Polyeleos Feast. Resurrection Gospel 5.
GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man… is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 7
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
Come, let us rejoice in the Lord,* who destroyed the power of death* and enlightened the human race;* and let us cry out with the angels:* Glory to You, our Creator and Saviour!
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
O Saviour, for our sake You suffered crucifixion and burial;* and, as God, You destroyed death by Your death.* Therefore, we adore Your resurrection on the third day* and we sing: Glory to You, O Lord!
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
On seeing the resurrection of the Creator,* the apostles were amazed,* and they sang an angelic hymn of praise:* This is the glory of the Church,* this is the richness of the Kingdom!* O Lord, who suffered for our sake, glory to You!
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
O Christ, although You were taken captive by Your enemies,* I still acknowledge You as my God,* and I am not ashamed of You;* I will not hide the fact that You were nailed to the Cross.* Your death is my life, almighty Lord,* and I extol Your resurrection.* O Lover of mankind, glory to You!
Tone 4, Podoben “You have granted a sign…”
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
By abstinence and fervent prayer, venerable Chariton,* you caused your body’s passions to wither.* With streams of tears you drowned the deceitful serpent, blessed one.* In great measure you were well-pleasing to God!* Therefore Jesus, the Lover of mankind and the Saviour of our souls,* has adorned you with heavenly gifts!
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
By abstinence and fervent prayer, venerable Chariton,* you caused your body’s passions to wither.* With streams of tears you drowned the deceitful serpent, blessed one.* In great measure you were well-pleasing to God!* Therefore Jesus, the Lover of mankind and the Saviour of our souls,* has adorned you with heavenly gifts!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
With the sweat of your struggle, truly wondrous one,* you quenched the burning fire of the passions!* You partook of fire through your wounds and sufferings,* confessing the condescension of the incarnate Word before evil tyrants!* You were a witness for Him,* adorned with wounds from your manifold torments,* most wealthy, God-bearing Chariton!
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
With the sweat of your struggle, truly wondrous one,* you quenched the burning fire of the passions!* You partook of fire through your wounds and sufferings,* confessing the condescension of the incarnate Word before evil tyrants!* You were a witness for Him,* adorned with wounds from your manifold torments,* most wealthy, God-bearing Chariton!
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
You fled, most sacred and blessed Chariton,* withdrawing into the mountains and deserts.* Preserving your soul undefiled, you were revealed to be a dwelling of the Trinity,* in whose power you founded holy dwellings, blessed one:* monasteries for the building up and salvation* of monastics who honour your holy memory.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
You fled, most sacred and blessed Chariton,* withdrawing into the mountains and deserts.* Preserving your soul undefiled, you were revealed to be a dwelling of the Trinity,* in whose power you founded holy dwellings, blessed one:* monasteries for the building up and salvation* of monastics who honour your holy memory.
Tone 4, Glory…
God-bearing Chariton,* even after death, in Christ you live in the heavens!* For His sake you crucified yourself to the world,* for you were above the world and the flesh,* truly living, transcending all visible things!* Yet you did not live for yourself alone,* but Christ our God dwelt within you!* Entreat Him that our souls may be saved!
Tone 7, Now…
Immaculate Mother of God,* you became a mother outside the laws of nature,* remaining a virgin in a way that exceeds all description* and human understanding.* The wonder of your birth-giving could not be told in human language,* for your conception of Christ blinded intelligence,* and your birth-giving exceeded understanding:* for whenever God so desires, the laws of nature are broken.* Wherefore, we all firmly believe that you are the Mother of God,* and we eagerly beseech you to intercede for the salvation of our souls.
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
The Lord reigns,* He is clothed in majesty.
verse: Robed is the Lord and girt about with strength.
verse: For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
verse: Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
Readings
(1) Wisdom 3:1-9; (2) Wisdom 5:15-6:3; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15
Aposticha
Tone 7
O Saviour of the world, You arose from the grave,* and together with Your own flesh You raised up mankind.* O Lord, glory to You!
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
Come, let us worship Christ who arose from the dead* and enlightened all creation.* For by His resurrection on the third day,* He set us free from the oppression of Hades,* granting us life and His great mercy.
