Tone VII

Sunday

Saturday Evening at Little Vespers

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

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

Come, let us rejoice in the Lord Who hath broken the might of death and enlightened the human race; and let us cry out with the incorporeal ones: O our Creator and Savior, glory be to 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.

For our sake, O Savior, Thou didst endure the Cross and burial. And as God Thou didst slay death by death. Wherefore, we bow down before Thy rising on the third day. O Lord, glory be to Thee!

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

Beholding the resurrection of the Creator, the apostles marvelled, chanting angelic praise. This is the glory of the Church! These are the riches of the kingdom! O Lord Who suffered for our sake, glory be to Thee!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion—

Awesome and ineffable is the mystery wrought in thee, O undefiled one; for through the Holy Spirit thou gavest birth, in manner transcending cause and recounting, unto the incarnate Word, the Cause of all, Who received flesh of thee, His own nature remaining immutable. For when both came together self-subsistently into one Person, a Being dual in nature resulted: fully God and fully man, perfect in both, showing forth characteristic energies. For though He suffered on the Cross in the flesh, as God He remained dispassionate; and while He died as a man, He returned to life on the third day, as God, having cast down the might of death and delivered mankind from corruption. Him do thou entreat as the Deliverer and Savior of our race, O Mother of God, that He send down upon us the great mercy of His compassions.

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 VIII—

Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Savior of the world, and with Thy flesh didst raise men up. Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

And these other stichera, of the Theotokos, in the same tone: Special Melody: “Disdaining transitory things…”—

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

O Virgin, thou wast the dawning of the noetic Sun Who came to the western lands of our nature; and as thou dost have boldness, O most lauded Theotokos, entreat Him, that He free our souls from our boundless transgressions.

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

O Virgin, thou didst manifestly put forth the Rod from the root of Jesse, Who destroyed the delights of deception at the root. And as thou hast boldness, pray unceasingly, O most lauded one, that He uproot the passions of my heart, plant fear of Him therein, and save me.

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

O portal of God, deliver me from the gates of hades, and show me the way of repentance whereby I may find the gate which leadeth to life. O guide of the lost, preserve the generation of faithful men, and save our souls!

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

Of thee, O most holy Virgin Theotokos, was Christ our God ineffably born, Who is truly the preëternal God and the new man. As the one, He is eternal, and He became the other for our sake, preserving within Himself the character of each nature, shining forth with miracles by the one, and confirming them by His sufferings by the other. Wherefore, being One and the Same, He dieth as a man and riseth as God. Him do thou entreat, O pure one who knewest not wedlock, that our souls be saved!

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 VII—

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

Come, let us rejoice in the Lord Who hath broken the might of death and enlightened the human race; and let us cry out with the incorporeal ones: O our Creator and Savior, glory be to Thee!

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

For our sake, O Savior, Thou didst endure the Cross and burial. And as God Thou didst slay death by death. Wherefore, we bow down before Thy rising on the third day. O Lord, glory be to Thee!

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

Beholding Thy resurrection, the apostles marvelled, chanting angelic praise. This is the glory of the Church! These are the riches of the kingdom! O Lord Who suffered for our sake, glory be to Thee!

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

Thou wast seized by iniquitous men, O Christ, yet Thou art my God, and I am not confounded. Thou wast beaten on the shoulders, yet I shun Thee not. Thou wast nailed to the Cross, and I do not conceal it. I boast in Thine arising; for Thy death is my life. O almighty Lord Who lovest mankind, glory be to Thee!

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

Fulfilling the prophecy of David, Christ revealed His majesty to the disciples in Sion, showing Himself to be ever-laudable and glorious, with the Father and the Spirit, and to be the One Who, as the Word, was incorporeal in the beginning, was later incarnate for our sake, was slain as a man, and arose with power as He Who loveth mankind.

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

Thou didst descend into hades as Thou didst will, O Christ; Thou didst overthrow death as God and Master; and Thou didst rise on the third day, raising up Adam with Thyself from the bonds of hades and corruption; and he cried out, saying: Glory to Thy resurrection, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind!

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

Thou wast laid in the tomb as one asleep, O Lord, and didst rise on the third day as one powerful in might, raising up Adam with Thyself from the corruption of death, in that Thou art almighty.

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 II: Special Melody: “When from the Tree…”—

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

Thou art the joy of the angels; thou art the glory of men; thou art the hope of the faithful, O most lauded Mistress, our intercessor; and to thee do we flee in every need, that by thine entreaties, O Bride of God, all of us who hymn thee may be delivered from the enemy’s darts of soul-destroying pestilence and from all sorrows.

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

Thou art my hope, O Theotokos; thou art mine intercessor, rampart and refuge, O all-hymned Mistress, who without knowing man gavest birth in the flesh to God, the Savior of the world. By thine entreaties deliver us from the temptations, misfortunes and evil circumstances which beset us, O thou who alone art the refuge of Christians.

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

Quell the assaults of my flesh; quench the flame of my passions, O Theotokos; drive from me the wicked heat of my desire, and make my nature again immune to every demonic attack, O Virgin, that in stillness of heart and dispassion of soul I may hymn thee, the most lauded one.

Glory…, from the Menaion.

Now & ever…: The dogmatic theotokion—

Thou hast been known to have become a Mother in supernatural manner, O Theotokos, and hast remained a Virgin in manner past recounting and understanding; and no tongue can describe the wonder of thy birthgiving. For as thy conceiving is all-glorious, so is the manner of thy birthgiving beyond comprehension; for where God so willeth, the order of nature is overruled. Wherefore, knowing thee to be the Mother of God, we all earnestly entreat thee: Pray thou that our souls 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 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 VII—

Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Savior of the world, and with Thy flesh didst raise men up. Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

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

Come, let us worship Him Who hath risen from the dead and enlightened all; for He hath freed us from the tyranny of hades, and by His resurrection on the third day hath granted us life and great mercy.

