May 8; The Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian

The Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian; Our Venerable Father Arsenius the Great (408-50); Arsenius the Great (450)

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

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

Come, see Him of whom Moses in the Law spoke of old,* Jesus, the Messiah who has appeared out of His tender compassion,* and as a man, spoke to me at the well.* In truth this is Christ God, who has come into the world.* Thus spoke the Samaritan woman to those in Sichar.

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

When those in the city had partaken of the sweet water* that poured forth from the mouth of the woman,* they quickly hastened to come to the well to drink from that bountiful Fount,* and to see the ever-flowing Well-spring* which refreshes parched souls that are thirsty for life.

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

Having beheld the Fount of life,* who was one in form and nature with mortal man,* all they that were in the city cried to the woman:* Not only on account of your words do we believe,* but we have come to know that this is the everlasting redemption* and salvation of the world.

Tone 1

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

The beholder of ineffable revelations* and recounter of the most sublime mysteries of God,* the son of Zebedee, who set down in writing the Gospel of Christ,* has taught us to theologize* concerning the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

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

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

The harp of heavenly songs played by God,* the recorder of mysteries, the divinely eloquent mouth,* beautifully chants the hymn of hymns;* for, moving his lips as though they were strings,* and using his tongue as a plectrum,* he prays that we be saved.

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

Proclaiming with your thunderous tongue* the hidden Word of divine wisdom, O beloved of God,* you ever cry out, continually moving your lips:* In the beginning was the Word!* And you instruct every man in the knowledge of God.

Tone 8

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

O divinely wise father Arsenius,* having girt your mind round about with abstinence,* you caused it to ascend to the primal Cause,* and, forsaking the turbulence of the world and shunning its tumults,* you truly mingled purity of mind with the utmost desire, O blessed and all-wise one.

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

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

O venerable father Arsenius, seeking after God,* and piously desiring to be illumined by His radiant effulgence,* you abandoned all the splendour of high position and the imperial palace,* and received an immortal inheritance,* abiding now with Christ, O divinely blessed one.

Tone 1, Glory…

O you of the race of man,* let us offer goodly praise as is meet to the beloved and virginal John,* the son of thunder, the foundation of the words of God, the author of theology,* the first preacher of the truth of the dogmas of the wisdom of God;* for having the Divine continually within him, he said:* In the beginning was the Word,* Who is inseparable from the Father and of the same essence with the Father,* revealing to us through himself the orthodoxy of the Holy Trinity.* And he has likewise shown us that He creates with the Father* and bears life and the light of Truth.* O awesome wonder! O uttermost wisdom!* For, full of love, he was also filled with theology through glory, honour and faith,* as a founder of our pure Faith.* Wherefore, we shall receive everlasting blessings on the day of judgment.

Tone 6, Now…

By Jacob’s Well, Jesus found the Samaritan woman.* He that covers the earth with clouds asked water of her.* O wonder! He that rides on the Cherubim speaks with a harlot woman, asking for water,* He who has suspended the earth upon the waters.* He who causes springs and pools of waters to flow forth seeks water,* for He wished to draw to Himself her that was truly ensnared by the contending enemy,* and to impare the water of life to her* who was sorely inflamed with unseemly deeds,* for He alone is compassionate and the Lover of mankind.

Readings: 1 John 3:21-4:6; 1 John 4:11-16; 1 John 4:20-5:5

Lytia

In Tone 1

Rivers of theology poured forth from your honoured mouth, O apostle,* and the Church of God, watered thereby, worships the consubstantial Trinity in Orthodoxy.* Pray now to the Trinity, O theologian John,* that our souls be made steadfast and saved.

The garden of purity has emitted for us the myrrh of sweet fragrance on this present feast,* that we may cry out to him: O Apostle John,* who reclined against the Master’s breast,* who has rained down discourse upon the world* and preserved the Virgin as the apple of your eye,* beseech Christ, that He grant us great mercy.

