Polyeleos Feast.
VESPERS ON FRIDAY EVENING
Paschal Beginning
Kathisma Reading
Blessed is the man… is chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 2
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
In the deep of dawn, the myrrh-bearing women* came to the Lord’s tomb bearing sweet-smelling spices,* and finding that which they had not expected,* they stood reverently pondering the removal of the stone,* and said one to another: Where are the seals of the sepulchre?* Where are Pilate’s watchmen and the secure sentry?* Upon which a radiant Angel, proclaimed to the women saying to them:* “Why do you lament seeking Him that lives* and has given life to the race of mortals?* Christ our God has arisen from the dead, since He is Almighty,* granting to all incorruption, life, illumination, and great mercy.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Why mingle tears with the myrrh-oils, O women disciples?* The stone has been rolled away, the sepulchre has been emptied.* Behold corruption has been trodden under by Life,* the seals clearly bearing witness,* the guards of the disobedient ones are fast asleep.* Mortal nature has been saved by the flesh of God, Hades laments.* Hasten with joy, and say to the Apostles:* Christ, the Firstborn of the dead, who caused death to die,* goes before you into Galilee.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Rising up early and coming with earnestness to Your tomb,* the Myrrh-bearers sought for You so as to anoint Your immaculate Body, O Christ.* And having been told by the words of the Angel,* they preached to the Apostles the tokens of joy:* that the Author of our salvation has arisen, having despoiled death,* and granting the world eternal life and great mercy.
Tone 4
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
The wondrous Simon, boast of the apostles,* passed across the earth like a brilliant lightning bolt!* He dispelled the darkness of idolatry* with his saving, brilliant and divine teachings!* He enlightened all people to glorify one God in Three Persons,* indivisible and undivided!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The wondrous Simon, boast of the apostles,* passed across the earth like a brilliant lightning bolt!* He dispelled the darkness of idolatry* with his saving, brilliant and divine teachings!* He enlightened all people to glorify one God in Three Persons,* indivisible and undivided!
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Like a rolling wheel, the blessed Simon ran swiftly through the ends of the earth!* He burned away the madness of idolatry from all the land,* lighting brilliant beacons with piety,* he kindled luminous fires of grace for the faithful* that they may worship one God in Three Persons,* indivisible and undivided!
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Like a rolling wheel, the blessed Simon ran swiftly through the ends of the earth!* He burned away the madness of idolatry from all the land,* lighting brilliant beacons with piety,* he kindled luminous fires of grace for the faithful* that they may worship one God in Three Persons,* indivisible and undivided!
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The most radiant and all-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!* The 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!
Tone 2, Glory…
You were called the namesake of zeal, admirable Simon,* for you zealously imitated the all-powerful God!* He revealed you to be filled with divine miracles,* for having unusual zeal, blessed one, you were aptly called “the Zealot,”* and obtained a calling consistent with your character!* Therefore, as you dwell on high with the choirs of heaven,* entreat the Word, O seer of God,* that He may grant us great mercy!
Tone 2, Now…
O Virgin, the shadow of the Law passed away* with the realization of grace.* For as the bush had burned without being consumed,* so you gave birth while a virgin* and you remained a virgin.* Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.* Instead of Moses, Christ God came forth,* the Saviour of our souls.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
O God, You are my defender* and Your mercy goes before me.
verse: Deliver me from my enemies, O God; save me from those who rise up against me.
Readings
(1) 1 John 4:9-16; (2) 1 John 4:20-5:5; (3) 1 John 3:21-4:6
Aposticha
Tone 1
Ever-memorable Simon, you drank of the torrent of sweetness,* drinking with divine wisdom the understanding of God which you fervently desired!* Now you have passed over with joy to Him,* deified by the all-splendid glory of the Trinity* and immeasurable peace!
Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth and their words to the ends of the universe!
All-wondrous Simon, you contemplate the beauty of God,* looking upon it as far as you are able,* delighting in it through a higher union and deified by His gifts!* You reached with joy the only divine One whom you desired,* ever memorable preacher of Christ* and now you dwell with the angels!
The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament proclaims His handiwork!
Most blessed Simon,* you have shown yourself to be a faithful mediator between God and men!* Now by your truly bold supplications, turn Christ to us in steadfast love* and never cease to pray to the Lord* that He may grant our souls peace and great mercy!
