Nativity Fast. Resurrection Gospel 4.

GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

Blessed is the man… is sung.

At Psalm 140

Tone 1

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

Accept our evening prayer, O holy Lord,* and grant us forgiveness of sins,* for You alone manifested the resurrection* to the world.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O you people, walk around Sion and encompass her.* And there give glory to Him who is risen from the dead.* For He is our God* who delivers us from our sins.

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

Come you people, praise and worship Christ.* Glorify His resurrection from the dead;* for He is our God who delivered the world* from the deceit of the enemy.

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

Rejoice, O you heavens;* sound the trumpets, you foundations of the earth;* cry out with joy, O you mountains.* For behold, Emmanuel has nailed our sins to the Cross;* the Giver of Life has put Death to death;* and the Lover of mankind* has raised up Adam.

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

Let us praise the Lord* who for our sake was willingly crucified in the flesh.* He suffered, was buried, and rose from the dead.* Therefore, let us sing to Him:* O Christ, keep Your Church in the orthodox faith* and bring peace to our lives;* for You are gracious and love mankind.

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

O Christ our God, as we stand unworthily before Your life-bearing grave,* we offer a hymn of praise to Your ineffable tenderness of heart.* For You, O Sinless One,* in Your loving-kindness have accepted the Cross and death* in order to grant* resurrection to the world.

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

Let us praise the Word* who is without beginning and co-eternal with the Father.* For our sake He was born of the Virgin;* He freely accepted the Cross and death, and rose in glory.* Therefore, let us sing to Him:* Glory to You, O Lord,* the Giver of Life and Saviour of our souls.

Tone 1

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

Adorning the seat of government with your virtues,* you likewise received the hierarchal office through divine inspiration.* Having been a faithful steward of grace in both, O Ambrose,* you inherited a twofold crown.

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

In abstinence and sorrow, in many vigils and in lengthy prayers,* you cleansed soul and body, O divinely wise one;* henceforth manifest as a chosen vessel of Christ God, equal to the apostles,* you received heavenly gifts.

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

As Nathan reproved David,* so you boldly reproved the pious emperor who once had sinned, O most blessed Ambrose,* and you openly cut him off from the Church;* and having chastised him in godly manner with a penance,* you numbered him again among you flock.

Tone 1, Glory… Now…

Let us sing a hymn of praise to the Virgin Mary,* glory of the whole world!* She was herself formed by human seed,* yet she became the Mother of the Master, the Gate of heaven,* the theme of the angels’ hymn and beauty of the faithful.* She was seen as being heavenly* and the Tabernacle of the Godhead.* She indeed tore down the wall of enmity between God and man,* and brought peace in its place.* She opened up the kingdom of heaven.* Let us therefore cling fast to her for she is the anchor of faith,* and let us receive as our stronghold the Lord Who was born of her.* Be of good cheer, then, and have confidence, O people of God,* for He will fight our enemies for us,* He is all-powerful!

Aposticha

Tone 1

O Christ, by Your passion we have been freed from suffering;* and by Your resurrection we have been delivered from corruption.* O Lord, glory to You!

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

Let all creation rejoice, let the heavens be glad,* let the nations clap their hands with joy.* For Christ our Saviour, in His love for mankind,* has nailed our sins to the Cross;* He has put Death to death,* and by raising our fallen forefather, Adam,* He has given life to all mankind.

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

O God, You are above all understanding;* You are King and Lord of heaven and earth.* Yet of Your own free will,* You allowed Yourself to be crucified because of Your love for mankind.* When You descended below,* Hades was filled with bitterness as You confronted it;* but the souls of the just received You with great joy.* Adam arose when he saw You, his Creator, down in the depths.* What a wonder this is!* You are the life of all and have tasted death* in order to dispel the darkness of the world with Your light.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory to You!

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

The myrrh-bearing women were filled with grief* as they hastened with spices to Your tomb;* but they did not find Your most pure body.* Instead, they found an angel* who proclaimed Your unique and glorious resurrection,* and commanded them to announce to Your apostles:* The Lord is risen,* granting great mercy to the world.

Glory… Now…

O Mother of God, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled,* since you remained a virgin both before and after giving birth.* For it was God Who was born of you to restore our human nature.* Therefore, do not overlook your servants who supplicate you in your temple.* Since you have held the merciful Lord in your arms,* be compassionate toward your servants,* and beseech Him to save our souls.

