Books - Sources
Octoechos - Mode 2.
On Sunday Morning
Menaion - December 26-31
Sunday After Christmas. We commemorate the holy and righteous Joseph the Betrothed, David the King, and James (Iakovos) the Brother of the Lord.
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MATINS
CHOIR
Mode 2.
God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]
Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.
Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.
Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.
From Octoechos - - -
Resurrectional Apolytikion.
Mode 2.
When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory to You!” [GOASD]
Glory. For the Ancestors of God.
Mode 2.
Annunciate the miracles to David the ancestor of God, O Joseph. You saw the Virgin pregnant. You glorified with the shepherds. You worshipped with the Magi. And you were warned by an Angel. Entreat Christ God to save our souls. [SD]
Both now.
Apolytikion of the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4.
Your nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the light of knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the worshippers of the stars were by a star instructed to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You as Orient from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Kathisma I.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 2.
When he took down Your immaculate Body from the Cross, the honorable Joseph wrapped it in a clean linen shroud with spices and laid it for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day You rose, O Lord, and granted to the world the great mercy. [GOASD]
Glory.
Mode 2.
The Angel who had come to the sepulcher said to the Myrrh-bearing women, “Ointments are appropriate for mortal men; but Christ is indeed a stranger to decay. Now go proclaim that the Lord has risen and granted to the world the great mercy.” [GOASD]
From Menaion - - -
Both now. For the Feast.
Mode 4. Joseph marveled.
Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.
Come, believers, let us see the place where Christ has been born.* With the Magi, those three kings who from the orient are,* now let us follow to where the star is proceeding.* Ceaselessly do Angels sing praises there.* Shepherds in the field sing a worthy song,* saying: Glory in the highest be to Him who* was born today in the grotto* from the Virgin and Theotokos,* in Bethlehem of Judea. [SD]
From Octoechos - - -
Kathisma II.
Mode 2.
Not preventing the sealing of the stone of the tomb, with Your rising You gave to all the rock of the faith. Glory to You, O Lord. [GOASD]
Glory.
Mode 2.
The choir of Your disciples and the Myrrh-bearing Women are greatly rejoicing together with us. For we are celebrating one and the same feast, which glorifies and honors Your resurrection. By their intercessions, O benevolent Lord, grant to us Your people the great mercy. [GOASD]
From Menaion - - -
Both now. For the Feast.
Mode 4. Joseph marveled.
Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.
Mary, why are you amazed and awed by what was done in you? * And she answers, “For in time I have brought forth a timeless Son. * But I have no understanding of His conception. * Husbandless am I: how can I bear a son? * Who has ever seen seedless childbirth? * But where God wills, the order found in nature * is overcome, as it is written.” * So Christ was born from the Virgin Maiden, * in Bethlehem of Judea. [SD]
Resurrectional Evlogetaria.
Mode pl. 1.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
When the hosts of the Angels saw how You were accounted among the dead, they all marveled. You, O Savior, are the One who destroyed the might of death; and when You arose You raised Adam with yourself and from Hades liberated everyone. [SD]
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
“Why do you mingle the ointments with your tears full of pity, O women disciples?” Thus the Angel who was shining in the tomb cried to the myrrh-bearing women. “See for yourselves the empty tomb and understand, that the Savior has risen from the sepulcher.”
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
Very early in the morning, the myrrh-bearing women were hastening to Your tomb lamenting. But the Angel appeared to them and uttered, “The time for lamentation has ended; weep no more. Go announce the Resurrection to the Apostles.”
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
When the myrrh-bearing women had come with their spices to Your sepulcher, O Savior, they heard the voice of an Angel clearly speaking to them, “Why do you account among the dead the One who lives? For as God, He has risen from the sepulcher.”
Glory.
We bow down in worship to the Father and His Son and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, one in essence; and we cry aloud with the Seraphim: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord.
Both now.
Giving birth to the Giver of life, O Virgin, you delivered Adam from sin, and to Eve you have rendered joy in place of sorrow. He who from you became incarnate, God and man, has directed to life him who fell from it.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
READER
From Octoechos - - -
Hypakoe. Mode 2.
