Tone III

Sunday

Saturday Evening at Little Vespers

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

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

By Thy Cross hast Thou destroyed the might of death, O Christ our Savior, and hast set at naught the deception of the devil. And the human race, saved by faith, ever offereth a hymn unto Thee.

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.

All things have been illumined by Thy resurrection, O Lord; paradise hath again been opened, and all creation, praising thee, ever offereth a hymn unto Thee.

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

I glorify the power of the Father and the Son, and I hymn the authority of the Spirit: the indivisible and uncreated Godhead, the consubstantial Trinity, Who reigneth unto the ages of ages.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion—

O wonder most great! A virgin hath given birth, and her Offspring is God Who was begotten and revealed before the ages, and is perfect beyond nature. O awesome mystery! He remaineth ineffably noetic and, though seen, is not comprehended. Blessed art thou, O all-pure Maiden, daughter of the earthly Adam, who hast been shown to be the Mother of God Most High! Him do thou entreat, that our souls be saved.

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 III—

O Christ Who by Thy suffering didst darken the sun, and with the light of Thy resurrection hast illumined all things: Accept Thou our evening hymnody, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

And these other stichera, of the Theotokos, in Tone III: Special Melody: “Bowing down before Thy Cross…”

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

We know thee, O pure one, to be the noetic ark which bore for us the divinely inscribed tablets: the Law-giver and Creator. Him do thou beseech that our souls be saved.

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

God the Word, Who is invisible by nature, yet assumed our flesh and made His abode within thy womb, O pure one, showed thee to be heaven on earth; and thou lettest fall upon all the dew of immortality, O thou who knewest not wedlock.

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

Through thy supplications do we have salvation, O Virgin; for thereby do we ever escape the tempest of misfortunes and temptations. Wherefore, we beseech thee to pray unceasingly in our behalf, that our souls be saved.

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

Through thee, O all-pure Mary, do we know the restoration and new life of human nature: the Fashioner of creation, Who joined [the human and divine natures] in thy womb, Who rose from hades and death, and hath bestowed upon us life everlasting, that we may cry out to thee, O Ever-virgin: Rejoice, thou who hast united those below to those in heaven! Rejoice, hope, intercession and help of all the ends of the earth! Rejoice, thou who through the resurrection of thy Son hast enlightened all things and grantest to the world great mercy!

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 is no doxasticon, we chant Glory…, Now & ever…, the dogmaticon of the tone.

The Resurrectional Stichera, in Tone III—

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

By Thy Cross hast Thou destroyed the might of death, O Christ our Savior, and hast set at naught the deception of the devil. And the human race, saved by faith, ever offereth a hymn unto Thee.

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

All things have been illumined by Thy resurrection, O Lord; paradise hath again been opened, and all creation, praising thee, ever offereth a hymn unto Thee.

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

I glorify the power of the Father and the Son, and I hymn the authority of the Spirit: the indivisible and uncreated Godhead, the consubstantial Trinity, Who reigneth unto the ages of ages.

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

We bow down before Thy precious Cross, O Christ, and we hymn and glorify Thy resurrection; for by Thy stripes have we all been healed.

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

We hymn the Savior incarnate of the Virgin; for, crucified for our sake, He arose on the third day, granting us great mercy.

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.

Descending, Christ proclaimed the glad tidings to those in hades, saying: “Be of good cheer! Now have I triumphed! I am the resurrection! And, breaking down the gates of death, I will lead you up!”

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

Standing unworthily in Thine all-pure house, O Christ God, we send up our evening hymnody, crying out from the depths of our souls: O Thou Who lovest mankind, Who illumined the world with Thy resurrection on the third day, rescue Thy people from the hands of Thine enemies.

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. In Tone VII: Special Melody: “Today Judas keepeth watch…”—

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 Virgin, thou hast shown thyself to be merciful, kind and right heedful tome who truly invoke thy divine grace in all that befalleth me; for on thee have I set all the hope of my soul, and in all things I trust in thy divine foreknowledge. Do thou vouchsafe me divine life and the glories which are to come.

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

The burning coals of my passions have been kindled within me, O Theotokos, by wrath and anger, by drunkenness and fornication, by greed, hardness of heart and grievous mortification, by despondency and vexation, by vain-glory and the trampling down of my conscience. From these things, I pray thee, deliver my soul, and save me, O Mistress.

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

With pure conscience let us all fall down before the Theotokos, crying out unceasingly from within our hearts: O holy Mistress, save us all from wrath and misery, from misfortunes and falls; for, saved by thee, we have acquired thee as a rampart and support, having recourse to thy shelter.

Glory…, from the Menaion.

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

How can we not marvel at thy giving birth to the God-man, O all-honored one. For without having accepted the temptation of a man, O all-immaculate one, without a father thou gavest birth in the flesh to a Son Who was begotten without a mother before the ages, without His undergoing change, confusion or division, yet preserving intact the character of both essences. Wherefore, O Virgin Mother and Mistress, entreat Him, that the souls of those who in Orthodox manner confess thee to be the Theotokos be saved.

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 III—

O Christ Who by Thy suffering didst darken the sun, and with the light of Thy resurrection hast illumined all things: Accept our evening hymnody, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

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

Thy life-bearing resurrection hath illumined the whole universe, O Lord, and restored corrupted creation. Wherefore, loosed from the curse of Adam, we cry out: O almighty Lord, glory be to Thee!

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

Though Thou art God immutable, yet suffering in the flesh Thou wast altered. Creation, unable to bear the sight of Him hanging [on the Cross], fell prostrate in fear and groaned; and it hymneth Thy longsuffering. Having descended into hades, Thou didst arise on the third day, granting life and great mercy to the world.

