PERIOD OF MODE 2
ON SATURDAY EVENING
SMALL VESPERS
At, Lord, I have cried, we use 4 verses, and we sing the 3 Resurrectional Stichera of the Octoechos, the first one twice.
Glory. Both now. Theotokion, so-called the Dogmatic.
Mode 2.
What a grand mystery! I see the miracles, I proclaim the divinity, and I do not deny the humanity. For Emmanuel opened the gates of His mother’s organs, and as benevolent God He did not rupture the seals of her virginity. He came out of the womb as He had through hearing entered it. He was incarnate as He was conceived. Impassibly He entered, ineffably He came out, even as the Prophet said of old, “This gate shall remain shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it,” except the Lord, the God of Israel alone, who has the great mercy. [GOASD]
After, “O Lord, keep us this evening…” we sing the Resurrectional Sticheron, Your resurrection has illumined… and then the following Prosomoia:
Stichera for the Theotokos.
Mode 2. Joseph took You down.
Verse: I will remember your name from generation to generation. [SAAS]
For all who are troubled you are joy, * and of the abused a protectress, the paupers’ nourishment, * strangers’ consolation and a walking staff of the blind, * visitation of the infirm, * assistance and shelter * for the weary and oppressed, help of the orphans as well. * Hasten to deliver your servants, * fervently we beg you, O pure one, * since you are the Mother of the Most High God. [SD]
Verse: Listen, O daughter, behold and incline your ear, and forget your people and your father’s house. For the King desired your beauty. [SAAS]
Verse: The rich among the people shall entreat your favor. [SAAS]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
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GREAT VESPERS
After the introductory Psalm and the first Kathisma of the Psalter, at Lord, I have cried, we use 10 verses, and we sing 7 or 6 or 4 Resurrectional Stichera, and for the Saint of the day 3 or 4 or 6 if the it is a celebrated Saint.
Resurrectional Stichera from the Octoechos. Mode 2.
He who was begotten of the Father before all ages, God the Logos, became incarnate of the Virgin Mary. Come let us worship Him. He endured the Cross and submitted to burial, as He so willed. And then He rose from the dead, and He saved me and all humanity who had gone astray. [GOASD]
Christ our Savior nailed to the Cross the bond which stood against us, and thus He canceled it; and He destroyed the power of death. We worship His rising on the third day. [GOASD]
Let us join the Archangels and extol the Resurrection of Christ. He is the Redeemer and Savior of our souls; and He will come again, in awesome glory and mighty power, to judge the world which He created. [GOASD]
Additional Stichera by Anatolios.
After You were crucified and buried, an Angel declared to the women that You are the Master, and he said to them, “Come, see the place where the Lord lay. He has risen, as He said; for He is almighty.” We therefore worship You, the only immortal One. O Christ the Giver of Life, have mercy on us. [GOASD]
By Your crucifixion, You destroyed the curse of the tree; by Your burial, You killed the power of death; and by Your resurrection, You illumined the human race. Therefore we sing to You: O Benefactor, Christ our God, glory to You! [GOASD]
The gates of death opened to You for fear, and the doorkeepers of Hades quaked when they saw You. For You crushed the gates of bronze and You shattered the bars of iron, and You brought us out of darkness and the shadow of death, and You broke our chains to pieces. [GOASD]
Let us open our mouths and sing extolling our salvation. Come all in the house of the Lord, and let us pray to Him and say, “You were crucified on a tree, and You rose from the dead, and You always are in the bosom of the Father. We implore You to forgive our sins.” [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
When grace came, the shadow of the Law passed away. The bush of old was not consumed, even as it was burning; likewise you, a virgin, gave birth and still remained a virgin. Instead of the pillar of fire, the Sun of righteousness has risen. Instead of Moses, there is Christ, the salvation of our souls. [GOASD]
Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 2.
The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty.