O disciple of the Saviour, virgin and theologian, when Christ God was crucified* He committed the Virgin Theotokos to your care, in that you are virginal;* and you preserved her as the apple of your eye.* Wherefore, pray that our souls be saved.

As an eyewitness to ineffable mysteries, you cried out, exclaiming:* “In the beginning the pre-eternal Word was with God, and He was God!”* O Apostle John, intimate and faithful friend of Christ,* delight of the Trinity, unshakable confirmation of Ephesus and Patmos, our help.* Pray, O most blessed theologian, that the people who ever celebrate your memory with faith* be delivered from wicked enemies, material and noetic.

Tone 5

O venerable father, having heard the voice of the Gospel of the Lord,* you forsook the world, holding riches and glory to be as naught.* Wherefore, you cried out to all:* “Love God and you shall find eternal grace.* Prefer nothing to His love, that when He shall come in His glory,* you shall find rest with all the saints.”* By his supplications, O Christ, preserve and save our souls.

Tone 4, Glory… Now…

Reclining against the breast of Christ the Teacher at the Lord’s supper,* O beloved disciple, you thereby came to know ineffable things,* and has thundered forth your heavenly voice for all to hear,* saying: “In the beginning was the Word,* and the Word was with God, and the Word was God:* Christ God, the Saviour of our souls,* the Light of truth Who enlightens every man* who comes into the world.”

Aposticha

Tone 4

Theologizing concerning the Son of the Most High,* Who with the Father is equally everlasting and of the same essence,* immutable Light from Light, the impress of the hypostasis of the Father,* Who shone forth timelessly and dispassionately from Him,* the Creator and Lord of all the ages, Christ our God,* you preached to the world, O beloved,* as the One Who brought light forth out of darkness.* Entreat Him that He save and enlighten our souls.

Their sound has gone forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

Receiving the light of the Comforter,* illumined therewith you theologized and proclaimed to all, O beloved,* that He proceeds from the Father* and through the Son is revealed to mankind,* equal in honour, equally enthroned* and of the same essence with the unoriginate Father and God the Word.* Wherefore, we honour you in hymns as the foundation of the divine Faith,* which you preserve unshaken through your supplications to the Lord.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands.

Having ascended to the summit of theology,* you learned the ineffable mysteries of God:* the single essence of the Godhead,* His single glory, kingdom and dominion, ever distinct in three Hypostases,* yet essentially indivisible and united in unconfused divine unity.* And, rendering glory, O theologian,* you preached the indivisible Trinity.* Entreat Him that He save and enlighten our souls.

Tone 6, Glory…

O apostle of Christ, evangelist and theologian,* as an initiate of ineffable mysteries you have thundered forth upon us* the ineffable doctrines of wisdom,* explaining to the faithful that He was in the beginning,* and discounting that there was a time when He did not exist,* thus rejecting the words of the heretics.* And as you were shown to be the beloved intimate and friend of Christ,* like the eloquent Isaiah and Moses the God-seer,* pray earnestly for our souls, in that you have boldness before God.

Tone 6, Now…

Thus says the Lord to the woman of Samaria:* If you knew the gift of God,* and who it is that says to you: Give Me water to drink,* you would have asked Him, and He would have given to you to drink,* that you might never thirst unto eternity, says the Lord.

Troparia

Tone 2

O beloved apostle of Christ our God,* hasten, deliver a people without defense.* He who received you when you leaned upon His breast accepts you as you bow in prayer.* Implore Him, O Theologian, to scatter the cloud of nations that besets us,* asking peace and great mercy for us. (2)

Tone 4

Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary full of grace!* The Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women,* and blessed is the fruit of your womb.* For you have borne Christ, the Saviour* and Deliverer of our souls.

AT GREAT MATINS ON FRIDAY MORNING

Troparia, Tone 4

When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”

Tone 8, Glory…

With the streams of your tears you cultivated the barren desert,* with deep sighs your toils bore fruit a hundred-fold.* You became a beacon, shining throughout the world by your wonders,* our venerable Father, Arsenius.* Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.,

Tone 4, Now…

Psalter Reading

Small Litany

Sessional Hymns, Tone 1

As the disciple of Christ, the Master of all, you taught the people and illumine the world, guiding them to the knowledge of Him, O apostle. Wherefore, we all call you the preacher of the Truth and Theologian, the friend of Christ, who reclined against His breast.

