BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.3.3//EN TZID:America/Winnipeg X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/Winnipeg BEGIN:VEVENT UID:455@liturgy.royaldoors.net DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton;VALUE=DATE:20260510 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton;VALUE=DATE:20260511 DTSTAMP:20260507T165457Z URL:https://liturgy.royaldoors.net/events/sunday-may-10-2026-sunday-of-the -man-born-blind-octoechos-tone-5-%e2%9c%a0-the-holy-apostle-simon-the-zeal ot/ SUMMARY:Sunday\, May 10\, 2026\; Sunday of the Man Born Blind\, Octoechos\, Tone 5\; ✠ The Holy Apostle Simon the Zealot. DESCRIPTION:Polyeleos Feast.\nAT GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING\nLytis i s prescribed this Sunday in the Pentecostarion. If Lytia be omitted\, the remainder of the order is unchanged. \n\nKathisma Reading\n\n“Blessed is the man” is sung.\n\nAt Psalm 140\n\nTone 5\n\nLead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.\n\nWith Your precious Cross\, O Christ\,* You have put the Devil to shame.* With Your Resurrection You have deadened the sting of sin* and have saved us from the gates of Death. * We\, therefore\, glorify You\, O only-begotten Son of God.\n\nThe just s hall gather around me* when You have been good to me.\n\nO Christ\, who gr anted resurrection to mankind\,* You were led like a lamb to the slaughter .* Then the princes of Hades were struck with terror* as they saw the gate s of their tearful domain being lifted up\;* for Christ\, the King of Glor y\, entered therein* and exclaimed to those in chains: Go forth from here! * And to those in darkness: Go forth into the light!\n\nOut of the depths I cry to You\, O Lord\;* O Lord\, hear my voice!\n\nWhat a great wonder!* The Creator of invisible beings suffered in the flesh for mankind* and ros e from the dead as immortal.* Come\, therefore\, all you nations and adore Him\;* for through His compassion we have been freed from the snares of t he Devil\,* and we have learned to praise the one God in three Persons.\n\ nTone 2\n\nLet Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.\n\nThe m an who was blind from birth asked himself:* Was I born blind because of th e sin of my parents\,* or am I a living sign of the unbelief of the nation s?* I am not content to ask whether it is night or day\;* my feet can no l onger endure tripping upon the stones.* I have not seen the brightness of the sun\,* nor have I seen the image and likeness of my Creator.* Yet I be seech You\, O Christ\, our God\,* to look upon me and have mercy on me.\n\ nIf You mark iniquities\, Lord\, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.\n\nThe man who was blind from birth asked hims elf:* Was I born blind because of the sin of my parents\,* or am I a livin g sign of the unbelief of the nations?* I am not content to ask whether it is night or day\;* my feet can no longer endure tripping upon the stones. * I have not seen the brightness of the sun\,* nor have I seen the image a nd likeness of my Creator.* Yet I beseech You\, O Christ\, our God\,* to l ook upon me and have mercy on me.\n\nI have waited for You as You have com manded\; my soul patiently relies on Your promise\,* for it has trusted in the Lord.\n\nPassing by the Temple\, Jesus saw a man who was blind from b irth.* He had compassion on him and put mud on his eyes.* He said to him: Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.* He washed and recovered his sight\;* t hen he rendered glory to God.* But his neighbours said to him:* Who opened your eyes which no one before could heal?* And he answered them\, saying: A man called Jesus.* He told me to go and wash in the pool of Siloam\, an d now I see.* He is in truth Christ the Messiah\, of whom Moses wrote in t he Law.* He is the Saviour of our souls.\n\nTone 4\n\nFrom the morning wat ch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.\n\nThe wondrous Simon\, boas t of the apostles\,* passed across the earth like a brilliant lightning bo lt!* He dispelled the darkness of idolatry* with his saving\, brilliant an d divine teachings!* He enlightened all people to glorify one God in Three Persons\,* indivisible and undivided!\n\nFor with the Lord there is mercy \, and with Him there is plentiful redemption\;* and He shall redeem Israe l from all its iniquities.\n\nThe wondrous Simon\, boast of the apostles\, * passed across the earth like a brilliant lightning bolt!* He dispelled t he darkness of idolatry* with his saving\, brilliant and divine teachings! * He enlightened all people to glorify one God in Three Persons\,* indivis ible and undivided!\n\nPraise the Lord\, all the nations\;* proclaim His g lory\, all you people.\n\nLike a rolling wheel\, the blessed Simon ran swi ftly through the ends of the earth!* He burned away the madness of idolatr y from all the land\,* lighting brilliant beacons with piety\,* he kindled luminous fires of grace for the faithful* that they may worship one God i n Three Persons\,* indivisible and undivided!\n\nStrong is the love of the Lord for us\;* eternally will His truth endure.\n\nThe most radiant and a ll-wondrous apostle Simon\,* the teacher of the nations\, the net of God\, * draws us up from the depth of perdition with the height of theology!* Th e true preacher now wisely leads all to the knowledge of Christ.