GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY NIGHT
Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man… is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 6
Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
O Christ, You won the victory over Hades,* You ascended the cross so that You might raise up with Yourself* all those who dwelt in the darkness of death.* Almighty Saviour, You are free from death* and bestow life by Your divine light.* We, therefore, beseech You to have mercy on us.
The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
Today Christ has conquered Death.* He has risen from the grave as He had foretold,* bestowing great joy upon the world.* Therefore, let us all lift up our voices and sing:* O Fount of Life, O Light whom no one can approach,* Almighty Saviour, have mercy on us.
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
O Lord, where can we sinners flee from You,* for You are present in all creation?* You are present in heaven, for it is Your dwelling place.* Your power prevails in Hades where You conquered Death.* O Master, Your sustaining hand touches even the depths of the sea.* Where, then, can we take refuge except in You?* We, therefore, prostrate ourselves before You and pray:* O Lord, risen from the dead, have mercy on us.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
We exult in Your cross, O Christ,* and we sing the glory of Your resurrection.* For You are our God, and we have no other Lord but You.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Glory to Your might, O Lord,* for You have conquered the power of death.* You have renewed us through Your cross,* granting us life and incorruption.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
We forever bless the Lord and praise His resurrection,* for by suffering crucifixion,* He has destroyed death by His death.
Tone 1
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
I was entrusted with a sinless and living land,* but I sowed the ground with sin and reaped with a sickle the ears of slothfulness;* in thick sheaves I garnered my actions,* but winnowed them not on the threshing floor of repentance.* But I beg You, my God, the pre-eternal husbandman,* with the wind of Your loving-kindness winnow the chaff of my works,* and grant to my soul the corn of forgiveness;* shut me in Your heavenly storehouse* and save me.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
I was entrusted with a sinless and living land,* but I sowed the ground with sin and reaped with a sickle the ears of slothfulness;* in thick sheaves I garnered my actions,* but winnowed them not on the threshing floor of repentance.* But I beg You, my God, the pre-eternal husbandman,* with the wind of Your loving-kindness winnow the chaff of my works,* and grant to my soul the corn of forgiveness;* shut me in Your heavenly storehouse* and save me.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Brethren, let us learn the meaning of this mystery.* For when the Prodigal Son ran back from sin to his Father’s house,* his loving Father came out to meet him and kissed him.* He restored to the Prodigal the tokens of his proper glory,* and mystically he made glad on high, sacrificing the fatted calf.* Let our lives, then, be worthy of the loving Father who has offered sacrifice,* and of the glorious Victim* who is the Saviour of our souls.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Brethren, let us learn the meaning of this mystery.* For when the Prodigal Son ran back from sin to his Father’s house,* his loving Father came out to meet him and kissed him.* He restored to the Prodigal the tokens of his proper glory,* and mystically he made glad on high, sacrificing the fatted calf.* Let our lives, then, be worthy of the loving Father who has offered sacrifice,* and of the glorious Victim* who is the Saviour of our souls.
Tone 2, Glory…
Of what great blessings in my wretchedness have I deprived myself!* From what a kingdom in my misery have I fallen!* I have wasted the riches that were given to me,* I have transgressed the commandment.* Alas, unhappy soul!* You are henceforth condemned to the eternal fire.* Therefore before the end cry out to Christ our God:* Receive me as the Prodigal Son, O God,* and have mercy upon me.
Tone 6, Now…
Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.
Aposticha
Tone 6
O Christ our Saviour,* the angels in heaven sing the praises of Your resurrection;* make us on earth also worthy* to extol and glorify You with a pure heart.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.
Almighty God, You destroyed the brazen gates and bars of Hades,* and raised up fallen mankind.* Therefore, with one accord, we cry out:* O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!
For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
Christ willed to renew us from our corruption of old* by being nailed to a cross and placed in a tomb.* When the women came to anoint His body they tearfully cried out:* O, what sorrow afflicts us!* O Saviour of All, how could You consent to occupy a grave?* If you truly willed this, then why did You allow Your body to be stolen?* How were You removed?* What place now conceals Your life-bearing body?* O Lord, appear to us as You promised* and put an end to our tears.* As they were lamenting, an angel appeared and cried out to them:* Do not weep, but tell the apostles that the Lord is risen,* granting sanctification and great mercy to the world.
