Tone II

Sunday

Saturday Evening at Little Vespers

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

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

Come ye, let us worship God the Word, Who was begotten of the Father before the ages, and became incarnate of the Virgin Mary: for, having endured the Cross, He was given over to burial, as He Himself desired; and having risen from the dead, He hath saved me, a man astray.

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.

Christ our Savior, having nailed to the Cross the record which is against us, hath erased it and abolished the might of death. We worship His resurrection on the third day.

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

With the archangels let us hymn the resurrection of Christ; for He is the Deliverer and Savior of our souls, and shall come again in awesome glory and mighty power, to judge the world which He hath created.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion—

O mystery most great! Beholding the wonders, I proclaim [Christ’s] divinity; for Emmanuel, in that He loveth mankind, hath opened the gates of nature, yet, as God, He hath not broken the keys of virginity; but He hath issued forth from the womb just as He had entered [it] at the sound [of the archangel’s salutation]. Thus did He become incarnate just as He had been conceived: He entered in dispassionately and issued forth ineffably, according to the prophet, who said: “This gate shall be closed! No one shall pass through it, save the Lord God of Israel, Who hath great mercy.”

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—

Thy resurrection, O Christ our Savior, hath illumined the whole universe; and Thou hast called forth Thy creation. O Lord almighty, glory be to Thee!

And these other stichera, of the Theotokos, Special Melody: “When from the tree…”: in 
Tone II—

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

O joy of all who sorrow and intercessor for the oppressed, feeder of the hungry, comfort of travellers and staff of the blind, visitation of the infirm, protection and aid for those who labor, and helper of the orphaned: thou art the Mother of God Most High, O all-pure one. Haste thou, we pray, that thy servants may be saved!

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

Wretch that I am, I have committed every iniquity with impunity and every sin without restraint; and I deserve all condemnation. O Virgin, grant me occasions of repentance, that I be not shown to be condemned to that place. For thee do I call my mediator in prayer; thee do I call mine advocate. Put me not to shame, O Bride of God!

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

No other refuge have we before the Creator and Master than thee, O pure Mother of God. Turn not away from us in thy fervent intercession, neither put us to shame who with love have recourse to thy protection, O Mother of our God. Haste thou, and grant [us] thy help, and save us from the present wrath!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in Tone II—

Who worthily praiseth and calleth thee blessed, O Maiden Bride of God, for the deliverance wrought for the world through thee? Therefore, in thanksgiving we cry out to thee, saying: Rejoice, thou who hast deified Adam and united the disparate [natures]! Rejoice, thou who hast illumined our race with the light-bearing resurrection of thy Son and our God! For we, the Christian race, unceasingly call thee blessed.

Then, “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart…”, Trisagion through Our Father…, the resurrectional troparion, Glory…, Now & ever…, its theotokion (see Great Vespers). 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 is no doxasticon, we chant Glory…, Now & ever…, the dogmaticon of the tone.

The Resurrectional Stichera, in Tone II—

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

Come ye, let us worship God the Word, Who was begotten of the Father before the ages, and became incarnate of the Virgin Mary: for, having endured the Cross, He was given over to burial, as He Himself desired; and having risen from the dead, He hath saved me, a man astray.

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

Christ our Savior, having nailed to the Cross the record which is against us, hath erased it and abolished the might of death. We worship His resurrection on the third day.

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

With the archangels let us hymn the resurrection of Christ; for He is the Deliverer and Savior of our souls, and shall come again in awesome glory and mighty power, to judge the world which He hath created.

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

The angel proclaimed Thee, the Master Who had been crucified and buried, and he said to the women: “Come ye, and see where the Lord lay; for He hath arisen, as He said, in that He is almighty!” Wherefore, we worship Thee Who alone art immortal. O Christ, Bestower of life, have mercy upon us!

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

By Thy Cross hast Thou annulled the curse which began with the Tree; by Thy burial hast Thou slain the might of death; and by Thine arising hast Thou enlightened the human race. Wherefore, we cry out to Thee: O Christ our God and Benefactor, glory be to thee!

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.

The gates of death opened unto Thee in fear, O Lord, and the gatekeepers of hades, seeing Thee, were afraid; for Thou didst shatter the brazen gates, didst break their chains of iron, didst lead us forth from darkness and the shadow of death, and didst rend our bonds asunder.

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

Come ye, let us all fall down before the house of the Lord; and chanting, let us send forth from our mouth a hymn of salvation, saying: O Thou Who wast crucified on the Tree, Who rose from the dead and art in the bosom of the Father, cleanse us of our sins.

And these stichera of the all-holy Theotokos, the composition of Paul of Amorium, which are chanted when there is no Menaion, or at Litia. Special Melody: “In despair over my life…”: in Tone VI—

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 all-hymned Mary, pure Theotokos, who art the sure hope of the hopeless and salvation of the sinful: Accept this mine entreaty, and in thy maternal supplications ask for me the remission of all the sins I have committed in this life; and save me from misfortunes and the judgment which is to come, O Mistress, in thy great mercy.

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

Wicked is the time of my life, wicked and full of every evil. When evil Satan doth grievously trouble me, O all-holy Theotokos, deliver me from his buffeting, and draw me forth from his maw; for on thee have I set all my hope. Save me by thy vigilant supplications!

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

Rejoice, O unashamed intercessor! Rejoice, O all-good Theotokos! Rejoice, mercy-seat of the world! Rejoice, joy of the sorrowful and haven of the tempest-tossed! Rejoice, thou who helpest all who are in need! And do thou likewise keep me from all sorrows, O all-immaculate Virgin and Mistress!