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

Thou didst endure death, O Christ, that Thou mightest deliver our race from death; having risen from the dead on the third day, Thou didst raise with Thyself those who acknowledged Thee as God; and Thou hast enlightened the world. O Lord, glory be to Thee!

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

Through the divine Spirit, by the will of the Father, without seed thou didst conceive the Son of God Who hath existed without mother from before the ages, and for our sake thou gavest birth in the flesh unto Him Who came forth from thee without father; and thou didst nurture Him on milk as a babe. Wherefore, cease not to pray that our souls be delivered from tribulations.

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

Resurrectional troparion, in Tone III—

Let those in heaven be glad, and let those on earth rejoice! For the Lord hath wrought might with His hand; He hath trampled down death by [His] death, and is become the firstborn of the dead. From the belly of hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted the world great mercy.

Theotokion: We hymn thee who hast mediated the salvation of our race, O Virgin Theotokos; for thy Son and our God, accepting suffering on the Cross in the flesh He had received of thee, hath delivered us from corruption, in that He is the Lover of mankind.

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 III—

Ode I

Irmos: He Who of old gathered the waters into one at His divine behest and parted the sea for the people of Israel, is our God and is most glorious. To Him let us chant, for He hath been glorified!

With pure hymns, O all-pure Bride of God, we, the faithful, crown thee as her who, through the divine Spirit and at the good pleasure of the Father, wast shown to be the Mother of God; and with the archangel we greet thee with hymns, untoour salvation.

Eve was formed from theside of Adam by God’s creative action of old, and Christ, Who is our God, appeared out of the womb of the Theotokos and became immutably man: the Preëternal came under time.

Glory…: He Who is our God condemned the womb of Eve to give birth amid grief and pain, yet He made His abode within thy womb, appeared in the flesh in manner past recounting, and loosed the debt of our first mother.

Now & ever…: Having fallen, heavy laden, into the abyss of despair, O Theotokos, we earnestly cry out to thee: O Mistress, help us who are drowning because of our deeds of wicked transgression! For thee alone do we have as our hope after God.

Ode III

Irmos: O Most High, Thou Ruler of all, Who out of non-existence hast brought all things, which are fashioned by Thy Word and made perfect by the Spirit: Confirm me in Thy love!

The staff of Aaron, which blossomed forth without being watered, showed thee forth, O all-pure Theotokos, who without seed gavest birth to God Who became immutably incarnate.

In the Spirit, O all-pure one, the prophet foresaw thee as a lampstand bearing the divine Fire, conveying sweet fragrance and life everlasting to those in the world.

Glory…: Let us approach the Archangel Gabriel, in hymns declaring to the Theotokos: Rejoice! for through thee hath the curse of our first parents’ condemnation been loosed!

Now & ever…: Having thee as a bulwark of salvation, O all-holy Theotokos, we sinners are saved. O Mistress, disdain not, neither spurn thou our supplications!

Ode IV

Irmos: Thou hast shown us constant love, O Lord, for Thou didst give Thine only-begotten Son over to death for us. Wherefore, in thanksgiving we cry to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Of old, Habbakuk, perceiving thee with divine vision, O all-pure one, proclaimed thee to be the noetic mountain, the tabernacle of the virtues, for the Word Who came forth from Thæman received flesh of thee.

In the Spirit Daniel beheld thee as a great and unquarried mountain, revealing the purity of thy virginity as not newly violated, O Mistress, from whom Christ the Word, the Rock, was cut, casting down the falsehood of idolatry.

Glory…: David foretold thee to be a wondrous and rich mountain; for the only-begotten Son of the Father was well-pleased to make His abode within thee, incarnate. Wherefore, in the Spirit we cry out to thee: Rejoice!

Now & ever…: As thou art the wholly good and fervent intercessor for the sinful and lowly, O all-pure Mistress Theotokos, save Thy servants from misfortunes, sorrows and sins.

Ode V

Irmos: In a vision Isaiah beheld God exalted upon a throne borne aloft by angels of glory, and he cried: O accursed am I, for I have beheld beforehand the incarnate God, the unwaning Light, Who reigneth with peace!

The Virgin Mary, the rod of Jesse, without seed, through the divine Spirit of the Father, put forth the never-fading Blossom of the unoriginate God, Who hath dominion over the mighty kingdoms of the nations, and upon Whom the gentiles set their hope.

Incarnate of thee, O Theotokos, the Prince of peace hath come to reign upon the throne of David. O the wonder! And setting warfare at naught, He hath struck down the princes of Moab and shown thee to be the Queen who gave birth.

Glory…: Revealing thine immaculate goodness, through which Christ was clad in the flesh without seed, O Virgin, Isaiah cried out, exclaiming: The Lord of glory cometh upon a light cloud, and, dispelling the darkness of falsehood, He bestoweth light upon us!

Now & ever…: Having conceived by the Holy Spirit the Word Who is consubstantial with the Father, O Virgin, thou gavest birth to Him in two natures, perfect God and perfect man. His manifestation in the flesh do we honor with faith.

Ode VI

Irmos: The uttermost abyss of sins hath engulfed me, and my spirit doth perish. But, stretching forth Thine upraised arm, O Master, save me as Thou didst Peter, O Helmsman!

In hymns the all-wise one described thee beforehand, O most hymned one, as the couch whereon God, Who was incarnate of thee hypostatically, did rest; and He Who was born of thee without confusion hath glorified thee.

