PERIOD OF MODE PL. 4
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 pl. 4.
After, “O Lord, keep us this evening…” we sing the Resurrectional Sticheron, Jesus, You descended… and then the following Prosomoia:
Stichera for the Theotokos.
Mode pl. 4. What a paradoxal.
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. Dogmatic 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 pl. 4.
We offer You, O Christ, evening hymns of praise, this service of spiritual worship. For You were well pleased to have mercy on us through the resurrection. [GOASD]
We pray You, O Lord, O Lord, do not cast us away from Your presence. Please have mercy on us, through the resurrection. [GOASD]
Rejoice, O holy Zion, Mother of the churches, and where God made His dwelling! You were first to receive the forgiveness of sins through the resurrection. [GOASD]
Additional Stichera by Anatolios.
The Logos, who before all ages was begotten of God the Father and in latter times became incarnate of the ever-virgin Mary, of His own will endured crucifixion and death, and through His resurrection He saved humanity, which had died long ago. [GOASD]
We glorify Your resurrection from the dead, through which You freed the human race, the descendants of Adam, from the tyranny of Hades, and as God You gave the world eternal life and the great mercy, O Christ. [GOASD]
Glory to You, O Savior Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, for You were nailed to the Cross, and on the third day You rose from the tomb. [GOASD]
We glorify and worship You, almighty Savior, who for us endured the Cross voluntarily. We pray You, do not cast us away from Your presence, but hear us, O benevolent Lord, and save us, through Your resurrection. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
The King of heaven appeared on earth and lived among men, in His benevolence towards humanity. He assumed flesh from the pure Virgin, and, with the human nature that He assumed, He was born from her. Now twofold in nature, He is but one person, the Son. So we confess and correctly profess that fully divine and fully human He is one and the same, Christ our God. We pray you, His virgin Mother, entreat Him to have mercy on 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 pl. 4.
Resurrectional.
Jesus, You descended from heaven, and You ascended the Cross. You, who are immortal life, came in order to die. You, who are the true light, went to those who sat in darkness, the resurrection of all, to those who were fallen. Our enlightener and Savior, 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]
Let us glorify Christ who has risen from the dead. He had assumed both a soul and a body, and enduring His Passion He separated them. His immaculate soul went down to Hades, and He devastated it, while in the grave the holy body of the Redeemer of our souls did not see corruption nor undergo decay. [GOASD]
Verse: And He established the world, which shall not be moved. [SAAS]
With Psalms and hymns we glorify Your resurrection from the dead, through which You, O Christ, freed us from the tyranny of Hades, and as God You gave to the world life eternal and the great mercy. [GOASD]
Verse: Holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days. [SAAS]
O Master of the universe, incomprehensible Maker of heaven and earth, through Your Passion and the Cross, You became for me a fount of dispassion. You consented to be buried, then You rose again in glory, raising Adam with yourself by Your almighty hand. Glory to Your resurrection on the third day! Through it You have given us eternal life and forgiveness of sins, O supremely compassionate Lord. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
All-blameless Virgin, who did not know man yet ineffably conceived God in the flesh, Mother of God Most High, hear our supplications when we pray to you, who provide the cleansing of offenses to all. Again we pray you, receive us who now entreat you, and implore your Son to save us all.
Resurrectional Apolytikion.
You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and consented to a three-day burial, to free us from the passions. O Lord, our life and resurrection, glory to You! [GOASD]
Theotokion.
You were born of a Virgin, and You endured crucifixion for us, O good Lord. By Your death You divested death of spoils, and You displayed resurrection, as God. Please do not despise us, the work of Your hand. Demonstrate Your loving kindness, O merciful Master. Defer to Your Mother, the Theotokos, when she intercedes on our behalf, and save us, Your people in despair, O Savior. [GOASD]
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ON SUNDAY MIDNIGHT OFFICE
Canon for the Trinity
Mode pl. 4. Ode i. N/M (The rod of Moses.)