Glory…, from the Menaion.

Now & ever…: The dogmatic theotokion—

The shadow of the law passed away when grace arrived; for, as the bush wrapped in flame did not burn, so did the Virgin give birth and yet remain a virgin. In place of the pillar of fire, the Sun of righteousness hath shone forth. Instead of Moses, Christ is come, the salvation of our souls.

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 II—

Thy resurrection, O Christ our Savior, hath illumined the whole universe; and Thou hast called forth Thy creation. O Lord almighty, glory be to Thee!

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

By the Tree, O Savior, hast Thou abolished the curse which began with the tree; by Thy burial hast Thou put the might of death to death; and by Thine arising Thou hast illumined our race. Wherefore, we cry out to Thee: O Christ our God, Bestower of life, glory be to Thee!

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

Appearing, nailed to the Cross, O Christ, Thou didst alter the beauty of created things. The soldiers, displaying their inhumanity, pierced Thy side with a lance, and the Jews, refusing to acknowledge Thine authority, asked that Thy tomb be sealed. O Lord Who in the lovingkindness of Thy compassion didst accept burial and arose on the third day, glory be to Thee!

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

O Christ, Bestower of life, Who of Thine own will endured suffering for the sake of mortal men, as One mighty Thou didst descend into hades, and there, having rescued from the hands of the mighty one those who awaited Thy coming, Thou gavest them to live in paradise instead of hades. Wherefore, grant also cleansing from sins and great mercy unto us, who glorify Thine arising on the third day.

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

O new wonder greater than all the wonders of the past! For who hath ever known a mother to give birth without having known a man, and to bear on her arm Him Who sustaineth all creation? Yet it was the will of God to be born. O all-pure one, who bore Him in thine arms as an infant and hast maternal boldness before Him: Cease not to pray in behalf of those who honor thee, that He have compassion and save our souls.

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

Resurrectional troparion, in Tone II—

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life immortal, then didst Thou slay hades with the radiance of Thy divinity; and when Thou didst raise up the dead from the nethermost depths, all the hosts of heaven cried aloud: O Christ our God, Bestower of life, glory be to Thee!

Theotokion: All of thy most glorious mysteries are beyond comprehension, O Theotokos; for, thy purity sealed and thy virginity intact, thou art known to be a true Mother, having given birth unto God. Him do thou entreat, that our souls be saved.

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). Psalm 50 (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 II—

Ode I

Irmos: Overwhelming power once laid low the whole army of Pharaoh in the deep, and the incarnate Word hath destroyed pernicious sin. All-glorious is the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified.

O good Theotokos, who dost readily hear all in tribulation and helpest those in grief: grant grace unto those who make bold to hymn thee, O Mistress, thou joy of those who sorrow.

Having acquired grace of abundant richness, O Mistress, by thy bold supplication most gloriously rescue me, thy poor servant, from temptations, O joy of those who sorrow.

Glory…: From enemies visible and invisible deliver us who have recourse to thee, we pray, O Theotokos, and confound every counsel of those who war against us.

Now & ever…: Take from me the reproach of men and the false accusations of the traitorous, I pray thee, O Theotokos, that I may eagerly glorify the Lord Whom thou didst nourish.

Ode III

Irmos: Establish us in thee, O Lord Who hast slain sin by the Tree, and plant the fear of Thee in the hearts of us who hymn Thee.

Scatter the vain plots of the enemy, O most hymned Theotokos, and by thy supplications fail not to keep us safe who praise thee.

With thy merciful eye, O pure one, look upon me, and deliver me from every plot of enemies, visible and invisible, blinding their eyes.

Glory…: With the dew of thy prayers, O Virgin, quench the evil assault, burning like fire, of the enemies who ever seek to destroy us.

Now & ever…: O inextinguishable lamp, ever-shining ray, who gavest birth to Christ, the Sun of glory: By thy supplications illumine me who am beset by the night of afflictions.

Ode IV

Irmos: He whom Thou didst call “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” heard Thy voice as Thou didst thunder over many waters, bearing witness to Thy Son. And, wholly filled with the Spirit which had come, he cried out: Thou art Christ, the Wisdom and Power of God!

We entreat thee, thou bridge of salvation, tireless entreaty and steadfast help: Have pity and behold our unbearable grief, our pangs, afflictions and sufferings, O Mother of God, and visit us for the better, granting us speedy joy.

We are not without a share of thine aid amid afflictions, O Mistress; wherefore, quickly help us now, who are grievously tempest-tossed, stretching forth thy hand, O pure one. Be thou merciful to our pain, O Mother of God, granting us speedy joy.

Glory…: They who are iniquitous, who roar to shed unjustly the blood of their neighbor, have not set their hope on thee, O Mistress, but have trusted in a boastful tongue, the tongue of man, which ever poureth forth jealously; but do thou, O pure one, break their jaws.

Now & ever…: O Mistress, humble thou the haughty neck of the boastful enemy, their counsels and malignant ways, and their hearts which daily meditate evils against me; and give strength and victory to those who call upon thee, O Mother of God, granting us speedy joy.

Ode V

Irmos: The Sun—the live Coal which was revealed beforehand to Isaiah—shone forth from the Virgin’s womb, granting the enlightenment of divine knowledge to those gone astray in darkness.

O true supplicant, hope of Christians, O joyous one, accept the entreaties of us who earnestly call upon and pray to thee.

