Saint with Six Stichera. Resurrection Gospel 2.

GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

Tone 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Noetic beams of universal joy have shone forth upon the world,* heralding Christ God, the Sun of righteousness,* to all in your nativity, O all-pure one.* For you have been shown to be the mediatress* of true gladness and grace.

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

This, the glory of your fore-feast, O all-pure one,* proclaims to all the people your benefactions which transcend description;* for you are now for us the mediatress of gladness* and the cause of joy to come,* O Ever-virgin Theotokos.

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

The Maiden who held God within her womb, the pure Theotokos,* the glory of the prophets, the daughter of David* is born today of Joachim and the chaste Anna;* and the curse of Adam which lay upon us* is annulled by her nativity.

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

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

When He who of His own will took our weakness upon Him* strengthened your infirmity with power, O blessed one,* for His sake you ran the race of martyrdom, rejoicing,* and with your most beautiful feet crushed the impotent enemy.* Therefore, Jesus, who loves mankind, the Saviour of our souls,* has woven wreaths of victory for you.

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

When you were wounded, O glorious one,* you wounded your enemies and cast them down to the ground,* armed with the Cross and manifestly arrayed in invincible armour,* made steadfast by the love of Him who has translated you to the noetic kingdoms* as an unvanquished martyr, a heavenly man.

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

Manifestly emulating the Saviour and Lord* who for you underwent voluntary sufferings, O athlete Sozon,* you of your own will gave yourself over to wounds and stripes and unbearable torments.* Therefore, He has honoured you with heavenly gifts and showed you forth as a well-spring of healings* for those who love you.

Tone 4, Glory…

O Virgin all-holy and pure,* we, the multitude of angels in heaven and the human race on earth,* bless your most honoured nativity,* in that you became the Mother of Christ God, the Creator of all.* Never cease to entreat Him, we pray,* in behalf of us who, after God, have placed our trust in you,* O most lauded Theotokos who knew not wedlock.

Tone 4, Now…

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

Aposticha

Tone 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tone 4, Glory… Now…

Universal joy has shone forth upon us from the righteous Joachim and Anna,* O most lauded Virgin who, in your exceeding purity,* became the animate temple of God, and who alone are truly known to be the Theotokos.* Through her prayers, O Christ God,* send peace upon the world and great mercy upon our souls.

Troparia

Tone 4

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

Glory…

O Lord our God, your holy martyr Sozon* has deserved the crown of immortality* on account of his good fight.* Armed with your strength, he has vanquished his persecutors* and crushed Satan’s dreadful might.* Through his supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls.

Now…

Today is born to us, from the stem of Jesse and the loins of David,* Mary, the Maiden of God.* Therefore, the whole creation rejoices and is renewed;* and you peoples of the world, sing to her a joyful hymn of praise.* Joachim is elated and Anne shouts for joy:* The barren one gives birth to the Mother of God,* the Sustainer of our life.

GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 4

Troparia, Tone 4

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

Glory…

O Lord our God, your holy martyr Sozon* has deserved the crown of immortality* on account of his good fight.* Armed with your strength, he has vanquished his persecutors* and crushed Satan’s dreadful might.* Through his supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls.

Now…

Today is born to us, from the stem of Jesse and the loins of David,* Mary, the Maiden of God.* Therefore, the whole creation rejoices and is renewed;* and you peoples of the world, sing to her a joyful hymn of praise.* Joachim is elated and Anne shouts for joy:* The barren one gives birth to the Mother of God,* the Sustainer of our life.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4

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

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4

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

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Polyeleos

Evoglitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 4

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

Gradual Hymns, Tone 4

Antiphon 1

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Antiphon 2

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Antiphon 3

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Prokeimenon, Tone 4

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

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

Let everything that lives, Tone 4

Gospel

Mark 16:1-18

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verses at Psalm 50

Canon, Tone 4

Ode 1

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

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

Irmos: I shall open my mouth, and with the Spirit will it be filled;* and I shall utter discourse to the Queen and Mother,* and shall appear, radiantly keeping festival;* and, rejoicing, I shall hymn her wonders.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Rejoicing today, let us with gladness hymn the divine nativity of the Mother of God; for she has given birth to the Joy of the universe which destroys the grief of our first mother.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

From a barren woman the all-pure and most immaculate Mistress issues forth barren of sin, whom the law prefigured and the proclamations of the divine heralds of God announced.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

You became the temple and palace of the King, wherein, fashioning a habitation for Himself, the Transcendent One makes of the faithful a dwelling-place of the Holy Trinity.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

The most comely wedding chamber, the most exalted throne of God, whereon the Transcendent One seated Himself in the flesh, issues forth from a barren woman; and He raises up those who sit in the darkness of perdition to the knowledge of the Light, by His goodness.

Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet,* Israel of old conquered the might of Amalek in the wilderness* through Moses’ hands stretched forth* in the form of the Cross.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

O all-glorious one, entreat now the Lord and Benefactor, that those who honour your memory today be saved from all manner of dangers, tribulations, and sorrows; and help them.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

Christ has truly shown you forth as a most radiant star in the firmament of the Church, O all-praised martyr, illumining the whole world with the splendours of your sufferings.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

Having roiled the sea of impiety as a steed of the Lord, O martyr, in the abyss of your precious and holy blood you drowned all the power of the adversary like Pharaoh.

Glory… Now…

By the will of the Father, through the divine Spirit, you conceived the Son of God without seed and give birth in the flesh to Him who has existence from the Father without mother and was born of you without a father for our sake.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

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

Irmos: Like a barren woman has the Church of the gentiles given birth,* and she could scarce bear the great assembly of children come forth from her.* Let us cry out to our wondrous God:* Holy are You, O Lord!

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

A fertile land is born of a barren land, bearing as fruit the Husbandman of all good things, the life-bearing Grain who nourishes all by His divine gesture.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Today has the rod of virginity sprouted forth, from whence our God, the Gardener, blossoms forth as a flower, cutting down the branches of wickedness by His extreme beauty.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Lo! the mountain unquarried, which arose from a barren rock, produces the noetically quarried Stone, who crushes the falsehood of all graven idols.

Irmos: The Church rejoices in You, O Christ, crying aloud:* You are my strength, O Lord, my refuge, and my consolation!

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

The streams of your blood, flowing forth like a river for Christ’s sake, have quenched the fire of the impious, O ever-hymned martyr and athlete.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

The infliction of wounds you patiently bore, like an impregnable tower, O glorious one, bringing down the fortress of deception.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

Like David you brought low the noetic Goliath, the tyrant and his army, with the stone of faith, O most glorious one.

Glory… Now…

O Mother of God, you alone have in manner transcending nature shown yourself to be the mediatress of good things. 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 3

Today the holy Virgin and God-bearer Mary* is born from a barren womb by divine counsel.* She is the everlasting bridal chamber of the heavenly bridegroom.* Today the chariot of the Word is adorned,* and the door for God is foretold;* she is called the Mother of Life.

Ikos

The divine Maiden Mary, whom once the prophets of God foresaw in the Spirit, has been given as the fruit of a barren woman. Beholding her today leaping up in the womb of Anna, with the faithful Joachim we noetically make haste to the appointed feast, and, standing afar off, cry aloud, saying: The restoration of this world has now sprouted forth from the womb of the barren woman: the divine portal and Mother of life!

Kontakion, Tone 2

Let us gather together and loudly sing to Sozon,* the holy and genuine martyr, expert fighter for the faith,* mystical seer of divine grace, generous provider of healing;* for he is our intercessor before God.

Ikos

Come and with hymns let us all now earnestly praise Sozon, the great athlete who has manifestly shone forth in the honoured and divine Church of Christ, offering worthy hymns to him: for he truly laid low the savagery of the idolaters, and, bestowing salvation, ever abides with the faithful. Therefore, drawn by love, O mortals, let us now call him blessed, honouring the precious and glorious memory of the athlete, and crying aloud: O most blessed Sozon, entreat Christ God in behalf of us all!

Sessional Hymn

Tone 4, Glory…

Saved by faith, O much-suffering Sozon,* you art become a refuge for the tempest-tossed through the providence of Christ God;* for you pour forth rivers of healings upon those who honour you,* and ever drive out sickness and fever.* Therefore, we honour your divine memory with faith.

Tone 8, Glory…

Let heaven rejoice and let the earth be glad!* For the heaven of God is born on earth:* this divine Bride born of the promise.* A barren woman nourishes the babe Mary,* and Joachim rejoices in her nativity, saying:* The rod is born to me, from whence Christ, the Flower, is arisen out of the root of David!* Truly this is a most glorious wonder!

