Tone IV

Sunday

Saturday Evening at Little Vespers

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

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

Bowing down unceasingly before Thy life-creating Cross, O Christ God, we glorify Thy resurrection on the third day; for thereby Thou hast restored corrupted human nature, O Almighty, and hast renewedfor us the ascent of the heavens, in that Thou alone art good and lovest mankind.

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.

Thou hast lifted the penalty for the disobedience committed through the tree, O Savior, having been nailedof Thine own will to the Tree of the Cross; and having descended into hades, O Mighty One, as God Thou didst break asunder the bonds of death. Wherefore, we worship Thy resurrection from the dead, crying out with joy: O Lord Almighty, glory be to Thee!

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

Thou didst break down the gates of hades, O Lord, and didst destroy the kingdom of death; and Thou didst free the human race from corruption, granting life, incorruption and great mercy to the world.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion—

Thou didst conceive without seed and didst ineffably give birth unto Him Who hath cast down the mighty from [their] thrones, hath exalted the humble and lifted up the horn of His faithful, who glorify the Cross of Christ, [His] burial and glorious resurrection. Wherefore, O Theotokos, with unceasing hymns we bless thee, the mediatress of so many good things, as the one who ever prayeth 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 IV—

Having ascended the Cross, O Lord, Thou didst destroy the ancestral curse; and descending into hades, Thou didst free the prisoners of ages past, granting incorruption to the human race. Wherefore, chanting, we glorify Thy life-creating and saving resurrection.

And these other stichera, of the Theotokos: Special Melody: “Called from on high…’’—

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

God the Son, Who was timelessly [begotten] of the unoriginate Father, became man for the sake of [His] condescension and the salvation of men, that He might then grant paradise to first-created [Adam]. Then was all nature delivered from the deception of the serpent, and He saved the fallen image, in that He is the One Who changeth all for the better. Hence, He made [His] Mother a pure and undefiled Bride who gave birth. Her do we all bless as [our] anchor and haven.

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

In thy womb, O thou who art blessed of God, thou didst hold the incarnate Creator of all, Who refashioned man who of old had fallen through the crime of the serpent; for thou didst give birth for us ineffably to God in the flesh, and by thy birthgiving hast freed from corruption all nature which hath waxed old. Wherefore, we hymn and glorify thy grace, O Virgin unwedded. Cease thou never to pray that our souls be saved.

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

That thou mightest disclose unto us all the multitude of [thy] mercy and the boundless depth of [thy] goodness, thou hast wiped away the sins of thy servants; for, as Mother of God, O most immaculate one, thou hast authority [over] creation, and by thy power arrangest all things as thou desirest. For the grace of the Holy Spirit, manifestly abiding in thee, doth always assist thee in everything, O most blessed one.

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

The Son Who is glorified with the Father and the Spirit in the highest by the seraphim, desiring to restore first-created [Adam], ineffably emptied all of Himself into thy womb, O most lauded Theotokos; and shining forth from thee, Christ God, the Savior of our souls, hath illumined the whole world by [His] divinity, delivering mankind from the madness of idolatry, hath deified it within Himself, and led it up to the heavens.

Then, “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart…”, Trisagion, and after 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 IV—

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

Bowing down unceasingly before Thy life-creating Cross, O Christ God, we glorify Thy resurrection on the third day; for thereby Thou hast restored corrupted human nature, O Almighty, and hast renewed for us the ascent of the heavens, in that Thou alone art good and lovest mankind.

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

Thou hast loosed the penalty for the disobedience committed through the tree, O Savior, having been nailed of Thine own will to the Tree of the Cross; and having descended into hades, O Mighty One, as God Thou didst break asunder the bonds of death. Wherefore, we worship Thy resurrection from the dead, crying out with joy: O Lord Almighty, glory be to Thee!

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

Thou didst break down the gates of hades, O Lord, and didst destroy the kingdom of death; and Thou didst free the human race from corruption, granting life, incorruption and great mercy to the world.

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

Come, O ye people, let us hymn the Savior’s rising on the third day, whereby we have been delivered from the unbreakable bonds of hades, and have all received incorruption and life, crying out: O Thou Who alone lovest mankind, Who wast crucified, buried and hast arisen, save us by Thy resurrection!

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

Angels and men hymn Thy rising on the third day, O Savior, whereby the ends of the whole world have been illumined, and we have all been delivered from enslavement to the enemy, crying out: O Savior, almighty Creator of life, Who alone lovest mankind, save us by Thy resurrection!

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.

Thou didst crush the gates of bronze, didst break their chains, O Christ God, and didst raise up the fallen human race. Wherefore, we cry out together: O Lord Who hast risen from the dead, glory be to Thee!

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

Thy begetting by the Father is everlasting and outside of time, O Lord; Thine incarnation from the Virgin is ineffable and indescribable for men; and Thy descent into hades is fearsome for the devil and his angels. For, having trampled down death, Thou didst arise on the third day, granting to men incorruption and great mercy.

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 VIII.; Special Melody: “O all-glorious wonder…”—

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

He Who is God of all, Who took flesh of Thy blood, O most pure Theotokos, hath shown thee to the faithful as their protection, the intercessor and champion of all amid need and grievous circumstances, a right calm haven amid the storm. Wherefore, from all sorrow and affliction do thou save all who have recourse to thy divine protection.

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

Let me glorify and venerate, let me honor and hymn, let me ever raise a song to thy divine name, O all-blessed Mistress, that thou leave me not who flee to thy protection, to be a joy to the foe. But with the pinions of thy precious prayers do thou ever preserve me whole from all temptations.