* He sets before us his accomplishments* as a pleasing feast of all good things!\n\n Tone 5\, Glory…\n\nAs You walked along\, O Lord\,* You found a man who h ad been blind from birth.* In surprise\, the disciples asked You:* Was it because of the sin of this man or his parents* that he was born blind\, O Master?* But You\, O Saviour\, answered them\, saying:* Neither has this m an sinned\, nor his parents\,* but that the works of God would be revealed in him.* I must accomplish the works of Him who sent Me\,* which no one e lse can work.* As You said that\, You spat on the ground* and made mud fro m the dust to anoint his eyes.* And You said to him: Go and wash in the po ol of Siloam.* When he washed\, he was healed and cried out to You:* O Lor d\, I believe!* And he bowed down and worshiped You.* Therefore\, we also cry out to You: Have mercy on us!\n\nNow…\n\nA symbol of the undefiled V irgin and bride* was revealed in the Red Sea.* There\, Moses divided the w aters\;* here\, Gabriel is the messenger of the miracle.* There\, the Isra elites crossed the deep and their feet were not even wet\;* here\, the Vir gin gives birth to Christ without human seed.* There\, the sea remained un crossed after the passing of Israel\;* here\, the immaculate remained inco rrupt after giving birth to Emmanuel.* Therefore\, O immortal God\, who ap peared in the flesh as true Man\,* have mercy on us!\n\nReadings\n\n(1) 1 John 4:9-16\; (2) 1 John 4:20-5:5\; (3) 1 John 3:21-4:6\n\nLytia\n\nStiche ron of the Temple\, then:\n\nTone 4\, Glory…\n\nConsidering his whole li fe to be night\,* the blind man cried out to You\, O Lord:* “Open my eye s\, O our Savior\, Son of David\,* that I also\, with everyone else\, may hymn Your power!”\n\nNow…\n\nMercifully regard the supplications of yo ur servants\, O all-immaculate one\,* quelling the uprisings of the cruel demons against us\,* delivering us from every sorrow\;* for you alone have we as a steadfast and sure confirmation\,* and we have acquired your inte rcession\;* let us not who call upon you be put to shame\, O Mistress.* Ha sten to answer the entreaty of those who cry out to you with faith:* Rejoi ce\, the help\, joy and protection of all\, and salvation of our souls!\n\ nAposticha\n\nTone 5\n\nO Christ our Saviour\,* we lift up our voices in s ong to glorify You.* For\, in Your love for mankind\,* You became incarnat e without leaving heaven\;* You accepted the Cross and death\;* You cast d own the gates of Hades\;* and on the third day You arose from the dead* fo r the salvation of our souls.\n\nLet God arise\;* let His enemies be scatt ered!\n\nToday a sacred Pascha is revealed to us.* A new and holy Pascha.* A mystical Pascha.* A Pascha worthy of veneration.* A Pascha which is Chr ist the Redeemer\,* a blameless Pascha.* A great Pascha.* A Pascha of the faithful.* A Pascha which has opened for us the gates of Paradise.* A Pasc ha which sanctifies all the faithful.\n\nAs smoke vanishes\,* let them van ish.\n\nCome* from that scene\, O women bearers of glad tidings\,* and say to Sion:* Receive from us the glad tidings of joy* of Christ’s Resurrec tion:* Exult and be glad\,* and rejoice\, O Jerusalem\,* seeing Christ the King* who comes forth from the tomb like a Bridegroom in procession!\n\nS o let sinners flee from before the face of God\;* but let the righteous re joice!\n\nThe myrrh-bearing women* at the break of dawn* drew near to the tomb of the LifeGiver.* There they found an angel* sitting upon the stone\ ,* he greeted them with these words:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* Why do you mourn the incorrupt amid corruption?* Go: proclaim the glad tidings to His disciples.\n\nThis is the day which the Lord has made: * Let us rejoice and be glad in\n\nPascha of beauty!* The Pascha of the Lo rd!* Pascha!* A Pascha worthy of all honour* has dawned on us. Pascha! Let us embrace each other joyously!* Pascha\, ransom from affliction!* For to day as from a bridal chamber* Christ has shown forth from the Tomb\,* and filled the women with joy saying:* “Proclaim the glad tidings to the Apo stles!”\n\nTone 6\, Glory…\n\nMost holy Simon\, disciple and apostle o f Christ\,* like a high flying eagle you soared over creation!* You burned up the falsehood of idolatry with the fiery sound of your teachings\,* le ading the nations out of the depths of ignorance* into the knowledge of Go d.* Now pray to Christ that He be merciful to us on the day of judgment!\n \nNow…\n\nThis is the day of Resurrection\,* let us be illumined by the Feast!* Let us embrace each other!* Let us call “Brothers!”* even thos e that hate us* and forgive all by the Resurrection\,* and so let us cry:\ n\nChrist is risen from the dead\,* trampling death by death\,* and to tho se in the tombs* giving life!\n\nTroparia\n\nTone 5\n\nLet us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word\,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit \,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh\, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by H is glorious Resurrection.\n\nTone 3\, Glory…\n\nHoly Apostle Simon\, int ercede with the merciful God* to grant to our souls* forgiveness of sins.