PERIOD OF GRAVE MODE
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.
Grave Mode.
After, “O Lord, keep us this evening…” we sing the Resurrectional Sticheron, You raised the human race… and then the following Prosomoia:
Stichera for the Theotokos.
Grave Mode. When you had wisely.
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.
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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. Grave Mode.
Come, let us greatly rejoice in the Lord, who broke the power of death and illumined the human race. Let us join the bodiless choirs and cry aloud, “Glory to You, our Creator and Savior!” [GOASD]
You endured crucifixion and burial for us, O Savior. And as God You put death to death by death. And now we worship Your resurrection on the third day. Glory to You, O Lord! [GOASD]
When the Apostles saw the Creator’s resurrection, they marvelled and they shouted the angelic hymn of praise: This is the glory of the Church. This is the wealth of the Kingdom. Glory to You, O Lord who suffered for us! [GOASD]
Additional Stichera by Anatolios.
You were arrested by lawless men, O Christ, nevertheless You are my God, and I am not ashamed. You gave Your back to whips, and I do not deny You. You were nailed to a cross, and I do not hide. I boast in Your resurrection; for Your death is my life. O almighty and benevolent Lord, glory to you! [GOASD]
Fulfilling what David prophesied, Christ revealed His greatness to the Disciples in Zion, showing himself to be the One who is ever praised and glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, in the beginning as discarnate Logos, then later, incarnate for us, and dying as man, and rising with power, as benevolent God. [GOASD]
You descended into Hades, as You so willed, O Christ, and You divested death of spoils, as God and Master. You rose on the third day, and with yourself You resurrected Adam from the bonds of Hades and dissolution. He cried out to You and said, “Glory to Your resurrection, supremely benevolent Lord!” [GOASD]
You were laid in a sepulcher, O Lord, as if asleep; and You rose on the third day, like a strong man with power. With yourself You raised Adam from dissolution of death, as You are all-powerful. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
O Theotokos, you became a mother in a manner passing nature. You remained a virgin in a manner passing speech and thought, and no language is capable of explaining the marvel of your childbirth. O Virgin pure, as conception was a paradox, incomprehensible is the manner of birth; for where God wills, the order of nature yields. And now, all we who know you, the Mother of God, earnestly implore you: Intercede with Him for 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. Grave Mode.
Resurrectional.
You raised the human race along with Your body, rising from the tomb, O Savior of the world. Glory to You, O Lord! [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]
Come, let us worship the Lord, who rose from the dead and who illumined the universe. For by His rising on the third day, He freed us from the tyranny of Hades, and He also gave us the great mercy. [GOASD]
Verse: And He established the world, which shall not be moved. [SAAS]
When You descended to the netherworld, O Christ, You divested death of its spoils; and when You rose on the third day, with yourself You also raised us, who glorify Your all-powerful resurrection, O benevolent Lord. [GOASD]
Verse: Holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days. [SAAS]
You appeared fearsome, lying in the tomb as if asleep. And when You rose on the third day, like a strong man, with yourself You raised Adam, who shouted, “Glory to Your resurrection, supremely benevolent Lord!” [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
All of us, born on earth and seeking refuge beneath your shelter, are calling out to you: O Theotokos, our hope, deliver us from numberless offenses and save our souls.
Resurrectional Apolytikion.
You destroyed death by Your Cross, You opened Paradise to the Robber. You turned the Myrrh-bearing Women’s lament into joy, and You commanded Your Apostles to preach that You rose, O Christ God, granting the world the great mercy. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
All-lauded Lady, our resurrection’s treasure house, we put our trust in you and pray you bring us up out of the pit and deep sea of our offences. For you saved us who were liable for sin when you gave birth to our salvation, as a virgin before childbirth, and a virgin during childbirth, and after childbirth a virgin still. [GOASD]
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ON SUNDAY MIDNIGHT OFFICE
Canon for the Trinity
Grave Mode. Ode i. N/M (Lord, at Your divine signal.)
