GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140, In Tone 1

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 6

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

The pollution of past sins* prevented you from entering the church* to see the elevation of the Holy Cross;* but then your conscience and the awareness of your actions* turned you, O wise in God,* to a better way of life.* And, having looked upon the icon of the blessed Maid of God,* You have condemned all your previous transgressions,* O Mother worthy of all praise,* and so have gone with boldness to venerate the precious Cross.

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

The pollution of past sins* prevented you from entering the church* to see the elevation of the Holy Cross;* but then your conscience and the awareness of your actions* turned you, O wise in God,* to a better way of life.* And, having looked upon the icon of the blessed Maid of God,* You have condemned all your previous transgressions,* O Mother worthy of all praise,* and so have gone with boldness to venerate the precious Cross.

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

Having worshipped at the holy places with great joy,* you have received saving grace for the journey of virtue,* and with all haste you have set out upon the good path you have chosen.* Crossing the stream of the Jordan,* with eagerness you have gone to live* in the dwelling place of the Baptist.* you have tamed the savagery of the passions* through your ascetic way of life,* and boldly you have broken the rebelliousness of the flesh,* O Mother ever-glorious.

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

Having gone to dwell in the wilderness,* you had blotted out from your soul the images of your sensual passions,* and marked upon it the God-given imprint of holiness.* You attained such glory, blessed Mother,* as to walk upon the surface of the water,* and in your prayers to God you were raised up from the earth.* And now, all-glorious Mary,* standing before Christ with boldness,* entreat Him for our souls.

In Tone 4, Glory…

The power of Your Cross, O Christ,* has worked wonders,* for even the woman who was once a harlot* chose to follow the ascetic way.* Casting aside her weakness,* bravely she opposed the devil;* and having gained the prize of victory,* she intercedes for our souls.

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 2, Glory…

The desire of your soul and the passions of your flesh* you have cut down with the sword of abstinence;* your sinful thoughts you have choked with the silence of the ascetic life.* With the streams of your tears you have watered all the wilderness,* and caused the fruits of repentance to spring up for us:** therefore, O saint, we celebrate your memory.

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 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)

In Tone 8, Glory…

In you, O mother, the image of God was preserved,* for taking up your cross, you followed after Christ;* by activity you learned to disdain the flesh, as something transient,* but to care for your soul as something immortal.* Wherefore, with the angels your spirit rejoices, O venerable Mary.

Now…

O Good One, Who for our sake was born of the Virgin* and, having endured crucifixion, cast down death by death,* and as God revealed the resurrection:* disdain not that which You have fashioned with Your own hand.* Show forth Your love for mankind, O Merciful One;* Accept the supplications of the Theotokos who bore You,* and save YOur despairing people, O our Saviour!

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: John 20:19-31

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verses at 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 passed through the waters as upon dry land* and escaped the malice of the Egyptians,* they cried out:* Let us sing to our Redeemer and our God.

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

You have abandoned me due to my abundant lusts, having each day taken enjoyment in them like the rich man. Wherefore I pray to You, O Saviour; deliver me from the fire as you once delivered Lazarus.

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

I am clothed in sensual pleasures, O Saviour, like the rich man who once vested himself in fine linen, gold, and golden clothing, but send me not into the fire, as You did him.

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

Having taken pleasure in the riches and sweet things of this corruptible life, the rich man of old was condemned to torments, whereas the needy Lazarus obtained consolation.

Most holy Theotokos save us.

The hosts of angels and mortals ceaselessly praise you, O Mother unwedded, for you carried their creator as a babe in your arms.

Irmos: 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.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

With love I celebrate your light-giving and holy memory, send down to me the unapproachable light of Christ ,O venerable one, before Whom you now stand, and deliver me from the manifold temptations of life.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

He Who fled to the Egyptians in the flesh, the un-circumscribable and eternal One, has revealed you to be a most radiant beacon issuing forth from whence He once dwelt; Egypt.