Ode 4

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

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

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

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

The Maiden who is more exalted than the angels is born on earth, in holiness and purity beyond compare; and she gives birth to Christ, the purification, sanctification, and perfect deliverance of all.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Blessed was the fruit of Anna; for she bore in her womb her who would contain the blessed and infinite Word who bestows regeneration upon all the faithful.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Now the gloom of evil begins to break, for the most immaculate one, the animate cloud of the Sun, has shone forth from a barren womb. Her radiant nativity we celebrate.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

As a fruitful olive-tree sprung forth from the root of Jesse, O Virgin, has Anna first given birth to thee who will cause the merciful Word to spring forth. His mercy and truth abide forever.

Irmos: Beholding Your lifted up upon the Cross,* O Sun of righteousness,* the Church stood in her place, crying out as is meet:* Glory to Your power, O Lord!

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

Set afire by the love of God, O most blessed one, with your words you utterly consumed all the tinder-like fuel of the ungodly; and, rejoicing, you cried out: Glory to Your power, O Lord!

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

As a sanctified temple of the Lord, you ran into the temple of the ungodly and manfully break the objects of their worship, O all-lauded athlete and martyr.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

Your sacred temple has been shown to be the healing of all manner of illness for those who have recourse to it in faith and who honour your valiant deeds therein, O all-praised athlete Sozon.

Glory… Now…

You gave birth to the Lord without knowing wedlock, O Virgin, and after your birthgiving were shown to be a Virgin still. Therefore, with unwavering faith and voices unstilled we cry out to you, O Lady: 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: Lord, my light, you have come into the world;* O holy light, turn from the darkness of ignorance all who sing to you in faith.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

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

Irmos: All things are filled with awe at your divine glory,* for you, O Virgin who has not known wedlock,* had within your womb Him who is God over all,* and gave birth to the timeless Son, granting peace to all who hymn you.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Now is the sealed book born, which it is impossible for mortals to read by the nature of the law, and which is kept in the dwelling-place of the Word. For by the Spirit has she revealed the books of the divinely eloquent.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

The vine of salvation is born today, which blossomed forth the divine Cluster of incorruption, which pours forth sweetness; and everyone, drinking mystically thereof, brings forth divine and salvific gladness as fruit.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Leap up, O men, joining chorus with the angels! As the Virgin is born today of the barren woman, sadness comes to an end and is transformed into joy for those who celebrate her divine nativity.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Most manifestly did the prophet describe you as a new and divine scroll, whereon the Word is written by the finger of the Father, O Virgin, in His goodness inscribing in the Book of Life all who submit to His authority.

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 hymn You with faith.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

You, O martyr, illumined by the light of the Trinity, destroyed the gloom of the ungodliness of polytheism, as an ever-radiant beacon.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

Shown to be a rose of comely blossom by the flow of your blood, O blessed one, you have perfumed the world with the sweet fragrance of your miracles.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

As a noetic cluster of the vineyard of Christ, you have poured forth the right compunctionate wine of martyrdom upon those who glorify you with faith.

Glory… Now…

We hold you as an invincible weapon against the enemy, and we have you as the foundation and hope of our salvation, O Bride of God.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

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

Irmos: Celebrating this divine and most honoured festival of the Mother of God,* come, divinely wise, let us clap our hands and glorify God who was born of her.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Today is born the bridge which leads mankind to the Light, the ladder of heaven, the most manifest mountain of God, the Virgin Theotokos, whom we call blessed.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Anna, the shell, has given rise to the purple which later will dye the fleece of the King’s incarnation. We all hymn her as is meet.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

A well-spring has now issued forth from a little drop: the most immaculate one who, having given birth to the Abyss of salvation, causes the boundless streams of polytheism to cease.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

You sprung forth from a barren root, O ever-blessed Virgin Theotokos, and by your divine budding forth have cut off the thorns of wickedness at the root.

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 holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

Desiring to be slain as an unblemished sacrifice, for the sake of God’s love, you offered yourself up on His altar. Therefore, we piously honour you, O all-lauded one.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

Having sailed over the deep of deception without foundering, you attained to the haven of the kingdom on high, O blessed martyr, enjoying everlasting calm.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

The tormenter pitilessly raked your sides with claws of iron; but you gloriously committed your spirit in the hands of God, O ever memorable and most blessed one.

Glory… Now…

O wonder more recent than all wonders! The Virgin, having conceived in her womb, without knowing man, Him who sustains all things, 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 4

My Saviour and Deliverer from the grave* as God raised out of bondage the children of the earth* and shattered the gates of Hades;* and as Master, He rose on the third day.

Ikos

Today Christ, the giver of life, has risen from the dead, come after three days from the tomb; by his might he has smashed the doors of death, put Hell to death and crushed death’s sting and Adam with Eve set free. Let all of us born of the earth sing to him, in thankfulness fervently cry out his praise. For he, the lone strong One, on the third day as God and as Lord has risen.