O most hymned Virgin, as one chosen thou becamest the chosen vesture of the Word, for, taking flesh of thee as it were a robe of divine purple, He hath reigned, arrayed in majesty.

Glory…: O Bride of God, thou becamest the receptacle of the divine Union, more lustrous than gold; for through thee God became man and conversed with men as a man.

Now & ever…: The evil of heresy hath brought death upon those who refuse to honor thee, O most hymned Virgin; for in their malice they hide at the sight of the all-glorious likeness of thine image.

Lord, have mercy! Thrice

Glory…, Now & ever…

Sessional Hymn, in Tone III—

In the fervor of faith I cry out to thee with unworthy lips and a heart defiled, O Theotokos: Save me who am drowning in sins! Take pity on one who is slain by despair, that, saved, I may cry out to thee: Rejoice, O Virgin, thou help of Christians!

Ode VII

Irmos: The three children would not bow down before the golden image, the object of the Persians’ worship, but chanted in the midst of the furnace: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Having been united conformably and both been shown to be incorrupt, the bush and the flame manifestly show thee forth, O Virgin; for thou gavest birth to God, yet remainest a virgin.

The fleece and the dew, shown forth in change, prefigured thy birthgiving for Gideon; for thou alone hast borne the divine Word in thy womb, as He were rain, O Virgin Mother.

Glory…: The fire of my sin createth for me a flame surpassing that of Gehenna, O pure one. By thy mercy do thou quench it, guiding me to the light by repentance.

Now & ever…: Venerating the appearance of thy countenance as the primal image, O all-pure Theotokos, we all ever have thee as a helper and a right effective protection before God.

Ode VIII

Irmos: The Babylonian furnace did not consume the children, nor did the fire of the Godhead harm the Virgin. Wherefore, O ye faithful, let us cry out with the children: Bless the Lord, ye works of the Lord!

Finding thee as an all-radiant lily amid thorns, shining with the splendor of beauty through the divine Spirit, the Father desired thee, the Bride who knew not wedlock, as a habitation for His Son.

Without hesitation I manifestly glorify thee, the all-immaculate Virgin, as more holy than the host on high; for thou didst bear in thy womb their Creator, Who in unconfused union received flesh of thee.

Glory…: Having preserved thy virginity intact, O Virgin, thou wast truly shown to be the Mother of the Son of God, becoming a Bride through the Father’s good pleasure and the incorrupt receptacle of the Spirit of glory.

Now & ever…: God Who is immaterial and invisible by nature was ineffably and supernaturally born as a man of the holy Virgin, becoming visible, two natures in a single hypostasis, wherein He is seen and depicted.

Ode IX

Irmos: A wonder new and divine: the Lord manifestly passeth through the closed door of the Virgin, naked at His entry; and God doth reveal Himself as corporeal as He issueth forth; and yet the gate remaineth shut. Ineffably let us magnify her as the Mother of God.

A holy fruit sprang forth from a holy root of the barren and sanctified one: the Maiden Theotokos who, by the law of God the Father, hath blossomed forth never-withering and perfecting Life. And Anna rejoiceth, receiving in her old age a babe, the Mother of God, whom we glorify.

New and godly is the birthgiving of thy holy and God-bearing womb, O pure one; for therein was the incarnate holy Son depicted in human image by the finger of the Father and by the Holy Spirit. Him do we magnify as both God and man without confusion.

Glory…: All judgment crieth out against me, for the deeds of my sinful actions lift up their voice to forbid me, and my whole soul knoweth those things whereby it will be condemned, and it trembleth before the flame of Gehenna. O Mistress, before the end, deliver me therefrom by thy supplications.

Now & ever…: After giving birth thou wast shown to be incorrupt, O pure one, for in manner transcending nature, O Theotokos, thou gavest birth immutably to the Creator of all as a man in the flesh, though He was not separated from the essence of the Father; and through the divine Spirit thou didst remain a Virgin. Wherefore, glorifying thee, we lift our voices in hymnody.

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, O Trinity, the One Godhead”: the composition of Metrophanes, in Tone III—

Ode I

Irmos: He Who of old gathered the waters into one at His divine behest and parted the sea for the people of Israel, is our God and is most glorious. To Him let us chant, for He hath been glorified!

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

O sole unapproachable Dominion, Thou one Godhead of the Trinity, vouchsafe me Thy thrice-radiant light, that I may hymn Thee Who art unceasingly hymned with thrice-holy hymns by the mouths of the angels.

All the immaterial ranks hymn Thee in sanctity as the one creative, thrice-radiant and manifestly originating Cause; and with them we, the multitudes of men, likewise hymn and faithfully glorify Thee with our mouths of clay.

Glory…: In symbolic manner the theologians fittingly call Thee Mind, and Word and Spirit, signifying the dispassionate begetting of the Son from the unbegotten Father, as well as the procession of the divine Spirit, O God Who art the sole source of all.

Now & ever…: Having assumed human nature in that Thou lovest mankind by nature, O Word of God, Thou didst shine forth the Trinitarian light of the one Godhead, which is the sole and only source, pointing out unto all the all-pure and all-glorious Virgin who gave Thee birth.

Ode III

Irmos: O Most High, Thou Ruler of all, Who out of nonexistence hast brought all things, which are fashioned by Thy Word and made perfect by the Spirit: Confirm me in Thy love!

Elijah of old, having commanded that water be poured forth on the split wood, mystically manifested the Trinitarian Hypostasis of the one divine dominion.

The corrupt nature of mortals hymneth Thee, the one, thrice-radiant and immutable Creator; and it crieth out unto thee, O Master: Deliver and save me from every manner of change.

