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

At Psalm 140, In Tone 2

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

Come, let us adore God the Word,* who was born of the Father before all ages,* and was incarnate of the Virgin Mary;* for of His own free will He suffered the Cross* and submitted Himself to burial,* and arose from the dead to save me, a sinful one.

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

Christ our Saviour cancelled the decree that was written against us,* by nailing it to the Cross;* and He abolished the dominion of Death.* Let us glorify His resurrection on the third day.

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

Let us, together with the archangels, sing of Christ’s resurrection;* for He is the Redeemer and Saviour of our souls.* He will come again in awesome glory and mighty power* to judge the world which He has fashioned.

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

Although You died and were buried,* the angel yet declared You as Master.* He said to the women: Come and see where the Lord was placed;* for He is risen as He foretold,* because He is almighty.* Therefore, we worship You, the only Immortal One,* and we beseech You to have mercy on us, O Giver of Life.

In Tone 6

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

Truly the Seven Councils of the Fathers* although held at various times* were brought together under the canons and in good order* by the Patriarch Germanus the New.* By inscribing and establishing their doctrines* and offering themselves as intercessors with the Lord,* the Fathers are protectors of our salvation* and shepherds of the fold.

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

The Book of the Law has truly honoured the seventh day for the Hebrews* who were dispersed in the shadow of the Law and devoted to it.* But you Fathers, by your participation in the Seven Councils,* by the inspiration of God who in six days finished this universe* and blessed the seventh day,* have made it even more honourable by decreeing the bounds of faith.

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

You have given all, O thrice-blessed Fathers,* to know the Father, the Son, and the Spirit clearly by their works:* the Trinity who is the cause of the creation of the world.* By your mystical speech* you called the first three Councils and then the next four.* You have appeared as champions of the true faith,* proving that the Trinity is truly the Creator* of the four elements and of the world.

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

It would have sufficed Elisha the Prophet* to bend but once to instil life into the dead son of the servant,* but he kneeled and bent seven times.* Thus, in his foreknowledge he prophesied your gathering* through which you revived the Incarnation of the Word of God,* and humiliated Arius and his co-workers.

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

In wisdom, O venerable Fathers,* you patched the garment of Christ* which had been torn by barking dogs;* for you could not possibly bear to see his nakedness,* like Shem and Japheth of old,* who could not bear to see the nakedness of their father.* Thus you confounded the foolish Arius* and all those who followed his doctrines.

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

O Fathers, you are the true shepherds* who expelled from the Saviour’s fold* the Macedonians and the Nestorians,* the followers of Ephtechnis and Dioscorus,* Appolonarius, Sabellius, and Severus* because they became devouring wolves hidden in the skins of lambs.* Since you exposed these wretched ones, we truly honour you.

Glory…

Let us honour today those mystical trumpets of the Spirit,* namely the God-mantled Fathers* who, speaking of divine things,* sang in the midst of the Church a hymn in unison,* teaching that the Trinity is One,* not differing in Substance or Godhead,* refuting Arius and struggling for the true faith.* They always intercede with the Lord* to have mercy on our souls.

In Tone 2

Now…

O Virgin, the shadow of the Law passed away* with the realization of grace.* For as the bush had burned without being consumed,* so you gave birth while a virgin* and you remained a virgin.* Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.* Instead of Moses, Christ God came forth,* the Saviour of our souls.

Readings: (1) Genesis 14: 14-20; (2) Deuteronomy 1: 8-11, 15-17; (3) Deuteronomy 10: 14-21

Aposticha

In Tone 2

Your Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour,* has enlightened the whole universe;* and, through it, You call back to Yourself all Creation.* Almighty God, glory to You!

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

By the wood of Your Cross, O Saviour,* You have abolished the curse of the tree;* by Your burial You have destroyed the power of death;* and by Your resurrection You enlightened the human race.* We, therefore, cry out to You:* O Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to You!

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

O Christ, when You were nailed to the Cross,* the distorted nature of creation was made manifest.* The soldiers showed their inhumanity by piercing Your side with a lance,* and the people showed their ignorance of Your power* by asking that Your tomb be sealed.* But, in Your mercy, You accepted burial* and then arose on the third day.* O Lord, glory to You!