Tone 4, Glory… Now…

On seeing You lifted up upon the Tree of the Cross, * Your undefiled Mother struck up a maternal lament * and cried out, O Word of God: * What is this new wonder, O my Son, * this strange marvel? * How You taste of death, O Life of all? * desiring to quicken the dead, ** since You are compassionate.

Psalter Reading

Small Litany

Sessional Hymns, Tone 5

With hymns and sacred praises let us all hymn the most honored John, the apostle and disciple of Christ, who preached that the Father divinely begat Christ, our Redeemer and King; for he prays unceasingly, that our souls find mercy.

Tone 4, Glory… Now…

From an earthly and corruptible well, * the Samaritan Woman usually came to draw water, * but instead she drew living water: * For she found there seated beside the well * that well-spring of the Patriarch Jacob, ** which doth quench the raging fever of all the world.

Polyeleos

Magnification

We magnify you, O Apostle of Christ and evangelist John the Theologian, and we honour the pangs and labours, with which you struggled in the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.

verse: The heavens proclaim the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands.

Glory… Now…; Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory be to You, O God (3)

Sessional Hymns, Tone 8

Reclining against the breast of Jesus, you received boldness, asking as a disciple: “Who is Your betrayer. Lord?” And since you were exceedingly beloved, O most praised one, He manifestly indicated the traitor to you with a sop of bread. Wherefore, as an initiate of ineffable mysteries, you teach the incarnation of the Word to the ends of the earth. O apostle and theologian, entreat Christ God that He grant forgiveness of sins unto those who celebrate your holy memory with love.

Glory… Now…

Let us hymn the heavenly gate and ark, * the all-holy mountain, the cloud of light, the heavenly ladder, * the spiritual Paradise, the redemption of Eve, * the great treasure of the world; * because salvation for the world and forgiveness of ancient offences were wrought in her. * Therefore we cry unto her: * Intercede with your own Son and God to grant forgiveness of offences ** to those who devoutly worship your most holy Offspring.

Gradual Hymns, Tone 4, First Antiphon

Antiphon 1

From my youth do many passions war against me;* but do You Yourself defend* and save me, O my Saviour.

You haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord;* for like grass, by the fire* shall you be withered.

Glory… Now…

In the Holy Spirit, every soul is quickened,* and, through cleansing, is exalted* and made radiant* by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.

Prokiemenon, Tone 4

Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands.

Let everything that lives, Tone 4

Gospel

John 21:15-25

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verse at Psalm 50, Tone 2

O virgin theologian, * beloved disciple of the Savior, * by your supplications save us from all harm, we pray, ** for we are your flock.

Canon

The Canon for the Saint, with the Katavasiae, is given below.

A fuller Canon for the day may be accessed here.

Ode 1

Irmos: The wonderworking staff of Moses, * striking and dividing the sea in the figure of a cross, * once drowned Pharaoh the pursuing charioteer, * while it saved the fleeing people of Israel * as they fled on foot, * chanting a hymn to God.

Holy Apostle and Evangelist John, pray to God for us.

In so far as you were pure and beloved of the incorruptible light, you reclined, resting against His breast, and with boldness of soul drew forth from the Abyss of wisdom the light of understanding, O blessed Apostle John.

Glory…

Theologizing supra-naturally, you thundered forth, O beloved of Christ: “In the beginning was the Word, as alive and hypostatic as His Father; and the Word was God; and the Word became flesh, and remained God immutable”

Now…

If we flee from beneath your protection, O most pure one, we are buried beneath all the perils which befall us. Wherefore, we now beseech you: From the depths of our transgressions raise up us who have fallen, by your divine entreaties O pure one.