We come before the tri-solar King and Lord, who provides for all. He alone is good by nature and He has the unitary glory of the Godhead. He is God and monarch. To Him we sing the thrice-holy hymn. [SD]
By God-inspired sayings and prophecies from on high, we have been clearly instructed to glorify in three persons, Father, Son, and Spirit, the one divinely sovereign, omnipotent, eternal, creative, co-beginningless nature. [SD]
Of old, when Abraham joyfully gave hospitality in a sacred type to God, the Creator of all, the Lord in three hypostases, he came to know the single dominion of the three hypostases, and thus he became an initiate of sacred mysteries. [SD]
Theotokion.
O all-pure Lady, you remained a virgin and yet gave birth to Christ. For our sake, He assumed our nature, and after as before He remained unchanged. I pray you unceasingly entreat Him to forgive me my sins and to deliver me from temptations. [SD]
Ode iii. N/M (In the beginning.)
The Prophet Isaiah saw You, the unapproachable God and King of glory, seated on a lofty throne, as Cherubim and Seraphim with unceasing hymns glorified You, the Monad in three hypostases. [SD]
The Logos alone was begotten of the Father as from a Mind, and the Spirit also proceeded from Him ineffably. We have understood this from correct reasoning and the teachings of Scripture, and thus we worship one tri-solar God. [SD]
The One who is the unbegotten Father begets the Son without change, light from light, and sends forth by procession the Spirit, consubstantial light, omnificent and equal in honor. [SD]
Theotokion.
O Virgin Mother Mary, you became the pure temple of Christ. He brought all things into being and ordered them and sustains them, omnificently and omnisciently. I pray you, as His Mother, to ask Him to be gracious to me. [SD]
Kathisma. Mode pl. 4. N/M (When he perceived.)
We believers now extol the mighty deeds of the tri-solar Godhead and Creator. By will alone, the God established all things: the angelic hosts on high, and the hierarchies of the churches down on earth; so that all may sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O supremely-good God! To Your dominion be glory and praise!” [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.
Good Lady, who gave birth to immutable God, my heart is ever being influenced by sin and the assaults of the devil, and it succumbs to laziness. I pray that by your maternal intercessions you strengthen it, so that with gratitude I may sing to you: All-blameless Mary, Mother of God, have mercy on your flock, which He has given you to have and hold. [SD]
Ode iv. N/M (You are my strength.)
When Christ, the Sunrise of righteousness, appeared to those in darkness, He dispelled the long unlit night of the passions, and He brought the rising of the Godhead’s light, simple in essence, thrice-radiant in rays, which we ever extol and glorify. [SD]
The Lord of glory, Trinity in persons, in nature simple and unapproachable, is extolled by the mouths of Seraphim, and glorified by our lips of clay, as we say, “O King of all, to Your servants grant mercy and forgiveness of sins.” [SD]
O invisible, divine, and Holy Trinity, humane, compassionate, and all-merciful, You sustain all beings. Please do not completely forget me, Your supplicant. Please do not annul the covenant You made with Your servants in Your ineffable mercy. [SD]
Theotokion.
The pre-eternal Logos found you alone from all time to be beautiful, like that beauty of Jacob, and He dwelt in you, all-pure Virgin, where, in His compassion, he refashioned human nature. Unceasingly entreat Him to rescue me from all distress. [SD]
Ode v. N/M (Why reject me.)
We glorify You, three co-eternal persons, yet one Lord, the divine nature, simply distinguishing and uniting. And with faith we sing, O divine Holy Trinity, rescue Your servants from distress. [SD]
I greatly lament the infirmity of my mind: how, against my will, I succumb to involuntary changes. I pray You, O Holy Trinity the source of life, establish me firmly in virtue. [SD]
I am heavy with the drowsiness of sin and headed toward the sleep of death. I pray You, O humane and most benevolent and all-merciful divine Holy Trinity, take pity on me and wake me up. [SD]
Theotokion.
O all-pure, all-blameless, Virgin Mother, full of divine grace, please ask your Son and God and Lord to be gracious to me. I entreat you, quickly free me your servant from my passions and sins. [SD]
Ode vi. N/M (Be gracious to me.)