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

O Christ, Giver of Life,* You freely endured the Passion for the sake of mortals.* In Your power You descended into Hades;* and snatching, as from a mighty monster, the souls of those who awaited Your coming,* You placed them in Paradise.* Therefore, show Your great mercy to us who glorify Your resurrection,* and cleanse our souls.

In Tone 4, Glory…

Come all you people of the true faith,* let us celebrate today in faith and true worship* the anniversary of the God-mantled Fathers* who came together in the splendid city of Nicaea* from the whole inhabited world.* These Fathers, in the wisdom of their pious minds,* refuted the impious belief which the wretched Arius had invented.* They banished him from the universal Church by a decree of the Council.* They instructed all to confess openly* that the Son of God is consubstantial and co-eternal with the Father before all eternity,* decreeing the same with precision and true worship in the Canon of Faith.* Therefore, following their divine doctrines,* in true faith let us worship the Father and the Son and the most Holy Spirit,* the consubstantial Trinity in one Godhead.

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 fulfill 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 2

When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”

In Tone 8, Glory…

Christ our God, You are glorified above all,* You established our fathers as beacons on earth* and through them guided all of us to the true faith.* Glory to You, most compassionate Lord.

Now…

O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people!

SUNDAY MATINS

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 2

Troparia, Tone 2

When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!” (2)

In Tone 8, Glory…

Christ our God, You are glorified above all,* You established our fathers as beacons on earth* and through them guided all of us to the true faith.* Glory to You, most compassionate Lord.

Now…

O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people!

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 2

The noble Joseph having taken down You most pure Body from the tree,* wrapped it in a fine linen shroud* covering it with fragrant spices* and placed it in a new sepulchre;* but on the third day You arose, O Lord,* granting the world great mercy.

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

The Angel standing by the tomb cried to the myrrh-bearing women,* ‘Myrrh is fitting for the dead,* but Christ has been revealed a stranger to corruption.* rather cry aloud: The Lord is risen,* granting the world great mercy!’

Glory… Now…

You are highly glorified, O Virgin Theotokos,* and we sing your praise,* for through the Cross of your Son Hades has been overthrown,* Death has been slain,* and we who were dead have arisen and been granted life.* We have received Paradise, our ancient delight,* therefore with thanksgiving we glorify Christ our God* as mighty and alone plenteous in mercy.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 2

You did not prevent the grave stone from being sealed,* and having arisen You granted to all the rock of the Faith.* O Lord, glory be to You!

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

The choir of Your Disciples rejoices in harmony with the Myrrh-bearing women;* for with them we celebrate a common feast  to the glory and honour of Your Resurrection.* Through them, O Lord who loves mankind,* grant Your people Your great mercy.

Glory… Now…

You are highly blessed, O Virgin Theotokos,* for through Him who was incarnate of you* Hades has been taken captive, Adam recalled, the curse slain, and Eve set free,* death has been put to death and we have been given life;* therefore with hymns we cry to you:* Blessed are You O Christ our God who has been thus well-pleased, glory be to You!

Polyeleos; Evlogitaria; Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 2

The women coming to You grave after the Passion* to anoint Your body, O Christ God,* saw Angels in the tomb and were frightened,* for they heard a message from them:* The Lord has arisen, granting the world His great mercy.

Hymn of Ascent, Tone 2

Antiphon 1

I raise the eyes of my heart to You in heaven, O Saviour.* Save me by Your radiance.

Have mercy, O my Christ, on us who fail You every hour and in many ways,* and grant to us the means to return to You* in repentance before the end.

Glory… Now…

To the Holy Spirit belongs sovereignty,* sanctification and the quickening of creation,* for He is God, one in essence with the Father* and the Word.

Antiphon 2

If the Lord was not among us,* who could be kept safe from the one* who is both our foe and a manslayer?

Do not hand Your servant over to destruction, O my Saviour.* For like a lion they come up against me,* they who are my foes.

Glory… Now…

To the Holy Spirit belongs the source of life and its honour,* for, being God, He preserves all creation* by His power* in the Father through the Son.

Antiphon 3

Those who trust in the Lord are like the holy mountain:* they are utterly unshaken* by the assaults of the enemy.

Let not those who live for God* stretch out their hands in iniquity;* for with the rod of His word Christ forbids such things.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit all wisdom flows forth,* grace to the Apostles,* crowns to the Martyrs,* and to the Prophets, prophetic vision.