Glory…: Uttering the same words as the prophets, the glorious apostles and the preachers of the Faith, we, the faithful, glorify Thee, the Trinity equal in activity, O God of all.

Now & ever…: Through thee, O all-pure one, Christ descended from His exalted throne, elevating man, in that He loveth mankind; and He hath shone forth the three-Sunned light upon all.

Lord, have mercy! Thrice

Sessional hymn, in Tone III: Special Melody: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”—

O Christ, our only transcendent Lord, Scion of the all-unoriginate Father, and Thou, O most divine Spirit, have mercy upon Thy servants: for we all have sinned, yet have we not turned away from Thee. Wherefore, we beseech Thee, O Lord in three Hypostases: In that Thou hast authority, save Thy creation from every evil circumstance.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

In His goodness, the transcendent God and Lord became incarnate of thee, assuming our essence; and He dwelt among us. Wherefore, honoring His divine manhood, we proclaim thee to be the Theotokos who knew not wedlock, glorifying the all-great wonder of thy seedless birthgiving.

Ode IV

Irmos: Thou hast shown us constant love, O Lord, for Thou didst give Thine only-begotten Son over to death for us. Wherefore, in thanksgiving we cry to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

A double branch sprouted forth from the Father, as from a root: the Son and the upright Spirit, consubstantial offshoots divinely planted, blossoms equally without beginning. For there are the three Lights of the Godhead. Twice

Glory…: The multitudes of noetic intelligences unceasingly hymn thee, the inconceivable God; and with them we render glory, saying: O transcendent Trinity, save Thy servants, in that Thou lovest mankind.

Now & ever…: Thou hast set us afire for Thy love, O greatly merciful Word of God Who for our sake became immutably incarnate, mystically teaching us about the one thrice-radiant Godhead. Wherefore, we glorify Thee.

Ode V

Irmos: I rise at dawn unto Thee, the Creator of all, Who passest all worldly understanding; for Thy commandments are light, wherein do Thou direct me.

When Isaiah mystically beheld God, the one Sovereign Lord, glorified in three Persons by the all-pure voices of the seraphim, he was straightway sent to proclaim the thrice-radiant Essence, the three-Sunned Unity. Twice

Glory…: O three-Sunned Unity Who in the beginning created the essence of all things, visible and invisible, out of nothing, and Who hast delivered from all temptations those who with faith hymn Thee as the one God: vouchsafe unto us Thy glory.

Now & ever…: With love we hymn and bless thee, O Virgin, Who art become the radiant and pure bridal-chamber of God; for of thee Christ was born in two natures and wills, Who is One of the Trinity and the Lord of glory.

Ode VI

Irmos: The uttermost abyss of sins hath engulfed me, and my spirit doth perish. But, stretching forth Thine upraised arm, O Master, save me as Thou didst Peter, O Helmsman!

As a sojourner, Abraham was vouchsafed mystically to receive the one Lord in three Hypostases, made manifest in the forms of men. Twice

Glory…: Guide the hearts of Thy servants to the unapproachable light, O three-sunned Lord, and grant the effulgence of Thy glory unto our souls, that we may be illumined by Thine ineffable goodness.

Now & ever…: Open unto me the portals of the light of Him Who was born of thy womb, O all-pure one, that I may behold the thrice brilliant rays of His divinity and glorify thee, O most radiant Mistress.

Lord, have mercy! Thrice

Sessional hymn, in Tone III: Special Melody: “Of the divine Faith…”—

We hymn the three-Sunned dominion of the consubstantial divine nature, and with thrice-holy voices we cry: Holy art Thou, O all-unoriginate Father! Holy art Thou, O equally-beginningless Son, and Thou, O Holy Spirit, O our only God Who art indivisible, O Creator of all, Who lovest mankind!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

O all-great wonder! How did the Infinite One come to be contained within thy womb, and become incarnate, and appear as man, without enduring change or separation from the divine and immutable Divinity, O most pure Maiden? Wherefore, we ever proclaim and glorify thee, the Theotokos, with faith.

Ode VII

Irmos: As of old Thou didst bedew the three pious children in the Chaldæan flame, with the radiant fire of Thy divinity illumine us who cry: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Through Thy light-giving radiance, O Master, show me to be the all-splendid temple of Thy thrice-radiant godhead, far above the cruel darkness of sin and the passions. O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

We proclaim the one face of the Godhead in three Hypostases and individual traits—the Father, the Son and the Spirit—crying out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Glory…: Of old, God in three Hypostases appeared to Abraham at the Oak of Mambre, mercifully giving him Isaac as a reward for his hospitality. Him do we now glorify as the God of our fathers.

Now & ever…: The Creator of all appeared on earth, divinely becoming man through thy virginal and all-pure womb; and He hath deified us, O blessed, most pure and all-pure Theotokos.

Ode VIII

Irmos: United in the unbearable fire, yet unharmed by its flame, the pious youths chanted a divine hymn in intercession: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The Word and the Spirit Who are equally without beginning [sprang forth] from the root of the unoriginate Father, and as offshoots of the transcendent Godhead they have shown forth the one glory and power of the Trinity, Whom all of us, the faithful, hymn forever. Twice

Glory…: By Thine effulgences Thou directest the ranks of heaven continually to chant thrice-holy divine hymns to the thrice-radiant Dominion equal in power, O Father, O Word of like form with Him, and Thou, O Spirit. Wherefore, we hymn Thee for all ages.

Now & ever…: Perceiving thy birthgiving from afar, the sayings of the prophets praised it as being without seed, O Theotokos, and praised Him Who was born of thee in manner transcending nature, O Mistress. And with them, we also sing to Him as Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages.

