Polyeleos Feast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.

VESPERS ON THURSDAY EVENING

Paschal Beginning

Kathisma Reading

Blessed is the man… is chanted.

At Psalm 140

Tone b

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

When Christ had appeared, the modest myrrh-bearers followed in His steps,* ministering to Him with an upright mind and heart.* When He had reposed, you did not abandon Him;* but rather, with tears you came bearing myrrh.* Therefore we the faithful celebrate your sacred memory.

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

Wishing to behold the Life of all,* as He lay dead in the grave, the godly women came by night.* And arriving at the tomb they heard the Angel say.* As Christ foretold, He has arisen,* make haste to tell His disciples;* and cast away the sorrow of your much-lamenting souls;* instead, receive inexpressible joy.

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

On this day we the faithful dance for joy,* commemorating your feast, O myrrh-bearers,* and praising you we glorify our supremely good Lord,* Beseech Him ceaselessly, O all-honoured ones,* that we attain to the splendour of the Saints,* and that He grant to us eternal glory,* since you have great boldness with Him,* O blessed ones of God.

Tone 8

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

Having attained to the heaven of exalted virtues,* You were shown to be a wonderworker in Myra, O glorious one.* And though reposing bodily in Bari,* you visited the faithful everywhere in spirit, and rescued all from misfortunes. Receiving honour as is meet, you are glorious among hierarchs, O blessed favourite of Christ.* And crying out to you now in supplication, we say:* O holy hierarch Nicholas, entreat the Saviour of all,* to bring peace to the world and to save our souls!

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

Having attained to the heaven of exalted virtues,* You were shown to be a wonderworker in Myra, O glorious one.* And though reposing bodily in Bari,* you visited the faithful everywhere in spirit, and rescued all from misfortunes. Receiving honour as is meet, you are glorious among hierarchs, O blessed favourite of Christ.* And crying out to you now in supplication, we say:(* O holy hierarch Nicholas, entreat the Saviour of all,* to bring peace to the world and to save our souls!

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

O you who love the feasts of the Church, assembling with hymns of supplication* let us joyously praise the honoured translation of our defender,* who enlightens all the ends of the earth with miracles,* brings comfort to the sorrowful in manner divine, delivers the oppressed;* who borrowed through the mercy of God,* and, therefore, has received recompense an hundredfold.* To him let us all cry aloud:* O holy hierarch Nicholas, entreat the Saviour of all, to bring peace to the world and to save our souls!

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

O you who love the feasts of the Church, assembling with hymns of supplication* let us joyously praise the honoured translation of our defender,* who enlightens all the ends of the earth with miracles,* brings comfort to the sorrowful in manner divine, delivers the oppressed;* who borrowed through the mercy of God,* and, therefore, has received recompense an hundredfold.* To him let us all cry aloud:* O holy hierarch Nicholas, entreat the Saviour of all, to bring peace to the world and to save our souls!

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

By your virtues you have reached the abode of the angels,* and stand before Christ, your Master, whose obedient servant you were.* And from your shrine you gush forth myrrh, helping the faithful with thy miracles,* and leading the pious to God.* Not from Bari do we now invoke you, but from the Jerusalem on high,* where you rejoice with the apostles, prophets and hierarchs in gladness.* O divinely wise Nicholas, entreat the Saviour of all,* to bring peace to the world and to save our souls!

Tone 6, Glory…

O you who love the feasts of the Church, assembling let us hymn the adornment of hierarchs,* the glory of the fathers, the wellspring of miracles and great defender of the faithful, saying:* Rejoice, O protector of Myra, honoured primate and steadfast pillar of its Church!* Rejoice, O most radiant beacon, illumining the ends of the earth with wonders!* Rejoice, divine joy of the sorrowful and fervent intercessor for the oppressed!* And now, O blessed Nicholas, cease not to entreat Christ God* in behalf of them that honour your ever-gladsome and most illustrious memory* with faith and love.

Tone 2, Now…

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.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6

My help is from the Lord,* Who made heaven and earth.

verse: I lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from where my help shall come.

Readings

(1) Proverbs 10:6-8; 8:6-21; (2) Proverbs 10:13-32; 11:1-10; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15

Aposticha

Tone 4

Let us bless Nicholas, the most glorious hierarch,* the star unwaning of the all-radiant Sun,* the spiritual noetic heaven which shows forth the saving glory of God,* the divine preacher, the enlightener of the heathen,* the river flowing with the waters of knowledge,* watering the hearts of the faithful.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

Your passage was by sea from Myra in Lycia to the city of Bari, O hierarch;* for, with the permission of the Master of all,* your coffin was taken from your grave by a monk* who piously served at your tomb and rendered you honour;* and it passed from the East to the West, O Nicholas most glorious.

Your priests shall be clothed with righteousness and Your righteous shall rejoice.

Having sanctified the waters of the sea by your voyage to the city of Bari,* you poured forth myrrh, O glorious one, healing incurable sufferings.* You became its refuge, defender and deliverer, O hierarch Nicholas,* praying to the Saviour and King of all.

Tone 6, Glory…

O man of God and faithful servant, minister of the Lord,* man of divine desires, chosen vessel,* pillar and foundation of the Church, heir of the Kingdom,* never cease to cry to the Lord in our behalf.

Tone 2, Now…

The women sprinkled sweet spices with their tears upon Your grave,* but their mouths were filled with joy as they exclaimed,* “The Lord has arisen!”

Troparia

Tone 4

The day of radiant feasting is here,* the city of Bari rejoices, and the world exults with hymns and spiritual songs.* For today is the sacred feast* of the transfer of the precious and healing relics of the bishop and wonder-worker Nicholas.* Like a never-setting sun* he shines with radiant beams of light* dispelling the gloom of temptations and grief* from those who cry with faith:* Save us, great Nicholas, for you intercede for us.

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 FRIDAY 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 4: The day of radiant feasting is here,* the city of Bari rejoices, and the world exults with hymns and spiritual songs.* For today is the sacred feast* of the transfer of the precious and healing relics of the bishop and wonder-worker Nicholas.* Like a never-setting sun* he shines with radiant beams of light* dispelling the gloom of temptations and grief* from those who cry with faith:* Save us, great Nicholas, for you intercede for us.

Kontakion, Tone 3: Like a star your relics have moved from east to west,* and the sea is hallowed by your passage;* holy bishop Nicholas, the city of Bari receives grace through you,* for you are revealed as one who works wonders:* illustrious, awesome, and merciful.

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 7

The venerable ones will exult in glory* and they shall be joyful in their beds.

Epistle

Acts 8:40-9:19; Hebrews 13:17-21

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: Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice, and Your venerable ones shall rejoice. (Psalm 131:9)

Gospel

John 6:48-54; Luke 6:17-23

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.* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear*. 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.