Prokeimenon, Tone 2
Lord, rise up in Your anger, rise against the fury of my foes; my God, awake! You will give judgment. Let the company of nations gather round You.
verse: Lord God, I take refuge in You. From my pursuers save me and rescue me.

Let everything that lives, Tone 2

Gospel: John 20:11-18

Hymn of Resurrection; Psalm 50; Verses at Psalm 50; Canon, Tone 2

Ode 1

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Once his overwhelming power overturned the whole of Pharaoh’s army in the deep;* but the Word made flesh, the Lord of glory, blotted out the wholly wretched sin.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The prince of this world in whose books we, who disobeyed your commands, were inscribed, O Good One, has been judged by your cross; attacking you as a mortal, he fell back from the power of your might and was exposed in his weakness.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Deliverer of the race of mortal men and author of incorruptible life, you came into the world: for you tore in pieces the grave clothes of death in your resurrection, and this we glorify. Gloriously he is glorified.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O pure one, and ever-Virgin, you are shown to be higher than all creatures seen and unseen; for you bore the Creator since he willed to take flesh in your womb; with boldness pray to him to save our souls.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

You have become, O Christ, strength to the weak, resurrection to the fallen, incorruption to the dead through the suffering of your flesh: for he is glorified.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

He took pity and raised up the fallen and shattered image, the creator and renewer, God, became dead: for he is glorified.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Immaterial ladder and a strange dry way in the sea of old revealed your bringing to birth, O pure one; this we all proclaim in song, for he is glorified.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The power of the Most High, fulness of reality, Wisdom of God, took bodily form from you, pure one, and conversed with mortal men for he is glorified.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Through the closed gate of your impassable womb, O pure one, the Sun of Righteousness passed and shone upon the world, for he is glorified.

The Troparia from the Menaion, then the appointed Katavasia.

 

Ode 3

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The desert, the barren Church of the nations, has blossomed as a lily at your coming, O Lord;* in this my heart is made firm.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Creation at your Passion was put to confusion to see you in mean disguise and mocked by the lawless, you whose lightest nod had established the universe.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You fashioned me with your hands from the dust in your image; and when, through sin, I was crushed again into the dust of death, you, O Christ, went down with me to Hell and raised me up with yourself.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The ranks of angels were amazed and the hearts of men trembled, All-pure, at your giving birth; wherefore we reverence you in faith, O Mother of God.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Christ, beyond all, by his suffering in flesh, was made a little lower than the nature of angels.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

You were reckoned as dead with the lawless, O Christ, you were seen by the women shining with the crown of your Rising’s glory.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O Virgin, he, beyond all time as Creator of time, of his will was fashioned as a babe from you.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Let us, the faithful, sing the praises of the womb wider than the heavens, for through it Adam dwells, rejoicing, a citizen of heaven.

The Troparia from the Menaion, then the appointed Katavasia.

 

Ode 4

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: You came forth from the Virgin,* not an ambassador, not an angel,* but the Lord himself made flesh,* and saved my whole humanity.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You were standing, my God, before the judgment seat as one judged, not crying out, bringing, O Lord, judgment upon the nations. Thus, through your Passion, O Christ, you wrought salvation for the world.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

By your Passion the weapons of the enemies failed, by your descent into Hell the cities of the foe were destroyed and the insolence of the tyrant overthrown.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

All we the faithful know you a haven of salvation, a fortified city unshaken, Lady Mother of God; for by your prayers you deliver our souls from danger.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

O Christ, the Virgin, who bore you without pain, saw you nailed to the tree and suffered then the mother’s anguish.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Death is conquered, he who died despoils the gates of Hell; the all-devourer is devoured and all things beyond nature are given to me.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Behold the sacred mountain of the house of the Lord, high and lifted up: above the powers the Mother of God stands revealed.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O Virgin, you alone were deemed worthy of the divine calling, for you gave birth, outside the laws. of nature, to him who rules creation.

The Troparia from the Menaion, then the appointed Katavasia.