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Christ, You were crucified of Your own free will,* and by Your burial You imprisoned Death.* As God, You rose in glory on the third day,* granting life and great mercy to the world.
Tone 6, Glory…
I have wasted the wealth which the Father gave to me,* and in my wretchedness I have fed with dumb beasts.* Yearning after their food, I remained hungry and could not eat my fill.* But now I return to the compassionate Father* and cry out with tears:* I fall down before Your loving-kindness,* receive me as a hired servant, and save me.
Now…
Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,* came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.* He clothed Himself in our human flesh* to set us free from the original curse of Adam.* Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,* as the true Virgin Mother of God,* and we sing with the angels:* Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.
Troparia
Tone 6
Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!
Glory… Now…
Christ, Who called you “Mother” and “The Blessed One,”* accepted the Passion of His own free will.* In His desire to find the fallen Adam,* He caused light to shine from His cross in order to search him out.* then He said to the angels:* Rejoice with Me, for I have found the lost piece of silver.* Glory to You, O God,* Who accomplished all things in such wisdom.
GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 6
Troparia, Tone 6
Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You! (2)
Glory… Now…
Christ, Who called you “Mother” and “The Blessed One,”* accepted the Passion of His own free will.* In His desire to find the fallen Adam,* He caused light to shine from His cross in order to search him out.* then He said to the angels:* Rejoice with Me, for I have found the lost piece of silver.* Glory to You, O God,* Who accomplished all things in such wisdom.
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 6
While the tomb lay open and Hades lamented,* Mary, cried to the Apostles who were in hiding saying:* “Come forth, you workers of the vineyard,* proclaim to the world the word of the Resurrection,* for the Lord is risen,* granting the world His great mercy!”
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.
Mary Magdalene stood by Your tomb O Lord,* and mistaking You for the gardener,* weeping she cried aloud to You:* “Where have You hidden the Life eternal?* Where have You placed He who sits on the Cherubic Throne?* For those who were guarding Him have become as dead-men through fear.* Either give me my Lord or cry out with me:* O You who were numbered among the dead and have raised the dead,* glory be to You!”
Glory… Now…
Gideon foretold of your conception,* and David revealed your ineffable child-bearing, O Theotokos;* for the Word descended like a dew upon the fleece of your womb,* and you O Virgin full of grace,* like unto a holy and fertile earth,* budded forth without seed our salvation, Christ God.
Psalter Reading
Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 6
Life was laid in the tomb* and a seal was set upon the stone;* the soldiers stood guarding Christ like a sleeping King;* and having invisibly struck His foes the Lord arose.
I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.
Jonah foretold of Your tomb,* and Symeon revealed Your divine Arising, O immortal Lord;* for You descended as One dead into the tomb,* and having smashed the gates of Hades,* You arose without corruption as Master, for the salvation of all the world,* O Christ our God,* enlightening those lying in darkness.
Glory… Now…
O Virgin Theotokos, entreat your Son Christ our God,* who was willingly nailed upon the Cross,* and freed the world from deception,* that He have mercy upon our souls!
Polyeleos
Psalm 136
By the rivers of Babylon there we sat and wept, remembering Sion.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
For it was there that they asked us, our captors, for songs, our oppressors, for joy.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sing to us they said, one of Sion’s songs.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O how could we sing the song of the Lord on alien soil?
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O Babylon, destroyer, one is happy who repays you the ills you brought on us.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory be to You, O God!
Evoglitaria
Small Litany
Hypakoe, Tone 6
By Your voluntary and life-giving death, O Christ,* You shattered the gates of Hades,* and as God You opened to us the Paradise of old;* and by arising from the dead,* You delivered our lives from corruption.
Gradual Hymns, Tone 6
Antiphon 1
Unto heaven I raise my eyes, even unto You, O Word;* have pity on me,* that I may live for You.
Have mercy upon us who are filled with contempt O Word,* repairing Your broken vessels* that we may be found useful.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit is the cause of all salvation,* if He sees fit to breathe on one of His creatures,* He swiftly raises him from the things of this earth, and having given him wings,* makes him to flourish and raises him on high.