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

Rejoice, O all-pure Mother of God! Rejoice, hope of the faithful! Rejoice, cleansing of the world! Rejoice, thou who deliverest thy servants from all sorrows and art the destroyer of death! Rejoice, O thou who didst bear Life! Rejoice, O comforter! Rejoice, O helper! Rejoice, O [our] refuge!

Glory…, from the Menaion, if there be a doxasticon.

Now & ever…: The dogmatic theotokion—

The Prophet David, the forefather of God, for thy sake gave voice beforehand in psalmody concerning thee, unto Him Who in thee accomplished mighty works: the Queen stood at Thy right hand. For God Whose good pleasure it was to become incarnate of thee without father showed thee, His Mother, to be the mediatress of life, that He might renew His image which had become corrupt through the passions; and having found the sheep which had strayed among the mountains and become lost, He taketh it upon His shoulders and bringeth it to His Father; and Christ, Who is possessed of great and rich mercy, in accordance with His will, uniteth it with the hosts of heaven, and saveth the world, O Theotokos.

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 IV—

Having ascended the Cross, O Lord, Thou didst destroy the ancestral curse; and descending into hades, Thou didst free the prisoners of ages past, granting incorruption to the human race. Wherefore, chanting, we glorify Thy life-creating and saving resurrection.

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

Suspended on the Tree, O Thou Who alone art powerful, Thou didst shake all creation; and laid in the tomb, Thou didst raise up those who lived in the graves, granting incorruption and life to the human race. Wherefore, chanting, we glorify Thine arising on the third day.

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

Iniquitous men, having given Thee over to Pilate, O Christ, condemned thee to be crucified, showing themselves ungrateful for Thy benefactions. And of Thine own will Thou didst endure burial and didst rise of Thine own accord, as God, on the third day, granting us never-ending life and great mercy.

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

The women, arriving at the tomb in tears, sought thee; and finding Thee not, they said, lamenting and crying out with weeping: “Woe to us, O our Savior, Thou King of all! How is it that Thou hast been stolen? What place holdeth Thy life-bearing Body?” And an angel answered them: “Weep not, ” he said, “but, going forth, proclaim that the Lord hath risen, granting us joy, in that He alone is compassionate!”

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

Mercifully regard the supplications of thy servants, O all-immaculate one, quelling the uprisings of the cruel demons against us, delivering us from every sorrow; for thee alone have we as a steadfast and sure confirmation, and we have acquired thine intercession; let not us that call upon thee be put to shame, O Mistress. Haste thou to answer the entreaty of those who cry out to thee with faith: Rejoice, thou help, joy and protection of all, and salvation of our souls!

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

Resurrectional troparion, in Tone IV—

Having learned the splendid tidings from the angels and cast off the ancestral curse, uttering praise the women disciples of the Lord said to the apostles: Death hath been cast down! Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy!

Theotokion: The mystery hidden from before the ages and unknown even to the angels, through thee, O Theotokos, hath been revealed to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake and, thereby raising up the first-formed man, hath saved our souls from death.

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 IV—

Ode I

Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.

O all-pure one who alone defendest those who ardently flee beneath thy protection amid perils and tribulations, in that thou art all-good accept our heartfelt entreaties.

Ignorant though I am, I have found thee to be a tranquil haven repelling dangers and violent assaults, O thou who gavest birth to the God-man, and I chant hymns of thanksgiving unto thee.

Glory…: Regarding me, who am stuck fast amid evil circumstances and sorrows, with thy meek and merciful eye, O Theotokos, quickly free me there from, for I call upon thee for help.

Now & ever…: In that thou alone art a good and merciful intercessor for thy servants, O Mistress, extend the hand of entreaty and deliver from cruel misfortunes me who am grievously bowed down by violent tribulations.

Ode III

Irmos: The bow of the mighty is become weak, and the strengthless have girded themselves with power; wherefore, my heart is established in the Lord.

Having acquired thee as a mighty weapon and a rampart, O Theotokos who knewest not wedlock, I vanquish the hordes of the adversary and hymn thy mighty works.

Thou destroyest the furnace of griefs and dost extinguish the burning heat of despair, O Virgin Theotokos. Who then is a hope for us like unto thee?

Glory…: Attend unto the voice of thy servant who am in need of thy help, O Mother of God. O my hope, hearken unto me and rescue me from perils!

Now & ever…: Oppression hath come upon us because of the multitude of our transgressions, bearing pernicious death; but save thy servants, O Theotokos, for thou art able so to do.

Ode IV

Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Thou hast vanquished those who make war upon me in vain, for they strove cruelly to make my soul captive. Preserve me, O Mistress, have mercy upon me and save me, for I, thy servant, flee unto thee.

Delivering me from the tongue which speaketh falsehood, O my good ally, show me forth as unpunished for the deeds of my life, for, in that thou art the Mother of the Creator, thou art able to accomplish much.

Glory…: Afflicted as I am, I know thee to be a painless physician, and I cry to thee with my mouth: O Mistress, heal me, have mercy on me, and save me, for I, thy servant, flee unto thee.

Now & ever…: Leave me not to be given over to tortures, O Mother of our God, but preserve me unharmed by any affliction and the malice of men; for thou art the helper of us all.

Ode V

Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.

Set the supplication of thy servant forth before the Lord thy Son, O pure one, that I may obtain remission of my many transgressions.

Deliver me from sufferings and misfortunes, O Bride of God, for God hath truly appointed thee as cleansing for my lowliness.

Glory…: Thou art my protection and sure boast, O Mistress Theotokos, for thou dost in nowise spurn those who have recourse unto thee.