After Your Passion, O Christ God, the women went to the tomb to anoint Your body. They saw Angels in the sepulcher, and they were amazed. For they heard them saying that You the Lord had risen, granting to the world the great mercy. [GOASD]
CHOIR
Anavathmoi.
Antiphon 1. Mode 2.
I direct the eyes of my heart to You in heaven, O Savior. Save me, I pray, shining on me Your resplendence. [GOASD]
Have mercy on us who hourly offend You in many things, O my Christ; and before the end, give us ways to return to You in repentance. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
To the Holy Spirit it is proper to rule, to sanctify, and to move all creation; for He is God, one in essence with the Father and the Logos. [GOASD]
Antiphon 2.
If the Lord had not been with us, who would be sufficient to preserve himself uninjured from the enemy and murderer of mankind? [GOASD]
Do not deliver me to the teeth of my enemies, O Savior, for in the manner of a lion they move against me Your servant. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
In the Holy Spirit is the principle of life, and to Him belongs the honor. He is God, and in the Father through the Son He strengthens and sustains every creature. [GOASD]
Antiphon 3.
Those who trust in the Lord are like the holy mountain. They are in no way shaken by the devil’s assaults. [GOASD]
Let those who live for God never stretch out their hands in lawlessness. For Christ will not permit the rod to be upon His inheritance. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
From the Holy Spirit all wisdom gushes forth, as does grace to Apostles. By Him Martyrs are awarded for their contests, and Prophets have visions. [GOASD]
Prokeimenon.
Awaken, O Lord my God, in the ordinance You commanded, so the congregation of the peoples shall surround You. (2)
Verse: O Lord my God in You I hope.
Awaken, O Lord my God, in the ordinance You commanded, so the congregation of the peoples shall surround You. [SAAS]
Ode 6: Short Litany
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
READER
From Octoechos - - -
Resurrectional Kontakion.
Omnipotent Lord, You rose from the sepulcher. * The netherworld saw the miracle and was stupefied, * for the dead were also raised. * But creation saw it and rejoiced with You; * Adam also greatly rejoiced. * O my Savior, the world forever sings Your praise. [GOASD]
Oikos.
You, O Word of God, are the light of those in the darkness. You are the resurrection and the life of all humanity. When You destroyed the power of death and smashed the gates of Hades, You raised everyone with yourself. Mortals saw the miracle and marveled, All creation rejoices with You in Your resurrection, O benevolent Lord. So we all now glorify and extol Your condescension, O my Savior, and the world forever sings Your praise. [GOASD]
From Menaion - - -
Kontakion. For the Ancestors of God.
Filled with joy of heart today is the divine Prophet David; Joseph and Iakovos together offer up praises. They received the crown of kinship with Christ the Savior and rejoice. To Him ineffably born on earth they cry out and extol Him without ceasing, * O Lord of mercy, save us who honor You. [SD]
Oikos.
By the ineffable will, born in the flesh is the fleshless One. In body now circumscribed is the Uncircumscribed, immutably preserving both essences. An origin receives He who in nature is unoriginate and alone transcends time. As an infant is perceived He who transcends perfection. Borne in arms is He who bears the universe. Therefore as God, by His birth He crowns those who have the honor of being His kin; whom we glorify with faith, as we cry without ceasing, * O Lord of mercy, save us who honor You. [SD]
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On December 29, we commemorate the Holy Innocents, the 14,000 infants slaughtered by Herod.
On this Sunday after Christmas, we also commemorate the holy and righteous Ancestors of God: Joseph the Betrothed of our Lady the holy Theotokos and Virgin Mary; James (or Iakovos) the Brother of the Lord; and David the Prophet and king.
By the intercessions of Your saints, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Katavasias Odes 1-8
CHOIR
Katavasias of Christmas II
Ode i. Mode 1.
