holy week and - logos forums web viewo only-begotten son and word of god, ... illumine our hearts,...

Contents

Saturday of Lazarus the Righteous Saint...............................................................2Palm Sunday Great Vespers.....................................................................................54Palm Sunday The Divine Liturgy.............................................................................85Holy Monday Bridegroom Matins..........................................................................132Holy Tuesday Bridegroom Matins.........................................................................177Holy Wednesday Bridegroom Matins....................................................................223The Sacrament of Holy Unction.............................................................................265Great and Holy Thursday The Divine Liturgy........................................................293Holy Thursday Evening..........................................................................................386Holy Friday Morning..............................................................................................476Holy Saturday Vespers...........................................................................................507The Night of Great and Holy Friday.......................................................................528Holy Saturday Morning The Divine Liturgy..........................................................566The Service of the Glorious Pascha........................................................................602The Paschal Vespers of Love.................................................................................658

SATURDAY OF LAZARUS THE RIGHTEOUS SAINT

THE DIVINE LITURGY

The Great DoxologyDuring the Great Doxology, the priest and deacon quietly say the prayers to conclude matins.

Glory to thee, who hast shown us the light. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.

We hymn thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks unto thee for thy great glory.

O Lord King, heavenly God, Father Almighty; O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Spirit.

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who takest away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, thou that takest away the sins of The world.

Receive our prayer, thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.

For thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord, O Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy name forever; yea, forever and ever.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.

Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is thy name forever. Amen.

Let thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on thee.

Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. (thrice)

Lord, thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, be merciful unto me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.

Lord, I have fled unto thee; teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God.

For with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light.

O continue thy mercy unto them that know thee.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.

Troparion Tone 4Today is salvation come unto the world. Let us sing praises to him that arose from the grave; the Author of our

life: for having by death destroyed death, he has given victory and great mercy.

The Preparation and Opening DialogueThe priest and deacon, being fully vested, stand together before the holy table, the priest in the center and the deacon at his place

at the southwest corner. The priest with hands uplifted says the following prayer while the deacon lifts his orarion:

PRIEST: O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things, the Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come, and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O good One.

The priest and deacon make three metanias while the priest says:

PRIEST: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (twice )

O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise. (once)

The priest then kisses the gospel book and the holy table, while the deacon kisses only the southwest corner of the holy table. While the choir sings the appropriate troparion, the deacon bows his head to the priest and holding his orarion with three fingers of his right hand says:

DEACON: It is time for the Lord to act. Bless, master.

The priest makes the sign of the cross over the deacon’s head, saying:

PRIEST: Blessed is our God, always now and ever and unto ages of ages.

DEACON: Amen. Pray for me, master.

PRIEST: The Lord direct thy steps unto every good work.

DEACON: Remember me, holy master.

Blessing the deacon the priest says:

PRIEST: The Lord God remember thee in his kingdom, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

DEACON: Amen.

Having kissed the priest’s hand, the deacon exits the sanctuary, passing the high place, through the north door. Standing at his place in the center of the solea, the deacon makes three metanias before the holy doors, saying each time:

DEACON: O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise.

The EnarxisLifting his orarion with the three fingers of his right hand, the deacon says aloud:

DEACON: Bless, master.

The priest kisses the gospel book, lifts it up with both hands, and lowers it making with it the sign of the cross over the antiminsion and saying with the fear of God:

PRIEST: Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The priest, replaces the gospel book on the antiminsion. The deacon, standing before the holy doors, lifts his orarion and intones the petitions of the litany of peace.

The Litany of PeaceDEACON: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON: For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: For the peace of the whole world; for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: For this holy House, and for those who with faith, reverence, and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: For our Father and Metropolitan PHILIP, for the venerable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: For the President of the United States and all civil authorities, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: For healthful seasons, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: For travelers by sea, by land, and by air; for the sick and the suffering; for captives and their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.


DEACON: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.

CHOIR: To thee, O Lord.

The priest says quietly the prayer of the First Antiphon:

PRIEST: O Lord our God, whose might is beyond compare, whose glory is incomprehensible, whose mercy is infinite, and whose love toward mankind is ineffable: do thou thyself, O Master, in thy tender compassion look down upon us and upon this holy house, and grant us and those who pray with us thy rich mercies and compassion.

PRIEST: For unto thee are due all glory, honor and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The Refrains of the First AntiphonCHOIR: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:



The Little EkteniaDEACON: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.



CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.DEACON: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and

ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.


The priest says quietly the prayer of the Second Antiphon:

PRIEST: O Lord our God, save thy people and bless thine inheritance: preserve the fullness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house: do thou glorify them in recompense by thy divine power; and forsake not us who put our trust in thee.

PRIEST: For thine is the majesty, and thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The Refrains of the Second AntiphonCHOIR: Save us, O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, who sing unto thee: Alleluia.

Save us, O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, who sing unto thee: Alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:



O Only-begotten Son and Word of God, who art immortal, yet didst deign for our salvation to be incarnate of the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and without change was made1 man; and wast crucified also, O Christ our God, and by thy death didst Death subdue; who art one of the Holy Trinity, glorified together with the Father and the Holy Spirit: save us.

The Little EkteniaDEACON: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: Help us; save us; have mercy upon us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.


DEACON: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.


The priest says quietly the prayer of the Third Antiphon:

PRIEST: O thou who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most

1or, “became man”

expedient for them, granting us in this world the knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come, life everlasting.

PRIEST: For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The Third AntiphonTroparion of Lazarus, First Tone O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like the children, carrying the signs of victory, cry unto thee, the conqueror of death, Hosanna in the highest. “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.”2

The Little Entrance

While the choir chants the third antiphon, the priest and deacon make three metanias before the holy table. The priest lifts the gospel book and gives it to the deacon, who places his orarion over it, kissing the priest’s hand. Preceded by the servers, they make the Little Entrance, the priest following the deacon, passing the high place and exiting the sanctuary through the north door, saying as they go:

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: O Master, Lord our God, who hast appointed in heaven orders and hosts of angels and archangels for the service of thy glory: Cause that with our entrance there may be an entrance of holy angels serving with us and glorifying thy goodness. For unto thee are due all glory, honor and worship to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

DEACON: Amen.

Standing on the solea, to the front and right of the priest, and holding the gospel book on his left shoulder, the deacon points with his right hand and orarion towards the holy doors and says to the priest who stands in the center of the solea:

DEACON: Bless, master, the holy entrance.

The priest blesses toward the east, saying:

PRIEST: Blessed is the entrance of thy Saints: always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

DEACON: Amen.

The deacon holds the gospel book for the priest to kiss, himself kissing the priest’s right hand. When the choir has completed the chanting of the third antiphon, the deacon, standing in the center of the solea in front of the priest and facing east, elevates the gospel book and says:

DEACON: Wisdom. Let us attend.

The Entrance HymnCHOIR: Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, who art risen from the

dead, who sing unto thee: Alleluia.

Troparion of Lazarus, First Tone

2 (Mark 11:9)

O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore we, like the children, carrying the signs of victory, cry unto thee, the conqueror of death, Hosanna in the highest.”Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.”3

(Troparion of the Patron Saint of the Church)

Troparion of St. Nicholas. Fourth ToneThe verity of thine actions revealed thee to thy flock a rule of faith, an icon of mildness, and teacher of abstinence, O Father Bishop Nicholas; wherefore by humility thou hast achieved exaltation, and by poverty richness. Intercede with Christ our God to save our souls.

Kontakion, Second ToneChrist, the Joy of all, the Truth, the Light, the Life, the Resurrection of the world, appeared to those on earth in his love, becoming the pattern of our resurrection and granting divine forgiveness to all.

The Prayer of the TrisagionPRIEST: O holy God, who restest in thy Holy Place; who art hymned by the Seraphim with thrice-holy cry,

and glorified by the Cherubim, and worshiped by every heavenly Power; who out of nothing hast brought all things into being; who hast created man after thine own image and likeness and hast adorned him with thine every gift; who givest to him that askest wisdom and understanding; who despisest not the sinner, but hast appointed repentance unto salvation; who hast vouchsafed unto us, thy humble and unworthy servants, even in this hour to stand before the glory of thy holy Altar and to offer the worship and praise which are due unto thee: Thyself, O Master, accept even from the mouth of us sinners the Hymn of the Trisagion, and visit us in thy goodness. Forgive us every transgression both voluntary and involuntary; sanctify our souls and bodies; and grant us to serve thee in holiness all the days of our life: through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the Saints who from the beginning of the world have been well-pleasing unto thee.

Following the Kontakion the deacon, standing at his place at the holy table, says to the PRIEST:

DEACON: Bless, master, the time of the thrice-holy.

The priest blesses the deacon. The deacon kisses the priest’s right hand and then standing in the holy doors facing the people lifts his orarion and says:

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.


The deacon returns to his place at the holy table and the priest says:

PRIEST: For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee we give glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever,

Facing the congregation through the holy doors, the deacon lifts his orarion and says:

DEACON: And unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Then the Choir sings the Trisagion Hymn while the clergy sing the Trisagion Hymn quickly and complete the dialog beginning

3(Mark 11:9)

with “Command master.”

The Trisagion HymnPEOPLE: As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ, Alleluia. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

Have put on Christ, Alleluia.

DEACON: Dynamis!

PEOPLE: As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ, Alleluia.

The deacon pints to the Prothesis table with his orarion and says:

DEACON: Command, master.

The priest faces the Prothesis with outspread hands and says the following:

PRIEST: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

The deacon points to the throne at the high place with his orarion and says the following to the priest:

DEACON: Bless, master, the throne on high.

The priest faces the throne at the high place and with outspread hands, says:

PRIEST: Blessed art thou on the throne of the glory of thy kingdom, who art enthroned upon the cherubim, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

DEACON: Amen.

The Liturgy of the Wordthe Epistle

After the Choir has finished singing the Trisagion, the deacon comes to the Royal Doors, faces the people and says aloud:

DEACON: Let us attend!

READER: The Lord is my light and my savior.

The Lord is the defender of my life. (Ps. 28:1)

DEACON: Wisdom!

READER: The reading from Saint Paul’s letter to the Hebrews. Chapters 12:28-29; 13:1-8.

(The People Sit)


READER: Brethren, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to

God an acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire. Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge the fornicators and adulterous. Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never fail you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say: “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can any one do to me?” Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.

PRIEST: Peace be to you who has read.

PEOPLE: Alleluia. (3 times)

The Prayer Before the GospelDEACON: Let us pray to the Lord, Lord have mercy.

PRIEST: Illumine our hearts, O Master who lovest mankind, with the pure light of thy divine knowledge; and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of thy gospel teachings; implant in us also the fear of thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto thee: for thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto thee we give glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, good, and life giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The deacon holding his orarion in his right hand bows before the priest and says:

DEACON: Bless, master, him that proclaims the good tidings of the holy, glorious apostle and evangelist John.

The priest blesses the deacon saying:

PRIEST: May God, through the prayers of the holy, glorious apostle and evangelist John, enable thee to proclaim the good tidings with great power, to the fulfillment of the gospel of his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

DEACON: Amen. Amen. Amen. Let it be to me according to thy word.

The deacon makes one metania, receives the gospel book from the priest, placing his orarion over the book, kissing the right hand of the priest and saying:

DEACON: O holy apostle and evangelist John, intercede with the merciful God that he may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Preceded by a candle-bearer, the deacon exits the sanctuary through the holy doors and goes to stand at the pulpit or bishop’s throne and says:

THE GOSPELDEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the Holy Gospel.

The priest blesses the people saying:

PRIEST: Peace be to all.

PEOPLE: And to thy spirit.

PRIEST OR DEACON: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint John.

PEOPLE: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.

John 11:1-45PRIEST OR

DEACON: At that time, a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to Jesus, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness is not unto death; it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means of it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go into Judea again.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles because the light is not in him.” Thus he spoke, and then he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awake him out of sleep.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead; and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Thomas, called the twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary sat in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, I know that he will rise in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.” When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying quietly, “The teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not come yet to the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were with her in the house consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was and saw him, fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled; and he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of

the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb; it was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. I knew that thou hearest me always, but I have said this on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that thou didst send me.” When he had said this he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with bandages, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” Many of the Jews therefore who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.

When the gospel lection is completed, the deacon enters the sanctuary through the holy doors as the priest blesses him, saying:

PRIEST: Peace be to thee that proclaimest the gospel.

The deacon gives the gospel book to the priest kissing his right hand, and the priest blesses the faithful with the gospel book as the choir chants:

PEOPLE: Glory to thee, O Lord. Glory to thee.

The priest stands the gospel book behind the antiminsion AND PREACHES THE HOMILY. At the conclusion of the homily, the deacon bows to the priest and standing in the holy doors facing west with his orarion raised says:

DEACON: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Wisdom.