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
O Christ, Lover of mankind,* You descended into Hades and destroyed death.* Then You arose on the third day;* and, together with Yourself You lifted up all of us* who glorify Your mighty resurrection.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Lord, what a fearful sight it was to see You lying in the tomb as if asleep.* Yet on the third day You arose in great power,* and at the same time You raised up Adam who joyfully cried out:* Glory to Your resurrection, O Lover of mankind!
Tone 8, Glory…
We honour you, Chariton our father, the instructor of a multitude of monks!* We have indeed learned to walk rightly in your footsteps!* You are blest, for having laboured for Christ,* you denounced the power of the enemy!* Conversor with the angels, companion of the venerable and righteous ones!* Together with them, entreat the Lord that He may grant mercy to our souls!
Now…
Unwedded Virgin, who ineffably conceived God in the flesh!* Mother of God most high!* Accept the cries of your servants, blameless One!* Grant cleansing of transgressions to all!* Receive our prayers and pray to save our souls!
Troparia
Tone 7
By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.
Tone 8, Glory…
With the streams of your tears you cultivated the barren desert,* with deep sighs your toils bore fruit a hundredfold.* You became a beacon, shining throughout the world by your wonders,* our venerable Father, Chariton.* Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Now…
O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered Death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed Yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother who bore You makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people!
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 7
Troparia, Tone 7
By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world. (2)
Tone 8, Glory…
With the streams of your tears you cultivated the barren desert,* with deep sighs your toils bore fruit a hundredfold.* You became a beacon, shining throughout the world by your wonders,* our venerable Father, Chariton.* Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Now…
O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered Death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed Yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother who bore You makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people!
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 7
When Life was laying in the tomb* and a seal laid upon the stone,* the soldiers guarded Christ as a sleeping King* and the Angels glorified Him as immortal God;* while the women cried aloud:* The Lord is risen, granting the world great mercy.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
By Your burial for three days You despoiled death,* and by Your life-bearing Arising* You raised corrupted mankind, O Christ Lord,* as the Lover of mankind. Glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
O Virgin Theotokos unceasingly entreat Christ our God,* who was crucified for us* and arose again destroying the dominion of death,* that He save 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 7
While the grave was sealed, O Christ God,* You, the Life, shone forth from the tomb;* and while the doors were shut, You, the Resurrection of all,* appeared to Your Disciples,* and through them renewed a right Spirit within us,* according to Your great mercy.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
Bringing sweet spices with their tears, the women ran to the tomb,* and while the soldiers guarded You, the King of all,* they spoke one to another:* Who will roll away the stone for us?* The Angel of great Counsel has risen, trampling down death.* O All-powerful Lord, glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
Rejoice Virgin Theotokos, full of grace,* haven and protection of the race of mankind,* for from you the Redeemer of the world has taken flesh,* for you alone are a Mother and Virgin,* ever blessed and exceedingly glorified;* intercede with Christ God to grant peace to all the world.
Polyeleos
Magnification
We magnify you,* O venerable father Chariton,* and we honour your holy memory,* instructor of monastics and converser with the angels.
verse: With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive to me, and He hearkened to my supplication.
verse: He set my feet upon a rock, and He ordered my steps aright.
Glory… Now…
Glory be to You, O God! (3)
Evlogitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 7
O Christ God, who took upon Yourself our form* and endured the Cross in the body,* save me by Your Resurrection,* as You alone love mankind.
Sessional Hymns
Tone 4, Podoben “Having been lifted up…”
Having disdained the enjoyment of things earthly and corruptible,* You followed after Christ,* and came to love the inhabitants of the desert* more than the beauty of the world and passing delight.* Hence, you were vouchsafed to bear witness and have joined the choirs of fasters.* With them pray that your servants be saved.
Tone 8, Podoben “Of the wisdom…”
Emulating the ways of John the Baptist and the virtues and fasting of Elijah the Tishbite,* you lived incorporeally, glorifying the unoriginate Trinity with the angels* and vanquishing the assaults of the brigands with your valour.* Therefore, you struggled mightily in your contest,* worshiping the divine incarnation of Christ and His divinity, O blessed Chariton.* Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins* to those who honour your holy memory with love.