Now & ever…: Have mercy upon those who worship thine Offspring, O pure one, and deliver them from the torment and bitterness of men; for thou art able so to do.

Ode VI

Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Thy side.

O all-pure Mistress, thou thyself art my strength amid the exceeding hopeless sorrows which beset me; and I cry unto thee, for thou art a mighty protectress for thy servant.

Heal thou my spiritual wounds, O all-pure Virgin, help me, and deliver thy servant from slander, attack and undeserved ruination.

Glory…: Crush thou those who unjustly assail me who ever flee unto thee, and leave me not to their destruction, for all things are possible for thee, O pure one, in that thou art the Theotokos.

Now & ever…: Quell thou the savage billows of my soul, O Mistress, for a multitude of transgressions, temptations and sorrows have risen up against me; but do thou thyself save me.

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

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV—

Benighted in mind by many transgressions, prodigal that I am, I cry out for thy mighty aid, O Theotokos: Illumine the eyes of my soul, shine upon me the radiant effulgence of repentance, and array me in the armor of light, O pure Theotokos.

Ode VII

Irmos: O all-hymned Lord God of our fathers, Who saved the children of Abraham in the fire, slaying the Chaldæans whom justice rightly overtook: blessed art Thou!

Quickly routing the assault of the Moslems with the weaponry of thy prayers, O Mary, preserve thy people and flock who cry out to thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

O thou who art equal in majesty to the tabernacle, receive me who flee to thee, that the enemy not seize me, desiring to destroy me who cry: O all-exalted God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Glory…: O Mary Theotokos, go thou quickly before me, thy servant, who am drowning, helpless, amid the threefold billows of perils, and who cry to thee: O thou hope of the ends of the earth, have mercy upon me!

Now & ever…: By thy divine supplications, O good Theotokos, do thou dispel my human thoughts, in that they are the cause of sins, and deliver thy servant from painful dangers and all harm.

Ode VIII

Irmos: O Almighty Deliverer of all, descending into the midst of the flame Thou didst bedew the pious youths and didst teach them to chant: Bless and hymn the Lord, all ye works!

An iniquitous nation hath assailed us, boasting that it will destroy thy servants; but, destroying it, O all-pure one, protect those who cry: Bless and hymn the Lord, all ye works!

Thy manifold compassions mercifully save us from sinful judgment and divers perils, O only Mother of God, for, having given birth unto God, thou takest pity on His world.

Glory…: Since thou art our might and help, I am undaunted by the wrath of the enemy, but I hymn thee, O Mistress, and cry out to thy Son: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Now & ever…: Take pity now on my turmoil and grant me joy instead of grief, that I may hymn thee, O Mistress, and cry out to thy Son: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Ode IX

Irmos: Eve, through weakness, abode under the curse of disobedience; but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, hast put forth blessing for the world through the Offspring of thy child-bearing. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

Having sharpened his sword, the iniquitous and false Moslem taketh counsel against us; but with the power of the Cross and thy supplications, O Virgin Theotokos, thou armest thy servants against him; wherefore, we proclaim thy glory.

Might hath been given thee against the enemy and deliverance from misfortunes for me, O Mistress, and I know not what I shall offer thee; yet accept thou the thanksgiving which I bring to thee: Receive it now, and save me!

Glory…: O most radiant Mother of the Creator of all, thou consolation of the grieving, intercessor for the drowning and helper of those who are in utter affliction: Keep me safe throughout my life!

Now & ever…: Disdain me not who am beset by many sins and misfortunes, O most hymned one, for I now offer thee the sacrifice of praise, earnestly crying out to thee: O holy Mistress, help me, for I conclude my hymnody, glorifying 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
“The fourth hymn unto God”, the composition of Metrophanes, in Tone IV—

Ode I

Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.

Let us glorify the divine Trinity of hypostases, the single nature of the Three, which is coeternal and equally enthroned; and entreating Him, let us say: Save those who glorify Thee with faith!

Anointed with deifying oil by the Father through the Spirit, the Son became man and taught [man that] the only Godhead is in three Hypostases.

Glory…: Unable to gaze upon the beauty of Thine unapproachable glory, O three-Sunned Unity, the seraphim cover themselves with their wings and unceasingly glorify Thee with thrice-holy hymns.

Now & ever…: Ineffably didst thou give birth unto the Creator of all, Who delivereth men from the ancient curse and the corruption of death. Through thee, O all-pure one, have we come to know God in three Hypostases.

Ode III

Irmos: Neither in wisdom, nor in power, nor yet in riches do we boast, but in Thee, O Christ, the hypostatic Wisdom of the Father; for none is holy save Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

In that of old, O Christ, Thou didst send the Comforter from the Father upon Thy holy apostles [as] power from on high, Thou didst reveal the one three-sunned Essence.

When Thou didst appear to the Patriarch Abraham in human guise, O triune Unity, Thou didst show forth the immutability of Thy goodness and dominion.

Glory…: O only God, Who art believed on as in three Persons, Who art manifestly uncircumscribable and incomprehensible to all: deliver our souls from every tribulation.

Now & ever…: Guided by the all-wise precepts of thy Son, we glorify the only thrice-radiant Godhead and bless thee, the Ever-virgin.

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Special Melody: “Go thou quickly before…”—

O three-Sunned, uncreated and consubstantial Unity, unapproachable and in three Hypostases: Take pity on Thy servants, and as Thou art our merciful God, save us from misfortunes; for Thee, O Lord, do we have as our only Deliverer and Master, and we cry out: Be Thou merciful unto us!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Beset by many evil circumstances and the assaults of the wicked, and ever falling into despair, O Virgin Theotokos, we have thee alone as our salvation, hope and bulwark; and as is meet we now entreat thee with faith: Save thy servants!