\ n\nNow…\n\nWe sing your praises\, O Virgin\;* for\, as the Mother of God \, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from y ou that our God and Your Son took flesh. * Then\, by suffering the passion on the Cross\,* and out of love for mankind\, He delivered us from corrup tion.\nAT GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING\nHexapsalm\n\nGreat Litany\n\nGod the Lord\, Tone 5\n\nTroparia\, Tone 5\n\nLet us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word\,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit\,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cr oss in the flesh\, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection. (2)\n\nTone 3\, Glory…\n\nHoly Apostle Simon\, intercede w ith the merciful God* to grant to our souls* forgiveness of sins.\n\nNow …\n\nWe sing your praises\, O Virgin\;* for\, as the Mother of God\, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from you tha t our God and Your Son took flesh. * Then\, by suffering the passion on th e Cross\,* and out of love for mankind\, He delivered us from corruption.\ n\nPsalter Reading\n\nStasis I: Psalms 9\, 10\nStasis II: Psalms 11\, 12\, 13\nStasis III: Psalms 14\, 15\, 16\n\nSmall Litany\n\nSessional Hymn I\, Tone 5\n\nLet us celebrate the Cross of the Lord\,* let us honour His hol y Burial with hymns\,* and let us exulting\, glorify His Resurrection.* Fo r with Himself He has raised the dead from their graves\,* and as God havi ng despoiled the dominion of death* and the might of the devil\,* He has s hone forth light upon those in Hades.\n\nArise\, O Lord my God\, let Your hands be lifted on high\; forget not Your poor to the end.\n\nO Lord\, You who put death to death\, was called dead\;* You who have emptied the tomb s was placed in a tomb\;* above\, the soldiers stood guarding the grave\,* below\, You raised the dead from all ages.* O Lord\, All-powerful and Inc omprehensible\,* glory be to You!\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nRejoice holy mount ain upon which God has walked\;* Rejoice! living bush unconsumed by fire\; * Rejoice! O only bridge of creation to God\, who leads mortals to eternal life\;* Rejoice! Maiden undefiled\, who has born without wedlock* the sal vation of our souls.\n\nPsalter Reading\n\nStasis I: Psalm 17\nStasis II: Psalms 18\, 19\, 20\nStasis III: Psalms 21\, 22\, 23\n\nSmall Litany\n\nSe ssional Hymn II\, Tone 5\n\nO Lord\, after Your Resurrection on the third day\,* and after the worship of the Apostles\, Peter cried to You\;* The w omen had courage\, and I was afraid\;* the Thief confessed You as God\, an d I denied You:* will You no longer call me a disciple\,* or will You once again declare me a fisher of the deep?* Receive me in my penitence\, O Go d\, and save me!’\n\nI will confess You\, O Lord\, with my whole heart\, I will tell of all You wonders.\n\nO Merciful Lord\, the lawless Ones nai led You between two condemned thieves* and pierced Your side with a lance\ ,* but You\, who destroyed the gates of Hades\,* suffered burial and arose on the third day\;* The women ran to see You and announced the Resurrecti on to Your Apostles.* O supremely exalted Saviour whom the Angels hymn\,* O blessed Lord\, glory be to You.\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nThe Bride who knew not wedlock\, the Birth-giver of God\,* who turned Eve’s grief to joy\, * we the faithful hymn and worship\,* for you have redeemed us from the an cient curse.* And now\, O All-hymned most holy one\,* cease not to make in tercession for the salvation of our souls.\n\nPolyeleos\n\nMagnification\n \nWe magnify you\, O Apostle of Christ Simon\, and we honour the pangs and labours\, with which you struggled in the proclamation of the Gospel of C hrist.\n\nverse: The heavens proclaim the glory of God\, and the firmament declares the work of His hands.\n\nGlory… Now…\; Alleluia\, alleluia\ , alleluia\, glory be to You\, O God (3)\n\nEvlogitaria\n\nSmall Litany\n\ nHypakoe\, Tone 5\n\nThe Myrrh-bearing women\, amazed in their minds by th e vision of the Angel* yet enlightened in their souls by the divine Resurr ection\,* announced the glad tidings to the Apostles:* Proclaim among the nations the Resurrection of the Lord\,* who works in us through wonders\,* and who grants us great mercy.\n\nSessional Hymns\, Tone 2\n\nFishing for the nations\, the glorious apostle taught the ends of the earth to worshi p You with the Father and the Spirit\, O Christ God.* Therefore\, establis h Your Church\, and send down Your blessing upon the faithful\, O only Mer ciful One\, and Lover of mankind.\n\nTone 4\, Glory…\n\nLike the sun\, C hrist emitted you like a ray to enlighten all the earth\, O glorious apost le Simon\; and with your divine supplications you illumine and enlighten w ith divine and never-waning light all who celebrate your holy memory with faith.\n\nTone 8\, Now…\n\nFishing for reason-endowed fish with the net of divine words*\, you bring the first-fruits thereof to our God\,* and de siring to clothe yourself in the wounds of God\,* you show yourself to be an emulator of His suffering.* Wherefore as is meet\, assembling\, we hono ur your most festive memory\, O glorious apostle\,* and cry out to you tog ether:* entreat Christ God\, that He grant remission of sins to those who honour your holy memory with love.\n\nGradual Hymns\, Tone 5\n\nAntiphon 1 \n\nWhen I am troubled I sing to You like David\,* O my Saviour:* Deliver my soul from a deceitful tongue.