Tone 4, Podoben “Having been lifted up…”
Having disdained the enjoyment of things earthly and corruptible,* You followed after Christ,* and came to love the inhabitants of the desert* more than the beauty of the world and passing delight.* Hence, you were vouchsafed to bear witness and have joined the choirs of fasters.* With them pray that your servants be saved.
Glory… Now…
After God it is to your divine protection that I, the lowly, flee, O Theotokos;* and, falling down, I pray: Have mercy, O all-pure one,* for my sins have gone over my head, and I fear and tremble before the torments.* O pure Lady, make supplication to your Son,* that He deliver me therefrom!
Hymn of Ascent, Tone 7
Antiphon 1
Having turned back the captivity of Sion from error,* quicken me also O Saviour,* and deliver me from slavery to the passions.
He who sows tribulations in the south with tears of fasting,* will reap with joy the sheaves of nourishment* of eternal life.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit is the source of divine treasures,* from Him comes wisdom, intelligence, and fear;* and to Him belongs* praise, glory, honour and worship.
Antiphon 2
Unless the Lord builds the house of the soul,* in vain do we labour;* for without Him no deed or word can be perfected.
Of the fruit of the womb the Saints,* moved by the Spirit,* sprout forth the Father’s teachings of filial adoption.
Glory… Now…
By the Holy Spirit all things have their being;* in the presence of all He is God,* the sovereign of the universe,* Light unapproachable, Life of all.
Antiphon 3
Those who fear the Lord and find the ways of life,* now and always are blessed* with immortal glory.
As you behold your offspring like shoots around your table,* rejoice, and be glad, bringing them to Christ* the Chief Shepherd of all.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit there be an abundance of grace,* riches of glory and a great depth of judgments;* for He is to be served as identical in glory and honour* with the Father and the Son.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Arise then, Lord,* lift up Your hand.* O God, do not forget the poor!
verse: I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart; I will recount all Your wonders.
Let everything that lives, Tone 7
Gospel
Luke 24:12-35
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Canon, Tone 7
Ode 1
Irmos: At a sign from you, O Lord, the nature of water was changed,* once free and flowing now it became as a wall, hard as the earth;* thus Israel walked dryshod* and sang you a song of victory.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
When you were condemned to an unjust death, O Lord, then the tyranny of death was judged by a tree; the prince of darkness could not prevail against you and was justly cast out.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Hell approached you with teeth which lacked the strength to crush your body and broke his jaws. Thus, O Saviour, you loosed the pains of death and on the third day rose again.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The pains of Eve, first mother, are undone, for your child-bearing was without pain, without knowledge of man. Therefore, All-pure, clearly seeing you to be the Mother of God, we give you glory.
Irmos: Traversing the impassible, uncommon path of the sea dry-shod, Israel the chosen cried aloud:* Let us sing to the Lord for He has been glorified!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The immaterial ladder of old, and the path of the sea made strangely firm, revealed your birthgiving, O pure one. We all sing to her for she has been glorified.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The power of the Most High, the perfect Hypostasis, the Wisdom of God incarnate of you, O all-pure one, has conversed with men, for He has been glorified.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The Sun of your righteousness has passed through the impassible door of your locked womb, O pure one, and has shone forth upon the world, for He has been glorified.
Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dry-shod feet,* Israel of old conquered the might of Amalek in the wilderness* through Moses’ hands stretched forth* in the form of the Cross.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
Having navigated the deep of the sea of the passions, O blessed one, with the life-bearing halyards of the Cross you caused the wicked noetic pharaoh to drown by the power of God.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
Disposed toward the Lord from your infancy, with divine wisdom you proclaimed Christ before the tyrants; and like Moses you cast down the arrogance of those who contended against you.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
Having forsaken the deception of Egypt and become an inhabitant of the desert, O venerable Chariton, in purity you conversed with the Pure One, and have received a heavenly inheritance.
Glory… Now…
By the will of the Father, you conceived the Son of God without seed, through the divine Spirit; and you gave birth to Him in the flesh who was begotten of the Father without mother and came forth from you for our sake without father.
Katavasia: I shall open my mouth, and the Spirit will inspire it,* and I shall utter the words of my song to the Queen and Mother:* I shall be seen radiantly keeping feast* and joyfully praising her wonders.