O thrice-radiant single Godhead, open the spiritual mouth of my heart and also my physical lips, that I may praise You and sing You a song of gratitude, O Giver of light. [GOASD]
O omnipotent Trinity, You fashioned humanity as the only clay image of Your sovereign lordship, O Creator, that You might demonstrate Your surpassing goodness. [GOASD]
The unoriginate Nous begot the Logos co-eternally and caused the Spirit, also without beginning, to shine forth. And He has counted us worthy to worship one God in three consubstantial hypostases. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
O Logos of God, You appeared to Moses in the bush as a purifying fire that did at all consume it. You thus prefigured Your incarnation from the Virgin, through which you refashioned humanity. [GOASD]
Ode iii. N/M (First You established.)
O omnipotent God, as we extol You, the single and thrice-radiant and omnific Master, we ask to be freed from sins and temptations. Please do not despise us who with faith glorify Your benevolence. [GOASD]
O God the Logos, You appeared from the Father as an equipotent branch from an unoriginate root, along with the consubstantial and divine Spirit. And therefore we the faithful glorify one Dominion in three persons. [GOASD]
We the faithful all glorify You, the one nature in three hypostases, equal in glory and consubstantial, distinguishing without separating, the monarchical Trinity. And as we worship You, we pray for the forgiveness of our offenses. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
O Logos of God, You immutably became like mortals in all things, and You came forth from a pure Virgin. You revealed to all that the Godhead is thrice-radiant, one in essence, and three corresponding hypostases. [GOASD]
Kathisma. Grave Mode.
Have mercy, O Holy Trinity, * on us Your servants, for we have sinned. * Receive us now, as we are penitent, * and forgive us our sins, O Compassionate. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
O Theotokos, do good to us, * for our souls are afflicted with sins; * and from our offenses deliver us, * who extol you, the all-pure Bride of God. [GOASD]
Ode iv. N/M (O Christ our God, You did not depart.)
O thrice-radiant, divine Unity that maintains and saves all things, guard us who sing Your praise, and save us from afflictions and passions and every distress. [GOASD]
We are at a loss for words to describe Your incomprehensible, thrice-radiant Godhead. O benevolent Lord, we extol You and we glorify Your power. [GOASD]
We on earth join the bodiless choirs in heaven, and with longing we glorify You, O Unity and Trinity. We distinguish You without dividing You, the Master of all. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
Without abandoning Your Father’s glory, You, O Logos, willingly came down to our extreme humility. You, the superessential One, became incarnate, and You exalted all to divine glory, as You are compassionate. [GOASD]
Ode v. N/M ()
O Trinity in persons, and Unity in will and glory and honor, nature source of light, we pray You strengthen us in our love for You. [GOASD] (2)
We glorify the Nous and Logos and Spirit, the one Godhead and tri-solar nature, and we pray to be delivered from temptations and afflictions of every kind. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
O Logos of God, You conformed to our human nature and were born from a holy Virgin; and You taught us to extol a Trinity in Unity, identical in essence and majesty. [GOASD]
Ode vi. N/M (I was feeling nauseous.)
We glorify the monarchical Godhead in three hypostases, corresponding to one another in concurring dominion, having the difference only of each subsisting property. [GOASD] (2)
The spiritual ranks of the angelic orders praise You, tri-solar Monarchy. We join them and with lips of clay we extol You, the only Maker of all things, and we faithfully glorify You. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
The Logos, like another Daystar, before the ages was begotten from the Father the Daystar, and in latter times unutterably rose from the Virgin. He taught that incomprehensible God is one nature in three persons. [GOASD]
Kathisma. Grave Mode. More dazzling than flame.
Consubstantial Trinity, * one in three hypostases, * have mercy on Your creatures, O immortal Lord; * burn away the wicked deeds of us transgressors * and illumine hearts and minds of those extolling * Your great and tender love. O our God, glory to You! [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
More dazzling than flame of fire, * more brilliant than shining light, * O Lady, is the mercy of your gift of grace; * for it burns away the sins of all your people * and refreshes the minds of those extolling * your splendid miracles, O all-blameless Mother of God. [GOASD]
Ode vii. N/M (Those godly Servants.)
We are obedient to the sayings of the godly Prophets, and we glorify You the one and only God of all in three persons, as we cry aloud: Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers. [GOASD] (2)
O holy Trinity, one in essence, we join the immaterial hosts and sing Your praise with earthen lips, as we cry aloud: Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
O all-pure Virgin, He who fashioned Adam became human from you, that He might refashion him; and He deified the people, as they cry aloud: Blessed is the fruit of your womb, O all-pure Lady. [GOASD]
Ode viii. N/M (Unconsumed by fire.)