Glory…

Not knowing the divine commandments, you sullied the divine image of God within you, but, O all-praised one, through divine providence, you cleansed it once again, rendering yourself godlike by your godly actions, O venerable one.

Now…

O my God, great is Your loving-kindness, and ineffable Your condescension! For, by the intercessions of Your Mother, You rendered the former harlot as pure and spotless, as the angels.

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: You are the rampart* of those who hasten to You;* the inhabitants of darkness find their light in You;* and my soul praises You, O Lord.

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

O Christ, as You saved Lazarus from the flames, also deliver me, Your unworthy servant, from the fire of Gehenna.

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

O Lord, in passions and lusts I am as wealthy as the rich man, yet in my lack of virtues I am as poor as Lazarus. But save me.

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

The rich man clothed himself in scarlet and fine linen, lusts, and sins, for which sake he was cast into the flames.

Most holy Theotokos save us.

Grant to us help, by your intercessions O all-pure one, who can deliver us from every evil circumstance.

Irmos: O Lord, You suspend the earth over the waters;* and when creation saw You suspended on the Cross,* it trembled in fear and cried out:* None is holy as You, O our God.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

You drew near to the gates of destruction by your inexcusable actions; but He Who of old, by the power of His Godhead, smashed to pieces the gates of Hades, opened to you the gates of repentance, O all-honoured one; for He Himself is the Gate of life.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

She who was once a weapon of sin, O Longsuffering One, has now been revealed to be a weapon of Your Cross, O Compassionate One, for by venerating it, she conquered all the weapons and cunning of the devils.

Glory…

He who shed His own blood as a ransom for the sake of all, in the waters of your tears cleansed you who were grievously sickened with the leprosy of your wicked deeds, for He is the cause of all that is.

Now…

That which has come to pass within you, O Virgin, transcends description: For the Word of the Father came to dwell within you, granting by His word alone, the remission of sins to all those who transgress.

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.

 

Kontakion, Tone 3

Once you were filled with every impurity,* now through repentance you have been revealed as a bride of Christ,* following the angelic life, you crushed demons with the weapon of the Cross.* Therefore, O glorious Mary, you have been shown to be a bride of the Kingdom.

Ikos

As the lamb and daughter of Christ we now praise you in our hymns, O ever-memorable Mary. Sprung from the race of the Egyptians, you fled from all their delusions and alone offered yourself to the Church as an example of perfection, in abstinence and prayer struggling above that which is the measure of man’s nature, wherefore the only Pantocrator has exalted you, your life and actions, O most-glorious Mary.

 

Sessional Hymns, Tone 8

All the rebelliousness of the flesh did you subdue by your ascetic labours,* showing the manly wisdom of your soul.* Desiring to behold the Cross of the Lord, O all-honoured one,* you crucified yourself to the world,* eagerly seeking to emulate the angels in their way of life.* Wherefore with faith we honour your memory, O all-blessed one,* and beseech you to pray on our behalf,* that we may be granted the full remission of our sins* by your intercessions.

Glory… Now…

Let us hymn the heavenly gate and ark,* the all-holy Mountain and the Cloud of light,* the heavenly Ladder and the spiritual Paradise,* the Deliverance of Eve and the great Treasure of the whole world.* For through her was wrought the salvation of the world* and the remission of man’s ancient sins.* Wherefore we cry aloud to her:* “Pray to your Son and God, that remission of sins be granted to those* who devoutly worship your all-holy offspring.”

 

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: O Lord, I have heard of the mystery of Your work of salvation;* I meditated on Your deeds and glorified Your divinity.

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

The rich man took delight in sumptuous food and raiment, while Lazarus longed to be fed with the crumbs that fell from his table.

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

With their tongues the dogs licked the sores of Lazarus the beggar, showing themselves to be more compassionate to the poor than the rich man.

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

Before the gates of the rich man, O Saviour, Lazarus once lay wretched and suffering from his wounds, but now he is glorified.