Antiphon 2
If the Lord had not dwelt among us,* none could have withstood the attacks of the enemy,* for those who are victorious* are exalted by Him.
Let not my soul be taken like a sparrow by their teeth, O Word;* Woe unto me!* How shall I, the lover of sin, be delivered from the power of the enemy?
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit all find divine inspiration,* goodness, understanding, peace, and blessing;* for He is equal in activity* to the Father and the Word.
Antiphon 3
They that put their trust in the Lord look upon high* and are thus fearful to their foes* and wondrous to all mankind.
Unto the pursuit of iniquities* the righteous stretch not the hands,* having You, O Saviour, as their helper.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit is sovereignty over all creation;* Him the armies of hosts above worship* and by everything that has breath below* is He worshiped.
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
O Lord, stir up Your might* and come to save us.
verse: O Shepherd of Israel, attend, You that lead Joseph like a sheep.
Let everything that lives, Tone 6
Gospel
Luke 24:36-53
Hymn of Resurrection
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Tone 8, Glory…
Open to me the doors of repentance, O Giver of Life.* As we worship in Your temple this morning,* teach us how to purify the temples of our bodies,* and in Your compassion, purify me by the goodness of Your mercies.
Now…
Lead me to the paths of salvation, O Mother of God,* for I have condemned myself with shameful sins* and have wasted all my life in slothfulness.* By your intercession purify me from all sinfulness.
Tone 6
Have mercy on me, God, in Your kindness. In Your compassion blot out my offense.
When I think upon the multitude of my evil deeds,* I tremble for the terrible day of judgment.* But trusting in the compassion of Your mercy, O Lord,* I cry to You like David:* Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.
Canon, Tone 6
Ode 1
Irmos: Israel, marching on foot in the sea as on the dry land,* saw Pharaoh the pursuer overthrown in the deep,* and raised a triumphant shout:* Let us sing to God a hymn of victory.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Good Jesus, with your arms stretched wide upon the cross, you have fulfilled in all things the Father’s good pleasure; therefore let us all sing to you a hymn of victory.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Death, the end of life, as a slave under orders, in fear approaches you, the Lord of life, whereby you award to us life without end and resurrection.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
Pure one, who beyond understanding received your Creator, of his own will made flesh in your seedless womb, you are declared to be in truth creation’s sovereign Lady.
Irmos: Taking up the Song of Moses,* cry aloud O my soul:* “A helper and protector for me unto salvation, has my God become,* and I glorify Him.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Jesus my God, as the Prodigal Son accept me now in repentance, for I have lived all my life in slothfulness and provoked You to anger.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The divine gifts which You once gave me, I have sinfully wasted. I have departed far from You and lived prodigally. O compassionate Father, accept me also who returns.
Glory…
Open Your fatherly embrace now and accept me also as the Prodigal Son, O most merciful One, that I may glorify You with thanksgiving.
Now…
Bestow upon me O God, the fullness of You goodness, and look not upon the multitude of my offenses, but by the holy prayers of You Mother be my Benefactor.
Katavasia: Taking up the Song of Moses,* cry aloud O my soul:* “A helper and protector for me unto salvation, has my God become,* and I glorify Him.”
Ode 3
Irmos: None is holy but you, O Lord my God,* the one who is the Good;* you have exalted the horn of your faithful people,* and founded them on the rock of their confession of you.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Creation, seeing God crucified in the flesh, was dissolving in fear, but by the strong hand of the Crucified it was firmly held together.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Sorry death, destroyed by death, lies lifeless; unable to withstand the God-filled assault of Life, the strong one dies. And so to all is given resurrection.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
O pure one, the wonder of your divine child-bearing surpasses the laws of nature: marvellous was your conceiving of God in your womb, and marvellous the birth and your abiding virginity.
Irmos: My mind has not brought forth good fruit,* but You show me to be fruitful* in Your compassion O God,* You husbandman of all good things.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Utterly beside myself, I have clung insanely to the sins suggested to me by the passions. But accept me, O Christ, as the Prodigal.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
With the voice of the Prodigal I cry aloud: I have sinned, O Father; and like him, receive me now in Your embrace and reject me not.