We imitate the hierarchies of the celestial intelligences, and in thrice-holy songs from mouths of clay, we glorify You, O super-essential Trinity, ruling as monarch over all. [SD]
One God in three hypostases, You fashioned man in Your image, and wisely You brought all things from nonexistence into being. I worship, adore, extol, and magnify You. [SD]
God, the Ruler of all, alone incomprehensible, please dwell in me in, O tri-solar Master, in Your ineffable mercy, and illumine me, and grant me understanding, O compassionate Lord. [SD]
Theotokion.
O all-immaculate, all-holy Lady, you became the temple of the uncontainable God. Please pray that I, too, become a temple of His divine grace. Also, keep me safe and sound. [SD]
Kathisma. Mode pl. 4. N/M (When he perceived.)
We believers truly confess our faith in the unoriginate Father, the Son also without beginning, and the divine Spirit: the Holy Trinity, simple, consubstantial, unmingled, immutable, unchanging. We join the Angels and sing, “You are holy, O Father, Son, and divine all-holy Spirit. Have mercy on those whom You fashioned in Your image, O Lord.” [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.
We ever thank you, O all-holy Theotokos, * and magnify you the all-pure one; and we worship * and extol your divine Son, Maiden highly favored. * All-merciful Virgin, therefore we cry aloud * unceasingly praying, Save us, since you are good. * Snatch me out from the frightening * examination of accounts * by demons in the hour of trial. * May we your servants not be ashamed. [SD]
Ode vii. N/M (The fire in Babylon.)
O God, Trinity and Monad, of old in Your ineffable wisdom and the ocean of Your goodness, You gave me the gift to be Your servant. I pray You do so again, now, O merciful Lord, and free me from distress and sins and passions. [SD] (2)
O Father, the unbegotten Nous, O Logos, begotten of Him, O divine Spirit, inexplicably proceeding from the Father, I sing to You, O God, tri-solar Monarch: You are blessed, O God of our Fathers. [SD]
Theotokion.
O immaculate Virgin, I am dying, for I drank the poison of sin. With faith I pray to you, who gave birth to the Author of life. O all-pure Lady, intercede for me, your servant, and bring me back to life, and free me from distress and sins and passions. [SD]
Ode viii. N/M (The tyrant king.)
O incomprehensible God and monarchical Lord, You are light, never-setting, thrice-resplendent, tri-solar, monarchical, most simple. I pray You now enlighten my dark and gloomy heart, and make it radiant and luminous, so that I may extol You and glorify You, unto all the ages. [SD] (2)
The most divine Seraphim out of reverence cover their faces and feet with their most sacred wings, unable to look at Your extraordinary beauty, O divine Monarchy, source of goodness, most holy Trinity. Yet we faithfully dare to extol and glorify You, unto all the ages. [SD]
My God, You are unoriginate, omnipotent, all-benevolent, initiator, beneficent, boundless, uncaused Cause, Creator, eternal, providential, Savior of the universe; Monad in essence, and a Trinity in persons. I faithfully glorify You, unto all the ages. [SD]
Theotokion.
O all-immaculate Lady, the never-setting Sun rose on the earth through your virginal childbirth. He rid humanity of the dreary night of idolatry. I pray you enlighten me now with the rays of His divinity, and protect me your servant. [SD]
Ode ix. N/M (The heavens.)
We now glorify You, Ruler of all, omnificent, omnipotent, Nature, above time, source of life, compassionate, humane, good, monarchical Trinity. We pray for forgiveness of sins, world peace, and unanimity among the Churches. [SD] (2)
We extol You, the one Dominion and thrice-radiant, unitary, tri-solar Godhead; and we pray that in Your goodness, You receive us, and free us from our offenses, temptations, and troubles; and quickly restore peace and unity to the Churches, in Your benevolence. [SD]
Theotokion.
O Christ my Savior, You dwelt in the Virgin’s womb, and You appeared to Your world as both God and man, truly immutable and without confusion. You also promised to be with Your servants always. So we pray that grant peace to all Your flock, at Your Mother’s intercessions. [SD]
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MATINS
After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. Resurrectional Kathismata.
Mode pl. 4.