Ode IV

Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine hath come on a light cloud, and with His incorrupt arm hath saved those who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

With the seraphim we glorify Thee, the transcendent Trinity, the dominion in the unity of the Godhead, for Thou art the inseparable Essence, unapproachable, though equal in glory, O unattainable God.

As Thou art ineffably separate persons of the Godhead, united in might and a single dominion, and alone art infinite and uncircumscribable, we hymn Thee, the Creator of all creation.

Glory…: The unoriginate Mind ineffably begat the Word and sent forth the divine Spirit, Who is equal in might; wherefore, we proclaim the consubstantial Trinity to be God, the Master of all.

Now & ever…: Seen by the ancients in images, the Word announced His incarnationof thee, [O Theotokos]; and having appeared to men in later times, He truly revealed the one Principle in three Hypostases.

Ode V

Irmos: All things are filled with awe at thy divine glory; for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, didst contain within thy womb Him Who is God over all, and gavest birth to the timeless Son, granting peace unto all who hymn thee.

Knowing through faith the all-accomplishing Godhead, the one unapproachable Essence, and the three life-creating Hypostases, we worship them equally—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: the equally eternal Being.

O three-Sunned Light, shine Thou upon me the single Divinity, the uncreated Essence, of Thine essential light. O light-creating Well-spring, illumine me with everything that is luminous, that I may contemplate Thine ineffable beauty.

Glory…: Thou alone art truly the Creator and Sustainer of all things, the all-wise Pilot, the Bestower of life; wherefore, we cry out to Thee with faith: O three-Sunned Master, preserve those who hymn Thee!

Now & ever…: He Who created [man] in His goodness and showed forth [in him] the divine form of [His] image, desiring to deify him who of old had become corrupt, through thee became man and proclaimed the one, triune Godhead.

Ode VI

Irmos: Prefiguring Thy three-day burial, the Prophet Jonah, praying within the sea monster, cried out: Deliver me from corruption, O Jesus, King of hosts!

When Christ was baptized, the Father, speaking, revealed His Sonship, and the Spirit became visible; wherefore, we glorify the one, triune Godhead.

When Isaiah beheld Thee seated upon an exalted throne, hymned by thrice-holy voices, he recognized the trinitarian Hypostasis of the one Godhead.

Glory…: Show Thou the hearts of us, Thy servants, to be uplifted, O exalted King in three Hypostases, that we may clearly behold the effulgence of Thy glory.

Now & ever…: In that he loveth mankind, the Son of God desired to take visible form through the Virgin in our form, and He made men to share in divine glory.

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Special Melody: “Go Thou quickly before…”—

Pondering upon the unbegotten Father, the begotten Son and the Holy Spirit Who proceedeth from the Father, we proclaim the one beginningless kingship and divinity; and rendering glory, with one mind we cry: O consubstantial Trinity our God, save us!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

O all-pure one, thou didst supernaturally give birth in the flesh, within time, unto the God-man, Who transcendeth time and existeth from before the ages. Wherefore, confessing thee to be truly and rightly the Theotokos, we all earnestly cry out to thee: Vouchsafe unto us everlasting glory!

Ode VII

Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

Emulating in Orthodox manner the celestial essences all-arrayed and the noetic ranks, all of us mortals glorify the one Godhead in three Hypostases equally active. Twice

Glory…: The sayings of the holy prophets of old revealed Thee in images to be the one Creator of all the ages, the ineffable God and Lord in three divine Hypostases.

Now & ever…: O Thou Who art in essence the invisible and all-accomplishing Word, Thou didst manifest Thyself unto men as a man through the pure Mother of God, calling man to share in Thy divinity.

Ode VIII

Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions’ mouths in the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

O thrice-radiant and single Light, beginningless Essence, incomprehensible Beauty: Make Thine abode within my heart, and show forth as a temple of Thy divinity, splendid and pure, me who cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord! Hymn and exalt Him supremely forever! Twice

Glory…: O indivisible Trinity, unconfused Union, deliver me from the divers passions and the darkness of transgressions, and illumine me with Thy divine rays, that I may embody Thy glory and hymn Thee, the Lord of glory.

Now & ever…: As Thou art Mind, Essence, Power and Being—the unbegotten Father, the Word of like form with Him, and the equally enthroned Spirit—O transcendent and ineffable Trinity and Unity Who doest mighty works, preserve Thy flock through the supplications of the Theotokos, for Thou art in essence He Who loveth mankind.

Ode IX

Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, honoring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!

I now direct my whole heart and mind, and the inclinations of my whole soul and body, unto Thee, my Creator and Deliverer; and I cry unto Thee, O thrice-radiant sole Dominion: Save me, Thy servant, from all manner of temptations and tribulations. Twice

Glory…: Elevate our mind and thought unto Thee, the Most High, and illumine me with Thine all-pure radiance, O Father, Word and Comforter, Who dwellest in light unapproachable, O Sun of glory, Ruler of light, that I may ever glorify Thee, the one God in three Hypostases.

Now & ever…: Save those who believe in Thee, O Lord, and who proclaim the one, eternal, beginningless Essence, the three Persons of Thy divine and identical dominion; and through the entreaties of the pure Mother of God, vouchsafe us Thy divine glory.

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 Kingship 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 the unoriginate God the 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, Thou 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 became ineffably incarnate of the Virgin, for the cherubim tremble and quake before Him, and the angelic armies glorify Him.

Hypacoï, in Tone IV—

Running on before, the myrrh-bearing women proclaimed Thine all-glorious arising to the apostles, O Christ: how, as God, Thou didst arise, granting great mercy to the world.