Glory…
Open Your arms, O Christ, and mercifully receive me as I return from the distant land of sin and the passions.
Now…
O fair among women, enrich me with the vision of good things, I who have brought myself to poverty by my many sins, O pure One, that I may glorify you.
Katavasia: My mind has not brought forth good fruit,* but You show me to be fruitful* in Your compassion O God,* You husbandman of all good things.
Sessional Hymns, Tone 1
Make haste to open to me Your fatherly embrace,* for I have wasted my life in prodigal living.* In the unfailing wealth of Your compassion, O Saviour,* turn not away from my heart in its poverty,* for with compunction I cry to You, O Lord:* “O Father, I have sinned against heaven* and before You.”
Glory… Now…
O pure Theotokos Virgin who has not known a man,* you alone are the guardian and protection of the faithful:* deliver from danger and affliction, and every evil circumstance* all who put their trust in you, O Maiden,* and save our souls by your divine intercessions.
Ode 4
Irmos: Christ, my strength, my God, my Lord,* most fittingly your holy Church keeps festival,* singing, dancing, crying out with pure minds,* feasting in the Lord.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Truly, O Christ, the tree of life has blossomed for the cross, planted in the earth, fed with blood and water from your pure side, has put forth life for us.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
No more the serpent’s lying whisper: You shall be like God; for Christ, divine Creator of man’s nature, now has opened out before me, with none to hinder, the pathway of life.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
Ever-virgin Mother of God, truly beyond speech and incomprehensible to heaven and to earth are the mysteries of your God-befitting child bearing.
Irmos: The prophet foreseeing Your birth from a virgin, prophesied crying aloud:* “I have heard report of You, and I was afraid;* For from the South, from the Overshadowed mountain* shall You come forth, O Christ.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The wealth of blessings which You gave me, O heavenly Father, I have wickedly wasted and become a slave of foreign strangers. Wherefore I cry to You: I have sinned against You; receive me as of old You received the Prodigal, and open Your arms to me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have become enslaved to every evil and in my wretchedness I have bowed down before those who provoke the passions; through heedlessness I care not for my well-being, have compassion on me O Saviour, heavenly Father, for I flee for refuge to Your abundant compassions.
Glory…
I am filled with every shameful thing and dare not look up at the height of heaven, for I have bowed down to sin. But now I return and cry with compunction: I have sinned against You; receive me, O King of all.
Now…
You are the help of all mankind, the sure hope of all Christians, the refuge, O pure one, of the saved. Save me by your maternal intercessions and deem me worthy of the life to come.
Katavasia: The prophet foreseeing Your birth from a virgin, prophesied crying aloud:* “I have heard report of You, and I was afraid;* For from the South, from the Overshadowed mountain* shall You come forth, O Christ.”
Ode 5
Irmos: Shine with your divine splendour, I pray you, O you who are good,* on the souls of those who rise early to you* and long to know you, O Word of God,* as in truth the God who calls them back from sin’s deep darkness.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Now the Cherubim withdraw from me, and the flaming sword is turned back at sight of you, O Word of God, in truth the God who makes for the Thief the path to Paradise.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
I fear no longer the return to the dust, Lord Christ, for in your great mercy through your resurrection you have led me, forgotten, from the dust to the heights of incorruption.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
O good Lady of the world, keep safe those who from the heart confess you God-bearer, for we have gained you, true Mother of God, for our invincible protection.
Irmos: The night is far spent, the day is at hand:* Your light has shone upon the world!* Therefore the ranks of angels sing Your praises,* and all things glorify You, O Lord!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have been enslaved to foreign strangers, exiled in the land of corruption, and I am filled with shame. But returning now, O merciful One, I cry to You: “I have sinned.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O heavenly Father, in Your fatherly compassion accept me now, returning from wickedness, and reject me not in Your exceedingly great mercy.
Glory…
I am incapable of looking up to the height of heaven, having angered You beyond measure, O Christ, but knowing Your merciful compassion, I cry: I have sinned against You, be merciful to me and save me.
Now…
O all-holy Virgin, full of grace, you who bore the redeemer of all, by your prayers lighten the heavy burden of my sins.
