on the immovable rock of your commandments,* O Christ, alone good and Lover of man.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Those who sucked honey from the rock brought you gall for your wonders in the wilderness, O Christ. Vinegar for manna the ungrateful sons of Israel gave you in exchange for your deeds of goodness.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Covered of old by a light-radiant cloud they laid life, O Christ, in the grave: but, you rose of your own power, and you granted mystically to all the faithful the Spirit’s overshadowing shining from above.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Mother of God, virginally and without a mother’s pain you bore him, the outshining of the untouched Father; therefore, since you conceived the Word made flesh, in true faith we proclaim you Bearer of God.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

O Christ, giver of life, you rose from the tomb, delivering from the corruption of death those who sing the praises of your voluntary crucifixion.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

To anoint your body, O Christ, the myrrh-bearers were hastening, but they found it not and returned to sing your rising.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

You are now most clearly seen by all, O most revered, to be that ladder down which, for us, the Most High came to set right corrupted nature. For through you the supremely good was well-pleased to dwell in the world.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O Virgin, the mystery long ago foreseen, and known before the ages by God all-knowing, now in these last times has reached its consummation, made clearly manifest within your womb.

from the Triodion

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

I am filled with fear when I consider my actions, and how far I have departed from You, wasting Your wealth in prodigal desires, therefore in repentance I cry to You, my Father and God: “I have sinned, save me.”

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

Sinning on earth, I am in fear of heaven; for it will be my accuser, O Word, when all shall stand before You and submit to Your righteous judgment.

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

I fed myself on dark and defiled thoughts when I left You, O Saviour, and went into a far country to live prodigally; but now I cry: “I have sinned against You, I have sinned; save me, who flees to Your tender mercy.”

Canon of the martyred nun

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

Your venerable one, O Christ, having acquired confirmation and an unassailable rampart in her bosom, was not shaken by the assaults of the enemy, but utterly destroyed him.

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

Desiring the beauty of Christ, and devoured by His love, you united yourself to Him through martyrdom, O divinely wise and most glorious Eudocia.

Glory… Now…

You bloomed forth from Anna as a joy to your race, O Virgin, and give birth to the King; and women, released by you from the curse, rejoice in your birth giving.

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

Kontakion, Tone 5

Down to Hell you have gone, my Saviour, and shivered its gates to atoms, Almighty; you have raised the dead with yourself as Creator, crushed the sting of death, O Christ, and set Adam free from the curse, Lover of man. Therefore we all cry out to you: save us, O Lord.

Ikos

The women heard the angel’s words, shed their lamentations, changed to gladness, trembling, saw the resurrection. And Christ drew near in greeting: Joy to you, take courage, I have overcome the world, and set the prisoners free. Run to the disciples and ay: I go before you into Galilee to pr claim the good news. Therefore we all cry out to you: Save us, O Lord.

Kontakion, Tone 4

You contended well in your suffering, all-praised one:* Even after death you sanctify us,* pouring out wonders on us who keep your holy feast.* As we celebrate we entreat you, venerable martyr Evdokia:* may we receive the grace of miracles and be delivered from spiritual afflictions!

Ikos

The church of the passion-bearer has been shown to be paradise, having acquired in its midst a tree of immortality, her precious body; and those who take the fruit thereof are mightily sanctified by its branches. And beholding, they are amazed at how a dead body truly pours forth healings, bringing all to their senses. Therefore, with haste come all now with me, the lowly one, and, washing away our filth, let us draw forth the grace of miracles.

Sessional Hymn Tone 8

Glory…

Illumined by radiance divine,* you left behind the darkness of deception and in the flesh received immaterial life;* and filled with the divine grace of the Spirit,* you raised up the dead by your mere utterance.* Therefore, in your end you were divinely adorned with the crown of martyrdom,* and put the deceiver to shame, O Eudocia, equal of the angels.* Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions* to those who honour your holy memory with love.

Now…

All of us, the human race, call you, the Virgin, blessed,* who alone among women gave birth to God in the flesh without seed;* for the fire of the Godhead dwelt within you,* and with milk you nurtured the Creator and Lord as a babe.* Therefore, we, the race of angels and men, glorify your all-holy birthgiving as is meet,* and cry out to you together:* Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses* to those who with faith worship your all-holy birthgiving!

