Tone I

Sunday

Saturday Evening at Little Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”: 4 stichera, the composition of our venerable father John of Damascus, in Tone I—

Stichos: From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord.

Accept Thou our evening prayers, O holy Lord, and grant us remission of sins, as Thou alone art He Who hath shown forth the resurrection in the world.

Stichos: For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities.

The foregoing sticheron is repeated.

Stichos: O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye peoples.

Encircle Sion and embrace it, O ye people, and therein give glory unto Him Who hath risen from the dead; for He is our God, Who hath delivered us from our iniquities.

Stichos: For He hath made His mercy to prevail over us, and the truth of the Lord abideth forever.

Come, ye people, let us hymn and worship Christ, glorifying His resurrection from the dead; for He is our God, Who hath delivered the world from the deception of the enemy.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion—

Today is the festival of the Virgin, O brethren! Let creation leap for joy; let mankind join chorus. For the holy Theotokos hath called us together, she who is the undefiled treasure of virginity, the noetic paradise of the Second Adam, the preserver of the unity of the two natures, the triumph of the reconciliation of salvation, the bridal chamber wherein the Word truly espoused the flesh, the light cloud which bore within her body Him Who is over the cherubim. Through her supplications, O Christ God, save Thou our souls!

Then, “O gladsome Light…”. The Prokimenon, “The Lord is king…”: with its stichoi. And after “Vouchsafe, O Lord…”: the priest doth not intone the litanies, but we chant the first sticheron of the resurrectional aposticha, in Tone I—

By Thy Passion have we been freed from passions, O Christ, and by Thy resurrection have we been delivered from corruption. O Lord, glory be to Thee!

And these other stichera, of the Theotokos, in Tone I: Special Melody: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Stichos: I shall commemorate thy name in every generation and generation.

All-glorious art thou among generations and generations, O Virgin Mother and Maiden, Mary Theotokos, intercession for the world, who gavest birth in the flesh to the Son of the unoriginate Father, Who is in truth equally everlasting with the Spirit. Him do Thou entreat, that we be saved.

Stichos: Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear.

Beset by desperate tribulations, yet possessed of thine intercession alone, O pure Virgin, we cry out in thanksgiving: Save us, O most holy Bride of God, for thou art the refuge of the world and the help of our race!

Stichos: The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.

The world was renewed at thy birthgiving, O Maiden Theotokos, thou salvation of the faithful and ever-vigilant intercessor for those who piously entreat thee: O all-pure one, cease thou never to pray earnestly in behalf of all who hymn thee!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone—

The prophet called thee the cloud of the everlasting Light, O Virgin; for Christ our God, the Word of the Father, Who shone forth from thee, descending from thee like the dew upon the fleece, hath enlightened the world and abolished deception. We entreat thee, O all-pure one: Cease thou never to beseech Him earnestly in behalf of us who confess thee to be the true Theotokos.

Then, “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart…”: Trisagion, through Our Father…, the resurrectional troparion, Glory…, Now & ever…, its theotokion. Little litany, and Dismissal.

Saturday Evening at Great Vespers

After the Introductory Psalm, the usual chanting from the Psalter.

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 10 stichera. If the Menaion hath a doxasticon, it is chanted on Glory…. If there be no doxasticon, we chant Glory…, Now & ever…, the dogmaticon of the tone.

The Resurrectional Stichera, in Tone I—

Stichos: Bring my soul out of prison, that I may confess Thy name.

Accept Thou our evening prayers, O holy Lord, and grant us remission of sins, as Thou alone art He Who hath shown forth the resurrection in the world.

Stichos: The righteous shall wait patiently for me until Thou shalt reward me.

Encircle Sion and embrace it, O ye people, and therein give glory unto Him Who hath risen from the dead; for He is our God, Who hath delivered us from our iniquities.

Stichos: Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.

Come, ye people, let us hymn and worship Christ, glorifying His resurrection from the dead; for He is our God, Who hath delivered the world from the deception of the enemy.

Stichos: Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

Make merry, O ye heavens! Trumpet forth, ye foundations of the earth! Cry aloud in gladness, O ye mountains! For, lo! Emmanuel hath nailed our sins to the Cross; He hath slain death, granting us life, having raised up Adam, in that He loveth mankind.

Stichos: If Thou shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness.

Let us hymn the One Who of His own will was crucified in the flesh for our sake, Who suffered, and was buried, and rose from the dead; and let us chant, saying: Establish Thy Church in Orthodoxy, O Christ, and bring peace to our life, in that Thou art good and lovest mankind.

Stichos: For Thy name’s sake have I patiently waited for Thee, O Lord, my soul hath waited patiently for Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

Standing before Thy life-receiving tomb, unworthy as we are, we offer glorification to Thine ineffable lovingkindness, O Christ our God; for Thou didst accept the Cross and death, O Sinless One, that Thou mightest grant resurrection to the world, in that Thou lovest mankind.

Stichos: From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord.

Let us hymn the Word Who with the Father is equally without beginning and equally ever-lasting, Who issued forth ineffably from the Virgin’s womb, Who of His own will accepted the Cross and death for our sake, and rose from the dead in glory; and let us say: O Lord, Bestower of life, Thou Savior of our souls, glory be to Thee!

And these stichera of the all-holy Theotokos in Tone I, the composition of Paul of Amorium, which are chanted when there is no Menaion, or at Litia. Special Melody: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Stichos: For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities.

O Theotokos, Mistress of the world, who gavest birth to the Savior, who art more holy than all the holy powers and more honorable than all creation: By thy supplications save us from all transgressions, from sickness and misfortunes.

Stichos: O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him all ye peoples.

O Maiden, who art the portal of compassion, with faith I entreat thee, that thou disdain not my lowly soul; but do thou quickly take pity and save it from the abyss of mine offenses; and having restored thy grace within me, enlighten me, O pure Virgin.

Stichos: For He hath made His mercy to prevail over us, and the truth of the Lord abideth forever.

Thou didst unite God with men, O Mistress. Thou alone didst call our mortal essence to divine incorruption. Thou hast poured forth salvation upon those who are of the earth. Do thou, O Theotokos, free us from all torments.

Glory…, from the Menaion.

Now & ever…: The dogmatic theotokion, in Tone I—

Let us hymn the Virgin Mary, the glory of the whole world, who sprang forth from men and gave birth unto the Master, the portal of heaven, and the subject of the hymnody of the incorporeal hosts and adornment of the faithful; for she hath been shown to be heaven and the temple of the Godhead. Having destroyed the middle-wall of enmity, she hath brought forth peace and opened wide the kingdom. Therefore, having her as the confirmation of our faith, we have as champion the Lord born of her. Wherefore, be of good courage! Yea, be ye of good cheer, O people of God, for He vanquisheth the foe, in that He is almighty!

Entrance. “O gladsome Light…” And after the Entrance, the appointed server. having made the usual bow to the superior, chanteth the daily Prokimenon, in Tone VI—

The Lord is King, He is clothed with majesty.

Stichos: The Lord is clothed with strength and He hath girt Himself.

Stichos: For He hath established the world which shall not be shaken.

Stichos: Holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.