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

Thou didst descend into hades and make death captive, O Christ; and rising on the third day, Thou didst raise up with Thyself those who glorified Thine almighty arising, O Lord Who lovest mankind.

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

Awesome wast Thou, lying in the tomb as one asleep, O Lord; and rising on the third day as One mighty, Thou didst raise up Adam, who cried: Glory to Thy resurrection, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind!

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

Having recourse unto thy protection, O Mistress, all of us born of earth cry aloud to thee: O Theotokos, our hope, deliver us from our countless transgressions, and save thou our souls.

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

Resurrectional troparion, in Tone VII—

By Thy Cross Thou didst destroy death; Thou didst open paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the lamentation of the myrrh-bearing women [into joy], and didst command the apostles to proclaim that Thou, O Christ God, hast arisen, granting great mercy to the world.

Theotokion: As thou art the treasury of our resurrection, O all-hymned one, lead up from the pit and abyss of transgression those who trust in thee, for thou who gavest birth to our Salvation hast saved those who are subject to sin. O thou who before giving birth wast Virgin, and during thy birthgiving wast virgin, thou remainest a Virgin even after giving birth.

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 VII—

Ode I

Irmos: Unto Him Who crushed battles with His arm and drowned the mounted captains let us sing, as to our God and Deliverer, for He hath been glorified.

In song we offer unto thee as an adornment gifts of thanksgiving and the divine hymn, “Rejoice now, O pure one!”, for thou hast given us joy instead of grief.

We shall not remain silent concerning the grace of thy mercy and the might of thy protection, O all-pure Virgin, for thou hast saved us from grievous misfortunes.

Glory…: Delivered from divers trials and tribulations by thy maternal supplications, O all-pure one, together we all fervently chant to thee hymns of thanksgiving.

Now & ever…: Arrayed in the golden robes of the virtues and the grace of the Spirit, O all-pure one, adorned as the Bride of the Father, thou wast truly shown to be the Mother of God.

Ode III

Irmos: O Lord and Savior, Who in the beginning established the heavens by Thine omnipotent Word and confirmed all their power by the all-accomplishing and divine Spirit: establish me upon the immovable rock of the confession of Thee!

Let us earnestly offer cries of thanksgiving, honoring as our intercessor her who is the magnitude of divine joy and our gladness from the beginning.

Delivered by thee from misfortunes, and having received joy because of thee, O Mother who knewest not wedlock, we all glorify thee as a good bestower of gifts and a right laudable helper.

Glory…: Receiving release from transgressions and temptations by thy divine supplication, O Mother of Christ God, with cries of thanksgiving we faithfully hymn thee as the source of good things.

Now & ever…: The Mother of Christ God is the well-spring of joy which ever poureth forth streams of immortality; and she herself saveth all, for she is for us the bestowal of life everlasting.

Ode IV

Irmos: By Thy dispensation the virtue of Thine ineffable wisdom hath covered the heavens, O Christ God Who lovest mankind.

In gladness we offer thee the fitting hymnody of joy, O pure Virgin, having been delivered from misfortunes by thy supplications.

With the hands of our souls we thankfully raise hymnody unto thee, O pure Virgin, playing divine songs, having been delivered from great grief.

Glory…: The sinful passions have raised up many tribulations against us; but do thou deliver us by thy divine protection, O pure one.

Now & ever…: Truly blessed are those who honor thee, O all-pure Theotokos, for through thee have we been delivered from sin and grief.

Ode V

Irmos: Night is bereft of light for those without faith, O Christ, but for the faithful there is enlightenment in the sweetness of Thy words; wherefore, I rise early unto Thee and hymn Thy divinity.

O Virgin, thou gavest birth to Christ, the Destroyer of sin, by Whom the world hath been saved from perils and pain; wherefore, we who have been delivered from grief cry aloud unto thee: Rejoice!

Beset by divers perils, by grief and sorrow and adverse circumstances, O pure Mistress, we who were bereft of gladness have found thee to be our hope.

Glory…: As the preservation of salvation for us, thy servants, O pure one, thou dispellest dangers and keepest us unharmed; wherefore, we who have shared in thy manifold good things give thanks to thee with hymns.

Now & ever…: Delivered by thee from many sins, from sickness and pain, and from grievous illness, O all-pure Mistress, we give thanks unto thee; for thou art the sure hope of thy faithful servants.

Ode VI

Irmos: Having fallen into the abyss of sin, O Good One, like Jonah from the midst of the sea monster I cry unto Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, and save me, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Even the tongues of the angels are unable to sing thy praises fittingly, O pure one; but, acting now as servants, we offer thee the salutation of Gabriel.

Having fallen into the abyss of grief and evil circumstances because of our sins, we are delivered by thee from want and danger, O pure Virgin Theotokos.

Glory…: O pure one, the whole world is under debt to thank, praise and glorify thy grace with piety; for through thee have we been delivered from misfortunes and griefs.

Now & ever…: Day and night, openly and secretly, we who glorify thee with faith do flee beneath thy protection, O all-pure Virgin.

Then, Lord, have mercy! Thrice.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn, in Tone VII—

O Lord, we are Thy people and the sheep of Thy pasture. Like a shepherd return us who have strayed, and gather us together who have been scattered by corruption. Have mercy upon Thy flock and take pity upon Thy people, through the supplications of the Theotokos, O Thou Who alone art sinless.