 

Ode 5

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Christ God, you are mediator between God and man:* through you, O Lord, we have access from the night of ignorance to your Father, the author of light.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You broke as the cedars, O Christ, the insolence of the enemy when, of your own will, O Lord, you were pleased to be lifted up in the flesh on the cypress, the pine and the cedar.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

They laid you in the lowest pit, O Christ, dead, without breath; but with your stripes you raised with yourself, O Saviour, the wounded and forgotten who slept in the graves.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Pray to your Son and Lord, pure Virgin, to grant deliverance to prisoners and peace from the hostile forces surrounding those who trust in you.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Refusing to fast the first Ad am tastes of the death-bearing tree ; the second, crucified, utterly destroys the sin.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

In the immaterial Godhead incapable of suffering, you became, O Christ the nature liable to suffering and death; from Hell’s black vault you raised lhe dead and made them incorruptible.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

O cloud , rain down the sweetness of joy on the dwellers of earth, for to them a child is given, he who is before the ages, our God made flesh of a Virgin.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Light ha shone on my life on this small piece of flesh, for the Most High. in these last times made flesh without seed from the Virgin, has dissolved the sullen gloom of sin.

The Troparia from the Menaion, then the appointed Katavasia.

 

Ode 6

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Engulfed in sin’s unfathomed depths* I cry to the fathomless deeps of your tender compassion;* God has brought me up* from corruption.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The righteous was judged as a criminal and nailed to the tree with the lawless with his own blood granting forgiveness to the guilty.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As by one man, the first Adam, death came of old to the world, so by one, the Son of God, resurrection has been revealed .

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

You knew no man, O Virgin, you bore a child and remained for ever virgin, revealing thus the signs of true divinity of your Son and God.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Before the tree of life you set the Cherubim, guards in face of fallen man; but they, beholding you, set wide the gates for you were seen making, for the Thief, the path to Paradise.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Through the death of one man Hell sits solitary, devoid of all resource, for Christ emptied it of all its stored up wealth, one for the sake of us all.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The nature of man enslaved to sin through you, pure Lady, has come to freedom for your Son as a lamb has been sacrificed for us all.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Let us all cry out to you, true Mother of God: Deliver your anger-provoking servants: for you alone have acquired boldness before your Son.

The Troparia from the Menaion, then the appointed Katavasia.

 

Kontakion, Tone 2

You rose from the tomb, O almighty Saviour;* and Hades, seeing this wonder, was stricken with fear; and the dead arose.* Creation saw and rejoices with You, and Adam exults.* And the world, my Saviour, sings Your praises for ever.

 

Ikos

Light you are to those endarkened, resurrection you are to all and life to mortal man; and when you, the Saviour, raised up all with yourself and despoiled the might of death, when you, O Word, shattered the gates of Hell, the dead saw it and marvelled at the marvel and all creation rejoiced together in your resurrection, O Lover of man. For all of this we glorify and sing your coming down to us and all the universe, my Saviour, hymns you for ever.

 

Ode 7

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The godless decree of the lawless tyrant* re-kindled the soaring flames,* Christ let fall on the God-fearing children the dew of the Spirit.* He is blessed and glorious above all.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Your tender compassion, O Lord, would not allow you to see mankind beneath the sway of death but you came and saved him by your own blood, becoming man. He is blessed and glorious above all.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Seeing you clothed in the robe of vengeance, O Christ. Hell’s doorkeepers cowered in fear for you came to master, O Lord, the slave, the reasonless tyrant. He is blessed and glorious above all.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

We know you the Holy of Holies, Virgin unspotted, Mother unwedded, for you alone bore the unchangeable God: by your divine giving birth you have shed incorruption on all the faithful.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Long ago in Eden disobedience condemned our first father but one of his own will suffered condemnation. annulling the charge against the wrong-doer: God of our fathers, supremely divine and most glorious.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

You saved one wounded in the tongue by the venomous serpent in Eden: you cured the freely in vi led bite by your freely willed Passion, God of our fathers, supremely divine and most glorious.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

You called to the light one walking in the shadow of death, scattering by the lightning flash or your divinity the murky darkness of Hell: God of our fathers, supremely divine and most glorious.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

In the night Jacob beheld the God made flesh in a riddle but as a beacon light he was seen to come from you by those who sing: God of our fathers, supremely divine and most glorious.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

He wrestles with Jacob, prefiguring the signs of the ineffable interweaving within you, O pure one, through which he is willingly joined to man: the God of our fathers, supremely divine and most glorious.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Profane the man who does not proclaim the Son of the Virgin one of the all-praised Trinity, who does not cry out without doubting with mind and with mouth: God of our fathers, supremely divine and most glorious.