Ode 3
Irmos: Lord and Saviour, who in the beginning* established the heavens and every power of them,* by your almighty Word and the divine and all-effecting Spirit:* establish me firmly on the immovable rock of confession of you.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Of your own will for our sake ascending the cross to suffer the pain, O Saviour compassionate, you bear the stripes which are the cause of salvation and peace for all believers. Through it, O Merciful, we are all reconciled to your Father.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You cleansed me, wounded in soul by the serpent’s bite, O Christ, and showed me light when long ago I lay in darkness and corruption. For, by your cross, you came down into Hell and raised me up with yourself.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
By the prayers of your Mother who knew no man, O Saviour, grant peace to your world, give victory over his enemies to the king; and make those who praise you worthy of your ineffable glory.
Irmos: The bow of the mighty has been broken by Your might, O Christ,* and the strengthless have girded themselves with power.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
He who, as the Creator of time, is outside of all time, O Virgin, willingly made Himself a child through you.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Let us hymn the womb which is far more spacious than the heavens, through which Adam has come to abide in the heavens, rejoicing.
Irmos: The Church rejoices in You, O Christ, crying aloud:* You are my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
The reason-endowed flock of your disciples rejoices in you, O venerable one, spiritually partaking of your splendour.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
O venerable Chariton, to the Spirit of life you subjected carnal knowledge, as the cause of enmity towards God.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
Like David you laid low the power of the noetic alien Goliath, O venerable one, with the weaponry of the Spirit.
Glory… Now…
You alone, O Mother of God, have, in manner past nature, become the mediatress of blessings for those on earth; therefore, we cry out to you: Rejoice!
Katavasia: O Mother of God, living and plentiful fount,* give strength to those united in spiritual fellowship,* who sing hymns of praise to you:* and in your divine glory vouchsafe to them crowns of glory.
Kontakion
Tone 2, Podoben “In supplications…”
Having delighted in abstinence and bridled the desires of your flesh,* O divinely wise one, you were shown to increase in faith,* and flourished like the tree of life in the midst of paradise,* O most blessed and sacred Chariton.
Ikos
Standing before God, open my mouth by your right acceptable supplications, O all blessed and most glorious venerable martyr, that I may hymn your divine life and speak worthily of your virtues which you perfected on earth through your fervent love. For you were a most mighty confessor, and, loving vigil and purity, practiced abstinence with faith, O exceeding blessed and most sacred Chariton.
Sessional Hymn
Tone 8, “Of the Wisdom…”
Tested by the pangs of suffering and made firm though feats of asceticism,* you shone with greater lustre than gold in your piety* and became a pure receptacle of the Spirit.* You dispelled the darkness of the evil spirits,* and, assembling against them multitudes of monastics,* you beacme a shepherd and a most radiant beacon for them, O blessed Chariton.* Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins* to those who honour your holy memory with love.
Glory… Now…
Having fallen into subtle dangers laid for me by enemies visible and invisible,* and caught in the storm of my countless offenses,* I flee to the haven of your goodness, O pure one, as to my fervent help and protection.* Therefore, O all-pure one, earnestly entreat Him who became incarnate of you,* in behalf of all your servants who beseech you unceasingly, O all-pure Theotokos;* and ever pray to Him, that He grant remission of offenses* to those who hymn your glory as is meet.
Ode 4
Irmos: Leaving not the deep recesses of the Father,* yet you came to earth, Christ God;* I have heard of the mystery of your dispensation* and I glorify you, Lover of man.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
He who was made flesh of the Virgin gave his own back to the scourging, the innocent Master was maltreated for the sinning servant and annulled the charges against me.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The Maker of man, judging as God the whole earth in righteousness, stands before the seat of lawless judges as one called to account and convicted, and is struck by an earthly hand.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
All-blameless One, as truly Mother of God entreat your Son and Maker to guide me to the safe harbour of his glorious will.
Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, of Your glorious dispensation,* and I have glorified Your unapproachable power, O You who love mankind.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Behold! the most manifest Mother of God, the divine mountain of the house of the Lord, is exalted far above the heavenly hosts.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O Virgin who alone, outside the laws of nature, gave birth to the Ruler of creation: you have been vouchsafed a divine calling.
