GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading: “Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

We never cease to adore Your life-giving Cross, O Christ our God,* And we glorify Your resurrection on the third day.* For You, Almighty One, have thereby restored the corrupted nature of all* and reopened the way to heaven,* since You alone are gracious and You love mankind.

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

O Saviour, You have absolved the penalty of disobedience,* committed through the tree of Eden,* by willingly being nailed to the tree of the Cross.* As Almighty God, You descended into Hades* and broke asunder the bonds of death.* We, therefore, venerate Your resurrection from the dead,* and joyfully cry out to You:* Almighty Lord, glory to You!

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

O Lord, You have battered down the gates of Hades,* and by Your death You have dissolved the realm of death.* You have freed mankind from corruption,* bestowing life, incorruption, and Your great mercy upon the world.

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

Come, all you people,* let us sing the praises of our Saviour’s resurrection on the third day.* For we have, thereby, been delivered from the invincible bonds of Hades,* and we have received incorruption, together with eternal life.* Therefore, we cry out to You* after Your crucifixion, burial, and resurrection:* Save us by Your resurrection, for You love mankind.

In Tone 6

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

Dying your sacred vestments in your own blood,* you were sanctified, O illustrious Babylas,* and thus entered into the Holy of Holies.* You rejoice now forever in the presence of God,* radiant with beauty in your martyrdom,* sharing the life of the angels in all purity.* Thus we venerate you,* celebrating your holy solemnity with love, O blessed hierarch.

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

Bound by iron chains, you unswervingly followed the path* leading to the heavenly city, O venerable hierarch Babylas,* adorned with your wounds as with precious jewels.* There, as a true conqueror, an invincible martyr, a holy priest,* you sing with the angels the pure and holy hymn:* “Holy, holy, holy are You, O Consubstantial Trinity!”

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

At the head of your spiritual flock, O venerable hierarch Babylas,* you led them to safe pastures of the Faith in the depth of your wisdom.* You protected them from the beasts,* delighting in the Most High God, your Shepherd,* whom you preached before the impious, O blessed one,* rejoicing to be immolated as a spotless lamb* in the company of innocent children.* With them, you were offered as a victim of pleasing fragrance* in a whole-burnt offering.

In Tone 4

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

In the storm, you contemplated, insofar as it was possible, the Bodiless One.* In the cloud, you saw the Immaterial One;* the divine glory made you radiant in God,* and that enabled you to penetrate the mysteries of God,* but grace was given to those who wished the things above.

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

For the people who awaited the Lord,* you were a priest according to the Law, O Moses, * a valiant general for their armies, striking Egypt with blows,* dividing the Red Sea with your staff,* drowning the base and arrogant Pharaoh with his troops. * And, despite their ingratitude,* you led and nourished Israel in the desert.

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

“Moses, make haste to remove the sandals from your feet,* for the place where you are standing is holy ground.* Do not wear that garb, for their leather is symbolic of having been put to death.* Behold, in the burning bush* you see the wondrous mystery of the virginal handmaid of God.”* Thus spoke the Lord to Moses on Mount Horeb.

In Tone 6

Glory…

The Church holds your holy struggles* to be a support and foundation, O hieromartyr Babylas:* you keep it protected, a refuge from the ravenous wolves,* as it proclaims your sublime accomplishments* and magnifies together with you* the infants immolated for Christ in your company,* O blessed one.

In Tone 4

Now…

O Mother of God, because of You* David the Prophet became an ancestor of God;* he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise* and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:* “The Queen stood at your right hand.”* God revealed you as a life-giving mother,* when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.* He renewed in man His image* which the passions had corrupted.* He found the lost sheep in the mountains,* carried it on His shoulders,* offered it to the Father,* generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,* and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.

Aposticha

In Tone 4

In being lifted upon the Cross, O Lord,* You abolished the curse which we had inherited from our fathers.* By going down into Hades,* You freed from eternal captivity those imprisoned there,* and granted incorruption to mankind.* We, therefore, praise Your life-giving and redeeming resurrection.

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

By hanging on the Cross, O Almighty One,* You shook the whole creation to its foundations.* When You Yourself were laid in the grave,* You raised to life those who had been lying in the graves,* and You granted life and incorruption to mankind.* We, therefore, praise and glorify Your resurrection on the third day.