Acknowledging thee to be the well-spring of Life, pouring forth the waters of immortality, O pure one, we, the earthborn, call thee blessed. Glory…: The enemy hath wickedly armed himself against us, desiring to destroy us with his tongue, as with a sword; but go before us, O Theotokos, in thy might.

Now & ever…: Who can measure the abyss of the assistance of thy power, O pure one? Wherefore, quickly go before us who are in need.

Ode VI

Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Thy lovingkindness: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

As the mediatress of chastity, reveal thyself now to those who call upon thee, and deliver them from all misfortunes and perils, O Bride of God.

Destroy the evil works of the enemy and scatter the false accusations of the unjust, O all-pure and blessed one, delivering the innocent from tribulation.

Glory…: Surrounded by grievous sins and drowning in perilous misfortunes, O Mother of Christ God, we flee beneath thy divine protection.

Now & ever…: Having given birth to the Lord without knowing man, thou hast been shown to be a virgin still, even after giving birth. O the all-glorious wonder that was wrought within thee, O Bride of God!

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

Sessional hymn, in Tone II—

We earnestly cry out to thee, O Mistress Theotokos, thou fervent supplication, unassailable rampart, wellspring of mercy and refuge for the world: Go before us, and deliver us from perils, O thou who alone dost speedily intercede.

Ode VII

Irmos: That Thou mightest manifestly prefigure Thine all-glorious nativity from a virgin, O Christ, in the furnace Thou didst preserve unconsumed the youths who chanted to Thee in hymns: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

O thy compassion, O pure Virgin! For thou dost loose immeasurable griefs and misfortunes for those who cry out in need and adverse circumstances. Wherefore, O blessed one, even now help those who praise thee.

Show forth thy speedy assistance; show it forth, as thou art able, in that thou art the Mother of God. We call upon thee with all our heart, falling down in tears: Quickly ease the affliction and pain of thy servants.

Glory…: The mouths of men, like those of ferocious lions, have yawned more terribly than the grave, bitterly to swallow me; but as thou art revealed as the hope of the hopeless, O blessed Theotokos, cast down their strength.

Now & ever…: Let the enemy behold and be ashamed, and let them understand and see thy power, which warreth for us against them. Cast them down into the nethermost gulf, O blessed one, thou hope of the hopeless.

Ode VIII

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fiery furnace divided its activity at the command of God, consuming the Chaldæans, but bedewing the faithful, who chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

O Theotokos, our refuge, joy of the world: haste thou to take pity, and quickly grant thy grace unto us who are afflicted, O good one, and help thy servants.

The vain council of the assembly of the ungodly took counsel wickedly against us, like Ahitophel of old. Yet we cry out: Scatter it by thy supplications, O Theotokos, casting down their strength!

Glory…: Quickly hearken, O Theotokos, to those who truly call upon thee from their soul amid every tribulation and divers pangs and grievous perils, ever delivering them by thy supplications, O Mistress.

Now & ever…: That thy name might be glorified on the earth, O Theotokos, He Who shone forth from thee hath given thee to sinners as a mighty hope and rampart; for through thee doth everything that hath breath hasten to God.

Ode IX

Irmos: Every tongue is at a loss how to praise thee as is meet, and even an intelligence from above the world is in doubt how to hymn thee, O Theotokos; yet, as thou art good, accept our faith, for thou knowest our longing inspired by God; for thou art the intercessor of Christians, and we magnify thee.

Let every tongue which meditateth evils be stopped; and let false lips and mouths, which unjustly speak iniquity against the righteous man with pride and hostile envy, fall silent, through the supplications of the Theotokos and the saints of Christ.

Afflicted with pain and sorrow, we all call upon the pure Theotokos, who is vigilant in prayer, crying: O pure Mistress, ever deliver thy servants quickly from besetting pain, for, after God, we have none other helper.

Glory…: O Theotokos, thou art a great refuge for the despairing, a calm haven for the tempest-tossed; wherefore, we have recourse unto thee, crying: Let us not be put to shame, O Mother of the true Life, but let us magnify thee, giving thanks with fervor.

Now & ever…: O all-pure Maiden, accept our divine hymn, imparting grace unto those who trust in thee, and ask that peace ever be sent upon the churches of God and victory and triumph to the Orthodox, that the tongue of every Christian may magnify thee.

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 threefold light of the Godhead”: the composition of Metrophanes of Smyrna, in Tone II—

Ode I

Irmos: Overwhelming power once laid low the whole army of Pharaoh in the deep, and the incarnate Word hath destroyed pernicious sin. All-glorious is the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified.

With songs let us hymn the essence of the Godhead which is threefold yet one in rule, saying: As Thou hast an essential and inexhaustible depth of mercy, preserve and save those who worship Thee, in that Thou lovest mankind.

O Thou Who as the Father art the Source and Root, and art the Origin of the unified Godhead in the Son and Thy Holy Spirit: Pour forth upon my heart the three-Sunned light, and illumine me through participation in deifying effulgence.

Glory…: O thrice radiant and divine Unity, dispel all the darkness of my sins and passions by the most sweet partaking of Thy brilliant rays, and make me a temple and all-pure tabernacle of Thine unapproachable glory.

Now & ever…: The ancient course of our nature, which suffered because of evil and fell headlong into corruption, did the Word of God, Who became incarnate within thy womb, O all-pure one, illumine in His love for mankind, mystically teaching us of the thrice radiant Godhead.