Troparia

Tone 1

Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your Kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan!* O only Lover of mankind.

Tone 4, Glory…

The truth of your deeds made you for your flock a rule of faith* and an image of meekness,* a teacher of continence.* And so you gained the heights through humility,* riches through poverty,* father and bishop, Ambrose.* Intercede with Christ, our God,* for the salvation of our souls.

Now…

O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created,* and saved our souls from death.

SUNDAY MATINS

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 1

Troparia, Tone 1

Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your Kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan!* O only Lover of mankind. (2)

Tone 4, Glory…

The truth of your deeds made you for your flock a rule of faith* and an image of meekness,* a teacher of continence.* And so you gained the heights through humility,* riches through poverty,* father and bishop, Ambrose.* Intercede with Christ, our God,* for the salvation of our souls.

Now…

O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created,* and saved our souls from death.

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 1

While watching Your grave, the soldiers became as dead men* from the lightning flash of the Angel* who appeared and proclaimed to the women the Resurrection.* We glorify You, the destroyer of corruption;* we fall down before You, who has risen from the grave* and who alone are our God.

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.

You were willingly nailed to the Cross, O Compassionate one,* and laid in a tomb as a mortal, O Giver of life.* By Your death, O Powerful one,* You have smashed its might;* for gatekeepers of Hades trembled before You;* You have raised with You the dead from every age,* for You alone love mankind.

Glory… Now…

All we who with love flee for refuge to your goodness* know you to be the Mother of God* and after childbirth still truly Virgin;* for we sinners have you as our protection;* we have you as our salvation in misfortunes,* as the only All-immaculate one.

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 1

The women came to Your tomb at dawn* and seeing a vision of an Angel they trembled;* the tomb became resplendent with life;* and amazed by the miracle, they returned to the disciples and proclaimed the Resurrection:* for Christ has despoiled Hades,* as alone almighty and all powerful,* raising up those in corruption,* dispelling the fear of condemnation* by the power of the Cross.

I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.

O Life of all, You were nailed to the Cross;* O immortal Lord, You were numbered among the dead,* arising on the third day, O Saviour,* raising Adam from corruption;* wherefore the heavenly Powers cried out to You:* O Giver of life, Glory to Your sufferings, O Christ;* glory to Your Resurrection;* glory to Your condescension,* O only Lover of mankind’.

Glory… Now…

O Mary, holy tabernacle of the Master,* raise us up who have fallen into the pit of wicked despair, of transgressions and afflictions;* for you are the salvation,* the help and the mighty protection of sinners,* and you save your servants.

Polyeleos

Evlogitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 1

The Thief’s repentance plundered Paradise,* but the Myrrh-bearers’ lamentations announced the joy that You have risen, O Christ God,* granting the world great mercy.

Hymn of Ascent, Tone 1

Antiphon 1

When I am afflicted,* I cry to You, O Lord,* hearken to my pains.

For those who dwell in the desert* the longing for God never ceases,* for they are far from the vanity of this world.

Glory… Now…

To the Holy Spirit, as to the Father and the Son,* are due honour and glory;* thus let us sing to the Trinity,* a single power.

Antiphon 2

Having lifted me up to the summit of Your laws,* make me shine with virtues, O God,* that I may sing Your praises.

Take me with Your right hand, O Word,* guard me and keep me,* lest the fire of sin scorch me.

Glory… Now…

In the Holy Spirit all creation is made new* and hastens back to its original condition;* for He is equal in strength* to the Father and the Word.

Antiphon 3

With those who said to me:* Let us journey to the courts of the Lord,* my Spirit was gladdened and my heart rejoices.

In the house of David is great fear;* for when the thrones are set therein,* all the tribes and nations of the earth will be judged.

Glory… Now…

To the Holy Spirit must be offered honor, adoration, glory, and power,* as befits also the Father and the Son;* for the Trinity is a Unity,* one in essence, but not in Hypostases.

Prokeimenon, Tone 1

I myself will arise, says the Lord.* I will grant them the salvation for which they thirst.

verse: The words of the Lord are words without alloy.

