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:459@liturgy.royaldoors.net DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton;VALUE=DATE:20260514 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton;VALUE=DATE:20260515 DTSTAMP:20260507T170144Z URL:https://liturgy.royaldoors.net/events/thursday-may-14-2026-ascension-o f-our-lord-jesus-christ/ SUMMARY:Thursday\, May 14\, 2026\; Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ DESCRIPTION:Great Feast of Our Lord. Holy Day of Obligation.\nAT GREAT VESP ERS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING\nAt Psalm 140\n\nTone 6\n\nLead my soul forth fro m prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.\n\nThe Lord ascended into h eaven* to send the Comforter into this world.* The heavens prepared His th rone and the clouds were His ladder\;* the angels marvelled at the sight o f a man more exalted than themselves.* Today\, the Father receives again i n His bosom* the One who was in Him from all eternity\,* and the Holy Spir it gives a command to all the angels:* Lift up your lintels\, O you gates! * O you nations of the earth\, clap your hands\,* for Christ ascends to th e place* where He had been from all eternity.\n\nThe just shall gather aro und me* when You have been good to me.\n\nThe Lord ascended into heaven* t o send the Comforter into this world.* The heavens prepared His throne and the clouds were His ladder\;* the angels marvelled at the sight of a man more exalted than themselves.* Today\, the Father receives again in His bo som* the One who was in Him from all eternity\,* and the Holy Spirit gives a command to all the angels:* Lift up your lintels\, O you gates!* O you nations of the earth\, clap your hands\,* for Christ ascends to the place* where He had been from all eternity.\n\nOut of the depths I cry to You\, O Lord\;* O Lord\, hear my voice!\n\nO Lord\, the Cherubim were amazed at Your Ascension\;* they were seized with wonder as they beheld You\, O God\ , rising upon the clouds\,* for You are the One who is seated above the cl ouds.* We sing a hymn of praise to You:* Glory to You for Your tender merc y.\n\nLet Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.\n\nO Lord\, t he Cherubim were amazed at Your Ascension\;* they were seized with wonder as they beheld You\, O God\, rising upon the clouds\,* for You are the One who is seated above the clouds.* We sing a hymn of praise to You:* Glory to You for Your tender mercy.\n\nIf You mark iniquities\, Lord\, who can s tand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.\n\nO Christ\, splendour and glory of the Father\,* when we behold Your Ascension on the holy mountain\,* we sing a hymn of praise to the beauty of Your countenanc e.* We bow down to Your Passion\,* we venerate Your holy Resurrection\,* a nd we glorify Your noble Ascension.* O Lord\, have mercy on us!\n\nI have waited for You as You have commanded\; my soul patiently relies on Your pr omise\,* for it has trusted in the Lord.\n\nO Christ\, splendour and glory of the Father\,* when we behold Your Ascension on the holy mountain\,* we sing a hymn of praise to the beauty of Your countenance.* We bow down to Your Passion\,* we venerate Your holy Resurrection\,* and we glorify Your noble Ascension.* O Lord\, have mercy on us!\n\nFrom the morning watch unt il night* let Israel trust in the Lord.\n\nO Lord and Giver of Life\,* whe n the apostles saw You ascending upon the clouds\,* a great sadness overca me them\;* they shed burning tears and exclaimed:* O our Master\, do not l eave us orphans\;* we are Your servants whom You loved so tenderly.* Since You are most merciful\, send down upon us Your all-holy Spirit* to enligh ten our souls\, as You promised.\n\nFor with the Lord there is mercy\, and with Him there is plentiful redemption\;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.\n\nO Lord and Giver of Life\,* when the apostles saw You ascending upon the clouds\,* a great sadness overcame them\;* they she d burning tears and exclaimed:* O our Master\, do not leave us orphans\;* we are Your servants whom You loved so tenderly.* Since You are most merci ful\, send down upon us Your all-holy Spirit* to enlighten our souls\, as You promised.\n\nPraise the Lord\, all the nations\;* proclaim His glory\, all you people.