Katavasia: The night is far spent, the day is at hand:* Your light has shone upon the world!* Therefore the ranks of angels sing Your praises,* and all things glorify You, O Lord!
Ode 6
Irmos: Watching life’s sea rising in the surging waves of temptations,* fast making for your calm harbour, I cry out to you:* Lead my life up from corruption,* O you of many mercies .
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Crucified, O Lord, by the nails which fastened you, you annulled the curse upon us; pierced in the side by the spear, you tore up the written scroll against Adam, and set the whole world free.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Deception tripped up Adam and brought him to the depth of Hell. But you, God and compassion by nature, came down to seek him and, lifting him up on your shoulders, raised him up with yourself.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
All-holy Lady, who bore to mortal man his Lord and pilot, quieten the fearful and unresting tumult of my passions, and grant to my heart tranquillity.
Ode 6
Irmos: Held fast in the depths of sin, O Saviour, I am overwhelmed by the sea of life,* but as Jonah was delivered from the sea-monster,* so also deliver me from the passions,* and save me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The depth of sin now holds me fast, and the tempest of transgressions overwhelms me. Guide me to the safe haven of life, O Christ my God, and save me, O King of glory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have wasted in riotous living the riches which the Father has given me, and am now filled with shame and enslaved to fruitless thoughts. Wherefore I cry to You: “O Lover of mankind be compassionate to me and save me.”
Glory…
In hunger I find myself deprived of every blessing, and exiled from You, O all-good one, be compassionate to me who now return to You, and save me, O Christ, who praises Your love for mankind.
Now…
O Maiden who conceived Christ the Saviour and Master, make me, who in poverty lacks all that is good, worthy of salvation, O pure one, that I may praise your majesty.
Katavasia: Held fast in the depths of sin, O Saviour, I am overwhelmed by the sea of life,* but as Jonah was delivered from the sea-monster,* so also deliver me from the passions,* and save me.
Kontakion, Tone 3
Foolishly have I fled from Your glory, O Father,* wasting the wealth You gave me on vices.* Therefore, I offer You the words of the Prodigal:* Loving Father, I have sinned before You.* Take me, for I repent, and make me as one of Your hired hands.
Ikos
Every day our Saviour teaches us with His own voice: let us therefore hearken to the Scriptures concerning the Prodigal who once again became wise, and with faith let us emulate the good example of his repentance. With humbleness of heart let us cry out to Him Who knows the hidden things of all: “We have sinned against You, O compassionate Father, and can never be worthy to be called Your children as we were before. But since You are by nature the Lover of mankind, accept me and make me as one of Your hired servants.”
Ode 7
Irmos: As falling dew the angel made the furnace to the holy children,* and the command of God burned the Chaldeans;* and the tyrant was convinced, crying aloud:* Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
The sun lamenting your Passion, O Lord, drew darkness around him and the light of the day was darkened over the whole of the earth, which cried aloud: Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
At your descent, O Christ, the underworld was clothed in splendour; our first father, filled with gladness of heart, sprang up, dancing and crying out: Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
Through you, O Virgin Mother, light has risen and joy to all the inhabited earth, for you gave birth to God the Creator of all; ask him for us, All-pure, to send down to your faithful people great mercy.
Irmos: Like the Cherubim, the Children rejoicing in the furnace sang:* “Blessed are You, O God,* for in truth You have brought this judgment upon us because of our sins,* You are supremely praised and glorified throughout all ages.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have bowed down miserably to the pleasures of the flesh and have become wholly enslaved to those who incite the passions; and I have become a stranger to You, O Lover of mankind. But now I cry with the voice of the Prodigal: “I have sinned, O Christ, despise me not, for You alone are merciful.”
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I call out, “I have sinned,” and I dare not look up at the height of heaven, O King of all; for foolishly I alone have angered You, turning away from Your commandments. Wherefore, since You alone are good, cast me not away from Your presence.
Glory…
By the prayers of the apostles, the prophets, the saints, the holy martyrs and the righteous, forgive me all the transgressions, by which I have angered Your compassionate goodness, that I may hymn You throughout all ages.