O unoriginate triple and single Lordship, You rule the universe, and You steer heaven and earth. I pray You preserve me, who am mesmerized by Your love, to sing to You, “All you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” (2)
O Trinity and Unity, grant that the hearts of us who sing Your praise be illumined by the light-giving beams of the thrice-radiant Sun; and grant that all who with correct faith extol Your majesty may see Your beauty now, as far as possible, unto all the ages. [GOASD]
O benevolent Source of good, make me be a temple of Your thrice-radiant light, communion, and participation. O Master, make me be untouchable by unseen enemies and by the carnal passions, my only King and God, the Lord of glory, so that I may sing Your praise, unto all the ages. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
O immaculate Virgin and Mother, divine Light rose from your womb, and He illumined the entire world with tri-solar light. He made the earth to be like another heaven that sings, “All you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [GOASD]
Ode ix. N/M (You as the Mother of God.)
We earthen creatures are incapable of worthily exalting and extolling You, whom the Seraphim extol unceasingly in the heights. Yet we dare to magnify You, O Master of all and most benevolent God. (2)
O single and undivided Trinity, free from physical pain and a passionate soul the faithful who sing Your praise. Grant that they be kept unharmed by any of life’s afflictions. [GOASD]
Equipotent, thrice-radiant Godhead, as You extend Your rule, the unaltered beauty of Your connatural goodness, we pray You give Your servants remission of sins and deliverance from temptations and passions. [GOASD]
Theotokion.
O Theotokos, God the Logos assumed a mind and soul and the substance of our flesh, and He truly came forth from your immaculate womb and was seen as a man. He showed how humanity may indeed become a partaker of divine nature. [GOASD]
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MATINS
After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. Resurrectional Kathismata.
Grave Mode.
Life was placed in the sepulcher, and a seal was placed on the stone. The soldiers were guarding Christ like a sleeping king. The Angels glorified Him as their immortal God. And the women cried aloud, “The Lord has risen, and He has granted to the world the great mercy.” [GOASD]
Glory.
While You were buried for three days, You devastated death. You brought life to humanity, which had been destroyed; and when You rose, You resurrected it, O Christ God, as the benevolent Savior. Glory to You! [GOASD]
Both now. Theotokion.
Christ God was crucified for us; He destroyed the power of death; and He rose from the dead. O Virgin Theotokos, we pray you unceasingly implore Him to save our souls. [GOASD]
After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. Resurrectional Kathismata.
The tomb being sealed, You rose from the sepulcher, O Christ God, the Life. And the doors being shut, You came to the disciples, O resurrection of all. Through them You renew a right spirit within us, according to Your great mercy. [GOASD]
Glory.
In tears, the women ran to the tomb, bringing ointments. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us?” For You, the King of all, were guarded by soldiers. Then they heard the angelic voice addressing them, “The Angel of great Counsel has trampled death, and He has risen!” O almighty Lord, glory to You! [GOASD]
Both now. Theotokion.
Rejoice, Maiden full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos; You are the haven and protection of the human race. From you the Redeemer of the world became incarnate, and only you are both a mother and a virgin. O Lady, ever blessed and glorified, we pray you intercede with Christ God, to grant peace to the whole world. [GOASD]
After Psalm 118 and the Evlogetaria:
Hypakoe.
O Christ God, who took our form and bodily endured the Cross, save me by Your resurrection, O benevolent Lord. [GOASD]
Anavathmoi. Antiphon 1.
You returned the captives of Zion from their wandering. As for me, enliven me, and free me from captivity to passions. [GOASD]
In the south those who sow afflictions with tears and with fasting will reap the sheaves of joy, the staff of life everlasting. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
In the Holy Spirit is the source of divine treasures. From Him is wisdom, understanding, and fear. To Him praise is due, glory, honor and dominion. [GOASD]
Antiphon 2.
Unless the Lord builds the house of the soul, we labor in vain; for without Him no action or word is accomplished. [GOASD]
Moved by the Spirit, the saints produce the Father’s dogmas about the sonship of the fruit of the womb. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
In the Holy Spirit, the universe has its existence. For He is God before all, universal lordship, unapproachable light, and the life of all. [GOASD]
Antiphon 3.
