GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 1

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

Brethren, let us not pray as the Pharisee:* for he who exalts himself shall be humbled.* Let us humble ourselves before God,* and with fasting cry aloud as the Publican:* God be merciful to us sinners.

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

Brethren, let us not pray as the Pharisee:* for he who exalts himself shall be humbled.* Let us humble ourselves before God,* and with fasting cry aloud as the Publican:* God be merciful to us sinners.

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

A Pharisee, overcome with vainglory, and a Publican, bowed down in repentance,* came to You the only Master.* The one boasted and was deprived of blessings,* while the other kept silent and was counted worthy of gifts.* Confirm me, O Christ our God,* in these his cries of sorrow,* for You love mankind.

In Tone 8

Glory…

Almighty Lord, I know how great is the power of tears.* For they led up Hezekiah from the gates of death;* they delivered the sinful woman from the transgressions of many years;* they justified the Publican above the Pharisee.* And with them I also pray:* Have mercy upon me.

In Tone 1

Now…

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

Aposticha

In Tone 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 5

Glory…

My eyes are weighed down by my transgressions,* and I cannot lift them up and see the height of heaven.* But receive me, Saviour, in repentance as the Publican* and have mercy on me.

Now…

O most pure Virgin,* you are the temple, the gate, the palace, and the throne of the King.* Christ, our Redeemer and Lord,* appeared through you to those who slumbered in darkness.* For He, as the Sun of Righteousness,* wishes to enlighten those whom He created with His own hands* according to His own image.* Therefore, O Lady, whom we always praise in song,* we beseech you to intercede with Christ for the salvation of our souls;* for, as His Mother, you can approach Him with the greatest confidence.

Troparia

In Tone 1

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

Glory… 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!

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)

Glory… 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; 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

Evlogitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 1

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

Hymn of Ascent, Tone 1

Antiphon 1

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Antiphon 2

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Antiphon 3

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Prokeimenon, Tone 1

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

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

Let everything that lives, Tone 1

Gospel

Matthew 28:16-20

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

After Psalm 50

In Tone 8, Glory…

Open to me the doors of repentance, O Giver of Life.* As we worship in Your temple this morning,* teach us how to purify the temples of our bodies,* and in Your compassion, purify me by the goodness of Your mercies.

Now…

Lead me to the paths of salvation, O Mother of God,* for I have condemned myself with shameful sins* and have wasted all my life in slothfulness.* By your intercession purify me from all sinfulness.

In Tone 6

Have mercy on me, God, in Your kindness. In Your compassion blot out my offense.

When I think upon the multitude of my evil deeds,* I tremble for the terrible day of judgment.* But trusting in the compassion of Your mercy, O Lord,* I cry to You like David:* Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.

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!

Irmos: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land,* on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned,* they cried: Let us sing to God* a song of victory.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

By parables Christ has led all mankind to a life of amendment: Raising up the Publican from humbleness, he showed the Pharisee who exalted himself to be humbled.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

From humility cometh an exalted honour, but from pride we see a grievous fall; let us, then, strive to emulate the good actions of the Publican, and hate the evil ones of the Pharisee.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Every good deed is rendered useless through pride, while every evil is cleansed by humility. Wherefore, let us in faith embrace humility, and utterly abhor the ways of vainglory.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The King of all, wishing His own disciples to be humble-minded, taught them to emulate the sighing of the Publican and his humility.

Glory…

I groan as did the Publican, and with never-silent lamentations O Lord I now draw near to Your loving compassion, be merciful to me who now passes through life in humility.

Now…

O lady, I dedicate to you my understanding and my counsel, my expectation, my body, soul and spirit. From grievous adversaries and temptations, and from every threat to come, deliver and save me.

Katavasia: I shall open my mouth, and be filled with the Spirit,* and utter discourse to the Queen and Mother;* and be seen radiantly keeping festival,* joyfully praising her wonders.

 

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.

Irmos: There is none as holy as You, O Lord my God,* who has exalted the horn of the faithful O good One,* and strengthened us upon the rock* of Your confession.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

From the dunghill of the passions the humble are lifted up on high, while from the height of the virtues the high-minded suffer a grievous fall: let us flee such an image of wickedness.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Vainglory nullifies the riches of righteousness, whereas humility scatters a multitude of passions; bestowing this upon us, show us to be like the Publican O Saviour.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Like the Publican let us also beat our breasts and cry out in compunction, “O God cleanse us sinners,” that like him we may receive forgiveness.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Zealously, O you faithful, let us increase in meekness, and with humility let us live out the days of our lives in suffering of the heart, weeping and prayer, that we may receive forgiveness from God.