PRIEST: That guarded always by thy might, we may give glory unto thee, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.As the choir chants the Cherubic Hymn, the priest bows low at his place before the holy table as he quietly says the prayer of the

cherubic hymn.

The Cherubic HymnCHOIR: We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing to the life-giving Trinity the thrice-holy

hymn, let us now lay aside all earthly care: that we may receive the King of all,

The Prayer Of The Cherubic HymnPRIEST: No one who is bound with the desires and pleasures of the flesh is worthy to approach or draw

nigh or to serve thee, O King of Glory: for to serve thee is a great and awesome thing even to the Heavenly Powers. Nevertheless, through thine unspeakable and boundless love toward mankind thou didst become man, yet without change or alteration, and as Lord of all didst take the name of our High Priest, and deliver unto us the ministry of this liturgic and unbloody sacrifice. For thou alone, O Lord our God, rulest over those in heaven and on earth; who art borne on the throne of the Cherubim; who art Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel; who alone art holy and restest in thy Holy Place.

Wherefore I implore thee who alone art good and art ready to listen: Look down upon me, a sinner, and thine unprofitable servant; and cleanse my soul and my heart from an evil conscience; and by the power of thy Holy Spirit enable me, who am endued with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this thy Holy Table and perform the sacred Mystery of thy holy and immaculate Body and

precious Blood. For I draw near unto thee, and bowing my neck I pray thee: turn not thy face from me, neither cast me out from among thy children; but vouchsafe that these gifts may be offered unto thee by me, thy sinful and unworthy servant: for thou thyself art he who offers and is offered, who accepts and is distributed, O Christ our God: and unto thee we give glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then the priest and the deacon with raised orarion stand at their places at the holy table and say the cherubic hymn thrice, with low bows.

PRIEST: We, who mystically represent the Cherubim and sing to the life-giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn, let us lay aside all earthly care that we may receive the King of all,

DEACON: invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The priest now censes the Altar, the icons, and the people, saying Psalm 5O as he goes.

O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. (low bow)

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. (low bow)

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, our King and our God. (low bow)

Psalm 51<50>Have mercy on me, O God,according to thy great mercy, according to the multitude of thy compassions,blot out my transgressions.Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions,and my sin is ever before me.Against thee only have I sinned,and done what is evil in thy sight,so that thou art justified in thy sentences,and prevailest when thou passest judgment.

For indeed, I was conceived in iniquities,and in sins did my mother conceive me.

For behold: thou lovest truth, thou hast made known to me the secret and hidden things of thy wisdom.

Sprinkle me with hyssop,and I shall be clean,Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness,then the afflicted bones shall rejoice.

Turn away thy face from my sins,and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart,O God, and put a right Spirit within me.Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thine Holy Spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of thy salvation,and uphold me with a directing spirit.Then I will teach transgressors thy ways,and sinners will return to thee.

Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,the God of my salvation,and my tongue will joyfullysing aloud of thy righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips;and my mouth will declare thy praise;for if thou hadst delight in sacrifice,I would have given it;but thou wouldst not be pleased by burnt offering.The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit:a broken and contrite heart,O God, thou wilt not despise.

Do good in thy good pleasure to Zion,and let the walls of Jerusalem be built;then thou wilt delight in a sacrifice of righteousness,in offerings and whole burnt offerings;

He makes three low bows before the Altar, kisses the Antiminsis and the Altar, turns and bows to the people, and goes to the Prothesis Table, the deacon kissing only the southwest corner of the Altar. The priest censes the holy Gifts, bows, and says:

PRIEST: O God, be gracious unto me a sinner, and have mercy on me.

The deacon then says to the Priest:

DEACON: Lift up, master.

The priest, lifting the aer from the gifts, kissing the aer, offering the aer to the deacon to be kissed, placing it on the deacon’s shoulders and giving him the diskos, says:

PRIEST: Lift up your hands unto the holies, and bless the Lord.

The deacon, receiving the discos, kisses the priests right hand. The priest then takes up the chalice, saying:

PRIEST: God has gone up in jubilation; the Lord with the voice of the trumpet.

The priest, following the deacon for the great entrance, exits the sanctuary through the north door. As he exits the sanctuary the deacon says:

DEACON: All of you, may the Lord God remember in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of

ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Our Father and Metropolitan PHILIP: may the Lord God remember him in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: The President of the United States and all civil authorities, and our armed forces everywhere: may the Lord God remember them in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: The Orthodox servants of God N.(NN.), that they may have mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation, and pardon and forgiveness of sins: may the Lord God remember them in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The deacon enters the holy doors at the beginning of the following petition:

PRIEST: The Orthodox servants of God departed this life N. (NN.): may the Lord God remember them in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The priest enters the sanctuary through the Holy Doors while the choir concludes the cherubic hymn.

CHOIR: Who comes invisibly upborne by the Angelic Hosts. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

The priest places the chalice on the antiminsion (on his right)then receives the diskos from the deacon who says to him:

DEACON: Thy priesthood, may the Lord God remember in his Kingdom, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

The priest places the diskos next to the chalice (on his left), saying:

PRIEST: The noble Joseph, when he had taken down thine immaculate body from the tree, wrapped it in pure linen and spices and sorrowing placed it in a new tomb.

In the grave with the body, but in hades with the soul as God; in paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit wast thou, O Christ, filling all things, thyself uncircumscribed.

As life-bearing, as more splendid than paradise and more radiant than any royal chamber, O Christ, is shown forth thy tomb, the fountain of our resurrection.

The priest takes the covers from the diskos and chalice and places them at the corners of the antiminsion. After taking the aer from the deacon’s shoulders, he holds it around the censer, and then places it over the gifts. The deacon then says:

DEACON: Do good, master.

Taking the censer, the priest censes the gifts thrice, saying the concluding verses of Psalm 50:

PRIEST: Then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.


The priest blesses the deacon, saying:

PRIEST: The Lord God remember you in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Kissing the right hand of the priest, the deacon says:

DEACON: Amen.

Passing the high place, the deacon exits the sanctuary through the north door. Standing at his place on the solea, the choir having concluded the Cherubic Hymn, the deacon lifts his orarion and intones the petitions of the Litany of Supplication. The priest quietly says the prayer of the prothesis while the deacon intones the petitions.

The Litany Of SupplicationDEACON: Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.


DEACON: For the precious gifts now set forth, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: For this holy house and those who with faith, reverence and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.




DEACON: That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.


DEACON: Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.


DEACON: All things good and profitable for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.


DEACON: That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.


DEACON: A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful and a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.


DEACON: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.

CHOIR: To thee, O Lord.The deacon moves to stand before the icon of Christ while the priest says aloud the exclamation at the end of the prayer of the

prothesis.

The Prayer of the ProthesisPRIEST: O Lord God Almighty, who alone art holy, who dost accept a sacrifice of praise from those who

call upon thee with their whole heart: Receive also the prayer of us sinners, and lead us to thy holy altar, and enable us to offer unto thee gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for the ignorance of the people, and make us worthy to find grace in thy sight, that our sacrifice may be acceptable unto thee and that the good Spirit of thy grace may rest upon us and upon these gifts here set forth and upon all thy people.

PRIEST: Through the compassions of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The PeaceTurning to face the people, the priest blesses saying:


CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

The priest turns and faces east while the deacon says:

DEACON: Let us love one another, that with one accord we may confess:

CHOIR: Father, Son and Holy Spirit: the Trinity, one in essence and undivided.

The priest and deacon make three metanias facing east, saying each time.

PRIEST: I will love thee, O Lord, my Strength; the Lord is my firm Foundation, my Refuge, and my Deliverer.

The priest then kisses the covered gifts (first the diskos, second the chalice) the cross on the aer and the holy table. Meanwhile the deacon makes three metanias before the icon of Christ then kisses the cross on his orarion. Clergy and people exchange here the Kiss of Peace. Then lifting his orarion the deacon says:

DEACON: The doors. The doors. In wisdom let us attend.

The CreedPEOPLE: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and

invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made 4 man; And was


crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And the third day he rose, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets; And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the Life of the world to come. Amen.

As the creed is recited, the priest lifts the aer with both hands and gently waves it over the gifts. At the point in the creed And ascended into heaven. . . , the priest folds the aer, makes the sign of the cross with it over the gifts, and continues to wave the folded aer over the gifts in a circular manner. At the conclusion of the creed, the deacon, still standing before the icon of Christ, says with raise orarion:

DEACON: Let us stand aright. Let us stand with fear. Let us attend, that we may offer the holy oblation in peace.

CHOIR: A mercy, a peace, a sacrifice of praise.

PRIEST: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

CHOIR: And with thy spirit.

While saying and the Communion of the Holy Spirit the priest turns towards the people and blesses them; he lifts up his hands and says aloud:

PRIEST: Let us lift up our hearts.

CHOIR: We lift them up unto the Lord.

PRIEST: Let us give thanks unto the Lord.

CHOIR: It is meet and right to worship Father, Son and Holy Spirit: the Trinity, one in essence and undivided.

The deacon enters the sanctuary through the south door and passing the high place, stands at the northwest corner of the holy table.

The Holy AnaphoraPRIEST: It is meet and right to hymn thee, to bless thee, to praise thee, to give thanks unto thee, and to

worship thee in every place of thy dominion: for thou art God ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever existing and eternally the same, thou and thine Only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit. Thou it was who didst bring us from non-existence into being, and when we had fallen away didst raise us up again, and didst not cease to do all things until thou hadst brought us back to heaven, and hadst endowed us with thy kingdom which is to come. For all these things we give thanks unto thee, and to thine Only-begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit; for all things of which we know, and of which we know not, and for all the benefits bestowed upon us, both manifest and unseen. And we give thanks unto thee also for this ministry which thou dost vouchsafe to receive at our hands, even though there stand beside thee thousands of Archangels and ten thousands of Angels, the Cherubim and the Seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring aloft, borne on their pinions.

As the choir chants the triumphal hymn, the deacon closes the star wipes the four tips with the sponge and then gives the star to the priest who kisses it and lays it aside.

PRIEST: Singing the Triumphal Hymn, shouting, proclaiming, and saying:

CHOIR: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Hosanna in the highest:

Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The deacon moves to the southwest corner and bows low as the priest continues saying:

PRIEST: With these blessed Powers we also, O Master who lovest mankind, cry aloud and say: Holy art thou and all-holy, thou and thine Only-begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit: holy art thou and all-holy, and magnificent is thy glory: Who hast so loved thy world as to give thine Only-begotten Son, that all who believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life; who when he had come and had fulfilled all the dispensation for us, in the night in which he was betrayed, or rather, gave himself up for the life of the world, took bread in his holy and pure and blameless hands; and when he had given thanks and blessed it, and hallowed it and broken it, he gave it to his holy Disciples and Apostles, saying:

The deacon points towards the Bread with his orarion.

PRIEST: Take, eat: this is my Body which is broken for you, for the forgiveness of sins.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: And likewise, after supper, he took the cup, saying:

The deacon points towards the cup with his orarion.

PRIEST: Drink of this, all of you: this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Having in remembrance, therefore, this saving commandment and all those things which have come to pass for us: the Cross, the Grave, the Resurrection on the third day, the Ascension into heaven, the Session at the right hand, and the second and glorious Advent:

The deacon, standing at the center of the holy table, takes up the diskos in his right hand and the chalice in his left hand, with his right hand over the left in crosswise fashion, and elevates them over the antiminsion; he makes the sign of the cross with them over the antiminsion as he lowers them, while the priest says:

PRIEST: And offering unto thee thine own of thine own always and everywhere.

CHOIR: We hymn thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O Lord. And we pray unto thee, O our God.

The gifts are replaced on the antiminsion, and the priest bows low and continues, saying with all compunction:

PRIEST: Again we offer unto thee this spiritual and unbloody service, and beseech thee and pray thee and supplicate thee: send down thy Holy Spirit upon us and upon these Gifts here set forth:

The priest signs the Holy Bread with the sign of the cross and the deacon points with his orarion saying:

DEACON: Bless, master, the holy bread.

PRIEST: And make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ;

DEACON: Amen

The priest makes the sign of the Cross over the Chalice and the deacon points with his orarion, saying:

DEACON: Bless, master, the holy cup.

PRIEST: And that which is in this cup, the precious Blood of thy Christ;

DEACON: Amen.

The priest makes the sign of the Cross over both the holy Gifts and the deacon points with his orarion saying:

DEACON: Bless both master.

PRIEST: Changing them by thy Holy Spirit.

DEACON: Amen. Amen. Amen. Remember me a sinner holy master.