Now…
O Theotokos, you are more glorious than the cherubim and seraphim and all the heavenly hosts. With them, O all-immaculate one, entreat Him Who took flesh from you, the divine Word of the beginningless Father, that we all may be found worthy of eternal blessings.
Katavasia: Like the Cherubim, the Children rejoicing in the furnace sang:* “Blessed are You, O God,* for in truth You have brought this judgment upon us because of our sins,* You are supremely praised and glorified throughout all ages.”
Ode 8
Irmos: Dew from the flames you shed on the holy ones,* burning thus with water the sacrifice of the righteous.* All things, O Christ, you bring about according to your holy will;* we highly exalt you throughout the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Envy has finished its work on the people of the Jews: of old the slayers of the prophets now they are slayers of God; they set you upon the cross, O Word of God, you whom we highly exalt throughout the ages.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
O Christ, without leaving the courts of Heaven you came to Hell. Together with yourself you awakened the whole man, lying m corruption, and he highly exalts you now throughout the ages.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
From light you conceived the light-giving Word, ineffably you gave him birth, and are glorified. For the Holy Spirit dwelt in you, O Maid, and therefore we praise you throughout the ages.
Irmos: To Him Who of old prefigured the miracle of the Virgin,* to Moses in the burning-bush* on Mount Sinai,* let us sing, bless and supremely exult* throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O You Who came down to earth to save the world through Your voluntary self-emptying and Who, for the sake of Your great compassion, has redeemed me who am lacking in all good works, since You are merciful, save me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I have departed far from Your commandments and, wretch that I am, have wholly enslaved myself to the deceiver. But having now turned back, as did the Prodigal of old, accept me as I fall down before You, O heavenly Father.
Let us bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord!
Ruled by corrupting thoughts, I am full of darkness and separated far from You, and have lost all care for myself, O compassionate One. Therefore, save me as I fall down before You in repentance.
Now…
O pure Birthgiver of God, the only restoration of the fallen, raise me up who am wholly crushed and humbled by every kind of sin.
We praise, bless and worship the Lord, chanting and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.
Katavasia: To Him Who of old prefigured the miracle of the Virgin,* to Moses in the burning-bush* on Mount Sinai,* let us sing, bless and supremely exult* throughout all ages.
Magnificat
Ode 9
Irmos: No man can see God, on whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze;* but, through you, All-holy One, the Word made flesh is seen of mortal men.* Magnifying him with all the heavenly hosts,* we call you blessed.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Free from passions you remained, O Word of God, when you held converse with passions in the flesh. But having dealt to passion a Passion, you loosed man from his passions. For you alone are impassible and almighty, our Saviour.
Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
Accepting the corruption of death, O Lord, you kept your body from tasting corruption, and your soul, life-giving, divine, was not left in Hell. But, as from sleep arising, you raised us up with yourself.
Most holy Theotokos, saves us!
With pure lips we mortal men give glory to God the Father, to the Son with him without beginning, and we worship the inexpressible power, most glorious, of the All-holy Spirit; for you alone subsist almighty, undivided Trinity.
Irmos: Who born on Earth has ever heard of, or beheld,* a Virgin miraculously conceiving in her womb,* and painlessly giving birth to a child,* wherefore we magnify you, O pure Virgin.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Behold, O Christ, the affliction of my heart; behold my turning back; behold my tears, O Saviour, and despise me not. But for the sake of Your compassion embrace me also once again, that, with the multitude of the saved, I may with thanksgiving sing the praises of Your mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Like the thief I cry to You, “Remember me.” And like the Publican, with eyes cast down to earth, I beat my breast saying, “Be merciful.” Like the Prodigal O compassionate One, deliver me from every evil, O King of all, that I may sing the praises of Your boundless compassion.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Groan now, O my wretched soul, and cry aloud to Christ: “O Lord Who for my sake voluntarily became poor, in my poverty I lack every good work: enrich me with the abundance of Your blessings, for You alone good and plenteous in mercy.”
Glory…
As You, O Good One, once rejoiced at the voluntary return of the Prodigal: also rejoice over me, wretched as I am, and open to me Your honourable embrace, that saved I may sing the praises of Your boundless compassion.