\n\nAfter fulfilling the mystery of the plan of salvation\ , O Lord\,* You took Your apostles and went up with them to the Mount of O lives\,* and there You passed beyond the firmament of heaven.* You humbled Yourself and were clothed in our humanity\,* and now You return to the pl ace which You did not leave.* Send down Your all-holy Spirit to enlighten our souls.\n\nStrong is the love of the Lord for us\;* eternally will His truth endure.\n\nAfter fulfilling the mystery of the plan of salvation\, O Lord\,* You took Your apostles and went up with them to the Mount of Oliv es\,* and there You passed beyond the firmament of heaven.* You humbled Yo urself and were clothed in our humanity\,* and now You return to the place which You did not leave.* Send down Your all-holy Spirit to enlighten our souls.\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nO loving Jesus\, while You lived on earth\,* You were God inseparable from the Father\,* and yet You truly shared our humanity.* Ascending in glory today from the Mount of Olives\,* through Yo ur great love\, You lifted up our fallen nature* and enthroned it with the Father on high.* Therefore\, the bodiless Powers were amazed and filled w ith awe* at seeing Your great love for all.* Together with them\, we who l ive on earth* glorify your condescension to us* and Your Ascension away fr om us.* Now we implore You\, saying:* Through Your Ascension You have fill ed Your apostles and Your Mother* with a joy that surpasses every other jo y\,* and through their intercession* make us worthy of the joy of Your ele ct\,* for You are rich in mercy.\n\nReadings\n\n(1) Isaiah 2:2-3\; (2) Isa iah 62: 10-12 and 63: 1-9\; (3) Zechariah 14: 1\, 4\, 8-11\n\nLytia\n\nTon e 1\n\nBy going up again into heaven from which You had descended\,* You d id not leave us orphans\, O Lord.* Show to all Your people the works of Yo ur power\,* that Your Spirit may come down upon us* and bring peace to the world\,* O Lord and Lover of Mankind.\n\nYou ascended\, O Christ\, to You r eternal Father\,* even though You were not removed from His bosom\;* and the Powers could not contain their praise of the Trinity.* Even after the Incarnation* they recognize You as the only Son of the Father.* In the ab undance of Your goodness\, have mercy on us!\n\nYour angels\, O Lord\, sai d to the apostles:* Men of Galilee\, why do you stand here looking into th e sky?* Christ our God\, who by leaving you ascended into heaven\,* will c ome again* in the manner by which you have seen Him leave.* Therefore\, se rve Him in justice and holiness.\n\nTone 4\n\nWhen You came to the Mount o f Olives\, O Christ\,* completing the favourable plan of Your Father\,* th e angels in heaven were moved with wonder\,* and the demons trembled benea th the earth.* The apostles were filled with both fear and joy* when You w ere speaking with them.* A cloud was prepared before You as an awaiting th rone\;* heaven opened its gates\, shining with beauty\;* and the earth unc overed its deep abyss* to show the fall of Adam and his rising up to You a gain.* As an unseen power raised You from the earth\,* You gave Your bless ing in a loud voice\;* the cloud carried You away\, and heaven opened to r eceive You.* Such is the great work that is beyond words\, O Lord\,* that You accomplished for the salvation of our souls.\n\nYou have renewed in Yo urself\, O Lord\,* the human nature which had fallen\, in Adam\,* into the very depths of the earth.* On this day You are raised far above* the Prin cipalities and Powers of heaven.* Having so loved human nature\,* You gran ted that it may be enthroned with You\;* in Your compassion You united it with Yourself\;* in union with it You have suffered\;* and by Your Passion You glorified it\, O God\, beyond all suffering.* Now the bodiless Powers are saying:* Who is this man clothed in majesty?* He is not only a man\, but is indeed the God-Man\,* for He possesses the appearance of both.* And the angels\, arrayed in splendid garments\, encircle the apostles\, sayin g:* As Jesus the God-Man is separated from you\,* in His divine humanity H e shall come again* to judge both the living and the dead\;* and He grants to all the faithful* forgiveness of sins and great mercy.\n\nWhen You wer e raised up in glory\, O Christ our God\,* in the sight of Your disciples\ ,* the cloud carried Your body away.