Working signs of old the Master saved the people, * replacing fluid waves of the sea with dry land. * Now born of a Maid by His own will, He has made * passable a way to heaven. Him, in essence * equal to mankind and the Father, we glorify. [GOASD]
Ode iii.
Hearken, Benefactor, to the hymns of Your servants, * and humble the arrogant contempt of the foe. * Carry us Your musicians, all-seeing Master, * high above all sin, immovably established * firmly on the Faith’s foundation, O Blessed One. [GOASD]
Ode iv.
Prophet Habakkuk in his ode was foretelling * mankind’s remaking, when of old he was granted * to see its type in a manner past expression: * From the Virgin mountain as a newborn infant * the Logos emerged, to refashion the peoples. [GOASD]
Ode v.
Would that You come, O Christ, to us who once were darkened * by the night of works of error, but who offer * hymns to You wakefully now, O Benefactor. * Grant us forgiveness, and make easy the pathway. * Ascending this path may we also find glory. [GOASD]
Ode vi.
Jonah, as he sat in the sea’s deepest caverns, * implored to come to You and out of the tempest. * But as for me, by the tyrant’s arrows wounded, * I pray You, O Christ, the Destroyer of evil, * come to me quicker than my soul’s own indifference. [GOASD]
Ode vii.
As the three young men were ensnared by the longing * for the King of all, hence they disdained the tyrant’s * impious chatter, though he was very angry. * The infinite fire yielded to them, who uttered, * Blessed are You, O Master, unto the ages. [GOASD]
Ode viii.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
Standing in fire without burning, the young men * did of old portray thus the womb of the Maiden. * Remaining sealed, supernaturally it gave birth. * Grace with a single miracle-working power * did both, and rouses all the peoples to sing praise. [GOASD]
Stand for the Gospel reading.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Mode 2.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.
PRIEST: Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
PRIEST
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
PRIEST (from the altar table)
Eothinon 5
Luke. 24:12 – 35
At that time, Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened. And behold, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk, looking sad?” Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. [RSV]
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
READER
Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death. [GOA]
CHOIR
Psalm 50 (51).
Mode 2. (or the Mode of the week)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.
Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me.
Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged.
For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me.
Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom.
You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow.
You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice.
Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit.
I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness.
O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings.
A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise.
Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.
Then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. And have mercy on me, O God. [SAAS]
Glory.
At the intercession of the Apostles, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]
Both now.
At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]
Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy. [SD]
PRIEST
O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies:
through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and the holy and righteous Joseph the Betrothed, David the King, and James (Iakovos) the Brother of the Lord, whose memory we observe; and all Your saints:
We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy. (12)
PRIEST
Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Stand for the singing of Ode ix.
DEACON
Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
CHOIR
Stand for the singing of Ode ix.
DEACON
Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
CHOIR
Ode ix.
The Magnificat. Mode 1.
Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Ode 9: Katavasia
Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode 1.
O my soul, magnify the ever-virgin Maid who from the curse has redeemed us.
Easier for us is from fear to love silence, * free of any peril as it is, O Virgin; * whereas to weave stirring hymns out of longing * in earnest, is difficult. Therefore, O Mother, * give us strength to match our volition, we pray you. [GOASD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Mode 2.
Holy is the Lord our God. [SAAS] (2)
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet.
For He is holy.
From Octoechos - - -
Exaposteilarion.
Eothinon 5.
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.
When Christ, the way, the truth, the life * rose from the dead, He drew near * and went with Luke and Cleopas * to Emmaus and broke bread. * And with that, they recognized Him. * Their souls and hearts within them * had burned while He had talked to them * on the road and had interpreted to them * in all the scriptures the things He had suffered. * With them we shout, “The Lord arose, * and He appeared to Peter!” [GOASD]
For the Ancestors of God.
From Menaion - - -
For the Ancestors of God.
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.
Let us extol the memory * of God’s ancestor David, * and the renowned Iakovos* Brother-of-God, and Joseph * the Theotokos’ divine Betrothed. * For they rendered their service * worthy of God in Bethlehem * at the divine Nativity of the Christ, * together with Angels, Magi and shepherds * singing a hymn of praise to Him* as to their God and Master. [SD]
For the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 3. Automelon.