Katavasia: It is the Day of Resurrection, let us be radiant, O people; Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha: for from death to life, and from earth to heaven, Christ God has brought us, as we sing the song of victory.

Ode 3

Irmos: O Christ fortify me on the rock of Your commandments, * You who in the beginning established the heavens with understanding * and established the earth upon the waters, * for there is none holy save You, O only Lover of mankind.

Holy Apostle and Evangelist John, pray to God for us.

Among fishermen you became a fisher of men and a theologian, O wise John, setting aside the love of your father and that of the world, and with divine desire you followed the Word and Master.

Glory…

Having purified the eyes of your soul, O theologian, you behold the ineffable glory which emanates from the Word, the only-begotten Son of the Father, through Whom all things are wisely accomplished by the divine Spirit.

Now…

We flee beneath your saving refuge, O Virgin Theotokos, and find salvation from the assaults of the enemy by your supplications; whereby we are delivered from the torment which is to come, O pure one.

Katavasia: Come, let us drink a new drink, not one miraculously brought forth from a barren rock but the Fountain of Incorruption, springing forth from the tomb of Christ, in Whom we are strengthened.

Small Litany

Kontakion, Tone 3

From Rome you shined forth like a great sun, * and reaching the imperial city, O most blessed one, * you illumined it with your words and deeds, * dispelling all the darkness of ignorance. ** Wherefore, we honor you, O venerable Arsenius, you glory of the fathers.

Ikos

Hearkening to the voice of the Lord, and forsaking the beauties of this world, O divinely wise one, you entered upon the monastic life, emulating the life of the angels. Wherefore, you were revealed to be wholly transformed, an angel in the body, offering to Christ fasting and tears, blameless prayer and all night vigil, thus becoming a temple of the Trinity, a model for monks, an instructor in the virtues and a fervent advocate for those who ever honor you. Therefore, we honor you, O venerable Arsenius, you glory of the fathers.

Sessional Hymns, Tone 8

Having reclined against the breast of Wisdom and learned an understanding of things, you thundered forth divinely: “In the beginning was the Word!”, being the first to record the beginningless begetting, you have proclaimed to all the incarnation of the Word. Wherefore, fishing for the nations, using your tongue as a net, you have taught the ends of the earth by the grace of the Spirit, enlightening them with miracles. O theologian and apostle, entreat Christ God, that He grant forgiveness of sins unto those who with love celebrate your holy memory.

Glory…

Fleeing the tumults of the world and perfecting your life in stillness, you mortified the passions and furnish your mind with wings to soar aloft to God, revealed to be a pillar of fire and luminary for all the faithful who honor you, showing yourself to be a fruitful tree watered by showers of tears. O God-bearing Arsenius, entreat Christ God, that He grant forgiveness of sins unto those who honor your holy memory with love.

Tone 6, Now…

Let Heaven joyfully resound and exult now, * and let all things here upon earth dance in gladness; * for from a Virgin, Christ God has appeared as a man. * By His death He has redeemed mortal mankind from corruption. * By great signs He shone forth upon the Samaritan woman. * Requesting water, He bestowed on her the source of healings, ** since He is the Lover of mankind.

Ode 4

Irmos: You, O Lord, are my strength and You are my power, * You are my God and You are my joy, * You Who, while never leaving the bosom of Your Father, * has visited our poverty. * Therefore with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry to You, * ‘Glory to Your power, O Lover of mankind!’

Holy Apostle and Evangelist John, pray to God for us.

The Lord called you the son of thunder and granted you through the Spirit to thunder forth that He was ineffably begotten of the Father divinely and unapproachably; wherefore, with hymns we glorify your most festive memory as is meet, O theologian.

Glory…

You mounted to the heights by the virtues, O apostle, and behold the only-begotten Word shining forth with glory in the flesh, He Who doth sit eternally in the bosom of the Father; and you were deemed worthy to hear the voice of the Father, bearing witness that He was His Son.

Now…

As I now flee to your aid, O all-immaculate one, let not your useless servant, be put to shame; for you do I have as an intercessor before God and an impregnable bulwark. I pray that through you I may enjoy the tranquility and divine life which is to come.