* The gates in heaven were opened\;* t he choir of angels exalted and danced with joy\;* the Powers on high cried out\, saying:* Lift up your lintels\, O gates\,* that the King of glory m ay enter.* As for the disciples\, they were seized with fear and said:* Do not leave us\, O Good Shepherd\,* but send down upon us your most Holy Sp irit.\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nO Lord most merciful\,* after fulfilling the m ystery hidden from all eternity\,* You\, the Creator and Master of all\,* went up to the Mount of Olives with your disciples and your Mother.* For t he one who\, at the sight of your Passion\,* had suffered more than anyone else in her motherly heart\,* had more than anyone else the right to shar e the joy that fills us* as we witness your ascending into heaven.* We glo rify your infinite mercy overflowing upon us.\n\nAposticha\n\nTone 2\n\nO our God\, You were born in a manner of your own choosing\;* You appeared a nd suffered in the flesh as You willed\;* You crushed Death through Your R esurrection and ascended into glory\,* and You sent down the divine Spirit upon us.* Therefore\, we sing a hymn of praise and glorify Your divinity. \n\nAll peoples\, clap your hands\; cry to God with shouts of joy!\n\nO Ch rist\, when the Powers of heaven* beheld Your Ascension from the Mount of Olives\,* they wondered and exclaimed: Who is He?* And they heard the repl y: He is the mighty Conqueror\;* He is the mighty One in battle\;* He is i ndeed the King of glory.* And why are His clothes crimson?* Because He com es from Bosor\, which is the flesh.* As for You\, O Christ\, since You are God\,* You are enthroned at the right hand of God the Father\;* and You s end down upon us the Holy Spirit* that He may enlighten us and save our so uls.\n\nGod goes up with shouts of joy\; the Lord goes up with trumpet bla st.\n\nO Christ\, You ascended in glory* on the Mount of Olives in the pre sence of Your disciples\;* You fill all things with Your divinity\;* You w ere enthroned at the right hand of the Father* and sent down upon Your dis ciples the Holy Spirit* who enlightens\, strengthens\, and saves our souls .\n\nTone 6\, Glory… Now…\n\nGod goes up with shouts of joy\,* the Lor d goes up amid trumpet blast\,* in order to raise up the fallen image of A dam* and to send down upon us the Holy Spirit\,* the Comforter who will sa nctify our souls.\n\nTroparion\n\nTone 4\n\nYou ascended in glory\, O Chri st our God\,* giving joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spir it\,* and assuring them through Your blessing* that You are the Son of God \,** the Redeemer of the world. (3)\nAT GREAT MATINS ON THURSDAY MORNING\n Hexapsalm\n\nGreat Litany\n\nThe Lord Is God\, Tone 4\n\nTroparion\, Tone 4\n\nYou ascended in glory\, O Christ our God\,* giving joy to Your discip les by the promise of the Holy Spirit\,* and assuring them through Your bl essing* that You are the Son of God\,* the Redeemer of the world. (2)\n\nG lory… Now…\n\nYou ascended in glory\, O Christ our God\,* giving joy t o Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit\,* and assuring them th rough Your blessing* that You are the Son of God\,* the Redeemer of the wo rld.\n\nKathisma &\; Small Litany\n\nSessional Hymn I\, Tone 1\n\nYou a scended in glory\, and the angels were astonished at this wonder\;* the di sciples were amazed at Your marvellous Ascension\;* and the gates opened b efore You\, O Lord.* The Powers of heaven were also overjoyed\, and they c ried out:* Glory to Your condescension\, O Saviour!* Glory to Your kingdom !* Glory to Your Ascension\, O only Lover of Mankind!\n\nGlory… Now…\n \nYou ascended in glory\, and the angels were astonished at this wonder\;* the disciples were amazed at Your marvellous Ascension\;* and the gates o pened before You\, O Lord.* The Powers of heaven were also overjoyed\, and they cried out:* Glory to Your condescension\, O Saviour!* Glory to Your kingdom!* Glory to Your Ascension\, O only Lover of Mankind!\n\nKathisma & amp\; Small Litany\n\nSessional Hymn II\, Tone 3\n\nThe God who exists bef ore all eternity* and who has mystically divinized the human nature which He assumed\,* today goes up to heaven.* The angels precede Him and show to the disciples* the Lord who ascends into the clouds amid great glory\,* a nd they then fall to the ground and say:* Glory to God who ascends into he aven!