Irmos: Out of love for Your image You stood affixed to the Cross, O Compassionate One,* and the nations melted away;* for You are my strength and boast,* O You who love mankind.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
Rejoicing in the Lord as a victor, O venerable one, you challenged the incorporeal foe, crying: God is my strength and Lord!
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
Grace crowned you with the athlete’s wreath of the kingdom of Christ, O Chariton; for you uprooted the drunkenness of deception, O blessed one.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
Having mortified with the pangs of abstinence the pleasures which tormented you before your repose, O Chariton, you were invested with a life-bearing death.
Glory… Now…
Your birthgiving was shown to be ineffable, O Theotokos who alone are pure and blessed; therefore, falling down before you, we cry out: Rejoice!
Katavasia: He who sits in glory upon the throne of the Godhead,* Jesus the true God, is come in a swift cloud* and with His sinless hands he has saved those who cry:* Glory to Your power, O Christ.
Ode 5
Irmos: Night is without light to unbelievers, O Christ,* but to the faithful it is enlightenment in the delight of your divine words.* And so I rise early to you* and praise your Godhead.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Christ, you are sold on behalf of your servants, you endure the scourging, bringing freedom to those who sing to you; early I rise to you and sing the praises of your divinity.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
By your divine power, O Christ, by means of the weakness of the flesh, you have overthrown the strong one, and through your resurrection, O Saviour, you have revealed me as a conqueror of death.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Pure Mother, all-praised, fittingly you brought forth God, made flesh of you, for without knowledge of man but by the Holy Spirit you conceived.
Irmos: The burning Ember was revealed to Isaiah,* and the Sun has shone forth from the Virgin’s womb,* granting the enlightenment of the knowledge of God* to those who have gone astray in darkness.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Clouds of gladness rain down delight upon those on earth; for to us has a Child been given who has existed from before the ages: our God incarnate of the Virgin.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Light has shone forth upon my life and my flesh, and has destroyed the gloom of sin: the most Exalted One who, in the latter days, was incarnate without seed of the Virgin.
Irmos: You have come into the world as a light, O my Lord:* a holy light which turns from the gloom of ignorance those who sing to You with faith.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
You, O venerable and most blessed Chariton, have been splendidly manifest as a bright mirror of the light of the effulgence of the Most High.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
You, O venerable one, shone with twofold grace; for you were piously adorned with the wounds of suffering and with the pangs of asceticism.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
You, O venerable and most blessed one, have been shown to be a physician of souls, having sought out divine wisdom from earliest infancy.
Glory… Now…
We wield you as an invincible weapon against the enemy, O Bride of God, and have acquired you as our might and the hope of our salvation.
Katavasia: The whole world was amazed* at your divine glory:* for you, O Virgin who have not known wedlock,* have held in your womb the God of all* and have given birth to an eternal Son,* who rewards with salvation all who sing your praises.
Ode 6
Irmos: Sick on the rolling swell of the cares of this life,* thrown overboard by the sins that sail with me* and hurled to the soul-destroying beast,* as Jonah I cry to you:* O Christ, lead me up* from these death-dealing deeps.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The souls of the righteous imprisoned in Hell and forsaken had remembered you and were praying for your salvation; and you granted it, Christ, through your cross when you, the Compassionate, went down to the deepest parts of the earth.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The band of the apostles despaired of seeing you again, the living temple not made with human hands and destroyed by all that befell it. But worshipping beyond all hope, they everywhere proclaimed you risen from the dead.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Virgin Bride of God, who of mankind can explain the all-spotless manner of your ineffable child-bearing for our sakes? For the Word being united to you, the uncircumscribed God became flesh.
Irmos: Hearkening to the sound of the cries of entreaty* which issue from a soul in pain, O Master,* deliver me from my grievous sins,* for You alone are the Cause of our salvation.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Human nature, enslaved to sin, has obtained freedom through you, O pure Mistress; for your Son has been sacrificed like a lamb.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
We all cry out to you, the true Mother of God: Save your wrath-filled servants, for you alone have boldness before your Son.