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

O Christ, the lawless people showed their ingratitude to You, their Benefactor,* by delivering You to Pilate who condemned you to be crucified.* But You willingly suffered death and burial;* and, as God, You rose by Your own power on the third day,* granting us everlasting life and great mercy.

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

The women, shedding bitter tears, came to see You in Your tomb;* and not finding Your body, they lamented, saying:* O Saviour and King of All, how were You stolen?* What place holds Your life-bearing body?* An angel answered them, saying:* Do not weep, but go and proclaim that the Lord is risen,* filling our hearts with joy;* for He alone is most compassionate.

Glory… Now…

O most pure Virgin, hear the petitions of your servants.* Remove the burdens which oppress us,* and deliver us from our sorrows;* for you are the only firm and constant support on whom we rely.* O Mother of God, never permit us who call upon you* to be overwhelmed by our cares.* Hasten to fulfil the supplications of all who, in faith, cry out to you:* Rejoice, O Lady, helper of all mankind,* the joy, the refuge, and the salvation of our souls.

Troparia

In Tone 4

When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”

In Tone 4

O holy hieromartyr Babylas,* you lent yourself to the apostles’ way of life* and succeeded them on their throne.* Inspired by God, you found the way to contemplation through the practice of virtue;* wherefore you became a perfect teacher of truth,* fighting for the Faith unto the shedding of your blood.** Intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls.

In Tone 2, Glory…

O Lord, we celebrate today the memory of Your Prophet Moses;* wherefore we implore You to save our souls!

Now…

O Mother of God, the mysteries which surround you are exceedingly glorious,* and beyond the power of understanding.* For you retained the seal of purity,* and your virginity remained inviolate;* yet you are acknowledged, without doubt,* to be the Mother who gave birth to the true God.* We beg you, therefore, to entreat Him to save our souls.

SUNDAY MATINS

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 4

Troparia, Tone 4

When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.” (2)

In Tone 4

O holy hieromartyr Babylas,* you lent yourself to the apostles’ way of life* and succeeded them on their throne.* Inspired by God, you found the way to contemplation through the practice of virtue;* wherefore you became a perfect teacher of truth,* fighting for the Faith unto the shedding of your blood.** Intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls.

In Tone 2, Glory…

O Lord, we celebrate today the memory of Your Prophet Moses;* wherefore we implore You to save our souls!

Now…

O Mother of God, the mysteries which surround you are exceedingly glorious,* and beyond the power of understanding.* For you retained the seal of purity,* and your virginity remained inviolate;* yet you are acknowledged, without doubt,* to be the Mother who gave birth to the true God.* We beg you, therefore, to entreat Him to save our souls.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4

Looking into the entrance of the tomb,* the Myrrh-bearing women were unable to endure the bright radiance of the Angel,* trembling in awe they said;* How is it that He who has opened Paradise to the Thief hath been stolen?* How is it that He who before His passion proclaimed His Arising has been raised?* Truly Christ God has arisen, granting those in Hades life and resurrection.

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

Mortal men laid in a new tomb* the One who through a word established the ends of earth,* for You, O Saviour, willingly endured the Cross,* whereby You conquered the adversary, and despoiled death,* for which cause all those in Hades extol Your life-giving Arising saying* Christ, the giver of life, has arisen and abides to the ages.

Glory… Now…

As he contemplated that which was beyond nature* Joseph was struck with wonder, O Theotokos, at you conception without seed.* He contemplated the mysterious dew upon the fleece,* the bush unburnt by fire,* Aaron’s rod which budded.* Thus your Betrothed and guardian bore witness and cried to the priests saying:* A Virgin bears a child,* and after child-birth remains yet a virgin.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4

O Saviour, You arose from Hades as immortal,* raising the world together with You by Your might, O Christ our God.* With strength You have overthrown the dominion of death,* revealing the Resurrection to all, O Merciful one.* Wherefore we also glorify You, O only Lover of mankind.