Ode IX

Irmos: A wonder new and divine: the Lord manifestly passeth through the closed door of the Virgin, naked at His entry; and God doth reveal Himself as corporeal as He issueth forth; and yet the gate remaineth shut. Ineffably let us magnify her as the Mother of God.

The God-beholding ranks of the incorporeal ones desire to mount on high with their wings, to see clearly the thrice-radiant glory; yet they are in exceeding great awe of the unapproachable Light, and unceasingly cry out hymns. And together with them we glorify Thee, the only Trinity. Twice

Glory…: Having received from Thee a noetic and reason-endowed soul with insatiable love, with our whole heart we hymn Thee, O Master, God of all, Who art truly the only Essence, the Trinity of Persons. Wherefore, as Thou art greatly merciful, O Compassionate One, have pity on us.

Now & ever…: Show me to be a splendid temple of Thy thrice-radiant Godhead Which alone is the source of all, that I may serve Thee, the Creator of all, in purity, and noetically behold Thine ineffable glory: through the supplications of the only Theotokos, whom we fittingly magnify as all-glorious.

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 III—

Amazing the myrrh-bearing women by the sight of Him, and refreshing them by his words, the radiant angel said to them: “Why seek ye the Living in the tomb? He Who hath emptied the graves hath arisen! Understand the Changer of corruption to be immutable! Say ye unto God: How awesome are Thy works, for Thou hast saved the human race!”

The rest of Nocturns, and the Dismissal.

Sunday Morning at Matins

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

Christ hath arisen from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep, the first-born of creation, the Creator of all that existeth; and in Himself He hath restored the nature of our race which had become corrupt. No longer dost thou have dominion, O death, for the Master of all hath destroyed thy realm!

Stichos: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be lifted high; forget not Thy paupers to the end. Having tasted the fruit of death, O Lord, Thou didst cut off the bitterness of death by Thine arising, and hast strengthened man against it, revoking the defeat of the primal curse. O Lord, Defender of our life, glory be to Thee!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Awed by the beauty of thy virginity and thine all-radiant purity, Gabriel, marvelling, cried out to thee, O Theotokos: “What praise can I bring which is worthy of thee? What shall I call thee? I am at a loss and filled with awe! Wherefore, as I have been commanded, I cry unto thee: ‘Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace!’”

After the second chanting of the Psalter, these resurrectional Sessional hymns, in Tone III: Special Melody: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity”—

Terrified of Thine immutable divinity and voluntary suffering, O Lord, hell lamented to itself, saying: “I tremble before a Being of incorrupt flesh; I behold One invisible, Who mystically contendeth against me. Wherefore, I hold fast to those who cry: Glory to Thy resurrection, O Christ!”

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

O ye faithful, let us theologize concerning the incomprehensibility of the crucifixion, the ineffability of the resurrection, the unspeakable mystery; for today death and hell have been made captive, and the human race hath been clothed in incorruption. Wherefore, giving thanks, we cry unto Thee: Glory to Thine arising, O Christ!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

O Theotokos, thou didst mystically contain in thy womb the Unapproachable and Uncircumscribable One, Who is consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit, and through thy birthgiving we have learned to glorify in the world the one and unconfused power of the Trinity. Wherefore, with thanksgiving we cry out to thee: Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace!

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

Amazing the myrrh-bearing women by the sight of Him, and refreshing them by his words, the radiant angel said to them: “Why seek ye the Living in the tomb? He Who hath emptied the graves hath arisen! Understand the Changer of corruption to be immutable! Say ye unto God: How awesome are Thy works, for Thou hast saved the human race!”

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

Antiphon I

Thou didst move the captivity of Sion away from Babylon, O Word. Draw me also forth from the passions unto life.

They who sow in the south with tears divine shall joyfully reap the grain of life everlasting.

Glory…: Unto the Holy Spirit, as to the Father and the Son, shineth all thanksgiving, wherein all things live and move.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon II

If the Lord buildeth not the house of the virtues, in vain do we labor; and when the Spirit protecteth it, no one will destroy our city.

Through the Spirit are the saints ever adopted by Thee, O Christ, as the fruit of Thee and the Father.

Glory…: Through the Holy Spirit are all holiness and wisdom perceived; for He bringeth every created thing into existence. Him do we worship, for He is God, like the Father and the Word

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated

Antiphon III

Blessed are they who fear the Lord, who walk the path of the commandments; for they shall eat of all the fruits of life.

Be Thou glad, O Chief Shepherd, beholding Thine offspring round about Thy table, bearing the branches of goodly works.

Glory…:: From the Holy Spirit are all the riches of glory; from Him are grace and life for every creation: for He is hymned with the Father and the Word.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Prokimenon, in Tone III—

Say among the nations that the Lord is king; for He hath established the world, which shall not be shaken.

Stichos: O sing unto the Lord a new song.

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 III

Irmos: He Who of old gathered the waters into one at His divine behest and parted the sea for the people of Israel, is our God and is most glorious. To Him let us chant, for He hath been glorified!

Stichos: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord!

Our God is He Who cursed the earth to bring forth as fruit thorns through the sweat of the transgressor, and in the flesh receiveth a crown of thorns from the hands of the transgressors of the law. He hath abolished the curse, in that He hath been glorified.

He of Whom death was afraid hath appeared as the vanquisher and victor over death·’ for having assumed animate flesh subject to sufferings, and contended against the tyrant, He hath raised all up with Himself. He is our God, for He hath been glorified.