Now…
By your light-giving intercessions, I pray you, O Virgin, enlighten the eyes of my mind darkened by evil and lead me into the paths of repentance, that I may rightly sing your praises: for you have inexpressibly given birth to the Word in the flesh.
Katavasia: Who born on Earth has ever heard of, or beheld,* a Virgin miraculously conceiving in her womb,* and painlessly giving birth to a child,* wherefore we magnify you, O pure Virgin.
Small Litany
Holy is the Lord
Hymn of Light
After Your resurrection from the grave, O Saviour,* You revealed Your human nature as You stood in the midst of the disciples;* You ate with them and taught them the baptism of repentance.* Then You ascended to Your Father and promised to send them the Paraclete.* Therefore, O Lover of mankind and God most high,* glory to Your holy resurrection!
Tone 3, Glory…
I have wasted, and in my wretchedness spent, all the riches* which You have given me, O Saviour,* and having lived prodigally, I have been deceived by the demons.* Wherefore, turn me back, and accept me as the Prodigal,* O compassionate Father, and save me.
Now…
O holy Mother and Virgin, great boast of the apostles, martyrs, prophets and venerable saints,* gain the gracious favour of thy Son and Lord* towards us your servants, O Birthgiver of God,* when He shall sit to judge each and every one according to their own legacy.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 6
Your Cross, O Lord, is the life and resurrection of Your people,* and trusting in it we sing Your praises:* O our risen God, have mercy upon us.
Your burial, O Master, opened Paradise to mankind,* and thus delivered from corruption we sing Your praises:* O our risen God, have mercy upon us.
With the Father and the Spirit* let us hymn Christ risen from the dead,* and let us cry out to Him:* You are our life and resurrection, have mercy upon us.
On the third day You arose from the tomb, O Christ, as it was written,* raising together with Yourself our Forefather;* therefore the race of mankind glorifies You, and hymns Your Resurrection.
Tone 2
I bring to You, O Lord, the cry of the Prodigal:* “I have sinned in Your sight, O good One;* I have wasted the riches of Your gifts.* But receive me who repent, O Saviour, and save me.
Tone 4
Like the Prodigal Son I come to You, O compassionate One.* I have wasted my whole life in exile;* I have scattered the wealth which You have given me, O Father.* Receive me who repent, O God,* and have mercy on me.
Tone 8
Having lived prodigally, I have wasted the riches which the Father has given me;* having spent them all I am now destitute,* and dwell in the land of the wicked.* I can no longer bear to live among them,* but turning back I cry to You:* “O merciful Father, I have sinned against heaven and before You,* and I am no more worthy to be called Your son:* make me as one of Your hired servants, O God, and have mercy on me.”
Tone 6, Glory…
O Good One, I have departed far from You,* but forsake me not, neither reject me from Your Kingdom.* The evil enemy has stripped me and taken all of my wealth;* I have squandered, like the Prodigal, the good gifts given to my soul.* But now I have arisen and returned, and to You I cry aloud:* “Make me as one of Your hired servants.* For, for my sake on the Cross You stretched out Your sinless hands,* to snatch me from the evil beast* and to clothe me once again in my first raiment,* for You alone are plenteous in mercy.
Tone 6, Glory…
Since You are the true peace of God for us, O Christ,* You gave Your peace to Your disciples after Your resurrection.* They were frightened when they thought that they were beholding a spirit.* But You removed the anxiety of their hearts when You showed them Your hands and feet,* yet they were still in doubt.* But when You took food with them, reminding them of Your preaching,* You opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.* You made the eternal covenant with them;* You blessed them and rose, ascending into heaven. Therefore, with them, we worship You;* O Lord, glory to You!
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 6: Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 3: Foolishly have I fled from Your glory, O Father,* wasting the wealth You gave me on vices.* Therefore, I offer You the words of the Prodigal:* Loving Father, I have sinned before You.* Take me, for I repent, and make me as one of Your hired hands.
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
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: He who lives in the aid of the Most High, shall dwell under the protection of the God of heaven.
verse: He says to the Lord: You are my protector and my refuge, my God, in Whom I hope. (Psalm 90:1,2)
Gospel
Luke 15:11-32
Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.