Those who fear the Lord and find the ways of life, both now and ever will be called blessed, for having immortal glory. [GOASD]
As you see your offspring like olive trees around your table, rejoice and be glad, chief shepherd, as you bring them to Christ. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
In the Holy Spirit is an ocean of divine gifts, a wealth of glory, a great depth of judgments; He is identical in glory to the Father and the Son, and therefore to be worshiped. [GOASD]
Prokeimenon.
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hand be lifted high, and do not forget Your poor to the end.
Verse: I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with my whole heart.
“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.
Grave Mode. Ode i. Heirmos.
Lord, at Your divine signal, the fluid streams of the Red Sea * became solid walls, as they were held back by a mighty wind. * Israel passed over dry-shod; * and they sang the victory song unto You, O God. [SD]
Troparia.
The tyranny of death has been judged through a tree, O Savior, * for You, Lord, had been condemned to unjust death and crucified. * Therefore the ruler of darkness * justly was cast out, having no power over You. [SD]
Hades with death assaulted You, but its teeth had no power * to shatter Your sinless body, but instead its jaws were crushed. * When You, O Lord, loosed and ended * pangs of death, You rose within three days, O Savior Christ. [SD]
Theotokion.
Loosed are the pain and sorrow of Eve our ancestral mother. * For you without seed conceived and gave birth without labor pains. * Knowing from this, O all-pure one, * that you are the Mother of God, we all glorify you. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
By Cosmas.
Ode i. The Lord is a warrior.
When He was on the Cross, * two life-bearing springs for us * did the Savior pour out from His side that with a lance was pierced. * Let us sing to Him, for He is glorified. [SD]
Christ, dwelling in the tomb * and in three days rising, gave * mortals the expectation of incorruptibility. * Let us sing to Him, for He is glorified. [SD]
Stavrotheotokion.
Only you proved to be * virgin after childbirth; * for you bore the incarnate Creator of the universe. * Therefore unto to you we all cry out: Rejoice. [SD]
Canon for the Theotokos.
Lord, at Your divine signal.
Virgin, since you gave birth unto the abyss of compassion, * illumine my soul, I pray, with your light-bearing radiance, * that the abyss of your wondrous * marvels I may worthily praise and extol in song. [SD]
Seeing us whom the arrows of sin had wounded, the Logos, * divine and beyond divine, as Benefactor pitied us. * Hence to the flesh He received from you does He unite, O all pure one, ineffably. [SD]
Once death had gained possession of human nature, O pure one, * it rendered it mortal and susceptible unto decay. * But now since you have conceived life, * you have raised it up from corruption to life again. [SD]
Ode iii. Heirmos.
First You established by Your Word, by Your omnipotent Logos, * the heavens, O Savior, and You made * all their host by Your divine omnificent Spirit, as the breath of Your mouth. * I pray You, on the unshaken rock of Your confession, Lord, establish me. [SD]
Troparia.
Merciful Savior, You went up onto the Cross and You suffered * pains and sorrows willingly for us. * The wound that You bore became the cause of peace and of salvation for us all; * and by it we the believers have been reconciled to Your Father, O Christ. [SD]
The dragon bit my soul of old; it caused a wound that had festered. * You have disinfected it, O Christ. * When I had been dwelling in the darkness and corruption, You showed me the light; * for You descended to Hades through the Cross, and with yourself You raised me up. [SD]
Theotokion.
O Savior Christ, at the entreaties of Your ever-virgin Mother, * give the world the precious prize of peace; * keep our country safe from foreign enemies and from ungodliness within; * grant Your ineffable glory to us who extol You and sing glory to You. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
You who upon the Cross endured the Passion, * as Benefactor and as God, and opened * Paradise unto the thief, * I pray, establish my mind * to perform Your will, only benevolent Lord. [SD]
You resurrected from the tomb in three days, * and You made life to rise upon the whole world, * as the Life-giver and as God. * I pray, establish my mind * to perform Your will, only benevolent Lord. [SD]
Theotokion.
O Virgin Mother Mary, you without seed * conceived and carried God, and you have freed Eve * the primal mother from the curse. * And therefore earnestly pray * God who is incarnate from you to save your flock. [SD]
Canon for the Theotokos.