The Troparia from the Menaion, then the appointed Katavasia.

 

Ode 8

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Once in Babylon by divine command* the blazing furnace divided its work,* the Chaldaeans consuming, the faithful bedewing,* who sang: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The ranks of angels saw the garment of your flesh empurpled with your blood, in trembling amazement at the magnitude of your longsuffering, crying: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Through your rising, O Merciful, you have clothed my mortality with deathlessness; therefore in glad thanksgiving your chosen people raise to you a song of praise, crying: Truly death is swallowed up in victory.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The One inseparable from the Father and humanly, divinely, dwelling in your womb, you conceived without seed and brought forth inexpressibly, Birth-giver of God, all-pure. By this we know you the salvation of us all.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Lover of man, rich in mercy, you were seen nailed to the cross; of your own will you were buried, and on the third day you arose and delivered all mortal men, singing in faith to you: Sing to the Lord, all creation, and exalt him throughout all the ages.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

O Word of God, you went down to the depths to redeem from corruption the one you had fashioned by your divine power, my Christ; you made him incorruptible and raised him up, a partaker of your unending glory, crying: Sing to Christ, all creation, and exalt him throughout all the ages.

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Through you he, incomparable in goodness and power, was seen upon earth and lived among men, to him all we the faithful sing our songs and cry: Let the whole creation, given being from nothing, sing to the Lord and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Rightfully proclaiming you the Pure, we glorify you, Mother of God, for you gave birth to that one of the Trinity made flesh; to him, together with the Father and the Spirit, we all make melody: Sing to the Lord, all creation, and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

The Troparia from the Menaion, then the appointed Katavasia.

 

Magnificat

 

Ode 9

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The Son of the unbegun Begetter, God and Lord, made flesh of the Virgin,* has appeared among us to bring light to the darkened places* and to gather the scattered together.* Therefore, we magnify the all-praised Mother of God.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

On Golgotha, as in Paradise, there was planted, O Saviour, the thrice-happy tree of your pure cross, nourished by your blood divine and water; so from the wellspring of your holy side, O Christ, life has blossomed for us.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The crucified, the all-powerful, laid low the strong man armed, and the nature of man, lying below in the dungeon of Hell, he raised and placed on the Father’s throne; coming in the midst of which we, worshipping, magnify you.

We bless the Lord; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In the true faith singing, let us the faithful glorify the Trinity, three in number, one in substance, indivisible nature, supremely divine, triply shining light and never-setting radiance, the only uncompounded shedding light upon all.

Canon of the Cross-Resurrection

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Between the condemned, as a lamb, you were hung on the cross on Golgotha; pierced; in the side by the spear, as the One Good you gave life to those made of the dust who honour in faith your holy resurrection.

Glory to your precious Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.

Let all of us the faithful worship the God who in power abolished the might of death by his own death; for the age-long dead he has raised with himself and to all he gives life and resurrection .

Canon of the Most Holy Mother of God

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

All-pure, in your womb the Word of God was given, a staff of strength, to our enfeebled nature; he has raised it up, fallen down a slippery path to Hell ; therefore, O pure one, we magnify you as Mother of God.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Accept, O Lord, with sympathy, our ambassador, your chosen one, your Mother, and all the world shall be filled with your goodness as we magnify you, Giver of all good.

The Troparia from the Menaion, then the appointed Katavasia.

 

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

When Mary saw two angels inside the grave,* she was seized with fright.* She did not recognize Christ but thought that He was the gardener;* she said to Him: “Sir, where have You placed the body of Jesus?”* She knew from His voice that He was the Saviour,* and she obeyed Him when He said:* “Touch Me not for I am going to My Father.* Tell this to My disciples.”

Glory…

O divinely inspired Fathers, gathered together in the Seventh Council, pray unceasingly to the Holy Trinity to save from every heresy and condemnation those who praise your holy gathering, that they may receive the kingdom of heaven.

Now…

Through the intercession of Your holy Mother, and those of the Fathers assembled in the Seventh Council, in Your goodness, O Lord, strengthen Your Church and confirm the faith; make us all inhabitants of the kingdom of heaven when You come to earth to judge the whole creation.

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 2

Everything that breathes and every creature glorifies You, O Lord,* for through Your Cross You destroyed death* and thus shown the multitude of peoples Your Resurrection from the dead,* as You alone love mankind.