Irmos: I shall sacrifice to You with a voice of praise, O Lord,* the Church cries out to You,* cleansed of the blood of demons* by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Your side.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
Laying your foundation on Christ, not on sand, you built up virtue more pure than gold, O father, and became the dwelling-place of the All-holy Trinity.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
The serpent is known to be the instrument of evil; yet, vanquished by your excellence, O Chariton, it wrought vengeance upon the wicked through the providence of the Righteous One.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
Nothing was able to separate you from the love of Christ: neither a body covered with wounds, nor the threat of a sentence of death; for you delighted in divine solitude, O blessed one.
Glory… Now…
O wonder newer than all wonders! For, conceiving in her womb Him who sustains all things by His word, without knowing man, the Virgin did not confine Him.
Katavasia: As we celebrate* this sacred and solemn feast of the Mother of God,* let us come, clapping our hands, O people of the Lord,* and give glory to God who was born of her.
Kontakion, Tone 7
No longer shall the dominion of death be able to hold humanity,* for Christ went down shattering and destroying it s powers.* Hades is bound.* The prophets exult with one voice.* The Saviour has come for those with faith, saying:* “Come forth, O faithful, to the resurrection!”
Ikos
Today, death and Hell and the lowest depths shake with terror at the presence of one of the Trinity. Earth is thrown into confusion, at the sight of you Hell’s doorkeepers cower in fear. But all creation, rejoicing with the prophets, sings to you, sings a song of victory to our Redeemer and God, destroying now the power of death. Come, let us raise a shout of joy to A dam and all his children: The tree has brought him back. Come out, you faithful, into the resurrection.
Ode 7
Irmos: The young men of old have shown us a blazing furnace* cool with the gently falling dew,* and themselves singing the praise of the one God and saying:* The most highly exalted, God of our fathers, glorious above all is he.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
A dam of his own will worked disobedience and was slain by a tree; Christ’s obedience formed him anew; for the Son of God was crucified for me, glorious above all is he.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The whole creation hymns you, Christ, rising from the tomb, for you have caused life to blossom for those in Hell, resurrection for the dead and light for those in darkness. Glorious above all is he.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Hail, daughter of the corrupted Adam! Hail, sole bride of God! Hail, you who gave birth to God and through whom corruption has been banished! Pray to him, Pure One, to save us all.
Irmos: The youths of old showed themselves to be orators with the greatest love of wisdom;* for, speaking of God with their lips,* they sang from the depths of their God-pleasing souls:* O most divine God of our fathers, blessed are You!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
At night, Jacob beheld God as in a dream, and He who was incarnate of you has manifested Himself in splendour to those who chant: Most divine and supremely glorified is the God of our fathers!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
He who wrestled with Jacob, prefiguring the ineffable union in you, O pure one, whereby He willingly united Himself to mankind, is the most divine and supremely glorified God of our fathers.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
The vile one who did not proclaim You, the Son of the Virgin, to be One of the All-hymned Trinity, cried out with steadfast thought with his tongue: Most divine and supremely glorified is the God of our fathers!
Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace,* afire with love of piety more than with the flame,* cried out: Blessed are You* in the temple of Your glory, O Lord!
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
Emulating in the zeal of your piety the children of Abraham who were cast into the furnace, O God-bearer, you trampled the command of the tyrant underfoot, crying out: Blessed are You, O Lord my God!
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
When you were as in a furnace of burning temptation, O venerable one, from heaven the cooling grace of God visited you who cried: Blessed are You, O Lord my God!
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
As one wounded with love for God in Trinity, you offered Him an equal number of monasteries, which chant in spirit: Blessed are You in the temple of Your glory, O Lord!
Glory… Now…
Rejoice, O sanctified and divine habitation of the Most High! For through you, O Theotokos, has joy been given to those who cry: Blessed are you among women, O most immaculate Lady!
Katavasia: The holy children bravely trampled upon the threatening fire,* refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator,* and they sang in joy:* Blessed are You and praised above all, O Lord God of our Fathers.
Ode 8
Irmos: Burning yet unconsumed, the bush in Sinai made God known to Moses,* slow of tongue and hard of hearing.* And the burning zeal for God revealed the three young men unharmed in the fire and singing:* Praise the Lord, all his works,* and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The undefiled and reasonable Lamb, in sacrifice slain for the world, brought to an end the offerings according to the law and as God, apart from transgressions, cleansed the law now crying out: Praise the Lord, all his works, and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The flesh the Maker took from us before his Passion was not incorruptible; but after Passion and Rising, it was rendered inaccessible to corruption and re-makes mortal men, who cry: Praise the Lord, all his works, and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Your purity, your total spotlessness, O Virgin, has cleansed the sordid and polluted things of our world, and you, All-pure, have become for us a cause of reconciliation with God. Therefore, O Virgin, we bless and highly exalt you throughout all the ages.