\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nThe God who exists before all eternity* and wh o has mystically divinized the human nature which He assumed\,* today goes up to heaven.* The angels precede Him and show to the disciples* the Lord who ascends into the clouds amid great glory\,* and they then fall to the ground and say:* Glory to God who ascends into heaven!\n\nPolyeleos\n\nEx altation\n\nWe extol You\,* O Christ the Giver of life\;* and seeing You g o up to heaven in Your most pure body\,* we praise Your holy Ascension.\n\ n All peoples\, clap your hands\; cry to God with shouts of joy!\n For t he Lord\, the Most High\, we must fear\, great king over all the earth.\n God goes up with shouts of joy\; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.\n O gates\, lift high your heads\; grow higher\, ancient doors. Let Him ente r\, the King of glory.\n The Lord has set His sway in heaven and His king dom is ruling over all.\n O God\, arise above the heavens\; may Your glor y shine on earth!\n Glory… Now…\n\nAlleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glor y be to You\, O God! (3)\n\nSessional Hymn\, Tone 5\n\nYou descended from heaven to the earth\, O Christ\,* and by Your Ascension You wondrously rai sed up the race of Adam* which had been lying in the depths of the prisons of Hades.* And having taken our nature back to heaven\,* You seated it wi th You on the Father’s throne* because of Your mercy and Your love for a ll.\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nYou descended from heaven to the earth\, O Chris t\,* and by Your Ascension You wondrously raised up the race of Adam* whic h had been lying in the depths of the prisons of Hades.* And having taken our nature back to heaven\,* You seated it with You on the Father’s thro ne* because of Your mercy and Your love for all.\n\nGradual Hymn\, Tone 4\ , Antiphon 1\n\nProkeimenon\, Tone 4\n\nGod goes up with shouts of joy\; t he Lord goes up with trumpet blast.\n\n All peoples\, clap your hands\; c ry to God with shouts of joy!\n\nGospel\n\nMark 16:9-20\n\nPsalm 50\n\nAft er Psalm 50\, Tone 6\n\nGlory…\n\nThrough the prayers of the apostles\,* O merciful Lord\,* cleanse us from the multitude of my transgressions.\n\ nNow…\n\nThrough the prayers of the Theotokos\,* O merciful Lord\,* clea nse us from the multitude of my transgressions.\n\nHave mercy on me\, God\ , in your loving kindness\, according to the multitude of your tender merc ies\, blot out my transgressions.\n\nToday the Powers on high see our natu re in heaven\,* and they marvel at this wondrous Ascension\,* and they say to one another:* Who is this who has just arrived in heaven?* But when th ey recognize their own Lord\,* they order the gates of heaven to be opened .* With them let us praise unceasingly* the One who shall come again from heaven in our flesh* as the judge of the universe and the almighty God.\n\ nCanon\n\nOde 1\n\n(Irmos\, Tone 5) Our Saviour and God led the people of Israel across the Red Sea as if on dry land* and drowned Pharaoh and his w hole army.* Let us praise Him who alone is worthy of our songs\,* for He i s covered with glory.\n\nGlory to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nAll you peoples\, let us praise Christ\, who is gloriously raised upon the wings of the Cherubim\, to seat us with Him at the right of the Father. Let us s ing our hymn of victory\, for He is covered with glory.\n\nGlory to Your h oly Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nSeeing Christ\, the mediator between God and mo rtals\, now raised on high in his flesh\, the choir of angels was seized w ith fear and with one voice began to sing a hymn of victory.\n\nGlory to Y our holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nGod\, who appeared on Mount Sinai and gave the Law to Moses the prophet\, is now raised up bodily from the Mount of Olives. Let us praise Him all together\, for He is covered with glory.\n\n Glory… Now…\n\nO pure Virgin and Mother of God\, intercede constantly before God who took flesh in your womb without leaving the bosom of the Fa ther in heaven\, that He may save from all danger those whom He created wi th his own hands.\n\n(Katavasia\, Tone 4) Enveloped by the divine cloud\, the man of unsure speech taught the Law written by God\;* wiping the dust from his eyes\, he saw the One-Who-Is\,* and he was initiated into the kno wledge of the Spirit.