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

Gabriel radiant in white vestments descended from the heights above,* and approaching the rock upon which the Rock of life was lying,* cried to the weeping women saying:* Cease your cries of lamentation;* for you have now obtained merciful compassion.* Take courage, for the One you seek is truly risen.* Therefore, cry to the Apostles telling them that the Lord has arisen,* to worship the risen One;* and having received gladness, to take courage, together with Eve.

Glory… Now…

All the choirs of Angels were struck with wonder, O Pure Virgin,* at the awesome mystery of your conception.* How can the One who holds all things in place with only a nod,* now be held in your arms as a man?* How can the Eternal accept a beginning?* How can the One who nourishes everything that has breath by His ineffable goodness,* be suckled at your breast?* And upon seeing these things, with hymns they glorify you* as truly the Mother of God.

Polyeleos

Evoglitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 4

The Myrrh-bearing women hastened to proclaim to the Apostles* the news of Your wondrous Rising, O Christ:* that as God You have arisen,* granting the world great mercy.

Gradual Hymns, Tone 4

Antiphon 1

From my youth do many passions war against me;* but do You Yourself defend* and save me, O my Saviour.

You haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord;* for like grass, by the fire* shall you be withered.

Glory… Now…

In the Holy Spirit, every soul is quickened,* and, through cleansing, is exalted* and made radiant* by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.

Antiphon 2

From the depths of my soul* I have cried to You fervently, O Lord;* let Your divine ears be attentive to me.

Everyone who has set their hope in the Lord,* is higher than all those* who mourn.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit* the streams of grace swell up;* watering all creation* engendering life.

Antiphon 3

Let my heart be raised to You, O Lord;* and let none of the pleasures of the world lure me* to weakness.

As one that has tender love for one’s mother;* so should we have even more fervent love* for the Lord.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit comes an abundance of divine knowledge,* contemplation and wisdom;* for by Him the Word unveils* all the Father’s teachings.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4

Arise, O Lord: help us,* and redeem us for Your name’s sake.

verse: We heard with our own ears, O God, our fathers have told us the story of the things You did in days long ago.

Let everything that lives, Tone 4

Gospel

Mark 16:1-8

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verses at Psalm 50

Canon, Tone 4

Ode 1

Irmos: Through the Red Sea, as on the dry land,* old Israel passed on with unmoistened foot;* crosswise, in the wilderness, Moses held up his arms* and they routed Amalek’s might.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As good and all-powerful, O Lord, you were lifted up on the immaculate tree of your cross, healing by the tree our utter destruction, setting right our defection.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

In your body in the tomb, as God with your soul in Hell, with the Thief in Paradise, you were yet, O Christ, on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, all things filling, and infinite.

Glory… Now…

You conceived the Son of God without seed, by the Father’s purpose, from the divine Spirit; you bore in flesh the one from the Father without mother: through us, out of you, without father.

 

Ode 3

Irmos: Your Church, O Christ, makes merry in you, crying aloud:* You are my strength, O Lord, my refuge, my firm foundation.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The tree of life, the true and intellectual vine, hangs upon the cross pouring forth to all the elixir of life.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As a great one and fearful, demolishing utterly the insolence of Hell, as God incorruptible, now you have risen in the flesh.

Glory… Now…

You only, O Mother of God, are the friend who procures the good things beyond nature for those upon earth and therefore we bring to you our “Hail.”

 

Ode 4

Irmos: Seeing you the Sun of Righteousness* lifted high on the cross,* with good reason your Church stood still in her course and exclaimed:* Glory to your power, O Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You went up on the Cross, to the Passion of your pure flesh worn of your own will, thus healing my passions. Therefore we cry to you: Glory to your power, O Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Lord, death tasted of your life-giving, sinless flesh and deservedly was slain. But we cry to you: Glory to your power, O Lord.

Glory… Now…

You bore a child, O Virgin, without a man, and after the birth you were discerned as still a virgin; therefore in faith unwavering we cry in never silent voices: Hail to you, our Lady.

 

Ode 5

Irmos: Lord, my light, you have come into the world;* O holy light, turn from the darkness of ignorance all who sing to you in faith.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

In compassion, O Lord, you came down to the earth; hanging upon the tree you raised up the fallen nature of man.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Christ, you bore yourself the reproach of my sins; you loosed the pangs of death, Compassionate, in your holy resurrection.