Then the usual litany. “Vouchsafe, O Lord…” The litany: “Let us complete our evening prayer…’’, and the rest. And after the exclamation, we chant the sticheron idiomelon of the feast of the church, and performing Litia in the narthex, we chant the stichera of Paul of Amorium, or whatever the superior desireth. And after the usual prayers, we enter the church proper, chanting the Aposticha stichera, in Tone I—

By Thy passion have we been freed from passions, O Christ, and by Thy resurrection have we been delivered from corruption. O Lord, glory be to Thee!

Stichos: The Lord is King, He is clothed with majesty.

Let creation rejoice! Let the heavens make merry! Let the nations clap their hands with gladness! For Christ our Savior hath nailed our sins to the Cross; having slain death, He hath given life, having raised up fallen Adam, the common ancestor of all, in that He loveth mankind.

Stichos: For He hath established the world which shall not be shaken.

As King of heaven and earth, O Unapproachable One, Thou wast of Thine own will crucified in Thy love for mankind, and Hades, encountering it below, was filled with bitterness, and the souls of the righteous, receiving it, rejoiced. And Adam, beholding Thee, his Fashioner, in the nethermost parts, arose. O the wonder! How is it that the Life of all hath tasted death? Yet Thou didst desire to enlighten the world which crieth aloud and saith: O Lord, Who hast risen from the dead, glory be to Thee!

Stichos: Holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.

The myrrh-bearing women arrived at Thy tomb with haste and lamentation, bearing myrrh; and failing to find Thine all-pure body, yet learning from the angel of the new and all­ glorious wonder, they said to the apostles: “The Lord is risen, granting the world great mercy!”

Glory…, from the Menaion, if there is a doxasticon provided. If not Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Behold, the prophecy of Isaiah hath been fulfilled, for a Virgin hath given birth, and after giving birth hath remained a Virgin as before. For God was born; therefore He began nature anew. O Mother of God, disdain not the supplications of thy servants, which are offered unto thee in thy temple; but as thou hearest the Compassionate One in thine arms, have pity on thy servants, and beseech Him that our souls be saved.

Then, “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart…” Trisagion through Our Father.

Resurrectional troparion, in Tone I—

When the stone had been sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thine all­ pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. Wherefore, the hosts of heaven cried out to Thee, O Be­ stower of life: Glory to Thy resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy kingdom! Glory to Thy dispensation, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind!

Theotokion: When Gabriel announced to thee, “Rejoice!”, O Virgin, the Master of all became incarnate within thee, the holy ark, at his cry, as the righteous David said. Thou wast shown to be more spacious than the heavens, having borne thy Creator. Glory to Him Who made His abode within thee! Glory to Him Who came forth from thee! Glory to Him Who hath set us free by thy birthgiving!

And the rest of the service followeth in order.

Saturday Night at Compline

The priest saith: Blessed is our God…, and we respond: Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. O heavenly King…, Trisagion through Our Father. Lord, have mercy (12 times). Glory…, Now & ever…O come, let us worship…(thrice). Psalm50 (Have mercy on me, O God…); Psalm 69 (O God, be attentive unto helping me…); and Psalm 142 (O Lord, hear my prayer…). Then, Glory to God in the highest…, and the Symbol of Faith (I believe in one God…).

Canon of Supplication to the All-holy Theotokos, in Tone I—

Ode I

Irmos: Delivered from bitter bondage, Israel traversed the impassable as though it were dry land, and, seeing the enemy drowning, they chanted a hymn to God, as to their Benefactor, Who worketh wonders with His upraised arm, for He hath been glorified.

Praising thee, O Queen of all, the captains of the angelic ranks were filled with awe and fear, and every mind, because of thy goodness, hymneth thee as the Mother of the Creator; for thou hast surpassed every form of laudation, having given birth to Christ.

Troubled by grievous temptations and afflicted by mine enemies, wretch that I am, I cry out, weeping: Stretch forth thy hand to me from on high, O thou who art exceeding rich, delivering me; and by thy supplications vouchsafe that I may live free from danger.

Glory…: With the balm of thy lovingkindness heal thou the secret transgressions of my soul, and calm the assaults of my flesh, O Theotokos; and, turning back the spears and darts of the enemy upon them, do thou mightily pierce their hearts.

Now & ever…: Thy virginal womb which gave birth to Christ hath destroyed the ancient pasture of the slayer of man; wherefore, all creation now rejoiceth, O all-pure one, having been restored to life, and hymneth thy Son and God with one accord.

Ode III

Irmos: Let no mortal boast in his wisdom or riches, but rather in his faith in the Lord, crying out to Christ God in Orthodox manner, and ever chanting: On the rock of Thy commandments establish me, O Master!

Once, the great Jacob, sleeping on the way, and beholding angels descending from on high to the earth by a ladder, marvelled, O Virgin; and, having awakened, he manifestly described thee beforehand as the portal of heaven.

Cast into misfortune by temporal restraint, wretch that I am, and beset by perilous tempests, I cry aloud: Woe is me! O thou who gavest birth to God and hast lifted up our horn, save me by thy supplications!

Glory…: Stretching forth thy mighty hand from heaven, O Christ, King of all, put Thou the heads of the enemies, perceptible and noetic, under the feet of those who with faith proclaim Thy Mother to be the Theotokos, O my Jesus.

Now & ever…: Isaiah, of old, purified by the burning coal of the Spirit, cried out that a Son would manifestly be born of thy womb, O Virgin who art exceeding rich, and to Whom in latter times thou gavest birth without man for my sake.

Ode IV

Irmos: Habbakuk, of old, heard wondrous report of Thee, O Christ, and cried out in fear: God shall come out of Thaeman, and the Holy One out of a mountain overshadowed and densely wooded, to save His anointed! Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Thee, O Mother of God, did the ruler of the world describe beforehand as comely and all-honored among women, as coming up from the wilderness, and bearing Christ, thine Offspring, in thine arms; and he cried: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Incline thine ear unto me, O good one, behold mine oppression and the increase of my tribulations! For, lifting up the eyes of my soul to thee, O Mistress, and bending my knees as I weep, I now pray, crying: Bring an end to the turmoil of my temptations!

Glory…: Knowing thee to be an unassailable rampart, moved to entreaty, I, thy servant, now flee to thee, and I reckon the missiles of the enemy as impotent as the darts of children, O thou who art exceeding rich. Wherefore, rejoicing, I cry: Glory to thy birthgiving, O Mother of God!

Now & ever…: The power of the Most High overshadowed thee with the visitation of the divine Spirit, O Virgin, and then, beyond nature, the Lord of all, having endowed flesh and soul with life, united them to Himself, bringing life thereto and remaining in the same nature.

Ode V

Irmos: Shine forth Thy never-waning light, O Christ, into the hearts of those who hymn Thee with faith, granting us the peace which passeth understanding. Wherefore, hastening from the night of ignorance to the day by Thy light, we glorify Thee, Who lovest mankind.

Once, foreseeing thee, O all-hymned one, as a divine, unquarried mountain, Daniel manifestly cried out: From thee let the Stone of divine generation be cut: Christ, the Savior of the world! Honoring Him now, we, the faithful, praise thee, O Bride of God.

I have fallen under many dangers, wretch that I am, and, praying with pain of heart and weeping, I, thy servant, cry out unashamedly: O Theotokos, deliver my lowliness from besetting perils, and fill me with gladness!