Ode 7

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

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

Irmos: The divinely wise youths worshipped not a creation rather than the Creator,* but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot, they rejoiced,* chanting: Blessed are You,* the all-hymned Lord and God of our fathers!

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Blessed are Joachim and Anna, who manifestly gave birth to the blessed and pure Mother of God who gave birth to the blessed Word who makes all the faithful blessed.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

As a precious gift did your parents acquire you who conceived God, who has enriched with better gifts those who cry out: Blessed are You, O Lord and God of our fathers!

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

More blessed than wine are your breasts, O divinely called Anna; for with sacred breasts you nurtured with milk her who gave suck to the all-blessed Word, the Bestower of milk, the Nourisher of all things that breathe.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

O divinely inspired David, leap up, strike your psaltery and dance! For, lo! the ark which of old you proclaimed comes forth from a barren womb, reserved for the King and God of creation.

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 holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

Cast into the furnace of painful torments, O martyr, you received from God the dew of endurance, and cried out in thanksgiving: Blessed are You in the temple of Your glory, O Lord!

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

Possessed of a soul more luminous than any gold, you in no wise desired to sacrifice to the soulless god of beaten gold, and offered yourself to the Lord as a sacrifice of sweet savour.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

The great Shepherd appointed you, His unblemished lamb, as shepherd for the sheep of his true flock, O martyr, showing you undevoured by the noetic wolves, O most lauded one.

Glory… Now…

Rejoice, O hallowed and divine habitation of the Most High. For through you, O Theotokos, has joy been given to those who cry out: 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: Daniel, with hands outspread in the den,* stopped the gaping jaws of the lions;* the three children, lovers of God,* clothed in the virtue of godliness,* quenched the power of the fire and sang aloud:* Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

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

Irmos: The birthgiving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the furnace:* then in figure, but now in deed;* and she moves all the world to chant to You:* Sing to the Lord, all you works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Let us give movement to our tongue in hymnody, honouring the divine nativity of her who, through the Spirit, made incarnate the all-divine Word; and let us cry aloud: Sing to the Lord, all you works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Leap up, you prophets of God, honouring the nativity of the Virgin; for she has fulfilled the prophecy of all of you, giving birth to Christ, the God of all, who is foretold by you. We exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

O mountains, resound with gladness! O apostles and martyrs, join chorus! O venerable and righteous, rejoice today in the nativity of the Mother of the Lord, cry out: Sing to the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

The most pure Mother of the Word has blossomed forth as a fragrant apple; she has appeared as a divine rose, perfumed the ends of the world today and banished the cause of our sin. We exalt her supremely for all ages!

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Human nature, bereft of the precious gifts of the divine Spirit, was made glad on this day, seeing the divine Maiden born of a barren woman; and it cried out: Sing to the Lord, all you works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions’ mouths 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 holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

Removing the arm of the golden idol, O wise one, you distributed it among the poor, securing for yourself the truly incalculable riches of martyrdom, O ever-memorable one who cried out: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

When the incorporeal foe wrestled with you, you cast him down with the assistance of Christ. Therefore, He Himself has bestowed honours upon you: the ability to work miracles. To Him you cried out, rejoicing: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

Opening your mouth, you filled it with the Spirit, O most lauded Sozon, and the mouths of those who blaspheme the Creator you filled with all manner of shame; and, rejoicing, you cried out to Christ: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!

Glory… Now…

Among all generations, O pure Virgin, you alone have been shown to be the Mother of God. You were the receptacle of God, O most immaculate one, who was not consumed by the fire of the unapproachable Light. Therefore, we all call you blessed, O Mary, 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: From you, O Virgin, the mountain unhewn,* is taken the stone uncut by human hands:* Christ the cornerstone, disparate natures joining together.* Therefore, we rejoice and magnify you, Mother of God.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

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

Irmos: Let every earth-born man leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit;* and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival,* honouring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud:* Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Lo! the holy place of God has been shown forth! The all-glorious city of the King has been erected! The luminous garden of paradise has splendidly blossomed forth her who is the mediatress of paradise, the point of reconciliation between God and man.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Today has the lamp of the Light appeared, in which the pre-eternal golden Light, having taken up His abode, illumines those who languish in the night of evils, destroys the gloom of ungodliness, and truly causes all to share in the day, because of their faith.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Today the earth joins in chorus, for it has seen the new and most comely heaven of God born. And dwelling therein in the flesh, He raises men up higher than the heavens and deifies all in His goodness. Chanting, we magnify Him with faith.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

Joachim and Anna, the all-comely pair, have given rise to the unblemished heifer. And the fatted Calf who came forth from her was slain for the world, taking upon Himself the transgressions of men and destroying the sacrifices offered to the demons.