Irmos: The thrice-blessed youths, disdaining the golden image* and beholding the immutable and living image of God,* chanted in the midst of the fire:* Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and supremely exalt Him to all ages!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
To Him who is incomparable in grace, and through you became visible on earth and dwelt amongst mankind, we the faithful cry aloud, chanting: Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and supremely exalt Him to all ages!
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Truly proclaiming you the pure one, we glorify you, O Theotokos, for you gave birth to the One of the Trinity who became incarnate. And with the Father and the Spirit we chant to Him: Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and supremely exalt Him to all ages!
Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the mouths of the lions in the pit;* and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue,* quenched the power of the fire, crying out:* Bless the Lord, O you works of the Lord!
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
The deception of the Persians who kindle fire in their unrighteousness, you utterly consumed, O venerable one, while you yourself remained untouched through the activity of the Holy Spirit; and you have elevated men to piety, that they may chant: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
Having cast off the old man, you truly clothed yourself in Christ, denouncing the hordes of the ruler of this world with the wounds of your suffering, and crying out in gladness: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
As a true disciple of Paul, O venerable Chariton, you followed in his steps; and you were shown to be a guide for monks and a standard of virtue for all who cry: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Glory… Now…
Alone among all generations, you have been revealed as the Mother of God, O pure Virgin. You were the abode of the Godhead, O most immaculate one, who was not consumed by the fire of the unapproachable Light. Therefore, we all call you blessed, O Mary, you Bride of God.
We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord. We extol and exalt Him above all for ever.
Katavasia: The Offspring of the Theotokos saved the holy children in the furnace.* He who was then prefigured has since been born on earth,* and He gathers all the creation to sing:* O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: Conceiving without taint of corruption,* lending your flesh to the Word, the Deviser of all,* Mother knowing no man, Virgin, Godbearer,* vessel receiving the illimitable* and dwelling for your infinite Maker:* we magnify you.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Be silent, you minds estranged, who fit suffering to the divinity; for we magnify the Lord of glory, crucified in the flesh but not crucified in the divine nature: one person in two natures.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
All you who deny the body’s resurrection, go to the tomb of Christ and learn that the flesh of the giver of life was put to death and rose again in assurance of the final resurrection; for this we hope.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
As we worship not a trinity of Godheads but of persons, not oneness of persons but of Godhead, we part from those who divide and confound those who dare to confuse the Trinity whom we magnify.
Irmos: You are all desire, all sweetness, O Word of God,* Son of the Virgin, God of gods, all-holy Lord of the saints.* Therefore, we magnify You* and her who gave You birth.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
In your womb, O pure one, the Word of God was given to corruptible nature as a staff of strength. And he restored what had been dragged down to Hades. Therefore, we magnify you, O all-pure one, as the Theotokos.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
O Master, mercifully accept Your mother as an intercessor in our behalf, as You have willed, and all things shall be filled with Your goodness, that we all may magnify You as our Benefactor.
Irmos: Christ, who united the two disparate natures,* the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands,* was cut from you, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin.* Therefore, in gladness we magnify you, O Theotokos.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
Not even the grave, the conduit of oblivion, was able to conceal your virtues, O venerable Chariton; for your everlasting memory has shone forth like the sun, and we magnify it as is meet.
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
Come, brethren, and, spiritually celebrating the annual commemoration of the God-bearer and emulating his virtues, let us give rein to our zeal and cry out with him: We magnify You, O Thrice-holy Lord!
O venerable father and confessor, Chariton, pray to God for us!
As you have boldness before Christ, O confessor, ever preserve those who piously magnify you, and who are whirled about by the passions and are drowning amid the tempest of sin.
Glory… Now…
Rejoice and be glad, O Bride of the great King, radiantly contemplating the beauty of your Bridegroom, which in lustre is brighter than gold and outshines the sun!