Katavasia: On divine watch let the God-inspired Habakkuk stand with us and show forth the light bearing angel clearly saying: Today salvation is come to the world, for Christ is risen as Almighty.

Ode 5

Irmos: O Light never-waning, * why have You turned Your face from me * and why has the alien darkness surrounded me, * wretched though I be? * But do guide my steps I implore You * and turn me back towards the light of Your commandments.

Holy Apostle and Evangelist John, pray to God for us.

Beholding the most pure Light Who shone forth amid the darkness of the world, you were transformed by love; and as a beacon of piety, O John, you illumined with the light of theology generations of the multitudes of nations.

Glory…

Having learned that the shadowy law was given by Moses, but that divine grace came about through Christ our God, O beloved son of thunder, you proclaimed His divinity with the precise language of theology.

Now…

You are my protection and might, my confirmation and indestructible rampart, O most pure one, and I call upon you: night and day preserve me from all the harm wrought by Belial, that I may glorify you with faith and love.

Katavasia: Let us awake in the deep dawn, and instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Master, and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, Who causes life to dawn for all.

Ode 6

Irmos: The abyss of my sins and the storm of my transgressions * disquieten me and thrust me down * into the depths of despondency; * but stretch forth Your mighty arm, * to me as You did to Peter, * and save me, O my Guide.

Holy Apostle and Evangelist John, pray to God for us.

Isaiah beheld in an image the Ember of the divine fire which purified his lips, and He was deemed worthy of prophecy; and you, O blessed John, were revealed as he who reclined upon the breast of the incarnate Word of God.

Glory…

The only-begotten Word Who sits in the bosom of the Father was seen incarnate, O blessed John, and told you, as the beloved initiate of His mysteries, that you wouldst behold the incorporeal God Whom no-one can look upon.

Now…

Illumine my soul, O all-hymned Virgin Theotokos, having given birth to the Effulgence of the Father’s glory; for, having your true grace, we abstain from all blasphemous rhetoric.

Katavasia: You descended into the nethermost pares of the earth, and shattered the eternal bars that held the fettered, O Christ, and on the third day* like Jonah from the whale, You arose from the tomb.

Small Litany

Kontakion, Tone 2

O virgin apostle, who can recount your mighty works?* For you pour out wonders and healings* and you pray for our souls as Theologian and friend of Christ.

Ikos

It is an unattainable thing of boldness, to study the heights of heaven and to plumb the depths of the sea; for as it is impossible to calculate the number of the stars and the sands of the shore, so is it impossible to speak sufficiently of the theologian, whom Christ loves and has crowned with so many crowns. For, reclining against His breast, he ate with Him at the mystical supper, in that he is a theologian and friend of Christ.

Ode 7

Irmos: Once in Babylon the fire stood in awe of God’s condescension; * for which sake the youths in the furnace, * dancing with joyous steps as in a meadow, chanted: * O God of our fathers, Blessed are You!

Holy Apostle and Evangelist John, pray to God for us.

You considered gold and riches to be like grass, O all-blessed one, and by the action of God you transformed hay into gold when you theologized concerning the Creator and Lord, crying: O God of our fathers, Blessed are You!

Glory…

The Holy Spirit Who proceeds from the beginningless Father have we accepted as indivisible from You, O only-begotten Word of God; whereby You called upon the apostles to cry aloud: O God of our fathers, Blessed are You!

Now…

You were the temple and palace of Christ the King; you alone were the couch of Solomon, which, as saith the Scriptures, sixty of the mighty surrounded. And with you, O Virgin they cry aloud chanting: O God of our fathers, Blessed are You!

Katavasia: He who delivered the Children from the furnace, became man, suffers as a mortal, and through His Passion clothes mortality with the beauty of incorruption, He is the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

Ode 8

Irmos: In his wrath the Chaldean Tyrant made the furnace blaze, * with heat fanned sevenfold for the servants of God; * but when he perceived that they had been saved by a greater power * he cried aloud to the Creator and Redeemer; * ‘ye children bless, ye priests praise, * ye people, supremely exalt Him throughout all ages’.