Ode III

Irmos: Establishing me upon the rock of faith, Thou hast enlarged my mouth against mine enemies, for my spirit doth exult when I chant: There is none holy as our God, and none righteous save Thee, O Lord!

I glorify Thee, O Godhead one in honor and equal in essence as to Thy Persons; for Thou art our one God—Life Who issued forth incorruptibly from Life—and there is none holier than Thee, O Lord.

Thou didst create the immaterial ranks of heaven as reflections of Thy goodness, O only indivisible Trinitarian Godhead, that they may hymn Thee unceasingly. Accept now also the praise which we offer Thee with mouths of clay.

Glory…: O three-Sunned Unity, establish the hearts and minds of Thy servants upon the rock of faith, and enlarge them by the depth of Thy love; for Thou art our God, in Whom we set our hope. Let us not be put to shame.

Now & ever…: He Who in the beginning brought every form of creature into being, in His boundless goodness took form in thy womb, O Theotokos, and hath shone forth upon all the three-Sunned light of the one Godhead and Dominion.

Sessional hymn, in Tone II: Special Melody: “Of the lovingkindness…”—

When Thou didst form Adam in the beginning, O loving Lord, Thou didst exclaim to Thy hypostatic Word: “Let Us create him according to Our likeness.” And the Holy Spirit was also present as Creator. Wherefore, we cry unto Thee: O God our Creator, glory be to Thee!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

When God was well pleased to come unto us, He made His abode within thy most precious womb, O all-pure one, and through thee saved humanity, granting the kingdom of heaven unto all. Wherefore, we cry unto thee, O pure Theotokos: Rejoice, O Mistress!

Ode IV

Irmos: I hymn Thee, O Lord, for I heard report of Thee, and I was afraid; for Thou comest to me, seeking me who have strayed. Wherefore, I glorify Thy great condescension toward me, O greatly Merciful One.

Even the ranks of the immaterial angels are unable to comprehend Thee, O Unoriginate Unity and Trinity; wherefore, with faith we hymn and glorify Thine essential goodness with tongues of clay.

As the Maker of human nature, as the Seer of all, O Almighty, Thou now beholdest all mine infirmity; wherefore, have pity on Thy servant and lead me up again to the higher life.

Glory…: Let us hymn the three unconfused Persons of the primal Unity as possessing individual and separate Hypostases, yet unified and indivisible in counsel, glory and divinity.

Now & ever…: The Maker of all found thee alone, from among all the ages, to be a pure and immaculate temple, O Ever-virgin Theotokos; and having made His abode within Thee, He formed human nature anew, in that He loveth mankind.

Ode V

Irmos: O Christ my Savior, enlightenment of those who lie in darkness and salvation of the despairing: rising early unto Thee, O King of the world, may I be enlightened by Thy radiance, for I know none other God than Thee.

In that Thou dost in every way extend the pacifying and salvific rays of Thy providence upon all, O King of peace, maintain me in Thy peace, for Thou art the life and peace of every creature.

When Thou didst appear unto Moses in a vision of fire in the bush, Thou didst call Thyself an angel, O Word of the Father, revealing beforehand Thy coming unto us, whereby Thou hast openly proclaimed unto all the might of the one Godhead in three Hypostases.

Glory…: O Holy Trinity one in rule, Thou settest forth essential and equally eternal glory. Vouchsafe that those who hymn Thee with Orthodox faith may behold the one unoriginate and three-Sunned radiance of Thy glory.

Now & ever…: God the Word, Who in His essence controlleth all the ages, was ineffably contained within thy womb, O Virgin Mother, calling men to the oneness of the sole dominion.

Ode VI

Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Thy lovingkindness: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

O three-Sunned God Who willest mercy, have mercy upon those who believe on Thee, and deliver Thy servants from transgressions, sufferings and perils. Twice

Glory…: In the ineffable abyss of goodness grant unto me the incomprehensible and light-giving radiance of the effulgence of Thy thrice-radiant divinity.

Now & ever…: The Most High ineffably became man through thee, O Virgin, clothing Himself wholly in man, and He hath illumined me with the light of the threefold Sun.

Sessional hymn, in Tone II: Special Melody: “Of the lovingkindness…”—

O Merciful One, unoriginate Trinity and Unity, Who hast extended unto us the depth of Thy lovingkindness, accept us, look upon the people who glorify Thee, and accept the hymnody of those who petition Thee; for on Thee, the God of all, do we set our hope, that Thou mayest grant us forgiveness of transgressions.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Thou art merciful, O good Theotokos, having given birth to the Well-spring of lovingkindness; for thou art the only help of the faithful and consolation of the sorrowful. Wherefore, we all now fall down before thee with faith, that, enriched by thy help alone, we may find remission of evils.

Ode VII

Irmos: When the golden image was worshipped on the plain of Dura, Thy three youths spurned the ungodly command, and, cast into the midst of the fire, bedewed, they sang: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Thou dost ever appoint the angelic armies to be immutable, O Lord Who alone art immutable and of three Hypostases. Wherefore, show forth my heart as ever immutable, that I may fervently glorify Thee and hymn Thee with piety. Twice

Glory…: The noetic choirs of the immaterial beings are illumined by Thy rays, O three-Sunned God, Thou sole Ruler, and by their position they become secondary luminaries. Through their effulgence and fellowship show me forth as light, in that Thou art the thrice-radiant Giver of light.