Ode VII

Irmos: Cast into the fiery furnace, the venerable children transformed the fire into dew, crying out thus in hymnody: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

We offer thee the joy of thanksgiving, O Mother of God, for, truly delivered by thee from every evil power, we cry out to thee together: Blessed art thou!

We have come to dwell in the gloom of evening, in the tears of lamentation, in the expectation of evils; yet, deified by thy godly protection, O Virgin, we have found the joy of the morning: for thou hast saved us.

Glory…: Having acquired thy protection before God as a divine refuge amid perils, persecutions and sins, O all-pure one, we all flee to thee, and through thee obtain release.

Now & ever…: With mouth and spirit we proclaim the grace of thy supplication, O pure and glorious one; for because of thee we are all delivered from danger and tempest, from grievous sorrows and the sin of the passions.

Ode VIII

Irmos: O ye priests and servants, and ye souls of the righteous, hymn and bless the Creator of the world, Who is awesome to the cherubim and wondrous to the seraphim, and exalt Him supremely forever.

As one delivered by thy supplications from the tempest of sin, from passions and perils, O good Theotokos, with a voice of thanksgiving we cry aloud unto thee: “Rejoice!”; for through thee have we passed from grief to joy.

O good one, disdain not those who are beset by sickness and danger; but, hearkening unto our poor entreaty, free us from great sorrows, that we may hymn thy supplication with faith, O pure one.

Glory…: O thou who hast caused our transgressions to be wiped away, raise us now up from griefs and perils, from human passions and unseemly temptations; and by thy divine entreaties, O Theotokos, all-gloriously deliver us therefrom.

Now & ever…: Truly Thy compassions ever rain down upon everyone, O Christ, through the grace and entreaties of her who gave Thee birth; for through Thee do we Christians receive Thy mercy, O merciful Savior.

Ode IX

Irmos: O ye faithful, with hymns let us magnify the Theotokos, who became a mother in manner transcending nature, is a Virgin by nature, and alone is blessed among women!

Delivered from divers temptations by thy supplications, O Theotokos, with the Angel Gabriel we now offer unto thee joy and a cry of jubilation, as is meet.

Joy and gladness and divine godly rejoicing have been multiplied upon us, O Virgin who knewest not man; for, lo! we who sorely weep rejoice through thy supplications.

Glory…: With tongue and voice I shall offer unto thee a sacrifice of praise, O Virgin, and shall earnestly utter a hymn of thanksgiving unto thee that, praying to thee, I may be delivered by thee on the day of grief.

Now & ever…: We piously rejoice together in thy divine birthgiving, O all-pure one; for thou hast poured forth joy upon us in the midst of perils and griefs. Wherefore, with thanksgiving we who faithfully praise thee chant hymnody unto thee.

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

Sunday Morning at Nocturns

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

And then, the Canon to the Holy & Life-creating Trinity, the acrostic whereof is “I praise Thee, O Trinity, Thou sole reigning Essence”: the composition of Metrophanes, in Tone VII—

Ode I

Irmos: By Thy hand was the nature of water, which before was fluid, transformed into solid form, O Lord. Wherefore, having passed through it dryshod, Israel chanteth to Thee a hymn of victory.

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

The noetic mouth of my heart and my material lips do Thou open for Thy praise, O only thrice-radiant God of all, that I may chant hymnody of thanksgiving unto Thee, the Bestower of light.

That Thou mightest show forth the abundance of Thy goodness, Thou didst create man, who is the mere image in clay of Thy ruling image, O Creator, Trinity infinite in power.

O unoriginate Mind, Who didst beget the coeternal Word and shine forth the equally-beginningless Spirit: Vouchsafe that we may worship the one God in three Hypostases, alike as to Their essence.

Theotokion: O Word of God, Thou didst appear to Moses in the bush as a purifying fire which in no wise consumed it, prefiguring Thine incarnation from the Virgin, whereby Thou didst refashion men.

Ode III

Irmos: O Lord and Savior, Who in the beginning established the heavens by Thine omnipotent Word and confirmed all their power by the all-accomplishing and divine Spirit: establish me upon the immovable rock of the confession of Thee.

Hymning Thee, the one, thrice-radiant and all-accomplishing Master, O God infinite in power, we beg deliverance from sins and temptations. Disdain not those who with faith glorify Thy goodness.

God the Word appeared from the Father as doth an offshoot from an unoriginate root, and He is equal in might with the conjoined and divine Spirit; wherefore, O ye faithful, let us glorify the Trinity of Persons, the one Dominion.

O ye faithful, let us all glorify the one reigning Trinity, the Essence in three Hypostases, indivisibly and indistinguishably equal in glory and conjoined; and rendering worship, let us ask forgiveness of offenses.

Theotokion: O Word of God, having immutably taken on the likeness of men, Thou didst manifestly issue forth from the pure Maiden, and didst show unto all the thrice-radiant Godhead of immutable Hypostases one in essence.

Lord, have mercy! Thrice

Sessional hymn, in Tone VII: Special Melody: “He Who for my sake…”—

Have mercy on Thy servants who have sinned, O Holy Trinity; accept those who repent before Thee, O Compassionate One, and vouch-safe unto them forgiveness.

Glory…: Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Bless thou our souls, which are afflicted by sins, O most pure Theotokos, and from transgressions deliver those who hymn thee, O Bride of God.

Ode IV

Irmos: O Christ God Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, didst descend to earth: I have heard the mystery of Thy dispensation, and have glorified Thee, Who alone lovest mankind.

O sustaining and thrice radiant Unity, divine and salvific for all, protect now those who hymn Thee, and save them from tribulation, sufferings and every affliction.

Perplexed by the sayings which signify Thine unapproachable and thrice-radiant Divinity, we hymn Thee, O Lord Who lovest mankind, and glorify Thy power.