O Life of all, You rose from the dead; and an Angel, * his countenance like lightning, called out to the women, * “Weep no more! But go quickly and bring to the Apostles the tidings of joy. * Sing out in exultation, ‘Truly risen from the dead is Christ the Lord, * who was well pleased to save the human race, as God our only Savior.’” [GOASD]
Glory. By conceiving the wisdom.
Having risen indeed from the tomb, O Lord, * as recorded in Scripture, You told the devout * women to proclaim Your resurrection to the Apostles. * Then Peter came out and he ran to the tomb; * he was amazed beholding the light in the sepulcher. * Looking in he saw that Your holy body was missing; * the napkin and linen cloths were by themselves, lying separately. * Then he believed it and cried aloud, * “Glory to You, Christ God, for You save all people, O Savior! * You are the reflection of the Father’s glory!” [GOASD]
Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.
Let us sing hymns extolling the holy ark * and the heavenly gate and the shining cloud, * the all-holy mountain, and the heavenly ladder, * the allegorical Paradise and the release of Eve, * the great and precious treasure of the entire world. * For in her humanity’s salvation was accomplished; * through her has the world received the forgiveness of age-old sins. * Let us therefore cry out to her, * “Intercede with your Son and our God, that He grant forgiveness of their offenses * to those who reverently honor your all-holy childbirth.” [GOASD]
After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. Resurrectional Kathismata.
Human beings put a seal on Your tomb; an Angel rolled the stone away from its door. Women saw You risen from the dead, O Savior, and they brought the joyful news to Your disciples in Zion, that You the life of all had risen, and that the bonds of death were shattered. Glory to You, O Lord! [GOASD]
Glory.
The women who were taking the burial spices * heard an angelic voice from the sepulcher saying, * “Weep no more! And instead of your sorrow take with you the tidings of joy. * Sing out in exultation, ‘Truly risen from the dead is Christ the Lord, * who was well pleased to save the human race, as God our only Savior.’” [GOASD]
Both now. Theotokion.
In you, O Lady full of grace, all creation rejoices, the hosts of Angels and the human race. O consecrated temple and allegorical Paradise, virgins boast of you. For God became incarnate from you, yes, our eternally existing God became a child from you. He made a throne of your womb, and He made your body wider than the heavens. In you, O Lady full of grace, all creation rejoices. Glory to you! [GOASD]
After Psalm 118 and the Evlogetaria:
Hypakoe.
The Myrrh-bearing Women went to the tomb of the Giver of Life, seeking the immortal Master among the dead. And receiving good tidings of joy from the Angel, they reported to the Apostles, that the Lord had risen, granting the great mercy to the world. [GOASD]
Anavathmoi. Antiphon 1.
From my youth the enemy tempts me, with the pleasures he inflames me. But trusting in You, O Lord, I repel and vanquish him. [GOASD]
Let those who hate Zion become like the grass before it is plucked up. For Christ will cut their necks in pieces with the cutting blade of torments. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
In the Holy Spirit is the life of all things living. He is light from light and great God. We extol Him with the Father and the Logos. [GOASD]
Antiphon 2.
Let my heart be humble-minded and covered with the fear of You, O Lord, lest it be exalted and fall from You, all-compassionate Master. [GOASD]
Whoever hopes in the Lord will not fear when He will judge and punish all things with fire. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
In the Holy Spirit every holy person sees and speaks as a prophet. They do sublime miracles, praising the one God in three persons. For though It shines with three-fold light, yet the Godhead rules as monarch. [GOASD]
Antiphon 3.
I cried to You, O Lord. Attend to me. Incline Your ear to me who am crying, and purify me prior to taking me from this life. [GOASD]
Everyone who sets in the earth, his mother, will again return thence, to receive the torments or honors for his life’s actions. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
From the Holy Spirit comes theology. One God, thrice-holy: The Father is without beginning, and the Son came from Him eternally, and the Spirit, sharing form and throne, shone at once from the Father. [GOASD]
Antiphon 4.
Behold now, what is so good or so pleasant as for brethren to dwell together? For in this the Lord has promised life everlasting. [GOASD]
He who adorns the lilies of the field commands us not to be concerned about our clothing. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
In the Holy Spirit, the unifying Cause, all things are sustained in peaceful coexistence. This is so for He is God, with the Father and the Son being truly one in essence. [GOASD]
Prokeimenon.