Let everything that lives, Tone 1

Gospel

Luke 24:1-12

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verses at Psalm 50

Canon, Tone 1

Ode 1

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Your warrior hand is glorious in strength, O deathless one!* All-powerful, in manner fit for God,* it broke the enemy in pieces,* and devised for Israel a strange, new way through the deep.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

He, who with pure hands divinely working in the beginning formed me from the earth, spread out those hands upon the cross, and from the earth recalled my corruptible body which he had received from the Virgin.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

He, who divinely breathing into me implanted within me a soul, suffered dissolution for me, and delivered his soul to death; loosing the age-old bonds and raising me with himself, he made me glorious in incorruption.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Hail, fount of grace! Hail, ladder and gate of heaven! Hail, bearer of the light, vessel of gold, mountain unhewn and bearer of Christ, the giver of life to the world!

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Christ made flesh makes me like God, Christ abased raises me up, Christ the life-giver suffering in the nature of flesh has worked my freedom from passions. Therefore, I sing a hymn of thanksgiving for he is glorified.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Christ crucified exalts me, Christ dead raises me up with himself, Christ has given me life. Therefore, clapping my hands for joy, I sing to my Saviour a hymn of victory for he is glorified .

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Virgin all-holy, you conceived God, bearing Christ in virginity, from you made flesh. One in his only-begotten person, in natures two, we know your Son, for he is glorified.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

What hymn worthy of you can our poor weakness offer? One alone, that joyful one wherein Gabriel unfolds to us the mystery: Hail, God-bearer, virgin Mother unwedded!

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

With most pure hearts let us the faithful cry in spirit to the Ever-virgin Mother of the King of heavenly powers: Hail, God-bearer, virgin Mother unwedded !

Glory… Now…

Infinite is the abyss of your incomprehensible child-bearing, All-holy One! Therefore, in unhesitating faith, we bring our song to you, saying in all sincerity of heart: Hail, God-bearer, virgin Mother unwedded!

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

The Word of God gave you the discourse of wisdom adorned with true knowledge, O hierarch Ambrose, dispelling the irrational and malicious thought of the heretical.

Canon of St. Ambrose

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

The Word of God gave you the discourse of wisdom adorned with true knowledge, O hierarch Ambrose, dispelling the irrational and malicious thought of the heretical.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Having cleansed the vision of your mind of the darkness of the passions, O you that are most rich, you rendered it receptive to the pure effulgence of the all-holy Spirit, O all-blessed one.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Having, as a pastor, fended off the destruction of the Arian-minded with your most wise and sacred dogmas, O all-wise one, with faith you shepherded your rational sheep on the meadow of Orthodoxy.

Glory… Now…

By the Father’s will and through the divine Spirit of God, you, without seed, conceived and gave birth in the flesh to the Son who was begotten of the Father without mother and was born of you without father for our sake.

Katavasia: To Christ our God,* who is the only-begotten Son of the Father from before all ages,* and in these latter times* has become flesh of the Virgin without seed,* let us cry aloud:* You are our strength; glory to You, O Lord!

Ode 3

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: You alone, knowing the frailty of mortal man, tenderly took its form;* gird me with power from on high, crying to you:* Holy is the living temple of your pure glory,* O Lover of man!

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Good One, you are my God, in pity for the fallen you determined to come down to me; you have raised me up by your crucifixion, crying to you: Holy is the Lord of glory, in goodness beyond compare!

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Christ divinely existing life as God compassionate you clothed yourself with me, corrupted one; coming down to the dust of death, O Lord, you broke the chains of man’s mortality and on the third day, rising, clothed the dead with incorruption.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

When by the all-holy Spirit, O Virgin, you conceived God in your womb, you remained unconsumed by the fire; for to Moses the lawgiver, the bush burning yet unconsumed clearly foretold you who received the fire unendurable.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

To him who took upon his shoulders the straying sheep, and through the tree took off its sin, to him, Christ God, we cry: You have exalted our horn, O God, holy are you!

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

To him who brought Christ the great shepherd back from Hell, and in his dispensation through the apostles tended the nations in wisdom: to him, the divine Spirit, let us the faithful bring our worship in truth.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

To the Son of his will made flesh without seed of the Virgin, by whose divine power the Mother was kept still in virginity after the birth, to him, God of all, we cry: Holy are you, O Lord.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Not falsely, O Virgin, in the prophet’s words, we name you that swift cloud on which the Lord has come to break down Egypt’s idols and enlighten those who served them.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Truly, All-praised, the choir of prophets named you fountain sealed and gate shut fast, thus for us in clearest outlines tracing your virginity guarded in child-bearing.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O all-pure Virgin, Gabriel, enabled as far as was fitting to look into the divine mind, brought you an exceeding glad message: plainly he told of the Word’s conceiving and proclaimed your ineffable bearing.