Most holy Theotokos save us.

Beseech Him whom you bore, O most pure one, that those who hymn you may be saved from the machinations of the deceiver, for you alone are our sure protector.

Irmos: Foreseeing Your divine condescension and Your death on the Cross,* the prophet Habakkuk was perplexed and cried out:* By Your descent into Hades, O God of goodness,* You have broken the power of the tyrants;* for You are the almighty King.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

O Creator of the mortal nature of man, since You are a fount of mercy and a wealth of compassion, O Lover of mankind, You had compassion upon her that fled to You for refuge, snatching her away from the destroying beast.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Hastening to see the Cross, you were illumined by its effulgence O Mary, and having communed with it, by the divine manna of Him who was crucified thereon, you became crucified to the world, O right wondrous one.

Glory…

Previously guilty of leading many astray by wicked lust, you now shine forth like the sun, manifesting yourself as a guide to all transgressors, O venerable one.

Now…

You have surpassed the mind of the noetic heavenly powers of the King of all; for transcending the laws of nature, O pure one, you gave birth to the Lawgiver and Fashioner of all things.

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: Why have You driven me far from your face, O inaccessible Light?* The outer darkness has enveloped me, wretched creature that I am.* Make me return, I pray You,* and direct my paths toward the light of Your law.

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

When the rich man saw Lazarus resting in the bosom Abraham, rejoicing in light and glory, he cried aloud: “O Father Abraham, have mercy on me, for I am condemned to the fire and my tongue burns in bitter torment.”

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

“During thy life,” said Abraham to the rich man, “you rejoiced living sumptuously; wherefore you are now eternally tormented in the fire, while Lazarus the beggar rejoices in unending gladness.”

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

The life of the rich man was one of delusion in pleasure, and I, like the rich man, also live a sumptuous life, but I beseech of Your compassion, O Lover of mankind, that I may be delivered from the fire, as You once saved Lazarus.

Most holy Theotokos save us.

Possessing maternal boldness before your Son, O all-pure one, we beseech you who are from our lineage, turn not away from us, for you alone do we Christians bring before the Lord, as a God-pleasing intercessor on our behalf.

Irmos: Contemplating Your unsetting light,* which You, O Christ, in Your goodness, have shown us by your coming,* the prophet Isaiah kept watch before You and cried out in the middle of the night:* The dead shall rise and from their tombs they shall be raised up,* and the whole earth shall rejoice.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Moses once shone in glory on Mount Sinai, for having mystically beheld the most glorious hind-parts of God, he himself became a reflection of the strange mystery; and now, fervently falling down before the image of the most-pure one, the vessel which contained the Manna from heaven, Mary undertakes the angelic life.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Having longed, like the psalmist, to see the majesty of the temple, the noetic tabernacle of Your glory, she who defiled the temple cried; “By the noetic prayers O Christ, and of her who became Your temple, without knowing a man, make me a temple of the all-creating Spirit.”

Glory…

With the baited hook of the flesh, she caught the eye of many, and by short-lived sensual pleasure she made them food for the devil, but in truth having been caught by the divine grace of the precious Cross, she became the most sweet food of Christ.

Now…

Having learned of the mystery concerning you, the choir of the prophets has, with mystical divinely spoken words, O most-pure one, prophesied concerning you in many ways. And now Mary, having fallen down before the most pure image of you, the Vessel that received the divine Manna, she has become a sure intercessor for us sinners before God.

Katavasia: All creation stands in awe of your divine glory;* for you, O Virgin who has 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: Grant Your forgiveness, O Saviour, despite the number of my sins;* draw me out of the abyss of evil, I pray You;* for it is to You that I cry:* O God of my salvation, hear me, O Lord.

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

The rich man condemned himself to the flames of fire by his life of pleasure; but Lazarus the poor man chose poverty in this present life, and so was deemed worthy of unending joy.