First You established.
The creeping serpent tempting me * to long for deification * tossed me out of Paradise to earth. * He who is by nature sympathetic and merciful pitied me and dwelt * within your womb, Virgin Mother, * and became like me and now makes me divine. [SD]
The fruit, O Virgin, of your womb * is blessed, O Theotokos, * you who are the universal joy. * You have given birth for the entire world truly to happiness and joy * that makes the sorrow that sin brings * dissipate, all-holy one and Bride of God. [SD]
O Virgin Mother of our God, * for us to life everlasting * you have given birth, and unto light, * and unto the peace that does by faith and by the true acknowledgement of grace * abate the war that the old man * waged against his God and Father formerly. [SD]
Ode iv. Heirmos.
O Christ our God, You did not depart * Your Father’s bosom when You descended to the earth. * I have heard about the mystery of Your plan to save us all, * and I glorify You, O benevolent Lord. [SD]
Troparia.
Giving His back willingly to whips, * the Lord, incarnate of the Virgin, physically felt * painful torments, being innocent, * as Master dismissing all accusations of sin against me His slave. [SD]
The One who stood trial and was judged * guilty by judges who were not keeping their own laws, * and was also struck with a hand of clay, * is the One who fashioned man, * being God, who righteously judges the earth. [SD]
Theotokion.
Being in truth Mother of our God, * implore your Maker and your Son on my behalf, * that He steer me to His glorious will, * my soul to an anchorage, * that is my salvation, O all-blameless one. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Prophet Habakkuk considered.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
O Christ our God, You did not depart.
Ode v. Heirmos.
For unbelievers, delight is dark night; * but for believers, the light is in delighting in Your words, O Christ. * And so I rise early in the morning to sing in praise of Your divinity. [SD]
Troparia.
For us Your slaves, You were paid for, O Christ, * and You endured to be struck, * which led to liberty for us who sing, * “I rise early in the morning to sing in praise of Your divinity.” [SD]
O Savior Christ, by Your power as God, * and through the weakness of flesh, You beat the strong man, namely the devil; * and You have shown that I am victorious over death, by resurrecting me. [SD]
Theotokion.
O Mother pure, you gave birth to our God. * He was incarnate of you in a manner befitting God. * You knew no man, O all-lauded Virgin, yet by the Holy Spirit you conceived. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Ode vi. Heirmos.
I was feeling nauseous from mundane tempestuous worries. * My sins, as if shipmates, threw me overboard into the maw of the beast that devours souls. * Now, like Prophet Jonah, I am praying, * “From this deathly Pit bring up my life, O Christ my God.” [SD]
Troparia.
The souls of the righteous, shut up in the belly of Hades, * remembered You, even as they were fainting. * Like Prophet Jonah they prayed for deliverance, * which, being compassionate, You granted, * when You went yourself into the netherworld, O Christ. [SD]
Your Apostles lost hope that they would again see the living * temple of Your body not made by human hands, * which, as they thought, was destroyed by Your sufferings. * Then beyond all hope they saw You risen; * and when they had worshiped You, they preached You everywhere. [SD]
Theotokion.
Bride of God and Virgin, no human is able to explain * the manner of your all blameless childbirth * for our salvation, for it is ineffable. * Uniting with you, the divine Logos * became flesh from you and yet remained uncircumscribed. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
I was feeling nauseous.
Kontakion. N/M (The fiery sword.)
No longer will the power of death be able to detain human beings. For Christ went down and crushed it and destroyed all its forces. Hades is shackled, and the Prophets in unison rejoice and proclaim, “The Savior has come to those in darkness. Come out now, believers, to the resurrection!” [GOASD]
Oikos.
The netherworld below was trembling today, Hades and death, before One of the Trinity. Earth shook, and when they saw You, the doorkeepers of Hades quaked. Now all creation, along with the Prophets, rejoices and sings You an ode of triumph, O God our redeemer, who now destroyed the force of death. And let us shout aloud to Adam and his descendants, “A tree brought him in. Come out now, believers, to the resurrection!” [GOASD]
Ode vii. Heirmos.