O most holy Theotokos, save us!

O Theotokos who gave birth to the Light, illumine us who in the Spirit celebrate your radiant nativity, and show us to have a share of the light which is to come; and by your maternal supplications, O all-pure one, grant us peace and deliverance from evils.

Canon of the Martyr

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 holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

Cast down to the ground, you were shown to be a chosen stone of Christ the Chief Cornerstone, O martyr, destroying the fortress of deception, and making firm the hearts of the faithful.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

The Church of Christ, having now acquired you as a stream of life, is ever adorned with the majesty of your sufferings and miracles, O martyr, having quenched its thirst with your blood as with water.

O holy martyr Sozon, pray to God for us!

You found the kingdom of heaven to be the reward of your struggles and labours, O divinely wise Sozon. Joining chorus therein, O most glorious one, be mindful of those who with faith keep your sacred memory.

Glory… Now…

Loose now the chains of my offenses, O Virgin Theotokos who gave birth to the Source of loving-kindness; and fill me with joy, O you who alone are blessed of God, that I may magnify you as is meet.

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.

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

When the myrrh-bearing women saw the stone rolled away, they rejoiced;* for they saw a young man sitting at the grave who said to them:* Behold, Christ is risen!* Say to Peter, the disciple of the Lord:* Hasten to the mountain in Galilee;* there you shall see Christ* as He had said to His friends.

Glory…

Armed with the weapon of your precious Cross, O Word, Your athlete soundly vanquished the hosts of the adversary and put the tyrants to shame; he suffered for You, O my Christ, King of all, and ever reigns with You.

Now…

Be renewed, O Adam, and be magnified, O Eve! O prophets, join chorus with the apostles and the righteous! For the common joy of angels and men has shone forth today from the righteous Joachim and Anna: Mary the Theotokos.

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 4

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

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

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

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

Tone 2

Come, O descendants of Adam, let us hymn the Virgin, the all-pure Mary,* who has sprung forth from David* and given birth to Christ.

Come, O descendants of Adam, let us hymn the Virgin, the all-pure Mary,* who has sprung forth from David* and given birth to Christ.

Let us offer praise to our Deliverer and Lord* who from a barren woman has given us the Theotokos,* the only Ever-virgin.

The Mother of the King of all, the joy of all the universe,* is born today from a barren womb* most gloriously.

Tone 2, Glory…

The Queen of all, the dwelling-place of God foretold of old,* the divine habitation of the ever-existent Essence,* has come forth today from the barren womb of the glorious Anna.* Because of her Hades has been trampled underfoot,* and Eve, the mother of us all, is led into steadfast life.* Let us cry out to her as is meet:* Blessed are you among women,* and blessed is the Fruit of your womb!

Tone 2, Now…

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

Great Doxology

Trisagion Prayers

Troparion, Tone 2

You came forth from death, destroying the eternal bonds of Hades, O Lord.* You broke the curse of Death* and thus delivered us from the snares of the Evil One.* Then You appeared to your apostles and sent them forth to preach,* and through them You have bestowed your peace upon all the world,* for You alone are rich in mercy.

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING

Troparia and Kontakia

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

Troparion, Tone 4: Today is born to us, from the stem of Jesse and the loins of David,* Mary, the Maiden of God.* Therefore, the whole creation rejoices and is renewed;* and you peoples of the world, sing to her a joyful hymn of praise.* Joachim is elated and Anne shouts for joy:* The barren one gives birth to the Mother of God,* the Sustainer of our life.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: My Saviour and Deliverer from the grave* as God raised out of bondage the children of the earth* and shattered the gates of Hades;* and as Master, He rose on the third day.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 3: Today the holy Virgin and God-bearer Mary* is born from a barren womb by divine counsel.* She is the everlasting bridal chamber of the heavenly bridegroom.* Today the chariot of the Word is adorned,* and the door for God is foretold;* she is called the Mother of Life.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6

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

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

Epistle

Galatians 6:11-18

Alleluia, Tone 1

verse: I have exalted one chosen from among My people; with My holy oil I have anointed him.

verse: My hand shall sustain him, and my arm shall make him strong. (Psalm 88:20-21,22)

Gospel

John 3:13-17

Communion Hymn

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