Canon of St. Ambrose

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Having received of God tremendous grace and power, O father Ambrose, by your tangible touch you healed the diverse passions of them that had recourse to you.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

O venerable one, having learned all the knowledge of the Scriptures, in that you were a godly hierarch, you manifestly made plain to the ignorant things difficult to understand, O father Ambrose.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

With the sentence of God, you instantly struck dead the vile woman who audaciously and senselessly strove to draw nigh to you, who shone forth with spiritual wisdom.

Glory… Now…

You alone have renewed the human race, having given birth to the Creator and Lord of our nature. Therefore, we glorify you, O divinely joyous one.

Katavasia: To Christ our God,* who is the only-begotten Son of the Father from before all ages,* and in these latter times* has become flesh of the Virgin without seed,* let us cry aloud:* You are our strength; glory to You, O Lord!

Kontakion, Tone 3

Shining with divine dogmas, you darkened the deception of Arius,* O Ambrose, pastor and teacher of the mysteries.* And working wonders through the power of the Spirit,* you manifestly healed diverse passions, O venerable father.* Entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.

Ode 4

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Habbakuk with the foreseeing eyes apprehended you,* the mountain by divine grace overshadowed,* and proclaimed the Holy One of Israel to come forth from you* for our salvation and remaking.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Who is this Saviour that comes from Edom, crowned with thorns, with garments reddened, hanging on a tree? He is the Holy One of Israel for our salvation and remaking.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

See, disobedient people, and be ashamed! He, whom you, as an evildoer, madly begged Pilate to hang upon the cross, he, as belongs to God, has dissolved the power of death and risen from the tomb.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O Virgin, we know you as a tree of life, for there sprang from you not the death-bearing fruit of food for mortal men but fruition of life eternal for the salvation of us who sing to you.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Who is this who comes so fair from Edom, his garments red from Bosrah’s vine? As God, most beautiful, as mortal man with fleshly garment reddened with the flesh’s blood, to him the faithful sing: Glory to your power, O Lord !

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Christ, the high priest of the good things to come, is revealed to us. He has scattered our sins to the winds and, opening up a new, unheard of way by his own blood, he has entered a better and more perfect tabernacle, our fore-runner, into the holy places.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

You, All-praised, have fully paid Eve’s ancient debt, for the new Adam came to us through you. In your chaste conception joining to himself living, reasonable flesh Christ came from you, one Lord in natures two.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Hear the wonder, O heavens, take note of it, earth, for the daughter of earth, of the fallen Adam, bears the name of Mother to her own Creator and God for our salvation and remaking.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

All-praised, we hymn the great and terrible mystery which is yours: keeping it hidden from the ranks of the armies beyond the world, he, who is, came down upon you as dew on the fleece for our salvation and remaking.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Holy of holy ones, Mother of God, all-praised, from you the expectation of the nations and the Saviour of those that believe has risen. Entreat him, Redeemer, Life-giver and Lord, to save your servants.

Canon of St. Ambrose

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Having been anointed with the chrism of the priesthood, you were shown forth as a hierarch, ordaining priests and granting the cleansing of salvation to all.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

You protected your flock from all the harm of the adversaries, O blessed one, and blinded the falsehood of Arius with the radiance of your words.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Invested with the power of the Spirit, you dispelled the evil spirits of malice, who could not endure your rebuke, O most blessed one.

Glory… Now…

He that wrought all things by His will is Himself wrought of your pure blood, saving them that acknowledge you to be the pure Mother of God.

Katavasia: O Christ, You have come forth from the Virgin* as the rod of the root of Jesse and the flower that blossomed from his stem.* You became flesh from her that knew not wedlock,* from the Mountain overshadowed by the forest;* O God, You are not formed from created substance.* Glory to Your power, O Lord!