* Let us praise him with inspired songs.\n\nOde 3\n\n (Irmos\, Tone 5) O Christ\, by the power of Your Cross\,* strengthen our h earts so that we may sing and glorify Your saving Ascension.\n\nGlory to Y our holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nO Christ the Giver of life\, You have asce nded to Your Father in heaven\; and You have raised our nature with You be cause of Your ineffable goodness\, O Lover of Mankind.\n\nGlory to Your ho ly Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nSeeing the nature of mortals raised up with You\ , O Saviour\, the hosts of angels were astonished\; and they unceasingly s ing Your praises in heaven.\n\nGlory to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nT he choirs of angels were seized with amazement\, O Christ\, when they saw You bodily raised up to heaven in glory\; and they praised Your divine Asc ension.\n\nGlory to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nO Christ\, You raised up human nature which had been subjected to the corruption of the grave\, and You exalted it by Your Ascension into heaven where You glorify us wit h You.\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nO pure Virgin\, intercede unceasingly before the One who was born of your womb for the deliverance from all error of th ose who praise you as the Mother of God.\n\n(Katavasia\, Tone 4) The shack les of a sterile womb and the unbridled pride that filled a mother* were s hattered by the prayer of Anna\, the prophetess of old\,* who bore a contr ite and humbled heart* before the supreme and all-powerful God.\n\nSmall L itany\n\nSessional Hymn\, Tone 8\n\nRiding upon the heavenly clouds\,* aft er having brought peace to Your people on earth\,* You have been taken up to sit upon the divine throne* since You are consubstantial with the Fathe r and the Spirit.* You have appeared in the flesh without change\,* and Yo u await the fulfilment of all things\,* when You shall return to the earth to judge the whole world.* O just Judge\, spare our souls* and grant forg iveness of sins to Your servants\,* O Lord and God of mercy.\n\nGlory… N ow…\n\nRiding upon the heavenly clouds\,* after having brought peace to Your people on earth\,* You have been taken up to sit upon the divine thro ne* since You are consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit.* You have appeared in the flesh without change\,* and You await the fulfilment of a ll things\,* when You shall return to the earth to judge the whole world.* O just Judge\, spare our souls* and grant forgiveness of sins to Your ser vants\,* O Lord and God of mercy.\n\nOde 4\n\n(Irmos\, Tone 5) O Lord\, I have heard Your voice* and I recognized the power of Your Cross\,* because through it Paradise was opened\;* and I said: Glory to Your power\, O Lor d!\n\nGlory to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nO King of angels\, You asc end in glory to send us the Paraclete from the Father\; therefore\, we cry out to You: Glory to Your Ascension\, O Christ!\n\nGlory to Your holy Asc ension\, O Lord!\n\nWhen the Saviour was bodily raised up to his Father\, the angels were seized with wonder and began to sing: Glory to Your Ascens ion\, O Christ!\n\nGlory to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nThe heavenly Powers cried out one to another: Lift up the gates for Christ our Lord\; H e is the King whom we praise with one heart together with the Father and t he Spirit.\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nThe Virgin gave birth without pain\, but she is both Mother and Virgin at the same time. We sing to her with great joy: Rejoice\, O Mother of God!\n\n(Katavasia\, Tone 4) O King of kings an d only Son of the Father\,* O Word proceeding from the Father without begi nning\,* You send Your Spirit of truth upon Your apostles who sing:* Glory to Your power\, O Lord!\n\nOde 5\n\n(Irmos\, Tone 5) As we watch in the n ight and wait for morning\,* O Lord\, we cry to You:* Have mercy on us and save us\,* for You are truly our God and we know no other but You.\n\nGlo ry to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nHaving filled the whole world with joy\, O God of goodness and mercy\, You have ascended in Your flesh to joi n the Powers on high.