\n\nBlessed is the life of those* who dwel l in the desert places\,* Divine love gives them wings.\n\nGlory… Now… \n\nBy the Holy Spirit all things are unshaken\,* both visible and invisib le\;* for He has sovereign power\,* being undeniably one of the Trinity.\n \nAntiphon 2\n\nLift up yourself to the mountains\,* O my soul\;* go to th at place from whence comes our help.\n\nLet Your right hand hover over me\ ,* O Christ\,* and guard me from every misfortune.\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nL et us sing to the Holy Spirit\, as we contemplate God:* You are God\, life \, love\, light\, and intellect\,* You are goodness\,* and You reign to th e ages.\n\nAntiphon 3\n\nFilled with great joy at the words of those who s ay to me:* “Let us go into the courts of the Lord\,”* I offer up my pr ayers.\n\nFearful things are accomplished in the house of David\;* for a f ire is found there\,* burning every shameful thought.\n\nGlory… Now…\n \nTo the Holy Spirit belongs the lordship of life\,* for from Him every li ving being hath its breath\,* as also from the Father* together with the S on.\n\nProkeimenon\, Tone 5\n\nArise\, O Lord my God\, lift up Your hand*\ , for You shall reign forever.\n\nverse: I will confess to You\, O Lord\, with my whole heart\, I will recount all Your marvellous works.\n\nLet eve rything that lives\, Tone 5\n\nGospel\n\nJohn 20:11-18\n\nHymn of Resurrec tion (thrice)\n\nCanon\n\nOrdinarily\, the Paschal Canon is taken in full\ , given below\;\n\nThe full Canon prescribed for today is provided here\n\ nOde 1\n\nIrmos: It is the Day of Resurrection\, let us be radiant\, O pe ople\; Pascha\, the Lord’s Pascha: for from death to life\, and from ear th to heaven\, Christ God has brought us\, as we sing the song of victory. \n\nChrist is risen from the dead.\n\nLet us purify our senses\, and we sh all behold Christ\, radiant with the unapproachable light of the Resurrect ion\, and we shall clearly hear Him say\, Rejoice! as we sing the hymn of victory.\n\nChrist is risen from the dead.\n\nLet the heavens be glad as i s meet\, and let the earth rejoice\, and let the whole world\, both visibl e and invisible\, keep festival: for Christ is risen\, O gladness eternal. \n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\nYou have broken through the barrie r of death\, by giving birth to Christ\, the eternal Life\, who today has shone forth from the tomb\, O all-immaculate Virgin\, and Who has enlighte ned the world.\n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\nHaving beheld your r esurrected Son and God\, rejoice with the apostles\, O Pure One who are fu ll of the grace of God\, and be the first to rejoice\, as you have receive d the Cause of joy for all\, O all-immaculate Mother of God.\n\nKatavasia:  It is the Day of Resurrection\, let us be radiant\, O people\; Pascha\, the Lord’s Pascha: for from death to life\, and from earth to heaven\, C hrist God has brought us\, as we sing the song of victory.\n\nOde 3\n\nIrm os: Come\, let us drink a new drink\, not one miraculously brought forth from a barren rock but the Fountain of Incorruption\, springing forth from the tomb of Christ\, in Whom we are strengthened.\n\nChrist is risen from the dead.\n\nNow all things are filled with light\; heaven and earth\, an d the nethermost pares of the earth\; let all creation\, therefore\, celeb rate the arising of Christ whereby it is strengthened.\n\nChrist is risen from the dead.\n\nYesterday I was buried with You\, O Christ\; today I ris e with Your arising. Yesterday I was crucified with You\; glorify me with You\, O Saviour\, in Your kingdom.\n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\n Into incorruptible life have I entered today\, through the goodness of Him who was born of you\, O Pure One\, and who makes all the ends of the eart h radiant with joy.\n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\nHaving beheld G od\, whom you bore in the flesh\, risen from the dead\, as He said\, O pur e one\; dance\, and magnify Him as Go* O most pure one.\n\nKatavasia: Com e\, let us drink a new drink\, not one miraculously brought forth from a b arren rock but the Fountain of Incorruption\, springing forth from the tom b of Christ\, in Whom we are strengthened.\n\nSmall Litany\n\nKontakion\, Tone 2\n\nWith praises let all of us call blessed* the divinely eloquent S imon.* He diligently planted the teachings of wisdom in the hearts of the godly* and stands now at the throne of glory* rejoicing with the bodiless powers and praying unceasingly for all of us.\n\nIkos\n\nLet us all now pr aise and piously bless the commemoration of the apostle as though it were a day of salvation\; for it shines forth like the sun upon the whole world \, it dispels all darkness with the rays of its light\, and with love illu mines those who celebrate his memory and who lovingly honour it. Therefore \, let us hasten with zeal\, chanting to him\, for he stands before Christ \, praying unceasingly for all of us.\n\nSessional Hymn\, Tone 3\n\nWith t he radiant light of the divine Spirit* you have destroyed the darkness of polytheism\,* and illumined the hearts of the faithful\,* and singing fort h the Savior’s commandments\,* you abolished the fables of the pagans.