Ode 5

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: O Christ, you have illumined the ends of the earth* by the brightness of your coming and made them radiant with joy by your cross;* enlighten with the light of the knowledge of you* the hearts of those who with right belief sing your praise.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The Jews put to death on the tree of the cross the great shepherd of the sheep and the Lord; but he rescued the dead from the power of death, terrified sheep in Hell.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

When you announced the glad tidings of peace by your cross and proclaimed deliverance to the captives, my Saviour, then, O Christ, you put to shame him who held them in thrall and by your divine rising showed him naked and destitute.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

All-praised, do not despise the prayers of those who faithfully entreat you but receive and present them, O pure one, to your Son, our God and only benefactor; for in you we have gained a protector.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

O the depths and the riches of the wisdom of God! The Lord, who snared the wise in their own cunning craftiness, has delivered us: willingly suffering the weakness of the flesh, he raised the dead by his own life-giving strength.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Christ being God is joined to the flesh for us, Christ is crucified, dies, is buried and is raised again, and in joy in his own flesh goes up to the Father; and in that flesh he will come again and save those who devotedly serve him.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Pure Virgin and most holy, you brought forth him, who is the holiest of all, Christ the Redeemer who makes all holy. And so we proclaim you Mother of the Maker of every created thing and Queen and Lady of them all.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

At sight of you the powers of heaven make merry and are glad and the ranks of mortal men rejoice with them for by your child-bearing, O Virgin Mother of God, both are joined together. Most fittingly, then, we give you glory.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Let every voice and mind of man be roused to life in praise of man’s true boast. The Virgin, in truth here present with us, renders glorious the faithful ones who sing her marvels.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Every song and every praise of the wise offered to the Virgin and Mother of God is made glorious. For she to whom we rightly give the glory became the temple of the glory of the most high God.

Canon of St. Ambrose

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Having attained a mind resplendent with immaterial light, O blessed Ambrose, you have emitted rays of healing and miracles.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

You raised yourself up as a sacred dwelling place of the Spirit, O divinely inspired Ambrose, and razed the temples of idolatry.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Emperors were put to shame by you, shining with the effulgence of the greatest of virtues, and their restrictions did not cause your tongue to falter.

Glory… Now…

He that wrought all things in wisdom through His will, desiring to renew man, O Virgin, made His abode in your womb.

Katavasia: Since You are a God of peace and a Father of mercies,* You have sent your angel of great counsel to us to bring us peace.* Thus, we are directed towards the light of the knowledge of God,* and at the night vigil we glorify You, O Lover of mankind.

Ode 6

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The deepest abyss has surrounded us, there is none to deliver,* we are counted as sheep for the slaughter;* save your people, our God,* for you are the strength and restoring of the weak.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

By the fault of the first-fashioned man, O Lord, we were grievously wounded; by your stripes, O Christ, by which for our sakes you were wounded, we are healed; for you are the strength and restoring of the weak.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You have brought us up from Hell, O Lord, you have crushed the all-devouring whale by your might and laid low his strength, O All-powerful; for you are life and light and resurrection.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O pure Virgin, our forefathers rejoice in you, and regain through you that Eden which they destroyed by transgressions; for you are chaste before your bearing and after the birth.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Christ God, mind impassible and immaterial, blended by the mediating mind of man the divine nature with the grossness of the flesh. Thus, unchangeably united wholly to my whole, crucified, he brought to me, the fallen one, entire salvation.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Adam tripped up, fell, and was crushed and deceived of the ancient hope of becoming like God. But he rises, made like God indeed by union with the Word and by suffering is given immunity from passions and, as the Son who sits upon the throne with the Father and the Spirit, is glorified.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Moving not from the womb of the Father, the unbegun Begetter, the God of righteousness reigning without father or mother, comes for lodging to a pure Maid’s womb and is made flesh. His awesome generation is without genealogy, untellable.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

As slaves standing by are the heavenly ranks, fittingly struck with amazement, at your seedless bearing, O Ever-virgin. For you are pure before and after the birth.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Before time without flesh, Maker of all, the Word, the Almighty, whose will alone brought to being from nothing the orders of all things incorporeal, has now, O All-pure One, been made flesh from you.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The foe has been slain by your life-giving fruit, O full of God’s grace, and manifestly Hell has been trodden down, and we are set free from our chains. And so I cry out: do away with the passions of my heart.

Canon of St. Ambrose

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Amazed, Rome faithfully praises your honoured deeds; for, like a radiant star, O hierarch, you put forth the rays of your wonders everywhere.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Having risen at dawn for Christ, you have been richly illumined with splendours and filled with divine light; and enlighten them that ever faithfully honour you.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Having sanctified body and soul, O father, you rendered your heart, which ever attends to sweet desire, receptive to the gifts of grace.

Glory… Now…

Heal the wounds of my soul, O Virgin, with your divine overshadowing, and enlighten my mind, which has been benighted by slothfulness and by the malice of the adverse foe.