With the incorporeal choirs in the heavens, we on earth distinguish between Thy Persons, O Unity and Trinity, and with love we glorify Thee as the One Who hath dominion over all.

Theotokion: Without leaving the glory of the Father, of Thine own will Thou didst condescend unto our lowliness, becoming incarnate, O Transcendent One; and Thou didst raise it up to divine glory, in that Thou art full of lovingkindness.

Ode V

Irmos: Night is bereft of light for those without faith, O Christ, but for the faithful there is enlightenment in the sweetness of Thy words; wherefore, I rise early unto Thee and hymn Thy divinity.

O Trinity of Persons, light-creating Essence, Unity in counsel, glory and worship: Establish us in Thy love. Twice

Glorifying the Mind, the Word and the Spirit, the divine, three-Sunned Essence, we beg deliverance from temptations and all tribulations.

Theotokion: Taking form in human nature through the holy Virgin, O Word of God, Thou didst teach men to hymn the Trinity in Unity, sharing the same form and equally enthroned.

Ode VI

Irmos: Sailing amid the tumult of the cares of life, I founder with the ship of sin and am cast to the soul-destroying beast; yet like Jonah I cry to Thee, O Christ: Lead me up from the deadly abyss!

We glorify the Dominion one in glory, the sole reigning Godhead in three Hypostases which are immutably joined One with Another, distinguished only as to the origin of Each. Twice

The noetic ranks of the beauties of the angels praise Thee, O three-Sunned Godhead; and with mouths of clay we also faithfully hymn and glorify Thee as the one Creator of all.

Theotokion: At the strange words [of the archangel] the Word Who was begotten before the ages as another Sun, of the Father Who is the Sun, shone forth from the Virgin in latter times, and preached the incomprehensible God Who is One in three Persons.

Lord, have mercy! Thrice

Sessional hymn, in Tone VII: Special Melody: “Brighter than fire…”

O consubstantial Trinity, Unity of all in three Hypostases, have mercy upon those Thou hast created, O Immortal One, burning up the evils of transgressors and enlightening the hearts of those who sing to Thy lovingkindness: O our God, glory be to Thee!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion:—

More brilliant than light, fire is the mercy of thy grace, O Mistress, burning up the sins of men and bedewing the thoughts of those who praise thy mighty works, O all-immaculate Theotokos.

Ode VII

Irmos: Cast into the fiery furnace, the venerable children transformed the fire into dew, crying out thus in hymnody: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

O thrice-radiant God, unapproachable and transcendent Unity, ever shining with the splendors of rays of light, save those who piously believe on Thee and worship Thee, O Master.

Following the sayings of the divine prophets, Thee only, the one God of all in three Persons, do we glorify, crying out thus: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

With lips of dust, O Holy Trinity, do we hymn Thee with songs together with the immaterial ranks, crying out to the Unity of Essence: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Theotokion: That He Who fashioned Adam might fashion him anew, He manifestly became incarnate of thee, O most pure one, deifying men, who cry out thus: Blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, O all-pure one!

Ode VIII

Irmos: The bush on Sinai which partook of fire without being consumed revealed God unto Moses, who was slow of speech and spake with difficulty; and zeal of God showed forth as, unvanquished in the fire, the three children, chanted: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely forever!

Vouchsafe that those who hymn Thee may be enlightened with the illuminating rays of the thrice-radiant Sun, and may now behold Thy beauty, O Trinity and Unity. And grant this ever, as far as is possible, unto all who with fitting faith hymn Thy greatness for all ages.

Thou dost hold all things, O unoriginate Dominion in Trinity and Unity, and dost direct heaven and the earth. Wherefore, keep me ever drawn by Thy love, that I may chant unto Thee: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Make me a temple of Thy thrice-radiant effulgence, O Benefactor Who lovest mankind, and show me to be immune to communion and fellowship with the invisible foe and the carnal passions, O my God, sole Ruler and Lord of glory, that I may hymn Thee for all ages.

Theotokion: The divine Light Who shone forth from thy womb, O all-pure Mother of God, hath illumined the whole world with the light of the threefold Sun, and shown the earth to be another heaven, which singeth: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Ode IX

Irmos: O Mother of God and Virgin, thou gavest birth yet remainest a virgin still, and this was not a work of nature, but of the condescension of God; wherefore, we ever magnify thee as her who hath been vouchsafed divine wonders.

We who are clay are unable worthily to hymn with exalted speech Thee Whom the seraphim unceasingly hymn in the highest; yet do we dare to magnify Thee as the Master of all Who art full of love for mankind.

Deliver those who hymn Thee from illness of body and the passions of the soul, O Trinity one and indivisible; and vouchsafe that we may be preserved unharmed by all the trials of life.

O dominion equal in power, divine, thrice-radiant and omnipotent, immutable Beauty of essential goodness: Grant remission of transgressions unto Thy servants, and deliver us from temptations and sufferings.

Theotokion: Receiving mind and soul and fleshly substance from thine all-pure womb, O Theotokos, God the Word truly became man; and He manifestly showed man to share in the divine nature.

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 VII—

O Christ God, Who assumed our form and endured the Cross in the flesh, save me by Thy resurrection, in that Thou lovest mankind.

The rest of Nocturns, and the Dismissal. 

Sunday Morning at Matins

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

Life lay in the tomb, and the seal lay upon the stone. The soldiers guarded Christ as they would a sleeping king, and the angels glorified Him as immortal God. And the women cried aloud: The Lord hath risen, granting great mercy to the world!