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

Lazarus was deemed worthy to dwell in the bosom of Abraham, enjoying eternal life, O Christ; but the rich man was condemned to the fire, to be tormented in both soul and body.

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

The rich man was condemned to the fire because of Lazarus, condemn me not, wretched as I am, but I pray You, O Lover of mankind, grant me, like Lazarus, O Lord, Your light.

Most holy Theotokos save us.

May we be delivered from grievous sins, by your prayers, O pure Mother of God, and may we be granted the divine enlightenment of the Son of God, who ineffably took flesh from you.

Irmos: I am thrust down into the abyss of sin,* and I can no longer endure the wrath of the seas.* As Jonah, I cry to You:* Save my life from the pit.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

The armies of the angels rejoice, O holy Mary, seeing in you a life equal to their own, and crying out they give glory to the Lord.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

The host of dark spirits tremble at the strength of your patient endurance, marvelling at how a woman naked and alone, has been able to wondrously overcome them.

Glory…

You have shone forth like the sun, O all-praised Mary, illumining the desert with your wonders, also make me radiant with light.

Now…

The angels, illumined by the glory of your Offspring, O Virgin, proclaim to all; peace on earth and good will toward mankind.

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 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!

Irmos: The Hebrew youths who came from Judah to Babylon* trampled on the flames in the furnace by their faith in the Trinity,* and they sang:* Blessed are You, O God of our fathers.

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

Like Job of old, who sat on a dung heap full of decaying filth and worms, Lazarus lay before the gates of the rich man, crying: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

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

An outcast at the gate of the heartless rich man, Lazarus of old, longed for the crumbs that fell from his table, yet no man gave to him; and in place of this he was granted to dwell in the bosom of Abraham.

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

O my Christ, I pray You, deliver me from the lot of the heartless rich man, and number me with Lazarus the poor man, that I may be deemed worthy to cry to You with thanksgiving “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Most holy Theotokos save us.

You appeared incarnate from the virginal womb for our salvation. Wherefore we acknowledge Your mother as the Theotokos, and with thanksgiving cry aloud: “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Irmos: Formerly in the furnace of Babylon,* the Youths did not fear the fire into which they had been thrown;* but they walked in the flames, and covered with dew, they sang:* “Blessed are You, O God of our fathers.”

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Wise Zosimas, greatest among the fathers, wandered in the desert wilderness and was counted worthy to see the venerable mother, and cried aloud; “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

“For what, O father,” said the venerable one to the staretz, “did you come to see a woman who is a stranger to every manner of virtuous action,” and she cried aloud; “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Glory…

You put to death, O blessed one, the rebelliousness of your passions, and now having striven to the safe haven of passionlessness, You cry aloud; “O God of our fathers, blessed are You.”

Now…

In ways transcending speech, O most-pure one, you conceived while yet remaining a virgin, and brought forth into the world the salvation, Christ our God. Wherefore we and all the faithful magnify you in songs.

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: In his fury the tyrant of the Chaldeans* had the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual* for the faithful servants of the Lord;* but when he saw them saved by a more powerful force, he cried out:* O Youths, bless your Creator and Redeemer;* praise Him, you priests; and all you people, exalt Him for all ages.

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

In clothes of scarlet raiment, fine linen and purple, the rich man of old splendidly clothed himself in wretchedness, while the poor man Lazarus lay a pitiable outcast at his gate, longing to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table; and no man gave to him. But now he reigns with Christ in glory.

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

Lazarus lay at the gates of the rich man, his body putrid with sores: He longed to eat, and no man gave him food; but the dogs, moved by compassion, licked his sores and wounds. Wherefore he has been deemed worthy of joy in Paradise.

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

I have grown rich in sensual pleasures, like the rich man of old, clothing himself each day in scarlet; and I have condemned myself by taking pleasure and being deceived by the sweet things of this life, O Compassionate One. Wherefore I pray to You, O Christ, deliver me from the eternal fire throughout all ages.