The priest and deacon make a low bow before the Altar and the priest continues the prayer quietly:

PRIEST: That to those who shall partake thereof they may be unto cleansing of soul, unto the remission of sins, unto the communion of thy Holy Spirit, unto the fulfilment of the kingdom of Heaven, unto boldness toward thee, and not unto judgment or unto condemnation. And again we offer unto thee this spiritual service for all those who in faith have gone before us to their rest: Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Preachers, Evangelists, Martyrs, Confessors, Ascetics, and every righteous spirit that has completed their life in faith:

The priest censes the holy Gifts nine times, saying:

PRIEST: Especially our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary:

The priest gives up the censer to the deacon who censes around the Altar. The priest continues the prayer quietly; meanwhile, the choir sings the following Hymn. The deacon quietly reads the commemorations of the living and the departed from behind the Altar.

The Hymn to the Theotokos, Tone 8PEOPLE: Let us glorify and honor, O peoples, the pure Theotokos, who conceived within her womb the

divine fire and was not consumed. Let us magnify her with unceasing hymns.

PRIEST: And for the holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John; the holy glorious, and all-laudable Apostles; Saint(s) N (NN.), whose memory we celebrate; and all thy Saints, at whose supplications look down upon us, O God. And be mindful of all those who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of Resurrection unto life eternal: (especially N, NN), and grant them rest, O our God, where the light of thy countenance shines upon them.

And again we beseech thee: be mindful, O Lord, of every Bishop of the Orthodox, who rightly teaches the word of thy truth; of all the priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and of every priestly and monastic order.

And again we offer unto thee this spiritual service, for the whole world, for the holy catholic and apostolic Church, for those who live in chastity and holiness of life, for all civil Authorities, and our armed forces everywhere; grant them, O Lord, peaceful times, that we, in their tranquility, may lead a calm and peaceful life in all godliness and sanctity.

The Acolyte brings a tray containing the antidoron to the priest, who blesses it by making with it the sign of the Cross over the holy Gifts. Prayer for blessing the antidoron:

Remember, O Lord, your faithful servants who partake of this holy bread and may it be for their health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness of their sins and repose of the souls of their departed ones.

CLERGY: Among the first be mindful, O Lord, of our Father and Metropolitan PHILIP, whom do thou grant unto thy holy churches in peace, safety, honor, health and length of days, and rightly teaching the word of thy truth.

CHOIR: And of all mankind.

PRIEST: Be mindful, O Lord, of this city in which we dwell, and of every city and countryside, and of the faithful who dwell therein. Be mindful, O Lord, of those who travel, by sea, by land, and by air; of the sick, the suffering, captives, and their salvation. Be mindful, O Lord, of those who bear fruit and do good works in thy holy churches, and who remember the poor; and upon us all send forth thy mercies:

PRIEST: And grant us with one mouth and one heart to glorify and praise thine all-honorable and majestic name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The priest turning to face the west blesses the people saying:

PRIEST: And the mercies of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with you all.


PRIEST: Unto thee we commend our whole life and our hope, O Master who lovest mankind; and we beseech thee, and pray thee, and supplicate thee: make us worthy to partake of the heavenly and awesome Mysteries of this sacred and spiritual table, with a pure conscience: unto remission of sins, unto forgiveness of transgressions, unto communion of the Holy Spirit, unto inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven, unto boldness towards thee, and not unto judgment nor unto condemnation.

PRIEST: And vouchsafe, O Lord, that with boldness and without condemnation we may dare to call upon thee, the heavenly God, as Father, and to say:

The Lord’s PrayerPEOPLE: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on

earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.



DEACON: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.


PRIEST: We give thanks unto thee, O King invisible, who by thy measureless power hast made all things, and in the multitude of thy mercy hast brought all things from nothing into being. Do thou thyself, O Master, look down from heaven upon those who have bowed their heads unto thee; for they have not bowed down unto flesh and blood, but to thee, the awesome God. Therefore, O Master, do thou thyself distribute these Gifts here set forth, unto all of us for good, according to the individual need of each: voyage with those who sail by sea and air; journey with those who travel by land; heal the sick, thou who art the physician of our souls and bodies:

PRIEST: Through the grace and compassion and love toward mankind of thine Only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.The Elevation

PRIEST: Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from thy holy dwelling-place, and from the throne of the glory of thy kingdom; and come to sanctify us, O thou who sittest on high with the Father, and art here invisibly present with us; and vouchsafe by thy mighty hand to impart unto us thine immaculate Body and precious Blood, and through us unto all the people.

The priest and deacon make three low bows before the Altar, saying quietly:

PRIEST: O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy upon me.


Then the priest takes up the holy Bread in both hands and elevates it above the discos, saying aloud:

PRIEST: Holy Gifts are for the holy.

As the priest lowers the holy Bread, he makes with it the sign of the Cross thrice, above the discos. Meanwhile the Choir sings the following Hymn.

CHOIR: One is Holy, One is Lord: Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Communion HymnPEOPLE: Out of the mouths of babes and infants thou hast brought perfect praise.(Ps. 8:2)

The Communion

While the people sing the above hymn, the following dialogue takes place:

DEACON: Divide, master, the holy bread.

The priest divides the Lamb into four parts with great reverence and care, saying:

PRIEST: Divided and distributed is the Lamb of God, who is divided, yet not disunited; who is ever eaten, yet never consumed, but sanctifies those who partake thereof.

The priest arranges the pieces of the Lamb on the rim of the diskos in the form of a cross, thus:

I SNI KA

CS

DEACON: Fill, master the holy cup.

The priest then takes the Portion I S and makes with it the sign of the cross over the Chalice, and puts it in, saying quietly:

PRIEST: The fullness of the Cup, of the Faith, of the Holy Spirit.

DEACON: Amen.Bringing for the priest’s blessing the warm water in the zeon, the deacon says:

DEACON: Bless, master, the zeon.

Blessing the warm water, the priest says:

PRIEST: Blessed is the warmth of thy holy things, O Lord always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

DEACON: Amen.

The priest pours a sufficient quantity of warm water into the chalice cross-wise, saying:

PRIEST: The warmth (of faith, full) of the Holy Spirit.

DEACON: Amen.

Then the priest and deacon quietly say the following prayers of preparation for the Holy Communion:

PRIEST: I believe, O Lord, and I confess that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. And I believe that this is truly thine own immaculate Body, and that this is truly thine own precious Blood. Wherefore I pray thee, have mercy upon me and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, of knowledge and of ignorance; and make me worthy to partake without condemnation of thine immaculate Mysteries, unto remission of my sins and unto life everlasting. Amen.

Of thy Mystic Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant: for I will not speak of thy Mystery to thine enemies, neither will I give thee a kiss as did Judas; but like the thief will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord, in thy Kingdom.

Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of thy Holy Mysteries, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body.

The priest bows to the deacon, saying:

PRIEST: Forgive me my sins, brother and concelebrant.

The deacon responds to the priest saying:

DEACON: Thy priesthood, the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

The deacon passing the high place, stands at the north side of the holy table and arranges his orarion in crosswise fashion. The priest makes a low bow before the Altar and says quietly:

PRIEST: Lo, I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God.

Taking a portion of the section of the Lamb sealed XS the priest says:

PRIEST: The precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the unworthy priest N., unto remission of my sins and unto life everlasting.

The priest consumes that portion of the Lamb and says Amen. With great care, he wipes his fingers over the diskos with the sponge. He then says to the Deacon:

PRIEST: Deacon, draw near.

The deacon makes one metania, saying:

DEACON: Lo, I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God.

The deacon, his hands crossed right over left with palms up, approaches the priest, saying:

DEACON: Master, impart unto me, the unworthy deacon N., the precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.

The priest places a portion of the Lamb sealed XS in the hands of the deacon, saying:

PRIEST: The precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, is imparted unto thee, the reverend deacon N., unto forgiveness of thy sins and unto life everlasting.

The deacon kisses the hand of the priest, says Amen and goes to the east side of the holy table where, with great reverence, he consumes the portion given him. The priest, taking up the kalima and the chalice, says:

PRIEST: The precious and all-holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, is imparted unto me, the unworthy presbyter N., unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.

The priest takes three sips from the chalice, wipes his lips and the rim of the chalice with the kalima and says:

PRIEST: Lo, this has touched my lips and shall take away my iniquities and purge away my sins.


The deacon comes to the south side of the holy table and, after wiping his fingers with the sponge over the diskos, makes one metania, saying:

DEACON: Again I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God. Master, impart unto me, the unworthy deacon N., the precious and all-holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.

PRIEST: The precious and all-holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, is imparted unto thee, the reverend deacon N., unto forgiveness of thy sins and unto life everlasting.

The priest gives the deacon three sips from the chalice, wipes the deacon’s lips and the rim of the chalice with the kalima and says:

PRIEST: Lo, this has touched thy lips and shall take away thine iniquities and purge away thy sins.

The deacon kisses the chalice, and the priest replaces it upon the antiminsion. The priest, with great reverence and care, breaks into small pieces the portions of the Lamb sealed NI and KA, placing them in the chalice.

DEACON: In that we have beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy cross do we adore, O Christ, and thy holy resurrection we praise and glorify: for thou art our God, and we know none other beside thee; we call upon thy name. O come, all you faithful, let us adore Christ’s holy resurrection. For lo, through the cross is joy come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us sing his resurrection, for in that he endured the cross for us he has destroyed death by death.

Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has dawned upon thee. Dance and be glad, O Zion. And delight thou, O pure Theotokos, in the rising of thy Son.

How divine! How beloved! How sweet is thy voice, O Christ! For thou hast faithfully promised to be with us to the end of the age. Having this as our anchor of hope, we the faithful do rejoice.O Christ, great and most holy Pascha; O Wisdom, Word and Power of God: Grant that we may more perfectly partake of thee in the never-ending day of thy kingdom.

The priest covers the chalice with the kalima and hands the chalice and spoon to the deacon. Standing in the holy doors facing west, the deacon elevates the chalice to the people, saying:

DEACON: With fear of God and faith and love, draw near.

The priest and deacon exit the sanctuary through the holy doors as the choir chants:

CHOIR: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. God is the Lord and has revealed himself unto us.

The deacon gives the chalice and spoon to the priest, himself holding the kalima. The priest then communicates those who are prepared to receive the holy mysteries, while the choir chants what is appointed. The priest says to each communicant:

PRIEST: The servant of God, N., partakes of the precious and all-holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto the forgiveness of sins and unto life everlasting.

When all have been communed, the priest covers the chalice with the kalima and hands the chalice to the deacon. The priest then blesses the people with his hand, saying:

PRIEST: O God, save thy people and bless thine inheritance.

As the choir chants the following Troparion:

Troparion of Lazarus, First Tone O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like the children, carrying the signs of victory, cry unto thee, the conqueror of death, Hosanna in the highest. “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.”5

the priest and deacon enter the sanctuary through the holy doors, and the priest places the chalice on the antiminsion. The priest removes the kalima from the chalice, lifts the diskos over the chalice and with the sponge carefully wipes the remaining particles into the chalice, saying:

PRIEST: By thy precious Blood, O Lord, wash away the sins of thy servants here commemorated, through the intercessions of all thy saints.

After making certain that no crumb remains on the diskos or on the antiminsion, the priest covers the chalice with its veil and places the folded aer, the veil of the diskos, the kalima and the star upon the diskos.

DEACON: Exalt, master.

The priest censes the chalice thrice, saying:

PRIEST: Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens and thy glory above all the earth.

The priest gives up the censer and then gives the diskos to the deacon, who lifts it above his head and, passing the front of the holy table, carries it to and places it upon the prothesis. The priest lifts the chalice, saying:

PRIEST: Blessed is our God;

And turning to face the people, the priest continues:

PRIEST: Always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Meanwhile the priest places the Chalice upon the Prothesis Table, and returns to the Altar. He folds up the Antiminsion and makes the sign of the Cross above it with the Gospel Book at the following exclamation. The deacon bows to the priest and exits the north door for the ektenia.

The Ektenia of ThanksgivingDEACON: Attend! Having partaken of the divine, holy, immaculate, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and

awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.




DEACON: Asking that the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.


The Prayer of ThanksgivingPRIEST: We give thanks unto thee, O Lord who lovest mankind, benefactor of our souls and bodies, for that

thou hast vouchsafed this day to feed us with thy heavenly and immortal Mysteries. Make straight our paths, establish us all in thy fear; guard our life; make firm our steps: through the prayers and intercessions of the glorious Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and of all thy Saints:

5 -(Mark 11:9)

PRIEST: For thou art our sanctification, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Let us go forth in peace.

CHOIR: In the name of the Lord.



The priest comes out through the holy doors and stands before the Icon of Christ, and says aloud the following Prayer:

The Prayer Behind the AmbonPRIEST: O Lord, who blessest those who bless thee, and sanctifiest those who put their trust in thee: save

thy people and bless thine inheritance; preserve the fullness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy House; glorify them in recompense by thy divine power; and forsake us not who hope on thee. Give peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the priests, to all civil authorities, to our armed forces, and to all thy people for every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from thee, the Father of Lights, and unto thee we give glory, thanksgiving, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen. Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore. (Thrice)

The priest followed by the deacon goes into the sanctuary through the holy doors and goes to the Prothesis Table, and there quietly says the following prayer.