* O glorious Simon\,* entreat Christ God\,* that He grant us great mercy.\n\ nTone 8\, Glory… Now…\n\nAs the Master and Fashioner of all things pas sed by\,* He encountered along the way a blind man who was seated there* a nd who mourned aloud\, saying:* All my life I have beheld neither the sun shining forth* nor laid eyes on the bright luminescence of the moon.* Yet since You were born of an immaculate Virgin so as to fill all with light\, * now fill me with Your light\, in that You are compassionate.* And thus I shall adore You and cry:* Sovereign Master\, Christ my God\, forgive me m y sins\, in Your abundant compassion\,* O You\, the only Lover of mankind. \n\nOde 4\n\nIrmos: On divine watch let the God-inspired Habakkuk stand w ith us and show forth the light-bearing angel clearly saying: Today salvat ion is come to the world\, for Christ is risen as Almighty.\n\nChrist is r isen from the dead.\n\nAs a man-child did Christ appear when He came forth from the Virgin’s womb\, and as a mortal He was called the Lamb. Withou t blemish also\, is our Pascha for He tasted no defilement\; and as true G od\, perfect was He proclaimed.\n\nChrist is risen from the dead.\n\nLike a yearling lamb\,*Christ\, our blessed Crown\,*of His own will was sacrifi ced for all\,*a Pascha of purification\;*and from the tomb the beautiful S un of Righteousness*shone forth again upon us.\n\nChrist is risen from the dead.\n\nDavid\, the ancestor of God\,*danced with leaping before the sym bolical Ark\;*let us also\, the holy people of God\, beholding the fulfilm ent of the symbols\, be divinely glad\; for Christ is risen as Almighty.\n \nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\nHe Who created Adam your forefather\ , O Pure One\, took form from you\, and the habitation of the dead has He demolished today through His death\, and shone upon all things with the di vine radiance of the Resurrection.\n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\n Beholding Christ\, whom you have borne\, shining forth splendidly from the dead\, O Pure One\, who are good and spotless among women\, and comely to day\, rejoicing with the apostles in the salvation of all\, Him do you glo rify.\n\nKatavasia: On divine watch let the God-inspired Habakkuk stand w ith us and show forth the light-bearing angel clearly saying: Today salvat ion is come to the world\, for Christ is risen as Almighty.\n\nOde 5\n\nIr mos: Let us awake in the deep dawn\, and instead of myrrh\, offer a hymn to the Master\, and we shall see Christ\, the Sun of Righteousness\, who c auses life to dawn for all.\n\nChrist is risen from the dead.\n\nSeeing Yo ur boundless compassion they who were held in the bonds of hades hastened to the light\, O Christ\, with gladsome feet\, praising the Pascha eternal .\n\nChrist is risen from the dead.\n\nBearing lights\, let us approach Ch rist\, who comes forth from the tomb like a bridegroom\, and with the feas t-loving ranks of angels let us celebrate the saving Pascha of God.\n\nO m ost Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\nEnlightened by the divine rays and the li fe-bearing Resurrection of your Son\, O most pure Mother of God\, the gath ering of the pious is filled with joy.\n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us! \n\nYou did not open the gates of virginity in the Incarnation\, nor the s eal upon the tomb did You destroy\, O King of creation\; from whence seein g You risen\, Your Mother rejoices.\n\nKatavasia: Let us awake in the dee p dawn\, and instead of myrrh\, offer a hymn to the Master\, and we shall see Christ\, the Sun of Righteousness\, Who causes life to dawn for all.\n \nOde 6\n\nIrmos: You descended into the nethermost pares of the earth\, and shattered the eternal bars that held the fettered\, O Christ\, and on the third day* like Jonah from the whale\, You arose from the tomb.\n\nChr ist is risen from the dead.\n\nHaving kept the seals intact\, O Christ\, Y ou arose from the tomb* O You Who did not break the seal of the Virgin by Your birth\, and You have opened for us the doors of Paradise.\n\nChrist i s risen from the dead.\n\nO my Saviour\, the living and unslain Sacrifice\ , when\, as God\, You\, of Your Own will\, had offered up Yourself to the Father\, You raised up with Yourself the whole race of Adam\, when You aro se from the tomb.\n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\nHe that of old wa s held by death and corruption is raised up by Him who was incarnate of yo ur most pure womb\, O Theotokos Virgin\, unto incorruption and everlasting life.\n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\nHe Who went down into the ne thermost pares of the earth\, and came into your womb\, O Pure One\, and d welt and past understanding was incarnate\, has also raised up Adam with H imself when He rose from the tomb.\n\nKatavasia: You descended into the n ethermost pares of the earth\, and shattered the eternal bars that held th e fettered\, O Christ\, and on the third day* like Jonah from the whale\, You arose from the tomb.\n\nSmall Litany\n\nKontakion\, Tone 4\n\nBlinded in the eyes of my soul\, I come to You\, O Christ\, like the man who was b lind from birth\, and I cry in repentance: You are the brilliant light of those in darkness.