Katavasia: Jonah had dwelt like a babe in the womb before the sea monster spew him forth;* the Word dwelt in the womb of the Virgin, taking flesh from her.* Although born from her, He kept her all-pure.* Since Christ Himself was not subject to incorruptibility, He kept His Mother free from the same.

Kontakion, Tone 1

You arose in glory from the tomb* and with Yourself You raised the world.* All humanity acclaims You as God,* and death has vanished.* Adam exults, O Master,* and Eve, redeemed now from bondage, cries out for joy:* “You are the One, O Christ, Who offer resurrection to all.”

Ikos

The third day arising, gates of Hell shattering, the age-long dead raising, as God of all power to him we sing praises: to the myrrh-bearing women in loving good-pleasure appearing, to those who were foremost, saying: Rejoice, joy to the apostles proclaiming, the only giver of life. To disciples in faith then the women proclaim the tokens of victory, and Hell groans and death laments, the whole world exults, all things rejoice together, for you, O Christ, have bestowed upon all resurrection.

Ode 7

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: We, the faithful, discern you, Mother of God, as furnace of intellect:* for as he, the most highly exalted, kept safe the three children* so in your womb he re-fashioned man wholly,* God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The earth shuddered with fear, the sun fled and with it the light darkened, the sacred veil of the temple was torn in two and the rocks were split; for the righteous one was fixed to the cross, God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Of your own will for us you became as one with no help and wounded among the dead, O most highly exalted, and freed us all; and with your strong hand you raised us up with yourself, God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Hail, spring of ever-living water! Hail, paradise of delight! Hail, fortress of the faithful! Hail, unwedded one! Hail, joy of all the world from whom has sprung for us the God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all!

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

The earth of old was cursed, dyed with the blood of Abel by a murdering brother’s hand, but now, sprinkled with your God-flowing blood, it is blessed and leaps for joy and cries: God of our fathers, blessed are you.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Let the God-opposing people of the Jews lament the reckless deed of putting the Christ to death. Yet let the nations rejoice and clap their hands, crying out: God of our fathers, blessed are you.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

See the angel, as lightning shining, crying to those who bring the myrrh: Come and see the signs of Christ’s resurrection: the shroud, the grave, and cry aloud: God of our fathers, blessed are you.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Jacob in prophecy discerned you the ladder, Mother of God, for through you the most highly exalted graciously willed to be seen upon earth and to live amongst men, God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Hail, most revered, from you came forth the Shepherd truly clothed in Adam’s fleece! The most highly exalted in his incomprehensible tender compassion is clothed with my whole humanity, God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The new Adam from your pure blood is truly designated God before all ages. Pray to him now to make me new, old and worn out and crying: God of our fathers, praised and glorious above all.

Canon of St. Ambrose

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Like lightning has the divine proclamation of your dogmas flashed throughout all the earth, O father most wise; and it shone forth as light with the revelations of miracles, enlightening hearts that were in darkness.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Following the command of the Saviour, O father, you, like a most blessed servant, diligently increased manifold the talent given you, and are vouchsafed the Master’s joy.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Having deepened your theological mind, like a river you put forth streams of sacred dogmas, giving drink to the fullness of the faithful, O father Ambrose, teacher of the mysteries.

Glory… Now…

Behold, O Virgin, in your womb you conceived the Word, who is co-unoriginate with the Father, and you gave birth in the flesh to Him who grants restoration to all that from Adam’s time have fallen, O all-immaculate one.

Katavasia: The youths who had been raised to fear God were not threatened by the fiery torments.* They denounced the wicked decree of the tyrant,* and standing in the midst of the flames,* they sang: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.

Ode 8

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: In the fiery oven as in a smelting furnace* the Israelite children shone bright with the beauty of godliness purer than gold,* and they said: Bless the Lord, all his works,* praise and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Word of God, maker and transformer of all by your will, changing the shadow of death into everlasting life by your Passion, we, all your works, unceasingly praise you as Lord, and highly exalt you throughout all the age ·.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Rising on the third day from the grave, O Christ, you demolished the destruction and misery within the gates and strongholds of Hell. All your works unceasingly praise you as Lord, and highly exalt you throughout all the ages.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Let us sing to her who without seed and above nature brought forth Christ the precious pearl from the divine lightning, and let us say: Bless the Lord, all his works, praise and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Come, peoples, and worship the place where his pure feet stood and the wood on which Christ’s divine and life-giving hands were stretched for man’s salvation; and surrounding the grave from which sprang life let us sing: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