PRIEST: O Christ our God, who art thyself the fulfillment of the law and the Prophets, who didst fulfil all the dispensation of the Father: fill our hearts with joy and gladness, always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The priest returns to the Altar. The deacon from the Sanctuary says the following after which he may consume the Gifts:



PRIEST: The blessing of the Lord and his mercy come upon you through his grace and love towards mankind always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The DismissalPRIEST: Glory to thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to thee.

CHOIR: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy. Father, bless.

PRIEST: May Christ our true God, who by raising Lazarus from the dead did confirm the universal resurrection, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints, John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable

and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint (N), patron Saint of this Church; of Saint(s) N.N., whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints: have mercy upon us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loves mankind.

Then facing the icon of Christ, the priest says:

PRIEST: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The people then come forward to receive the Antidoron, kissing the cross, as the priest says to each person:

PRIEST: May the blessing of the Lord and his mercy be with you: now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

PALM SUNDAY GREAT VESPERSThe priest makes again three low bows before the holy Table. After kissing the holy Gospel book, he says:

DEACON: Bless Master,

PRIEST: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.




PSALM 104 (103)READER: Bless the Lord, O my soul!

O Lord my God, thou art very great.Thou art clothed with honor and majesty,robed in light as with a garment.Thou stretchest out the heavens like a tent,thou coverest thine upper chambers with waters, thou makest the clouds thy chariot,thou ridest on the wings of the wind,thou makest thine angels spirits,and thine ministers a flaming fire.Thou setest the earth on its foundation,so that it shall never be shaken.Thou coverest it with the deep as with a garment,the waters rise above the mountains.At thy rebuke they flee,At the voice of thy thunder they hasten away.They rise up to the mountains,they run down to the valleys,to the place which thou hast established for them.Thou setest a boundary that they may not pass over, so that they may not return and cover the earth.

Thou makest springs gush forth in the valleys,the waters run down between the mountains.They give drink to all the beasts of the field, the wild donkeys quench their thirst.By them the birds of the sky have their home,they sing among the rocks.Thou dost water the mountains from thy upper chambers.The earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.Thou makest the grass grow for the cattle,and plants for people to use,to bring forth food from the earth,

and wine to cheer the human heart,oil to make the face shine,and bread to strengthen the human heart.The trees of the plain are satisfied,the cedars of Lebanon that he planted,there the birds build their nests;on the highest branches the stork has its home,the high mountains are for the wild goats,the rocks are a refuge for the coneys.

Thou hast made the moon to mark the seasons,the sun knows its time for setting.Thou hast made darkness and it was night,in it all the wild beasts of the forest roam around.The young lions roar for their prey,seeking their food from God.As the sun rises, they come togetherand lie down in their dens,people go out to their work,and to their labor until the evening.

O Lord, how manifold are thy works!In wisdom thou hast made them all:The earth is full of thy creatures.

Yonder is the sea, great and wide,creeping things innumerable are there,living beings small and great.There go the ships,and the dragon thou hast made to play in it.

These all look to thee,to give them their food in due season;when thou givest to them,they gather it up.When thou openest thy hand,they are filled with good things.When thou turnest away thy face,they are dismayed;and when thou takest away their breath, they die and return to their dust.When thou sendest forth thy breath,they are created, and thou renewest the face of the earth.

Let the glory of the Lord endure forever;the Lord will rejoice in his works-who looks on the earth, and makes it tremble;who touches the mountains and they smoke.I will sing to the Lord all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.May my meditation be pleasing to him,for I will rejoice in the Lord.Let sinners disappear from the earth,and the wicked exist no more!Bless the Lord, O my soul.Praise the Lord!

The sun knows its time for setting.Thou hast made darkness and it was night,O Lord, how great are thy works!In wisdom thou hast made them all.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to thee, O God. (low bow)Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to thee, O God. (low bow)Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to thee, O God. (low bow)

O our God and our hope, glory to thee.

During the preceding Psalm, the priest stands before the Altar and quietly says the seven lamp-lighting prayers:

PRIEST:1.

O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and rich in mercy, give ear to our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplication. Show us a sign of thy favor;6 lead us in thy way, so that we may walk in thy truth. Gladden our hearts, so that we may fear thy holy name, for thou art great, and thou workest wonders.7 Thou alone art God, and there is none like thee among the gods, O Lord.8 Thou art mighty in mercy, and benevolent in strength, to aid and to comfort and to save all those who put their trust in thy holy name. For to thee belongs all glory, honor and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

2.Lord, do not rebuke us in thine anger, or discipline us in thy wrath,9 but deal with us in all thy kindness,10 O physician and healer of our souls. Bring us to thy desired haven.11 Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of thy truth.12 And grant us that the completion of this day, and our whole life may be peaceful and sinless, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints. For thine is the majesty, and the 6(Ps.86<85>:17).

7(Ps. 77<76>:14).

8(Ps. 86 <85>:17).

9(Ps. 38<37>:1).

10(Ba. 2:27).

11(Ps. 107<106>:30).

12(1 Tim. 2:50).

power, and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

3.O Lord, our God, remember us sinners, thy worthless servants, when we call upon thy holy name; and let us not be put to shame in our hope13 of thy mercy; but grant us, Lord, all our petitions which are for our salvation. And make us worthy to love and fear thee with all our hearts, and to do thy will in all things. For thou art a good and loving God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

4.O Lord, who art hymned by the holy angelic powers with never-silent hymns and incessant praises, fill our mouths with songs of praise, so that we may ascribe majesty to thy holy name.14 Grant us a share and an inheritance with those who fear thee in truth, and who keep thy commandments, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints. For to thee belongs all glory, honor and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

5.O Lord, our God, thou upholdest all things by thy pure and perfect hand, thou art patient with us all and mournest over our wickedness: remember thy compassions and thy mercy. Visit us with thy goodness; and grant us to complete the present day, avoiding the diverse plots of the evil one; and preserve our lives free from attack, through the grace of thine all-holy Spirit. Through the mercy and love toward mankind of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

6.O great and wonderful God, with thine inexpressible wisdom, and thine abundant providence thou administerest all things. Thou hast bestowed on us good things on earth; thou hast given us a pledge of the promised kingdom through the good things already bestowed on us; and thou hast made us to flee from all evil during that part of this day which is past: Grant us also to complete this day without blame before thy holy glory, and to glorify thee, our God, who art the only good One, and lover of mankind. For thou art our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

7.O great and most high God, thou alone hast immortality and dwellest in unapproachable light.15 Thou hast made all creation in wisdom. Thou hast separated the light from the darkness.16 Thou hast made the sun to rule the day, the moon and the stars to rule the night.17 Thou hast made us sinners at this present hour worthy to come before thy face with thanksgiving and to offer to thee our evening praises. Thou thyself, O Lord, lover of mankind, direct our prayer as incense before thee,18 and accept it as a fragrant offering.19 Grant us to pass the

13(Ps. 119<118>:116).

14(Si. 39:15).

15(1 Tim .6:16)

16(Gen. 1:4)

17(Gen. 1:16)

present evening and the coming night in peace. Clothe us with the armor of light.20 Deliver us from the terror of the night and from the pestilence that stalks in the darkness.21 Grant us sleep, which thou hast appointed for the alleviation of our weakness, free from every imagination of the devil. Yea, O Master of all, bestower of good things, may we, being moved toward repentance on our beds, remember thy name in the night, that, illuminated by meditation on thy commandments,22we may rise up in joyfulness of soul to glorify thy goodness, offering up prayers, and supplications to thy tender love for our sins and for those of all thy people, whom thou visitest in mercy, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos. For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

When the priest has completed the preceding prayers, and the people have finished the Psalm, the great Litany is prayed.

THE LITANY OF PEACEDEACON: In peace let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.









CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.DEACON: For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the

Lord.

18(Ps.141<140>:2).

19(Phil 4:18).

20(Rom.13:12).

21(Ps. 91<90>:5-6).

22(Ps. 119<118>:143).



CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.DEACON: For travelers by sea, by land, and by air; for the sick and the suffering; for captives and their

salvation, let us pray to the Lord.CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.







PRIEST: For unto thee are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

When the people begin the singing of the second verse of Psalm 140 (141), the priest/deacon performs the great censing.

Psalm 141 (140) in the Sixth ToneCHOIR: O Lord, I have cried unto thee, hear thou me.

Hear thou me, O Lord. O Lord, I have cried unto thee, hear thou me: give ear to the voice of my supplication, when I cry unto thee. Hear thou me, O Lord. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear thou me, O Lord.Set a watch, O Lord, on my mouth, and a guard on the door of my lips.Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses for sins.With men who work iniquity; I will not associate with what they choose.The righteous will correct and reprove me with mercy, but let not the oil of the wicked anoint my head. For my prayer will be even in the midst of their pleasures.

Their judges have been overthrown off the sides of the rocks. Then they shall hear my words for they are pleasant. Like a lump of clay shattered on the ground, so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Hades.-But my eyes are turned toward thee, O God, my Lord. In thee I have hoped, take not away my soul.Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me, and from the snares of evildoers.The wicked shall fall into their own nets, while I alone escape.

Psalm 142 (141)With my voice, I cried to the Lord; with my voice, I made supplication to the Lord.I pour out my prayer before him;I declare my trouble before him.When my spirit is faint, thou knowest my way.In the path where I walk, they have hidden a trap for me.

I looked on my right hand and watched, but there was no one who takes notice of me; There is no refuge for me; no one cares for me.I cried to thee O Lord; I said: thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low.Save me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.Bring my soul out of prison, so that I may give thanks to thy name.The righteous will wait for me until thou recompense me.

Psalm 130 (129)Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice!Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.If thou, O Lord, shoulders mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But there is forgiveness with thee.Because of thy name, I have waited for thee, O Lord; my soul has waited for thy word; my soul has hoped in the Lord.

In the Sixth Tone, Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has brought us together; and lifting thy Cross we all say: “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord;”23 “Hosanna in the highest.”24

23(John 12:13)

24(Mark 11:10)

From the morning watch until the night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope in the Lord!

Today, the Word of God and coeternal Son of the Father, whose throne is heaven and whose foot -stool is the earth, has humbled himself, coming to Bethany on a dumb colt. Wherefore, the children of the Hebrews holding branches in their hands praise him crying: “Hosanna in the highest.”25 Blessed is he who comes, the King of Israel.26

For with the Lord there is mercy and with him is abundant redemption, and he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Let us also come today, all the new Israel, the Church of the Gentiles; and let us shout with the Prophet Zachariah: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold thy King comes to thee: he is meek and a savior;27 and he rides on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”28 Wherefore, keep feast with the children, carrying branches in thy hands, and praise him: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes, King of Israel.29

Psalm 117 (116)Praise the Lord, all you nations! Praise him, all you peoples!

Prefiguring thy holy Resurrection, O good One, thou hast raised from the tomb by thine own command thy lifeless friend Lazarus; though after four days, there was already a stench.30 Thou mounted symbolically on a donkey, as though riding upon a chariot, thus giving a sign to the Gentiles. Wherefore, beloved Israel offered thee praise out the mouths of innocent babes and infants,31 as they beheld thee, O Christ, entering into the holy city six days before the Passover.32

For great is his mercy toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, and his Disciples came to him saying: O Lord, where dost thou want us to make the preparations for thee to eat the Passover?33 Then he sent them, saying: “Go into the city opposite you and you will find a man carrying a jar of water. Follow him, and say to the owner of the house, the teacher says, In thine house I will eat the Passover with my Disciples.”34

25(Mark 11:10)

26(John 12:13)

27(Zechariah 9:10)

28(Zech. 9:9)

29John 12:13)

30(John 11:39)

31(Ps. 8:3)

32(Matt. 21:16)

33(Matt. 26:17)

34(Mark 14:13-14)


In the Sixth Tone

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has brought us together; and we all lift thy Cross and we say: “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord;”35 “Hosanna in the highest.”36

THE ENTRANCEthe Prayer of the Entrance


PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: In the evening and in the morning and at noonday we praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks to thee, and we implore thee: O Lord, Master of all, lover of mankind, direct our prayer as incense before thee;37 and do not incline our hearts to words or thoughts of evil; but deliver us from all who seek after our souls.38 For our eyes are turned toward thee, O Lord,39 and in thee we have put our hope, O our God, for to thee belong all glory, honor and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

DEACON: Father, bless the holy entrance.

PRIEST: Blessed is the entrance of thy holy ones,40 always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen. The priest/deacon lifts up the Censer.

DEACON: Wisdom! Let us attend!