Verse: The Lord clothed and girded Himself with power. [SAAS]
Verse: And He established the world, which shall not be moved. [SAAS]
At the Aposticha.
Aposticha. Mode 2.
Resurrectional.
Your resurrection has illumined the entire earth, O Savior Christ; and from the dead You summoned back Your creature. O almighty Lord, glory to You! [GOASD]
The Aposticha, which in Greek have the Alphabet as acrostic. By St. John of Damascus.
Verse: The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty; the Lord clothed and girded Himself with power. [SAAS]
O Savior, by a tree You lifted the curse of the tree; by Your burial You put to death the power of death; and by Your resurrection You illumined our human race. We therefore sing to You: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to You! [GOASD]
Verse: And He established the world, which shall not be moved. [SAAS]
When You, O Christ, were publicly nailed to the cross, creation’s beauty was altered. The Roman soldiers demonstrated inhumanity and pierced Your side with a spear. The Jewish leaders underestimated Your authority and asked that Your sepulcher be sealed. In Your tender mercy You accepted burial, O Lord, and arose within three days. Glory to You! [GOASD]
Verse: Holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days. [SAAS]
O Christ, as the Giver of Life, for us mortals, You willingly underwent the Passion. As the Mighty One, You went down to Hades; and there You found those who awaited Your arrival, and You rescued them as from a stronghold. You have granted them to live in Paradise instead of Hades. And now, as we glorify Your resurrection on the third day, we pray You grant us forgiveness of sins and the great mercy. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Oh, miracle of all miracles, which was unheard of before! No one else has had a mother who conceived without a man and embraced Him who surrounds all creation, only He, the Counsel of God, who was born of you, O all-pure Virgin, and whom you held in your lap. As you thus have maternal access to Him, we pray you never cease imploring Him for us who honor you, to be merciful to us and to save our souls.
Resurrectional Apolytikion.
When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory to You!” [GOASD]
Theotokion.
All surpassing every thought, all surpassing glorious, O Theotokos, are your mysteries. With your chastity sealed and your virginity preserved, still you are a mother in truth, for to the true God you gave birth. We pray you fervently entreat Him to save our souls. [GOASD]
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ON SUNDAY MIDNIGHT OFFICE
Canon for the Trinity
By Metrophanes of Smyrna.
Mode 2. Ode i. N/M (Long ago the overwhelming Force.)
Let us songfully extol the triune and authoritative nature of the Godhead, and let us say, “You have an essential ocean of inexhaustible mercy. We pray You guard those who worship You, and save them, in Your benevolence.” [SD]
O Father, as source and root and cause of the Godhead, consubstantial in the Son and the Holy Spirit, be the source of tri-solar light in my heart, and make it bright, by participation in Your theurgic mystical illumination. [SD]
O thrice-radiant, divine, and sovereign Monad, dispel from me all darkness of sins and passions, through my sweetest participation in Your illuminating rays; and make of me a temple and immaculate tabernacle of Your unapproachable glory. [SD]
Theotokion.
Long ago, our nature suffered an unnatural fall, and it was heading towards destruction. Then the Logos of God stopped that, in His benevolence, when He became incarnate in your womb, O immaculate Virgin. And He taught us the mystery of the triple-radiant Godhead. [SD]
Ode iii. N/M (You strengthened me.)
I glorify You, O Godhead, Your persons same in nature and equal in honor. Life from life, You are ineffably the giver, our one God, and there is no one holy but You, O Lord. [SD]
You created the immaterial and heavenly orders as mirrors of Your beauty, to unceasingly extol You, O Trinity, undivided Monarchy. And now, please accept the praise from our mouths of clay. [SD]
Establish the hearts and minds of Your servants on the rock of faith, and open them wide to the ocean of Your love, O tri-solar Monad. For You are our God. May we not be put to shame for hoping in You. [SD]
Theotokion.
