LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 8

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

Having come to the end of the forty days,* we beseech You, O Lord and Lover of humankind:* May we also behold the holy week of Your passion,* and glorify in it Your lofty deeds* and Your ineffable work of salvation,* as we sing with one voice:* O Lord, glory to You.

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

Having come to the end of the forty days,* we beseech You, O Lord and Lover of humankind:* May we also behold the holy week of Your passion,* and glorify in it Your lofty deeds* and Your ineffable work of salvation,* as we sing with one voice:* O Lord, glory to You.

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

O martyrs of the Lord,* we entreat you to beseech our God,* and ask great mercy for our souls* and forgiveness of our many offences.

In Tone 6

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

Desiring to see the tomb of Lazarus, O Lord,* since You were soon going to dwell willingly in the tomb,* You asked: Where have you placed him?* And, when You learned that which You already knew,* You called to the one whom You loved:* Lazarus, come forth from the tomb!* And Death obeyed the Giver of life,* the Saviour of our souls.

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

Desiring to see the tomb of Lazarus, O Lord,* since You were soon going to dwell willingly in the tomb,* You asked: Where have you placed him?* And, when You learned that which You already knew,* You called to the one whom You loved:* Lazarus, come forth from the tomb!* And Death obeyed the Giver of life,* the Saviour of our souls.

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

Having arrived at the tomb of Lazarus on the fourth day,* You wept for Your friend, O Lord.* You gave life to the one who had been dead four days;* Death was bound up by Your voice,* and the grave-clothes were unbound by Your hands.* Therefore, the company of apostles were filled with joy,* and all the choirs sang with one voice:* Blessed are You, O Saviour; have mercy on us.

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

Having arrived at the tomb of Lazarus on the fourth day,* You wept for Your friend, O Lord.* You gave life to the one who had been dead four days;* Death was bound up by Your voice,* and the grave-clothes were unbound by Your hands.* Therefore, the company of apostles were filled with joy,* and all the choirs sang with one voice:* Blessed are You, O Saviour; have mercy on us.

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

The kingdom of Hades was demolished at the sound of Your voice, O Lord;* Your powerful word awakened from the tomb one who had been dead four days.* Lazarus becomes a saving prelude of our regeneration.* Nothing is impossible for the King of the universe;* O Lord, grant to Your servants forgiveness and great mercy.

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

Desiring to assure Your disciples of Your own Resurrection from the dead,* You came to the tomb of Lazarus.* And when You called him, Hades was despoiled,* and it gave up the one who had been dead four days;* and he cried out to You, O Saviour:* Blessed are You, O Lord, glory to You!

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

Taking Your disciples with You, O Lord,* You came to Bethany to awaken Lazarus from the dead;* and, weeping over him in accordance with your human nature,* as God, You raised the one who had been dead four days;* and he cried out to You, O Saviour:* Blessed are You, O Lord, glory to You!

In Tone 8

Glory…

You have come to the tomb of Lazarus, O Lord,* and You called the dead one to awaken as from his sleep.* He shook off the dust of the tomb at Your immortal words;* and, still bound by the grave-clothes,* he came forth at the sound of Your voice.* For You have power and lordship over all things,* and You are the Master of the whole world, O Lover of humankind:* O Lord, glory to You.

Now…

Having come to the end of the forty days, we cry out:* Rejoice, O city of Bethany, the home of Lazarus.* Rejoice, Martha and Mary, for Christ shall come to you tomorrow;* by His word, He shall give life to your departed brother.* Hearing His voice, the cruel and insatiable Hades will give up Lazarus after four days.* Struck with admiration, the Hebrew people will carry palms and branches,* and they shall go before Him.* The children shall praise the One whom their parents looked upon with envy:* Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!

Prokeimenon I, Tone 6

Our help is in the name of the Lord,* who made heaven and earth.

verse: If the Lord had not been on our side— this is the song of Israel.

Reading I: Genesis 49:33-50:26

Prokeimenon II, Tone 4

Those who put their trust in the Lord* are like Mount Sion.

verse: They cannot be shaken, for it stands unmoved forever.

Reading II: Proverbs 31:8-31