Glory…: Calm the raging sea of my passions by thy mighty supplication, O good one who gavest birth to Christ without suffering, that, living now in tranquility of soul, I may praise thee in hymns for the rest of my life.

Now & ever…: Tell me: how hearest thou God in thine arms; and how dost thou give suck to Him Who holdeth all things in His hand, O most blessed Virgin? And she said: “Having given birth unto Christ God, I remain pure, taking away the debt of Adam and our first mother!”

Ode VI

Irmos: I am wholly held fast by boundless passions, and have fallen into the sea monster of evils; yet lead me up from corruption, O God, as thou didst Jonah of old, and grant me dispassion by faith, that I may sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise and in the spirit of salvation.

Without departing from His place in the bosom of the Father, the preëternal Son rested in the bosom of His Mother. He, Who with the Father is before the ages, hath in latter times issued forth from the womb of the Virgin, leading all up to life immortal in His ineffable goodness.

Bound through malice by the chains of the enemy, I have been cast down to the bars of hell. Woe is me! Yet, appearing from heaven, O pure divine Maiden, stand thou before me, raising me, thy servant, up by thy supplications, and grant a helping hand to me who hymn thy divine birthgiving.

Glory…: Wretch that I am, I have fallen into the pit of destruction, and many wild beasts surround me; yet, deflect their stones by thy supplications, as with stones, O Mistress, and keep thy servant unharmed; for thou didst bear in thy womb Christ, the Chief Cornerstone.

Now & ever…: Of old, the choir of the divine prophets proclaimed the images of thy birthgiving, O Virgin, calling thee the radiant cloud, the lampstand, the jar, the table, the dew of heaven, the bread, the manna and the door, the throne and the palace, the rod and paradise, in that thou gavest birth to Christ.

Then, “Lord, have mercy!”: thrice; Glory…, Now & ever…

Sessional hymn, in Tone I—

Fleeing with love to thy goodness, we all know thee to be the Mother of God, who wast truly revealed as a virgin even after giving birth; for we sinners have thee as our intercessor, and we have acquired thee as our salvation amid misfortunes, the only most immaculate one.

Ode VII

Irmos: The youths, who once were manifestly shown forth as holy for their piety, passed through the unbearable flame of the furnace as though it were a bridal chamber; and, chanting with one accord, they sang: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

The Preëternal One, passing through thine impassable doors, O Queen of all, preserved thy signs pure and intact, yea pure even after giving birth. Wherefore, we cry aloud: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Cast into the furnace, I am consumed by the sevenfold flames of soul-slaying perils; yet do thou thyself rain down dew upon me by thine entreaties, O good Mistress, that I may cry: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Glory…: Having grown old through the passions, through unremitting misfortunes and tribulations, and having reached the sunset of my life devoid of the virtues and devoured by slothfulness, I cry to thee, O Mistress: O consolation of mortals, have mercy on me!

Now & ever…: Worshipping the Trinity in Unity in Orthodox manner, and proclaiming thee, O pure Virgin Mother, to be the one who gave birth to God in the flesh, in godly manner we mortals chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Ode VIII

Irmos: Of old, the fiery furnace, moist with dew, showed forth the image of a supernatural wonder; for the fire consumed not the youths, revealing the seedless, divine nativity of Christ from the Virgin. Wherefore, chanting, let us sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The all-true word of the priest prefigured thy birthgiving, O Virgin; for thou didst truly give birth to the Word of God, and thy womb, through which God passed, He did not rend apart. Wherefore, rejoicing as is meet, with one accord we hymn thee, the Theotokos, as is due, and exalt thee, the pure one, for all ages.

With divine fire burn up the uncultivated thorns which have grown up in my soul, O all-pure one, and by thy supplications raise me up to the virtues, that I may bear fruit for Christ; for the ever-living Flower, having sprung forth from thee, hath adorned all creation. Wherefore, we honor thee, the pure Theotokos, for all ages.

Glory…: Quickly and painlessly grant me healing amid evils, O Theotokos; for, having fallen into afflictions and perils, wretch that I am, I invoke thy quickness to help, lamenting. Wherefore, O all-pure one, haste thou to rescue me and save me from every torment, that, blessing thee, I may hymn thy birthgiving.

Now & ever…: Of old, the rod of Aaron that budded forth prefigured thee, O Virgin; for, budding forth, thou alone gavest birth without man, having now received the Rain of heaven in thy womb. Wherefore, in gladness we hymn thee, the Theotokos, as is due, and exalt thee supremely for all ages.

Ode IX

Irmos: Ineffable is the mystery of the Virgin! For she hath been shown forth as heaven, the throne of the cherubim, and the light-bearing bridal chamber of Christ God Almighty. Her do we piously magnify as the Theotokos.

All-glorious is the mystery of the Virgin! For Him Whom the vast spaces above the heavens could not contain did she contain in her womb. Wherefore, assembling, we call her blessed, and in gladness we magnify her with faith.

Seeing thee alone as higher than the heavens, the radiance of God, the throne of the cherubim and the bridal chamber, the holy couch, O undefiled one, we mortals, praising Christ our God, magnify Him to Whom thou gavest birth through thy pure loins.

Glory…: Round about me are many afflictions; and evil misfortunes, sickness and grievous sins, now assailing me, have cast me into the pit. Wherefore, in the bitterness of my soul, I pray: O all-holy Theotokos, find deliverance for me!

Now & ever…: Through the entreaties of the pure divine Maiden, O Christ, bring peace to the world, casting the power of the enemy down beneath the feet of the faithful and, establishing unutterable tranquility thereby, preserve it forever.

Then, “It is truly meet…”: and the rest as usual. Dismissal. 

Sunday Morning at Nocturns

The priest saith: “Blessed is our God…”: and we say: Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. O heavenly King…Trisagion through Our Father…Priest: For Thine is the kingdom…And we say: Amen. Lord, have mercy (12 times), Glory…, Now & ever…, O come, let us worship (thrice). Psalm 50 (Have mercy on me, O God…)

And then, the Canon to the Holy & Life-creating Trinity, the acrostic whereof is “I hymn Thee, the one three-Sunned Essence”: the composition of Metrophanes of Smyrna, in Tone I—

Ode I

Irmos: Thy victorious right arm hath in godly manner been glorified in strength; for as almighty, O Immortal One, it smote the adversary, fashioning anew the path of the deep for the Israelites.

Refrain: O all-holy Trinity, our God, glory be to Thee!

Never silent, the seraphim glorify the one Cause in three Hypostases—unoriginate, eternal, all-creating, unapproachable—Whom every tongue faithfully honoreth with hymns.

That Thou mightest reveal to men Thy single, thrice-effulgent divinity to men, creating man of old Thou didst form him according to Thine image, bestowing upon him mind, word and spirit, in that Thou lovest mankind.

Glory…: Showing forth from on high one dominion in three divine hypostases, O Father, Thou didst say to Thy Son, Who is equal to Thee in activity, and to the Spirit: Come ye and, descending, let us confuse their tongues.

Now & ever…: The Father is the unbegotten Mind Who in times past was spoken of by the all-wise ones in images; the Word is equally without beginning and consubstantial; and the Holy Spirit is He Who wrought the incarnation of the Word within the Virgin.

