GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140, In Tone 5

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

With Your precious cross, O Christ,* You have put the Devil to shame.* With Your resurrection You have deadened the sting of sin,* and have saved us from the gates of death.* We, therefore, glorify You, O only-begotten Son of God.

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

O Christ, who granted resurrection to mankind,* You were led like a lamb to the slaughter.* Then the princes of Hades were struck with terror* as they saw the gates of their tearful domain being lifted up;* for Christ, the King of Glory, entered therein* and exclaimed to those in chains: Go forth from here!* And to those in darkness: Go forth into the light!

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

What a great wonder!* The Creator of invisible beings suffered in the flesh for mankind,* and rose from the dead as immortal.* Come, therefore, all you nations and adore Him;* for through His compassion we have been freed from the snares of the Devil,* and we have learned to praise the one God in three Persons.

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

We offer to You our evening worship,* O Light whom the darkness of night can never extinguish.* For in these latter days Your radiance has appeared to the world,* shining in Your flesh as light reflected from a mirror.* Your brilliance has descended even to the depths of Hades and dissolved its gloom.* O Lord, Giver of Light, glory to You;* for You have shown the radiance of Your resurrection to all the nations.

Tone 4

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

O faithful ones, with sacred hymns let us bless Cleopas, Andronicus, Silvanus,* and Agabus, Ananias and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Rufus and Sosthenes, * Linus and Stachys, Stephen, Timon, Hermas, Phlegon, Mark, Luke, Sosipater, * Jason and Gaius, Tychicus and Philemon.

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

As is fitting, let Narcissus and Trophimus be praised, together with Caesanus, * Zenas and Aristarchus, Mark, Silas and Gaius, Quartus, Hermes * and Asyncritus, Apollos and Cephas, Clement and Justus, Quartus, Erastus, Luke, * Onesiphorus, Carpus, Euodias, Matthias and James, Urban and Aristobulus, *
Tychicus and Aristarchus.

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

Let us honor the honored preachers of God: * Prudens, Herodion and Artemas, Philologus, Olympas and Rodion, Apelles and Amplias, Patrobus * and Mark, Tertius and Thaddeus, the wondrous Epenetus, Achaius, Aquila, Lucius, * Barnabas and Fortunatus, and the glorious Apollos and Crispus.

Tone 2

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

When you wounded your soul with divine desire, O most blessed one, * you joyfully took up your cross and followed Christ; and having put to death * the wisdom of the flesh through abstinence, * you received the living activity of the Spirit, * enabling you to dispel the winter of infirmities through the fervor of
your acceptable prayers. * Therefore, we bless you together.

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

When you cleansed the sight of your soul through earnest prayer and steadfast fasting, * O father, you became a temple of the three-sun’d Godhead; * and receiving the divine anointing of the priesthood, * you entered the inaccessible place, * offering in sacrifice the One who was slain for your sake, * for the sake of an ineffable communion.

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

Revealed as meek and guileless, O father Theoctistus, * in the wholeness of your character you truly inherited the land of the meek; * and, deified through communion with God, * you now delight in the nourishment of true joy and gladness. * Do not cease to remember us who fervently honor you * and
celebrate your holy repose.

Tone 3, Glory…

Splendid was the feast that has passed, * and most glorious is the present day; * for then the magi offered homage to the Savior, * and now a glorious servant has baptized the Master. * Then the shepherds, playing their pipes and beholding the Lord, marveled; * and now the voice of the Father * has proclaimed His only-begotten Son.

In Tone 5, Now…

A symbol of the undefiled Virgin and bride* was revealed in the Red Sea.* There, Moses divided the waters;* here, Gabriel is the messenger of the miracle.* There, the Israelites crossed the deep and their feet were not even wet;* here, the Virgin gives birth to Christ without human seed.* There, the sea remained uncrossed after the passing of Israel;* here, the immaculate remained incorrupt after giving birth to Emmanuel.* Therefore, O immortal God, who appeared in the flesh as true Man,* have mercy on us!

Aposticha, In Tone 5

O Christ our Saviour,* we lift up our voices in song to glorify You.* For, in Your love for mankind,* You became incarnate without leaving heaven;* You accepted the cross and death;* You cast down the gates of Hades;* and on the third day You arose from the dead* for the salvation of our souls.