The rest of Nocturns, and the Dismissal.

Sunday Morning at Matins

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

Gazing upon the entrance to the tomb, and unable to endure the angel of flame, the myrrh-bearing women marvelled, trembling, and said: “Hath He been stolen away Who hath opened paradise to the thief? Or hath He risen Who even before His suffering proclaimed His resurrection? Truly, Christ hath risen, granting life and resurrection unto those in hades!”

Stichos: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be lifted high; forget not Thy paupers to the end. In Thy voluntary counsel Thou didst endure the Cross, O Savior, and in a new tomb mortal men laid Thee Who by Thy word didst create the ends of the earth. Wherefore, the alien one was bound, death taken grievously captive; and all those in hades cried out to Thy life-bearing resurrection: Christ hath arisen, remaining the Bestower of life forever!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Joseph marvelled, beholding that which transcendeth nature, and pondering thy seedless conception he dwelt in thought upon the dew which fell upon the fleece, the bush unconsumed by the fire, and the rod of Aaron which put forth branches. And thy guardian and betrothed cried out to the priests: “The Virgin giveth birth, and even after birthgiving remaineth virgin!”

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

Thou didst arise from the tomb as One Immortal, O Savior, and by Thy power didst raise Thy world up with Thyself, O Christ our God; in might Thou didst crush the dominion of death, O Merciful One, and hast shown forth the resurrection unto all. Wherefore, we glorify Thee, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind!

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

Having descended from the heights of heaven and approached the stone where the Stone of life had lain, Gabriel, arrayed in white, cried out to those who wept: “Cease your cries of lamentation, O ye who have mercy now with you! Be of good cheer, for He Whom ye seek, weeping, hath truly arisen! Wherefore, cry out to the apostles that the Lord hath risen! And receiving this joy, worship the Risen One! Be ye of good cheer, that Eve also may rejoice!”

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

All the choirs of the apostles marvelled at the dread mystery of thy birthgiving, O pure one: how He Who holdeth all things in one hand is held in thine arms as a man, how the Preëternal One receiveth the beginning, how He Who in His ineffable goodness nurtureth every creature is fed with milk. And praising thee, they glorify thee as the true Mother of God.

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

Running on before, the myrrh-bearing women proclaimed Thine all-glorious arising to the apostles, O Christ: how, as God, Thou didst arise, granting great mercy to the world.

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

Antiphon I

From my youth have the many passions warred against me. But do Thou help and save me, O my Savior.

O ye who hate Sion, ye shall be put to shame by the Lord; for ye shall be withered up like grass by the fire.

Glory…: By the Holy Spirit is every soul given life, exalted by purity, and made radiant by the unity of the Trinity in a sacred and mystical manner.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon II

From the depths of my soul have I cried out to Thee, O Lord. Let Thy divine ears be attentive unto me.

Everyone who hath set his hope on the Lord is higher than all who sorrow.

Glory…: Through the Holy Spirit do streams of grace flow, watering all creation, unto its enlivening.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon III

Let my heart be lifted up unto Thee, O Word, and let none of the delights of the world beguile me, unto my weakening.

We who have love for our mothers must needs be yet more ardent in our love for the Lord. +Glory…: From the Holy Spirit is the richness of divine vision, sight and wisdom; for in Him doth the Word reveal all the precepts of the Father.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Prokimenon, in Tone IV—

Arise, O Lord, help us, and redeem us for Thy name’s sake,

Stichos: O God, with our ears have we heard, for our fathers have told us.

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, the composition of John of Damascus, in Tone IV

Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.

Stichos: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord!

Thou wast lifted up upon the Tree of the Cross, setting aright our fall, O Master, and healing the destruction wrought by the tree, in that Thou art good and almighty.

Thou wast in the tomb bodily and in hades with Thy soul, as God; Thou wast in paradise with the thief and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, O Christ, Thou Infinite One Who fillest all things.

Theotokion: At the will of the Father, through the divine Spirit thou didst conceive the Son of God without seed and gavest birth unto Him in the flesh. He Who was begotten of the Father without mother came forth from thee without father for our sake.

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

Irmos: I will open my mouth…

Thou didst heal the affliction of mankind, O Lord, restoring it by Thy divine blood; and Thou didst break him who is mighty in power, who of old broke Thy creature.

Through death Thou becamest the resurrection of the dead; for the might of mortality was removed when it fought with eternal Life, the incarnate God Who hath mastery over all things.

Theotokion: More beautiful than the heavenly hosts did Thy divine and animate temple become: the Virgin, the holy mountain which bore Thee in her womb.

Canon of the All-holy Theotokos, the acrostic whereof is: 
“The fourth ode to the most glorious Maiden”

Irmos: O Thou Who wast born of the Virgin, drown Thou, I pray Thee….

The people were shaken, the nations were troubled, and mighty kingdoms bowed down out of fear of thine Offspring, O pure one. For my King came: He cast down the tyrant and hath delivered the world from corruption.

Christ, Who dwelleth in the highest and descended unto mortal man, sanctified thee as His dwelling-place, and showed thee forth as unshaken. For Thou, having borne the Creator, hast remained a treasury of virginity after childbirth.

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

Ode III

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!

The Tree of life, the true noetic Vine, hangeth upon the Cross, pouring forth incorruption upon all.

As One great and awesome, as the One Who cast down the arrogance of hades, and as God incorrupt, Thou hast arisen in the flesh.

Theotokion: Thou alone, who in manner transcending nature art the mediatress of good things for those on earth, becamest the Mother of God; wherefore, we offer thee “Rejoice!”