Glory… Now…

We thrust you forward as an unbreakable shield in face of our enemies; we have gained you, Bride of God, as anchor and hope of our salvation.

 

Ode 6

Irmos: I will sacrifice to you, O Lord, with the voice of praise:* so cries your Church to you,* purified from demons’ gore* through the blood which flows in pity from your side.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Girded with power you went up on the cross and came to grips with the tyrant and as God you dashed him down from the heights and raised up Adam with your invincible hand.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You are risen, O Christ, from the tomb in dazzling beauty of lightning flash, scattering to the winds by your power divine every one of your enemies. As God you have filled all things with gladness.

Glory… Now…

O wonder of all wonders, newest and strangest, that a virgin, knowing no man, conceived in the womb him who holds the whole universe in his hands and suffered no straitening.

 

Kontakion

My Saviour and deliverer, as God, has raised those born of the earth from the bonds of the grave, he has

 

Ikos

To-day Christ, the giver of life, has risen from the dead, come after three days from the tomb; by his might he has smashed the doors of death, put Hell to death and crushed death’s sting and Adam with Eve set free. Let all of us born of the earth sing to him, in thankfulness fervently cry out his praise. For he, the lone strong One, on the third day as God and as Lord has risen.

 

Ode 7

Irmos: In a Persian furnace three children of Abraham were set on fire* but more than in the flames they blazed in loving desire to God, and cried:* Blessed are you, O Lord,* in the temple of your glory.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Washed in Christ’s divine blood, mankind has been called to incorruption and sings in thanksgiving: Blessed are you, O Lord, in the temple of your glory.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Your tomb, O Christ, declares itself life-bearing, fairer far than Paradise, more radiant than any kingly hall, fount of our resurrection.

Glory… Now…

Hail, tabernacle of the Most High, hallowed and sacred. Joy is given through you, O Mother of God, to those who cry to you: Blessed are you amongst women, All-holy Lady.

 

Ode 8

Irmos: Daniel, with hands outspread in the den,* stopped the gaping jaws of the lions;* the three children, lovers of God,* clothed in the virtue of godliness,* quenched the power of the fire and sang aloud:* Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

With hands outspread on the cross, O Lord, you gathered together the nations and showed them to be one Church praising you, with those on earth and those in heaven in harmony singing: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As lightning flashing, in the unapproachable light of the resurrection, the white-robed angel appeared to the women and cried: Why do you seek the living in the tomb as dead? Christ is risen indeed and we cry to him: All you his works, sing praises to the Lord.

Glory… Now…

You alone, among all the families of the earth, are revealed as Mother of God; wholly without stain, unharmed by the fire of the unapproachable light, you became the dwelling-place of the Godhead. We all bless you, therefore, Mary, God’s bride.

 

Magnificat

 

Ode 9

Irmos: From you, O Virgin, the mountain unhewn,* is taken the stone uncut by human hands:* Christ the cornerstone, disparate natures joining together.* Therefore, we rejoice and magnify you, Mother of God.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Wholly you have taken me up entire into union without confusion through your great mercy, my God, giving me salvation in full through your suffering endured on the cross in the flesh.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Gazing upon your opened tomb and upon the linen clothes, within which God had lain, left empty by your resurrection, your disciples said with the angel: The Lord is risen indeed.

Glory… Now…

All we the faithful worship the one divine nature but Trinity of persons; persons unconfounded, equal in power and equal in honour, we reverently magnify.

 

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light (Gospel)

When the myrrh-bearing women saw the stone rolled away, they rejoiced;* for they saw a young man sitting at the grave who said to them:* Behold, Christ is risen!* Say to Peter, the disciple of the Lord:* Hasten to the mountain in Galilee;* there you shall see Christ* as He had said to His friends.

Glory… Now…

At the time of Your conception, O Lord,* an angel said to the Virgin: Rejoice!* At the time of Your resurrection* an angel also rolled the stone away from Your glorious tomb.* Instead of sadness and death one proclaimed signs of joy;* the other announced You as the Source of life* extolling Your resurrection to the disciples and the women.