He who once brought all creation into being, O Theotokos, in His infinite goodness taken substance in your womb; and He made the tri-solar light of the one Godhead and Lordship to rise on all. [SD]
Kathisma. Mode 2.
O compassionate Lord, in the beginning when You fashioned Adam, by You hypostatic Word You said, “Let us make him after our own likeness.” And the Holy Spirit was present with You creating. We therefore sing to You, “Glory to You, our Maker and God!” [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
When God condescended to come to us, He dwelt in you most pure womb, and through you, He saved the nature of humanity, giving the kingdom of heaven to all. We therefore sing to You, “Rejoice, O pure Lady Theotokos!” [SD]
Ode iv. N/M ()
Not even the immaterial orders of angels are able to understand You, O Trinity and Monad without beginning. So we, with tongues of clay, with faith extol and glorify Your essential goodness. [SD]
O Ruler of all and Seer of all, as the Maker of human nature, You now see all my inability. I pray You take pity on me Your servant, and lead me back up to a better life. [SD]
We extol the unconfused three persons of the sovereign Monad, each having Their hypostases individually and separately, and still united and undivided in will, glory, and divinity. [SD]
Theotokion.
O ever-virgin Theotokos, the Creator of all found you alone, from all time, to be a pure and immaculate temple, where He went to dwell; and there He refashioned human nature, as our benevolent God. [SD]
Ode v. N/M (You are the light.)
O King of Peace, You fully shine the peace-giving and saving rays of Your providence on all beings. I pray You guard me in Your peace. For You are the life and peace of the universe. [SD]
You appeared to Moses in the form of fire in the bush, and You were called Angel, O Logos of the Father. Thus You foretold Your coming to us; and when You came, You clearly proclaimed to all the tri-hypostatic dominion of the one Godhead. [SD]
O monarchical Holy Trinity, You beam Your natural co-eternal glory. We pray You grant us, who extol You with Orthodox faith, to see Your glory’s one tri-solar light, that is without beginning. [SD]
Theotokion.
O Virgin Mother, He who in essence is God the Logos, and who encompasses all the ages, was ineffably encompassed in your womb; and He called humanity back to the unity of the one Dominion. [SD]
Ode vi. N/M (Like a deep sea, my sins.)
O tri-solar God, who delight in mercy, have mercy on us who believe in You; and release Your servants from their offenses and passions and dangers. (2)
In Your ineffable goodness, which is like an ocean, award me the incomprehensible and light-giving brightness of Your illumination and thrice-radiant Divinity. [SD]
Theotokion.
O Virgin, the Most High secretly became man from you, putting on human nature entirely; and He illumined me with the thrice-radiant light. [SD]
Kathisma. Mode 2. N/M (As the Mother of God.)
O merciful Lord, accept us, as You cover us with the ocean of Your compassion. Look upon the people who glorify You; receive the song of those praying to You, O Trinity and Monad without beginning. For we have put our hope in You, the God of all, to forgive us all our offenses. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
O good Theotokos, you are sympathetic, for in your womb you carried the Fount of compassion. For us believers, you are our only helper; you are the consolation of those in pain and sorrow. Since we have only you as our help, we all now pray to you with faith, that our troubles may be resolved. [SD]
Ode vii. N/M (The image of gold.)
You, O tri-hypostatic Lord, who alone are immutable, have ordered the hosts of Angels so that they can no longer turn. Likewise make my heart never turn from ever ardently glorifying You and solemnly extolling You. (2)
O monarchical and tri-solar God, You shine Your beams on the noetic choirs of the immaterial beings, and by participation they become secondary lights. Let me also be light, by participation in their illuminations, O thrice-radiant Source of light. [SD]
Theotokion.
Never cease to direct us toward heaven and uplift us who love You, O Lord, who in Your ineffable benevolence became man in the womb of the Virgin, and deified man, and seated him with the Father on the throne of glory. [SD]
Ode viii. N/M (Those thrice-blessed Young Men.)
O unapproachable Trinity, co-eternal Godhead without beginning, identical in all things, except the light-bearing distinctions of the Persons, I pray You neutralize evil counsel of the adversaries and every annoyance of the devils, and ever keep me unharmed, O Lord of all. (2)
O uncircumscribable, tri-solar Monarchy, being wise and almighty, You brought the world into existence and You preserve it in perfect and unimpaired order. I pray You dwell in my heart, that I may never cease to extol and glorify You, with the choirs of Angels, unto all the ages. [SD]
O Wisdom of the Father, incomprehensible, inexpressible Logos of God, You did not alter Your unchangeable nature when You sympathetically assumed human nature. You have taught all to worship the unitary Trinity that has dominion over all the ages. [SD]
Ode ix. N/M (Lady, from your virginal belly.)
The Son, co-eternal light, shone forth from light that has no beginning, from which also the connatural light, namely the Spirit, proceeds ineffably as befits divinity. We believe in the generation without change and in the inexpressible procession. (2)
O tri-solar Godhead, shine Your thrice-radiant light in the hearts of those who extol You, and give us understanding, that at all times we may discern and perform Your will, which is good and perfect, and may magnify and glorify You. [SD]
O God, as You are infinite in nature, the ocean of Your tender mercies is also infinite. O Trinity, as You showed compassion of old, do also now have mercy on Your servants, and release them of offenses, temptations, and dire circumstances. [SD]
Theotokion.
O my God, almighty, extolled in three persons, ineffably one, save me from all manner of abuse and evil, and guard Your flock, at the prayers of the Theotokos. [SD]
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MATINS
After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. Resurrectional Kathismata.
Mode 2.
When he took down Your immaculate Body from the Cross, the honorable Joseph wrapped it in a clean linen shroud with spices and laid it for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day You rose, O Lord, and granted to the world the great mercy. [GOASD]
Glory. Same Melody.
The Angel who had come to the sepulcher said to the Myrrh-bearing women, “Ointments are appropriate for mortal men; but Christ is indeed a stranger to decay. Now go proclaim that the Lord has risen and granted to the world the great mercy.” [GOASD]
Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.
You are supremely glorified, O Virgin Theotokos; we sing your praise. By your Son’s crucifixion, Hades was overthrown and death itself has died. We who were dead have risen and have been granted life. We have received the original enjoyment of Paradise. Therefore we give thanks and send up glory to Christ our God, the only strong and very merciful Lord. [GOASD]
After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. Resurrectional Kathismata.
Not preventing the sealing of the stone of the tomb, with Your rising You gave to all the rock of the faith. Glory to You, O Lord. [GOASD]
Glory. Same Melody.
The choir of Your disciples and the Myrrh-bearing Women are greatly rejoicing together with us. For we are celebrating one and the same feast, which glorifies and honors Your resurrection. By their intercessions, O benevolent Lord, grant to us Your people the great mercy. [GOASD]
Both now. Theotokion.
You are supremely blessed, O Virgin Theotokos. For through Him who from you became incarnate, Hades has been captured, and Adam has been called back; the curse has been killed, and Eve has been freed; death has been put to death, and we have been brought back to life. Therefore we extol Him and cry out, “O Christ our God, You are blessed, for so was Your good pleasure. Glory to You!” [GOASD]
After Psalm 118 and the Evlogetaria:
Hypakoe.
After Your Passion, O Christ God, the women went to the tomb to anoint Your body. They saw Angels in the sepulcher, and they were amazed. For they heard them saying that You the Lord had risen, granting to the world the great mercy. [GOASD]
Anavathmoi. Antiphon 1.
I direct the eyes of my heart to You in heaven, O Savior. Save me, I pray, shining on me Your resplendence. [GOASD]
Have mercy on us who hourly offend You in many things, O my Christ; and before the end, give us ways to return to You in repentance. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
To the Holy Spirit it is proper to rule, to sanctify, and to move all creation; for He is God, one in essence with the Father and the Logos. [GOASD]
Antiphon 2.
If the Lord had not been with us, who would be sufficient to preserve himself uninjured from the enemy and murderer of mankind? [GOASD]
Do not deliver me to the teeth of my enemies, O Savior, for in the manner of a lion they move against me Your servant. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
In the Holy Spirit is the principle of life, and to Him belongs the honor. He is God, and in the Father through the Son He strengthens and sustains every creature. [GOASD]
Antiphon 3.
Those who trust in the Lord are like the holy mountain. They are in no way shaken by the devil’s assaults. [GOASD]
Let those who live for God never stretch out their hands in lawlessness. For Christ will not permit the rod to be upon His inheritance. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
From the Holy Spirit all wisdom gushes forth, as does grace to Apostles. By Him Martyrs are awarded for their contests, and Prophets have visions. [GOASD]
Prokeimenon.
Awaken, O Lord my God, in the ordinance You commanded, so the congregation of the peoples shall surround You.
Verse: O Lord my God in You I hope.
“Let everything that breathes…” The appointed Sunday Matins Gospel. Then, “Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ…” Psalm 50, and the rest (as laid out before). Then we sing the Canons.
Canon for the Resurrection.
By John the Monk (of Damascus).
Mode 2. Ode i. Heirmos.
Long ago the overwhelming Force * utterly destroyed the chariots and army of Pharaoh within the Sea. * Now the Logos put on flesh * and He wiped out malignant sin and its burdens all. * He is Lord, forever glorious, and He is greatly glorified. [SD]
Troparia.
Good One, disobeying Your command, * we were sadly registered to the ruler of this world as his property. * By Your Cross is he condemned; * for assaulting You as if merely a mortal man, * he fell into Your authority, and he was rendered powerless. [SD]
Master, You have come into the world * as Redeemer of the human race and as the Author of immortal life. * For You shredded shrouds of death * by Your resurrection, which we all now glorify. * For You are forever glorious, and You are greatly glorified. [SD]
Theotokion.
Unto the Creator you gave birth, * when in His good pleasure He became incarnate, O Maid, in your virgin womb. * Hence you are superior * to creation all, invisible and visible. * Intercede with Him with confidence, entreating Him to save our souls. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
By John the Monk (of Damascus).
Ode i. When they had traversed.
Power of the infirm ones, * the raising of the fallen, and incorruption * of those who died have You become, O Christ, * by Your flesh’s suffering; * for it is glorified. [SD]
God the Creator pitied * His fallen, shattered image; and as Renewer * He resurrected it through His own death. * This is what has come to pass. * For He is glorified. [SD]
Canon for the Theotokos.
By John the Monk (of Damascus).
When they had traversed.
Pure one, that dreamt-of ladder * and the seaway that strangely turned into dry land * were the depictions of your childbirth; * which we all extol with hymns, * for d01it is glorified. [SD]
Wisdom of God and perfect * hypostasis and power of the Most High took * from you a body, Lady undefiled, * and conversed with mortal men; * for He is glorified. [SD]
Through the untrodden gateway, * O Pure one, of your womb that has been again shut, * the Sun of Righteousness did make His way, * and He shone upon the world; * for He is glorified. [SD]
Ode iii. Heirmos.
The gentile church was formerly like the barren wilderness; * and then it blossomed as the rose * and the lily, when You appeared on earth. * My heart is established in Your Advent, O Lord. [SD]
Troparia.
Creation, at Your Passion, Lord, was confounded when it saw * that You, who had established all * by divine bidding, were in outward form * humiliated and sneered at by lawless men. [SD]
You fashioned me from dust, O Christ, * in Your image, with Your hand. * When I through sin was crushed again * to the dust of death, You went down with me * into Hades and raised me up again with You. [SD]
Theotokion.
O Virgin, the angelic hosts * were amazed that you gave birth * to God, O all-immaculate; * and the hearts of the people shook in awe. * With faith we honor you as the Mother of God. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Christ who is transcendent over all * was made a little lower than the angelic rank, * when He suffered in the flesh. [SD]
Numbered with the lawless as one dead, * O Christ, then You shone forth * unto the women with Your Resurrection’s glowing light. [SD]
Canon for the Theotokos.
He who is transcendent of all time, * as the Maker of time, * was as a babe formed from you, O Virgin, voluntarily. [SD]
The womb that is wider than the heavens, and by means of which * in heaven Adam lives with joy, * let us faithful now extol. [SD]
Ode iv. Heirmos.
You came, O Lord, * not an elder nor angel, but You yourself, * God incarnate, being born of a pure Virgin, thus saving me * and all of humanity. * Therefore I sing to You: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [SD]
Troparia.
You stood trial at Caiaphas’s court, Lord, not crying out, * as You brought forth justice to the Gentiles, as Isaiah said. * This is the salvation that You worked for the whole world, * through Your Passion, O Christ. [SD]
By Your Passion, forsaken are the swords of the enemy, * as the Prophet David said. * By Your descent into Hades, Lord, * the cities of the foe were pulled down, * and the tyrant’s insolence was overthrown. [SD]
Theotokion.
You, O Lady Theotokos, are known by the faithful all, * our fortress unshakable, * the harbor where we go to be saved. * By your intercessions you rescue our souls from all dangers and calamities. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode v. Heirmos.
O Christ our God, * You are the mediator between God and men. * For through You, O Lord, we have access to Your Father, the Author of Light, * in the Spirit, as Paul said, out of the night of ignorance. [SD]
Troparia.
Like a cedar, O Christ, * You shattered the raging of the enemies, * when in Your good pleasure, Lord, * You were voluntarily crucified * and in the flesh exalted with the cypress, pine, and cedar. [SD]
They laid You, O Lord, * in the lowest pit, as one helpless and dead. * By Your bruise, O Savior Christ, * with yourself You raised up those whom David said * were no longer remembered, like slain men sleeping in a grave. [SD]
Theotokion.
O pure one, implore your Son and Lord for us who put our hope in you. * Virgin, pray He grant to us * a peaceful existence and deliverance * from adverse circumstances, whenever we encounter them. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode vi. Heirmos.
Like a deep sea, my sins have encircled me. * I invoke the deep sea of Your ineffable * and unfathomable tender love. * Raise me up from corruption, O Lord my God. [SD]
Troparia.
The Righteous One was judged as a criminal, * and He has been crucified with those who broke the law; * and by His precious blood He gives * guilty sinners forgiveness of all their sins. [SD]
As through one man, the first Adam, sin of old * came into the world and through it death spread to all, * much more through one, the Son of God, * resurrection has been manifested to all. [SD]
Theotokion.
You, O Virgin, conceived without knowing man * and remained a virgin, even after giving birth, * exhibiting the tokens that prove * the true divinity of your Son and God. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Kontakion. In seeking the heights.
Omnipotent Lord, You rose from the sepulcher. * The netherworld saw the miracle and was stupefied, * for the dead were also raised. * But creation saw it and rejoiced with You; * Adam also greatly rejoiced. * O my Savior, the world forever sings Your praise. [GOASD]
Oikos.
You, O Word of God, are the light of those in the darkness. You are the resurrection and the life of all humanity. When You destroyed the power of death and smashed the gates of Hades, You raised everyone with yourself. Mortals saw the miracle and marveled, All creation rejoices with You in Your resurrection, O benevolent Lord. So we all now glorify and extol Your condescension, O my Savior, and the world forever sings Your praise. [GOASD]
Ode vii. Heirmos.
The godless decree of the unlawful tyrant * commanded the stoking of the furnace’s fiery flame. * But Christ joined His pious Servants, and He covered them * with the Spirit’s dewy breeze. * He is praised and blessed and exceedingly glorious. [SD]
Troparia.
O Lord, in Your tender love, You did not bear it * to see that humanity had succumbed to death’s tyranny. * So You came and saved the human race by Your own blood, * becoming man, O Christ our God. * You are praised and blessed and exceedingly glorious. [SD]
O Christ, when the keepers of the doors of Hades * saw You, who were clothed in the garment of vengeance, they quaked. * For You, as the Master, went there to subdue the unwise * tyrant, making him Your slave. * You are praised and blessed and exceedingly glorious. [SD]
Theotokion.
We recognize you, O undefiled Virgin, * as holy of holies. O unwedded Mother, only you * conceived and gave birth to God who is immutable. * By your childbirth you became * the spring of incorruption for the believers all. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
The godless decree.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode viii. Heirmos.
Heeding the divine decree, the fiery furnace * of old in Babylon distributed its actions and energy; * for it burned up the Chaldean men, * but it refreshed the faithful young men who sang, * saying, “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Sing a hymn to Him.” [SD]
Troparia.
Christ, with Your own blood, Your body, like the garment, * of which Isaiah spoke, was stained crimson red. * And seeing it, all the hosts of the Angels shuddered marveling * at Your immense longsuffering, and they sang, * saying, “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Sing a hymn to Him.” [SD]
Tender-loving Savior, by Your resurrection * You clothed my mortal nature with the garment of immortality. * Now rejoicing and with gratitude, * Your chosen people sing Your praises, O Christ, * saying in the words of Paul, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” [SD]
Theotokion.
In your holy womb you conceived without seed * and you gave birth incomprehensibly to Him who inseparate * from the Father lived as God and man. * And therefore we consider you * the salvation of us all, O pure Virgin who gave birth to God. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Those thrice-blessed Young Men.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Those thrice-blessed Young Men.
Ode ix. Heirmos.
To us was revealed the unoriginate Begetter’s Son, * from a Virgin incarnated. He is God and Lord, * coming to those sitting in darkness to give them light, * to gather the scattered. * And therefore the all-extolled Theotokos should be magnified. [SD]
Troparia.
The thrice-blessed tree of Your immaculate Cross, O Lord, * was planted on Calvary as if in Paradise. * O Christ, it was watered by water and blood that poured * from Your side, O Savior, * as if from a fountain, and it blossomed forth with life for us. [SD]
You put down the mighty, being crucified, Almighty Lord, * and exalted humanity’s nature that was held * below in the prison of Hades, and set it on the throne of Your Father. * With it You will come again; and we magnify and worship You. [SD]
For the Trinity.
As Orthodox faithful, let us sing and glorify * the ternary Unity and consubstantial Trinity, * and praise the inseparate nature super-divine, the radiance unsetting, * triple-shining, and unique, uncompounded, shining light on us. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
To us was revealed.
O Christ, amid the two convicts * as a lamb You were fastened * upon the Cross on Calvary, O Lord, * and You were pierced in the side with a lance; * and to us who were fashioned * of dust, You granted life, as we in faith * now extol Your divine Resurrection, O Benevolent. [SD]
Let us believers all worship * God who virtually rendered * impotent the dominion of death * by means of His own voluntary death. * For the ones who for ages * were dead He resurrected with himself, * and He freely gives life and the Resurrection unto all. [SD]
Canon for the Theotokos.
To us was revealed.
Unto our rotten nature, O pure one, there has been given a rod of strength in your womb, * the very Logos of God, * who raised it when it fell to hell. * Therefore, all-pure one, you as Theotokos do we magnify. [SD]
With sympathy receive as ambassador who acts on our behalf, Your Mother whom You chose, * O Master; and everything * will then be with Your goodness filled; * that You as Benefactor we might all together magnify. [SD]
The appointed Eothinon Exaposteilarion.
At Lauds.
Resurrectional Stichera. Mode 2.
Everything that breathes and all creation glorifies You, O Lord, for by the Cross You made death powerless, to demonstrate to all people Your resurrection from the dead, as our only benevolent God. [GOASD]
Let the Jewish leaders explain it. How did the soldiers lose the King, whom they were guarding? Why couldn’t the stone secure the rock of life? Either produce Him who was buried, or else worship Him as risen from the dead, then join us and say, “Glory to the abundance of Your tender mercies, our Savior, glory to You!” [GOASD]
Rejoice and be glad, all people! An Angel sat on the stone of the tomb. And he announced to us the good news and said, “Christ has risen from the dead, as the Savior of the world; and He has filled the universe with fragrance.” Rejoice and be glad, all people! [GOASD]
Before Your conception, an Angel brought the salutation, “Rejoice!” to the Maiden full of grace. Again, at Your resurrection, an Angel rolled away the stone from Your glorious tomb, O Lord. The one brought a promise of joy, replacing the pain and sorrow. The other declared that the Master gives life, reversing the threat of death. Therefore we sing to You: Lord and benefactor of all, glory to You! [GOASD]
Additional Stichera by Anatolios.
The women sprinkled Your grave with ointments mixed with their tears. And then their mouths were filled with joy when they said, “The Lord has risen!” [GOASD]
Let the people of all nations give praise to Christ our God, who voluntarily endured the Cross for us and for three days dwelt in the netherworld. And let them show reverence to His resurrection from the dead, through which all the ends of the earth have been enlightened. [GOASD]
You were crucified and buried as You willed, O Christ. As God and Master, You despoiled death, and to the world You gave eternal life and the great mercy. [GOASD]
Villains that you truly are, since you sealed the stone, you unwittingly entitled us to claim a greater miracle. The guards know about this. He came forth from the tomb today. But you told them to say, “His disciples came and stole Him away while we were asleep.” Who steals a dead man, and a naked one at that? This one rose, by His own authority as God, and He left the grave clothes in the sepulcher. O Jews, come and see it, how He did not break the seals, yes, He who trampled death and grants to the human race never-ending life and the great mercy. [GOASD]
Glory. The Eothinon of the Sunday.
Both now. Theotokion.
You are supremely blessed, O Virgin Theotokos. For through Him who from you became incarnate, Hades has been captured, and Adam has been called back; the curse has been killed, and Eve has been freed; death has been put to death, and we have been brought back to life. Therefore we extol Him and cry out, “O Christ our God, You are blessed, for so was Your good pleasure. Glory to You!” [GOASD]
Then, the Great Doxology; and after that, the following Troparion:
Mode 4.
Today has salvation come to pass in the world. Let us sing to Him who resurrected from the tomb and is the Author of our life. For, destroying death by death, He gave us the victory and the great mercy. [SD]
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LITURGY
The Typika and Beatitudes.
Mode 2.
We present You the robber’s words and we prayerfully echo them; and like him we cry out, O Savior: In Your kingdom remember us. [SD]
We present You the Cross, O Lord, that You suffered on our behalf, to forgive our sins and offenses, O benevolent Savior Christ. [SD]
Lord, we honor Your burial and Your rising, by which You freed * the world from corruption, O God, in Your benevolence. [SD]
By Your own death was death itself swallowed up, O our Savior Christ; by Your resurrection You rescued the world and You saved mankind. [SD]
When the souls who were lying in the darkness of the netherworld saw You, Christ, the true light, in Hades, they rose and were granted life. [SD]
When You rose from the sepulcher, You commanded the Myrrh-bearing women to inform Your Disciples that You had risen from the dead. [SD]
Glory.
Come, believers, and glorify and adore and with faith extol the Father and the Son and the Spirit, our one God in Trinity. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
We salute you and say, Rejoice, fiery throne and unwedded Bride. Rejoice, holy Virgin, for you gave birth to God for humanity. [SD]