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and abundant fountain…

O Savior, the serpent sank into me his fangs, full of venom, which Thou didst break with the nails which pierced, Thy hands, O Almighty Master; for there is none among the saints as holy as Thou, Who lovest mankind.

Of Thine own will Thou wast seen, dead, in the tomb, O Bestower of life; and Thou hast overthrown the gates of hades for the souls held prisoner from ages past; for there is none among the saints as holy as Thou, Who lovest mankind.

Theotokion: Thou hast been shown to be the unploughed furrow, having given birth to the Grain of life, the Mediator of immortality for all who partake of the Holy One Who in holiness abideth among the saints.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Willingly didst Thou descend from on high to earth….

The essence of men is purified, having been united through thee with the unbearable divine Fire, O all-pure Virgin, baked into Bread which was hid within thee, and Who preserved thee unharmed.

Who is this who is truly close to God? For, having surpassed all the ranks of the angels, she alone shineth forth as the Mother of the Almighty in the beauty of virginity.

Ode IV

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

In the suffering of Thine all-pure flesh in which Thou hadst willingly clothed Thyself, Thou didst ascend the Cross, healing my passions; wherefore, we cry out to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Death, having tasted Thy sinless and life-creating body, O Master, died as was meet; and we cry out to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Theotokion: Thou gavest birth without knowing wedlock, O Virgin, and even after giving birth thou remainest a virgin still; wherefore, with steadfast faith we cry aloud to thee, “Rejoice, O Mistress!”

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Perceiving the inscrutable counsel of God…

Israel of the law refused to acknowledge Thee as God Who made the law, O Christ; instead, violating the law, they nailed Thee to the Tree as a transgressor, and are now unworthy of the law.

Thy divine soul, O Savior, having captured the treasuries of hades, raised up with itself the souls of ages past; and Thy life-bearing body hath poured forth incorruption upon all.

Theotokion: All of us glorify thee as the Ever-virgin and the true Theotokos, whom the bush which mingled with fire without being consumed prefigured for Moses who beheld God, O all-pure one.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead….

The Invisible One, becoming visible, dwelt with men; He Who is in the form of the unapproachable Divinity took on a form alien to Himself through thee, O Maiden, and He saveth those who acknowledge thee to be the pure Mother of God.

The Virgin received the Immaterial One into material participation in matter, when He became a babe through her; wherefore, He alone is known in two essences: as incarnate God and transcendent man.

He Who made His abode within thee and was born of thee without seed remained God the Word and preserved thee as virgin during thy birthgiving and virgin after birthgiving, in that He is the Master and Maker of all creation.

Ode V

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.

In Thy mercy Thou didst descend to earth, O Lord; and, lifted up upon the Tree, Thou didst raise up fallen human nature.

Thou, O Christ, hast taken away the condemnation of my transgressions; and Thou, O Compassionate One, hast destroyed the pangs of death by Thy divine resurrection.

Theotokion: Thee do we wield as an invincible sword against the enemy, O Bride of God, for we have acquired thee as our confirmation and hope of salvation.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: All things are filled with awe…

Mindless hades seized Thee in its maw; for, having seen Thee nailed to the Cross, pierced by the spear, bereft of breath, it thought that Thou, the living God, wast a simple man. But testing the might of Thy divinity it understood.

The grave and hades divided the ruined temple of Thy body, O Thou Who lovest mankind, and both were against their will compelled to pay a fine: the one by giving up the souls of Thy saints, and the other their bodies, O Immortal One.

Theotokion: Behold! now hath the prophecy of the prophets been fulfilled! For thou, O Virgin who knewest not wedlock, didst have within thy womb Him Who is God over all, and gavest birth to the timeless Son for all, Who giveth peace unto all who hymn thee.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: “Now I shall arise, now I shall be glorified….

The Son of God, making His abode within thee, made thee for us a house of glory, the holy mountain of God, His bride, bridal-chamber and temple of sanctity, a paradise of everlasting delight, O pure one.

Through the Virgin’s blood, O Christ, Thou didst receive blood which is seedless, all-pure, hypostatic, reasonable and noetic, animate, active, with a will, possessed of its own power, self-governing.

The womb of the Virgin confounded the understanding of the tyrants; for her Babe sustained the soul-destroying sting of the serpent, cast down the proud apostate, and subdued him beneath the feet of the faithful.

Ode VI

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Thy side.

Girded about with power, Thou didst ascend the Cross, and as God didst wrestle with the tyrant. And Thou didst cast him down from the heights and with invincible power didst raise up Adam.

Radiant and comely, Thou didst arise from the tomb, O Christ, and didst drive away all the enemies by Thy divine power; and as God Thou hast filled all with gladness.

Theotokion: O wonder newest of all wonders! For when the Virgin, without knowing man conceived in her womb, Him Who sustaineth all things, He was not confined.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: I have come unto the depths of the sea….

Hades opened its maw and swallowed me, and, mindless, it puffed up its soul; but Christ, descending, led up my life, in that He loveth mankind.

Death hath perished through death; for He Who slew death hath arisen, granting me incorruption; and appearing to the women He proclaimed immortal joy.

Theotokion: Thy womb was shown to be the pure receptacle of the unbearable Godhead, O Theotokos, which the ranks of heaven were unable to gaze upon without fear.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Same as the foregoing.

Of old the serpent beguiled and slew me through my first mother Eve; but now, O pure one, He Who fashioned me hath through thee called me back from corruption.

The Abyss of compassion ineffably showed thee to be His chosen abyss of miracles, O Maiden; for from thee hath Christ the pearl shone forth through the lightning-flashes of His divinity.