\n\nIkos\n\nGrant me a stream of ineffable wisdom and kn owledge from on high\, O Christ\, Light of them that are in darkness and G uide of all those who are gone astray\, that I may tell of those things th at the divine book of the Gospel of peace has taught\, to wit\, the miracl e that was wrought upon the blind man\; for though blind from birth\, he r eceives the physical eyes as well as the eyes of the soul\, as he cries ou t in faith: Of those in darkness are You the most radiant Light.\n\nOde 7\ n\nIrmos: He who delivered the Children from the furnace\, became man\, s uffers as a mortal\, and through His Passion clothes mortality with the be auty of incorruption\, He is the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.\n\nChrist is risen from the dead.\n\nThe godly-wise women with m yrrh followed after You in haste\; but Him Whom they sought with tears as dead\, they worshipped joyfully as the living God\, and they brought to Yo ur disciples\, O Christ\, the good tidings of the mystical Pascha.\n\nChri st is risen from the dead.\n\nWe celebrate the death of death\, the destru ction of hades\, the beginning of another life eternal\, and leaping for j oy\, we hymn the Cause\, the only blessed and supremely glorious God of ou r fathers.\n\nChrist is risen from the dead.\n\nFor truly sacred and all-f estive is this saving night\, and this shining\, light-bearing day\, the h arbinger of the Resurrection\, whereon the Timeless Light bodily from the tomb upon all has shined.\n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\nYour Son\ , having put death to death\, O all-immaculate one\, today has granted to all mortals the life that abides to the ages of ages\, the only blessed an d supremely glorious God of our fathers.\n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save u s!\n\nHe Who reigns over all creation\, became man\, dwelling in your God- graced womb\, and having endured crucifixion and death\, is risen in a God -befitting manner\, raising us up with Himself\, for He is Almighty.\n\nKa tavasia: He who delivered the Children from the furnace\, became man\, su ffers as a mortal\, and through His Passion clothes mortality with the bea uty of incorruption\, He is the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.\n\n \;\n\nOde 8\n\nIrmos: This chosen and holy day is the fi rst of the Sabbaths\, the queen and lady\, the feast of feasts\, and the f estival of festivals\, wherein we bless Christ throughout the ages.\n\nChr ist is risen from the dead.\n\nCome\, on this auspicious day of the Resurr ection\, let us partake of the fruit of the new vine of divine gladness of the kingdom of Christ\, praising Him as God throughout the ages.\n\nChris t is risen from the dead.\n\nLift up your eyes about you\, O Sion\,* and s ee\, for behold\, there comes to you\, like God-illumined beacons\, from t he west\, and from the north\, and from the sea\, and from the east\, your children\, in you blessing Christ throughout the ages.\n\nO Most Holy Tri nity\, our God\, glory be to You.\n\nO Father Almighty\, and Word\, and Sp irit\, one Nature united in three Hypostases\, transcendent and most divin e! Into You have we been baptized\, and You will we bless throughout all a ges.\n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\nThrough you the Lord came into the world\, O Virgin Theotokos\, and the womb of hades did He tear open\, granting to us mortals resurrection\; Therefore\, we bless Him throughout the ages.\n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\nLaying low all the domin ion of death by His Resurrection\, your Son\, O Virgin\, as the mighty God \, has raised us up with Himself and deified us\; Therefore we sing His pr aise throughout the ages.\n\nWe praise\, we bless\, and we worship the Lor d\, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!\n\nKatavasia:  This chosen and holy day is the first of the Sabbaths\, the queen and la dy\, the feast of feasts\, and the festival of festivals\, wherein we bles s Christ throughout the ages.\n\nThe Magnificat is not sung.\n\nOde 9\n\nI rmos: Shine\, shine\, O new Jerusalem\, for the glory of the Lord has ris en upon you! Exult now and be glad\, O Sion! And you\, O chaste Mother of God\, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.\n\nChrist is risen fro m the dead.\n\nO how divine\, how loving\, how sweet is Your voice! For Yo u have truly promised to be with us to the end of the age\, O Christ\; hav ing this foundation of hope\, we the faithful rejoice.\n\nChrist is risen from the dead.\n\nO Christ\, You great and most sacred Pascha! O Wisdom\, Word\, and Power of God! Grant us to partake of You more fully in the unwa ning day of Your kingdom.\n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\nWith one voice\, O Virgin\, the faithful bless you. Rejoice\, O Portal of the Lord\ ; rejoice\, O living City\; rejoice\, through whom for our sake the Light has shone\, Who\, born of you\, is the Resurrection of the dead.\n\nO most Holy Theotokos\, save us!\n\nBe glad and rejoice\, O Portal of the Divine Light: for Jesus set into the grave\, has dawned forth shining more brigh tly than the sun\, and has illumined all the faithful\, O divinely joyous Lady.\n\nKatavasia: Shine\, shine\, O new Jerusalem\, for the glory of th e Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad\, O Sion! And you\, O cha ste Mother of God\, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.