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

O Christ God, Who by Thy burial madest death captive, and Who by Thine arising raised up man who had become corrupt: Glory to Thee, in that Thou lovest mankind!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

O Virgin Theotokos, unceasingly entreat Christ our God, Who for our sake was crucified, rose again, and cast down the dominion of death, that He save our souls.

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

While the tomb was sealed, Thou didst shine forth life from the grave, O Christ God; and while the doors were shut, Thou, the Resurrection of all, didst stand before the disciples, through them renewing an upright spirit for us, according to Thy great mercy.

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

The women ran to Thy tomb, bearing myrrh and tears; and while the soldiers were keeping watch over Thee, the King of all, they said to themselves: “Who will roll away the stone for us?” But the Angel of great Counsel had arisen, trampling down death. O Lord almighty, glory be to Thee!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos full of grace, haven and intercession for the human race, for of thee did the Deliverer of the world become incarnate, for thou alone art both Mother and Virgin, ever-blessed and all-glorious. Entreat Christ God, that He grant peace to all the world.

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

O Christ God, Who assumed our form and endured the Cross in the flesh, save me by Thy resurrection, in that Thou lovest mankind.

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

Antiphon I

O Savior Who turned the captivity of Sion away from falsehood, grant life unto me, rescuing me from enslaving passions.

He who with tears soweth the afflictions of fasting in the south shall reap sheaves of joy and everlasting life.

Glory…: Through the Holy Spirit cometh the well-spring of divine treasures: from Him are wisdom, understanding and fear, and to Him are due praise and glory, honor and dominion.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon II

If the Lord buildeth not the house of the soul, in vain do we labor; for without Him is no work or word made perfect.

Moved by the Spirit, the saints, made true children through adoption by the Son, have transmitted the teachings of the Father.

Glory…: Through the Holy Spirit doth everything come into being; for, from before the beginning of time, He hath been the God of all, the Lord of all, the unapproachable Light, and the Life of all.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Antiphon III

Having found the paths of life, they who fear the Lord are blessed, now and forever, with incorruptible glory.

Seeing thine offspring like the trunks of trees round about thy table, rejoice and be glad, leading them to Christ, the Chief Shepherd.

Glory…: From the Holy Spirit come an abyss of gifts, a wealth of glory and great depths of judgment; for, equal in glory with the Father and the Son, He is worshipped with Them.

Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

Prokimenon, in Tone VII—

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

Stichos: I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart.

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 VII

Irmos: By Thy hand was the nature of water, which before was fluid, transformed into solid form, O Lord. Wherefore, having passed through it dryshod, Israel chanteth to Thee a hymn of victory.

Stichos: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord!

By the Tree was the tyranny of death overthrown, when Thou wast condemned to an unjust death, O Lord; thus, utterly unable to vanquish Thee, the prince of darkness was rightly banished.

Hades drew nigh to Thee, but his fangs were unable to rend Thy body, and his jaws were broken; wherefore, having destroyed the pangs of death, O Savior, Thou didst arise on the third day.

Theotokion: The pangs of our first mother Eve have been eased, for, eluding pain, thou gavest birth without knowing man. Wherefore, clearly knowing thee to be the Theotokos, O all-pure one, we all glorify thee.

Canon of the Cross & the Resurrection

Irmos: He Who crusheth battles…

On the Cross the Savior poured forth two life-bearing streams for us from His pierced side. Let us chant unto Him, for He hath been glorified.

Having dwelt in the tomb and arisen on the third day, Christ, the Expectation of the nations, granted incorruption unto mortals. Let us chant unto Him, for He hath been glorified.

Theotokion: Thou alone wast shown to be a virgin even after giving birth; for thou gavest birth unto the Creator for the world. Wherefore, we all cry out to thee: Rejoice!

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: By Thy hand was the nature of water…(see above, first canon).

O Virgin who gavest birth to the Abyss of lovingkindness, illumine my soul with thy luminous effulgence, that I may hymn the abyss of thy wonders as is meet.

Seeing us wounded by the dart of sin, the Word took pity on us, as our Benefactor; wherefore, the All-divine One ineffably united Himself to flesh He had received from thee, O most pure one.

The corrupt and mortal nature of man was seized by death, O Mistress; but when thou didst conceive Life, thou didst lift it up from corruption unto life.

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

Ode III

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: O Lord and Savior, Who in the beginning established the heavens by Thine omnipotent Word and confirmed all their power by the all-accomplishing and divine Spirit: establish me upon the immovable rock of the confession of Thee!

Having ascended the Tree, O compassionate Savior, of Thine own will Thou didst experience pain for our sake and didst endure the wounding which won reconciliation and salvation for the faithful. And thereby have we all been reconciled with Thy Father, O Merciful One.

Having cleansed of sores me who was wounded by the sting of the serpent, O Christ, Thou didst show forth light unto me who from of old have lain in darkness and corruption; for having descended into hades through the Cross, Thou didst raise me up with Thyself.

Theotokion: Through the entreaties of Thy Mother who knew not man, O Savior, grant peace to the world, and vouchsafe Thine ineffable glory unto those who glorify Thee.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: O Thou Who lovest mankind, Who established the heavens…

O Thou Who alone lovest mankind, Who endured sufferings upon the Cross and, as God and Benefactor, opened paradise to the thief, make my mind firm in Thy will.

O Thou Who alone lovest mankind, Who arose from the grave on the third day and, as the Bestower of life and God, shone forth life upon the world, establish my mind in Thy will.

Theotokion: O Mary, Virgin and Mother, as thou didst conceive God without seed and hast delivered Eve from the curse, entreat God Who became incarnate of thee, that He save thy flock.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: O Lord and Savior, Who in the beginning…

The serpent who slithered forth from Eden, beguiling me with a desire to become a god, hath cast me down to the ground; but He Who is merciful and compassionate by nature, having made His abode within thy womb and become like unto me, O Virgin Mother, hath taken pity and deified me.

Blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, O Virgin Theotokos, thou joy of all; for for the whole world thou gavest birth unto the Joy and Gladness which truly dispelleth the grief of sin, O Bride of God.

O Virgin Theotokos, thou didst truly give birth for us to eternal Life and Peace, causing men’s ancient battle against God the Father to cease, through thy faith and confession of grace.

Ode IV

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: O Christ God Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, didst descend to earth: I have heard the mystery of Thy dispensation, and have glorified Thee, Who alone lovest mankind.

Giving His shoulders over to stripes, the innocent Master, Who was incarnate of the Virgin, was beaten by a most sinful servant, loosing mine offenses.

Standing before the tribunal of iniquitous judges, the Judge is examined as one indicted; and He Who judgeth the earth with righteousness and as God formed man is smitten by a hand of clay,

Theotokion: In that thou art truly the Mother of God, entreat thy Creator and Son, O most immaculate one, that He guide me to the saving haven of His glorious will.

Canon of the Cross & the Resurrection

Irmos: In latter times, the prophet…

O Lord Who knowest not sin, yet because of it didst become that which Thou wast not: Thou takest form, receiving that which is alien to Thee, that Thou mightest save the world and slay the deceiving tyrant.

Thou wast uplifted upon the Cross and didst release our forefather Adam from his sin, for which cause I have heard of Thy power; for Thou didst come to save all Thine anointed ones.

Theotokion: When Thou didst die, O Thou Who wast born of the Virgin, Thou didst give life unto Adam who erred in mind; and death was terrified of Thy might, for Thou didst come to save all who had fallen under corruption.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: O Christ God Who, without leaving…

O most hymned one, who even before creation appeared to God as wholly elect and beauteous in the splendor of thy radiance, enlighten those who hymn thee.

For man, O pure one, thou gavest birth unto God, Who became incarnate of thy pure blood, and delivereth from many offenses those who with love glorify and honor thee, O Mother and Virgin. Reason-endowed nature, having now learned the ineffable mystery of thy birthgiving, O most hymned and all-blessed one, offereth priestly ministry unto Him Who shone forth from thee.

Ode V

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Night is bereft of light for those without faith, O Christ, but for the faithful there is enlightenment in the sweetness of Thy words; wherefore, I rise early unto Thee and hymn Thy divinity.

For Thy servants art Thou betrayed, and Thou endurest blows to Thy cheeks, which win freedom for those who chant: I rise early unto Thee and hymn Thy divinity!

By Thy divine power, O Christ, Thou didst cast down the mighty one with Thy weak human flesh, and by Thy resurrection thou hast shown me to be a victor over death, O Savior.

Theotokion: O pure Mother, Thou gavest birth unto God, Who as God became incarnate of thee, O most hymned one; and though thou hadst no concourse with the male gender, yet dost thou give birth through the Holy Spirit.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Rising at dawn unto Thee out of the night…

When Thou wast numbered with the outlaws, Thou didst ascend Golgotha. And the lights of heaven hid themselves, the earth quaked, and the veil of the temple was rent in twain, making manifest the apostasy of the Jews.

With hymns we glorify Thee, Who destroyed all the power of the tyrant with the might of Thine unapproachable divinity, and raised up the dead by Thy resurrection.

Theotokion: O most hymned Theotokos, Mother of our God and King, by thine entreaties send down cleansing of transgressions upon those who with faith and love ever praise thee in hymns.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Night is bereft of light…

Beholding the ladder set firmly in the highest, Jacob understood it to be an image of thee, O thou who knewest not wedlock; for through thee hath God come into fellowship with men, O most pure Mistress.

Having now found everlasting deliverance through thee, O Virgin, we earnestly cry out to thee, “Rejoice!”, O Bride of God; and uplifted to joy by thy light, O most hymned one, we hymn thee in songs.

The Bridegroom found thee alone like a lily among thorns, shining with the radiance of purity and the light of virginity, O Virgin, and He took thee to be His Bride, O most immaculate one.

Ode VI

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Sailing amid the tumult of the cares of life, I founder with the ship of sin and am cast to the soul-destroying beast; yet like Jonah I cry to Thee, O Christ: Lead me up from the deadly abyss!

The souls of the righteous imprisoned in hades and left there, remembered Thee and besought salvation of Thee, which through the Cross Thou didst grant to the nether regions, O Christ, having come there full of lovingkindness.

The choir of the apostles despaired of ever seeing again Thine animate temple not made by man, which was destroyed by Thy sufferings; yet, beyond hope, they worshipped Thee and everywhere proclaimed Thee risen.

Theotokion: Who among men can explain the manner of thine ineffable birthgiving which took place for our sake, O Virgin Bride of God? For God the Word, Who is uncircumscribable, uniting Himself to thee, became flesh through thee.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Jonah cried out…

Lifted up upon the Cross of Thine own will, O Savior, Thou didst make captive the dominion of the enemy, nailing the record of our sins to it, O Good One.

Rising from the dead with power, O Savior, Thou didst raise up the human race with Thee, granting us life and incorruption, in that Thou lovest mankind.

Theotokion: O Theotokos, never cease to entreat our God, to Whom thou didst ineffably give birth, that those who hymn thee may be delivered from misfortunes, O pure Ever-virgin.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Sailing amid the tumult…

The images of the law and the foretellings of the prophets clearly proclaimed beforehand thee, O pure one, who wouldst give birth to the Benefactor of all creation, Who continually and in manifold ways hath benefited those who hymn thee with faith.