Now & ever…: Fail not to guide and lift us who love Thee up to the heavens, O Thou Who, in thine ineffable love for mankind, becamest man in the Virgin’s womb and, having deified man, sittest with the Father on the throne of glory.

Ode VIII

Irmos: The thrice-blessed youths, disdaining the golden image and beholding the immutable and living image of God, chanted in the midst of the flame: Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O Lord of all, unapproachable, equally eternal Trinity, equally without beginning, divine, immutable in all things save Thy light-bearing characteristics: Set at naught every evil counsel of the adversaries and the vexations of the demons, ever preserving me unharmed. Twice 

Glory…: O uncircumscribable, three-Sunned sole Ruler, Who all-wisely and omnipotently fashioned the world and preservest it in perfect, intact order: Abide in my heart, that with the angelic choirs I may hymn and glorify Thee unceasingly for all ages.

Now & ever…: O Wisdom of the Father, unapproachable, ineffable Word of God, without changing Thine immutable nature Thou didst mercifully assume human nature; and as the Lord of all ages, Thou hast taught all to worship the one Trinity.

Ode IX

Irmos: Thee do we magnify, O blessed and most pure Theotokos, who through thy virginal womb ineffably didst make God incarnate, the Luminary Who shone forth before the sun and hath come to us in the flesh.

The Son Who is equally without beginning shone forth as Light from the unoriginate Light, and the Spirit issued forth as consubstantial Light ineffably and divinely, assuring us of Their incorrupt generation and ineffable procession.

Thy thrice-radiant light, O three-Sunned Godhead, do Thou shine forth in the hearts of those who hymn Thee, and grant them the intelligence to understand and do Thy good and perfect will in all things, and to magnify and glorify Thee.

Glory…: As God Who art incomprehensible in nature, possessing an incalculable depth of compassions, O Trinity, Thou didst have pity in the beginning. Wherefore, have pity now upon Thy servants, and deliver them from transgressions, perils and evil circumstances.

Now & ever…: O my God, Who art ineffably hymned in three Persons, and Who alone art God almighty, save me from all temptation and oppression, and preserve Thy flock through the supplications of the Theotokos.

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 II—

The women who after Thy Passion went to Thy tomb to anoint Thy body, O Christ God, beheld angels in the sepulchre and were afraid; for they heard them say that the Lord is risen, granting the world great mercy.

The rest of Nocturns, and the Dismissal. 

Sunday Morning at Matins

After the Six Psalms, we chant “God is the Lord…”: in Tone II, 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 II—

The noble Joseph, taking Thine all-pure body down from the Tree and wrapping it in a clean winding-sheet, enclosed it in a new tomb with sweet spices; yet Thou didst arise on the third day, O Lord, granting great mercy to the world.

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

Standing before the myrrh-bearing women at the tomb, the angel cried: “Myrrh is meet for the dead, yet Christ hath shown Himself to be a stranger to corruption! But cry aloud: The Lord hath risen, granting the world great mercy!”

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

All-glorious art thou, O Virgin Theotokos! We hymn thee, for thy Son hath cast down hades through the Cross; death hath been slain; we, the dead, have arisen, and have been vouchsafed life. We have received paradise, our ancient delight. Wherefore, giving thanks, we glorify Christ our God as mighty, the only most Merciful One.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, these resurrectional Sessional hymns, in Tone II—

Without hindering [the Jews] from sealing the stone of the tomb, in arising Thou didst bestow the rock of faith upon all. O Lord, glory be to Thee!

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

With one accord the choir of Thy disciples rejoiceth with the myrrh-bearing women; and with them we celebrate a common feast to the glory and honor of Thy resurrection. And through them we cry out to Thee, O Lord Who lovest mankind: Grant Thy people great mercy!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

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!

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

The women who after Thy Passion went to Thy tomb to anoint Thy body, O Christ God, beheld angels in the sepulchre and were afraid; for they heard them say that the Lord is risen, granting the world great mercy.

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

Antiphon I

I cast the eyes of my heart toward Thee in heaven, O Savior. Save me by Thine overshadowing.

Have mercy on us who offend Thee greatly every hour, O my Christ, and grant that we may offer Thee repentance before the end.

Glory…: It is fitting that the Holy Spirit reign, sanctify and move creation, for He is God, consubstantial with the Father and the Word.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon II

If the Lord were not with us, who would be preserved whole from the enemy, the slayer of men?

Give not Thy servant over to the teeth of mine enemies, O Savior, for they move against me like lions.

Glory…: The Holy Spirit is the Source of life and worship, for by His power as God He preserveth all created things in the Father by the Son.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon III

They who hope in the Lord are like a holy mountain: they are in nowise moved by the assaults of the enemy.

Let those who live godly lives stretch not their hands forth to iniquities, for Christ will not withhold His staff from such in His portion.

Glory…: Through the Holy Spirit doth all wisdom flow: through Him have the prophets received vision, hath grace come upon the apostles, and have the martyrs been crowned with the endurance of suffering.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Prokimenon, in Tone II—

Arouse Thyself, O Lord my God, in the commandment which Thou hast enjoined, and a congregation of people shall surround Thee. Stichos: O Lord my God, in Thee have I hoped. Save me.

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 II

Irmos: Overwhelming power once laid low the whole army of Pharaoh in the deep, and the incarnate Word hath destroyed pernicious sin. All-glorious is the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified.

Stichos: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord!

The prince of this world, under whom we have enlisted, not having obeyed Thy commandment, was condemned by Thy Cross, O Good One; for the weak one attacked Thee as one mortal, recoiled from the might of Thine authority, and was exposed as weak.