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 4

O all-powerful Lord,* Who endured the Cross and death,* and arose from the dead,* we glorify Your Holy Resurrection.

By Your Cross, O Christ, You have delivered us from the ancient curse,* and by Your death You have conquered the devil who tyrannized our nature.* By Your arising You have filled all things with joy,* wherefore we cry to You:* O Lord risen from the dead, glory be to You!

O Christ the Saviour,* with Your Cross, guide us to Your truth,* and deliver us from the snares of the enemy;* O You who are risen from the dead* raise us also who have fallen through sin,* by the stretching out of Your hand,* O Lord, at the behest of the prayers of Your Saints.

Without departing from Your Father’s bosom,* in Your tender compassion, You descended to earth,* O Only-begotten Word of God,* without change becoming man.* While You are impassible in Your divinity,* You suffered the Cross and death in the flesh;* and rising from the dead You have granted immortality to the race of mankind,* as You alone are all-powerful.

You endured death in the flesh* thereby ensuring us of immortality,* and You abided within a tomb,* thereby freeing us from Hades,* and raising us up with together with Yourself,* suffering as a man, but rising as God,* wherefore we cry to You the Lover of mankind:* O Lord giver of life, glory be to You.

breath praise the Lord.

The rocks were rent asunder, O Saviour,* when Your Cross was set upon Golgotha;* the gate-keepers of Hades were smitten with terror,* when You were laid in the sepulchre as One dead;* for abolishing the stronghold of death,* You have granted incorruption to all the dead by Your Resurrection,* O Lord and Saviour,* giver of life, glory be to You!

The women longed to see Your Resurrection, O Christ God;* Mary Magdalene having come in anticipation* found the stone rolled away from the tomb,* with an Angel seated upon it, saying:* Why do you seek the living among the dead?* He has arisen as God, that He may save all things.

Tell us, O Jews, where is Jesus, whom you have thought to guard?* Where is He whom you placed in the grave, sealing it with the stone?* Give back the dead, you who denied life;* give back the buried One or else believe in the Risen One.* Though you keep silent about the Lord’s Rising,* the stones cry out aloud,* above all the one that was rolled away from the tomb.* Great is Your mercy!* Great the mystery of Your dispensation!* Our Saviour, glory be to You!

In Tone 2, Glory…

They who were with Mary came and brought ointments,* but they wondered how they would achieve their goal.* However, they saw that the stone had already been rolled away,* and a divine angel appeared and gave peace to their troubled souls.* He said: The Lord Jesus has risen.* Therefore, proclaim to His disciples* that they should hasten to Galilee and behold Him risen from the dead;* for He is the Lord, the Giver of life.

In Tone 2, Now…

You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!

Great Doxology

Trisagion Prayers

Troparion, Tone 2

You came forth from death, destroying the eternal bonds of Hades, O Lord.* You broke the curse of Death* and thus delivered us from the snares of the Evil One.* Then You appeared to your apostles and sent them forth to preach,* and through them You have bestowed your peace upon all the world,* for You alone are rich in mercy.

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 4: When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: My Saviour and Deliverer from the grave* as God raised out of bondage the children of the earth* and shattered the gates of Hades;* and as Master, He rose on the third day.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 4: By your birth, O immaculate one,* Joachim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness,* and Adam and Eve* from the corruption of death.* And your people, redeemed from the guilt of their sins,* celebrate as they cry out to you:* “The barren one gives birth to the Mother of God* and nourisher of our life.”

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
How great are Your works, O Lord* You have made all things in wisdom.
verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, You are exceedingly great. (Psalm 103:24,1)

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 16:13-24 (NRSV)
Brothers ans Sisters, keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brothers and sisters, you know that members of the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to put yourselves at the service of such people, and of everyone who works and toils with them. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. So give recognition to such persons. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, greet you warmly in the Lord. All the brothers and sisters send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Let anyone be accursed who has no love for the Lord. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Poise yourself and advance in triumph and reign in the cause of truth, and meekness, and justice.
verse: You have loved justice and hated iniquity. (Psalm 44:5,8)

Gospel: Matthew 21:33-42 (NRSV)
The Lord told this parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.’ So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’?

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

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