Ode III

Irmos: O Thou Who alone hast known the weakness of human nature, having in Thy mercy formed Thyself therein: Gird me about with power from on high, that I may chant to Thee: Holy is the living temple of Thine ineffable glory, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Of old thou didst clearly manifest Thyself unto Abraham in three Hypostases, one in the essence of divinity; and in images thou didst reveal the utter truth of theology. Thee do we hymn with faith, the three-Sunned God Who alone hath dominion.

O Father, the immutable Son, Who as God was begotten of Thee, without corruption, shone forth, Light from Light; and the divine Spirit proceeded as Light. We faithfully worship and glorify the effulgence of the three Hypostases of the one Godhead.

Glory…: The unity of the Trinity is supernaturally, ineffably and in manner past understanding glorified by the noetic beings, who unceasingly utter praise with thrice-holy voices; and with them the Lord in three Hypostases is also hymned by us with one accord.

Now & ever…: From thee, He Who transcendeth time issued forth within time without seed: the Invisible One made Himself like unto us, teaching us the single Essence and Dominion of the Father, the Son and the Spirit, O Theotokos; wherefore, we glorify thee.

Lord, have mercy! Thrice

Sessional hymn, in Tone I: Special Melody: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—

Let us all worship the Father and the Son, and the upright Spirit Who is equal to them. Glory to the uncreated Trinity, the all-divine Power, Whom the ranks of the incorporeal beings glorify! This day let us who are born on earth praise Him faithfully with fear.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

To the path of repentance guide us who ever stray into the trackless wastes of evil and anger the all-good Lord, O blessed Mary who knewest not wedlock, thou refuge of despairing men and dwelling-place of God.

Ode IV

Irmos: Gazing with the eyes of foresight upon thee, the mountain overshadowed by the grace of God, Habbakuk prophesied that the Holy One of Israel would come forth from thee, for our salvation and restoration.

Shine upon me the splendors of Thy deifying effulgence, O three-Sunned Godhead, that the beauty of Thy divine radiance, which passeth understanding, and the sweet and light-giving communion thereof, may be perceived by the eyes of my heart.

Of old, Thou didst establish the heavens and all their power by Thine all-accomplishing Word and the consubstantial Spirit of Thy mouth, O Lord, with Whom Thou hast dominion over all things in the thrice-effulgent sole dominion of the Godhead.

Glory…: In that Thou hast created me according to Thine image and likeness, O divine and all-accomplishing Trinity, Thou unconfused Unity, give me understanding and enlighten me, that I may do Thy holy will, which is good and perfect in strength.

Now & ever…: Thou gavest birth, O all-pure one, to the all-divine Son, One of the Trinity, Who became incarnate of thee for our sake, illumining mortals with the never-waning light and radiance of the three-Sunned Godhead.

Ode V

Irmos: O Christ Who hast enlightened the ends of the world with the radiance of Thy coming and illumined them by Thy Cross: With the light of Thy divine knowledge enlighten the hearts of those who hymn Thee in Orthodox manner.

O Trinity Who hast sole dominion, Who wast well pleased that the pristine array of the angels be made resplendent by the unapproachable rays of Thy beauty, with Thine effulgence enlighten those who hymn Thee in Orthodox manner.

Now nature which, in Thy goodness Thou didst bring into existence, hymneth Thee, the only three-Sunned Godhead, asking deliverance from transgressions and perils, from misfortunes and tribulations.

Glory…: With faith we glorify the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the one Essence and Godhead, indivisibly separate, the one God of creation visible and invisible.

Now & ever…: All the sayings of the prophets described beforehand thine Offspring, Whom, ineffable and not easily described, we have come to know as our Initiator in the mystery of the one, three-Sunned Godhead, O all-pure one.

Ode VI

Irmos: The uttermost abyss hath engulfed us, and there is none to deliver us. We are accounted as lambs for the slaughter. Save Thy people, O our God, for Thou art the strength and correction of the weak!

Being equal in power and identical in will, O transcendent Trinity, Thou art a simple and indivisible Unity; wherefore, preserve us by Thy power. Twice

Glory…: By thy will, in that Thou art good, Thou didst form all the ages out of nothing, O unapproachable Trinity, and Thou didst likewise create man. Deliver me now from every evil circumstance.

Now & ever…: Thou wast the dwelling-place of the never-setting Sun Who omnipotently created the great luminaries and set them in their ranks, O all-pure Virgin Bride of God; deliver me now from the darkness of the passions.

Lord, have mercy! Thrice

Sessional hymn, in Tone I: Special Melody: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—

O ye mortals, with fear let us worship the Holy Trinity, the indivisible Essence, Who is distinct in three Persons without being separated, and abideth indivisibly in the essence of the Godhead; and let us glorify the all-good God as Creator and Master.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Guide aright my wretched soul, O pure one, and have pity on it which, for the multitude of my transgressions, hath stumbled headlong into the pit of destruction, O most immaculate one; and at the dread hour of my death rescue it from the accusing demons and from every torment.

Ode VII

Irmos: O Theotokos, we, the faithful, perceive thee to be a noetic furnace; for, as the supremely Exalted One saved the three youths, in thy womb the praised and most glorious God of our fathers wholly renewed the world.

O Word of God, consubstantial Effulgence of the omnipotent God: As Thou hast promised, in that Thou art compassionate, with Thy Father and Spirit accomplish the deifying indwelling which is in Thee; and show me forth as repugnant to the demons and the passions. Twice

Glory…: That Thou mightest show us the depth of Thy compassion, O Master, Thou didst send Thy Son unto our lowliness, and didst restore it to its pristine splendor. And now bring me understanding through the divine Spirit.

Now & ever…: The King of all, Who is upborne upon the throne of the cherubim, made His abode within thy virginal womb, O all-pure one, to deliver all from corruption, in that He loveth mankind. Preserve us now by thy supplications.

Ode VIII

Irmos: Shining in the furnace more brightly than gold in a crucible in the beauty of their piety, the children of Israel said: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord! Hymn and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

With a deifying gesture, O Lord of all, Almighty One in three Hypostases, Thou didst stretch out the heavens like a skin; and Thou didst suspend the mass of the earth with Thine omnipotent hand. Wherefore, strengthen Thy servants with faith and Thy love, O Thou Who lovest mankind, that with longing we may glorify Thee forever. Twice

Glory…: O three-Sunned light of Persons, Who art one in essence, with divine light illumine those who hymn thee, that they may ever gaze upon Thy light-creating rays. Thereby am I filled with Thy sweet, light-giving and all-rich glory, and with faith exalt Thee supremely forever.

Now & ever…: Having assumed human nature without change, thy Son ascended into the heavens, O all-pure Theotokos, delivering man from the ancient corruption by the excellence of His goodness. To Him do we sing in thanksgiving: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Ode IX

Irmos: The bush which burnt with fire yet was not consumed showed forth an image of thy pure birthgiving. And we pray now that the furnace of temptations which rageth against us may be extinguished, that we may magnify thee unceasingly, O Theotokos.

O all-holy and consubstantial Trinity, Thou Savior of creation, material and noetic, save Thy servants from the attack and oppression of the enemy, and continually preserve Thy flock unharmed. Twice

Glory…: That Thou mightest show forth the incalculable depths of Thy wonted goodness, Thou didst make us promises of salvation. O three-Sunned and omnipotent God Who hast sole dominion, vouchsafe that Thy servants may do them.