The wicked slander of the Jews who slew God is exposed, for he whom they named a deceiver made a mock of the seals of the godless and as the strong one was raised from the dead. Therefore, rejoicing, we raise the song of praise: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

In the thrice-holy hymn, as slaves in godly fear. the immaculate Seraphim give glory to the one Lord of all, the three-personed Godhead. With them let us also in reverence raise the song of praise: Let the whole creation bless the Lord and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Bridal chamber in radiant light from whom came forth the bridegroom Christ, the Lord of all, let us all sing to you and cry: All you his works, praise the Lord. and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Hail, glorious throne of God! Hail, of believers the wall through which Christ the light shone out on those in darkness! On those who call you blessed and cry : All you his works, praise the Lord and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Cause of our salvation, you, who bore the Lord, Virgin all-praised, pray for all who fervently cry: All you his works, praise the Lord and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Canon of St. Ambrose

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Having mortified your members and slain the wisdom of the flesh, you imparted life to your soul and poured forth a fountain of miracles upon them who have been slain by the passions, O venerable one, granting life to them that cry: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

You were informed of your approaching repose in the body by the Spirit of God, O wise one; for you said so prophetically to them that were with you, and passed over to the heavens crying out with joy: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Having rid body, mind, and heart of the turbulence of the passions, O Ambrose, from on high you received a fiery ray of light, crying out like the divine disciples: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!

Glory… Now…

You are shown to be more exalted than the heavens, O all-pure one, having given birth to the God of heaven, who has united those of earth with those of the heavens, and who grants knowledge of Himself to all that cry out: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!

We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord. We extol and exalt Him above all for ever.

Katavasia: The dew-moistened furnace was the image of an incomprehensible wonder.* It did not burn the youths entrapped there,* just as the fire of the Godhead did not consume the Virgin’s womb in which He dwelt.* Therefore, let us praise God, saying: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all forever.

Magnificat

Ode 9

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The bush ever burning and never consumed* was the type of your pure child-bearing;* quench now for us the raging furnace of temptations, we pray you,* that we may unceasingly magnify you, Mother of God.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O how the lawless and disobedient people, devising evil, made right the accursed and ungodly man and condemned the righteous, the Lord of glory, to the tree! Worthily, we magnify him!

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Saviour, innocent Lamb, taking away the sins of the world, risen on the third day, we glorify you, together with the Father and your divine Spirit; acknowledging you as God, we magnify you, the Lord of glory.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Save your people, Lord, whom you purchased with your precious blood. Grant strength to the king against his enemies, Lover of man, and bestow peace on your churches through the prayers of the Mother of God.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Your cross, Lord, is glorified by your ineffable power, for your weakness is revealed as above all power, and through this the mighty are brought down to the earth and the poor taken safely to heaven.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Our dark death is slain, for you, O Christ, revealed to those in Hell, gave them resurrection from the dead. Therefore, as life and resurrection and light in person, we sing and magnify you.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

In three, simple, divine Persons the nature divine unoriginate is known: one Godhead in Father, Son, and Spirit; trusting in this our godly king is saved.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O Virgin, fulfilling prophecy you blossomed from David’s Godparental root. And you truly glorified David since you bore the one whom prophecy foretold, the Lord of glory; most worthily we magnify him.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Mother of God, all pure, every law of praise is defeated by the greatness of your glory; yet, O Lady, graciously accept from these unworthy ones who seek your help the song they bring to you in loving goodwill.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O what wonders are yours beyond the mind’s conceiving! You alone, O Virgin, set above the sun, have given to all to contemplate the newest wonder of your incomprehensible birth-giving. Therefore, All-pure, we magnify you.

Canon of St. Ambrose

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

Like a ripe cluster of grapes were you gathered into the vats of heaven, pouring forth the wine of immortality and gifts of healing, as is meet, O divinely wise Ambrose, upon them that piously have recourse to you.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

With a mighty voice we bless you, O father, the golden candlestick of the divine Spirit, which puts forth the light of pious teachings and the radiance of healings, enlightening the faithful.

Holy hierarch Ambrose, pray to God for us!

The Church, O most blessed one, having acquired you as a daystar, escapes all the deception of darkness, and, illumined with the splendours of your sacred dogmas, she blessed you.

Glory… Now…

With joy we utter to you the salutation of the archangel, O Virgin: Rejoice, abolition of the curse! Rejoice, deliverance from all evils, O you that, in manner incomprehensible, deifies mortals by your birthgiving!