Theotokion: All nations glorify thee as the true Theotokos who gave birth without seed; for He is our God Who, having descended into thy sanctified womb, became of our essence. God and Man was born of thee.

Canon of the Cross & the Resurrection

Irmos: O ye people, let us chant a new song…The human race was enslaved by the sin-loving tyrant, but Christ redeemed it by His divine blood, and having deified it hath restored it, in that He hath been glorified.

Christ, Who is the treasury of life, desiring to experience death as one mortal, tasted thereof; and as One immortal by essence, He imparted life to mortals, for He hath been glorified.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing canon. 

Every heavenly being fittingly bendeth its knee, with those of earth and those in the nethermost parts, before Him Who became incarnate of thee, O Virgin; for He hath been glorified.

O the reconciliation which took place within thee! For He Who abundantly bestoweth gifts hath as God given us the divine Spirit, having received flesh of thee, O Maiden, in that 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: O Most High, Thou Ruler of all, Who out of nonexistence hast brought all things, which are fashioned by Thy Word and made perfect by the Spirit: Confirm me in Thy love!

The ungodly one was confounded by Thy Cross, for he fell into the pit which he dug; but in Thy resurrection, O Christ, Thou didst raise up the lowly.

The preaching of piety to the nations covered them like the water of the sea, O Thou Who lovest mankind; for having risen from the tomb, Thou didst reveal the light of the Trinity.

Theotokion: All-glorious things have been said of thee, O animate city of Him Who reigneth forever; for through thee, O Mistress, did God come to dwell with those on earth.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Thou hast broken the bow of the enemy…

O all-precious Cross, thou hast been shown to be the cleansing away of the impurities of the idols, for Jesus all-divine stretched forth His hands upon thee.

O Life-receiving tomb, all of us, the faithful, bow down before thee; for Christ our God was truly buried in thee and hath arisen.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing canon.

The Virgin, having sprung forth as the rod of the root of Jesse, as said the prophets, put Thee forth as a flower for us, O Christ. Holy art Thou, O Lord!

That Thou mightest cause mortals to partake of the divine, Thou didst abase Thyself, receiving our flesh from the Virgin. Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Ode IV

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Thou hast shown us constant love, O Lord, for Thou didst give Thine only-begotten Son over to death for us. Wherefore, in thanksgiving we cry to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

In Thy mercy Thou didst withstand wounds and stripes, O Christ, enduring the malice of blows to Thy cheeks; and with long-suffering deigning to be spit upon, Thou didst thereby accomplish salvation for me. Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Thou didst partake of death in a mortal body, O Life, for the sake of the suffering of the poor and the groans of Thy paupers; and having brought corruption upon the corrupter, O All-glorious One, Thou didst resurrect all with Thyself, in that Thou hast been glorified.

Theotokion: Remember, O Christ, the flock which Thou hast acquired by Thy suffering; and accept the merciful entreaties of Thine all-glorious Mother, deliver it by Thy power, O Lord, visiting it in its affliction.

Canon of the Cross & the Resurrection

Irmos: Strange and ineffable was the mystery… 

O Thou Who lovest mankind, Who fashioned man in Thine image: crucified on Golgotha for the sake of him who was slain by the sin of disobedience, Thou didst save him.

Death surrendered the dead whom it had sacrificed; and the corrupt kingdom of hell was destroyed when Thou didst arise from the grave, O Lord.

Theotokion: O pure Mary, thou golden censer, when God the Word, as One of the Trinity, became incarnate, descending into thee, He filled the world with sweet fragrance.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing canon.

O Master, Who set the mountains in the scales of divine understanding, Thou wast cut from the stone of the Virgin without the aid of men’s hands. Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Thou hast healed our infirm nature, O Master, within the Virgin uniting to it Thine all-pure divinity, a most speedy remedy, O Word.

Thou art my portion and desired inheritance, O Lord, Who, having become a hypostasis in flesh from the Virgin, hast united me to Thy Hypostasis, O Word.

Ode V

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: I rise at dawn unto Thee, the Creator of all, Who passest all worldly understanding; for Thy commandments are light, wherein do Thou direct me.

Through the envy of the Jews Thou wast given over to an unjust judge, O Beholder of all. And Thou who judgest the whole earth with justice hast delivered ancient Adam from condemnation.

O Christ Who hast risen from the dead, grant Thy peace unto Thy Churches through the invincible power of Thy Cross, and save Thou our souls.

Theotokion: O only Ever-virgin, thou hast been shown to be the holy tabernacle and more spacious than the heavens, in that thou didst receive the Word of God, Whom all creation cannot contain.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Thou hast appeared on earth, O Invisible One…

Pierced by a spear in Thy side, O my Christ, Thou didst free from the curse her who was formed from the side of man, and who brought destruction upon all men.

O Christ our Savior, Who art equal to the Father in essence, Thou didst raise from the dead the sacred temple of Thine all-pure and most precious body.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing canon.

Thy Son, the Word of God, O Virgin, the Creator of Adam the first-formed, is not a created being, even though He fashioned animate flesh for Himself out of thee.

Thy Son, the Lord Jesus, the Word of God, O Virgin, a Hypostasis perfect in two natures, is  perfect God and perfect man.

Ode VI

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The uttermost abyss of sins hath engulfed me, and my spirit doth perish. But, stretching forth Thine upraised arm, O Master, save me as Thou didst Peter, O Helmsman!

An abyss of mercy and compassions hath surrounded me through Thy compassionate descent; for having become incarnate and taken on the form of a servant, O Master, Thou didst deify me, glorifying me with Thyself.

The slayer underwent death, beholding Him Who was dead alive again. These were images of Thy resurrection, O Christ, and of Thine all-pure, vanquishing sufferings.

