GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

10. Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.Come, let us adore God the Word,* who was born of the Father before all ages,* and was incarnate of the Virgin Mary;* for of His own free will He suffered the Cross* and submitted Himself to burial,* and arose from the dead to save me, a sinful one.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    O Christ, You have abolished the curse of the tree by Your Cross;* You have destroyed the power of death by Your burial,* and You enlightened the human race by Your resurrection.* Therefore, we cry out to You:* O God and Benefactor, glory to You!

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

    O Lord, the gates of death opened before You in fear,* and the gatekeepers of Hades were filled with dread at the sight of You.* You smashed the gates of brass and crushed the posts of iron.* Then You burst our chains asunder,* and led us out from the darkness, away from the shadow of death.

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

    Let us all come and prostrate ourselves in the house of the Lord,* singing this hymn of salvation:* O Christ, You were crucified on the tree and rose from the dead;* and You now abide in the bosom of the Father.* Please cleanse us of our sins.

    In Tone 4

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

    As a divine prophet, herald and proclaimer of the words of God,* receiving the radiance of divine splendour in purity of mind,* you were revealed as the divinely inspired mouth of the Spirit!* You proclaim the things He revealed to you,* telling all the nations, most honoured one, * of the Kingdom of Christ and the salvation that is given to men.* Entreat Him to save and enlighten our souls!

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

    You fittingly shine forth in the vision of God,* divinely inspired one,* honoured with grace and a chief place among the prophets,* receiving the blessings of God!* Now that you have boldness towards the all good one and sympathy for us,* we honour you for having the eloquence of God,* being honourable and pleasing to him.* Never cease to pray on behalf of those who praise you in faith,* that He may deliver us from misfortunes and save our souls!

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

    You revealed Your prophet, Immortal One,* to be a living cloud pouring forth the water of eternal life!* You sent him forth, giving him freely the all-holy Spirit,* consubstantial with You, the Almighty Father,* and Your Son, who shone forth from Your Essence,* by which he prophesied the saving coming of Christ our God,* proclaiming salvation to all the nations!

    In Tone 2, Glory… Now…

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

Aposticha

In Tone 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glory… Now…

We now behold a new wonder,* greater than the wonders of old.* For who has ever known a mother to bear a child without the help of man?* Who has known a mother to hold in her arms the Source of all Creation?* It was God’s own will to be born in this manner;* and you, O most pure Virgin, carried Him as an infant in your arms.* Because of this, you can approach God with the boldness of a mother.* Therefore, we venerate you, and ask you to always beseech Him* to have mercy on us and save our souls.

Troparia

In Tone 2

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

In Tone 2, Glory…

As we celebrate the memory of Your prophet, Zephaniah,* O Lord, we beseech You through him: “Save our souls!”

Now…

O Mother of God, the mysteries which surround you are exceedingly glorious,* and beyond the power of understanding.* For you retained the seal of purity,* and your virginity remained inviolate;* yet you are acknowledged, without doubt,* to be the Mother who gave birth to the true God.* We beg you, therefore, to entreat Him to save our souls.

SUNDAY MATINS

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 2

Troparia, Tone 2

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

In Tone 2, Glory…

As we celebrate the memory of Your prophet, Zephaniah,* O Lord, we beseech You through him: “Save our souls!”

Now…

O Mother of God, the mysteries which surround you are exceedingly glorious,* and beyond the power of understanding.* For you retained the seal of purity,* and your virginity remained inviolate;* yet you are acknowledged, without doubt,* to be the Mother who gave birth to the true God.* We beg you, therefore, to entreat Him to save our souls.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 2

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

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 2

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

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Polyeleos

Evlogitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 2

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

Hymn of Ascent, Tone 2

Antiphon 1

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Antiphon 2

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Antiphon 3

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

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

Glory… Now…

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

Prokeimenon, Tone 2

Lord, rise up in Your anger, rise against the fury of my foes; my God, awake! You will give judgment. Let the company of nations gather round You.

verse: Lord God, I take refuge in You. From my pursuers save me and rescue me.

Let everything that lives, Tone 2

Gospel

Luke 24:12-35

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verses at Psalm 50

Canon, Tone 2

Ode 1

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Ode 3

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Ode 4

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Ode 5

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Ode 6

Canon of the Resurrection

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Kontakion, Tone 2

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

 

Ikos

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

 

Ode 7

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Ode 8

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

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

 

Magnificat

 

Ode 9

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

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

Glory… Now…

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

 

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

Christ our Way and our Life,* after His resurrection from the dead,* accompanied Luke and Cleopas,* who had recognized Him at Emmaus in the breaking of the bread.* Their hearts and souls were inflamed as He spoke to them on the way,* explaining to them all the Scriptures that pertained to Him.* Let us, therefore, shout with them, saying:* Truly, the Lord is risen and has appeared to Peter.

Glory… Now…

I praise Your love without limit, O my Creator;* for You emptied Yourself to put on our broken nature to save us.* O all-compassionate Lord, even though You are God,* You consented for my sake to be born into our human condition* and to descend into Hades to save us,* through the intercession of Your most pure Mother.

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 2

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

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

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

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

The women sprinkled sweet spices* mingled with their tears upon Your grave,* but their mouths were filled with joy as they exclaimed,* The Lord hath arisen!

Let the nations and the peoples praise Christ our God,* who willingly endured the Cross for us and suffered three days in Hades;* let them worship His Resurrection from the dead,* through which all the ends of the world have been enlightened.

You were crucified, and Thou were buried, O Christ,* as You willed;* You have despoiled death as God and Master,* granting the world eternal life and Your great mercy.

In truth, O wicked ones,* by sealing the tomb you have granted us a greater wonder;* for the guards having complete knowledge of that which took place were compelled by you to say* “while we slept the Disciples came and stole him.”* And who would steal a corpse, especially one that is naked?* But He has arisen by His own authority as God,* leaving behind His grave-clothes in the tomb.* Come, O Jews,* see that He did not burst the seals,* the One who has trampled on death* and granted mankind life without end* and His great mercy.

In Tone 5, Glory…

How wise are Your judgments, O Christ!* You granted Peter the understanding of Your resurrection by the burial wrappings alone.* Even though You accompanied Luke and Cleopas and conversed with them,* yet You did not reveal Yourself.* You were taunted by them as though You alone were a stranger in Jerusalem,* not knowing what had recently happened there.* But since You ordained all things for the good of each,* You explained to them what the prophets had spoken concerning You.* In the breaking of the bread they recognized You* because their hearts were already burning with the desire to know You.* When they came together with the disciples,* they proclaimed openly Your divine resurrection* by which we ask that You have mercy upon us.

In Tone 2, Now…

You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!

Great Doxology

Trisagion Prayers

Troparion, Tone 2

You came forth from death, destroying the eternal bonds of Hades, O Lord.* You broke the curse of Death* and thus delivered us from the snares of the Evil One.* Then You appeared to your apostles and sent them forth to preach,* and through them You have bestowed your peace upon all the world,* for You alone are rich in mercy.

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

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

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

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

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 2: The tomb and death could not hold the Mother of God,* unceasing in her intercession and an unfailing hope of patronage,* for as the Mother of Life she was transferred to life* by Him Who had dwelt in her ever-virgin womb.

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

Epistle: Ephesians 6:10-17 (NRSV)
Brothers and Sisters, finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: The Lord will hear you in the day of tribulation; the name of the God of Jacob will shield you.
verse: Lord, grant victory to the king and hear us in the day that we shall call upon You. (Psalm 19:2,10)

Gospel: Luke 13:10-17 (NRSV)
At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

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