Now & ever…: Look down upon our entreaties, O Thou one God Who in truth art believed to be in three divine Hypostases, and grant consolation to Thy servants, through the supplications of the all-pure and all-hymned Mother of God.

Then, the hymn of Gregory the Sinaite, which is chanted every Sunday after the canon—

It is truly meet to glorify Thee, the Word of God, before Whom the cherubim tremble and quake, and Whom the hosts of heaven glorify. And with fear we glorify Christ, the Bestower of life, Who rose from the tomb on the third day.

With divine songs let us all in godly manner hymn the Father, the Son and the Spirit divine, the Might in three Hypostases, the one Sovereignty and Dominion,

Whom all mortals hymn and the hosts of heaven glorify, the essential Unity in three Hypostases, Who is worshipped with faith by all.

We magnify Thee, the Godhead, the Lord of the cherubim, the incomparable divine Origin of the seraphim, the indivisible Trinity in Unity.

I worship God: the unoriginate Father, the Son Who is equally without beginning, and the Spirit. With hymns let us honor the one indivisible and unified Essence, the threefold Unity.

Shine forth Thy dazzling lightning flashes upon me, O my God in three Hypostases, Creator of all, and show me to be a splendid, luminous and immutable habitation of Thine unapproachable glory.

With fear let us glorify Christ the Bestower of life, Who ineffably became incarnate of the Virgin, for the cherubim tremble and quake before Him, and the angelic armies glorify Him.

Hypacoï, in Tone I—

The repentance of the thief stole paradise, and the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers announced joy: for Thou didst arise, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.

The rest of Nocturns, and the Dismissal. 

Sunday Morning at Matins

After the Six Psalms, we chant “God is the Lord…”: in Tone I, and sing the resurrectional troparion, twice, and the theotokion, once (see Great Vespers). Then the usual chanting of the Psalter.

After the first chanting of the Psalter, these resurrectional Sessional hymns, in Tone I—

The soldiers guarding Thy tomb, O Savior, became as dead men because of the radiance of the angel who appeared before them, proclaiming the resurrection to the women. We glorify Thee, the Destroyer of corruption, and we bow down before Thee, our one God Who hast risen from the grave.

Stichos: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be lifted high; forget not Thy paupers to the end.

Nailed to the Cross of Thine own will, and laid in the tomb as one dead, O compassionate Bestower of life, by Thy death Thou didst break the dominion [of death], O Mighty One; for the gate keepers of hades trembled before Thee, and Thou didst raise up with Thyself the dead of ages past, in that Thou alone lovest mankind.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

We who with love flee to thy goodness all know thee to be the Mother of God, who even after giving birth wast truly shown to be a virgin; for thee do we sinners have as our intercession, and we have acquired thee, who alone art most immaculate, as our salvation amid perils.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, these resurrectional Sessional hymns, in Tone I: Special Melody: “When the stone had been sealed…”—

Very early the women arrived at the tomb and, beholding the appearance of the angel, they trembled. The tomb shone forth life, and the miracle filled them with awe. Wherefore, going to the disciples, they proclaimed the resurrection: Christ hath made hell captive, in that He alone is mighty and powerful; and destroying the fear of damnation by the Cross, He hath raised up with Himself all who had fallen prey to corruption!

Stichos: I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will tell of all Thy wonders.

Thou wast nailed to the Cross, O Life of all, and wast reckoned among the dead, O immortal Lord. Thou didst rise on the third day, O Savior, with Thee raising Adam up from corruption. Wherefore, the hosts of heaven cried out to Thee, O Christ, Bestower of life: Glory to Thy resurrection! Glory to Thy condescension, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

O Mary, precious receptacle of the Master, raise us up who have fallen into the chasm of grievous despondency, transgressions and sorrows; for thou art salvation, help and mighty intercession for sinners, and thou savest thy servants.

Then, “Blessed are the blameless in the way…”: followed by the troparia “The assembly of the angels…”. Little litany, and this hypacoï, in Tone I—

The repentance of the thief stole paradise, and the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers announced joy: for Thou didst arise, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.

Songs of Ascent, in Tone I, the verses being repeated—

Antiphon I

When I am sorrowful, hearken unto my pain, O Lord. Unto Thee do I cry.

Unceasing divine desire befitteth those in the wilderness, who are beyond this vainglorious world.

Glory…: Worship and glory are due the Holy Spirit, as also to the Father and the Son. Wherefore, let us hymn the single dominion of the Trinity.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon II

Thou hast brought me up to the mountains of Thy laws, O God. Illumine me with the virtues, that I may hymn Thee.

Taking me in Thy right hand, O Word, preserve and protect me, that the fire of sin may not consume me.

Glory…: By the Holy Spirit is every creature restored, returning to its primal state; for He is equal in power with the Father and the Son.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon III

My spirit was glad and my heart rejoiceth for those who said to me: Let us enter into the courts of the Lord.

There is great fear in the house of David, for there, when the thrones are set up, all the tribes and nations of the earth will be judged.

Glory…: It is meet and fitting to offer honor and worship, glory and power unto the Holy Spirit, as to the Father and the Son, for the Trinity is a unity in nature, but not m Persons.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Prokimenon, in Tone I—

Now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will establish them in salvation, I will be manifest therein.

Stichos: The words of the Lord are pure words.

Let every breath praise the Lord.

The appointed Resurrectional Gospel. Then, this resurrectional hymn, in Tone VI—

Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only Sinless One. We worship Thy Cross, O Christ, and Thy holy resurrection we hymn and glorify. For Thou art our God, and we know none other beside Thee, we call upon Thy name. O come, all ye faithful, let us worship Christ’s holy resurrection, for behold, through the Cross joy hath come to all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we hymn His resurrection; for, having endured crucifixion, He hath destroyed death by death.

Psalm 50: “Have mercy on me, O God…”

Glory…: Through the prayers of the apostles, O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of our transgressions.

Now & ever…: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of our transgressions.

Then, in Tone VI:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgression.

Then, this sticheron:

Jesus having risen from the grave, as He foretold, hath given us life eternal, * and great mercy.

Then, the Prayer: “Save, O God, Thy people…”, followed by the exclamation: “Through the mercy and compassions and love for mankind…”

The Canons: of the Resurrection, with 4 troparia; that of the Cross & the Resurrection, with 3 troparia; that of the Theotokos, with 3 troparia; and that from the Menaion, with 4 troparia. If a saint with 6 troparia is being celebrated, then the Canon of the Cross & Resurrection hath 2 troparia, as doth that of the Theotokos.

Ode I

Canon of the Resurrection, in Tone I

Irmos: Thy victorious right arm hath in godly manner been glorified in strength; for as almighty, O Immortal One, it smote the adversary, fashioning anew the path of the deep for the Israelites.

Stichos: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord!

O Thou Who in the beginning didst divinely fashion me out of dust with Thine all-pure hands, Thou didst stretch out Thine arms upon the Cross, calling forth from the earth my corrupt body, which Thou hadst received from the Virgin.

Thou didst assume mortality for my sake and didst surrender Thy soul unto death, O Thou Who by Thy divine breath didst instill my soul within me; and having loosed the everlasting bonds, thou didst glorify it with incorruption, raising it up with Thee.

Theotokion: Rejoice, O well-spring of grace! Rejoice, O ladder and door of heaven! Rejoice, O lampstand and golden jar, thou unquarried mountain, who for the world gavest birth unto Christ, the Bestower of life!