Ode 4

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Habakkuk in prophecy, O Christ, apprehending your divine emptying, in trembling awe cried out to you: For the salvation of your people, to make safe your anointed, you have come.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Good One, the most bitter streams of Meribah you sweetened by a tree, and thus in sign prefigured your pure cross which slays the bitter taste of sin.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You accepted a cross for the tree of knowledge, my Saviour, gall for sweet food, and for the corruption of death you shed the blood of God.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Untouched, you conceived incorruptibly in your womb; a Virgin, guarded to bring forth God in the flesh, you bore a child without pain and were virgin after the birth.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

When the cross was fixed in the earth on Golgotha, the age-old bolts and bars were smashed in pieces and those that kept them cried : Glory to your power, O Lord.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

When the Saviour went down, as one put to death, to the prisoners bound in chains, those age-long dead rose up with him and cried: Glory to your power, O Lord.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

With heart and soul and voice, with all devotion I confess you, the pure one, truly to be the Mother of God. And by your prayers, O Virgin, I reap salvation’s fruit and am saved.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The giver of all good, who fashioned from nothing the whole order of the universe, was content to be fashioned of you, the spotless one, for the salvation of all who sing your praises in faith and longing love.

from the Triodion

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

The wealth of Your fatherly commandments which You have granted me, I have wasted in living a life of sensual pleasure; I, the wretched one, am now poor, stripped of my former divine gifts, therefore, I repent and confess; turn not away from me, O Master and Lord.

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

Graciously have You taken upon Yourself my poverty, I who of old, was exiled far from You, assuming my human nature within Yourself, and sanctifying me O Lover of mankind; Your divine body, O Word, is my calling to be joyous.

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

With unceasing tears, may we be delivered from the everlasting torments that God has prepared for the evil spirits, let us cry like the Prodigal: We have sinned against You, O Father, but accept us all, for we take refuge in Your mercy.

Canon of the martyred nun

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

With the river of your divine blood, O glorious Eudocia, you caused the abyss of ungodliness to dry up.

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

She who before entrapped the senseless in snares of fornication now draws the faithful into the kingdom of God.

Glory… Now…

Incarnate of the pure Virgin, O Lord, You have shone forth light in the night and darkness of transgression.

Katavasia: He who sits in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus the true God,* is come in a swift cloud* and with His sinless hands he has saved those who cry:* Glory to Your power, O Christ.

Ode 5

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: To you, clothed with light as a garment,* early I rise and cry out.* Lighten my darkened soul,* O Christ, only compassionate.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

In dishonour and inglorious form, of his own will the Lord of glory hung upon the cross, and inconceivably thus procured for me divine glory.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You have changed my clothing for the garment of incorruption, O Christ, for uncorrupted you tasted the corruption of death in the flesh, and on the third day rose from the tomb.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Mother of God, you set free our first father’s nature from the curse, for without seed you gave birth to Christ our righteousness and redemption.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Your hands outstretched upon the tree, you call us all back to yourself, O Saviour, Lover of man.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

You despoiled Hell, O Saviour, by your burial in the tomb and you filled all things with joy by your resurrection.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

All-revered, Bearer of God, all the prophets announced you as truly her who should become the Mother of God; for you alone were found pure and wholly undefiled.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Reverently we acknowledge you as the shining cloud of living water which showered upon us in despair Christ, the rain of incorruption.

from the Triodion

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

Having rejected the wealth and divine gifts conferred upon me, I have come to a country cursed by a famine of the gifts of life; but, O Father, for the sake of You tender compassion, restore to me the glory and the joy that of old was once mine.

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

Let us who have spent our life in prodigal living, take up the resolve of the Prodigal, and with undoubting faith and a compunctionate heart, flee to the merciful Father, that we may receive the remission of our sins.

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

Tarry not, O my soul, dwelling exiled in a far country, but run swiftly to your God and Father confessing your sins; that you may receive forgiveness for the wicked things you have done, having wasted your life in vanity.

