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.

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

O Saviour, with the angels we sing the praises of Your resurrection on the third day.* For the very ends of the universe have, thereby, been enlightened,* and we have been saved from the deceit of the enemy.* Therefore, we cry out to You,* Almighty Saviour, Giver of Life, and Lover of mankind:* Save us by Your resurrection.

5. 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, You have demolished the brazen gates of Hades.* You have broken asunder the bonds of death,* and lifted up the fallen human race.* Therefore, we cry out with one accord:* O Lord, who arose from the dead, glory to You!

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

O Lord, Your birth from the Father is timeless and eternal;* Your incarnation from the Virgin is beyond the understanding of all,* and beyond the expression of our words.* Your descent into Hades and victory over Death* caused Satan and his angels to tremble with fear.* Your resurrection on the third day* brought to mankind incorruption and great mercy.

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.

Having dyed your vesture with the blood of martyrdom, * O glorious Zenobius, * through grace you did accomplish what is most sacred * and entered into the Holy of holies * as a wise hierarch. * And then as an unblemished sacrifice * and an all-pure and perfect offering * you did bring yourself, O most sacred one, ** to Him Who sacrificed Himself for you.

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

When your body was lacerated, * the most splendid beauty of your soul * was most beautifully shown forth, * O hieromartyr Zenobius, divinely wise and all-rich, * you adornment of hierarchs, * boast of martyrs, ever-flowing well-spring of miracles, * dispeller of unclean spirits, ** divine champion of Christ.

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

Your sister Zenobia, * being of one mind with you, * as well as sharing your blood, * resolved to suffer with you, O all-wise one; * for she manfully endured the raging of wild horses, * the threat of fire and violent death. * Wherefore, with you she has received crowns of victory * and the kingdom on high, ** O Zenobius, initiate of the sacred mysteries.

In Tone 6

Glory…

Let us form a choir for hymnody today, * O you who love the martyrs, * in honour of the most pious athletes Zenobius and Zenobia; * for they were champions of the Trinity, * and with their precious blood manfully choked the invisible enemy in the arena, * and have gloriously received the crown of victory. * Wherefore, let us cry out to them: * O holy pair, luminous twain blessed by the Lord, ** entreat the Savior in behalf of our souls.

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 1

Glory…

Be swayed by the pains that the saints have suffered for You, O Lord,* and heal all our pains,* O Lover of mankind, for this we pray.

Now…

O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel called out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him who came forth from you!* Glory to Him who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!

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 1, Glory…

Be swayed by the pains that the saints have suffered for You, O Lord,* and heal all our pains,* O Lover of mankind, for this we pray.

Now…

O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel cried out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him who came forth from you!* Glory to Him who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!

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

John 21:1-14

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)

The two sons of Zebedee, with Peter, Nathaniel, and Thomas,* and two others were fishing in the Lake of Tiberias.* By the command of Christ, they cast the net on the right side* and drew out many fish.* Peter, recognizing Christ, came swimming toward Him.* This was the third appearance of the Lord after His resurrection.* Then He shared with them bread and fish from the fire.

Glory… Now…

O Virgin, pray to the Lord Who rose from the tomb on the third day* for us Christians who praise and bless you with zeal.* For we have all taken you as a refuge of salvation* and as a mediatrix with Him.* For we are your servants, O Mother of God;* we are the people of your house,* and we all await your protection.

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.

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 6, Glory…

After Your descent into Hades, O Christ,* and Your resurrection from the dead,* the disciples grieved over Your departure.* They returned to their occupations* and attended to their nets and their boats,* but their fishing was in vain.* You appeared to them since You are Lord of all;* You commanded them to cast the nets on the right side.* Immediately Your word became deed.* They caught a great number of fish,* and they found an unexpected meal prepared for them on the shore,* which they immediately ate.* Now, make us worthy to enjoy this meal with them in a spiritual manner,* O Lord and Lover of mankind.

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: Galatians 2:16-20 (NRSV)
Brothers and Sisters, we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

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: Luke 8:5-15 (NRSV)
The Lord spoke this parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”

Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that ‘looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.’

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.

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