Most holy Trinity our God glory be to Thee.

The threefold light of the Godhead shines with a single radiance, from one Hypostatic essence, The Father without beginning, the Son of the same essence as the Father, and the co-enthroned consubstantial Spirit, O you children bless, you priests praise, and you peoples supremely exalt throughout all ages.

Irmos: May the heavens shudder with fear,* and may the foundations of the earth tremble,* for the God of heaven is numbered among the dead* and lies in the narrow confines of the tomb.* O Youths, bless the Lord; praise Him, you priests;* and let the whole nation exalt Him forever.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

He Who searches the depths of the heart, and who, before we came into being, foresees all things concerning us, has freed from a life of bondage the woman who fled to You, O Saviour; in need of Your love for mankind she cried out to You with never-silent voice: “O you priests bless Him, and you people supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.”

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

Honourable is the change of life that has brought you to a better way! O divine the love that has taught you to despise the sensual pleasures of the flesh! O all-praised Mary, fervent and divine in the faith, which we faithfully praise and supremely exalt throughout the ages.

Let us bless Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Lord!

You received a recompense for your sufferings, and a reward for your labours, O honoured Mary, by which you slew the murderous enemy: and now with the angels you cry aloud with never-ceasing hymns supremely exalting Christ throughout the ages.

Now…

For the sake of His goodness the Lord of all the ages has completely renewed me within your womb, O pure one, without commingling that which is unique to each nature. Wherefore, as the cause of our salvation, with hymns we praise you throughout all ages.

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: O Mother of God and spouseless Virgin,* by your word you ineffably conceived the true God.* You are higher than the most pure powers;* with our unceasing hymns, we extol you.

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

I pray You, O Christ, make me like Lazarus the beggar, banishing my desire for sensual pleasure, since You are God in essence: and make me as wealthy as the rich man, only, in the virtues, that with faith I may magnify You in hymns.

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

Rich and unmerciful, my mind has despised faith in Your commandments, O Lover of mankind, and been cast out before the gates. But since You are a fellow sufferer, and lovingly compassionate, raise it up as once You raised up Your friend Lazarus, who was four days dead.

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

All have learned the meaning of this parable of the Lord, let us, the faithful despise the lack of compassion of the rich man, that we may escape torments, and eternally rejoice in the bosom of Abraham.

Most holy Theotokos save us.

The invisible God have you carried in your arms, He who is praised in the heavens and by all of creation, by you we have been granted salvation at all times, wherefore with faith we magnify you.

Irmos: Do not weep for me, O Mother,* even though you have seen lying in the tomb* the Son to whom you gave birth in a wondrous manner;* for I shall arise and be glorified;* and in my divine glory, I shall forever exalt the faithful who love you* and sing the praises of your glory.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

You more easily endured your labours in the wilderness; strengthened by the almighty strength of Christ, quenching the impure thoughts that came to you, by the streams of your godly tears, O mother, the summit of ascetics and glory of the venerable saints.

Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us.

With rays of exceeding brightness, the only birth-giver of Christ the light, the pure virgin, shone upon you, making thee frightening to your enemies, O honoured one; and revealing you to us all, O Mary, as the beauty of ascetics, and the foundation of venerable saints.

Glory…

Having wisely abandoned all the things of this world, you became a sacred dwelling of the Spirit: Beseech Christ the Redeemer, that we who faithfully celebrate your memory may be freed from the grief of worldly passions.

Now…

In a manner transcending nature, O Virgin, you have been freed from the laws of nature, and brought forth on earth a newborn Child, Who is the Giver of the Law and the Ancient of Days. Wherefore, O noetic heaven of the Creator of all, with faith and love we call you blessed.

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

Though the doors were locked, O Lord,* You entered and filled Your apostles with the Holy Spirit,* and breathing over them, You gave them Your peace.* You said to them: Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven;* whose sins you bind, they are bound.* After eight days You showed Thomas Your hands and Your side.* With them, therefore, we cry to You: You are my Lord and my God!