The fiery furnace turned moist and dew-laden, when the Servants were cast therein, * and they extolled the one God, and they sang to Him, * “O highly exalted God of our fathers and exceedingly glorious.” [SD]
Troparia.
Adam was slain through a tree, for he acted in disobedience willfully. * He was refashioned by Christ’s full obedience; * for the highly glorified Son of God was crucified on a tree for me. [SD]
When You arose from the tomb, all creation extolled You, Christ, highly glorified. * To those in Hades You brought forth eternal life, * resurrection to the dead; and on those who sat in darkness You shined the light. [SD]
Theotokion.
Rejoice, O daughter of Adam the mortal! Rejoice, unique virgin Bride of God! * Rejoice! Through you has corruption been ostracized. * Truly you gave birth to God. O pure Lady, implore your Son to save us all. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Those godly Servants.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
The fiery furnace.
Ode viii. Heirmos.
Unconsumed by fire was the burning bush on Sinai, * revealing God to Prophet Moses, who was weak in speech and slow of tongue. * And zeal for God kept the three Young Men unscathed by fire and led them to compose the hymn: * “O all you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]
Troparia.
When the Lamb of God, who is rational and spotless, * was slaughtered for the world, He ended sacrifice according to the Law, * for He is God without sin, and thus He purified the world, which now forever sings: * “O all you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]
Prior to His Passion, our flesh that our Creator assumed was not incorruptible. * After His suffering and rising, it was rendered inaccessible to corruption; * it renews mortals who sing to Him: * “O all you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]
Theotokion.
Since you were most pure and all-blameless, holy Virgin, * the Lord was born of you, and He washed away the unsightly filth of the world. * All-pure Mother, therefore we call you the cause of our reconciliation to God. * All generations now bless you, O Virgin Theotokos, * and exalt you beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
The ranks of bodiless hosts.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
Unconsumed by fire.
Ode ix. Heirmos.
When you conceived, you experienced no deflowerment. * You lent your flesh to the Logos, through whom all things were made. * Therefore we magnify you, Virgin Theotokos, * Mother who knew no man, space and holder of your Maker, who is uncontainable and infinite. [SD]
Troparia.
All you professors of doctrines that are not Orthodox, * who to the Godhead attribute suffering, shut your mouths! * He is the Lord of glory, crucified in body, * but not in divine nature. And so we magnify Him in natures two, the one hypostasis. [SD]
Go to the tomb of the Savior, all you who would reject * the resurrection of bodies, and be instructed there. * See that the flesh of Christ the Life-giver, which truly had died, has truly risen, * confirming thus the final resurrection, for which we surely hope. [SD]
For the Trinity.
Not in a Triad of godheads but of hypostases, * not in a Monad of persons but of Divinity, do we believe. * We cut off those who would divide It, * and mix together all who would attribute confusion to the Trinity, which we magnify. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
You as the Mother of God.
Christ as the light that from light shone timelessly * and as the radiance of His Father’s glory, illumined * the darkness of the life of humankind. * And He dispelled the pursuing darkness. * And Him do we believers all unceasingly magnify. [SD]
Seeing in Christ both the flesh’s sufferings * and the Divinity’s might, let those affirming the doctrine * of the one compound nature be ashamed. * For the same Person both died as a human being, * and as Maker of the universe rose again. [SD]
Stavrotheotokion.
No other God do I know except for You * who from the unbelieving nations chose me as Your own bride. * So does the Church cry out to You, O Lord. * Give the believers salvation, O Logos, * by Your Mother’s intercessions, as One compassionate. [SD]
Canon for the Theotokos.
You as the Mother of God.
O ever-virginal Damsel, you became * for us the agent of happiness and joy everlasting, * for you gave birth to Him who ransomed us, * and who in truth and in Spirit divine re-deems all those who honor Him * as God, and who worship Him. [SD]
David your forefather in his psalmody * calls you the Ark of the holiness of God, O all-pure one, * wondrously capable of holding Him * who sits above in the Fatherly bosom, and whom we believers all * unceasingly magnify. [SD]
You have in truth now become superior * to all creation, O Damsel, for you physically gave birth * to the Creator of all things for us. * Thus as the Mother of the only Master you have the ascendancy * commandingly over all. [SD]
The appointed Eothinon Exaposteilarion.
At Lauds.