Kontakion, in Tone IV—

My Savior and Deliverer hath from the grave, as God, raised up mortals from their bonds and broken down the gates of hades; and as Master He hath arisen on the third day.

Ikos: O all ye mortals, let us all hymn Christ, the Bestower of life, Who hath arisen from the dead and the grave on the third day, demolished the gates of death by His own power today, slain hades, broken the sting of death, and freed Adam and Eve; and let us earnestly cry out praise, for He alone, as the only mighty God and Master, hath arisen on the third day.

Ode VII

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

Mankind, washed in the divine blood of Christ, hath been recalled to incorruption, and in thanksgiving it chanteth: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

Thy tomb, the well-spring of our resurrection, hath been shown to be more splendid than any royal chamber, O Christ, for it bore the Life and is truly more beautiful than paradise.

Theotokion: Rejoice, divine and sanctified dwelling of the Most High! For through thee, O Theotokos, hath joy been given unto those who cry: Blessed art thou among women, O most immaculate Mistress!

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: The divinely wise youths worshipped not a creation…

Lifted up upon the Tree, He Who hath saved man laid low the lofty eye and cast overweening pride down to the ground. O all-hymned Lord and God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

By Thy power lift up the horn of those who serve Thee, O Thou Who arose from the dead and emptied hades of its former riches, the souls of many men, O Master. O all-hymned Lord and God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Triadicon: Following the words of God, we glorify the one Godhead united in three Lights, indivisible, the eternal Flame which enlighteneth all creation, which crieth: Blessed art Thou, O God!

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The three youths in Babylon, having put to mockery….

The fire of love for the Virgin which is within my heart moveth me to hymnody, so that I cry out to the Mother and Virgin: O blessed one, the Lord of hosts is with thee!

Thou wast shown to transcend creation, in that thou gavest birth to the Creator and Lord; wherefore, O Theotokos, I cry out to thee: O blessed one, the Lord of hosts is with thee!

Triadicon: Worshipping Thee, the one Dominion in three sanctities, indivisible, I hymn Thee, the Essence in three Hypostases, crying out to Thee, O Blessed One, Who directest all things.

Ode VIII

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions’ mouths in the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Stretching forth Thy hands, Thou didst gather in all the nations, O Master, and didst reveal the one Church which hymneth Thee, unto those in heaven and on earth, who sing together: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord! Hymn and exalt Him supremely forever!

The angel clad in white, resplendent in the unapproachable light of the resurrection, appeared to the women, crying: “Why seek ye the Living in the tomb as one dead? Truly Christ hath arisen!” And unto Him do we cry: All ye works, hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Theotokion: Alone among all generations, O all-pure Virgin, thou hast been shown to be the Mother of God; and thou wast the habitation of the Divinity, O most immaculate one, who wast not consumed by the fire of the unapproachable Light. Wherefore, we all bless thee, O Mary, Bride of God.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: The birthgiving of the Theotokos saved the pious…

Creation, beholding Thine unjust slaughter, veiled itself in darkness and lamented; for when the earth was troubled, the sun clothed itself in gloom as in a black robe. And we unceasingly hymn and exalt Christ supremely forever.

Having descended to me, even unto hades, and made resurrection a way for all, thou didst ascend again, taking me with Thee on Thy shoulder, and didst bring me to the Father. Wherefore, I cry out to Thee: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Triadicon: Let us glorify the one God of all—the Father, Who alone is unoriginate, the first Mind and Cause of all, and the Word Who is without beginning, and the Spirit Comforter—worshipping and exalting the united Trinity for all ages.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: O Almighty Deliverer of all….

The Lord of all, Who fashioned thee of the rib of Adam, became incarnate of thy virginity. Unto Him do we cry out, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works, and exalt Him supremely forever!

In a shadow Abraham beheld the mystery which is in thee, the Theotokos; for he received thine incorporeal Son, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works! Hymn and exalt Him supremely forever!

The prefiguration of thy virginity saved those who were equal in number to the Trinity; for in their virginal bodies they trampled down the flame, O Virgin, crying: Bless the Lord, hymn and exalt Him supremely forever!

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: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Thou didst wholly receive all of me into union with Thee without confusion, O my God, through Thy suffering which Thou didst endure bodily on the Cross imparting salvation wholly unto me, for the sake of Thy great compassion.

Beholding Thy tomb open and the God-bearing grave-clothes emptied by Thy resurrection, with the angels Thy women disciples said: Truly the Lord hath risen!

Triadicon: Worshipping the Oneness of the divine Essence, the Trinity of Hypostases, and honoring rightly that which is in unconfused Hypostases, equal in power and one as to adoration, let us magnify It, all ye faithful.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy…

Having deceitfully caused me to fall, the serpent took me captive away from Eden; but on the hard stone of Golgotha the Lord Almighty dashed him as he were a babe, and through the tree of the Cross opened the entrance to delight again to me.

The mighty fortresses of the enemy hast Thou now brought to desolation; and with Thine almighty hand Thou hast plundered his riches, O Christ Who raised me up with Thyself from the wastelands of hades; and an object of scorn hast Thou shown him to be who of old boasted beyond measure.

Come Thou, and, visiting the affliction of Thy poor people, strengthen Christians, Thine excellent inheritance, with Thy merciful and mighty arm, O Christ, in that Thou lovest mankind.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The ineffable hidden mystery….

We behold thee as a lily, arrayed in a robe dyed by the divine Spirit, O all-pure one, resplendent amid thorns and filling with sweet fragrance those who sincerely magnify thee.