Canon of the martyred nun

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

Shining forth, the never-waning Light truly drew the glorious one from the darkness of the passions and, leading her to the path of dispassion, has shown her to be most radiant.

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

Having betrothed yourself to the Son of God the King, O all-glorious one, by your honoured invocation you raised up the son of the king, who had died a grievous death.

Glory… Now…

We the faithful, possessed of your intercession as our hope, and surrounded by the misfortunes of bitter pangs, earnestly have recourse to you, O Virgin Mistress.

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

Ode 6

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Lord Christ, calm the soul-destroying waves of the raging sea of passions* and, O compassionate, lead me up from corruption.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Our first ancestor fell into corruption, Lord Christ, tasting forbidden fruit; and he was brought back to life by your Passion.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You, the life, came to Hell and to the corrupter became corruption; thus, Lord Christ, through corruption you brought, as fountain springing, resurrection.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The Virgin bore a child and after bearing still was pure; holding him up in her arms who supports the whole creation she is truly Virgin Mother.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

You stretched out your hands on your life-bearing cross, gathering together the far-dispersed companies of your peoples, Christ our God and Lover of man.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

When you despoiled death and broke the gates of Hell in pieces, Ad am, the prisoner freed, cried out to you: Your right hand has saved me, O Lord.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The cause of all, giving being to all, when he took our flesh had you as cause, all-spotless Mother of God.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

We know you to be a springing well of life-sustaining remedies for those who run in faith to your far-famed protection, O Lady, all-spotless.

from the Triodion

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

I was Your younger son, and wasted the wealth You gave me, withdrawing far from You into an iniquitous life; and am now deprived of Your blessings, O Lover of mankind. I come to You, O my Father and God, asking forgiveness.

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

I have been rewarded to dwell in a cruel exile, and am condemned to feed swine, for I have wasted the riches that You graciously gave me; and I am stripped of everything. But since You are my God, have compassion upon me.

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

Having sinned, I have no boldness, O Lover of mankind, to look up to heights of heaven, nor call myself Your son, prodigal that I am. But You Who have boundless mercy, be quick to have compassion upon me.

Canon of the martyred nun

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

In that the zeal of your faith was fervent, whereby you trampled upon the position of the unbelievers, O martyr Eudocia, you won the victory of martyrdom.

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

Having joined the torrents of your tears to the drops of your blood shed in martyrdom, by both you perfected the one cup of salvation.

Glory… Now…

Rejoice, O pure Theotokos, joy of the world! Vouchsafe your joy to those who cry out to in faith with the angel, and banish our grief.

Katavasia: As we celebrate this sacred and solemn feast of the Theotokos,* let us come, clapping our hands,* O people of the Lord,* and give glory to God who was born of her.

Kontakion, Tone 4

The time for action is now revealed;* the Judge is at the door.* Let us rise and keep the fast,* offering tears of contrition with alms and crying aloud:* our sins are more numerous than the sands of the sea,* but forgive us, O Maker of all, that we may receive incorruptible crowns.

Ikos

I have loved the fleeting pleasures of the earth and have thrown away eternal blessings, O Christ Jesus. You alone love mankind, and You do not cut sinners off without hope, pouring out mercy upon those who repent. O Jesus, do not tum from me now as I repent, but see in me the thief who was saved by his confession, the tax-collector who was cleansed by mercy. and the prodigal who resolved to weep, for in all of these You have instilled a pattern of repentance. When You see me from afar repenting and running to You as Father. come out with warm and tender mercy. If You wish, You can forgive the sins by which I have polluted myself after baptism and my promise to lead a blameless life: but forgive us, O Creator of all, that we may receive the crown that does not perish.