Thou earnest into the world, the Deliverer of the human race and Author of life incorruptible; for by Thy resurrection Thou didst break asunder the bonds of death. This do we all glorify, for gloriously hast Thou been glorified.

Theotokion: Thou wast revealed as higher than all creation, visible and invisible, O pure Ever-virgin; for thou gavest birth to the Creator, in that He was well pleased to become incarnate in thy womb. Entreat Him with boldness, to save our souls.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection, the acrostic whereof is: 
“I sing praise to the life-bearing Word”

Irmos: Traversing the impassable…

O Christ, through the suffering of Thy flesh Thou becamest the power of the weak, the resurrection of the fallen and the incorruption of the dead, for Thou hast been glorified.

God the Creator, the Restorer Who was put to death, had compassion on His fallen image, raised it up which was broken down, and hath given life unto all, for He hath been glorified.

Canon of the All-holy Theotokos, the acrostic whereof is:
“I sing praise to the Life-bearing Maiden”

Irmos: Traversing the impassable…

Of old, the immaterial ladder and the strangely solidified path amid the sea revealed thy birthgiving, O pure one, which we all hymn, for it hath been glorified.

The Power of the Most High, the perfect Hypostasis, the Wisdom of God, Who became incarnate of thee, O most pure one, drew nigh unto men, for He hath been glorified.

The Sun of righteousness passed through the impassable door, thy closed womb, O pure one, and shone forth upon the world, for He hath been glorified.

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

Ode III

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The desert, the barren Church of the nations, blossomed like a lily at Thine advent, O Lord; and therein hath my heart been established.

During Thy suffering creation was altered, beholding Thee, Who founded all by Thy divine gesture, in pauper’s form, mocked by the iniquitous.

With Thy hand Thou didst fashion me out of dust, in Thine image; and having descended into hades, O Christ, with Thyself Thou didst raise me up who had again been broken down into the dust of death for my sins.

Theotokion: The ranks of the angels marvelled, O most pure one, and the hearts of men have been filled with awe at thy birthgiving; wherefore, we honor thee, the Theotokos, with faith.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: The bow of the mighty hath been broken…

Christ Who is higher than all became a little lower than the nature of the angels through His suffering in the flesh.

Reckoned as dead with the iniquitous, O Christ, after the resurrection Thou didst appear to the women, resplendent in a crown of glory.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The bow of the mighty hath been broken…

He Who, as the Creator of time, far transcendeth all time, was of His own will formed of thee as a babe, O Virgin.

Let us hymn the womb which is more spacious than the heavens, through which Adam, rejoicing, dwelleth in the heavens.

Ode IV

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Thou didst come forth from the Virgin, neither a mediator nor an angel, but Thyself incarnate, O Lord, and hast saved me, the whole man; wherefore, I cry to thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

O God my Master, Thou standest before the judgment-seat as one condemned, without crying out, bringing forth judgment in behalf of the gentiles. Thereby Thou hast wrought salvation for the whole world through Thy suffering, O Christ.

Through Thy suffering, O Christ, the weaponry of the enemy failed, and by Thy descent into hades the cities of the adversary were destroyed and the audacity of the tyrant set at naught.

Theotokion: O Theotokos and Mistress, all of us, the faithful, know thee to be the haven of salvation and an immovable rampart; for through thy supplications thou dost deliver our souls from perils.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, of Thy glorious dispensation…

Beholding Thee nailed to the Tree, O Christ, the Virgin who gave birth unto Thee without pain endured a mother’s pangs.

Death was vanquished when, dead, Thou didst storm the gates of hades; for when the all-devouring one was destroyed, all things which are past nature were given to me.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, of Thy glorious dispensation, and I have glorified Thine unapproachable power, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Lo! as the dwelling-place of the Lord, the Mother of God, the divine mountain, hath most clearly been exalted far higher than the hosts of heaven.

Having given birth beyond the laws of nature unto Him Who hath dominion over creation, O only Virgin, thou wast vouchsafed a divine calling.

Ode V

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Thou art a Mediator between God and man, O Christ God; for by Thee, O Master, are we led up out of the night of ignorance to Thy Father, the Source of light.

Thou didst break the audacity of the nations by Thy will, as if they were cedars, O Christ Master, for it was Thy will to be lifted up in the flesh upon the cypress, the pine and the cedar.

They laid Thee, dead and bereft of breath, in a deep pit, O Christ; yet, wounded, through thy wounds Thou didst raise up with Thyself the forgotten dead who slept in the graves.

Theotokion: Entreat thy Son and Lord, O pure Virgin, that He grant peace unto those who hope in thee and deliverance from the assaults of adversaries unto captives.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: The Sun, the burning Coal…

The first Adam refused to fast and ate of the deadly tree; yet his sin was erased when the second Adam was crucified.

By human nature Thou becamest able to experience suffering and death, O Christ Who in Thine immaterial divinity art dispassionate; and untouched by corruption Thou didst raise up the dead from the nethermost parts of hades.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The Sun, the burning Coal…

O ye clouds, rain down the delight of gladness upon those on earth, for a Child hath been given, He Who hath existed from before time: Our God who is incarnate of the Virgin.

Light hath shone upon my life and flesh and destroyed the gloom of sin! In latter times the Most High became incarnate of the Virgin without seed.