Glory…

Let us cast away, you faithful, the high-minded boasting and hurtful pride of the Pharisee, and his most wicked, repugnant to God, malice.

Now…

In you, my only refuge, have I set my trust: let me not fall away from my good hope, but grant me your protection, O pure One, and deliver me from every evil snare of my wicked enemies.

Katavasia: O Theotokos, living and plentiful fount,* establish in spiritual fellowship those who sing hymns to you,* and in your divine glory* grant them crowns of glory.

 

Sessional Hymns, Tone 4

Humility exalted the Publican who was overcome with shame at his evil deeds,* when he cried to the Creator, “Be merciful:”* but exaltation brought down from righteousness the wretched Pharisee who spoke boastfully.* Therefore let us earnestly desire that which is good* and avoid that which is evil.

Glory…

Of old humility exalted the Publican who cried aloud with tears,* “Be merciful,” and he was justified.* Let us all follow his example,* for we have fallen into the depths of evil.* Let us cry to the Saviour from the depths of our hearts:* We have sinned, be merciful, O You who alone loves mankind.

Now…

Be swift to receive our prayers, O Lady,* and bring them to your Son and God, all-immaculate Sovereign Lady.* Deliver from tribulations those who flee to you.* Destroy the wiles and subdue the arrogance* of those who godlessly war against your servants, O most pure One.

 

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.

Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord,* the holy Church divinely sings,* crying with a pure mind,* keeping festival in the Lord.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The Word, set an example showing that the path to exaltation is humility, having humbled Himself even unto taking the form of a servant, thereby instructing all, that he who humbles himself shall be exalted on high.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The righteous Pharisee exalted himself and fell, wickedly rejecting humility, but through humility the Publican was exalted and justified.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

He who was without need of virtue was deprived of them, and shown to be foolish. Yet the riches of humility justified him who was in most need of them, whose humility let us emulate.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

O Lord, You did forewarn all that You resist the high-minded, but grant Your grace to the humble. O Saviour send down now Your grace upon us, for we have humbled ourselves.

Glory…

The Saviour and Master, ever leading us to blessed exaltation, has shown us that it is humility that raises one on high, for with His own hands He washed the feet of the disciples.

Now…

O Virgin, who has given birth to the unapproachable Light, by your light-giving effulgence disperse the darkness of my soul, and taking me by the hand, guide my life into the path of salvation.

Katavasia: He who sits in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus the true God,* is come in a swift cloud* and with His sinless hands he has saved those who cry:* Glory to Your power, O Christ.

 

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.

Irmos: Illumine with Your divine light, I pray, O Good One,* the souls of those who with love rise early to pray to You,* that they may know You, O Word of God, as the true God,* Who recalls us from the darkness of sin.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Let us make haste to follow the Pharisee in his virtues and to emulate the Publican in his humility, and let us hate what is wrong in each of them: foolish opinion and the fall into self-destruction.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The righteousness of the Pharisee proved to be vain and was condemned, for it was yoked to prideful opinion; However, the Publican became a co-companion of humility, the virtue which exalts one on high.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The Pharisee thought to drive swiftly in the chariot of the virtues; but the Publican outran him on foot, for he had yoked humility to compassion.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Pondering with our minds the parable of the Publican, let us all emulate him with tears, offering to God a contrite spirit, seeking the remission of our sins.

Glory…

Let us cast far away the wicked haughtiness and boasting of the Pharisee, that we may not be stripped of divine grace.

Now…

A staff of strength grant to all, O good one, who flee to you, grant them victory in the midst of all enemies and deliver them from every evil circumstance.

Katavasia: All creation stands in awe of you divine glory;* for you, O Virgin who have not known wedlock, contained within your womb the God of all,* and gave birth to the timeless Son,* bestowing peace, upon all who hymn you.

 

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.

Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations,* I run to Your calm haven, and cry to You:* Raise up my life from corruption,* O greatly Merciful One.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The Publican along with the Pharisee ran the race of life, but the one was overcome by high-mindedness and shipwrecked, while the other was saved by humility.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Changing to a humble course of life, let us emulate the fervent wisdom of the Publican and flee the deadening conceit of the Pharisee; and we shall live.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Let us fervently follow the ways of Jesus the Saviour and His humility, if we desire to reach the tabernacle of everlasting joy and to dwell in the land of the living.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

O Master, You have shown to Your disciples the humility that raises men on high, for girding Your loins with a towel, and washing their feet You prepared them to follow Your example.

Glory…

The Pharisee passed his life in virtue and the Publican in sin; but the former was brought low by his pride, while the latter was raised on high by his humble-mindedness.

Now…

I was formed naked in innocence and simplicity; but the enemy hath clothed me in the raiment of transgressions and the grossness of the flesh. But by your intercessions, O Maiden, I have been saved.

Katavasia: Celebrating the divine and solemn feast of the Mother of God* O you divinely wise, let us come, clapping our hands,* and glorify God who was born of her.

 

Kontakion, Tone 4

Let us flee from the proud-speaking of the Pharisee* and learn from the Publican the loftiness of words of humility,* and with penitential lamentation let us cry aloud: “O Saviour of the world* be merciful to us, and cleanse us You servants’.

Ikos

Let us all humble ourselves, brethren; sighing and lamenting, beating our conscience, that at the eternal judgment we may be numbered with the faithful and the righteous, and receive forgiveness. Let us pray that we behold the place truly peaceful, where there is neither pain, nor sorrow, nor sighing from the soul, in the wondrous Eden fashioned by Christ, for He is God coeternal with the Father.

 

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!

Irmos: An Angel made the furnace bedew the holy Children.* But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans* and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry:* O God of our fathers, blessed are You.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Exalted by the works of self-justification, the Pharisee was grievously snared in the nets of vainglory, boasting madly; but the Publican was lifted on high on the light wings of humility, and drew near to God.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Using humility as a ladder, the Publican was raised on high to the heights of heaven; but by the putrid foolishness of pride the wretched Pharisee fell into the abyss of Hades.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The enemy catches the righteous and despoils them through vainglory, blinding sinners in the nets of despair. But let us emulate the Publican and hasten to escape from both these evils.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

In our prayer before God, let us fall down with tears and fervent sighs, emulating the Publican in his lofty humility; and singing in faith: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You”.

Glory…

You have forewarned Your disciples, O Master, teaching them not to be lofty of wisdom, but to be numbered with those who are humble-minded. Therefore, O Saviour, in faith we cry aloud to You: O God of our fathers, blessed are You.

Now…

O you beauty of Jacob, divine Ladder which of old he beheld stretching from earth to heaven, you holy Virgin, who have brought down from on high God made flesh, and bring mortal man up to heaven.

Katavasia: Refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator,* the divinely wise youths bravely trampled down the threatening fire* and rejoicing they sang aloud:* O supremely hymned Lord and God of our Fathers, blessed are You.

 

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.

Irmos: You made flame bedew the holy children,* and didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man with water.* For Thou alone, O Christ, do all as You will,* we supremely exalt You throughout all ages.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The humble-minded sighing of the Publican found the mercy of the Lord, and he was saved; but by the evil tongue of boasting, the Pharisee fell from righteousness.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

O you faithful, let us avoid the self-will of the Pharisee; who called himself pure, rather let us strive to emulate the Publican’s goodness, who gained forgiveness with humility.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

O you faithful, let us utter the words of the Publican in the holy temple, “God be merciful,” that with him we may obtain forgiveness, and be delivered from the vile boasting of the Pharisee.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Let us all emulate the sighing of the Publican and, speaking to God with warm tears, let us cry out: “O Lover of mankind, we have sinned, but in Your merciful compassion, cleanse and save us.”

Glory…

God accepted the groaning of the Publican and having justified him, has shown to us all, that He is quickly turned to compassion by the sighings and tears of those who ask for the forgiveness of sins.

Now…

I know of no other intercessor save you; I offer you, O pure and all-immaculate One, as my mediator before Him whom you bore. Show me to be free from all that grieves me.

We praise, bless, and worship the Lord, chanting and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages.

Katavasia: The Offspring of the Theotokos saved the holy children in the furnace.* He who was then prefigured has now been born on earth,* and He gathers all creation to hymn you:* all you works praise the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all 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.