Ode 7

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The Lord of the fathers, most highly exalted,* quenched the fire and rained his dew* on the young men in unison singing:* Blessed are you, O God.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Clothed with flesh as bait for the hook, by your divine power you dragged the serpent down, and brought back those who cried: Blessed are you, O God.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

He, the unbounded, who brought into being and knitted together the boundless immensities of earth, in the flesh was concealed in the grave; and we sing to him: Blessed are you, O God.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

All-holy, you bore one person in two natures, God has taken bodily form and we sing to him: Blessed are you, O God.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

He has undone the deceit of the idols through the wood of the cross: Blessed is he, the God of our fathers.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Rising from the dead, he raised with himself those in Hell: Blessed is he, the God of our fathers.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The infinite, the only blessed, ever unchanged, as the compassionate was joined to flesh as a person in you, the All-holy.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

With one voice we glorify you, O Lady, Mother of God, all-spotless bride and throne of your Creator; to him we sing: Blessed are you, O God.

from the Triodion

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

I lack the boldness to call myself Your son, O man-befriending Father; but I beseech You that I may be as one of Your hired servants. Reject me not who cries out to You: blessed are You, O God of our fathers.

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

We have defiled our former life by this present life, and have thereby lost our former nobility. But let us hasten to our only Father and God, and with fervent repentance, let us receive salvation.

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

Cruel is the citizen whom I, the wretched one, am condemned to serve; the hunger which I endure, while feeding the swine, is severe and insufferable. But I beseech You, O Saviour, cause me to turn back, and have mercy on me.

Canon of the martyred nun

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

Trampled by your feet, the enemy and deceiver, who of old had ensnared you, striving to apprehend you with the down-pouring of evil, cried aloud, saying: Woe is me! I am vanquished by your inviolable association with God, O pure and all-praised Eudocia!

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

Having mortified the wisdom of your flesh with great abstinence, you bestow resurrection upon the dead with your boldness before God and your unwavering entreaty, O Eudocia; for He fulfils the will of those who fear Him.

Glory… Now…

Manifestly proclaiming your divine birthgiving, O pure one, Gideon bore a bowl full of the water he had wrung from the fleece; for the whole Godhead made its abode within you, O all-pure one: the blessed Fruit of your womb.

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

Ode 8

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The young men in the furnace devised a chorus of all creation for you, the Creator of all,* and in song they proclaimed it:* All you his works, sing to the Lord,* and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As if it were against your will, of that so longed for cup of your saving Passion you prayed that it might not be: two wills to two natures corresponding you bear, O Christ, throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

At your descent, Creator of all, Hell the fool gave up all those who of old had been slain by deceit, and who now, O Christ, highly exalt you throughout all the ages.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O Virgin, beyond thought, in divine and human manner, by the word you bore the Lord, while remaining virgin; we, his creatures, bless and highly exalt you throughout all the ages.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Christ God, willingly stretching his arms on the cross, breaking the bonds of death: sing his praises, O priests, highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Christ God, coming forth as a bridegroom from the grave, beheld by the bearers of myrrh and giving them greetings of joy: sing his praises, O priests, highly exalt him, O people, throughout all the ages.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Now has the grief of our first parents ceased for joy has come forth from you, the Mother of God. So we sing your praises without ceasing, O Virgin, and highly exalt you throughout all the ages.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Standing in loving desire as one choir with us the bodiless hosts sing your incomprehensible bringing to birth and highly exalt it with us throughout all the ages.

from the Triodion

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

We who believe in You know the wealth of Your great and boundless compassion, O Master. Therefore we fervently bow down before You with the Prodigal, receive us who have sinned and flee to You for refuge, for there is no sin, O compassionate One, that can overcome Your love for mankind.

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

For the sake of compassion, You humbled Yourself, O Master, and draw near to Your fallen sons. For in Your love for mankind You go out to meet the fallen, and embracing and kissing them You have granted them salvation: And if one reproaches You for this, as One merciful, You are not angered with him, for You are the Lover of mankind.

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

Most fearful will be the judgment passed upon me, O Master; for though I see that You are longsuffering and a Lover of mankind, I flee not to You nor call upon You with the words of the Prodigal, instead I pass the course of my life in slothfulness; be merciful to me, and save me from condemnation, O compassionate One, for the sake of my penitence.

Canon of the martyred nun

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

Having approached your true Lover in mind, you endured the wounding of your flesh and the bitter pain of the fire without hesitation, O most glorious martyr, blessing Christ for all ages.

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

Having won through the three-fold billows of tribulations with the mast of the Cross and the rudder of the spirit, you reached the safe harbour of the kingdom of God, O glorious one, blessing Christ forever.