Ode VI

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Thy lovingkindness: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

The Righteous One was condemned as a malefactor and nailed to the Tree with iniquitous men, through His blood granting remission to the guilty.

Through one man, the first Adam, did death enter the world of old, and through the one Son of God hath the resurrection been revealed.

Theotokion: Thou gavest birth without having known a man, O Virgin, and thou remainest a virgin eternally, revealing the images of the true divinity of thy Son and God.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Hearkening to the sound…

Thou didst set the cherubim as guardians of the tree of life against the fallen one, yet, beholding Thee, the doors were opened; for Thou didst appear escorting the thief into paradise.

Hades was emptied and overthrown by the death of One; for the one Christ emptied it for us all of the great treasure which it had hoarded.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Hearkening to the sound…

Human nature, enslaved to sin, hath through thee obtained its freedom, O pure Mistress; for thy Son is slaughtered like a lamb for all.

We all cry out to thee, the true Mother of God: Deliver thy servants, who move God to wrath, for thou alone hast boldness before thy Son.

Kontakion, in Tone II—

Thou didst arise from the tomb, O all-powerful Savior; and hades, beholding the wonder, was stricken with awe, and the dead arose. Creation, seeing Thee, rejoiced, and Adam was glad, and the world, O my Savior, ever hymneth Thee.

Ikos: Thou art the light of those in darkness; Thou art the resurrection of all and the life of men, and hast raised up all with Thyself, O Savior, abolishing the dominion of death and breaking down the gates of hades, O Word. And the dead, beholding the wonder, marvelled, and all creation rejoiceth in Thy resurrection, O Thou Who lovest mankind. Wherefore, we all glorify and hymn Thy condescension; and the world, O my Savior, ever hymneth Thee.

Ode VII

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The command of the iniquitous tyrant, opposed to God, raised up a lofty flame; but Christ, Who is blessed and all-glorious, spread a spiritual dew upon the pious youths.

In thy lovingkindness, O Master, Thou couldst not bear to see man tormented by death; and, becoming man, Thou didst come and save him by Thy blood. Blessed and most glorious is the God of our fathers!

Seeing Thee arrayed in the vesture of vengeance, O Christ, the gate-keepers of hades were affrighted; for Thou didst come to slay Thy servant, the mindless tyrant. Blessed and most glorious is the God of our fathers!

Theotokion: We understand thee to be holier than the Holy of holies, for thou alone gavest birth to the immutable God, O blameless Virgin, unwedded Mother; for thou hast poured forth incorruption upon all the faithful through thy divine birthgiving.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: The youths of old showed themselves to be rhetors…

Of old, in Eden, disobedience condemned our forefather; yet the most divine and most glorious God of our fathers was willingly condemned, loosing the transgressions of him who had transgressed.

Thou didst save him who was wounded in Eden by the tongue [of the serpent] through the jealousy of the slayer of man; for by Thy voluntary suffering Thou didst heal the bite he willingly took. Most divine and most glorious is the God of our fathers!

To the light Thou didst call me who walk in the shadow of death, O Thou Who didst clothe dark hades with the lightning of divinity. Most divine and most glorious is the God of our fathers!

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The youths of old showed themselves to be rhetors…

At night, Jacob beheld as in a vision the incarnate God, Who through thee hath appeared in splendor to those who chant: Most divine and most glorious is the God of our fathers!

Manifesting within thee beforehand the signs of the ineffable descent whereby He united Himself unto men of His own will, O pure one, the most divine and all-glorious God of our fathers wrestled with Jacob.

Abominable is he who doth not with undoubting faith and tongue proclaim thee the Son of the Virgin, Who art one of the most hymned Trinity, crying out: Most divine and most glorious is the God of our fathers!

Ode VIII

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fiery furnace divided its activity at the command of God, consuming the Chaldæans, but bedewing the faithful, who chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Beholding the vesture of Thy flesh stained with Thy blood, O Christ, the ranks of the angels were filled with awe and trembling at thy great longsuffering, crying aloud: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

By Thine arising, O Compassionate One, Thou hast clothed my mortality in immortality; wherefore, in gladness Thy chosen people thankfully hymn Thee, O Christ, crying out to Thee: Death is swallowed up in victory!

Theotokion: Without seed thou didst conceive Him Who is inseparable from the Father, and He dwelt in thy womb as God and man; and thou didst ineffably give birth unto Him, O all-pure Theotokos. Wherefore, we acknowledge thee as the salvation of us all.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: The thrice-blessed youths, disdaining the golden image…

O Thou Who art rich in mercy, Thou wast seen to be nailed to the Cross and buried of Thine own will; and Thou didst arise on the third day, O Thou Who lovest mankind, and hast delivered all men, who chant with faith: Let all creation hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all the ages.

Thou didst descend into the nethermost parts, O Christ, Thou Word of God, to deliver from corruption, by Thy divine power, that which Thou hadst created; and fashioning it without corruption, Thou didst make it a partaker of Thine everlasting glory, that, crying out, it may chant: Let all creation exalt Christ supremely unto the ages!

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The thrice-blessed youths, disdaining the golden image…

Through thee the One Who is incomparable in goodness and power was seen on earth and dwelt with men. And, chanting unto Him, all of us, the faithful, cry: Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Truly proclaiming thee to be the pure Theotokos, we glorify thee; for thou gavest birth to the One of the Trinity Who became incarnate, to Whom, with the Father and the Spirit, we all chant: Let all creation hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all the 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: God the Lord, the Son of the unoriginate Father, hath revealed Himself to us incarnate of the Virgin, to enlighten those in darkness and to gather the dispersed. Wherefore, we magnify the all-hymned Theotokos.