In Tone 3, Glory…

You do we have as an image of repentance, O all-venerable Mary,* pray to Christ that in the season of the Fast* we may also be granted repentance,* that with faith and love we may praise you with hymns.

Now…

O sweetness of the angels, joy of the afflicted,* intercessor on behalf of Christians,* Virgin Mother of the Lord,* help me and deliver me from eternal torment.

 

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!

When You were nailed to the Tree of the Cross,* then the might of the enemy was slain;* creation shook in fear of You,* and Hades was despoiled by Your might.* You raised the dead from their tombs* and opened Paradise to the Thief.* O Christ our God, glory be to You!

Lamenting, the holy women came with haste to Your grave;* but finding the tomb opened and learning from the Angel* the new and marvelous wonder,* they announced to the Apostles,* The Lord has arisen,* granting the world His great mercy.

We bow down before the divine stripes of Your passion, O Christ God,* and the royal sacrifice that took place divinely revealed in Sion at the end of the ages;* for You, the Sun of righteousness,* enlightened those who slept in darkness,* leading them to the never-setting radiance,* O Lord, glory be to You!

O Tumultuous race of the Jews, give ear.* Where are those who approached Pilate?* Let the soldiers who kept watch say,* where are the seals of the grave?* To where has the one who was buried been moved?* Where has the One who is not for sale been sold?* How has the treasure been burgled?* O Lawless Jews, why do you slander the Rising of the Crucified?* He has arisen, as one free among the dead,* and grants to the world His great mercy.

In Tone 1

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

The Kingdom of God is not food and drink,* but righteousness and abstinence with holiness:* And so the rich shall not enter into it,* but those who invest their treasures into the needful hands of the poor.* This is what David the Prophet has taught us, saying:* “The righteous man shows mercy all the day long;* his delight is in the Lord, and walking in the light he shall not stumble.”* All this was written for our admonition,* that we fast and undertake the doing of good deeds;* that in place of earthly things the Lord may grant us heavenly things.

Glory…

The Kingdom of God is not food and drink,* but righteousness and abstinence with holiness:* And so the rich shall not enter into it,* but those who invest their treasures into the needful hands of the poor.* This is what David the Prophet has taught us, saying:* “The righteous man shows mercy all the day long;* his delight is in the Lord, and walking in the light he shall not stumble.”* All this was written for our admonition,* that we fast and undertake the doing of good deeds;* that in place of earthly things the Lord may grant us heavenly things.

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.

Troparion, Tone 8: The divine image was faithfully preserved in you, O mother,* for taking up the Cross, you followed Christ.* By your deeds you have taught us to see beyond the flesh, which passes,* and care for the soul, a thing immortal.* And so, O venerable Mary,* your spirit rejoices with the angels.

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

Kontakion, Tone 3: Once you were filled with every impurity,* now through repentance you have been revealed as a bride of Christ,* following the angelic life, you crushed demons with the weapon of the Cross.* Therefore, O glorious Mary, you have been shown to be a bride of the kingdom.

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)

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
He makes spirits His angels and flaming fire His ministers.

Epistle: Hebrews 9:11-14 (NRSV)
Brothers and sisters, when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

Galatians 3:23-29 (NRSV)
Brothers and sisters, before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Poise yourself and advance in triumph and reign in the cause of truth, and meekness, and justice.
verse: You have loved justice and hated iniquity. (Psalm 44:5,8)

Gospel: Mark 10:32-45 (NRSV);
At that time, Jesus took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.” James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Luke 7:36-50 (NRSV)
At that time, one of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Hymn to the Mother of God
In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices: the angelic ranks and all the human race. Sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, virgins’ pride and boast, from whom God is made flesh and became a little Child; and He who is our God before all ages, He made your womb a throne, and He made it wider that all the heavens. In you, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices. Glory be to you.

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)