Glory… Now…

By you, O Theotokos, is our ancestress freed from the curse; and, lo! women now suffer for Christ, and female nature rejoices, as the protomartyr Thecla the virgin cries.

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

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

Magnificat

Ode 9

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Rejoice and sing, Isaiah,* the Virgin has conceived and bears a son, Emmanuel,* God and man, his name the Dayspring;* we magnify him and we call the Virgin blessed.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Fallen man, Lord Christ, you assumed; wholly joined to him in a virginal womb, sin alone excepted, wholly you have freed him from corruption by your pure sufferings.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Your pure and life-giving side, Lord Christ, was emptied of the blood which flowed from God, and sacrifice to idols ceased; and all we of the earth bring to you the sacrifice of praise.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Not God bodiless, nor yet mere man, the pure and honourable Maid bore to us, but perfect man and perfect God, in very truth; we magnify him, together with the Father and the Spirit.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

On the cross you accepted the suffering, by your death you crushed the power of Hell; with true faith we the faithful magnify you.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

On the third day you rose from the grave, despoiling Hell, giving light to the world; with one mind we the faithful magnify you.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Ever-virgin Mother of God, from your pure blood, beyond nature, a flesh has been fashioned, not from man, without seed, with mind and soul, for the Creator of all, the only-begotten Son of the Father.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

All-holy Virgin Mother, you have established a way of escape from the ungovernable assault of death, for in truth and beyond understanding you brought forth in flesh life eternal; by which Hell, attacking with cruel jaws, was destroyed.

from the Triodion

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

For my sake, You have sacrificed the fatted calf, fill now my thirsty soul with joy and gladness: I who was once lost, receive again. I who was once dead, lead back to life, and having placed the divine robe of salvation upon me, clothe me with incorruption.

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

O you souls which have wandered far from God, and are deprived of the divine gifts, come and with fervour turn back like the Prodigal and cry: O good Father Who are in the heavens, we have all sinned against You; be merciful to us and save us, for unto Your mercy do we flee for refuge.

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

Since You are abundantly rich in compassion, loathe me not O Lord; O Lord, I have wasted my wealth in a multitude of pleasures, but fleeing to You, I cry aloud with the voice of the Prodigal: “I have sinned against You, save me who now flees to Your mercy.”

Canon of the martyred nun

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

The vision of your countenance, which shone like the sun in spiritual radiance, O pure one, was shown to be a sight strange to the unbelievers who looked on; for, as you loved Christ, you were glorified by Him as is meet, O most honoured one.

Venerable-Martyr Eudocia, pray to God for us!

Having lighted the lamp of your soul, O martyr, rejoicing you have now entered in splendour with the wise virgins into the bridal chamber of Christ, bearing your blood as oil. With them be mindful of all who praise you with faith.

Glory… Now…

Never cease to entreat your Son and God, who loves mankind, O Virgin, in our behalf; for we have acquired you as our hope, and by your intercession are we who glorify you with faith delivered from tribulations and passions, from transgressions and pangs.

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

The Troparia from the Menaion, then the appointed Katavasia.

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

Christ our Way and our Life,* after His resurrection from the dead,* accompanied Luke and Cleopas,* who had recognized Him at Emmaus in the breaking of the bread.* Their hearts and souls were inflamed as He spoke to them on the way,* explaining to them all the Scriptures that pertained to Him.* Let us, therefore, shout with them, saying:* Truly, the Lord is risen and has appeared to Peter.

Glory… Now…

I praise Your love without limit, O my Creator;* for You emptied Yourself to put on our broken nature to save us.* O all-compassionate Lord, even though You are God,* You consented for my sake to be born into our human condition* and to descend into Hades to save us,* through the intercession of Your most pure Mother.

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 5

You came forth from the grave, O Lord,  which had been sealed by the transgressors of the law,* just as You were born of the Theotokos.* For the bodiless angels did not know how You were incarnate.* Likewise, the guardian soldiers did not see the moment of your Resurrection;* for these two marvels were concealed from the curious minds* but were revealed to those who worshiped the mystery in faith.* Therefore, grant joy and great mercy to us who offer You praise.