The Prayer of Thanksgiving(by the Martyr Athenogenes)

PEOPLE: O gladsome light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ! Now that we have come to the setting of the sun and behold the light of evening, we praise God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For meet it is that at all times thou shoulders be magnified by pleasant melody, O Son of God, who bestowest life. Therefore, the world glorifies thee.

35(John 12:13)

36(Mark 11:10)

37(Ps.141<140>:2).

38(Ps.59<58>:3).

39(Ps.141<140>:8).

40An alternative reading is “Blessed is the entrance into thy sanctuary.”

DEACON: The evening prokeimenon.

The Vesperal Prokeimenon(Sixth Tone)PEOPLE: The Lord reigns, he is robed with majesty41 (Twice).

Verse 1: The Lord is robed, he is girded with strength.

Verse 2: He has established the world; it shall never be moved.42

The Lord reigns, he is robed with majesty.43

The ReadingsDEACON: Wisdom!

READER: The reading is from the Book of Genesis.(49:1-2; 8-12)


READER: Jacob called his sons and said: Gather around, that I may tell you what will happen to you in the last days. Assemble, and hear me sons of Jacob; and listen to Israel your father. Judah, your brothers shall praise you: your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s children shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the offspring, my son, thou hast gone up: having crouched down, thou layest down as a lion and as a whelp; who will rouse him up? A ruler shall not depart from Judah, nor a prince from his loins, until there come the things stored for him; and he is the expectation of the people. Binding his foal to the vine, and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine; he washes his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: His eyes will be more cheering than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.

DEACON: Wisdom!

READER: The reading is from the Prophecy of Zephaniah the Prophet.(3:14-19)


READER: Thus says the Lord: Rejoice, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has delivered you from the hands of your enemies: the King of Israel, even the Lord, is in your midst: you shall see evil no more. At that time the Lord shall say to Jerusalem, be of good courage; and to Zion, let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in you, the mighty One will save you; he will bring joy over you; he will renew you in his love, he will exult over you with delight as on a day of festival. I will gather them that are afflicted. Alas! who hast taken up a reproach against her? Behold, at that time I will work in you for your sake, says the

41(Ps.93;92:1)

42(Ps.93<92>:2).

43Ps.93<92>:1,2).

Lord. I will save her that was oppressed, and receive her that was rejected; and I will make them renowned and praised in every land.

DEACON: Wisdom!

READER: The reading is from the Prophecy of Zachariah the Prophet.(9:9-15)


READER: Thus says the Lord: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; proclaim, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King comes to thee; righteous, and savior is he, meek, and riding on a donkey, even a young foal. He will destroy the chariot out of Ephraim and the horse out of Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be utterly destroyed; and there shall flow abundance and peace out of the nations; and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea and from the rivers to the ends of the earth. And by the blood of thy covenant thou hast set free thy prisoners out of the waterless pit. You will dwell in the strongholds, O prisoners of the congregation, and for one day of captivity I will restore to you double; For I have bent Judah as my bow, and I have filled Ephraim, and I will raise up your children, O Zion against your children, O Greece, and made you like a warrior sword. And the Lord shall be over them, and his arrow shall go forth like lightning: and the Lord Almighty shall sound the trumpet, and shall go in the whirlwinds of his threatening. The Lord Almighty shall protect them.

The Litany of Fervent SupplicationDEACON: Let us say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us say:

PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy (One time).

DEACON: O Lord Almighty, God of our fathers: we pray thee, hearken, and have mercy.


DEACON: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great goodness: we pray thee, hearken, and have mercy.

PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy. (Three times)

DEACON: Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.


DEACON: Again we pray for our Father and Metropolitan PHILIP for presbyters, deacons, and all monastics; and for all our brethren in Christ.


DEACON: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation, and forgiveness and remission of the sins of the servants of God: (Names) (Here prayer may be offered for the people with special needs); and for all devout Orthodox Christians who live and dwell in this community.


DEACON: Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy house, and for all our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox fallen asleep before us, (Names) (Here prayer may be offered for the departed people) who here and throughout the world lie asleep in the Lord.


DEACON: Again we pray for those who bring offerings and do good works in this holy and venerable church; for those who serve and those who sing; and for all the people here present who await thy great and rich mercy.


PRIEST: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed art thou, O Lord, God of our fathers! Praised and glorified is thy name forever, Amen. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, even as we have set our hope in thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes.44 Blessed art thou, O Master, make me to understand thy statutes. Blessed art thou, O holy One; enlighten me with thy statutes. Thy mercy, O Lord, endures forever:45 O despise not the works of thy hands.46

To thee belongs praise, to thee belongs honor,47 to thee belongeth glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

The Litany of SupplicationDEACON: Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.




DEACON: That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

PEOPLE: Grant this, O Lord.




44(Ps. 118<119>:12,64,135).

45(Ps.107<106>:1).

46(Ps.138<137>8).

47(Ps.65<64>:1).



PEOPLE: Grant this, O Lord.DEACON: That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the

Lord.





PEOPLE: To thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.



DEACON: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.


The Prayer at the Bowing of HeadsPRIEST: O Lord our God, who bowed the heavens and came down for the salvation of mankind: Look

favorably upon thy servants and thine inheritance, for to thee, the awesome Judge and lover of mankind, have thy servants bowed their heads, and bent their necks, not expecting help from men, but hoping in thy mercy, and looking for thy salvation. Protect them at all times, especially in the present evening, and in the coming night, from every enemy, from every adverse work of the devil, from vain thoughts and from evil imaginations.

PRIEST: Blessed and glorified is the might of thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The Aposticha in Tone 8

Rejoice and be happy, O city of Zion; Be joyful and glad, O Church of God; for behold, thy King has come sitting on a colt48 and praised by the children. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed art thou for thy bountiful mercies: have mercy on us. Verse: Out of the mouths of babes and infants thou hast brought perfect praise. 49 Today the Savior has come to Jerusalem to fulfill the Scriptures; and all have taken in their hands palms and spread their garments for him, knowing that he is our God, to whom the cherubim sing unceasingly: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed art thou for thy bountiful mercies: have mercy on us. Verse: O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is thy Name in all the earth!50 Riding on the cherubim51 and praised by the seraphim, thou didst ride a colt, O Good One, like David. The children honored thee with praise fitting to God. And the Jews blasphemed against thee unlawfully. Sitting on a donkey thou didst foreshadow how the Gentiles were to pass from unbelief to faith. Glory to thee O Christ, who alone art merciful and the Lover of mankind. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. In the Sixth Tone, Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has brought us together; and as lifting thy Cross we all say: “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord;”52 “Hosanna in the highest.”53

Saint Simeon’s Prayer54

PEOPLE: Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.

PEOPLE: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy name’s sake. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily55 bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.56


PEOPLE: Amen.

48(Zech. 9:9).

49(Ps. 8:2).

50(Ps. 8:1).

51(Ps. 18<17>:11).

52(John 12:13).

53(Mark 11:10).

54(Lk.2:29-32).

55Or, “living”.

56Or, “the evil one”.

Troparion of Lazarus, First ToneO Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like the children, carrying the signs of victory, cry to thee, the conqueror of death, Hosanna in the highest. “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.”57 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. In the Fourth Tone. Buried with thee through Baptism, O Christ our God, we merited eternal life by thy Resurrection. Wherefore, we praise thee, crying, Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Then the priest concludes the office of vespers with the dismissal:

DEACON: Wisdom!

PEOPLE: Father, bless.

PRIEST: Blessed is HE WHO IS, Christ our God, always now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen. Preserve, O God, the holy Orthodox Faith, and all Orthodox Christians, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

PRIEST: O most holy Theotokos, save us!

PEOPLE: More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption58, gavest birth to God the Word and art truly Theotokos, we magnify thee.

PRIEST: Glory to thee, O Christ, our God and our hope, glory to thee.

PEOPLE: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Father, bless.

The BenedictionPRIEST: May Christ our true God, who willed to sit on the foal of a donkey for our salvation; through the

intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint (N) patron Saint of this Church; of Saint(s) N.N., whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints: have mercy upon us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loves mankind.


PRIEST: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

PEOPLE: Amen.

57(Mark 11:9).

58Or, “remaining virgin...etc.”,

PALM SUNDAY THE DIVINE LITURGYThe Great Doxology

During the Great Doxology, the priest and deacon quietly say the prayers to conclude matins.

Glory to thee, who hast shown us the light. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.



O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who takest away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, thou that takest away the sins of the world.



Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy name forever; yea, forever and ever.Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.



Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. (thrice)





Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice)





Troparion of Lazarus, First Tone

O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like the children, carrying the signs of victory, cry to thee, the conqueror of death, Hosanna in the highest. “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.”59

The Preparation and Opening DialogueThe priest and deacon, being fully vested, stand together before the holy table, the priest in the center and the deacon at his

place at the southwest corner. The priest with hands uplifted says the following prayer while the deacon lifts his orarion:



PRIEST: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (twice)






DEACON: Amen. Pray for me, master.PRIEST: The Lord direct thy steps unto every good work.



PRIEST: The Lord God remember thee in his kingdom, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.DEACON: Amen.







CHOIR: Amen.

59 -(Mark 11:9)

The priest, replaces the gospel book on the antiminsion. The deacon, standing before the holy doors, lifts his orarion and intones the petitions of the litany of peace.

The Litany of PeaceDEACON: In peace let us pray to the Lord.CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.












CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.DEACON: For healthful seasons, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to

the Lord.










PRIEST: O Lord our God, whose might is beyond compare, whose glory is incomprehensible, whose mercy is infinite, and whose love toward mankind is ineffable: do thou thyself, O Master, in thy tender compassion look down upon us and upon this holy house, and grant us and those who pray with us thy rich mercies and compassion.


CHOIR: Amen.

The First Antiphon in the Second Tone.Psalm 116 (114):1,3,4,9. CHOIR: Verse 1. I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my supplication.


Verse 2. The anguish of death encompassed me, the perils of Hades laid hold on me.


Verse 3. I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord.


Verse 4. I will walk acceptably before the Lord in the land of the living.


Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit


Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.


The Little LitanyDEACON: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.






The following prayer is said in a low voice during the litany and only the exclamation is said aloud.

PRIEST: O Lord our God, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance; preserve the fullness of thy Church, sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house, glorify them in recompense by thy divine power, and forsake us not who hope on thee.

PRIEST: For thine is the might, and thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The Second Antiphon in the Second Tone.Psalm 116 (115):10,12,13,19. CHOIR: Verse 1. I believed therefore I spoke; but I was greatly afflicted.

Save us, O Son of God, who was seated on the foal of a donkey, as we sing to thee Alleluia.

Verse 2. What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me?


Verse 3. I will receive the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.


Verse 4. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of praise, and will pray in the name of the Lord.


Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.


Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen

“O Only-begotten Son”PEOPLE: O Only-begotten Son and Word of God, who art immortal, yet didst deign for our salvation to be

incarnate of the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and without change became man; and wast

crucified also, O Christ our God, and by thy death didst trample down death; who art one of the Holy Trinity, glorified together with the Father and the Holy Spirit: save us.







The following prayer is said in a low voice during the litany and only the exclamation is said aloud.

PRIEST: O thou who hast bestowed on us these common and united supplications and dost promise that when two or three are of one accord in thy name thou wilt grant their requests: do thou also now fulfil the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this age the knowledge of thy truth, and in the age to come, life everlasting.

PRIEST: For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The Third Antiphon First Tone.Psalm 118 (117).1,2,3,4. CHOIR: O Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever.

Let now the house of Israel say that he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.

Let now the house of Aaron say that he is good; his mercy endures for ever.

Let now all who fear the Lord say that he is good; his mercy endures for ever.

Troparion of Lazarus, in the First ToneO Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like the children, carrying the signs of victory, cry unto thee, the conqueror of death, Hosanna in the highest. “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.”60

The Little Entrance

60 -(Mark 11:9)

While the choir chants the third antiphon, the priest and deacon make three metanias before the holy table. The priest lifts the gospel book and gives it to the deacon, who places his orarion over it, kissing the priest’s hand. Preceded by the servers, they make the Little Entrance, the priest following the deacon, passing the high place and exiting the sanctuary through the north door, saying as they go:

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.


DEACON: Amen.


DEACON: Bless, master, the holy entrance.



DEACON: Amen.The deacon holds the gospel book for the priest to kiss, himself kissing the priest’s right hand. When the choir has

completed the chanting of the third antiphon, the deacon, standing in the center of the solea in front of the priest and facing east, elevates the gospel book and says:


The Entrance HymnPsalm 118 (117): 26, 27. PRIEST: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; God is the Lord, and has appeared to us.

PEOPLE: Save us, O Son of God who was seated on a donkey’s colt, as we sing to thee, Alleluia.