Let the Jews tell how the soldiers lost the King they were guarding.* Why then did the stone not guard the rock of life?* Either let them give up the one who was buried or adore Him as risen,* exclaiming together with us:* Glory to the multitude of Your mercies:* O Saviour, glory be to You!

Rejoice O  peoples and be glad!* for an Angel sat upon the grave stone* and gave us good tidings saying:* Christ is risen from the dead* and has filled the universe with sweet fragrance.* Rejoice O peoples and be glad!’

Before Your conception, O Lord,* an Angel brought the greeting ‘Rejoice’ to the one full of grace:* at Your Resurrection an Angel rolled away the stone from Your glorious grave.* The one revealed the signs of joy instead of sorrow;* the other instead of death has proclaimed to us the Master, and giver of life.* Wherefore we cry to You:* O Benefactor of all mankind,* Lord, glory be to You!

In Tone 6

Having carefully considered the whole knowledge of the soul in the Holy Spirit,* the venerable, glorified, and all-holy Fathers* inscribed in the divine writing the honourable and heavenly Canon* in which they clearly teach that the Word is co-eternal and consubstantial with the Father.* Thus, they follow without error the teachings of the Apostles.

Having carefully considered the whole knowledge of the soul in the Holy Spirit,* the venerable, glorified, and all-holy Fathers* inscribed in the divine writing the honourable and heavenly Canon* in which they clearly teach that the Word is co-eternal and consubstantial with the Father.* Thus, they follow without error the teachings of the Apostles.

When the hoy preachers of Christ* fully received the light from the Holy Spirit,* they spoke with divine insight,* with few but deeply meaningful words inspired from above,* bringing to the front the evangelical doctrines* and traditions of true worship.* When these were clearly revealed to them from on high,* they were enlightened* and thus established the faith received from God.

Truly the divine shepherds were favoured servants of God* and honoured preachers of the divine Word.* They were indeed true shepherds;* and having now been justly angered,* in a judgement of truth, they expelled from the perfection of the Church* all those devouring and destructive wolves.* They cast them down with the power of the Spirit.* The unbelievers fell prey to great affliction.

In Tone 8, Glory…

The warm tears of Mary were not shed in vain;* for behold, she has been worthy to hear the angels* and to behold Your face, O Jesus.* But being a woman still thinking of earthly things,* she was not permitted to touch You, O Christ.* However, she was sent to proclaim to Your disciples the good news announcing Your return to Your heavenly inheritance.* With her, therefore, make us worthy to see You, O Lord.

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 2: When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”

Troparion, Tone 8: Christ our God, You are glorified above all,* You established our fathers as beacons on  earth* and through them guided all of us to the true faith.* Glory to You, most compassionate Lord.

Kontakion, Tone 2: You rose from the tomb, O almighty Saviour;* and Hades, seeing this wonder, was stricken with fear; and the dead arose.* Creation saw and rejoices with You, and Adam exults.* And the world, my Saviour, sings Your praises for ever.

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

Kontakion, Tone 6: The Son who ineffably shone from the Father* was born two-fold of nature from a woman.* Beholding Him, we do not reject the image of His form;* but depicting it, we revere it faithfully.* Therefore the Church, holding the true faith,* kisses the icon of Christ’s becoming man.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 6: Undaunted patroness of Christians,* O steadfast intermediary with the Creator,* turn not away from the suppliant voices of sinners,* but in your kindness come to help us who cry out to you in faith.* Be quick to intercede, make haste to plead,* for you are ever the patroness of those who honour you, O Mother of God.

Prokeimenon, Tone 2
The Lord is my strength and my song of praise, and He has become my salvation.
verse: The Lord has indeed chastised me, but He has not delivered me to death. (Psalm 117:14,18)

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Blessed are You, Lord God of our fathers,* and praised and glorified is Your Name forever.

Epistle: Hebrews 13:7-16 (NRSV)
Brothers and Sisters, remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings; for it is well for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by regulations about food, which have not benefited those who observe them. We have an altar from which those who officiate in the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The God of gods, the Lord, spoke and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
verse: Gather to Him His devout ones, who with sacrifice make covenant with Him. (Psalm 49:1,5)

Gospel: John 17:1-13 (NRSV)
At that time Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves.

 

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

 

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