O Lord, You demolished the gates of everlasting damnation,* and You broke asunder the chains of the grave.* You rose from the tomb leaving your wrappings in the grave* in testimony of your three-day burial;* and leaving the guards watching at the tomb,* You preceded your disciples into Galilee.* Great is your mercy, O Lord whom the whole world cannot contain.* O Saviour, have mercy upon us.

O Lord, who suffered for us,* the women hastened to your tomb to behold You.* When they arrived, they saw an angel sitting on the stone of the grave.* He said to them: The Lord is risen!* Go and tell the disciples that the Saviour of our souls is risen from the dead.

O Lord and Saviour,* You came into the midst of your disciples though the doors were closed* just as You came out of the sealed tomb,* showing the sufferings of the flesh which You accepted;* for You submitted to suffering patiently since You are of the seed of David.* But since You are the Son of God, You saved the world.* Great is your mercy, O Lord whom the whole world cannot contain.* O Saviour, have mercy on us.

O Lord, the King of ages and Creator of all,* who accepted crucifixion and burial in the body for our sakes* to deliver us all from Hades,* You are our God, and besides You we know no other.

O Lord God, who shall proclaim your dazzling wonders?* Or who shall declare your divine mysteries?* For You were willingly Incarnate for our sakes,* manifesting the might of your power.* By your cross You opened paradise to the thief;* by your death You crushed the bars and bolts of Hades;* and by your Resurrection You enriched all creation.* Therefore, O compassionate One, glory to You!

The myrrh-bearing women reached your tomb early in the morning,* seeking to anoint You, O immortal Word.* When they were instructed by the words of the angel,* they turned back with joy* to tell the apostles clearly that You had risen, O Life of all,* and had given the world forgiveness and great mercy.

The guards, keeping watch over the God-bearing tomb, said to the Pharisees:* Woe to your vain counsel, for you sought to keep the boundless One.* You have laboured in vain;* for you thought that you could hide the Resurrection of the crucified One, *but you only showed it more clearly.* Woe to your foolish secret meeting.* Why do you take counsel to hide what cannot be hidden?* it would be better that you listen to us* and choose to believe in that which happened.* An angel, resplendent like lightning,* descended from heaven and rolled away the stone,* and from fear of him we were encompassed by death.* To the courageous myrrh-bearing women he said:* Do you not see the guards as dead, the seals broken, and Hades emptied?* Why do you then seek as dead,* Him who abolished the victory of Hades and broke the thorn of death?* Go quickly and tell the good news of the Resurrection to the apostles, • and shout fearlessly, saying:* in truth the Lord is risen, the One who gives us great mercy.

Tone 6, Glory…

Upon those walking in the darkness of sin, O Christ,* You have shone forth as a guiding light in this season of abstinence.* Also show unto us the fragrant day of Your Passion,* that we may cry to You:* Arise, O God, and have mercy on us.

Tone 2, Now…

You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!

Great Doxology

Trisagion Prayers

Troparion, Tone 2

Today salvation has come to the world.* Let us sing to Him who is risen from the tomb,* the Author of Life who has crushed Death by his death* and bestowed on us victory and great mercy.

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 5: Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.

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

Kontakion, Tone 5: You, my Saviour, descended to Hades,* and as the Almighty, You shattered its gates.* With Yourself You, as the Creator, raised the dead and shattered the sting of death,* and delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Mankind.* And so we cry out: “Save us, O Lord.”

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 5: Rejoice, O impassable door of the Lord!* Rejoice, O rampart and protection of those who have recourse to you!* Rejoice, O tranquil haven and Virgin,* who gave birth in the flesh to your Maker and God!* Fail not to intercede for those* who sing and worship the Child you bore.

Prokeimenon, Tone 5

You, O Lord, will guard us* and will keep us* from this generation* and forever.

verse: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer left a just man. (Psalm 11:8,2)

Epistle

Hebrews 1:10-2:3

Alleluia, Tone 5

verse: Your mercies, O Lord, I will sing for ever; from generation to generation I will announce Your truth with my mouth.

verse: For You have said: Mercy shall be built up for ever; in the heavens Your truth shall be prepared. (Psalm 88:2,3)

Gospel

Mark 2:1-12

Hymn to the Theotokos

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

Communion Hymn

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