Canon of the Cross & the Resurrection

Irmos: Christ is born…

Christ deifieth me, assuming my flesh; Christ exalteth me, humbling Himself; Christ, the Bestower of life, maketh me dispassionate, suffering in His fleshly nature. Wherefore, I chant a hymn of thanksgiving, for He hath been glorified!

Crucified, Christ lifteth me up; put to death, Christ raiseth me up with Himself. Christ giveth me life. Wherefore, clapping my hands in gladness, I chant a hymn of victory to the Savior, for He hath been glorified.

Theotokion: O all-pure Virgin, thou didst conceive God; in virginity thou didst give birth unto Christ Who of thee had become incarnate: the Only-begotten One, one in hypostasis, the Son Who is known in two natures, for He hath been glorified.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Thy victorious right arm…(See above, first canon)

What fitting hymnody can our weakness offer thee, who alone art full of grace, to whom Gabriel hath mystically taught us to chant: “Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mother unwedded!”?

With a most pure heart, O ye faithful, let us spiritually cry out to the Ever-virgin Mother of the King of the hosts on high: Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mother unwedded!

Immeasurable is the depth of thine incomprehensible birthgiving, O most pure one; wherefore, with undoubting faith we make offering unto thee in purity, saying: Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mother unwedded!

Then, the canon from the Menaion, and the katavasia as prescribed by the Typicon.

Ode III

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: O Thou Who alone hast known the weakness of human nature, having in Thy mercy formed Thyself therein: Thou girdest me about with power from on high, that I may chant to Thee: Holy is the living temple of Thine ineffable glory, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

As God, O Good One, Thou hast taken pity on me who have fallen; and it being Thy good pleasure to come down to me, Thou hast by Thy crucifixion raised me up to cry unto Thee: Holy is the Lord of glory, immutable in goodness!

As enhypostatic Life, O Christ, clothing Thyself in me who have become corrupt, in that Thou art the God of lovingkindness, and descending to my mortal dust, O Master, Thou didst destroy the dominion of death; and having risen after three days of death, Thou hast clothed me in incorruption.

Theotokion: Conceiving God in thy womb through the all-holy Spirit, O Virgin, thou didst remain unconsumed; for the bush which burned without being consumed clearly, to Moses the Lawgiver, proclaimed thee beforehand, who received the unbearable Fire.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: To Christ God, Who before the ages…

To Christ God, Who took the lost sheep upon His shoulder and by the Tree erased its sin, let us cry aloud: Holy art Thou, O Lord, Who hast lifted up our horn!

O ye faithful, in truth and a godly spirit let us serve Him Who led Christ, the great Shepherd, out of hell and doth manifestly shepherd the nations through the apostles, His hierarchy.

Theotokion: Unto Him Who is God over all, the Son Who without seed willingly became incarnate of the Virgin, and by His divine power preserved her who gave Him birth as a pure virgin even after birthgiving, let us cry: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: O Thou Who alone hast known…(See above, first canon)

O Virgin, following the sayings of the prophets, we truly call thee the light cloud; for the Lord came upon thee to cast down the handiworks of the falsehood of Egypt and to enlighten those who worship them.

The choir of the prophets truly called thee the sealed well-spring and the closed door, clearly describing for us the signs of thy virginity, O most hymned one, which thou didst preserve even after giving birth.

Accounted worthy to perceive the transcendent Mind as far as he was able, Gabriel offered thee a cry of joy, O immaculate Virgin, openly announcing the conception of the Word and proclaiming His ineffable birth.

Ode IV

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Gazing with the eyes of foresight upon thee, the mountain overshadowed by the grace of God, Habbakuk prophesied that the Holy One of Israel would come forth from thee, for our salvation and restoration.

Who is this Savior Who issueth forth from Edom, wearing a crown of thorns, His robe stained red, lifted up upon the Tree? He is the Holy One of Israel, [Who is come] for our salvation and restoration!

Behold, ye disobedient people, and be ashamed! For He Whom ye madly asked Pilate to lift up on the Cross as a malefactor hath destroyed the power of death and risen as God from the tomb!

Theotokion: O Virgin, we know thee to be the tree of life; for it is no fruit deadly for men to eat which thou hast put forth, but the delight of everlasting Life, for the salvation of us who hymn thee.

Canon of the Cross & the Resurrection

Irmos: A Rod from the root of Jesse…

Who is this Beautiful One from Edom, Whose robe is dyed red by the grapes of Bozrah? He Who is comely as God, and as man weareth vesture of flesh stained with blood? Unto Him, O ye faithful, let us chant: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Showing Himself to be the High Priest of the good things to come, Christ destroyed our sins; and indicating the strange way by His own blood, as our forerunner He hath entered the higher and more perfect tabernacle, the Holy of holies.

Theotokion: O most hymned one, of Him Who for our sake revealed Himself as the new Adam thou didst request the ancient debt of Eve; for uniting noetic and animate flesh to Himself by His pure conception, from thee did Christ issue forth, the one Lord in two natures.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Gazing with the eyes of foresight…(See above, first canon)

Hearken, O heaven, to the wonders! Pay heed, O earth! For the daughter of fallen Adam who was made of dust hath been appointed for God, to be the Mother of her own Creator, for our salvation and restoration.

We hymn thy great and awesome mystery, for, hiding Himself from the captains of the armies of heaven, He Who Is descended upon thee like rain upon the fleece, for our salvation, O all-hymned one.

O most hymned Theotokos, thou Holy of holies, expectation of the nations and salvation of the faithful: From thee hath the Deliverer, Lord and Bestower of life shone forth, Whom do thou entreat, that thy servants be saved.

Ode V

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: O Christ Who hast enlightened the ends of the world with the radiance of Thy coming and illumined them by Thy Cross: With the light of Thy divine knowledge enlighten the hearts of those who hymn Thee in Orthodox manner.

The Jews put the great Shepherd and Lord of the sheep to death by the Tree of the Cross; but the dead buried in hades did He deliver, like sheep, from the dominion of death.

Having announced peace by Thy Cross and proclaimed remission to those held captive, O my Savior, Thou didst put to shame him who hath dominion, as though he were naked, by Thy divine resurrection showing him to be impoverished.

Theotokion: Disdain not the requests of those who petition thee with faith, O most hymned and all-pure one, but accept and convey them to thy Son, the one God and Benefactor; for thee have we acquired as our intercessor.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: As God of peace…

O the richness, O the depth of the wisdom of God! Laying hold of the wise, the Lord delivered us from their wiles; for having of His own will suffered in the weakness of the flesh, by His might He hath raised up the dead, granting them life.

Christ God, He Who Is, uniteth Himself to the flesh for our sake, and is crucified and dieth; He is buried, and riseth again, and with His flesh He ascendeth unto the Father in splendor. And therewith He shall come and save those who worship Him in piety.

Theotokion: O pure virgin, Holy of holies, thou gavest birth to the Holy One of the saints, Christ the Deliverer Who sanctifieth all; wherefore, we proclaim thee, the Queen and Mistress of all, as the Mother of the Author of creation.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: O Christ Who hast enlightened the ends of the world…(See above, first canon)

The hosts of heaven are gladdened at the sight of thee, and with them the companies of men rejoice; for they have been joined together by thy birthgiving, O Virgin Theotokos, which we glorify as is meet.