The thrice-rich tree of Thine all-pure Cross was planted on Golgotha as in paradise, O Savior; and watered with the blood and divine water of Thy side, as by a divine spring, O Christ, it hath budded forth life for us.

Crucified, O Omnipotent One, Thou didst cast down the mighty; and raising up human nature, which lay below in the stronghold of hades, Thou didst set it upon the throne of the Father. And worshipping Thee Who wilt come therewith, we magnify Thee.

Triadicon: Chanting, O ye faithful, in Orthodox manner let us glorify the threefold Unity, the consubstantial Trinity, the indivisible, all-divine essence, the thrice-radiant, the only incorrupt and never-waning Effulgence, which hath shone forth light upon us.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: O ye faithful, with hymns let us magnify…

On Golgotha Thou wast lifted up on the Cross like a lamb between the condemned, O Christ, and pierced in the side by a spear. In that Thou art good, Thou didst give life unto us who are made of dust, who honor Thy divine resurrection with faith.

O all ye faithful, let us worship God Who by His own death abolished the might of death with power; for He Who raised up with Himself the dead of ages past bestoweth life and resurrection upon all.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: O ye faithful, with hymns let us magnify…

In thy womb, O pure one, the Word of God was given to corrupt nature as a staff of strength; and He raised it up which had fallen headlong into hades. Wherefore, O most pure one, we magnify thee as the Theotokos.

O Master, mercifully accept as advocate for us Thy Mother, Whom Thou didst choose. All things will be filled with Thy goodness, that we may all magnify Thee as our Benefactor.

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 II—

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

Every breath, all creation, glorifieth Thee, O Lord, in that Thou hast abolished death by the Cross, that Thou mightest show men Thy resurrection from the dead, in that Thou alone lovest mankind.

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

Let the Jews say how the soldiers who kept watch lost the King! Why did the stone not keep in the Rock of life? Either give up the buried corpse or worship the Risen One, saying with us: Glory to the magnitude of Thy compassions, O our Savior! Glory be to Thee!

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

“Rejoice and be glad, O ye people!”, the angel, seated upon the stone of the tomb, announced to us, saying: “Christ is risen from the dead, the Savior of the world; and He hath filled all things with sweet savor. Rejoice, ye people, and be glad!”

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

Before Thou wast conceived, O Lord, the angel brought the salutation ‘Rejoice!’ to her who is full of grace; and an angel rolled away the stone of Thy glorious tomb at Thy resurrection: the one, instead of grief, announcing tidings of gladness; and the other, instead of death, proclaiming to us the Master and Bestower of life. Wherefore, we cry out to Thee: O Lord, Thou Benefactor of all, glory be to Thee!

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

With tears the women poured forth myrrh upon Thy tomb; but their mouths were filled with joy when they could say: The Lord is risen!

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

Let the nations and peoples praise Christ our God, Who of His own will endured the Cross for our sake and spent three days in hades; and let them worship His resurrection from the dead, whereby the ends of the whole world have been enlightened.

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

Crucified and buried wast Thou, O Christ, as Thou didst will. Thou didst overthrow death and didst rise in glory as God and Master, granting the world life everlasting and great mercy.

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

O ye truly iniquitous ones who sealed the stone, ye have granted us to see greater wonders! The watch understood that Christ had issued forth from the tomb, and they said: “Say that while we were sleeping His disciples came and stole Him.” But who would steal a dead man, and moreover one who is naked? He arose Himself, of His own accord, as God, leaving His grave clothes behind in the tomb. Come, ye Jews, and see! How broke He not the seals, Who had trampled down death, bestowing everlasting life and great mercy upon the human race?

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 the resurrectional troparion—

Rising from the tomb, Thou didst break the bonds of hades; and Thou didst lift the condemnation of death, O Lord, delivering all from the snares of the enemy. And having shown Thyself to Thine apostles, Thou didst send them forth to preach, and through them hast given Thy peace unto the whole world, O Thou Who alone art greatly merciful.

And the Dismissal.

Sunday at Divine Liturgy

On the Beatitudes, these troparia, in Tone II—

We offer Thee the cry of the thief, and we pray: Remember us in Thy kingdom, O Savior! For the forgiveness of transgressions we offer unto Thee the Cross which Thou didst accept for our sake, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

We bow down in worship, O Master, before Thy burial and rising, whereby Thou hast delivered the world from corruption, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

By Thy death hath death been slain, O Lord, and by Thy resurrection hast Thou saved the world, O Savior.

Risen from the tomb, Thou didst meet the myrrh-bearing women; and Thou didst tell Thy disciples to announce Thine arising.

Those who slept in darkness, beholding Thee, the Light, in the nethermost parts of hades, O Christ, were raised from the dead.

Glory…: Let us glorify the Father; let us all worship the Son, and let us hymn the Holy Spirit with faith.

Now & ever…: Theotokion: Rejoice, fiery throne! Rejoice, bride unwedded! Rejoice, O Virgin who for men gavest birth unto God!

Prokimenon, in Tone II—

The Lord is my strength and my song, and He is become my salvation.

Stichos: With chastisement hath the Lord chastened me, but He hath not given me over unto death.

Alleluia, in Tone II—

Stichos: The Lord hear thee in the day of affliction; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee.

Stichos: O Lord, save the king, and hearken unto us in the day when we call upon Thee.