Resurrectional Stichera. Grave Mode.
Christ has risen from the dead, having loosed the bonds of death. O earth, proclaim the good news of great joy! You heavens, praise the glory of God! [GOASD]
Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord, Jesus, the only sinless One. [GOASD]
We never cease to honor the resurrection of Christ; for it was He who saved us from our transgressions. Holy is the Lord, Jesus, who showed us resurrection. [GOASD]
What shall we give back to the Lord for all He rendered to us? For us, God lived among men. For human nature that was damaged, the Logos became flesh and dwelt among us. To the ungrateful He is the Benefactor; to the captives, the Liberator; to those who sat in darkness, the Sun of Righteousness. He who is dispassionate suffered on the cross; He who is the Light shone in Hades; He who is the Life trampled death. For the fallen He is the resurrection. Let us cry aloud to Him, “Glory to You our God!” [GOASD]
Additional Stichera by Anatolios.
You shattered the gates of Hades, and You ended the power of death, by Your mighty power, O Lord. Then You rose, and by Your divine and glorious resurrection, You also raised the dead, who slept in darkness from when time began, O King of the universe and almighty God. [GOASD]
Come, let us rejoice in the Lord and let us celebrate His resurrection. For with himself He raised the dead from the inescapable dungeon of Hades, and as God, He has given to the world everlasting life and the great mercy. [GOASD]
The dazzling Angel was sitting on the stone of the tomb that had hosted life, and he proclaimed the good news to the Myrrh-bearing Women, “The Lord has risen, as He told you before. Go and tell His disciples that He is going before you to Galilee; and that He is granting to the world everlasting life and the great mercy.” [GOASD]
Why did you reject the Cornerstone, O rebellious Jews? He is the stone that God placed in Zion; He made the water gush from the rock in the desert; and for us He pours out immortality from His side. He is the stone that was cut out from the mountain, namely the Virgin, without the will of a man. He is the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven to the Ancient of Days, as Daniel has said; and eternal is His kingdom. [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]
The Great Doxology, followed by the 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]
instead of the one that used to be sung on Sunday’s of Modes pl. 1, pl. 2, Grave, and pl. 4, which goes like this:
Mode pl. 4.
When You rose from the sepulcher and broke the bonds of Hades, You repealed the sentence of death, O Lord, and delivered all from the snares of the enemy. And when You showed yourself to Your Apostles, You sent them out to preach, and through them You granted peace to the whole world, O only very merciful One. [SD]
__________
LITURGY
The Typika and Beatitudes.
Grave Mode.
The fruit that killed me of old was good for food and beautiful to contemplate. But Christ is the very tree of life, from which I eat and die not. And echoing the Robber’s words, I cry out, “Remember me in Your kingdom, O Lord.” [SD]
When You, O merciful Lord, were lifted on the Cross, You cancelled and erased the bond and record of the primal sin of Adam, and You saved us, the human race, from all deceit. Therefore we extol You, our Benefactor and Lord. [SD]
You nailed our sins to the Cross, O Master all-compassionate Lord Jesus Christ; and You put death to death by Your death and also resurrected from the dead those who had died. Therefore we all worship You and Your resurrection, O God. [SD]
The serpent spat out the bitter poison into the ears of Eve of old. But Christ, on the tree of the Cross, poured out onto the world sweetness of eternal life. I cry out, “Remember me in Your kingdom, O Lord.” [SD]
They buried You in a tomb, O Savior, as one mortal, Christ the life of all. You smashed the bars of Hades and its gates, and then on the third day You rose, as the almighty God, and illumined everyone. Glory to Your resurrection! [SD]
When Christ the Savior had truly risen from the dead on the third day He gave to His disciples and His friends His peace; and He blessed them and sent them out commanding them: “Make disciples of all men, and bring them to my kingdom.” [SD]
Glory.
Light is the Father; the Son and Logos is light; the Holy Spirit is light. The three are one uncreated light, one God in three persons, and one in nature, one in rule, undivided, unconfused, pre-eternal single God. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
On earth you carried and bore the Father’s Son and Logos, when He became flesh, as He knew how, all-holy Theotokos. Therefore, Virgin Mother, we who are deified through you, cry aloud, saluting you: Hope of Christians all, rejoice! [SD]