The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Verse: Praise the Lord, O my soul!
“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 pl. 4. Ode i. Heirmos.
The rod of Moses working wonders once submerged Phar’onic charioteers * when it smote the waters * in the figure of a cross and thereby split the sea in two; * while it rescued on dry land wayfaring fugitive Israel, * which to God resoundingly sang a song. [SD]
Troparia.
How can we all not be amazed by the almighty divinity of Christ! * From the Savior’s Passion * pour out incorruption and dispassion to believers all; * from His holy side that was pierced ever flows an immortal fount; * from His empty tomb, everlasting life. [SD]
The holy Angel, whom the women see today, appears so glorious, * wearing the resplendent * emblems of intrinsic and immaterial purity, * his appearance alone indicating the resurrection’s light, * crying out, “The Lord is risen indeed!” [SD]
Theotokion.
All generations call you blest, proclaiming glorious things concerning you, * as the only woman * who held God the Logos in her womb, remaining ever pure, * Virgin Mother of God; therefore we the faithful all honor you * as our mighty champion after God. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Ode i. Of old when the Israelite.
The gates that were grievous were lifted up. * And also the gatekeepers of Hades shuddered in fear, * seeing in the netherworld the One who * is in the heights and surpasses the nature of all. [SD]
The orders of angels were sore amazed * seeing human nature which had fallen and had been held * in the lowest depths of earth a hostage * now to be seated upon the Paternal throne. [SD]
Stavrotheotokion.
The orders of angels and of mankind, * O unwedded Mother, do unceasingly sing your praise; * for you are the one who held their Maker * in your embraces when He was an infant child. [SD]
Canon for the Theotokos.
Using the words of Moses.
Pure one and Theotokos, * in a way transcending nature you gave birth * to the incarnate Logos * who is God beyond divine. We sing your praise. [SD]
Unto You the life-bearing * bunch of grapes that drip the sweetness of the world’s * universal salvation * did the Virgin give birth, O Anointed One. [SD]
Through you, O Theotokos, * was the race of Adam raised to blessedness * that transcends understanding. * Thereforedoes it glorify you worthily. [SD]
Ode iii. Heirmos.
In the beginning, You O Christ, * established all of the heavens, * and You made firm the earth upon the waters, * with intelligence divine. Confirm me on the Church’s rock. * No one but You is holy, and only You are benevolent. [SD]
Troparia.
Condemned was Adam when he ate * and tasted sin in the Garden. * But Your physical Passion that has saved us * vindicated him, O Lord, because You were not liable * to have to undergo death, * since You were sinless, O Christ our God. [SD]
The resurrection’s brilliant light, * my God and Savior Lord Jesus, * shined on people who were sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. * And by His own divinity, * He bound the strong man devil, * and then He plundered his house and goods. [SD]
Theotokion.
You are superior to all * the Angels, O Theotokos, * the Cherubim and Seraphim, O Virgin. * Only you held in your womb God, who is uncontainable. * And therefore all believers * ever extol you and call you blessed. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
O divine Master Builder.
Long ago You estranged me for having once disobeyed * Your divine commandment, O Master who truly fashioned me. * Now taking on my form, and training me in obedience, * through Your crucifixion You again made me Your own. [SD]
You who presciently know all in wisdom and who have formed * with Your understanding the regions beneath the earth, O Lord * the Word of God, did not disdain in Your condescension * to raise man that according to Your image You had made. [SD]
Theotokion.
By Your physically dwelling within the Virgin, O Lord, * You appeared to men in a way that was meet for You to be seen. * You demonstrated her to be indeed Theotokos, * and help of the faithful, only benevolent God. [SD]
Canon for the Theotokos.
Lord, You are the firm.
O all-pure one, give to us * your great assistance through your intense and ardent prayers, * and repel the grievous circumstances besetting us. [SD]
For the world did you give birth * unto the Author of life, O Lady, and became * thus the restitution * of the ancestral mother Eve. [SD]
Gird me with pow’r and might, * O Theotokos, who truly bore God in the flesh – * hypostatic power * of the Father – O Maiden pure. [SD]
Ode iv. Heirmos.