The first-created Adam, who of old was banished from the divine delight of Eden through the treachery of the slayer of man, didst thou restore when thou gavest birth unto Him Who hath delivered us from his transgression, O thou who knewest not wedlock.

He Who by His divine will and creative power brought all things into being out of nothingness, issued forth from thy womb, O pure one, and with divine lightning flashes He hath illumined those who are in the darkness of death.

Kontakion, in Tone VII —

No longer is the might of death able to hold men, for Christ descended, crushing and breaking its power. Hades is bound, and the prophets rejoice together, saying: “The Savior appeared to those with faith, [exclaiming]: ‘Come forth, ye faithful, unto the resurrection!”‘

Ikos: Below, the uttermost depths, hades and death trembled today before One of the Trinity; the earth quaked, and the gatekeepers of hades, beholding Thee, were horrified. And all creation, rejoicing with the prophets, singeth a hymn of victory to Thee, our Deliverer and God, Who hast now destroyed the power of death. Let us exult and cry out unto Adam and his descendants, in that the tree of the Cross hath restored him to paradise: Come forth, ye faithful, unto the resurrection!

Ode VII

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: Of old, the children showed the fiery furnace to pour forth dew, hymning the one God and saying: Supremely exalted and all-glorious is the God of our fathers!

Through a tree death came to Adam, who of his own will committed disobedience; but through the obedience of Christ is he restored. For my sake is the all-glorious Son of God crucified.

All creation hath hymned Thee, O Christ, Who rose from the tomb; for Thou didst cause life to blossom forth for those in hades, and resurrection for the dead, and light for those in darkness, O All-glorious One.

Theotokion: Rejoice, daughter of corrupt Adam! Rejoice, only Bride of God! Rejoice, O thou who gavest birth to God, and through whom corruption was driven off! Him do thou beseech, O pure one, that we all be saved.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: Cast into the fiery furnace…

Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers, who didst break the sting of sin on the tree of the Cross, and with the spear which pierced Thy side didst tear asunder the record of Adam’s crime! Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers, Who wast pierced in the side and with the sprinkling of Thy divine blood didst cleanse the earth, which had been defiled by the blood of idolatrous sacrifices!

Theotokion: O Theotokos, upon the world thou didst shine forth Christ, the Light Who existeth from before the sun, and Who delivereth from darkness and with divine knowledge enlighteneth all who cry out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Of old, the children…(See above, first canon)

Thy Lord and Creator, O Virgin, loved thee, who art possessed of raiment embroidered with gold, wrought of many colors. Supremely exalted and all-glorious is the God of our fathers!

Receiving the burning coal of old, Isaiah was purified, O Maiden; and in signs he beheld thy giving birth to the supremely exalted and all-glorious God of our fathers.

Of old, the divine prophets, beholding images and signs of thy divine birthgiving, joyously cried out, chanting: Supremely exalted and all-glorious is the God of our fathers!

Ode VIII

Canon of the Resurrection

Irmos: The bush on Sinai, which partook of fire without being consumed, revealed God unto Moses, who was slow of speech and spake with difficulty; and the zeal of God showed forth the three children in the fire as invincible, who chanted: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely forever!

Slaughtered for the world, the all-pure Lamb brought an end to the sacrifices offered in accordance with the law, in that He is God, purifying it of transgressions, that it may ever cry: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Our flesh, which was assumed by the Creator, was not incorrupt before His suffering; but after His suffering and resurrection it was rendered untouchable by corruption, and restoreth mortals, who cry: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Theotokion: Thy pure and most unblemished state hath purified the vile and abominable state of the whole world, O Virgin; and thou becamest the cause of our reconciliation with God. Wherefore, O all-pure Virgin, all of us, His works, bless and exalt thee supremely for all ages.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: The only unoriginate King of glory…

Him Who of His own will endured sufferings, Who was nailed to the Cross at His own desire, and destroyed the power of hades, do ye hymn, O priests! Ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Him Who abolished the dominion of death, Who arose from the tomb in glory, and saved the human race, do ye hymn, O priests! Ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Theotokion: The only Compassionate One, the preëternal Word, Who was born of the Virgin in the latter days, and annulled the ancient curse, do ye hymn, O priests! Ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The bush on Sinai…(See above, first canon)

With the light of thy birthgiving thou didst strangely enlighten the whole world, O Theotokos; for in thine arms thou dost bear Him Who is truly God, Who enlighteneth the faithful, who ever cry: O all ye works of the Lord, hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O pure one, we piously hymn thy womb, which ineffably contained the incarnate God, Who hath given the enlightenment of the knowledge of God unto all the faithful, who ever cry: O all ye works of the Lord, hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

With the splendors of thy light thou hast rendered those who hymn thee luminous, O pure Theotokos, bearer of the Light; for thou wast shown to be the habitation of the Light, illumining with light those who cry: O all ye works of the Lord, hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

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

Ode IX

Canon of the Resurrection 

Irmos: O Mother who knewest not man, who gavest birth without experiencing corruption, and lent flesh to the Word Who hath fashioned all things, O Virgin Theotokos, thou receptacle of Him Whom naught can resist and dwelling-place of the Infinite: thee do we magnify.

O all ye of alien mind, who assume that the Divinity suffered, stop your mouths; for we magnify the Lord of glory crucified in the flesh, but not crucified in His divine essence, for He is One in two natures.

O ye who believe not in the resurrection of the body, come ye to the tomb of Christ and learn; for the flesh of the Bestower of life was dead and rose again, to assure us of the final resurrection, wherein we hope.

Triadicon: Worshipping a Trinity of Hypostases, not of Godheads, a Oneness of divinity, not of Persons, we cut off those who divide It; moreover, we confound those who dare to confuse that which we magnify.

Canon of the Cross & Resurrection

Irmos: O Mother of God and Virgin, thou gavest birth yet remainest a virgin….

Christ, the Light from Light, the Effulgence of the Father’s glory which shone forth timelessly, shone forth upon human life like Light in the darkness, and drove away the tormenting gloom. O ye faithful, let us magnify Him without ceasing.

Beholding in Christ sufferings of the flesh and the might of divinity, let those who reason that He is a single, commingled Being be put to shame; for as man He dieth, but as the Creator of all He riseth again.

“Myrrh is suitable for the dead, while hymnody is fitting for one who is alive. Tears are proper for the dying, but offer hymns O ye women, to the Life of all!”, the herald of the resurrection cried out, announcing the glad tidings of Christ’s arising.

Theotokion: “I know none other God than Thee, ” the Church crieth out to Thee. “O Word Who hast chosen me from among the unbelieving nations as Thy bride, grant salvation unto the faithful, through the supplications of her who gave Thee birth, in that Thou art compassionate.

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: O Mother of God and Virgin,…(See above canon)

Thou hast been the Mediatress of everlasting joy and gladness for us, O Ever-virgin Maiden, having given birth to the Deliverer Who delivereth those who worship Him as God in truth and by the divine Spirit.

David, thine ancestor, O all-pure one, hymning thee, calleth thee the ark of divine holiness, which supernaturally contained God Who sitteth in the bosom of the Father. O ye faithful, let us magnify Him without ceasing.

Thou art truly more exalted than all creation, O Maiden, for thou didst give birth bodily to the Creator of all for us; wherefore, as the Mother of the one Master, with authority thou dost carry the victory against all enemies.

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 VII—

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

Christ hath risen from the dead, bursting the bonds of death! O earth, proclaim great joy! Ye heavens, sing the glory of God!

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

Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, Who alone is sinless.

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

Let us not cease worshipping the resurrection of Christ; for the holy Lord Jesus, revealing His resurrection, hath saved us from our iniquities.

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

What shall we render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto us? God the Word, for the sake of us and our corrupted nature, took flesh, and dwelt among us men. To the thankless He came as Benefactor; to the captive as Liberator; to those sitting in darkness as the Sun of righteousness. On the Cross, He was dispassionate; in hades, He was light; in death He was life and resurrection for the fallen. Let us cry aloud to Him: O our God, glory be to Thee!

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

Thou didst break down the gates of hades, O Lord; with Thy mighty power Thou didst abolish the dominion of death; and by Thy glorious resurrection Thou didst raise up with Thyself the dead who slept in darkness from ages past, as King of all and almighty God.

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

Come, let us rejoice in the Lord and be glad in His resurrection; for with Himself He hath raised the dead up from the indissoluble bonds of hades, and as God He hath granted the world life everlasting and great mercy.

Stichos: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be lifted high; forget not Thy paupers to the end. The radiant angel sat upon the stone of the Life-receiving tomb and announced to the myrrh-bearing women, saying: “The Lord is risen, as He told you before! Proclaim ye to His disciples that He goeth before you into Galilee, and granteth the world life everlasting and great mercy!”

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

Why did ye cause the Cornerstone to be rejected, O most iniquitous Jews? Behold, He is the One Whom God set in Sion, Who poured water forth from the stone in the wilderness, and poureth forth immortality upon us from His own side. He is the Stone which was quarried from the mountain of the Virgin without desire of man, the Son of man Who goeth on the clouds of heaven to the Ancient of Days, as Daniel said, and His kingdom is eternal.

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 hath salvation come to the world! Let us chant unto Him Who hath risen from the tomb, the Author of our life; for having destroyed death by death, He hath granted us victory and great mercy.

And the Dismissal.

Sunday at Divine Liturgy

On the Beatitudes, these troparia, in Tone VII—

The fruit which slew me was beautiful and good to eat; but Christ is the Tree of life, and eating of Him I do not die, but cry out with the thief: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom!

O Compassionate One, Who wast lifted up upon the Cross, Thou hast erased the record of Adam’s ancient sin, and hast saved the whole human race from deception. Wherefore, we hymn Thee, O Lord and Benefactor.

Thou didst nail our sins to the Cross, O compassionate Christ, and by Thy death Thou didst slay death, O Thou Who didst raise up the dead from among the dead. Wherefore, we worship Thy holy resurrection.

The serpent once poured its venom into the ears of Eve; but on the tree of the Cross Christ poured forth the sweetness of life upon the world. Wherefore, we cry out: Remember us, O Lord, in Thy kingdom!

Thou wast laid in the tomb as one dead, O Christ, Thou Life of all; and Thou didst break down the gates of hades; and having risen again in glory on the third day as One mighty, Thou hast illumined all. Glory to Thine arising!

Having risen from the dead on the third day, the Lord bestowed His peace upon His disciples; and having blessed them, He sent them forth, saying: Lead all into My kingdom!

Glory…: The Father is light; the Son and Word is light; and the Holy Spirit is light. Yet the Three are one Light, for they are one God in three Persons, One in nature and origin, indivisible, unconfused and preëternal.

Now & ever…: For our sake thou gavest birth in the flesh to the Son and Word of the Father, in a way that He Himself knoweth, O Theotokos. Wherefore, O Virgin Mother, we who are deified through thee cry out to thee: Rejoice, O hope of Christians!

Prokimenon, in Tone VII—

The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.

Stichos: Bring unto the Lord, ye sons of God, bring unto the Lord the sons of rams.

Alleluia, in Tone VII—

Stichos: It is good to give praise unto the Lord, and to chant unto Thy name, O Most High.

Stichos: To proclaim in the morning Thy mercy, and Thy truth by night.