Troparion of Lazarus in the First Tone PEOPLE: O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like the children, carrying the signs of victory, cry to thee, the conqueror of death, Hosanna in the highest. “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.”

Troparion of Palm Sunday in the Fourth TonePEOPLE: O Christ God, enthroned in heaven, and on earth riding upon a foal: thou hast accepted the praise of

the angels and the songs of the children who were crying out unto thee: Blessed art thou for thou comest to restore Adam.

The Prayer of the TrisagionPRIEST: O holy God, who restest in the holy place, who art hymned by the seraphim with thrice-holy cry, and

glorified by the cherubim and worshiped by every heavenly power, who out of nothingness hast brought all things into being, who hast created man according to thine own image and likeness and

hast adorned him with thine every gift; who givest to him that askest wisdom and understanding, who despisest not the sinner but hast appointed repentance unto salvation, who hast vouchsafed unto us, thy humble and unworthy servants, even in this hour, to stand before the glory of thy holy altar and to offer the worship and praise which are due unto thee: Thyself, O Master, receive even from the mouth of us sinners the thrice-holy hymn and visit us in thy goodness. Pardon us every transgression both voluntary and involuntary; sanctify our souls and bodies; and grant us to serve thee in holiness all the days of our life, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints, who from the beginning of the world have been well-pleasing unto thee.



PRIEST: For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever,


PEOPLE: Amen.

The Trisagion HymnPEOPLE: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.


DEACON: Dynamis.

PEOPLE: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.

The deacon pints to the Prothesis table with his orarion and says:




The deacon points to the throne at the high place with his orarion and says the following to the


The priest faces the throne at the high place and with outspread hands says:

PRIEST: Blessed art thou on the throne of the glory of thy kingdom, who are enthroned upon the cherubim, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

DEACON: Amen.

The Liturgy of the WordThe Epistle

After the priest has finished singing the Trisagion, the deacon comes to the Royal doors, faces the people and says aloud:


READER: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. O Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever. (Ps.118 (117):26,1)

DEACON: Wisdom!

READER: The reading from Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians. (Philippians 4:4-9)

(The People Sit)DEACON: Let us attend!

READER: Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.


PEOPLE: Alleluia.(3 times)The Prayer Before the Gospel

PRIEST:: Illumine our hearts, O Master who lovest mankind, with the pure light of thy divine knowledge; and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of thy gospel teachings; implant in us also the fear of thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto thee. For thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto thee we give glory, together with thine unoriginate Father, and thine all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The GospelThe deacon holding his orarion in his right hand bows before the priest and says:

DEACON: Bless, master, him that proclaims the good tidings of the holy, glorious apostle and evangelist John.





DEACON: O holy apostle and evangelist John, intercede with the merciful God that he may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Preceded by a candle-bearer, the deacon exits the sanctuary through the north door and goes to stand at the pulpit or bishop’s throne (if he is reading the Holy Gospel, otherwise he faces the people from his place in front of the holy table) and says:

DEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the Holy Gospel.




PRIEST OR DEACON: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint John. (John 12:1-18)


PRIEST: Let us attend!

PRIEST ORDEACON: Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus who had died was, whom Jesus

had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples (he who was to betray Jesus), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief; and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me. When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem - So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with Jesus when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet Jesus was that they heard he had done this sign.


The priest stands the gospel book behind the antiminsion and preaches the homily. At the conclusion of the homily, the deacon standing in the holy doors facing west with his orarion raised says:



CHOIR: Amen.

The deacon enters the sanctuary through the south door. As the choir chants the Cherubic Hymn, the priest bows low at his place before the Holy Table as he quietly says the prayer of the Cherubic Hymn.

The Cherubic HymnCHOIR: We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing to the life-giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn,

let us now lay aside all earthly care: that we may receive the King of all,

The Prayer of the Cherubic HymnPRIEST: No one who is bound with the desires and pleasures of the flesh is worthy to approach or draw nigh

or to serve thee, O King of Glory: for to serve thee is a great and awesome thing even to the Heavenly Powers. Nevertheless, through thine unspeakable and boundless love toward mankind thou didst become man, yet without change or alteration, and as Lord of all didst take the name of our High Priest, and deliver unto us the ministry of this liturgic and unbloody sacrifice. For thou alone, O Lord our God, rulest over those in heaven and on earth; who art borne on the throne of the Cherubim; who art Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel; who alone art holy and restest in thy Holy Place.

Wherefore I implore thee who alone art good and art ready to listen: Look down upon me, a sinner, and thine unprofitable servant; and cleanse my soul and my heart from an evil conscience; and by the power of thy Holy Spirit enable me, who am endued with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this thy Holy Table and perform the sacred Mystery of thy holy and immaculate Body and precious Blood. For I draw near unto thee, and bowing my neck I pray thee: turn not thy face from me, neither cast me out from among thy children; but vouchsafe that these gifts may be offered unto thee by me, thy sinful and unworthy servant: for thou thyself art he who offers and is offered, who accepts and is distributed, O Christ our God: and unto thee we give glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then the priest and the deacon with raised orarion stand at their places at the holy table and say the Cherubic Hymn thrice, with low bows.

PRIEST: We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing to the life-giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn, let us now lay aside all earthly care: that we may receive the King of all,

DEACON: invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia.


O come let us worship God, our King. (low bow)

O come let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. (low bow)

O come let us worship and fall now before Christ Himself, our King and our God. (low bow)

Psalm 51 (50)PRIEST: Have mercy on me, O God,

according to thy great mercy, according to the multitude of thy compassions,blot out my transgressions.Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions,

and my sin is ever before me.Against thee only have I sinned,and done what is evil in thy sight,so that thou art justified in thy sentences,and prevailest when thou passest judgment.For indeed, I was conceived in iniquities,and in sins did my mother conceive me.For behold: thou lovest truth, thou hast made known to me the secret and hidden things of thy wisdom.Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean,Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.Let me hear joy and gladness,then the afflicted bones shall rejoice.Turn away thy face from my sins,and blot out all my iniquities.Create in me a clean heart,O God, and put a right Spirit within me.Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thine Holy Spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of thy salvation,and uphold me with a directing spirit.Then I will teach transgressors thy ways,and sinners will return to thee. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,the God of my salvation,and my tongue will joyfully sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open my lips;and my mouth will declare thy praise;for if thou hadst delight in sacrifice,I would have given it;but thou wouldst not be pleased by burnt offering.The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit:a broken and contrite heart,O God, thou wilt not despise.Do good in thy good pleasure to Zion,and let the walls of Jerusalem be built;then thou wilt delight in a sacrifice of righteousness,in offerings and whole burnt offerings;

He makes three low bows before the Altar, kisses the Antiminsion and the Altar, turns and bows to the people, and goes to the Prothesis Table, the deacon kissing only the southwest corner of the Altar. The priest censes the holy Gifts, bows, and says:


The deacon then says to the







DEACON: All of you, may the Lord God remember in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.


CHOIR: Amen.


CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: The Orthodox servants of God N. (NN.), that they may have mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation, and pardon and forgiveness of sins: may the Lord God remember them in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.


PRIEST: The Orthodox servants of God departed this life. (NN.): may the Lord God remember them in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The priest enters the sanctuary through the holy doors while the choir concludes the cherubic hymn.

CHOIR: Invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia.

The priest places the chalice on the antiminsion (on his right) then receives the diskos from the deacon, who says to him:

DEACON: Thy priesthood, may the Lord God remember in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

The priest responds:

PRIEST: Thy diaconate, may the Lord God remember in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.













DEACON: Amen.

Passing the high place, the deacon exits the sanctuary through the north door. Standing at his place on the solea, the choir having concluded the cherubic hymn, the deacon lifts his orarion and intones the petitions of the litany of supplication. The priest quietly says the prayer of the prothesis while the deacon intones the petitions.

The Litany of SupplicationDEACON: Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.
























The deacon moves to stand before the icon of Christ while the priest says aloud the exclamation at the end of the prayer of the prothesis.

THE PRAYER OF THE PROTHESISPRIEST: O Lord God Almighty, who alone art holy, who dost accept a sacrifice of praise from those who call

upon thee with their whole heart: Receive also the prayer of us sinners, and lead us to thy holy altar, and enable us to offer unto thee gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for the ignorance of the people, and make us worthy to find grace in thy sight, that our sacrifice may be acceptable unto thee and that the good Spirit of thy grace may rest upon us and upon these gifts here set forth and upon all thy people.


CHOIR: Amen.

THE PEACE

Turning to face the people, the priest blesses saying:








The priest then kisses the covered gifts (first the diskos, second the chalice) the cross on the aer and the holy table. Meanwhile the deacon makes three metanias before the icon of Christ then kisses the cross on his orarion. The clergy and the people exchange here the kiss of peace. Then lifting his orarion the deacon says:

DEACON: The doors. The doors. In wisdom let us attend.

THE CREEDPEOPLE: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and

invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made61 man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And the third day he rose, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets; And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the Life of the world to come. Amen.

As the creed is recited, the priest lifts the aer with both hands and gently waves it over the gifts. At the point in the creed “And ascended into heaven. . .”, the priest folds the aer, makes the sign of the cross with it over the gifts, and continues to wave the folded aer over the gifts in a circular manner. At the conclusion of the Creed, the deacon, still standing before the icon of Christ, says with raised orarion:





61 Became man.”







The Holy Anaphora

PRIEST: It is meet and right to hymn thee, to bless thee, to praise thee, to give thanks unto thee, and to worship thee in every place of thy dominion: for thou art God ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever existing and eternally the same, thou and thine Only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit. Thou it was who didst bring us from non-existence into being, and when we had fallen away didst raise us up again, and didst not cease to do all things until thou hadst brought us back to heaven, and hadst endowed us with thy kingdom which is to come. For all these things we give thanks unto thee, and to thine Only-begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit; for all things of which we know, and of which we know not, and for all the benefits bestowed upon us, both manifest and unseen. And we give thanks unto thee also for this ministry which thou dost vouchsafe to receive at our hands, even though there stand beside thee thousands of Archangels and ten thousands of Angels, the Cherubim and the Seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring aloft, borne on their pinions.



CHOIR: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Hosanna in the highest: Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.





CHOIR: Amen.




CHOIR: Amen.



DEACON: And offering unto thee thine own of thine own always and everywhere.







DEACON: Amen




DEACON: Amen


DEACON: Bless both master.

PRIEST: Changing them by thy Holy Spirit.DEACON: Amen. Amen. Amen. Remember me a sinner holy master.


PRIEST: That to those who shall partake thereof they may be unto cleansing of soul, unto the remission of sins, unto the communion of thy Holy Spirit, unto the fulfilment of the kingdom of Heaven, unto

boldness toward thee, and not unto judgment or unto condemnation.

And again we offer unto thee this spiritual service for all those who in faith have gone before us to their rest: Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Preachers, Evangelists, Martyrs, Confessors, Ascetics, and every righteous spirit that has completed their life in faith:




The Hymn to the Theotokos, Fourth TonePEOPLE: God is the Lord and he is revealed to us. Let us celebrate the Feast, and let us rejoice and magnify

Christ; and with palms and branches let us cry aloud with praise, saying: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord our Savior.

DEACON: And for the holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John; the holy glorious, and all-laudable Apostles; Saint(s) N (NN.), whose memory we celebrate; and all thy Saints, at whose supplications look down upon us, O God. And be mindful of all those who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of Resurrection unto life eternal: (especially N. NN), and grant them rest, O our God, where the light of thy countenance shines upon them.



The Acolyte brings a tray containing the antidoron to the priest, who blesses it by making with it the sign of the Cross over the holy Gifts. (Prayer for blessing the antidoron: Remember, O Lord, thy faithful servants who partake of this holy bread and may it be for their health, salvation, visitation, remission of their sins and repose of the souls of their departed ones.)





CHOIR: Amen.






The Lord’s PrayerPEOPLE: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.


CHOIR: Amen.



PRIEST: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.




CHOIR: Amen.

The Elevation

PRIEST: Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from thy holy dwelling-place, and from the throne of the glory of thy kingdom; and come to sanctify us, O thou who sittest on high with the Father, and art here invisibly present with us; and vouchsafe by thy mighty hand to impart unto us thine immaculate Body and precious Blood, and through us unto all the people.








Communion HymnPEOPLE: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”


THE COMMUNION


The priest divides the Lamb into four parts with great reverence and care, saying:PRIEST: Divided and distributed is the Lamb of God, who is divided, yet not disunited; who is ever eaten, yet

never consumed, but sanctifies those who partake thereof.


__NI KA

__


The priest then takes the Portion I _ and makes with it the sign of the cross over the Chalice, and puts it in, saying quietly:


DEACON: Amen.Bringing for the priest’s blessing the warm water in the zeon, the deacon says:




DEACON: Amen.