Katavasia: A strange and glorious mystery do I behold:* the cave is heaven;* the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim;* the manger, a dwelling place* in which is laid Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain.* Singing His praises, we magnify Him.

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

Resplendent with virtues* let us behold the men standing in brilliant clothes inside the grave,* giving life to the saddened myrrh-bearing women.* Let us learn of the resurrection of the Lord of heaven* and hasten with Peter to the tomb of life.* Let us stand before His wondrous resurrection* and contemplate the marvels of Christ.

Glory… Now…

O Lord, when You told the myrrh-bearing women to rejoice,* You ended the sadness of our first parents,* and You brought the joy of the resurrection into the world.* Therefore, O Giver of life* by the prayers of the One who gave You birth,* send the light of Your love to shine in our hearts,* that we may cry to You: O Lover of mankind and our God,* glory to Your resurrection!

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 1

We sing the praise of Your saving Passion, O Christ,* and we glorify Your Resurrection.

Having endured the Cross,* and destroyed death* and risen from the dead,* grant peace to our lives, O Lord,* as You alone are All-powerful.

Having despoiled Hades* and raised mankind by Thy Resurrection, O Christ, ** grant that with pure hearts we may praise and glorify Thee.

As we glorify Your divine condescension,* we praise You, O Christ:* For You were born of a Virgin,* yet You were not separated from the Father;* as man You suffered and willingly endured the Cross;* arising from the grave, as though coming forth from Your bridal chamber,* that You might save the world.* O Lord, glory be to You!

When You were nailed to the Tree of the Cross,* then the might of the enemy was slain;* creation shook in fear of You,* and Hades was despoiled by Your might.* You raised the dead from their tombs* and opened Paradise to the Thief.* O Christ our God, glory be to You!

Lamenting, the holy women came with haste to Your grave;* but finding the tomb opened and learning from the Angel* the new and marvelous wonder,* they announced to the Apostles,* The Lord has arisen,* granting the world His great mercy.

We bow down before the divine stripes of Your passion, O Christ God,* and the royal sacrifice that took place divinely revealed in Sion at the end of the ages;* for You, the Sun of righteousness,* enlightened those who slept in darkness,* leading them to the never-setting radiance,* O Lord, glory be to You!

O Tumultuous race of the Jews, give ear.* Where are those who approached Pilate?* Let the soldiers who kept watch say,* where are the seals of the grave?* To where has the one who was buried been moved?* Where has the One who is not for sale been sold?* How has the treasure been burgled?* O Lawless Jews, why do you slander the Rising of the Crucified?* He has arisen, as one free among the dead,* and grants to the world His great mercy.

Tone 4, Glory…

The women came at early dawn to Your tomb, O Christ,* but they did not find Your venerable body.* As they were perplexed, an angel in shining clothes said to them:* Why do you seek the Living among the dead?* He is risen as He foretold.* Have you forgotten what He said?* Being assured by the words of the angel,* the women preached to the disciples about the things they saw.* But their good news was received with ridicule;* for the disciples were still without understanding.* Peter, however, hastened to Your tomb* and then glorified Your wonders, O Lord.

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

Today salvation has come to the world.* Let us sing to Him who is risen from the tomb,* the Author of Life who has crushed Death by his death* and bestowed on us victory and great mercy.

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 1: Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans,* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day,* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan,* O only Lover of mankind.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 1: You arose in glory from the tomb* and with Yourself You raised the world.* All humanity acclaims You as God,* and death has vanished.* Adam exults, O Master,* and Eve, redeemed now from bondage, cries out for joy:* “You are the One, O Christ, Who offer resurrection to all.”

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 1: When Gabriel uttered to you, O Virgin, his ‘Rejoice!’* at that sound the Master of all became flesh in you, the Holy Ark.* As the just David said,* you have become wider than the heavens carrying your Creator.* Glory to Him Who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you!* Glory to Him Who freed us through birth from you!

Prokeimenon, Tone 1

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in You.

verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O you just; praise befits the righteous. (Psalm 32:22,1)

Epistle

Ephesians 5:9-19

Alleluia, Tone 1

verse: God gives me vindication, and has subdued peoples under me.

verse: Making great the salvation of the king, and showing mercy to His anointed, to David, and to His posterity forever. (Psalm 17:48,51)

Gospel

Luke 12:16-21

Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest (Psalm 148:1).* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.