Theotokion: O all-pure one who alone dost mediate before the Creator and men, in manner past understanding: entreat thy merciful Son, and be thou a champion for thine all-sinful servants.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: As a natural image of a sojourn…

Having been tested with wounds by Thy suffering of the Cross, Thou didst raise up with Thyself those wounded by hell. Wherefore, I cry out: Lead up my life from corruption, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

The gates of hell opened unto Thee in fear, and the vessels of the enemy were plundered. Wherefore, the women met Thee, receiving joy instead of grief.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing canon.

He Who shareth no form receiveth our form from the incorrupt Virgin, becoming man in form and matter without changing in His divinity.

O all-pure one, deliver me from the abyss of sins and the tempest of the passions, for thou art a haven and an abyss of miracles for those who have recourse unto thee with faith.

Kontakion, in Tone III: Special Melody: “Today the Virgin…”—

Thou didst arise today from the tomb, O Compassionate One, and didst lead us up from the gates of death. Today Adam danceth and Eve rejoiceth, and together the prophets and patriarchs unceasingly hymn the divine might of Thy power.

Ikos: Let heaven and earth join chorus today and with one mind hymn Christ God, for He hath raised the prisoners up from the graves. All creation rejoiceth, offering worthy hymns to our Deliverer, the Creator of all; for having led men up from hell today, in that He is the Bestower of life, He exalteth them to the heavens with Him, doth cast down the arrogance of the enemy, and breaketh down the gates of hell by the divine might of His authority.

Ode VII

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: As of old Thou didst bedew the three pious children in the Chaldæan flame, with the radiant fire of Thy divinity illumine us who cry: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

The splendid veil of the temple was rent in twain at the crucifixion of the Creator, revealing the truth hidden in the Scripture unto the faithful who cry: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

When Thy side was pierced, O Christ, with the drops of Thy divinely flowing and life-creating blood, which fell upon the ground according to Thy design, Thou didst restore those on earth, who cry: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Triadicon: Let us glorify the good Spirit with the Father and the only-begotten Son, O ye faithful, worshipping the one Godhead and Sovereignty in three, crying: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Proud was the tyrant…

Beholding God incarnate, and not a simple man, hanging upon the Cross, the sun was darkened. And unto Him do we chant: O Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Terrified, hell received the Bestower of incorruption Who is mighty in divinity, and it vomited forth the souls of the righteous, who cried: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Theotokion: O all-pure one, thou hast been shown to be a priceless treasure of blessing for those who with a pure heart confess thee to be the Theotokos; for from thee did the God of our fathers become incarnate.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing canon. 

O Thou Who art the Lord of glory, Who ruleth the heavenly hosts, Who sittest with the Father, and art borne in the Virgin’s arms: O Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Harsh is death, yet when Thou didst unite Thyself to it, having become divinely hypostatic flesh through the Virgin, Thou didst destroy it. Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers.

We have all come to know thee as the Theotokos who gave birth unto God; for thou didst bear one of the Trinity, Who had become incarnate of thee. Blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, O all-pure one!

Ode VIII

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: United in the unbearable fire, yet unharmed by its flame, the pious youths chanted a divine hymn in intercession: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The splendor of the temple was rent in twain when Thy Cross was planted on Golgotha, and creation fell down in fear, singing: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord! Hymn and exalt Him supremely forever!

Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Christ, and by Thy divine power didst set aright him who fell, deceived into eating of the tree; and he crieth and saith: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord! Hymn and exalt Him supremely forever!

Theotokion: Thou hast been shown to be the temple of God, an animate habitation, and the ark; for thou, O all-pure Theotokos, hast reconciled the Creator with men, and all of us, His works, hymn thee fittingly and exalt Him supremely for all ages.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: With immaterial flame the God-seeing children…

God, the dispassionate Word, Who in His divinity is not subject to the passions, suffereth in the flesh. Unto Him let us chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord! Hymn and exalt Him supremely forever!

Having fallen asleep as one mortal, Thou didst arise as one immortal, O Savior; and Thou savest from death those who chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord! Hymn and exalt Him supremely forever!

Triadicon: Let us piously serve the Godhead in three Persons, Who is ineffably united; and let us chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord! Hymn and exalt Him supremely forever!

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing canon. 

As the Mother of God and one close to Him, thou didst surpass the noetic ranks. We bless thine Offspring, O blessed Virgin, and exalt Him supremely for all ages.

Thou didst show forth a natural beauty, most comely, which illumineth the flesh of the Divinity. We bless thine Offspring, O blessed Virgin, 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: A wonder new and divine: the Lord manifestly passeth through the closed door of the Virgin, naked at His entry; and God doth reveal Himself as corporeal as He issueth forth; and yet the gate remaineth shut. Ineffably let us magnify her as the Mother of God.

Awesome is it to behold Thee, the Creator, O Word of God, uplifted upon the Tree: God suffering in the flesh for His servants, and lying in the tomb, bereft of breath, and releasing the dead from hell. Wherefore, O Christ, we magnify Thee as omnipotent.

Placed dead in the tomb, Thou didst save the forefathers from the corruption of death; and, raising up the dead, Thou didst cause life to blossom forth, guiding human nature to the light and clothing it in divine incorruption. Wherefore, we ever magnify Thee as the Light of life.