\n\nGlory to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nSeeing You raised to the heights\, the heavenly Powers were seized with fear\, an d they said to one another: Lift up the gates for the King!\n\nGlory to Yo ur holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nSeeing the Saviour exalted from earth to he aven\, the apostles were struck with fear and cried out: Glory to You\, O Lord and our King!\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nWe praise you\, O holy Mother of God\, a virgin even after giving birth\; for the sake of the world you tru ly gave birth to the Word of God in the flesh.\n\n(Katavasia\, Tone 4) Rec eive the Holy Spirit\,* breathing the flames of fresh dew as a baptism tha t takes away sin\,* O you children who are enlightened by the Church.* For today the Law comes forth from Zion\;* it is the grace of the Spirit* whi ch comes in tongues of fire.\n\nOde 6\n\n(Irmos\, Tone 5) The abyss surrou nds me completely\;* the sea monster holds me as if in a tomb\;* I cried t o You\, O Lover of mankind\,* and Your right hand has saved me.\n\nGlory t o Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nThe apostles exalt with joy on this day as they see their Creator go up into the clouds\; and in the hope of the Spirit\, whom they await\, they cry out in fear: Glory to Your divine Asce nsion!\n\nGlory to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nO Lord\, Your angels c ame to Your disciples and said: You have seen Christ taken up in the flesh \; in the same way He shall come to judge the whole world.\n\nGlory to You r holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nSeeing You ascend in Your body\, O Lord\, th e Powers of heaven cried out joyfully: Great is Your mercy\, O Lord!\n\nGl ory… Now…\n\nIt is proper to glorify you\, O bush that burns without b eing consumed\, O mountain\, O living ladder and gate to heaven\, O Virgin Mary\, the glory of Christians.\n\n(Katavasia\, Tone 4) O Christ\, our sa lvation and redemption\,* You have come forth in splendour from the Virgin \,* to rescue us from the pit of the tomb\;* as Jonah was saved from the s ea monster\,* the entire human race* was saved after the fall of Adam.\n\n Small Litany\n\nKontakion\, Tone 6\n\nWhen you had fulfilled Your plan for us* and united things on earth with those in heaven\,* You ascended in gl ory\, O Christ our God\,* in no way distant\, but remaining in separable\, * You cried to those who love You:* I am with You and there is none agains t you.\n\nIkos\n\nLeaving earthly cares to the earth and that which is was te and refuse to the dust\, come\, let us arise from sleep and with our ey es and hearts let us go towards higher things. Let us also lift up our tho ughts and our attention from the earth to the gates of heaven\, as if we w ere on the Mount of Olives\, where we fix our eyes on the Redeemer as He i s carried away to heaven. For it is there that the Lord departs for heaven \; it is there also that He distributes His great gifts to the apostles\, giving them strength and comforting them as a Father\, guiding them as son s and saying to them: I am not separating myself from you\; I shall always be with you\, and no one shall ever have power over you.\n\nOde 7\n\n(Irm os\, Tone 5) O Saviour who saved the youths who sang to You in the furnace \,* blessed are You\, O Lord and God of our fathers.\n\nGlory to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nYou went up in a cloud of brightness after having saved the whole world\; blessed are You\, O Lord\, God of our fathers.\n\n Glory to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nHaving taken fallen human nature as a lost sheep upon Your shoulders\, You led it to your Father\, O Lord\ , by Your divine Ascension.\n\nGlory to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nC lothed in our flesh\, You went up to Your Father who is also incorporeal\; blessed are You\, O Lord and God of our fathers.\n\nGlory to Your holy As cension\, O Lord!\n\nYou have again raised our human nature which had been put to death by sin\, O God our Saviour\, to present it to Your Father in heaven.\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nYou placed the immaculate Virgin in this wo rld\, and You made her the Mother of God\; blessed are You\, O Lord\, God of our fathers.