Holy Apostle and Evangelist John, pray to God for us.

As your most glorious memory is magnificent and rightly renowned, O herald of the divinity of Christ, it shineth forth upon the Church, perfuming her with godliness. Wherefore, rejoicing O ye faithful, we cry aloud: O ye youths bless, O ye priests praise, O ye people, supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!

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

Having the theologian as the leader of our choir, O Christ, We declare You, Who were theologized by him, with the Father and the Spirit, to be God, and hymning the unity in governance thereof, we cry aloud: O ye youths bless, O ye priests praise, O ye people, supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!

Now…

O all-immaculate one, you have given birth to God the Word in the flesh. Him do you beseech, that He deliver me from the fire; for, lo! my whole life has become a burden and I have become wholly enslaved to cruel sins. Wherefore, I flee to you, O Virgin, and call upon you, the joyous one.

We praise, bless, and worship the Lord, singing and exulting Him above all for ever.

Katavasia: This chosen and holy day is the first of the Sabbaths, the queen and lady, the feast of feasts, and the festival of festivals, wherein we bless Christ throughout the ages.

The Song of the Theotokos (Magnificat) is not sung.

Ode 9

Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, * and the ends of the earth were filled with amazement, * for God has appeared in the flesh, * and your womb was rendered more spacious than the heavens. * Wherefore, the ranks of men and of angels * magnify you as the Theotokos.

Holy Apostle and Evangelist John, pray to God for us.

Standing before the Cross of the Master and the pure Virgin Theotokos, the beloved disciple, the pure instrument of theology, in that he himself was virginal, accepted the commission to care for her, and, becoming the guardian of the immaculate Theotokos, he is now blessed as is meet.

Glory…

The Most pure One, loving your honoured and blameless life as is meet, accepted you, who lived angelically on earth, together with your brother, O blessed John, and declared you the son of His own Mother, the Theotokos. With her we all call you blessed.

Now…

Be you a pillar of salvation for me, O pure one; render the hordes of the demons impotent, cutting off the tumult of temptations and misfortunes, granting me pure freedom, and bestowing upon me divine gifts in abundance.

Katavasia: Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.

Small Litany

Hymn of Light

In the flesh You fell asleep, as a mortal man, O King and Lord, on the third day You arose, raising Adam from corruption, and destroying death: O Pascha of incorruption, the Salvation of the world!

Glory…

As a son of thunder you proclaimed theology to all mankind, saying: “In the beginning was the Word!”, O Apostle John; for, reclining against the breast of your Master with faith and drawing forth therefrom streams of theology, you have watered all creation.

Now…

On coming to Samaria, O Savior, You Almighty One, spoke there with a woman and ask of her water, though for the Jews You hadst of old brought forth springs from a cloven rock. You brought her to faith in You, and now she doth ever enjoy eternal life in the Heavens.

Praises

Stichera on the Praises, Tone 4

To carry out the sentence pre-ordained:* this honour is for all His faithful.

Unto them that fear You, O Lord, * You have given Your precious Cross as an ensign, * O Lover of mankind, * whereby You have triumphed over the dominions of darkness and its powers, * returning us to the ancient blessedness of our former state; * and for this cause, we glorify your economy and love for mankind, * O my Jesus, Almighty Lord, ** the true Savior of our souls.

Praise God in His holy place, praise Him in His mighty heavens.

O Christ the Savior, * with Your Cross, guide us to Your truth, * and deliver us from the snares of the enemy; * O You who are risen from the dead * raise us also who have fallen through sin, * by the stretching out of Your hand, * O Lord, at the behest of the prayers of Your Saints.

Praise Him for His powerful deeds,* praise His surpassing greatness.

Precious is the death of Your Saints, O Lord; * for shattered by sword and fire and frost, * they shed their blood, having placed their hope in You, * that they might receive the reward of their labors. ** They endured and received great mercy from You, O Savior.