PRIEST: The warmth (of faith, full ) of the Holy Spirit.

DEACON: Amen.


PRIEST/PEOPLE: I believe, O Lord, and I confess that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst

come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. And I believe that this is truly thine own immaculate Body, and that this is truly thine own precious Blood. Wherefore I pray thee, have mercy upon me and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, of knowledge and of ignorance; and make me worthy to partake without condemnation of thine immaculate Mysteries, unto remission of my sins and unto life everlasting. Amen.









Taking a portion of the section of the Lamb sealed CS the priest says:


The priest consumes that portion of the Lamb and says Amen. With great care, he wipes his fingers over the diskos with the sponge. He then says to the deacon:



DEACON: Lo, I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God.The deacon, his hands crossed right over left with palms up, approaches the priest, saying:


The priest places a portion of the Lamb sealed C_ in the hands of the deacon, saying:















How divine! How beloved! How sweet is thy voice, O Christ! For thou hast faithfully promised to be with us to the end of the age. Having this as our anchor of hope, we the faithful do rejoice.O Christ, great and most holy Pascha; O Wisdom, Word and Power of God: Grant that we may more perfectly partake of thee in the never-ending day of thy kingdom.




CHOIR: Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. God is the Lord and has appeared unto us.





As the choir chants the appointed following hymn, the priest and deacon enter the sanctuary through the holy doors, and the priest places the chalice on the antiminsion.

Troparion of Lazarus in the First TonePEOPLE: O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before thy Passion, thou didst confirm

the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like the children, carrying the signs of victory, cry to thee, the conqueror of death, Hosanna in the highest. “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.”62

The priest removes the kalima from the chalice, lifts the diskos over the chalice and with the sponge carefully wipes the remaining particles into the chalice, saying:

DEACON: By thy precious Blood, O Lord, wash away the sins of thy servants here commemorated, through the intercessions of all thy saints.









Choir: Amen.

Meanwhile the priest places the Chalice upon the Prothesis Table, and returns to the Altar. He folds up the Antimins and makes the sign of the Cross above it with the Gospel Book during the following exclamation. The deacon bows to the priest and exits the north door for the ektenia.



62 (Mark 11:9)






The Prayer of ThanksgivingPRIEST: We give thanks unto thee, O Lord who lovest mankind, benefactor of our souls and bodies, for that

thou hast vouchsafed this day to feed us with thy heavenly and immortal Mysteries. Make straight our paths, establish us all in thy fear; guard our life; make firm our steps: through the prayers and intercessions of the glorious Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and of all thy Saints:


CHOIR: Amen.






the Prayer Behind the AmbonPRIEST: O Lord, who blessest those who bless thee, and sanctifiest those who put their trust in thee: save thy

people and bless thine inheritance; preserve the fullness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy House; glorify them in recompense by thy divine power; and forsake us not who hope on thee. Give peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the priests, to all civil authorities, to our armed forces, and to all thy people for every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from thee, the Father of Lights, and unto thee we give glory, thanksgiving, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.


The priest followed by the deacon goes into the sanctuary through the holy doors and goes to the Prothesis Table, and there quietly says the following prayer


The priest returns to the Altar. The deacon from the Sanctuary says the following after which he may consume the Gifts:



PRIEST: The blessing of the Lord and his mercy come upon you through his grace and love towards mankind always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.



PRIEST: May Christ our true God, who willed to sit on a the foal of a donkey, for our salvation, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints, John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint (N) patron Saint of this Church of Saint(s) N.N., whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints: have mercy upon us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loves mankind.


DEACON: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

PEOPLE: Amen.


PRIEST: May the blessing of the Lord and his mercy be with you: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

It is customary to hold a Procession after the Divine Liturgy during which we sing the Troparion of Palm Sunday and “Holy God...” many times.

HOLY MONDAY BRIDEGROOM MATINSMatins of Holy Monday are sung on

Palm Sunday evening.

The priest, standing before the Royal Doors, makes three metanoias and says in an audible voice:

DEACON: Bless, Master.

PRIEST: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

PRIEST: Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.

O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who art in all places, and fillest all things, treasury of good things, and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain and save our souls, O Good One.

PEOPLE: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.


Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.


Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily63 bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.64

PRIEST: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.”

PEOPLE: Amen. Lord have mercy. (12 times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.



O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, our King and our God.” (low bow)

And Reader the following Psalms:

Psalm 20 (19)May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion; May he remember all your offerings, and enrich your burnt sacrifices.May he grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your plans.We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will boast! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

63Or, “living.”

64Or the evil one.

Now I know that the Lord hast saved his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven, with mighty salvation by his right hand. Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses; but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God. They have collapsed and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright. Save the king, O Lord, and answer us when we call.

Psalm 21 (20)In thy strength the king rejoices, O Lord; and in thysalvation how greatly he exults! Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withheld the request of his lips. For thou hast met him with the blessings of goodness; thou hast set a crown of precious stones on his head. He asked thee for life, and thou gavest it to him; length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through thy salvation; glory and majesty thou hast placed upon him. For thou bestowest on him blessings forever; thou makest him exceedingly glad with thine appearance.For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved. Let thine hand find all thine enemies; let thy right hand find those who hate thee. Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine appearance; the Lord shall afflict them in his wrath, and the fire shall consume them. Their offspring thou shalt destroy from the earth, and their descendants from among mankind.For they intended evil against thee; they devised a plot which they are not able to perform. Therefore thou wilt make them turn their backs; thou wilt make ready thine arrows on thy string toward their faces.

Be exalted, O Lord, in thine own strength! we will sing and praise thy power.

The priest takes up the censer and does the great censing.










PEOPLE: Amen.

TropariaO Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, granting them victory over all adversaries, and by thy Cross protect thy community.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

O Christ our God, uplifted on the Cross by thine own will, bestow thy mercy upon the new people of thy name; and in thy might make glad the Orthodox, granting to them victory over all adversaries. May they have as an ally thine invincible weapon of peace.

Now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

O eminent and victorious champion, O good and all-praised Theotokos, do not overlook our supplications. Strengthen the community of the Orthodox; save those called to govern; and grant them victory from heaven; for thou, O only blessed one, gavest birth to God.

LitanyThe priest, standing before the Holy table, censes one side on every petition while intoning the following petitions:

PRIEST: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great goodness; we pray thee, hearken, and have mercy.


PRIEST: Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.


PRIEST: Again we pray for our Father and Metropolitan PHILIP and for all our brethren in Christ.

PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy. (Three times)PRIEST: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to

the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages.

65Or, “living”.

66Or the evil one.

PEOPLE: Amen. Father, bless in the name of the Lord.

PRIEST: Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life-giving, and undivided Trinity, always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men (Three times).67

O Lord open thou my lips, and my mouth will declare thy praise (Two times).

Psalm 3O Lord, how they have increased who afflict me!many are rising against me;many are saying concerning my soul,there is no salvation for him from his God.

But thou, O Lord, art my helper, my glory,and the lifter up of my head.I cried unto the Lord with my voice,and he heard me from his holy mountain.I laid down and slept,I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of peoplewho have set themselves against me all around.Rise up, O Lord!Deliver me, O my God!For thou hast struck all who are my enemies without cause,thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked.Deliverance belongs to the Lord;thy blessing is upon thy people.

I laid down and slept,I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.

Psalm 38(37)O Lord, do not rebuke me in thine anger,or discipline me in thy wrath.For thine arrows have pierced me,and thine hand hast pressed down upon me. There is no health in my flesh,because of thine anger.There is no peace in my bonesbecause of my sins.For my iniquities are piled over my head;a burden too heavy for me.

My wounds grow foul and fester

67Or “Those whom he favors”.

because of my foolishness;I have been wretched and bowed down continually;all day I went around mourning,for my soul was filled with delusion.There is no health in my flesh,I have been utterly afflicted and brought down.I have roared because of the tumult of my heart.

O Lord, all my longing is before thee;my sighing is not hidden from thee.My heart throbs, my strength fails me;and the light of my eyes has gone from me.My friends and neighbors drew near and stand against me, but my relatives stand far off.Those who seek my spirit pressed hard on me,those who seek to hurt me spoke of ruin,and meditated treachery all day long.

But I was like the deaf, who do not hear;I was like the mute, who cannot speak.Truly, I was like one who does not hear,and in whose mouth is no retort.

For in thee, O Lord, I trusted;it is thou, O Lord my God, who wilt hear me.For I said, “Do not let my enemies rejoice over me.”For when my feet slipped, they boasted against me.

For I am ready to fall,and my pain is ever before me.I confess my iniquity;I am sorry for my sin.But my enemies are mightyand are stronger than I,and those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied.Those who render evil for good slandered me,because I followed after righteousness.

Forsake me not, O Lord;O my God, do not be far from me;make haste to help me,O Lord, my salvation.


Psalm 63(62)O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee,my soul thirsts for thee;

my flesh also longs for thee,as in a dry and trackless land, where there is no water.Thus I have looked upon thee in the sanctuary,beholding thy power and glory.Because thy mercy is better than life,my lips will praise thee.Thus I will bless thee as long as I live;in thy name I will lift up my hands. Let my soul be filled with fat and abundance,and my joyful lips will praise thy name.When I was thinking of thee in my bed,I meditated on thee in the watches of the night:for thou hast been my help,and in the shelter of thy wings I rejoice.My soul clung to thee;thy right hand upheld me. And those who sought my soul in vainshall go down into the depths of the earth;they shall be given over to the power of the sword,they shall be prey for jackals.But the king shall rejoice in God;all who swear by him shall exult,for the mouths of those who speak lies shall be stopped.I meditated on thee in the watches of the night:for thou hast been my help,and in the shelter of thy wings I rejoice.My soul clung to thee;thy right hand upheld me.


Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to thee, O God. (low bow)

Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy,


Psalm 88 <87>O Lord, God of my salvation,I have cried out day and night before thee;let my prayer come before thee;incline thine ear to my supplication.For my soul is full of trouble,and my life draws near to Hades.I have been counted among those whogo down to the pit;I became like those who have no help,

adrift among the dead,like the wounded ones, cast out,who sleep in the tombs,like those whom thou rememberest no more,for they were cut off from thy hand.Thou hast put me in the depths of the pit,in the dark regions, and in the shadow of death.Thy wrath has lain heavily upon me,and thou hast overwhelmed me withall thine anger.

Thou hast removed my companions far from me;they have made me an abomination to themselves,I am shut in so that I cannot escape;my eyes grew dim through misery.Every day I call on thee, O Lord;I spread out my hands to thee.Dost thou work wonders for the dead?Or do the physicians raise them to praise thee?Is thy mercy declared in the grave,or thy truth in Hades?Are thy wonders known in the darkness,or thy righteousness in the land offorgetfulness? But I cry out to thee, O Lord;in the morning my prayer comes before thee.O Lord, why dost thou cast me off?Why dost thou hide thy face from me?I am in misery and trouble from my youth up,I have been exalted and brought low,I am driven to despair.Thy wrath has overwhelmed me;thy terrors have frightened me,they surrounded me like a flood all day long;they have closed in upon me, and cut off all assistance.Thou hast removed friends and acquaintances far from mebecause of my wretchedness.

O Lord, God of my salvation,I have cried out day and night before thee;let my prayer come before thee;incline thine ear to my supplication.

Psalm 103 <102>Bless the Lord, O my soul,and all that is within mebless his holy name.Bless the Lord, O my soul,and do not forget all his benefits--

who forgives all your iniquities,who heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from corruption,who crowns you with mercy and compassion,who satisfies your desire with good,so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works mercy and justice for all who are oppressed.He made known his ways to Moses,his acts to the people of Israel.The Lord is merciful and gracious,forbearing and very merciful.He will not keep his anger forever,nor will he forever be wrathful.He does not deal with usaccording to our sins,nor repay us according to our iniquities.For as high as the heavens are above the earth,so great is his mercy toward those who fear him;as far as the east is from the west,so far does he remove our transgressions from us.As a father has compassion for his children,so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.For he knows how we were made;he remembers that we are dust.

As for people, their days are like grass;they flourish like a flower of the field;for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,and its place knows it no more.But the mercy of the Lord is from everlastingto everlasting on those who fear him,and his righteousness to children’s children,to those who keep his covenantand remember to do his commandments.The Lord has prepared his throne in the heavens,and his kingdom rules over all.Bless the Lord, all his angels,you mighty ones who do his bidding,obedient to his voice.Bless the Lord, all his hosts,his ministers who do his will.Bless the Lord all his works,in all places of his dominion.Bless the Lord, O my soul,in all places of his dominion.Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Psalm 143 (142)Hear my prayer, O Lord;

give ear to my supplicationsin thy faithfulness;answer me in thy righteousness.Enter not into judgment with thy servant,for no one living is righteous before thee.