You are my strength. * You are my power, O Christ my Lord. * God my Savior, You are my exceeding joy. You came to us, never absent from the bosom of the Father, * and You assumed human poverty. * And so I join the Prophet Habakkuk, singing: Glory * to Your strength, O benevolent Lord my God! [SD]
Troparia.
You loved me much, even when I was an enemy. * By Your novel emptying, O merciful Savior, You came down to me on earth; * You were not ashamed of my degradation’s profundity. * Remaining in the heights, with Your ineffable glory * You have glorified me who was once abased. [SD]
O Master Christ, who does not marvel when they observe * how through Passion death has been destroyed, and also through the Cross decay disappears; * by Your death, O Savior, Hades is plundered of all its wealth. * This wondrous feat of Your divine power is amazing, * O benevolent Lord who were crucified Lord. [SD]
Theotokion.
O Virgin Bride, You are the boast of believers all. * You protect us Christians and you shelter us, for you are both harbor and a wall. * O all-blameless Lady, you bring petitions before your Son. * With faith and love we know you as the pure Theotokos, * and you save us from danger and tragedy. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
I have heard the report.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
I have heard the report.
Ode v. Heirmos.
Why reject me, Your servant, * from before Your face, O Lord the light that never sets? * Miserable sinner that I am, now this strange darkness covers me. * Savior, I implore You to bring me back to Your commandments, * which are light, and I pray You to guide my ways. [SD]
Troparia.
Leading up to Your Passion, * You endured the mocking when a robe was put on You, * covering in this way first-formed Adam’s inglorious nakedness. * Naked You were fastened unto the Cross, O Christ my Savior; * thus You stripped off the garment of death, O Lord. [SD]
You refashioned my being, * fallen human nature, from the dust of death, O Christ, * by Your resurrection; and You made it to have immortality * and restored within it Your undistorted kingly image, * so it shines with divine incorruption’s light. [SD]
Theotokion.
O all-pure holy Virgin, * when you speak to Christ you have maternal confidence. * Therefore we implore you to remember your kindred concern for us. * For we Christians have you, our gracious Lady, interceding * with your Son and our Lord, to forgive our sins. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
Sovereign Lord our God.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
We rise at early morn.
Ode vi. Heirmos.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, * for many are my iniquities; * and bring me up from the depth of evils, I supplicate. * Like Jonah, I cry to You. * O my Savior, hear me, * as the God of my Deliverance. [SD]
Troparia.
The evil one through a tree * brought down humanity mightily. * When You were hung on a tree, * O Christ, You were mightier. * Through the Cross You brought him down, * displaying his weakness, * and You raised fallen humanity. [SD]
O Lord, You rose from the tomb * and had compassion on Zion, making her new instead of old, * O Christ, by Your divine blood, * our God most compassionate; * and now and forever, * as the King of all, You reign in her. [SD]
Theotokion.
May we, by your earnest prayers, * avoid committing the grievous sins, * Mother of God, and attain * the divine enlightenment * of the Son of God, who was ineffably incarnate of you, O all-immaculate one. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
I pour out my supplication.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
I pray that You will grant.
Kontakion. N/M (O Planter.)
When You rose from the grave, You also raised the dead, and You resurrected Adam. Because of Your Resurrection, Eve is rejoicing, and people the world over celebrate Your resurrection from the dead, O very merciful Lord. [GOASD]
Oikos.
When You ransacked the realm of Hades, and You raised the dead, O long-suffering Master, You met the Myrrh-bearing Women, and You gave them joy in place of sorrow. You showed Your Apostles the marks of Your victory, O Savior and Giver of Life, and You illumined creation, O benevolent God. Therefore the world also celebrates Your resurrection from the dead, O very merciful Lord. [GOASD]
Ode vii. Heirmos.
The fire in Babylon * withdrew in fear from the condescension of God. * For this reason the Servants * within the furnace as in a moist meadow danced * with feet exultant, and sang that immortal hymn, * saying, “O God of our fathers, blessed are You!” [SD]
Troparia.