Let all the tongues and thoughts of men be moved to the praise of thee who art truly the adornment of mankind, for the Virgin standeth forth, clearly raising to glory those who with faith hymn her wonders.

The hymns and laudation of the most wise, which are offered unto the Virgin Mother of God, are glorious; for she became the temple of all-divine glory, and we glorify her as is meet.

Ode VI

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The uttermost abyss hath engulfed us, and there is none to deliver us. We are accounted as lambs for the slaughter. Save Thy people, O our God, for Thou art the strength and correction of the weak!

We were grievously wounded by the offense of the first-created man, O Lord, but we have been healed by the wounds wherewith Thou wast wounded for us, O Christ; for Thou art the strength and correction of the weak.

Thou hast led us up out of hades, O Lord, having slain the all-devouring monster and set his power at naught by Thy might, O Omnipotent One; for Thou art Life, Light and Resurrection.

Theotokion: The ancestors of our race rejoice in thee, O all-pure virgin, receiving through thee the Eden which they lost through transgression; for thou wast pure before giving birth and art so after birthgiving.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: The sea monster spewed forth…

Christ God, the dispassionate and immaterial Mind, doth associate Himself with the mind of man, which standeth midway between the divine Essence and the grossness of the flesh; and, wholly immutable, He hath united Himself unto all of me, that, crucified, He might grant salvation unto the whole of me who have fallen.

Tripping, Adam fell and was broken, deceived of old by the hope of deification; yet he ariseth, deified through union with the Word, and through His suffering receiveth dispassion, and is glorified as a son, sitting upon the throne with the Father and the Spirit.

Theotokion: Without leaving the bosom of the unoriginate Father, He Who before was begotten without mother and becameth incarnate without father, Who as God reigneth in righteousness, made His abode in the bosom of the pure Maiden. His descent without lineage is awesome and ineffable.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The uttermost abyss hath engulfed us…(See above, first canon)

As servants the ranks of heaven attend thy birthgiving, marvelling, as is meet, at thy seedless parturition, O Ever-virgin; for thou wast pure before birthgiving and art so even after giving birth.

The Incorporeal One Who existeth from before time, the Word Who createth all things by His will, and as Almighty brought the armies of the incorporeal beings out of nonexistence, hath become incarnate of thee, O all-pure one. The enemy was slain by thy life-bearing Fruit, O thou who art full of the grace of God; hades hath been manifestly trampled down, and we who were in bonds have been freed. Wherefore, I cry: Destroy Thou the passions of my heart!

Kontakion, in Tone I: Special Melody: “When Thou shalt come…”—

As God Thou didst arise from the tomb in glory, and with Thyself didst raise up the world; human nature hymneth Thee as God, and death hath vanished. Adam danceth, O Master, and Eve, delivered from bonds, now rejoiceth, crying aloud: Thou art He, O Christ, Who granteth resurrection unto all!

Ikos: Let us hymn as God the Almighty Who rose on the third day, Who broke down the gates of hades, Who raised up from the grave those held there from ages past, and Who appeared to the myrrh-bearing women, as He was well pleased to do, telling them first to rejoice and to proclaim joy unto the apostles, in that He alone is the Bestower of life; wherefore, with faith the women proclaimed the signs of victory to the disciples. Hades groaneth and death uttereth lamentation; the world is filled with gladness, and all rejoice with it, for Thou, O Christ, didst grant resurrection unto all.

Ode VII

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: O Theotokos, we, the faithful, perceive thee to be a noetic furnace; for, as the supremely Exalted One saved the three youths, in thy womb the praised and most glorious God of our fathers wholly renewed the world.

The earth was afraid, the sun hid itself, the light grew dim, the divine veil of the temple was rent in twain, and the rocks split asunder; for the Righteous One, the praised and all-glorious God of our fathers, hung upon the Cross.

Wounded among mortals of Thine own will for our sake, as though helpless, O supremely Exalted One, Thou, the praised and all-glorious God of our fathers, didst free all and raise them up with Thyself by Thy mighty hand.

Theotokion: Rejoice, O well-spring of the water of eternal life! Rejoice, paradise of delight! Rejoice, bulwark of the faithful! Rejoice, thou who knewest not wedlock! Rejoice, universal joy, through whom the praised and all-glorious God of our fathers hath shone forth!

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: The children raised together in piety…

Of old, the earth was cursed, having been stained with the blood of Abel by his murderous brother’s hand; but dyed with Thy divinely shed blood it hath been blessed, and leaping up it crieth: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Let the God-opposing people of Judæa lament their audacity in slaying Christ; but let the gentiles be glad, and let them clap their hands and cry aloud: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Lo! the radiant angel cried out to the myrrh-bearing women: “Come and see the signs of the resurrection of Christ—the winding sheet and the tomb—and cry aloud: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!”

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: O Theotokos, we, the faithful, perceive thee…(See above, first canon)

O Theotokos, in prophecy Jacob perceived thee to be a ladder, for through thee did the supremely Exalted One appear on earth and dwell with men, as was His good pleasure: the praised and all-glorious God of our fathers.

Rejoice, O pure one! From thee hath the Shepherd, the supremely Exalted One, come forth, in His unapproachable compassion truly clothing Himself in the skin of Adam, in me, in all of man: the praised and all-glorious God of our fathers.

The preëternal God truly became the new Adam through thy pure blood. Him do thou now entreat that He restore me who have grown old, who cry: Praised and all-glorious is the God of our fathers!

Ode VIII

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Shining in the furnace more brightly rent in twain, and the rocks split asunder; for than gold in a crucible in the beauty of their the Righteous One, the praised and all-glorious piety, the children of Israel said: Bless the Lord, God of our fathers, hung upon the Cross. all ye works of the Lord! Hymn and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O Word of God, Who by Thy will dost create and refashion all things, transforming the shadow of death into life everlasting by Thy sufferings: Thee do all of us, the works of the Lord, unceasingly hymn and supremely exalt for all ages.

Thou didst destroy distress and misery within the gates and strongholds of hades, O Christ, rising from the tomb on the third day. Thee do all Thy works unceasingly hymn and supremely exalt as Lord for all ages.

Theotokion: Let us hymn her who without seed supernaturally gave rise to Christ, the Pearl of great price, through the divine Effulgence; and let us say: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord! Hymn and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: The dew-bearing furnace…

Come, O ye people, let us bow down before the place where the all-pure feet stood, and to the divine Tree where Christ stretched out His life-creating arms for the salvation of all men; and standing round about the tomb of Life, let us chant: Let all creation bless and exalt the Lord supremely for all ages!

The all-iniquitous slander of the God-slaying Jews hath been exposed; for He Whom they called a deceiver hath risen as One powerful, mocking the foolish seals. Wherefore, rejoicing, let us chant: Let all creation bless and exalt the Lord supremely for all ages!

Triadicon: Theologizing the glory [of God] in three holy Persons and one Dominion, as servants the all-pure seraphim glorify the Godhead of three Hypostases. And with them we piously chant: Let all creation bless and exalt the Lord supremely for all ages!