\n\nSmall Litany\n\nHoly is the Lord\n\nHymn of Light\n\nHaving fallen asleep in th e flesh\, as a mortal\, O King and Lord\, on the third day You rose again\ , raising up Adam from corruption\, and abolishing death: O Pascha of inco rruption\, Salvation of the world!\n\nGlory…\n\nDirecting the course of your beautiful feet to the path of heaven\, O apostle Simon\, you ascended \, rejoicing\; and\, standing before the Trinity\, you behold the Son and the divine Spirit in the Father. Therefore\, we celebrate with faith your most sacred and divine memory.\n\nNow…\n\nEnlighten my noetic eyes which are bereft of sight\, O Lord\, because of sin’s gloomy darkness. And si nce You are compassionate\, instil in me humility. Cleanse me by the tears of repentance and change of heart.\n\nPraises\n\nStichera on the Praises\ , Tone 5\n\nTo carry out the sentence pre-ordained:* this honour is for al l His faithful.\n\nYou came forth from the grave\, O Lord\, which had been sealed by the transgressors of the law\,* just as You were born of the Th eotokos.* For the bodiless angels did not know how You were incarnate.* Li kewise\, the guardian soldiers did not see the moment of your Resurrection \;* for these two marvels were concealed from the curious minds* but were revealed to those who worshiped the mystery in faith.* Therefore\, grant j oy and great mercy to us who offer You praise.\n\nPraise God in His holy p lace\, praise Him in His mighty heavens.\n\nO Lord\, You demolished the ga tes of everlasting damnation\,* and You broke asunder the chains of the gr ave.* You rose from the tomb leaving your wrappings in the grave* in testi mony of your three-day burial\;* and leaving the guards watching at the to mb\,* You preceded your disciples into Galilee.* Great is your mercy\, O L ord whom the whole world cannot contain.* O Saviour\, have mercy upon us.\ n\nPraise Him for His powerful deeds\,* praise His surpassing greatness.\n \nO Lord\, who suffered for us\,* the women hastened to your tomb to behol d You.* When they arrived\, they saw an angel sitting on the stone of the grave.* He said to them: The Lord is risen!* Go and tell the disciples tha t the Saviour of our souls is risen from the dead.\n\nO praise Him with so und of trumpet\,* praise Him with lute and harp\;\n\nO Lord and Saviour\,* You came into the midst of your disciples though the doors were closed* j ust as You came out of the sealed tomb\,* showing the sufferings of the fl esh which You accepted\;* for You submitted to suffering patiently since Y ou are of the seed of David.* But since You are the Son of God\, You saved the world.* Great is your mercy\, O Lord whom the whole world cannot cont ain.* O Saviour\, have mercy on us.\n\nTone 8\n\nPraise Him with timbrel a nd dance\,* praise Him with strings and pipes.\n\nWhat shall we call you\, O apostle? * Heaven\, for you declared the glory of God. * A river\, for you mystically water all creation. * A star illumining the Church. * A cup pouring forth holy nectar. * A most dear friend of Christ\, * a dweller w ith the incorporeal ones.* Pray for the salvation of our souls.\n\nO prais e Him with resounding cymbals\, praise Him with clashing of cymbals.* Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.\n\nO Simo n\, boast of the apostles\, * having adorned your feet which trod well the path of preaching * you made narrow all the paths of the enemy * by the b readth of you divine understanding * of the Word Who has appeared in the c oarseness of the flesh * and Who chose you to be His most glorious discipl e\, O blessed one. ** Beseech Him that our souls be saved.\n\nTheir procla mation has gone out into all the earth and their words to the ends of the universe! \n\nO divinely eloquent apostle Simon\, * you were sent by Chri st like a radiant arrow * wounding the enemy and manifestly imparting heal ing to wounded souls. * Wherefore\, as is meet\, we call you blessed * and celebrate today your holy solemnity. ** Pray that our souls be saved.\n\n Tone 2\n\nThe heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament proclaims His handiwork!\n\nForsaking earthly things\,* you followed after Christ\, * having been signed with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit* and sent by Him to the nations which were perishing\,* that mankind might turn to the light of the knowledge of God\;* and having completed the struggles of you r divine suffering and diverse torments\, O apostle Simon\,* you surrender ed your soul into the hands of Christ.* Entreat Him\, O all-blessed one\, that He grant us great mercy.\n\nTone 8\, Glory…\n\nWho can tell of Your mighty acts\, O Christ\,* or who can number the multitudes of Your wonder s?* For even as You\, in Your goodness\, appeared on earth twofold of natu re\,* so You granted twofold healings to the sick\;* for You opened not on ly the bodily eyes of the man who was blind from the womb\,* but those of his soul also.* Therefore\, he confessed You\, the hidden God\, who grants great mercy to all.\n\nTone 2\, Now…\n\nYou are truly most blessed\, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you\,* Hades w as chained\, Adam revived\, the curse wiped out\,* Eve set free\, Death pu t 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 th is your good pleasure. Glory to You!