Theotokion: Thou hast been shown to be the temple and throne of God, wherein He Who is in the highest dwelt, born of thee who knewest not man, O most pure one, without in any wise opening the gates of thy flesh. Wherefore, O pure one, by thine unceasing supplications quickly and utterly subdue the barbaric nations.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Wounded with the sweet arrow…

From a dishonorable death Thou hast poured forth honor upon all men; and having tasted thereof through Thy crucifixion, O Christ our Savior, Thou hast given me incorruption through Thy mortal essence, in that Thou lovest mankind.

Rising from the tomb, O Christ, Thou didst save me; and thou didst ascend and lead me to Thy Father Who begat Thee; and Thou hast seated me at His right hand in the lovingkindness of Thy mercy, O Lord.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing canon. 

The pious and faithful can never have enough of thy praises, O Virgin; for ever receiving divine and spiritual desire through desire, we magnify thee as the Mother of God.

Thou hast appointed for us an unashamed advocate, her who gave Thee birth, O Christ. Through her entreaties Thou givest us the merciful Spirit, the Bestower of goodness, Who through Thee proceedeth from the Father.

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 III—

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

Come, all ye nations, and understand the power of the dread mystery; for Christ the Savior, Who in the beginning was the Word, was crucified for our sake and buried, and rose from the dead, that He might save all. Let us worship Him.

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

Those who guarded Thee declared all the wonders, O Lord; but the council of vainglory filled their hands with a reward, intending thus to conceal Thy resurrection, which the world doth glorify. Have mercy upon us!

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

All were filled with joy, experiencing the resurrection; for Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found an angel seated upon the stone, clad in shining raiment, who said: “Why seek ye the Living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen as He said, going before you to Galilee!”

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

In Thy light do we behold light, O Master Who lovest mankind; for Thou didst rise from the dead, granting salvation to the human race. Let all creation glorify Thee Who alone art sinless. Have mercy upon us!

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

With tears the myrrh-bearing women offered Thee a morning hymn, O Lord; for, taking sweet-smelling spices, they went to Thy tomb, intending to embalm Thine all-pure body. But an angel, seated upon the stone, announced to them: “Why seek ye the Living among the dead? For He is risen as God, trampling down death and granting great mercy unto all!”

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

The radiant angel, seated on Thy life-creating tomb, said to the myrrh-bearing women: “The Deliverer Who hath emptied the graves hath made hades captive and risen on the third day, in that He alone is God Almighty!”

Stichos: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be lifted high; forget not Thy paupers to the end. Arriving on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene sought Thee in the tomb; and not finding Thee, she lamented, weeping and crying aloud: “Woe is me, O my Savior! Thou hast been stolen, O King of all!” But the two life-bearing angels within the tomb cried out: “Why weepest thou, O woman?” “I weep, ” said she, “because they have taken the Lord from the tomb, and I know not where they have laid Him!” But turning around, she straightway cried out as she saw Thee: “O my Lord and my God, glory be to Thee!”

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

The Jews closed Life within the tomb, but the thief opened up delight with his tongue, crying aloud and saying: “He Who was crucified with me for my sake joined me on the Tree, and hath revealed Himself to me, seated on the throne with the Father; for He is Christ our God, Who hath great mercy!”

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

Most blessed art thou, O Virgin Theotokos, for through Him Who became incarnate of Thee is hades led captive, Adam recalled, the curse annulled, Eve set free, death slain, and we are given life. Wherefore, we cry aloud in praise: Blessed art Thou, O Christ God, Who hast been thus well-pleased, glory 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 III—

From paradise didst Thou drive [our] forefather Adam, who had broken Thy commandment, O Christ; but, O Compassionate One, Thou didst cause to dwell therein the thief who confessed Thee on the cross, crying out: “Remember me, O Savior, in Thy kingdom!”

With the curse of death didst Thou condemn us who had sinned, O Lord, Bestower of life; yet having suffered in Thy flesh, O sinless Master, Thou hast granted life unto mortals who cry out: “Remember us also in Thy kingdom!”

In rising from the dead, Thou hast raised us up from the passions with Thyself through Thy resurrection, O Lord; and all the power of death hast Thou destroyed, O Savior. Wherefore, with faith we cry out to Thee: “Remember us also in Thy kingdom!”

O Thou Who as God grantest life, by Thy three days in the tomb Thou didst raise up with Thyself the dead in hell, and as One Who is good Thou hast poured forth incorruption upon all of us who with faith ever cry out: “Remember us also in Thy kingdom!”

Risen from the dead, O Savior, Thou didst first appear to the myrrh-bearing women, crying out: “Rejoice!” and through them Thou didst announce Thy resurrection to Thy friends, O Christ. Wherefore, with faith we cry out to Thee: “Remember us also in Thy kingdom!”

Moses, stretching out his arms on the mountain, prefigured the Cross and [thus] conquered Amalek. And, receiving it with faith as a mighty weapon against the demons, we all cry out: “Remember us also in Thy kingdom!”

Glory…:

O ye faithful, let us hymn the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the one God, the one Lord, as from a single Sun; for the Trinity is thrice-luminous and enlighteneth all who cry out: “Remember us also in Thy kingdom!”

Now & ever…: Theotokion:

Rejoice, O portal of God, through which the incarnate Creator passed without breaking thy seal! Rejoice, thou light cloud which bore Christ, the divine Rain! Rejoice, ladder and throne of heaven! Rejoice, honored mountain of God, fruitful and unquarried!

Prokimenon, in Tone III—

O chant unto our God, chant ye; chant unto our King, chant ye!

Stichos: Clap your hands, all ye nations; shout unto God with a voice of rejoicing.

Alleluia, in Tone III—

Stichos: In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped; let me not be put to shame in the age to come.

Stichos: Be Thou unto me a God to defend me and a house of refuge to save me.