Irmos: It is impossible for mankind to see God* upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze;* but through you, O all-pure one, did the Word Incarnate become a man* and with the Heavenly Hosts we magnify Him and we call you blessed.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Christ has set before us as a path to exaltation and an image of salvation, the humility of the Publican: which, let us strive after by rejecting disdainful pride and gaining God’s mercy through humble-mindedness.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Let us cast away pride and learn the righteousness of the humble-minded; let us not seek to justify ourselves, but rather let us abhor the delusion of vainglory, and with the Publican let us pray to God.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Let us offer the Creator entreaties for mercy, as did the Publican,. Let us avoid the ungrateful prayers of the Pharisee and the boastful words with which he judged his neighbour, that we may gain God’s mercy and light.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Weighed down by a great multitude of sins, I have surpassed the Publican in an excess of evil, having embraced the self-adulating madness of the Pharisee, wherefore I am utterly devoid of all that is good: O Lord, spare me.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

O Lord, grant blessedness to those who for Your sake are poor in spirit, and who follow Your teachings, bringing to You a contrite heart. Receive and save them who worship You.

Glory…

May we never pray to You as did the Pharisee, may we enter the Temple justified by sighing and tears, with a heart that is broken and humbled, laying aside the heavy yoke of sin and thus be cleansed.

Now…

Grant us to hymn, glorify, and bless you, to worthily honour you, O most pure one; glorifying your birth-giving, O only-blessed one, for you are the praise of Orthodox Christians, and their divinely-acceptable intercessor before God

Katavasia: Let every mortal born on earth, radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy;* and let the host of the angelic powers celebrate and honour the holy feast of the Mother of God,* and let them cry aloud:* Rejoice! O Theotokos, pure Ever-Virgin.

 

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.

In Tone 3, Glory…

Let us flee from the wicked boasting of the Pharisee,* and learn the noble humility of the Publican,* that we may be exalted and cry aloud with him to God:* Be merciful to You servants, O Christ our Saviour,* Who was willingly born from a Virgin,* who has endured the Cross and with Yourself raised up the world* by Your divine power.

Now…

The Maker of creation and the God of all,* took flesh from your undefiled womb, O all-hymned Theotokos,* renewing the whole of my corrupted nature.* As you were before childbirth,* so were you left after childbirth.* Therefore we all praise you with faith* and we cry: Rejoice! Glory of the world.

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 6

Brethren, let us not pray like the Pharisee:* for he who exalts himself shall be humbled.* Let us humble ourselves before God,* and with fasting cry aloud as did the Publican:* “God be merciful to us sinners.”

The Pharisee, overcome with vainglory,* and the Publican, bowed down in repentance,* approached You the only Master.* The one boasted and was deprived of blessings,* while the other kept silent and was found worthy of gifts.* Confirm me, O Christ God, in these his cries of sorrow,* for You are the Lover of mankind.

In Tone 3

Understand, O my soul, the difference between the Publican and the Pharisee,* hate the haughty words of the one, and eagerly imitate the contrite prayer of the other, crying aloud:* “O God cleanse me a sinner and have mercy on me.”

O you faithful, let us hate the boastful words of the Pharisee* and emulate the contrite prayer of the Publican.* Let us not think proud thoughts, but humbling ourselves in contrition let us cry:* God be merciful to our sins.

In Tone 8, Glory…

O Lord, You have condemned the Pharisee* who justified himself by boasting of his works,* and You have justified the Publican who humbled himself and with cries of sorrow begged for mercy.* For You rejected proud-minded thoughts, but do not despise a contrite heart.* Therefore humbled we fall down before You who have suffered for our sake:** Grant us forgiveness and great mercy.

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

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 3: Let us bring sighs of sorrow to the Lord as did the Publican* and approach the Master as sinners,* for He desires salvation for everyone.* He grants forgiveness to all who repent.* For as God, the One-who-is, co-eternal with the Father, He became flesh for us.

Prokeimenon, Tone 1
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in You.
verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O you just; praise befits the righteous. (Psalm 32:22,1)

Epistle: 2 Timothy 3:10-15
Timothy my Son, now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: God gives me vindication, and has subdued people under me.
verse: Making great the salvation of the king, and showing mercy to His anointed, to David, and to His posterity forever. (Psalm 17:48,51)

Gospel: Luke 18:10-14
The Lord said his parable, “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

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

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