Your glorious emptying, * the divine riches of Your poverty, O Christ, * caused amazement to Angels, * as they were watching You being crucified * for the salvation of all who believe in You * and sing, “O God of our fathers, blessed are You!” [SD]
O Christ God, by Your descent * into the netherworld, it was filled with light; * and the darkness that chased us * was chased away; and the prisoners from all time * were resurrected; and rising they cried aloud * and sang, “O God of our fathers, blessed are You!” [SD]
For the Trinity.
We call You the Lord of all, * as we profess Orthodox theology; * and we name You the Father * of one and only only-begotten Son; * we know the consubstantial, co-eternal Comforter, * the one and right Holy Spirit proceeding from You. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
The Servants from Judea.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
The Servants from Judea.
Ode viii. Heirmos.
The tyrant king of Babylon * had the furnace made seven times * hotter for the godly men, for he was furious. * But after he witnessed how * a higher power rescued them, * he cried out and said, “You Servants, bless the Creator; * sing hymns to the Redeemer, O you priests; and you people * exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.” [SD]
Troparia.
Jesus in His divinity is above every so-called god, * and His divine might shone forth in what He did for us. * He physically tasted death, * death on a Cross, for the sake of all, * and destroyed the might of Hell. Unceasingly bless Him, * you Servants; sing a hymn, O you priests; and you people, * exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SD]
He who was crucified arose; * he who boasted has fallen down; * he who fell and shattered has been raised and stands again. * Corruption is driven out, * as incorruption blossoms forth; * perishable nature has by life now been swallowed. * You Servants, bless and praise Him; O you priests and you people, * exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SD]
For the Trinity.
Single is the Divinity that is shining with triple light, * radiance from one nature in three hypostases: * Father unoriginate, * and the Father’s connatural Word, * and the consubstantial, co-reigning Holy Spirit. * You Servants, bless and sing hymns, O you priests and you people, * exalting beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
By Your grace those Servants.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Theotokos.
O praise and bless Him.
Ode ix. Heirmos.
The heavens were astounded because of this, * and the ends of the earth were astonished, because God himself * bodily appeared to the human race, * O Theotokos, coming forth * from your virgin womb, which indeed became * more spacious than the heavens. * And therefore by the orders * of men and angels you are magnified. [SD]
Troparia.
You are, O Word of God, simple in divine, * unoriginate nature, and now composite in the flesh, * which You have assumed and have made Your own. * You suffered as a man, and yet * You remained without suffering as God. * We therefore magnify You * in two distinctive natures, * without dividing or confusing them. [SD]
O Lord, when You in nature became a man, * having taken the form of a servant, being God Most High, * You addressed as God Him who by divine * nature is Father. Then You rose * from the tomb and made Him to be by grace * the Father of us earthlings, * our God and Lord by nature. * Now You and He by all are magnified. [SD]
Theotokion.
O Virgin, you are known as Mother of God, * for you bodily gave birth – transcending nature – to the good * Logos, whom the Father who is all-good * begot before eternity, * hypostatic Word flowing from His heart, * and whom we know as having * a body now in heaven, without succumbing to bodily needs. [SD]
Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.
All hearers shuddered.
By nature Son of God are You * who became a man for us, having been conceived * within the womb of her * whom we address as the Mother of our God. * And we beheld You on the Cross * to suffer in the nature of * Your true humanity, * while as God You remained without suffering. [SD]
The gloomy darkness has dispersed, * in that Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, did arise * from out of Hades and thus * did He illuminate all the ends of earth, * beaming with rays of light divine, * the heavenly man that He is * as well as God on earth, * whom possessing twofold natures we magnify. [SD]
Stavrotheotokion.
O Son of the Mother of God, * forge ahead and be successful and reign as king; * subject the Ishmaelite * people who war with us to the Emperor * who loves the Orthodox beliefs. * And as he follows You, bestow * on him the Cross with the lance, * as a shield and a weapon invincible. [SD]
Canon for the Theotokos.
You are the Theotokos.