Tone 8

O praise Him with sound of trumpet,* praise Him with lute and harp;

O most wise and blessed John, * in the magnitude of your ardor for the love of Christ * you were the greatest of all, * a beloved disciple * of the Word Who sees all things * and judges the whole world with the scales of justice; * and you were illumined, in body and mind, * with the purity and the beauties of virginity, ** O divinely blessed one.

Praise Him with timbrel and dance,* praise Him with strings and pipes.

With spiritual hymns let us now praise * the most honorable John * as a servant of Christ, * the flower of virginity, * the pleasant dwelling-place of precious virtues, * the instrument of wisdom, * the temple of the Spirit, * the radiant mouth of grace,* the most resplendent eye of the Church.

O praise Him with resounding cymbals, praise Him with clashing of cymbals.* Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.

Reclining against the breast of Christ, * you drew forth the waters of theology and wisdom, * and having watered the world with them,* O most excellent John, * you have caused the sea of ungodliness to dry up * by the proper understanding of the Trinity; * and becoming an animate pillar of cloud,* you guide us unto the heavenly inheritance.

Glory…

O evangelist John, peer of the angels, virgin theologian instructed by God, in an orthodox manner you preached to the world, concerning the most pure side which poured forth blood and water, from whence we obtain life everlasting for our souls.

Tone 6, Now…

The Well-spring of the principle of life, Jesus, our Saviour,* came to the well of the Patriarch Jacob,* and sought water from a Samaritan woman that He might drink thereof.* And when she addressed Him* and said that the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans,* the wise Creator diverted her by the sweetness of His words,* so that she would seek from Him everlasting water,* which, when she received it, she proclaimed to all, saying:* Come and see the Knower of things hidden,* God who is come in the flesh to save mankind.

Great Doxology

Troparion, Tone 4

Tone 8, Glory…

Tone 4, Now…

When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles;* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

DIVINE LITURGY

After the priest has exclaimed, Blessed be the Kingdom… and the people have responded, Amen, the clergy sing the Paschal Troparion once and the people repeat it. Then, the clergy sing the first half, and the people conclude it.

Paschal Troparion

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 4: When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world great mercy.”

Troparion, Tone 2: O beloved apostle of Christ our God,* hasten, deliver a people without defense.* He who received you when you leaned upon His breast accepts you as you bow in prayer.* Implore Him, O Theologian, to scatter the cloud of nations that besets us,* asking peace and great mercy.

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: O virgin apostle, who can recount your mighty works?* For you pour out wonders and healings* and you pray for our souls as Theologian and friend of Christ.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 8: Drawn to the well by faith,* the Samaritan woman beheld You, the Water of Wisdom,* and drinking abundantly of You,* she inherited the heavenly Kingdom for ever,* becoming everlastingly glorious.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3

Sing to our God, sing; sing to our King, sing.

verse: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 46:7,2)

Prokeimenon, Tone 8

Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Epistle: Acts 15:5-34; 1 John 1:1-7

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)
verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.

Gospel: John 10:17-28; John 19:25-27; 21:24-25

Hymn to the Theotokos

The Angel cried out to the One full of Grace: O chaste Virgin, rejoice! And again I say, Rejoice! Your Son has risen from the tomb on the third day, and raised the dead. Let all people rejoice! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Exult now and be glad, O Sion! And you, O chaste Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of your Son.

Communion Hymn

Receive the Body of Christ;* taste the fountain of immortality.* Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest.* Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their words unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.

Instead of Blessed is He Who comes… we sing:

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Instead of We have seen the true light… we sing:

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Instead of May our mouths be filled… we sing three times:

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

Instead of Blessed be the name of the Lord… we sing three times:

Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.

At the dismissal, instead of Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen. we chant:

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs giving life.

After the final Amen, the Troparion Christ is risen is sung as at the beginning of the Liturgy, but with the addition:

And to us He has granted life eternal;* we bow down before His resurrection on the third day.