Ἐπεσκέψατο ἡμᾶς.
Our Savior from on high * the Orient from the East * visited us who in the dark * and shadow hitherto had lain; * now we have found the truth indeed. * And this is so because from the Virgin the Lord is born. [SD]
Lauds. Mode 2.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name.
For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.
He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.
Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.
Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.
Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted.
His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.
A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.
Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.
Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.
Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.
For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.
The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.
The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.
To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.
To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.
From Octoechos - - -
Resurrectional Stichera.
Mode 2.
To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones. [SAAS]
Everything that breathes and all creation glorifies You, O Lord, for by the Cross You made death powerless, to demonstrate to all people Your resurrection from the dead, as our only benevolent God. [GOASD]
Mode 2.
Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power. [SAAS]
Let the Jewish leaders explain it. How did the soldiers lose the King, whom they were guarding? Why couldn’t the stone secure the rock of life? Either produce Him who was buried, or else worship Him as risen from the dead, then join us and say, “Glory to the abundance of Your tender mercies, our Savior, glory to You!” [GOASD]
Mode 2.
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]
Rejoice and be glad, all people! An Angel sat on the stone of the tomb. And he announced to us the good news and said, “Christ has risen from the dead, as the Savior of the world; and He has filled the universe with fragrance.” Rejoice and be glad, all people! [GOASD]
Mode 2.
Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]
Before Your conception, an Angel brought the salutation, “Rejoice!” to the Maiden full of grace. Again, at Your resurrection, an Angel rolled away the stone from Your glorious tomb, O Lord. The one brought a promise of joy, replacing the pain and sorrow. The other declared that the Master gives life, reversing the threat of death. Therefore we sing to You: Lord and benefactor of all, glory to You! [GOASD]
For the Feast. Mode 4.
Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]
You righteous, be glad in heart; and the heavens, be exultant. Leap for joy, O mountains, at the birth of the Messiah. Resembling the Cherubim, the Virgin Maiden is seated and holds in her embraces God the Logos incarnate. The shepherds glorify the newborn Babe; Magi bring the Master their precious gifts. Angels are singing hymns of praise, and say, “O Lord incomprehensible, glory to You.” [SD]
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]
O Virgin Theotokos who gave birth to the Savior, you reversed the curse to which Eve once was subject. For you have become the Mother of the Father’s good pleasure, and you hold in your embraces God the Logos incarnate. The mystery admits no inquiry; we all glorify it by faith alone, and with you we cry aloud and say, “O Lord incomprehensible, glory to You.” [SD]
Verse: The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of Your feet.” [SAAS]
Come, let us extol and praise the Savior’s Mother, who remained a virgin even after childbirth. Animate City of our King and God, rejoice, for Christ having dwelt in you has wrought our salvation. Together with Gabriel we sing your praise, together with the shepherds we glorify you, crying out, “Theotokos, intercede with the Lord, who is incarnate from you, to save us.” [SD]
Verse: I have begotten You from the womb before the morning star. The Lord swore and will not repent. [SAAS]
The Father was well pleased; the Logos became flesh; and the Virgin gave birth to God who became man. A Star reveals Him; Magi bow in worship; Shepherds marvel, and creation rejoices. [SD]
From Menaion - - -
Glory. For the Feast.
Mode pl. 4.
Blood and fire and a cloud of smoke, portents on earth that Joel foresaw: blood, the incarnation; fire, the divinity; and the cloud of smoke, the Holy Spirit that came upon the Virgin and filled the world with fragrance. Great is the mystery of Your becoming human! Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]
From Octoechos - - -
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]
Stand for the Great Doxology.
Great Doxology
Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind. [SD]
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world.
Accept our supplication, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.
For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.
Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.
Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.
Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.
For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we shall see light.
Continue Your mercy to those who know You.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
After the Doxology, sing the following Resurrectional Troparion.
Mode 4. (or the Mode of the week)
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]