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

O Giver of Life,* streams of forgiveness, life, and salvation* poured forth from Your pierced side upon us all.* By accepting physical death, You granted us immortality;* by lying in the tomb, You freed us from Hades,* and as God, by rising from the dead,* You raised us with Yourself in glory.* Therefore, we cry out to You:* O Lover of mankind, glory to You!

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

O Lover of mankind,* Your crucifixion and descent into Hades are most wondrous.* For, as God, You thereby conquered the power of Hades,* and raised up in glory, with Yourself, those who were long imprisoned there.* You reopened Paradise and enabled them to enter.* Grant forgiveness of sins to us* who glorify Your resurrection on the third day,* for You alone are all-merciful.

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

O Lover of mankind,* You accepted suffering in the flesh* and rose from the dead on the third day.* Therefore, heal the passions of our flesh,* raise us from our dreadful iniquities, and save us.

Tone 3, Glory… 

Christ came to the Jordan truly to be baptized by John; * and John said to Him: * “I need to be baptized by You — and do You come to me? * I, but a shadow, dare not touch the fire! * Sanctify me, O Master, by Your divine manifestation!”

Now…

O Virgin Mother, you conceived the Son of God without seed* by the will of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit.* He was begotten by the Father, without a mother, from all eternity.* Yet for our sake, He was born of you in the flesh without a human father,* and you nursed Him as an infant with your milk.* Therefore, never cease to entreat Him to deliver our souls from affliction.

Troparia, In Tone 5

Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

In Tone 3, Glory… 

O holy apostles, beseech the merciful God, * that He grant our souls * the forgiveness of our sins.

In Tone 4, Now…

Make ready, O Zebulon!  * Adorn yourself, O Naphtali! * Arise, O river Jordan, and leaping up receive the Master who comes to be baptized! * Be glad, O Adam and our first mother, * and do not hide yourselves as once you did in Paradise! * For He who then saw you naked has revealed Himself, * to clothe you again in your first-created garment! * Christ has appeared, desiring to renew all creation!

GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 5

Troparia, Tone 5

Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection. (2)

In Tone 3, Glory… 

O holy apostles, beseech the merciful God, * that He grant our souls * the forgiveness of our sins.

In Tone 4, Now…

Make ready, O Zebulon!  * Adorn yourself, O Naphtali! * Arise, O river Jordan, and leaping up receive the Master who comes to be baptized! * Be glad, O Adam and our first mother, * and do not hide yourselves as once you did in Paradise! * For He who then saw you naked has revealed Himself, * to clothe you again in your first-created garment! * Christ has appeared, desiring to renew all creation!

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 5

Let us celebrate the Cross of the Lord,* let us honour His holy Burial with hymns,* and let us exulting, glorify His Resurrection.* For with Himself He has raised the dead from their graves,* and as God having despoiled the dominion of death* and the might of the devil,* He has shone forth light upon those in Hades.

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

O Lord, You who put death to death, was called dead;* You who have emptied the tombs was placed in a tomb;* above, the soldiers stood guarding the grave,* below, You raised the dead from all ages.* O Lord, All-powerful and Incomprehensible,* glory be to You!

Glory… Now…

Rejoice holy mountain upon which God has walked;* Rejoice! living bush unconsumed by fire;* Rejoice! O only bridge of creation to God, who leads mortals to eternal life;* Rejoice! Maiden undefiled, who has born without wedlock* the salvation of our souls.

Psalter Reading

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

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 5

O Lord, after Your Resurrection on the third day,* and after the worship of the Apostles, Peter cried to You;* The women had courage, and I was afraid;* the Thief confessed You as God, and I denied You:* will You no longer call me a disciple,* or will You once again declare me a fisher of the deep?* Receive me in my penitence, O God, and save me!’

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

O Merciful Lord, the lawless Ones nailed You between two condemned thieves* and pierced Your side with a lance,* but You, who destroyed the gates of Hades,* suffered burial and arose on the third day;* The women ran to see You and announced the Resurrection to Your Apostles.* O supremely exalted Saviour whom the Angels hymn,* O blessed Lord, glory be to You.

Glory… Now…

The Bride who knew not wedlock, the Birthgiver of God,* who turned Eve’s grief to joy,* we the faithful hymn and worship,* for you have redeemed us from the ancient curse.* And now, O All-hymned most holy one,* cease not to make intercession for the salvation of our souls.