The Incorrupt One, receiving corrupt human nature from thy womb, O most immaculate one, showed it to be incorrupt within Himself, in His lovingkindness; wherefore, we magnify thee as the Theotokos.

As the Mistress of all creatures, grant thy people triumphant victory, making the enemy pacific toward the Church, that we may magnify thee, the Theotokos.

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 IV—

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

O Almighty Lord, Who didst endure the Cross and death, and didst rise from the dead, we glorify Thy resurrection!

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

By Thy Cross, O Christ, hast Thou freed us from the ancient curse; by Thy death hast Thou set at naught the devil who tormenteth our nature; and by Thine arising hast Thou filled all with joy. Wherefore, we cry aloud to Thee: O Lord Who hast risen from the dead, glory be to Thee!

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

By Thy Cross, O Christ our Savior, guide us to Thy truth, and deliver us from the snares of the enemy. O Thou Who hast risen from the dead, through the supplications of Thy saints do Thou raise us up who have fallen through sin, stretching forth Thy hand to us, O Lord Who lovest mankind.

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

Without separating Thyself from the bosom of the Father, O only-begotten Son of God, Thou didst come to earth in Thy love for mankind, becoming a man immutable; and Thou didst endure death in the flesh, O Thou Who in Thy divinity art foreign to suffering. And having risen from the dead, Thou hast given immortality to the human race, in that Thou alone art Almighty.

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

Thou didst accept death in the flesh, mediating immortality for us, O Savior, and didst make Thine abode in the tomb, that Thou mightest free us from hades, raising us up with Thyself. Therefore, Thou didst suffer as a man, but didst rise as God, for which cause we cry out: Glory to Thee, O Lord, Bestower of life, Who alone lovest mankind!

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

The stones fell, O Savior, when Thy Cross was planted on Golgotha; and the gatekeepers of hades were struck with fear when Thou wast laid in the tomb as one dead. For Thou, O Savior Who hast set at naught the might of death, hast by Thy resurrection granted incorruption unto all the dead. O Lord, Bestower of life, glory be to Thee!

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

The women desired to see Thy resurrection, O Christ God, but Mary Magdalene came, arriving before them, and found the stone rolled away from the tomb and an angel seated thereon, who said: “Why seek ye the Living among the dead? He is risen, as God, that He might save all!”

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

Tell us, O Jews, where is Jesus Whom ye thought to guard? Where is He Whom ye placed in the tomb, sealing the stone? Give up the dead one, O ye who rejected Life, or believe on the Risen One! For if ye try to silence the word of the Lord’s rising, the stones will cry out, especially the one which rolled away from the tomb! Great is Thy mercy! Great is the mystery of Thy dispensation! O our Savior, glory be to Thee!

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 the resurrectional troparion—

Having risen from the tomb, and having burst the bonds of hades, Thou hast destroyed the sentence of death, O Lord, delivering all from the snares of the enemy. Manifesting Thyself to Thine apostles, Thou didst send them forth to preach; and through them hast granted Thy peace to the world, O Thou Who alone art plenteous in mercy.

And the Dismissal. 

Sunday at Divine Liturgy

On the Beatitudes, these troparia, in Tone IV—

By the tree [of knowledge] was Adam forced to depart from paradise; and by the tree of the Cross was the thief made to dwell in paradise. For the one by tasting broke the commandment of the Creator; while the other, crucified with Him, confessed the hidden God, crying out: Remember me in Thy kingdom!

O Lord Who wast lifted up upon the Cross, Who hast destroyed the power of death and as God hast destroyed the record of our sins, grant also the repentance of the thief unto us who faithfully serve Thee and cry out to thee, O Christ God Who alone lovest mankind: Remember us also in Thy kingdom!

On the Cross Thou didst tear asunder with the spear the record of our sins; and, numbered among the dead, Thou didst bind the tyrant of hades, O Lord Who lovest mankind, Who by Thy resurrection hast delivered all from the bonds of hades. Thereby have we been illumined, and we cry to Thee: Remember us also in Thy kingdom!

O Thou Who alone art immortal, Who wast crucified and as almighty didst arise from the tomb on the third day, and hast raised up Adam, the first created: Vouchsafe that I also may turn to repentance with my whole heart, and may ever cry out to Thee with fervent faith: Remember me, O Savior, in Thy kingdom!

For our sake He Who is without passion became a man subject to the passions; and, nailed of His own will to the Cross, He hath raised us up with Himself. Wherefore, we glorify His Cross, passion and resurrection, whereby we have been refashioned and whereby we also are saved, who cry out: Remember us also in Thy kingdom!

O ye faithful, let us entreat Him Who hath risen from the dead, hath made captive the dominion of hades, and wast seen by the myrrh-bearing women and said to them: “Rejoice!”, that He deliver from corruption the souls of us who ever cry out to Him with the voice of the noble thief: Remember us also in Thy kingdom!

Triadicon: O ye faithful, let us all pray, that with one mind we may worthily glorify the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the unity of the Trinity in three Hypostases, unmingled, abiding, simple, indivisible and unapproachable; for thereby have we been delivered from fiery torment.

Theotokion: O Christ, most merciful Master, Thy Mother, who gave birth unto Thee in the flesh without seed, the true Virgin, who remained incorrupt even after giving birth, do we set before Thee to make the supplication: Grant forgiveness of transgressions unto those who ever cry out to Thee: Remember us also in Thy kingdom!

Prokimenon, in Tone IV—

How magnified are thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all.

Stichos: Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly.

Alleluia, in Tone IV—

Stichos: Bend thy bow, and proceed prosperously, and be king, because of truth and meekness and righteousness.

Stichos: Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity.