PERIOD OF MODE 3
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 3.
After, “O Lord, keep us this evening…” we sing the Resurrectional Sticheron, Accept our evening praise… and then the following Prosomoia:
Stichera for the Theotokos.
Mode 3.
Verse: I will remember your name from generation to generation. [SAAS]
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.
__________
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 3.
By virtue of Your crucifixion, O Christ our Savior, the dominion of death is overthrown, the devil’s deceit has come to an end, and the human race, being saved by faith, offers praise to You every day. [GOASD]
By virtue of Your resurrection, O Lord, all things have been illumined, Paradise is opened again, and the whole of creation extols You and offers praise to You every day. [GOASD]
I glorify the power of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and praise their authority. The undivided, uncreated Godhead, the consubstantial Trinity, shall reign forever and ever. [GOASD]
Additional Stichera by Anatolios.
We venerate Your holy Cross and extol and glorify Your resurrection; for we all have been healed by Your bruises, O Christ. [GOASD]
Our Savior became incarnate from the Virgin. He was crucified for us, and He rose on the third day. He has given us the great mercy. Now we sing His praise. [GOASD]
When Christ descended to the netherworld, He proclaimed the Gospel to those who were there, and said, “Be of good cheer, for I am triumphant now. I am the resurrection. Since I destroyed the gates of death, I will bring you out of here.” [GOASD]
As we unworthily stand in Your holy house, we raise an evening song of praise; and out of the depths we cry out to You: O Christ God, by Your rising on the third day, You shined Your light in the world. We pray You, benevolent Lord, deliver us, Your people, and save us from the hands of Your enemies. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
How can we not marvel that you became the mother of the Son of God the Father, O all-honorable Virgin! You were wholly blameless, and you experienced no union with a man, and you gave birth to Him, unfathered in the flesh, who unmothered was begotten of the Father before all ages. He did not undergo any change or mixing or division, but He preserved intact the distinctive property of each nature. O Lady, we implore you, virgin Mother, to entreat Him for the salvation of the souls of all who profess the Orthodox belief that you are Theotokos. [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 3.
Resurrectional.
Accept our evening praise, O benevolent Lord, who darkened the sun when You suffered for us, and brightened every place, with the light of Your resurrection, O Christ. [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]
Your vivifying rising illumined the entire earth, and it revived Your creature, which had been ravaged. Now we, who are redeemed from the curse on Adam, cry out to You: Almighty Lord, glory to You! [GOASD]
Verse: And He established the world, which shall not be moved. [SAAS]
Even as You were unchanging God, You underwent a change as You suffered in the flesh. Creation could not bear it to see You crucified, so it quaked in fear, and it sighed and sang, extolling Your forbearance. You went down to the netherworld, and then You rose on the third day, and to the world You gave life and the great mercy. [GOASD]
Verse: Holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days. [SAAS]
O Christ, You experienced death, to rescue the human race from death. When on the third day You rose, with yourself You also raised those who acknowledged Your divinity, and You illumined the world. Glory to You, O Lord! [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
From the Holy Spirit, by the Father’s will, without seed you conceived the Son of God. He is from the Father without mother before all ages, and for us He came from you without father. You gave birth to Him in the flesh, and you nursed Him in His infancy. Now we pray you never cease to intercede on our behalf, that He rescue our souls from dangers all.
Resurrectional Apolytikion.
Let the heavens be glad. Let the earth rejoice exceedingly. For the Lord has shown strength with his arm. He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead. Out of the belly of Hades, He has rescued us, and to the world He has granted the great mercy. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
Virgin Theotokos, we sing hymns extolling you, through whom came humanity’s salvation. For your Son and our God, who is benevolent, accepted the Passion and the crucifixion, in the flesh that He assumed from you, and thus from destruction He rescued us. [GOASD]
__________
ON SUNDAY MIDNIGHT OFFICE
Canon for the Trinity
By Metrophanes of Smyrna.
Mode 3. Ode i. N/M (He who gathered the water.)
Incomprehensible sole Dominion and single triadic Godhead, count me worthy of your thrice-resplendent light, that I may extol You, who are unceasingly extolled by the mouths of Angels singing thrice-holy hymns. [GOASD]
All the orders of the Bodiless extol You with sacred hymns, O single, thrice-radiant, manifestly sovereign Creator and Cause. Let us congregations of humans join them, and with earthen mouths let us faithfully glorify the Trinity in unison. [GOASD]
Theologians aptly and symbolically call You Nous and Logos and Spirit, signifying the Son’s impassible generation and the Spirit’s divine procession from You, the unbegotten Father, O God the monarch over all. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
In Your connatural benevolence, O Logos of God, You assumed human nature, and You radiated the triple, monarchal light of the one Godhead. And now because of You, Your immaculate Virgin Mother is glorified by all. [GOASD]
Ode iii. N/M (From non-existence.)
Long ago, when Elias ordered that water be poured three times on the logs, he disclosed the three hypostases of God’s single Dominion. [GOASD]
We the earthborn, unstable in nature as we are, extol You, our one and thrice-radiant, inalterable Creator, and we sing, “O Master, keep us from turning to any evil, and save us.” [GOASD]
Employing the words of the Prophets and of the famous Apostles and heralds of the faith, we believers glorify You, the coequal Trinity, O God of all. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
Christ came down from His exalted throne; and in His benevolence, He exalted humanity through you, O all-immaculate Virgin; and He shined the tri-solar light on all. [GOASD]
Kathisma. Mode 3. You were so beautiful.
Superessential God, one Lord in Trinity, * O Christ, the radiance of the beginningless * eternal Father, and divine * Spirit, have mercy on us, Your servants. * All of us have sinned and failed, but we have not rejected You. * Therefore we implore You now, Lord in triple hypostases, * Since You have the control over all things * save Your creature from all calamity. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Superessential God, in His benevolence, * as Lord of all, for us became incarnate of you, * and He assumed our very essence and remained what He was before. * Henceforth we all worship Him as both human as well as God, * O Virgin, and proclaim that you are the Mother of God indeed, * and glorify the greatest of all wonders, * namely your seedless childbirth. [GOASD]
Ode iv. N/M (Lord, You have established.)
From the Father as from a root, the Son and the right Spirit sprang as two trunks, connatural shoots planted by God, together with Him having no beginning, for they are three lights of the Godhead. [GOASD]
Arrays of spiritual beings unceasingly extol You, O incomprehensible God. We join them glorifying You, and we sing: Superessential Trinity, save us Your servants in Your benevolence towards humanity. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
Very merciful Logos of God, You have drawn us to Your love. For us You became incarnate immutably, and You initiated us into the mystery of one Godhead with triple light. Therefore we glorify You. [GOASD]
Ode v. N/M (Isaiah had a mystical vision.)
In images Isaiah saw the one Dominion, God in three persons, glorified by the immaculate voices of the Seraphim. Then he was sent to proclaim the thrice-radiant essence and the tri-solar Monad. [GOASD]
O tri-solar Monad, in the beginning You created ex nihilo the nature of all things invisible and visible. We who faithfully extol You as one God implore You to free us from all worries, and count us worthy of Your glory. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
O Virgin, we lovingly extol you, and we call you blessed, for you became God’s bridal chamber, clean and luminous. From you, Christ was born with two natures and wills, being one of the Trinity and Lord of glory. [GOASD]
Ode vi. N/M (Sinfulness encircles me.)
Abraham was a nomad when he was counted worthy to offer hospitality symbolically to the superessential single Lord in three hypostases in the form of three men. (2)
O tri-solar Lord, direct Your servants’ hearts to the unapproachable light and the splendor of Your glory; and grant our souls to imagine Your ineffable beauty. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
O immaculate Virgin, open to me the gates to the Light who was born of your womb, that I may see the thrice radiant ray of the Godhead, and glorify you, our Lady of resplendent light. [GOASD]
Kathisma. Mode 3. Your confession.
We extol the tri-solar dominion * of the consubstantial divine nature, * and we sing the thrice-holy hymn and say, * “Holy are You, O Father unoriginate! * Holy are You, O Son, likewise unoriginate! * Holy Spirit! Our one and inseparate * humane God, Creator of the universe!” [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Uncontainable is God the Logos, * yet He fit into your womb, O Virgin. * He was incarnate of you and appeared as a man, * without sustaining confusion nor division * of the Godhead, divine and unalterable. * Greatest miracle! And therefore we ever faithfully * declare and glorify you as the Mother of God. [GOASD]
Ode vii. N/M (Of old You refreshed.)
O Master, I pray You make me be the wholly luminous temple of Your thrice-radiant Godhead; and by Your illuminating rays, make me be higher than the dreadful darkness of sins and passions, O God of our fathers. (2)
We profess one form of the Godhead in three hypostatic and separate identities, of Father, Son and Spirit, and we sing, “Blessed are You, the God of our fathers.” [GOASD]
God in three hypostases appeared to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre. In His mercy, He gave him Isaac as the reward for his hospitality. We now glorify Him as the God of our fathers. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
In His goodness, the Creator of all appeared on earth, when He became human and was born from your virgin and immaculate womb; and He deified us, O all-immaculate, blessed, and all-pure Mother of God. [GOASD]
Ode viii. N/M (Unharmed were the young men.)
The Logos and the Spirit, coeval with the unoriginate Father, sprang forth from Him, as from a root, as shoots of the superessential Godhead. Thus they showed the single glory and power of the Trinity, which we believers all extol unto the ages. (2)
O Father, consubstantial Logos and Spirit, with Your beacon signals You coordinate the celestial hierarchies, to praise the thrice-radiant and equal dominion unceasingly in thrice-holy songs. We also extol You, unto all the ages. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
O Lady, the Prophets, as oracles, foresaw your childbirth long before, and they extolled your Son, who would be born supernaturally without seed. We also in unison extol Him as Lord, and we exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [GOASD]
Ode ix. N/M (O novel wonder.)
The godlike orders of the bodiless hosts yearn to take wing and plainly see Your thrice-radiant glory, but they are very reverent toward the unapproachable light, and they unceasingly sing praises to You. We join them and in unison we glorify You, O our one God, the Trinity. (2)
O Master and God of all, we on earth, who have received from You a spiritual and rational soul, with boundless love wholeheartedly extol You, who are truly one nature and three persons. We implore You, compassionate Lord, as You are very merciful, take pity on us. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
O Creator of all, make me be luminous temple of Your monarchal and thrice-radiant Godhead, that I may be completely devoted to You. I pray You let me see Your inexpressible noetic glory, at the intercession of the only Theotokos, whom we dutifully magnify, for she is glorious beyond measure. [GOASD]
__________
MATINS
After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. Resurrectional Kathismata.
Mode 3.
Christ has been raised from the dead; He is the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. As the first-born of all creation and maker of all things that were made, in himself He renewed our human nature that had been ravaged. O Death, you no longer have dominion, for the Master of all has destroyed your power. [GOASD]
Glory.
You tasted death in the flesh, O Lord. But by Your resurrection, You cut off its bitterness and strengthened humanity against it, by reversing the failure that resulted in the ancient curse. O Defender of our life, glory to You, O Lord! [GOASD]
Both now. Theotokion. Automelon.
You were so beautiful in your virginity. * Archangel Gabriel admired your purity, * which was resplendent; and amazed, he said to you, Theotokos, * “As there are no accolades that can worthily honor you, * I am at a loss for words to address you, so awed am I. * But I will say what I was commanded: * Rejoice, O favored Maiden full of grace!” [GOASD]
After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. Resurrectional Kathismata.
You were so beautiful.
You voluntarily endured Your suffering, * and Your divinity remained unchanged, O Lord. * Hades was terrified by this; and lamenting, it said to itself, * “I fear Him whose physical constitution is not destroyed. * I see the invisible One mystically waging war on me. * Now those whom I am holding are crying out, * ‘Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ!’” [GOASD]
Glory. Same Melody.
We the believers now theologize about * the inexplicable, incomprehensible, * and hidden mystery of Your crucifixion and resurrection. * For death and the netherworld have been stripped of their spoils today, * and our human nature has now put on the imperishable. * And therefore in thanksgiving we cry aloud: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ. [GOASD]
Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.
You carried mystically within your womb the Lord, * incomprehensible, uncircumscribable, * and one in essence with the Father and the Spirit, O Mother of God. * Ever since your childbirth, we have learned how to glorify * the Trinity’s energy, which is single and unconfused. * And therefore in thanksgiving we sing to you: * Rejoice, O favored Maiden full of grace! [GOASD]
After Psalm 118 and the Evlogetaria:
Hypakoe.
Astounding in appearance, refreshing by the words he spoke, the dazzling Angel said to the Myrrh-bearing Women, “Why do you look in a tomb for the One who is alive? He has risen and emptied the tombs. Know that He is the unchanging Changer of death. Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your works! For You have saved the human race.’” [GOASD]
Anavathmoi. Antiphon 1.
From Babylon You rescued the captives of Zion. O Logos, also pull me up from the passions to life. [GOASD]
Those who sow with godly tears in the south, with joy will reap the ears of everlasting life. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
In the Holy Spirit, as in the Father and the Son, every gift of goodness intrinsically shines forth. And in Him all things both live and move. [GOASD]
Antiphon 2.
Unless the Lord builds the house of the virtues, we labor in vain. But if He is guarding the soul, no one can destroy our city. [GOASD]
O Christ, the Son of the Father, the fruit of the womb, the saints are ever adopted sons, through You in the Spirit. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
In the Holy Spirit are perceived all holiness and wisdom, for He gives substance to all creation. Since He is God, let us worship Him, as we do the Father and the Logos. [GOASD]
Antiphon 3.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord: they will walk in the ways of His commandments. They shall eat every kind of life-giving fruit. [GOASD]
As you see your children’s children around your table bearing branches of good works, be glad, O arch-pastor. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
In the Holy Spirit is all the wealth of glory. From Him issue grace and life to all creation. And He is extolled with the Father and the Logos. [GOASD]
Prokeimenon.
Say among the Gentiles, “The Lord is King, for He established the world, which shall not be shaken.”
Verse: Oh, sing a new song to the Lord.
“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.
Mode 3. Ode i. Heirmos.
He who gathered the water into its places * of old by divine decree is the same One * who for the Israelite people parted the sea. * He is our God and Lord, and He is glorified greatly. * To Him only let us sing, for He is glorified. [SD]
Troparia.
He who once laid a curse on the ground, to bring forth * for him who disobeyed thorns for his labors, * let a crown of thorns be laid on His head in the flesh, * by the hands of lawless men. He is our God, and He lifted * the ancestral curse, for He is greatly glorified. [SD]
By submitting to death, He became the victor * triumphantly over death, taking trophies. * He assumed a passible human body and soul. * As our God and Lord, He wrestled with the tyrant and beat him. * With himself He raised all men, for He is glorified. [SD]
Theotokion.
Without seed you gave birth to God. Now all nations * extol you, the only true Theotokos. * For the One who entered into your sanctified womb * is our God and Lord, and He assumed our whole human nature; * and when He was born from you, He was both God and man. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
By John the Monk (of Damascus).
Ode i.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode iii. Heirmos.
From non-existence You brought forth all things, O God, * through the Word creating them, in the Spirit perfecting them. * Most High Ruler over all, * firmly establish me in Your love, O Master. [SD]
Troparia.
The ungodly one was put to shame by Your Cross. * He opened up a pit, and he fell into the hole he made. * And exalted was the horn * of the humble, O Christ, by Your resurrection. [SD]
The proclamation of knowledge and faith in God * has covered the whole wide world, * as much water covers the seas. * Risen, You revealed the light * of the Trinity, O benevolent Savior. [SD]
Theotokion.
Glorious things have been spoken concerning you, * O Lady, the animate city of Him who forever reigns; * for it was through you that God * was seen upon the earth and lived among men. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode iv. Heirmos.
Lord, You have established a mighty love of Your strength for us; * God of our deliverance, You gave Your only-begotten Son to die for us. * And now with thanksgiving we sing out and praise You: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [SD]
Troparia.
Suffering for us, You endured shameful treatment patiently. * You were struck and spit upon, O Christ. * You bore marks and bruises sympathetically. * By accepting it all, You worked my salvation. * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [SD]
You made war on death with Your mortal body, O Life itself, * because of the groaning of the poor * and of the suffering of the needy, O Christ. * You ruined him who ruined us and raised all people * with yourself, O Lord only humane and glorified. [SD]
Theotokion.
Remember Your flock that You acquired by Your Passion, O Christ. * Listen to the sympathetic prayers * of Your glorified Mother on our behalf. * Visit it, and whenever it is afflicted * save it, by Your strength, O Lord. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode v. Heirmos.
I rise early in the morning, Fashioner of all, * to You, the peace that passes all understanding. * O Lord our God, Your commands and judgments * are light. I pray You, guide me by them. [SD]
Troparia.
To an unjust judge, envious leaders of the Jews * delivered You, the all-seeing God who judges * all earth righteously. And You delivered * Adam who was condemned of old. [SD]
By the invincible power of Your Cross, O Christ, * who on the third day rose from the dead, O Savior, * grant Your peace to Your Church, we entreat You, * O Lord our God, and save our souls. [SD]
Theotokion.
O Ever-Virgin, you became like the holy Tent * and wider than the heavens, for you accepted * within your womb the Logos of God, * whom all creation cannot contain. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode vi. Heirmos.
Sinfulness encircles me as the lowest depth did Jonah, * and my spirit is failing me. * I cry out to You, O Master. Reach out Your exalted arm. * Pilot, rescue me, as You saved Your Apostle of old. [SD]
Troparia.
Mercy and compassion encircle me now like a sea, * for in Your love You came down to me. * You became incarnate, Master, and took on the form of a slave, * and You deified and, with yourself, You glorified me. [SD]
When he saw the One who was put to death come back to life, * he who wielded death was put to death. * These are the tokens of Your resurrection, O Christ our God, * and the prizes of Your all-immaculate Passion. [SD]
Theotokion.
You incomprehensibly intercede with the Creator * on behalf of humanity. * Only all-pure Virgin, pray your Son, that He be merciful * and the champion of your servants who are sinners. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Kontakion. On this day.
From the tomb You rose today, O Lord of tender compassion, also from the gates of death You led us out, O our Savior. On this day Adam is dancing and Eve rejoices, and with them the holy Patriarchs and the Prophets are unceasingly extolling the divine power of Your authority. [GOASD]
Oikos.
Let heaven and earth join in dance today and in harmony extol Christ our God, for He raised the prisoners from their tombs. All creation celebrates together, offering worthy songs to our Redeemer, the Creator of all. For today, with himself as the Giver of Life, He raises people from the netherworld and lifts them up to heaven. He quashes the enemy’s haughtiness and smashes the gates of Hades, by the divine power of His authority. [GOASD]
Ode vii. Heirmos.
Of old You refreshed with dew the God-fearing three young men * in the Chaldean furnace’s flames. * Master, with Your Godhead’s illuminating fire, * we pray You enlighten us, * as we cry out and sing to You: * Blessed are You, O God of our fathers. [SD]
Troparia.
The resplendent curtain of the Temple was torn in two, * when the Creator was on the Cross, * revealing to the faithful the truth that was hidden in the letter of the Law. * Now they cry out and sing to Him: * “Blessed are You, O God of our fathers.” [SD]
O Christ, when Your holy side was pierced, providentially * from Your divine body there were drops * of life-giving blood that were spilled upon the earth * and remade those born on earth. * We all cry out and sing to You: * “Blessed are You, O God of our fathers.” [SD]
For the Trinity.
O faithful, let us adore and worship one principal, * the single Godhead, the one in three, * glorifying Father, only-begotten Son, * and the good Holy Spirit, God, * as we cry out and sing aloud: * “Blessed are You, O God of our fathers.” [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode viii. Heirmos.
Unharmed were the young men, who were champions * of belief in God, when they were thrown into the furnace * and they faced unbearable fire; and they sang a hymn to God: * “All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]
Troparia.
The Temple’s resplendent veil was torn down, * O Lord, when Your precious Cross on Calvary was set up. * And creation was also quaking, * and in fear it sang the hymn, * “All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]
You rose from the tomb, O Messiah, * and by divine power You raised Adam who had fallen * through a tree of old by deception. * He cried out and sang the hymn, * “All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]
Theotokion.
All-pure Theotokos, we call you * God’s animate Temple and His Ark, for you contained Him. * To our Creator you reconciled us mortals through your childbirth. * As is right we all sing hymns to you, * and exalt you beyond measure unto all the ages. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
For the Trinity.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode ix. Heirmos.
O novel wonder, so befitting God! * For the Lord himself has manifestly passed through * the gate of the Virgin, which was shut. * Naked God, He entered, and He appeared wearing flesh when He exited, * the gate remaining shut notwithstanding. * We magnify her who is ineffably the Mother of God. [SD]
Troparia.
It was an awful sight when You, the Maker, * were hanging on the Cross, O Logos of God, * in the body suffering, O God, for Your servants; * When You expired, You were laid in a sepulcher, * and You freed the dead who were in Hades. * We magnify You, for You, O Savior Christ, are omnipotent. [SD]
When You had died and were buried, O Christ, * You saved our ancestors from death and corruption. * You made life to blossom forth, granting resurrection * to all the dead; and You led human nature to light * and clothed it with divine incorruption. * We magnify You, for You are the source of ever-living light. [SD]
Theotokion.
You are the throne and Temple of our God; * for the One who is on high had dwelt within you. * All-pure Virgin, He was born of you without human seed, and He kept you a virgin. * Therefore, noble Lady, by your never-ceasing prayers, * subordinate hostile foes and forces swiftly and completely to the government. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Canon for the Theotokos.
The appointed Eothinon Exaposteilarion.
At Lauds.
Resurrectional Stichera. Mode 3.
O come, all you nations. Know the power of the awe-inspiring mystery. For Christ our Savior, the Logos who was in the beginning, for us voluntarily was crucified and buried, and He rose from the dead, all to save the universe. Come and let us worship Him. [GOASD]
The soldiers who had guarded You, O Lord, reported all the marvelous events that had taken place. But that vain council filled their right hand with bribes, thinking that in this way they could hide Your resurrection, which the world glorifies. Have mercy on us. [GOASD]
The universe is filled with joy since it experienced Your resurrection. Mary Magdalene came to the tomb. She found an Angel sitting on the stone. He was shining like lightning in dazzling apparel, and he said, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; for He has risen, as He said. He is going before you to Galilee.” [GOASD]
In Your light we shall see light, O benevolent Master. For You rose from the dead, granting salvation to the human race, so that all creation may glorify You, the only One who is without sin. Have mercy on us! [GOASD]
Additional Stichera by Anatolios.
The Myrrh-bearing Women presented their tears as a hymn of praise, early in the morning, O Lord, when they came to Your tomb with sweet-smelling spices, intending to anoint Your immaculate body. The Angel who was sitting on the stone announced to them the good news and said, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? As God, He has trampled death and risen, granting to all the great mercy.” [GOASD]
The dazzling Angel sitting on Your life-giving tomb said to the Myrrh-bearing Women, “The Redeemer has emptied the graves. He shook the netherworld, and He rose on the third day, as the one and only almighty God.” [GOASD]
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb looking for You. When she did not find You, she grieved and she wept, saying, “Alas! O my Savior! How were You stolen away, O King of all?” Then from inside the tomb, a pair of living Angels said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” And she replied, “I am weeping, because they have taken my Lord from the sepulcher, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Then she turned around and saw You. And when she recognized You, at once she cried out, “My Lord and my God, glory to You!” [GOASD]
Hebrew men enclosed Life himself in the sepulcher. The Robber opened Paradise with but an utterance, and he cried out and said, “He who for me was crucified with me was here next to me hanging on the tree; and now to me He appears to be with the Father seated on the throne. He is indeed Christ our God, who has 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]
__________
LITURGY
The Typika and Beatitudes.
Mode 3.
When our primal father Adam disobeyed Your divine command, O Christ, You expelled him from Paradise. But when the faithful Robber while on the cross confessed You to be Lord, You restored him there, as he cried to You: “O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember me.” [SD]
When in Paradise we sinned, You condemned us and pronounced the curse of death, being the Lord and the Giver of life. But later, loving Master, You who are sinless suffered in the flesh, and You brought the dead back to life again, who shouted: “When You come in Your kingdom, remember us.” [SD]
Having risen from the dead, You also raised us from the passions, by Your holy resurrection, O Christ our God. And roundly You defeated death’s dominion over us, O Lord. Therefore we believers cry out to You: O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember us. [SD]
After three days in the tomb, as God, You gave life to the dead who were in Hades and also resurrected them. And being good, You welled forth the gift of incorruption to us all, who in faith cry out now unceasingly: O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember us. [SD]
When You had risen from the dead, You appeared first to the myrrh-bearing women, and You spoke to them and said, “Rejoice.” You sent them, Lord, proclaiming Your resurrection to Your friends, O Christ. Therefore we believers cry out to You: O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember us. [SD]
Prophet Moses on the hill of old extended his hands and thus prefigured the Cross, defeating Amalek. And now with faith we take up the mighty weapon of the precious Cross, and defeat the demons, and cry aloud: “O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember us.” [SD]
Glory.
O believers, let us all extol the Father and the Son and the all-holy Spirit, the single God, as from one Sun, the one Lord. For thrice-resplendent is the Trinity, which illumines all who cry out in faith: “O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom, remember us.” [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
Rejoice, the gate of God, through whom went the incarnate Creator, when He was born from you, and He kept you sealed. Rejoice, O swift and light cloud who brings the divine showers, namely Christ. Rejoice, O ladder to heaven and celestial throne. O rejoice, holy mountain, uncut and rich. [SD]