Tone 6, Glory…
Most holy Simon, disciple and apostle of Christ,* like a high flying eagle you soared over creation!* You burned up the falsehood of idolatry with the fiery sound of your teachings,* leading the nations out of the depths of ignorance* into the knowledge of God.* Now pray to Christ that He be merciful to us on the day of judgment!
Tone 5, Now…
O You who have clothed Yourself with light as with a garment,* Joseph with Nicodemus took You down from the Tree* and beholding You dead, naked, and unburied,* struck up a heartfelt dirge,* and lamenting, said:* Woe is me, O sweetest Jesus!* When but a short while ago the sun beheld You hanging upon the Cross,* it shrouded itself in darkness, and the earth quaked with fear,* and the veil of the Temple was rent in two.* But now beholding You,* I understand that You willingly submitted to death for my sake.* How shall I bury You, O my God?* Or how shall I wrap You with winding sheets?* With what hands shall I touch Your undefiled Body?* Or what hymns shall I sing at Your departure, O Compassionate One?* I magnify Your Passion; I praise Your Burial and Resurrection,* and I cry out: O Lord, glory be to You.
Troparia
Tone 3
Holy Apostle Simon, intercede with the merciful God* to grant to our souls* forgiveness of sins.
Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You!
Glory…
The noble Joseph took down Your most pure Body from the tree.* He wrapped it with a clean shroud and aromatic spices,* and placed it in a new tomb.* But on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world Your great mercy.
Now…
The angel stood by the tomb and cried out to the women bringing ointment:* Ointments are for the dead,* but Christ has shown Himself not subject to corruption.* So now cry out: The Lord is risen,* bestowing great mercy upon the world.
DIVINE LITURGY ON SATURDAY MORNING
After the priest has exclaimed, Blessed be the Kingdom… and the people have responded, Amen, the clergy sing the Paschal Troparion once and the people repeat it. Then, the clergy sing the first half, and the people conclude it.
Paschal Troparion
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
First Antiphon
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,* sing now to His name, give glory to His praise.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Say unto God, “How awesome are Your works!* Because of the greatness of Your strength Your enemies will flatter You.”
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Let all the earth worship You and sing to You,* let it sing to Your name, O Most High!
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Glory… Now… Only-begotten Son…
Third Antiphon
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God, our Saviour
Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms.
Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
For God is the great Lord and the great king over all the earth.
Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 2: When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”
Troparion, Tone 2: The noble Joseph took down Your most pure body from the tree.* He wrapped it with a clean shroud and aromatic spices* and placed it in a new tomb.* But on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world Your great mercy.
Troparion, Tone 3: Holy apostle Simon, intercede with the merciful God* to grant forgiveness of sins to our souls.
Kontakion, Tone 2: With praises let all of us call blessed* the divinely eloquent Simon.* 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.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 2: You commanded the myrrh-bearers to rejoice, O Christ God,* and ended the grief of our mother Eve by Your Resurrection.* You ordered the apostles to proclaim to all:* ““The Saviour is risen from the tomb.”“
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 8: Though You descended into a tomb, O Immortal One,* yet You destroyed the power of Hades;* and You rose as victor, O Christ God,* calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice!* and giving peace to Your Apostles:* You, who grant Resurrection to the fallen.”
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)
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Epistle
Acts 9:20-31; 1 Corinthians 4:9-16
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: You have shown favour to Your land, O Lord; You brought back the captives of Jacob.
verse: Mercy and truth have met; righteousness and peace have embraced. (Psalm 84:2,11)
verse: The heavens shall confess Your wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints. (Psalm 88:6)
Gospel
John 15:17-16:2; Matthew 13:54-58
Hymn to the Mother of God
The Angel cried out to the One full of Grace: O chaste Virgin, rejoice! 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 the resurrection of your Son.
Communion Hymn
Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their words unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.
Instead of Blessed is He Who comes… we sing:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Instead of We have seen the true light… we sing:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Instead of May our mouths be filled… we sing three times:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Instead of Blessed be the name of the Lord… we sing three times:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
At the dismissal, instead of Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen. we chant:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs giving life.
After the final Amen, the Troparion Christ is risen is sung as at the beginning of the Liturgy, but with the addition:
And to us He has granted life eternal;* we bow down before His resurrection on the third day.