\n\nGreat Doxology\n\nTrisagion Prayer s\n\nTroparion\, Tone 2\n\nToday salvation has come to the world.* Let us sing to Him who is risen from the tomb\,* the Author of Life who has crush ed Death by his death* and bestowed on us victory and great mercy.\n\nInsi stent Litany\n\nLitany of Supplication\n\nGreat Dismissal\n\nAt the Conclu sion of Matins\, the Gospel Sticheron\n\nTone 8\, Glory… Now…\n\nThe w arm tears of Mary were not shed in vain\;* for behold\, she has been worth y to hear the angels* and to behold Your face\, O Jesus.* But being a woma n still thinking of earthly things\,* she was not permitted to touch You\, O Christ.* However\, she was sent to proclaim to Your disciples* the good news announcing Your return to Your heavenly inheritance.* With her\, the refore\, make us worthy to see You\, O Lord.\nAT DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING\nAfter the priest has exclaimed\, Blessed be the Kingdom… and th e people have responded\, Amen\, the clergy sing the Paschal Troparion onc e and the people repeat it. Then\, the clergy sing the first half\, and th e people conclude it.\n\nPaschal Troparion\n\nChrist is risen from the dea d\,* trampling death by death\,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.\n \nTroparia and Kontakia\n\nTroparion\, Tone 5: Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word\,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit\,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on th e cross in the flesh\, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glori ous resurrection.\n\nTroparion\, Tone 3: Holy apostle Simon\, intercede wi th the merciful God* to grant forgiveness of sins to our souls.\n\nKontaki on\, Tone 2: With praises let all of us call blessed* the divinely eloquen t Simon.* He diligently planted the teachings of wisdom in the hearts of t he godly* and stands now at the throne of glory* rejoicing with the bodile ss powers and praying unceasingly for all of us.\n\nGlory be to the Father \, and to the Son\, and to the Holy Spirit.\n\nKontakion\, Tone 4: Blinded in the eyes of my soul\,* I come to You\, O Christ\, like the man who was blind from birth\,* and I cry in repentance:* You are the brilliant light of those in darkness.\n\nNow and for ever and ever. Amen.\n\nKontakion\, Tone 8: Though You descended into a tomb\, O Immortal One\,* yet You destr oyed the power of Hades\;* and You rose as victor\, O Christ God\,* callin g to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice!* and giving peace to Your Apostles: * You\, who grant Resurrection to the fallen.\n\nProkeimenon\, Tone 8\n\nP ray and give thanks to the Lord our God.\n\nverse: In Judea God is known\; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 76:12\,2)\n\nProkeimenon\, Tone 0\n\n Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth\, and their words unto t he ends of the world.\n\nEpistle\n\nActs 16:16-34\; 1 Corinthians 4:9-16\n \nAlleluia\, Tone 8\n\nverse: Look upon me and have mercy.\n\nverse: Direc t my steps according to Your word. (Psalm 118:131-132)\n\nverse: The heave ns shall confess Your wonders\, O Lord\, and Your truth in the church of t he saints.\n\nGospel\n\nJohn 9:1-38\; Matthew 13:54-58\n\nHymn to the Theo tokos\n\nThe Angel cried out to the One full of Grace: O chaste Virgin\, r ejoice! And again I say\, Rejoice! Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day\, and raised the dead. Let all people rejoice! Shine\, shine\, O new Jerusalem\, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad\, O Sion! And you\, O chaste Mother of God\, take delight in t he resurrection of your Son.\n\nCommunion Hymn\n\nReceive the Body of Chri st\;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Praise the Lord from the heavens \; praise Him in the highest.* Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth\,* and their words unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia\, alleluia \,* alleluia.\n\nInstead of Blessed is He Who comes… we sing:\n\nChrist is risen from the dead\,* trampling death by death\,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.\n\nInstead of We have seen the true light… we sing:\ n\nChrist is risen from the dead\,* trampling death by death\,* and to tho se in the tombs* giving life.\n\nInstead of May our mouths be filled… we sing three times:\n\nChrist is risen from the dead\,* trampling death by death\,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.\n\nInstead of Blessed be the name of the Lord… we sing three times:\n\nChrist is risen from the d ead\,* trampling death by death\,* and to those in the tombs* giving life. \n\nAt the dismissal\, instead of Glory be to the Father and the Son and t he Holy Spirit\, now and forever and ever. Amen. we chant:\n\nChrist is ri sen from the dead\, trampling death by death\,* and to those in the tombs giving life.\n\nAfter the final Amen\, the Troparion Christ is risen is su ng as at the beginning of the Liturgy\, but with the addition:\n\nAnd to u s He has granted life eternal\;* we bow down before His resurrection on th e third day. END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Edmonton X-LIC-LOCATION:America/Edmonton BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260308T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR