GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140, In Tone 6

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

O Christ, You won the victory over Hades,* You ascended the cross so that You might raise up with Yourself* all those who dwelt in the darkness of death.* Almighty Saviour, You are free from death* and bestow life by Your divine light.* We, therefore, beseech You to have mercy on us.

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

Today Christ has conquered Death.* He has risen from the grave as He had foretold,* bestowing great joy upon the world.* Therefore, let us all lift up our voices and sing:* O Fount of Life, O Light whom no one can approach,* Almighty Saviour, have mercy on us.

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

O Lord, where can we sinners flee from You,* for You are present in all creation?* You are present in heaven, for it is Your dwelling place.* Your power prevails in Hades where You conquered Death.* O Master, Your sustaining hand touches even the depths of the sea.* Where, then, can we take refuge except in You?* We, therefore, prostrate ourselves before You and pray:* O Lord, risen from the dead, have mercy on us.

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

We exult in Your cross, O Christ,* and we sing the glory of Your resurrection.* For You are our God, and we have no other Lord but You.

In Tone 4

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

Let us praise in song* the God-inspired instrument and golden-forged trumpet,* the boundless depth of dogma,* the affirmation of the Church and the heavenly mind,* the depth of wisdom and the chalice of purest gold* that poured forth sweet rivers of learning* and nourished all creation.

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

Let us praise in song* the God-inspired instrument and golden-forged trumpet,* the boundless depth of dogma,* the affirmation of the Church and the heavenly mind,* the depth of wisdom and the chalice of purest gold* that poured forth sweet rivers of learning* and nourished all creation.

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

Let us worthily honour John of the golden words,* the never-setting star which enlightens everything under the sun* with his rays of teaching.* He is the preacher of penance* and the sponge of purest gold* which removes the cruel dampness of ignorance.* He gives life to hearts that are torn by sin.

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

Let us worthily honour John of the golden words,* the never-setting star which enlightens everything under the sun* with his rays of teaching.* He is the preacher of penance* and the sponge of purest gold* which removes the cruel dampness of ignorance.* He gives life to hearts that are torn by sin.

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

Let Chrysostom be exalted,* for he is the earthly angel and the heavenly man,* the eagle of great and good speech* and the treasury of virtues.* He is the firm rock and the example of the faithful,* the one who is like the martyrs* and who stands equal with the angels,* for his teaching was the same as the apostles.

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

Let Chrysostom be exalted,* for he is the earthly angel and the heavenly man,* the eagle of great and good speech* and the treasury of virtues.* He is the firm rock and the example of the faithful,* the one who is like the martyrs* and who stands equal with the angels,* for his teaching was the same as the apostles.

In Tone 6, Glory…

O thrice-venerable and most holy Father,* you are the good shepherd and the student of Christ the chief Shepherd* who gave his life for his flock.* Now, ever-praised John Chrysostom,* grant that through your prayers we may receive great mercy.

In Tone 6, Now…

Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.

Readings: (1) Proverbs 10:6-8; 8:6-21; (2) Wisdom 8:17-21; 9:1-4; (3) Wisdom 4:1, 6-20

Aposticha, In Tone 6

O Christ our Saviour,* the angels in heaven sing the praises of Your resurrection;* make us on earth also worthy* to extol and purify You with a pure heart.

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

Almighty God, You destroyed the brazen gates and bars of Hades,* and raised up fallen mankind.* Therefore, with one accord, we cry out:* O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!

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

Christ willed to renew us from our corruption of old* by being nailed to a cross and placed in a tomb.* When the women came to anoint His body they tearfully cried out:* O, what sorrow afflicts us!* O Saviour of All, how could You consent to occupy a grave?* If you truly willed this, then why did You allow Your body to be stolen?* How were You removed?* What place now conceals Your life-bearing body?* O Lord, appear to us as You promised* and put an end to our tears.* As they were lamenting, an angel appeared and cried out to them:* Do not weep, but tell the apostles that the Lord is risen,* granting sanctification and great mercy to the world.

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

O Christ, You were crucified of Your own free will,* and by Your burial You imprisoned Death.* As God, You rose in glory on the third day,* granting life and great mercy to the world.

In Tone 6, Glory…

O Chrysostom, you spoke most purely* and showed yourself to be the golden-sounding trumpet.* You purified the hearts of the faithful* by your true and dedicated teaching.* The message of your teaching* has gone forth prophetically, O venerable Father,* and you have enlightened the ends of the earth.

Now…

Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,* came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.* He clothed Himself in our human flesh* to set us free from the original curse of Adam.* Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,* as the true Virgin Mother of God,* and we sing with the angels:* Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.

Troparia, In Tone 6

Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!

In Tone 8, Glory…

Grace shone forth from your mouth like a fiery beacon* and enlightened the universe,* bestowing on the world not the treasures of greed,* but rather showing us the heights of humility.* As you teach us by your words, O John Chrysostom, our father,* intercede with the Word, Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls.

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 1

Troparia, Tone 1

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

In Tone 8, Glory…

Grace shone forth from your mouth like a fiery beacon* and enlightened the universe,* bestowing on the world not the treasures of greed,* but rather showing us the heights of humility.* As you teach us by your words, O John Chrysostom, our father,* intercede with the Word, Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls.

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 1

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

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Psalter Reading

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn, Tone 1

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

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Polyeleos

Exaltation

We extol you,* O holy hierarch, father John Chrysostom,* and we honour your holy memory;* for you entreat Christ our God in our behalf.

verse: O hear this, all you people; ponder it with your ears, all you that dwell in the world.

verse: My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

Glory… Now…

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory be to You, O God. (3)

Evlogitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 1

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

Sessional Hymn, Tone 2

You have shone forth in splendour upon mortals as a golden star, O most blessed John Chrysostom, illumining the ends of the earth with the beams of your discourses. Wherefore, celebrating your most holy memory today, we beg remission of all our sins.

(Tone 5) O you faithful, as is meet let us honour Chrysostom, the meadow of discourses on the divinely inspired Scriptures, who guides us to repentance, and who endured manifold trials, in that we have been taught by him; for he prays to the Lord, that our souls be saved.

(Tone 8) By your divine words, O blessed Chrysostom, you were truly manifest as a spiritual treasury of the world, and shining forth upon the ends of the earth, you have bestowed the riches of salvation upon all, guiding the people to repentance. Wherefore, having completed the course of your life, you stand before the throne of the Most High, O ever-memorable John Chrysostom. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to those who with love celebrate your holy memory.

Glory… Now…

Let us hymn the portal of heaven, the ark, the all-holy mountain, the radiant cloud, the bush unburnt, the noetic garden of paradise, the restoration of Eve, the great treasure of the whole world, for within her was wrought the salvation of the world and the remission of the ancient offenses. Wherefore, we cry out to her: Pray to your Son, that He grant remission of transgressions to us who piously worship your most holy birthgiving.

Hymn of Ascent, Tone 1

Antiphon 1

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Antiphon 2

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Antiphon 3

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Prokeimenon, Tone 1

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

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

Let everything that lives, Tone 1

Gospel

Matthew 28:16-28

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verses at Psalm 50

Canon, Tone 1

Ode 1

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Ode 3

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Kontakion, Tone 6

With His life-giving hand* Christ our God, the Giver of life,* raised all the dead from the murky abyss* and bestowed resurrection upon humanity.* He is for all the Saviour,* the resurrection and the life, and the God of all.

Ikos

I bend my knee before the Creator of all, I stretch forth my hands to the pre-eternal Word, seeking the gift of discourse, that I may hymn the saint whom He Himself has magnified; for through His prophet He Who lives forever says: I glorify those who glorify me with faith. He Who in ancient times raised up Samuel has now glorified a hierarch; for, having invested well the talent with which he was entrusted, he has brought it to the King, for which cause the Transcendent One has exalted him. I beg that the Word impart to me his grace, unworthy though I am, that I may be able to hymn him with piety. For he is the teacher of the ends of the world, in that he reveals things divine.

 

Ode 4

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Ode 5

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Ode 6

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Kontakion, Tone 1

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

Ikos

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

 

Ode 7

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Ode 8

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Magnificat

 

Ode 9

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

O faithful, let us gather with the disciples on the mountain in Galilee* to behold Christ as He says to them:* I have received all power over all things on high and those below.* Let us learn how He taught them to baptize all nations* in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,* and how He promised His disciples* to be present with them to the end of the world.

Made steadfast by him, let us all praise the most wise John,* the clarion-voiced preacher of repentance, the treasure of the poor,* the golden and right eloquent mouth of the Church,* the expounder of the Scriptures.

Glory… Now…

You rejoiced with the disciples, O Virgin Mother of God,* for you beheld Christ risen from the tomb on the third day as He said.* He appeared to His disciples, teaching them and revealing things sublime.* He commanded them to baptize the believers* in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit* so that we may believe in His resurrection* and that we may glorify you, O Theotokos.

 

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 1

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

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

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

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

In Tone 4

You were a most precious vessel of the divine Spirit,* and a most sacred pastor,* an angel on earth,* a pillar of the Church and a foundation of the dogmas,* a surety for sinners and the divine consolation of the penitent,* who takes thought for the poor and comforts the orphaned,* O John Chrysostom, intercessor for our souls.

You were a sun of great brilliance illumining the whole world with thy discourses,* a most radiant star shining forth rays of light,* which ever guide to the most tranquil haven those who are tempest-tossed upon the sea of the world* by the grace of salvation, O golden-worded Chrysostom,* intercessor for our souls.

You were truly an earthly angel and a heavenly man,* a melodious nightingale, a river full of noetic waters,* a cloud pouring forth showers of understanding, abundantly watering us all,* a teacher of salvation and an aid in repentance,* O John Chrysostom.

Driven unjustly from your flock, O venerable father,* you partook of tribulations and bitter imprisonment,* wherein you were counted worthy of a blessed end;* and, vanquishing the most crafty one,* as a valiant athlete, you were crowned by Christ with a diadem of victory,* O John Chrysostom, intercessor for our souls.

In Tone 1, Glory…

The Lord appeared to His disciples* who had hastened to the mountain for His ascension from here below,* and they bowed before Him.* They learned of His universal power* and were sent to all the peoples of the earth* to announce His resurrection from the dead* and His return from earth to heaven.* He also promised to be with them always,* and His word is truth;* for He is Christ our God, the Saviour of our souls.

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

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

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 6: Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!

Troparion, Tone 8: Grace shone forth from your mouth like a fiery beacon* and enlightened the universe,* bestowing on the world not the treasures of greed,* but rather showing us the heights of humility.* As you teach us by your words, O John Chrysostom, our father,* intercede with the Word, Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls.

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

Kontakion, Tone 6: With His life-giving hand* Christ our God, the Giver of life,* raised all the dead from the murky abyss* and bestowed resurrection upon humanity.* He is for all the Saviour,* the resurrection and the life, and the God of all.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 6: From heaven you received divine grace;* your lips have taught us all to worship the Triune God,* O blessed John Chrysostom.* It is fitting that we praise you;* for you are a teacher clarifying things divine.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6
Save Your people, O Lord, * and bless Your inheritance.
verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord, my God, lest You turn from me in silence. (Psalm 27:9,1)

Prokeimenon, Tone 1
My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart understanding. (Psalm 48:4)

Epistle: Ephesians 2:4-10; Hebrews 7:26-8:2
Ephesians 2:4-10 (NRSV)
Brothers and Sisters, God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Hebrews 7:26-8:2 (NRSV)
Brothers and Sisters, for it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. Now the main point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent that the Lord, and not any mortal, has set up.

Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: He who lives in the aid of the Most High, shall dwell under the protection of the God of heaven.
verse: He says to the Lord: You are my protector and my refuge, my God, in Whom I hope. (Psalm 90:1,2)
verse: The mouth of the just man shall meditate wisdom and his tongue shall speak judgement. (Psalm 36:3)

Gospel: Luke 8:26-39; John 10:9-16

Luke 8:26-39 (NRSV)
At that time Jesus arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me”— for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.

John 10:9-16 (NRSV)

The Lord said: I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1).* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear*. Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)

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