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Shining in the furnace…(See above, first canon)

The radiant bridal-chamber, whence Christ the Master of all issued forth like a Bridegroom, let us all hymn, crying aloud: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Rejoice, O glorious throne of God! Rejoice, bulwark of the faithful, through whom Christ hath shined light upon those in darkness, who call thee blessed and cry aloud: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O most hymned Virgin who for us gavest birth to the Lord, the Author of our salvation, pray for all who earnestly cry out: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Then we chant the Hymn of the Theotokos: “My soul doth magnify the Lord…”: with the refrain “More honorable than the cherubim…”

Ode IX

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The bush which burnt with fire yet was not consumed showed forth an image of thy pure birthgiving. And we pray now that the furnace of temptations which rageth against us may be extinguished, that we may magnify thee unceasingly, O Theotokos.

How have the iniquitous and disobedient people, plotting evils, justified a proud and ungodly man, yet condemned to the Tree the Righteous One, the Lord of glory, Whom we magnify as is meet?

O Savior, Thou unblemished Lamb Who takest away the sins of the world: Thee Who hast risen on the third day do we glorify with the Father and Thy divine Spirit; and, theologizing, we magnify the Lord of glory.

Theotokion: Save Thy people, whom Thou hast acquired by Thy precious blood, O Lord, granting peace to Thy churches through the supplications of the Theotokos, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: A strange and most glorious mystery…

Thy Cross, O Lord, hath been glorified by Thine ineffable power, for Thy weakness hath been revealed unto all as transcending power. Thereby have the mighty been cast down upon the earth, and the poor are lifted up to the heavens.

Our vile death hath been put to death, for, appearing unto those in hades, O Christ, Thou didst grant them resurrection from the dead; wherefore, chanting, we magnify Thee as hypostatic Life, Resurrection and Light.

Triadicon: O ye divinely wise people, we are saved, trusting in the unoriginate and indivisible Essence, the one Godhead which is known in three singular divine Hypostases — the Father, the Son and the Spirit.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The bush which burnt with fire…(See above, first canon)

Thou didst spring forth from the root of David, the prophet and ancestor of God, O Virgin; and thou hast truly glorified David, giving birth to the prophesied Lord of glory, Whom we magnify as is meet.

Every rule of praise is overturned by the magnitude of thy glory, O all-pure one. Yet accept the hymns of praise which we, thine unworthy servants, earnestly offer thee with love, O Mistress Theotokos.

Thy wonders are past understanding! For thou, O most pure Virgin who alone outshinest the sun, hast enabled all to understand the newest of wonders, thine incomprehensible birthgiving. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

After the katavasia, the little litany. Then, “Holy is the Lord our God!”: thrice; and the matins exapostilarion.

On the Praises, 8 stichera, in Tone I—

Stichos: To do among them the judgment that is written. This glory shall be to all His saints.

We hymn Thy saving Passion, O Christ, and glorify Thy resurrection.

Stichos: Praise ye God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of His power.

O Lord Who endured the Cross, abolished death and rose from the dead: Bring peace to our life, as Thou alone art almighty.

Stichos: Praise Him for His mighty acts, praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness.

O Christ Who by the resurrection madest hades captive and raised men from the dead, count us worthy to hymn and glorify Thee with a pure heart.

Stichos: Praise Him with the sound of trumpet, praise Him with psaltery and harp.

Glorifying Thy divine condescension, we hymn Thee, O Christ. Thou wast born of the Virgin and yet wast not separated from the Father; Thou didst willingly suffer as a man and didst endure the Cross and rise from the tomb, issuing forth therefrom as from a bridal chamber, that Thou mightest save the world. O Lord, glory be to Thee!

Stichos: Praise Him with timbrel and dance, praise Him with strings and flute.

When Thou wast nailed to the Tree of the Cross, the might of the enemy was slain, creation trembled with the fear of Thee, and hades was made captive by Thy might. Thou didst raise the dead from the graves, and didst open paradise to the thief. O Christ our God, glory be to Thee!

Stichos: Praise Him with tuneful cymbals, praise Him with cymbals of jubilation. Let every breath praise the Lord.

When the honorable women, lamenting, arrived with haste at Thy grave and found the tomb open; and, learning of the new and all-glorious wonder from the angel, they announced to the apostles that the Lord had risen, granting the world great mercy.

Stichos: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be lifted high; forget not Thy paupers to the end. We bow down before the divine wounds of Thy sufferings, O Christ God, and to the sacrifice of the Master, which was revealed by God in Sion in the fullness of time; for the Sun of righteousness hath illumined those who sleep in darkness, guiding them to never-waning splendor. Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

Stichos: I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will tell of all Thy wonders.

Give ear, O tumultuous Jewish race! Where are they who went to Pilate? Let the soldiers who kept watch say where the seals of the tomb are! Where hath the Buried One been laid? Where was He sold Who hath not been sold? How was the treasure stolen? Why slander ye the resurrection of the Savior, O most iniquitous Jews? He hath arisen Who is free among the dead, and granteth the world great mercy!

Glory…: The matins Gospel sticheron. Now & ever…: Theotokion, in Tone II—

All-blessed art thou, O Virgin Theotokos, for by Him Who became incarnate through thee hath hades been made captive, Adam restored, the curse annulled, Eve set free, death slain, and we have been given life. Wherefore, chanting, we cry aloud: Blessed is Christ God Who hath been thus well pleased! Glory be to Thee!

Great Doxology, and resurrectional troparion—

Today is salvation come unto the world; let us sing to Him Who arose from the tomb, and is the Author of our life. For having destroyed death by death, He hath given us the victory and great mercy. And the Dismissal.

Sunday at Divine Liturgy

On the Beatitudes, these troparia, in Tone I—

Through food did the enemy lead Adam forth from paradise; but by the Cross hath Christ led back to it the thief who cried: Remember me when Thou comest in Thy kingdom!

With Adam and the thief I worship Thy sufferings and glorify Thy resurrection; and I cry out with a splendid voice: Remember me, O Lord, when Thou comest in Thy kingdom!

O Sinless One, of Thine own will Thou wast crucified and placed in the tomb; yet Thou didst arise as God, raising up with Thyself Adam who crieth out: Remember me when Thou comest in Thy kingdom!

Raising up the temple of Thy body by Thy resurrection on the third day, O Christ God, Thou didst raise up Adam and his descendants, who cry: Remember us when Thou comest in Thy kingdom!

Very early, the myrrh-bearing women arrived, weeping, at Thy tomb, O Christ God; and they found an angel sitting there, clad in white garments, who said: What seek ye? Christ is risen! Lament no longer!

When Thine apostles went to the mountain whither Thou hadst commanded them to go, and saw Thee, O Savior, they worshipped Thee; and Thou didst send them unto the nations, to teach and baptize them.

Glory…: Let us worship the Father, let us glorify the Son, and together let us hymn the all-holy Spirit, crying out and saying: O most holy Trinity, save us all!

Now & ever…: Theotokion: Thy people bring Thy Mother before Thee to make supplication, O Christ. Through her entreaties grant us Thy compassions, O Good One, that we may glorify Thee Who hast shone forth upon us from the tomb.

Prokimenon, in Tone I—

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee.

Stichos: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; praise is meet for the upright.

Alleluia, in Tone I—

Stichos: The God that giveth avengement unto me hath subdued peoples under me.

Stichos: It is He that magnifieth the salvation of His king and worketh mercy for His anointed, for David, and for his seed unto eternity.