\n\n(Katavasia\, Tone 4) The symphony of instruments was ra ised up* to adore the lifeless golden statue\;* but the bright grace of th e Paraclete invites us to sing with devotion:* Blessed are You\, eternal a nd unique Trinity!\n\nOde 8\n\n(Irmos\, Tone 5) The Son of God\, born of t he Father before all ages\,* has taken flesh from the Virgin Mother in the se last days.* Praise Him\, you priests\,* and let the whole nation exalt Him forever.\n\nGlory to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nChrist the Giver of life ascends in glory to heaven\; with both His natures\, He is seated at the right hand of the Father. Praise Him\, you priests\, and let the w hole nation exalt Him forever.\n\nGlory to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n \nYou have redeemed the work of Your hands from the slavery of the false g ods\; You have presented it in freedom to Your Father. 0 Saviour\, we prai se and exalt You forever.\n\nGlory to Your holy Ascension\, O Lord!\n\nThe One who descended among us and trampled down our Enemy now raises up our humanity by His Ascension. Praise Him\, you priests\, and let the whole na tion exalt Him forever.\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nYou appeared more venerable than the Cherubim\, O holy Mother of God\, when you carried in your womb t he One whom they carry on their wings in heaven\; and with the bodiless an gels\, we mortals glorify Him forever.\n\n(Katavasia\, Tone 4) The triple flame of the unique divinity* breaks the chains and stirs the flames with dew\;* the youths sing His praises\,* and every creature\, the work of His hands\, blesses its only Saviour and benefactor.\n\nThe Song of the Theot okos (Magnificat) is not sung.\n\nOde 9\n\nO my soul\, magnify the Lord wh o in glory ascended bodily into the heavens.\n\n(Irmos\, Tone 5) O Mother of God\,* you transcended both mind and word\,* and in time\, ineffably bo re the Timeless One:* it is you who\, with one accord\,* we\, the faithful \, magnify.\n\nSurpassing our spirit and our understanding\, you gave birt h in the world and in time to the timeless Lord\; with one voice and one h eart\, O Mother of God\, we the faithful extol you.\n\nO my soul\, magnify the Lord who in glory ascended bodily into the heavens.\n\nO Redeemer of the world\, Christ our God\, the apostles contemplate Your divine exaltati on\; and in fear and in joy\, they extol You.\n\nO my soul\, magnify the L ord who in glory ascended bodily into the heavens.\n\nSeeing your divinize d flesh\, O Christ\, the angels on high said to each other: Truly this man is our God!\n\nO my soul\, magnify the Lord who in glory ascended bodily into the heavens.\n\nSeeing You raised upon the clouds\, O Christ our God\ , the choir of angels cried out: Lift up the gates of heaven for the King of glory!\n\nO my soul\, magnify the Lord who in glory ascended bodily int o the heavens.\n\nYou have descended to the depths of the earth\; You have saved humanity\; and You have raised it up by Your holy Ascension.* O Chr ist our God\, we extol You!\n\nGlory… Now…\n\nRejoice\, O holy Mother of Christ our God\, for today you extol the One whom you bore as you see H im carried by the angels from earth to heaven.\n\n(Katavasia\, Tone 4) Rej oice\, O Queen and glorious Virgin Mother!* What orator\, rich in eloquenc e\, could find the proper words* to fashion a hymn of praise worthy of you ?* For every spirit shudders* before the mystery of your holy birthgiving\ ;* and we also unite our voices to glorify you.\n\nHymn of Light\, Tone 2\ n\nO Christ\, You were raised up to heaven in the sight of Your disciples\ ;* You again went up to share Your Father’s throne.* The angels who came to meet You at the heavenly gate cried out:* Open your gates and lift up your lintels* so that the King of glory may come in\,* for our King comes again to the Source of light. (3)\n\nAt the Praises\, Tone 1\n\nVERSE\n\nW ith the angels in heaven\, let us praise on earth* our God who ascends to His throne of glory\,* and let us sing to Him:* Holy are You\, O Father of heaven\,* O co-eternal Word\, and most Holy Spirit.\n\nWith the angels in heaven\, let us praise on earth* our God who ascends to His throne of glo ry\,* and let us sing to Him:* Holy are You\, O Father of heaven\,* O co-e ternal Word\, and most Holy Spirit.