Polyeleos

Evoglitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 5

The Myrrh-bearing women, amazed in their minds by the vision of the Angel* yet enlightened in their souls by the divine Resurrection,* announced the glad tidings to the Apostles:* Proclaim among the nations the Resurrection of the Lord,* who works in us through wonders,* and who grants us great mercy.

Sessional Hymn, Tone 8

With hymns let us all praise Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,* the meek David, Joshua, and the twelve patriarchs,* together with the three youths that quenched the fiery flame with the power of the Spirit.* And let us cry out to them: Rejoice, you that bravely denounced the deception of the mad king!* Pray y to Christ that He grant remission of offenses* to them that celebrate your holy memory with love.

Glory… Now…

Like the widow who gave two mites as an offering,* I offer you the praise of thanksgiving which is your due, O Mistress, for all your gifts;* for you are shown to be a shelter and aid, ever rescuing me from temptations and tribulations.* Wherefore, delivered from that which causes me grief,* as from the midst of a burning furnace, I cry out to you with all my heart:* O Theotokos, help me by entreating Christ God to grant me remission of transgressions,* for I, your servant, have you as my hope.

Gradual Hymns, Tone 5

Antiphon 1

When I am troubled I sing to You like David,* O my Saviour:* Deliver my soul from a deceitful tongue.

Blessed is the life of those* who dwell in the desert places,* Divine love gives them wings.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit all things are unshaken,* both visible and invisible;* for He has sovereign power,* being undeniably one of the Trinity.

Antiphon 2

Lift up yourself to the mountains,* O my soul;* go to that place from whence comes our help.

Let Your right hand hover over me,* O Christ,* and guard me from every misfortune.

Glory… Now…

Let us sing to the Holy Spirit, as we contemplate God:* You are God, life, love, light, and intellect,* You are goodness,* and You reign to the ages.

Antiphon 3

Filled with great joy at the words of those who say to me:* “Let us go into the courts of the Lord,”* I offer up my prayers.

Fearful things are accomplished in the house of David;* for a fire is found there,* burning every shameful thought.

Glory… Now…

To the Holy Spirit belongs the lordship of life,* for from Him every living being hath its breath,* as also from the Father* together with the Son.

Prokeimenon, Tone 5

Arise, O Lord my God, lift up Your hand*, for You shall reign forever.

verse: I will confess to You, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will recount all Your marvellous works.

Let everything that lives, Tone 5

Gospel: John 20:11-18

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verses at Psalm 50

Canon, Tone 5

Ode 1

Irmos: Christ, who breaks the battles,* with uplifted arm shook horse and rider into the Red Sea,* but Israel he saved,* singing a song of victory.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The congregation of the Hebrews preserved no mother’s love for you who gave them every good; they crowned you with thorns, O Christ, you who had loosed from the punishing thorns the first ancestor of man.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Giver of life, you bent down to the pit without danger of falling and raised me up who had fallen; you bore with my evil-smelling corruption, O Christ, yourself untouched, and made me fragrant with the sweet oil of the divine nature.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!

The curse is lifted, sorrow has ceased; O blessed one and full of grace, you have caused joy to spring up for the faithful for from you Christ has flowered, our blessing for ever.

Glory… Now…

Let us hearken to the divine sayings which declare the appearance of Christ; for, lo! of a Maiden that knew not man is He born in a cave, Whose awesome nativity the star which appeared to the astrologers proclaims.

Katavasia: Christ is born; let us glorify Him.* Christ comes down from heaven; let us go out to meet Him.* Christ lives on earth; let us exalt in joy.* All you faithful, sing to the Lord, for He has been glorified.

 

Ode 3

Irmos: Your command fixed firm the earth upon nothing* and sovereignty poised its vast bulk;* make firm your Church on the immovable rock of your commandments,* O Christ, alone good and Lover of man.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Those who sucked honey from the rock brought you gall for your wonders in the wilderness, O Christ. Vinegar for manna the ungrateful sons of Israel gave you in exchange for your deeds of goodness.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Covered of old by a light-radiant cloud they laid life, O Christ, in the grave: but, you rose of your own power, and you granted mystically to all the faithful the Spirit’s overshadowing shining from above.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Mother of God, virginally and without a mother’s pain you bore him, the outshining of the untouched Father; therefore, since you conceived the Word made flesh, in true faith we proclaim you Bearer of God.

Glory… Now…

Now the expectation of the nations comes forth from the Virgin, and Bethlehem radiantly opens the shut gates of Eden, receiving the incarnate Word, Who, in the flesh, is laid in a manger.

Katavasia: To Christ our God,* who is the only-begotten Son of the Father from before all ages,* and in these latter times* has become flesh of the Virgin without seed,* let us cry aloud:* You are our strength; glory to You, O Lord!

 

Sessional Hymn, Tone 2

The fire was transformed into dew for the children,* and the lamentation of the myrrh-bearing women was changed into joy;* and an angel ministered in both wonders, transforming the furnace into a place of rest for the former,* and announcing the Resurrection on the third day to the latter.* O Lord, Author of our life, glory be to You!

 

Ode 4

Irmos: Habakkuk in prophecy, O Christ, apprehending your divine emptying, in trembling awe cried out to you: For the salvation of your people, to make safe your anointed, you have come.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Good One, the most bitter streams of Meribah you sweetened by a tree, and thus in sign prefigured your pure cross which slays the bitter taste of sin.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You accepted a cross for the tree of knowledge, my Saviour, gall for sweet food, and for the corruption of death you shed the blood of God.

Glory… Now…

Untouched, you conceived incorruptibly in your womb; a Virgin, guarded to bring forth God in the flesh, you bore a child without pain and were virgin after the birth.

Katavasia: O Christ, You have come forth from the Virgin* as the rod of the root of Jesse and the flower that blossomed from his stem.* You became flesh from her that knew not wedlock,* from the Mountain overshadowed by the forest;* O God, You are not formed from created substance.* Glory to Your power, O Lord!

 

Ode 5

Irmos: To you, clothed with light as a garment,* early I rise and cry out.* Lighten my darkened soul,* O Christ, only compassionate.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

In dishonour and inglorious form, of his own will the Lord of glory hung upon the cross, and inconceivably thus procured for me divine glory.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You have changed my clothing for the garment of incorruption, O Christ, for uncorrupted you tasted the corruption of death in the flesh, and on the third day rose from the tomb.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!

Mother of God, you set free our first father’s nature from the curse, for without seed you gave birth to Christ our righteousness and redemption.

Glory… Now…

He that is full empties Himself into the flesh for our sake; the Unoriginate One receives a beginning; He that is rich beggars Himself; He that is the Word of God lies like a babe in a manger of dumb beasts, accomplishing the restoration of all who have existed throughout the ages.

Katavasia: Since You are a God of peace and a Father of mercies,* You have sent your angel of great counsel to us to bring us peace.* Thus, we are directed towards the light of the knowledge of God,* and at the night vigil we glorify You, O Lover of mankind.

 

Ode 6

Irmos: Lord Christ, calm the soul-destroying waves of the raging sea of passions* and, O compassionate, lead me up from corruption.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Our first ancestor fell into corruption, Lord Christ, tasting forbidden fruit; and he was brought back to life by your Passion.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You, the life, came to Hell and to the corrupter became corruption; thus, Lord Christ, through corruption you brought, as fountain springing, resurrection.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!

The Virgin bore a child and after bearing still was pure; holding him up in her arms who supports the whole creation she is truly Virgin Mother.

Glory… Now…

He that is ever with the Father and the Spirit is known on earth as a little Child; and He that wraps the earth in darkness is wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger of dumb beasts. Rejoicing now, we celebrate the forefeast of His seedless nativity.

Katavasia: Jonah had dwelt like a babe in the womb before the sea monster spew him forth;* the Word dwelt in the womb of the Virgin, taking flesh from her.* Although born from her, He kept her all-pure.* Since Christ Himself was not subject to incorruptibility, He kept His Mother free from the same.

 

Kontakion, Tone 4

O thrice-blessed ones, who did not honour an image wrought by hands,* but were defended by the indescribable Essence,* you were glorified in your ordeal by fire;* and standing in the midst of unbearable flame, you called upon God, saying:* Speed and make haste to our aid, O Compassionate One,* in that You are merciful;* for what Thou will, You can do!

Ikos

Stretch forth Your hand whereby of old the warring Egyptians and the embattled Hebrews were tested. Forsake us not, that death, which thirsts after us, not swallow us up; and spare our souls, as you once spared Your three children in Babylon, who glorified You unceasingly and were cast for Your sake into a furnace, from whence they cried out to You: Speed and make haste to our aid, O Compassionate One,* in that You are merciful;* for what Thou will, You can do!

 

Ode 7

Irmos: The Lord of the fathers, most highly exalted,* quenched the fire and rained his dew* on the young men in unison singing:* Blessed are you, O God.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Clothed with flesh as bait for the hook, by your divine power you dragged the serpent down, and brought back those who cried: Blessed are you, O God.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

He, the unbounded, who brought into being and knitted together the boundless immensities of earth, in the flesh was concealed in the grave; and we sing to him: Blessed are you, O God.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!

All-holy, you bore one person in two natures, God has taken bodily form and we sing to him: Blessed are you, O God.

Glory… Now…

Behold! as the prophet has foretold, she that knew not wedlock has conceived in her womb and manifestly comes to Bethlehem to give birth to God. To Him let us chant: O God of our fathers, blessed are You!

Katavasia: The youths who had been raised to fear God were not threatened by the fiery torments.* They denounced the wicked decree of the tyrant,* and standing in the midst of the flames,* they sang: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.

 

Ode 8

Irmos: The young men in the furnace devised a chorus of all creation for you, the Creator of all,* and in song they proclaimed it:* All you his works, sing to the Lord,* and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As if it were against your will, of that so longed for cup of your saving Passion you prayed that it might not be: two wills to two natures corresponding you bear, O Christ, throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

At your descent, Creator of all, Hell the fool gave up all those who of old had been slain by deceit, and who now, O Christ, highly exalt you throughout all the ages.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!

O Virgin, beyond thought, in divine and human manner, by the word you bore the Lord, while remaining virgin; we, his creatures, bless and highly exalt you throughout all the ages.

Let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Lord.

With threefold utterances let us hymn the all-holy Trinity: the unoriginate Father, the Son and the right holy Spirit, the Unity of three Hypostases, which every breath glorifies, crying out: Let all creation bless the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

O Christ, You have appeared incarnate of the Virgin’s blood by Your ineffable word, being born in a cave as a perfect Babe in the abundance of Your loving-kindness, O Jesus. And the star heralds You from afar to the astrologers, who cry with faith: hymn and exalt Christ supremely forever!

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

Katavasia: The dew-moistened furnace was the image of an incomprehensible wonder.* It did not burn the youths entrapped there,* just as the fire of the Godhead did not consume the Virgin’s womb in which He dwelt.* Therefore, let us praise God, saying: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all forever.

 

Magnificat

 

Ode 9

Irmos: Rejoice and sing, Isaiah,* the Virgin has conceived and bears a son, Emmanuel,* God and man, his name the Dayspring;* we magnify him and we call the Virgin blessed.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Fallen man, Lord Christ, you assumed; wholly joined to him in a virginal womb, sin alone excepted, wholly you have freed him from corruption by your pure sufferings.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Your pure and life-giving side, Lord Christ, was emptied of the blood which flowed from God, and sacrifice to idols ceased; and all we of the earth bring to you the sacrifice of praise.

Most holy Theotokos, save us!

Not God bodiless, nor yet mere man, the pure and honourable Maid bore to us, but perfect man and perfect God, in very truth; we magnify him, together with the Father and the Spirit.

Canon to the Three Holy Youths and Daniel

Glory… Now…

The Word of the Father, Who has robed Himself in me, comes forth from the Virgin and is born in the cave in unconfused manner. Dance, O creation, magnifying, with thankful voices His all-holy condescension which He has shown forth in His lovingkindness.

Katavasia: A strange and glorious mystery do I behold:* the cave is heaven;* the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim;* the manger, a dwelling place* in which is laid Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain.* Singing His praises, we magnify Him.

 

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

When Mary saw two angels inside the grave,* she was seized with fright.* She did not recognize Christ but thought that He was the gardener;* she said to Him: “Sir, where have You placed the body of Jesus?”* She knew from His voice that He was the Saviour,* and she obeyed Him when He said:* “Touch Me not for I am going to My Father.* Tell this to My disciples.”

Glory…

Let us praise Adam, Abel, Seth and Enos, Enoch and Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Moses, Job and Aaron, Eleazar and Joshua, Barak, Sampson and Jephthah, David, and Solomon.

Now…

The great Sun, the Creator, Who shall come forth from the Virgin who knew not man, makes haste to Bethlehem to enlighten all that are descended from Adam. Wherefore, the most radiant memory of the forefathers proclaims the wonder.

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 5

You came forth from the grave, O Lord, which had been sealed by the transgressors of the law,* just as You were born of the Theotokos.* For the bodiless angels did not know how You were incarnate.* Likewise, the guardian soldiers did not see the moment of your Resurrection;* for these two marvels were concealed from the curious minds* but were revealed to those who worshiped the mystery in faith.* Therefore, grant joy and great mercy to us who offer You praise.