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:* Rejoice! Pure and blessed Ever-Virgin, who gave birth to God.
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.
Having first been well tested by suffering and then completed a second divine race by fasting, you ascended to the heavens, O venerable father Chariton, and stand before Christ, praying for us who fervently sing to you.
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 7
Christ is risen from the dead,* loosing the bonds of death;* O earth! proclaim the good tidings of great joy; and you heavens praise the glory of God.
Having seen the Resurrection of Christ,* let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one.
We cease not to worship the Holy Resurrection of Christ,* for He has saved us from our iniquities,* Holy is the Lord Jesus* who has shown us the Resurrection.
What shall we render to the Lord for all that He has rendered unto us?* For our sake God dwelled among us;* for our corrupted nature the Word became flesh and dwelled within us;* to the ungrateful He is the Benefactor;* to prisoners He is the Liberator;* to those in darkness He is the Sun of justice;* the path to the Cross;* the Light to Hades; Life to death;* Resurrection for the fallen:* to Him we cry aloud: Our God, glory be to You!’
Tone 4, Podoben “You have given a sign…”
The grace of the Spirit, shining upon you, O Chariton our father,* illumined you with splendour;* hence you rolled back the night of the passions* and attained to the daylight of dispassion,* having united yourself in pure fashion to the most pure Light.* Abiding therein, forget not, O divinely eloquent one,* those who with faith hymn your sacred memory.
The grace of the Spirit, shining upon you, O Chariton our father,* illumined you with splendour;* hence you rolled back the night of the passions* and attained to the daylight of dispassion,* having united yourself in pure fashion to the most pure Light.* Abiding therein, forget not, O divinely eloquent one,* those who with faith hymn your sacred memory.
Bearing the grace of heaven which you desired, O Chariton,* you spurned the things of this earth;* therefore, like one incorporeal, you chose a life of misery,* desiring to quench your thirst with piety, as at a torrent of ever-existing sweetness;* and with your tears you dried up the turbid spring of the passions, O venerable one,* and have watered the grain of men’s souls.
From divine grace, O Chariton,* you worthily received the grace of healings;* hence, the deception of the evil spirits falls down before you,* and you passed through unpleasant afflictions, escaping corruption, O venerable one.* For you pour forth like water the streams of your grace;* and drinking thereof, we hymn your memory.
Tone 5, Glory…
How wise are Your judgments, O Christ!* You granted Peter the understanding of Your resurrection by the burial wrappings alone.* Even though You accompanied Luke and Cleopas and conversed with them,* yet You did not reveal Yourself.* You were taunted by them as though You alone were a stranger in Jerusalem,* not knowing what had recently happened there.* But since You ordained all things for the good of each,* You explained to them what the prophets had spoken concerning You.* In the breaking of the bread they recognized You* because their hearts were already burning with the desire to know You.* When they came together with the disciples,* they proclaimed openly Your divine resurrection* by which we ask that You have mercy upon 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 7: By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.
Troparion, Tone 8: With the streams of your tears you cultivated the barren desert,* with deep sighs your toils bore fruit a hunderedfold.* You became a beacon, shining throughout the world by your wonders,* our venerable Father, Chariton.* Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 7: No longer shall the dominion of death be able to hold humanity,* for Christ went down shattering and destroying it s powers.* Hades is bound.* The prophets exult with one voice.* The Saviour has come for those with faith, saying:* “Come forth, O faithful, to the resurrection!”
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 2: Taking delight in self-mastery, O divinely wise one,* you bridled your fleshly desires and were shown to grow through faith.* You flowered like the tree of life in the midst of paradise,* O all-blessed and holy Chariton.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The Lord will give strength to His people;* the Lord will bless His people with peace.
verse: Bring to the Lord, O you sons of God; bring to the Lord young rams. (Psalm 28:11,1)
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The venerable ones will exult in glory* and they shall be joyful in their beds.
Epistle
2 Corinthians 6:1-10; 2 Corinthians 4:6-15
Alleluia, Tone 7
verse: It is good to give praise to the Lord; and to sing to Your name, O Most High.
verse: To announce Your mercy in the morning, and Your truth every night. (Psalm 91:2,3)
verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments. (Psalm 111:1)
Gospel
Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 6:17-23
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear*. Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.