\n\nAs they gazed upon the wonder of yo ur Ascension\, O Saviour\,* the princes of the angels said to one another: * What is this sight that is before our eyes?* We see the form of a man\,* but as God He is raised above the heavens in His body.\n\nSeeing You asce nd bodily from the Mount of Olives\, O Word\,* the men of Galilee heard th e angels cry out to them:* Why do you stand there looking up?* He shall re turn in His flesh* in the same way that you have seen Him taken away.\n\nI n Tone 2\, Glory… Now…\n\nO our God\, You were born in a manner of You r own choosing\;* You appeared and suffered in the flesh as You willed\;* You crushed Death through Your Resurrection and ascended into glory\;* and You sent down the divine Spirit upon us\;* therefore\, we sing a hymn of praise and glorify Your divinity.\nAT DIVINE LITURGY ON THURSDAY MORNING\n First Antiphon\n\nClap your hands\, all you nations\;* shout to God with t he voice of joy.\n\nThrough the prayers of the Mother of God\, O Saviour\, save\, us.\n\nFor the Lord most high is awesome\,* a great king over all the earth.\n\nThrough the prayers of the Mother of God\, O Saviour\, save\ , us.\n\nHe has subdued peoples to us\,* and nations under our feet.\n\nTh rough the prayers of the Mother of God\, O Saviour\, save\, us.\n\nGod asc ended amid shouts of joy\;* the Lord at the sound of the trumpet.\n\nThrou gh the prayers of the Mother of God\, O Saviour\, save\, us.\n\nGlory… N ow…  Only-Begotten Son…\n\nThird Antiphon\n\nHear these things all yo u nations\, give ear\, all inhabitants of the world.\n\nTroparion\, Tone 4 : You ascended in glory\, O Christ our God\,* giving joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit\,* and assuring them through your bless ing* that You are the Son of God\,* the Redeemer of the world.\n\nBoth low ly-born and offspring of the privileged\, rich and poor alike.\n\nTropario n\, Tone 4: You ascended in glory\, O Christ our God\,* giving joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit\,* and assuring them through your blessing* that You are the Son of God\,* the Redeemer of the world.\n \nMy mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart understanding .\n\nTroparion\, Tone 4: You ascended in glory\, O Christ our God\,* givin g joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit\,* and assuring them through your blessing* that You are the Son of God\,* the Redeemer of the world.\n\nEntrance Verse\n\nGod ascended amid shouts of joy\;* the Lo rd at the sound of the trumpet.\n\nTroparia and Kontakia\n\nTroparion\, To ne 4: You ascended in glory\, O Christ our God\,* giving joy to Your disci ples by the promise of the Holy Spirit\,* and assuring them through your b lessing* that You are the Son of God\,* the Redeemer of the world.\n\nGlor y be to the Father\, and to the Son\, and to the Holy Spirit\, now and for ever and ever. Amen.\n\nKontakion\, Tone 6: When you had fulfilled Your p lan for us* and united things on earth with those in heaven\,* You ascende d in glory\, O Christ our God\,* in no way distant\, but remaining insepar able\,* You cried to those who love You:* I am with You and there is none against you.\n\nProkeimenon\, Tone 0\n\nBe exalted\, O God\, above the hea vens\;* above all the earth be Your glory.\n\nverse: My heart is ready\, O God\, my heart is ready. I will sing and make music in my glory. (Psalm 5 6:6\,8)\n\nEpistle\n\nActs 1:1-12\n\nAlleluia\, Tone 2\n\nverse: God ascen ded amid shouts of joy\; the Lord at the sound of the trumpet.\n\nverse: C lap your hands\, all you nations\; shout to God with the voice of joy. (Ps alm 46:6\,2)\n\nGospel\n\nLuke 24:36-53\n\nHymn to the Theotokos\n\nO my s oul\, magnify the Lord who in glory ascended bodily into the heavens.\n\na nd the Irmos: O Mother of God\,* you transcended both mind and word\,* and in time\, ineffably bore the Timeless One:* it is you who\, with one acco rd\,* we\, the faithful\, magnify.\n\nCommunion Hymn\n\nGod ascended amid shouts of joy\;* the Lord at the sound of the trumpet.* Alleluia\, allelui a\,* alleluia. (Psalm 46:6)\n\nInstead of We have seen the true light we s ing:\n\nBe exalted\, O God\, above the heavens\, above all the earth be Yo ur glory.\n\nInstead of Let our mouths be filled we sing three times:\n\nB e exalted\, O God\, above the heavens\, above all the earth be Your glory. 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