O Lord, You demolished the gates of everlasting damnation,* and You broke asunder the chains of the grave.* You rose from the tomb leaving your wrappings in the grave* in testimony of your three-day burial;* and leaving the guards watching at the tomb,* You preceded your disciples into Galilee.* Great is your mercy, O Lord whom the whole world cannot contain.* O Saviour, have mercy upon us.

O Lord, who suffered for us,* the women hastened to your tomb to behold You.* When they arrived, they saw an angel sitting on the stone of the grave.* He said to them: The Lord is risen!* Go and tell the disciples that the Saviour of our souls is risen from the dead.

O Lord and Saviour,* You came into the midst of your disciples though the doors were closed* just as You came out of the sealed tomb,* showing the sufferings of the flesh which You accepted;* for You submitted to suffering patiently since You are of the seed of David.* But since You are the Son of God, You saved the world.* Great is your mercy, O Lord whom the whole world cannot contain.* O Saviour, have mercy on us.

O Lord, the King of ages and Creator of all,* who accepted crucifixion and burial in the body for our sakes* to deliver us all from Hades,* You are our God, and besides You we know no other.

O Lord God, who shall proclaim your dazzling wonders?* Or who shall declare your divine mysteries?* For You were willingly Incarnate for our sakes,* manifesting the might of your power.* By your cross You opened paradise to the thief;* by your death You crushed the bars and bolts of Hades;* and by your Resurrection You enriched all creation.* Therefore, O compassionate One, glory to You!

The myrrh-bearing women reached your tomb early in the morning,* seeking to anoint You, O immortal Word.* When they were instructed by the words of the angel,* they turned back with joy* to tell the apostles clearly that You had risen, O Life of all,* and had given the world forgiveness and great mercy.

The guards, keeping watch over the God-bearing tomb, said to the Pharisees:* Woe to your vain counsel, for you sought to keep the boundless One.* You have laboured in vain;* for you thought that you could hide the Resurrection of the crucified One, *but you only showed it more clearly.* Woe to your foolish secret meeting.* Why do you take counsel to hide what cannot be hidden?* it would be better that you listen to us* and choose to believe in that which happened.* An angel, resplendent like lightning,* descended from heaven and rolled away the stone,* and from fear of him we were encompassed by death.* To the courageous myrrh-bearing women he said:* Do you not see the guards as dead, the seals broken, and Hades emptied?* Why do you then seek as dead,* Him who abolished the victory of Hades and broke the thorn of death?* Go quickly and tell the good news of the Resurrection to the apostles, • and shout fearlessly, saying:* in truth the Lord is risen, the One who gives us great mercy.

Tone 2, Glory…

The warm tears of Mary were not shed in vain;* for behold, she has been worthy to hear the angels* and to behold Your face, O Jesus.* But being a woman still thinking of earthly things,* she was not permitted to touch You, O Christ.* However, she was sent to proclaim to Your disciples the good news announcing Your return to Your heavenly inheritance.* With her, therefore, make us worthy to see You, O Lord.

Tone 8, 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 5: Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.

Troparion, Tone 4: Make ready, O Zebulon,* and prepare yourself, O Nephtali;* O River Jordan, stop and receive with joy* the Master coming to be baptized.* O Adam, rejoice with the first mother, Eve,* and do not hide yourselves as before in Paradise.* For, having seen you unclothed,* Christ has appeared to clothe you with the first robe;* He has appeared to renew all creation.

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

Kontakion, Tone 5: You, my Saviour, descended to Hades,* and as the Almighty, You shattered its gates.* With Yourself You, as the Creator, raised the dead and shattered the sting of death,* and delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Mankind.* And so we cry out: “Save us, O Lord.”

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 5: Rejoice, O impassable door of the Lord!* Rejoice, O rampart and protection of those who have recourse to you!* Rejoice, O tranquil haven and Virgin,* who gave birth in the flesh to your Maker and God!* Fail not to intercede for those* who sing and worship the Child you bore.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6

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

Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:5-8 (NRSV)
Timothy my Son, as for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: God, be merciful to us and bless us.
verse: Make the light of Your face shine upon us and have mercy on us. (Psalm 66:2)

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 (NRSV)
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,make his paths straight,’” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

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