Your memory is truly * full of joy and gladness, * pouring out healings to those who approach with faith * and those who piously name you Birth-giver of our God. [SD]
With psalms do we extol you * and cease not to offer * the salutation “Rejoice,” Maiden full of grace. * For as a wellspring you brought forth exultant joy to all. [SD]
Your fruit, O Theotokos, * beautiful to look at, * is not the cause of corruption for those who eat, * but life to those who extol you with faith and magnify. [SD]
The appointed Eothinon Exaposteilarion.
At Lauds.
Resurrectional Stichera. Mode pl. 4.
Lord, even though You were standing at The Pavement * and Pontius Pilate was judging You, * still You were seated with the Father * on the throne, from which You never left. * And when You rose from the dead * as God, in Your benevolence, * You freed the world from the devil’s bondage, * as our Savior most compassionate. [GOASD]
Lord, even though You were buried as a mortal * in a sepulcher by Jewish men, * yet a guard of soldiers was watching * over You as though a sleeping king. * As the treasure house of life, * they made it secure with a seal. * But You rose, and You have granted * our souls incorruptibility. [GOASD]
Lord, You have given us Your Cross as a weapon * against the devil, our enemy. * He is gripped with fear and he trembles, * for he cannot bear to see its might, * because it raises the dead; * it neutralized the power of death. * Therefore we worship You and honor * Your burial and resurrection. [GOASD]
Your Angel, who announced Your resurrection, * on the one hand frightened * the soldiers guarding Your tomb, O Lord, * on the other hand he said to the women, * “Why do you seek the living among the dead? * As God, He has risen, * and He has granted life to the entire world.” [GOASD]
Additional Stichera by Anatolios.
You suffered through crucifixion, O Lord, impassible in Your divinity. You accepted three-day burial, to free us from slavery to the enemy, and to make us immortal and alive, through Your resurrection, O benevolent Christ our God. [GOASD]
I venerate and glorify and extol Your resurrection from the sepulcher, O Christ. Through it You freed us from the inescapable dungeon of Hades, and as God You have granted to the world life eternal and the great mercy. [GOASD]
The villains set a guard of soldiers to watch Your tomb that was holding life, and they secured it with a seal. But You, as God immortal and almighty, rose on the third day. [GOASD]
O Lord, when You proceeded to the gates of Hades, and You had shattered them, then the prisoner cried out and said, “Who is this? For not only is he not condemned to the lowest parts of the earth, but he has also torn down the prison of death, as if it were a tent. I received him as a mortal man, and I tremble at him as God.” O almighty Savior, have mercy on us! [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]
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LITURGY
The Typika and Beatitudes.
Mode pl. 4.
Savior of the world, remember us Your servants * as upon the Cross You remembered the Robber, * only compassionate Christ, and account us worthy * of inheriting Your heavenly Rule. [SD]
Adam and Eve, rejoice as you hear that the devil, * who a long time ago stripped you naked * and took the both of you hostage when he deceived you, * has been destroyed by the Cross of Christ. [SD]
Adam from the curse of the tree was delivered * when of Your own will to the Tree You were fastened, * and You restored in him the image of God, O Savior, * and put him back again in Paradise. [SD]
From the grave today has Christ truly risen, * granting incorruption to all the believers. * After His Passion, His burial and resurrection, * He gave the Myrrh-bearing women joy. [SD]
Myrrh-bearers, rejoice, you wise and holy women. * You were first to see our Savior’s resurrection, * and you announced the good tidings to His Apostles, * the restoration of the universe. [SD]
Beloved friends of Christ, O holy Apostles, * since you will be with Him enthroned and in glory, * as His Disciples intercede for us and entreat Him, * that we may face Him with confidence. [SD]
Glory.
Eternal Trinity, and undivided Essence, * Monad one in throne, in honor and in glory, * the nature, kingdom and rule beyond all beginning, * save us who sing Your praises faithfully. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
Spacious place of God, rejoice, blessed Virgin! * Ark of the New Covenant, rejoice, Theotokos! * O golden jar, from which the heavenly Manna * was given unto all, O Lady, rejoice! [SD]