For the enemy has persecuted my soul,crushing my life to the ground,making me sit in darkness like thosewho have been long dead.Therefore, my spirit was grieved within me;my heart within me was troubled.I remembered the days of old,I meditated on all thy deeds,I meditated on the works of thy hands.I stretched out my hands to thee;my soul thirsts for thee like a dry land.

Answer me quickly, O Lord;my spirit has failed.Hide not thy face from me,or I shall be like those who go down to the pit.

Let me hear of thy mercy in the morning,for in thee I have put my hope.Teach me the way I should go,for to thee have I lifted up my soul. Save me, O Lord, from my enemies;I have fled to thee for refuge.Teach me to do thy will,for thou art my God.Let your good Spirit lead me in a straight path. For thy name’s sake, O Lord,give life to me.In thy righteousness,bring my soul out of affliction.In thy mercy, destroy my enemies; and bring to naught all my adversaries;for I am thy servant.

Answer me in thy righteousness.Enter not into judgment with thy servant (Twice).

Let thy good Spirit lead me in a straight path.





Our God and our Hope, Glory to thee.While the preceding six psalms are being read, the priest says the following twelve morning prayers. The first three are said

before the Altar, and the remaining nine are said standing before the icon of Christ.

1.We give thanks to thee, O Lord our God, who raised us from our beds, and put a word of praise in our mouths, 68

so that we may worship and call on thy holy name.69 We implore thy mercies, which thou hast given always for our life. Send thy help70 upon us and all who stand before the face of thy holy glory, eagerly waiting the rich mercy, which is from thee. Grant that we, in awe and love, may always worship thee, praise thee, sing hymns to thee, and fall down before thine indescribable goodness. For unto thee are due all-glory, honor and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

2.Our soul yearns for thee, O our God, in the night;71 for thy commandments are a light upon the earth. Teach us to fulfill

righteousness and holiness in thy fear; for we glorify thee, our God, HE WHO IS. Incline thine ear, and hear us, and remember, O Lord, by name those who are present with us and those who pray with us, and save them by thy might. Bless thy people and sanctify thine inheritance, give peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the priests, to all civil authorities, and to all thy people. For blessed and glorified is thy most honorable and majestic name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

3.Our soul yearns for thee, O our God, in the night;72 for thy commandments are a light upon the earth. Teach me, O God, thy righteousness, thy commandments, and thy statutes;73 or I will sleep the sleep of death74 in sins. Drive away all darkness from our hearts; and grant us the sun of righteousness; and by the seal of thy Holy Spirit, preserve our life unaffected. Guide our steps in the way of peace. Grant us to behold the dawn and the day with rejoicing, that we may send up our morning prayers to thee; for thine is the majesty, the kingdom, the power, and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

4.

68(Ps.40<39>:3).

69(Ps.80<78>:18).

70(Ps.20<19>:2).

71(Is.26:9).

72(Is.26:9).

73(Ps.119<118>:135).

74(Ps.13<12>:3).

O Master, our God, holy and incomprehensible, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness”;75 who gave us rest through the sleep of the night and raised us up to glorify and implore thy goodness: as we now ask thy tender loving-kindness, receive us who fall down before thee and give thanks to thee to the utmost of our power. Grant us all our petitions which lead us to salvation. Appoint us to be children of light and of the day,14 and heirs of thine everlasting good things. Remember, O Lord, according to thine abundant mercy,15 all thy people who are present with us and who pray with us, and all our brethren who are on land, on sea, and in the air, and in every place of thy mastery, who implore thy love for mankind and thy help; and grant thy great mercy to all, that being preserved in safety in body and soul, we may with boldness glorify thy marvelous and blessed name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

5.O treasury of good things, ever-flowing fountain, O wonder-working, omnipotent and almighty holy Father: we all fall before thee; and we pray to thee, calling upon thy mercies and thy compassion to aid and help our affliction. Remember, O Lord, thy suppliants; receive our morning prayers as incense before thee; consider not anyone of us to be without worth; but preserve us all with thy compassion. Remember, O Lord, those who watch over thy flock and sing to thy glory and to the glory of thine only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit. Be their helper and protector. Receive their supplications upon thy celestial and spiritual altar; for thou art our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

6. We give thanks unto thee, O Lord God of our salvation; for thou dost all things for the benefit of our souls, so that we may ever look up to thee, the Savior and Benefactor of our souls; for thou gavest us rest in the night just passed, and raised us from our beds, and enabled us to stand and to fall down before thy most holy name. Wherefore, we entreat thee, O Lord, give us grace and power, so that we may in full awareness be made worthy to sing praises to thee and to pray without ceasing, working out our salvation in fear and trembling, by the help of thy Christ. Remember, O Lord, those who cry out to thee in the night. Hear them, and have mercy, and crush under their feet the invisible and hostile enemies. For thou art the King of Peace, and Savior of our souls, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

7.O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, thou hast raised us up from our beds and hast gathered us together at this hour of prayer. Grant us grace in the opening of our mouths; and receive our thanksgiving, offered to the utmost of our ability; and teach us thy statutes, for we do not know how to pray as we ought16 unless thou guidest us, O Lord, by thy Holy Spirit. Wherefore, we entreat thee: Remit, forgive, pardon all the sins we may have committed to this present hour by word or deed or thought, voluntary or involuntary: for if thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, who could stand?17 For from thee is redemption, and thou only art holy and mighty and the helper and protector of our life. Our praise is continually of thee.18 Blessed and glorified be the supreme

75(2 Cor. 4:6).

414(I Thess. 5:5)

515(Ps.69<68>:16).

616(Ro.8:26).

717(Ps. 130 <129>:3).

818(Ps 71<70>6).

might of thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

8.O Lord our God, thou hast driven away from us the indolence of sleep and hast assembled us together by a holy calling, so that in the night also we may lift up our hands and give thanks for thy righteous ordinances.19

Receive our prayers, petitions, praises, and night-time worship. And grant us, O Lord, a confident faith that cannot be put to shame, firm hope and sincere love. Bless our going out and our coming in,20 our deeds, words and thoughts. Grant us that we may come to the beginning of the day, praising, singing hymns, and blessing the goodness of thine inexpressible kindness; for blessed be thy most holy name, and glorified be thy Kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

9.O Master, lover of mankind, shine within our hearts the pure light of thy divine knowledge; and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend21 the message of thy Gospel. Instill in us, also, reverence for thy blessed commandments, so that having conquered22 sinful desires, we may pursue a spiritual way of life, both thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to thee.23 For thou art our sanctification, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

10.O Lord our God, thou hast given us forgiveness through repentance and hast shown the repentance of the prophet David as a pattern of the acknowledgment of sin and of confession that leads to forgiveness. Have mercy, O Master, according to thy great mercy, on us who are falling into many and great sins.24 According to thine abundant mercy, blot out our transgressions.25 Against thee have we sinned, O Lord, who knows the hidden and secret things in the human heart and has authority to forgive sins.26 Thou hast created a clean heart in me and established a yearning spirit within me and made known the joy of thy salvation. Cast me not away from thy presence.27 But as thou art good and the lover of mankind, take delight that, until our uttermost breath, we may offer unto thee the sacrifice of righteousness, and an oblation upon thine altar. Through the mercy and compassion and love for mankind of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

11.God, our God, thou hast brought into existence by thine own will the powers endowed with reason and intelligence. We pray thee and we supplicate thee: Receive our glorification, offered together with all thy

919(119<118>:160).

020Ps.121<120>:8).

121(Eph.1:18).

222(Ps. 91<90>:13).

323(1 John 3:22).

424(Ps.51<50>:1).

525(Ps. 51<50:1).

626(Mt. 9:6).

727(Ps 51<50>10-12).

creatures, according to the utmost of our power. Reward us with the rich gifts of thy goodness; for unto thee every knee bows, whether in heaven, or on earth, or in the underworld, and every human spirit and creature sings hymns to thine inexpressible glory; for thou alone art the true and most merciful God. For all the powers of heaven praise thee, and unto thee they give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

12.We praise thee, we sing unto thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O God of our fathers; for thou hast made the shades of night to pass away and hast shown us once more the light of the day. And we entreat thy goodness: be gracious to our sins, and receive our prayer in thy great tenderness. For we flee unto thee, the merciful and almighty God. Shine within our hearts the true sun of thy righteousness. Enlighten our minds. And guard all our senses that, walking decently as in the day in the way of thy commandments, we may reach the eternal life--for thou art the fountain of life--and we may be accounted worthy to enjoy thine unapproachable light.28 For thou art our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.














828(1 Tim 6:16).













CHOIR: Amen.

They chant Alleluia (3 times) in the eighth Tone:

Eighth Tone

CHOIR: 1. My soul yearns for thee in the night, for thy commandments are a light in the earth29.

Alleluia (3 times)

2. Learn righteousness, O inhabitants of the earth30.

Alleluia (3 times)

3. Thy zeal will take hold of the ignorant people, and fire will consume thine adversaries31.

Alleluia (3 times)

929(Is. 26:9).

030(Is. 26:9).

131(Is. 26:11).

4. Increase thy punishment upon them, increase thy punishment upon the glorious ones of the earth32.

Alleluia (3 times)

Tone EightBehold the bridegroom comes at midnight: blessed is the servant whom he shall find awake33. But he whom he shall find neglectful is verily unworthy. Beware, therefore, O my soul, that you do not fall into a deep slumber and be delivered to death and locked out of the kingdom. Watch instead and cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy art thou, O God, through the protection of the heavenly Hosts34, have mercy on us. (Three times)

While the Chanter sings the Troparion of the Bridegroom, the Procession of the Icon of the Bridegroom takes place in a dark church in the following manner:

a. The Priest, vested in a dark colored Epitrachelion and Phelonion, and preceded by Altar Boys with the corss, candles, and incense, carries the Icon from the Altar Table around the church to the middle of the solea (as in the Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy) where a stand should have been placed.

b. When the Priest reaches the Solea, he carries the Icon around the stand 3 times and then places it on the stand.

c. The Priest makes three reverences, kisses the Icon and returns to the Sanctuary accompanies by the Altar Boys.








PEOPLE: Amen.

The Sessional Hymn in the First ToneThis day makes the venerable passion rise upon the world as a light of salvation; for Christ in his goodness comes to suffer. He who holds all things in the hollow of his hands deigns to be hung on the Cross, so that he

232(Is. 26:15).

333(Is. 26:15).

434During the second chanting of the hymn we sing “through the intercessions of all thy saints have mercy on us.” And during the third chanting we sing: “through the intercessions of the THEOTOKOS have mercy on us.”

may save mankind.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

O invisible Judge, how didst thou become visible in the flesh, and how didst thou come to be slain by transgressors of the Law, condemning by thy passion our own condemnation? Wherefore, O Word, with one voice we give praise, majesty and glory unto thy power.

Tone EightThis very day is clothed with the bright robes of the first-fruits of the Lord’s passion. Come, then, all feast lovers, let us welcome it with songs; for the Creator comes to accept the Cross, the trial and the beating with a whip, and to be condemned by Pilate. Even a servant struck him on his face35, and all this he endures that he may save mankind. Wherefore, let us cry aloud to him: O Christ our God, lover of mankind, grant forgiveness of sins to those who in faith fall down before thy pure passions.

The Gospel

DEACON: And that we may be accounted worthy to hear the Holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord our God.

PEOPLE: Lord, Have mercy (Three Times)

DEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let hear the Holy Gospel.


PEOPLE: And to thy Spirit.

PRIEST: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew.

PEOPLE: Glory to thee, O Lord, Glory to thee.

DEACON: Let us attend.

MATTHEW 21:18-43At that time, as Jesus was now returning to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. Now when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer you will receive, if you have faith.”

And when Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one thing, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

535(Jn.18:22).

But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid from the multitude, for all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. What do you think? A man had two sons, and he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work in my vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not;’ but afterward he repented and went. And he went to the second and said the same; And he answered ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him. “Hear another parable: There was a certain householder who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he let it to tenants and went into another country. Now when the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit. And the tenants took his servants, beat one, killed one and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to Jesus, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.”


(The congregation is seated)

PSALM 51<50>Have mercy on me, O God,according to thy great mercy, according to the multitude of thy compassions,blot out my transgressions.Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.




Sprinkle me with hyssop,and I shall be clean,

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.






Do good in thy good pleasure to Zion,and let the walls of Jerusalem be built;then thou wilt delight in a sacrifice of righteousness,in offerings and whole burnt offerings;then they will offer bulls upon thine altar.

First Ode, Second Tone(Irmos) Let us sing to the Lord, who by his divine command dried up the surging and impassable sea, and through it led the people of Israel on foot: For he has been greatly glorified36.

TropariaGlory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The inexpressible condescension of the Word of God, who is Christ himself, God and Man, did not stand on the dignity of his divinity37, in that he shows to the disciples that he took the form of a slave, for he has been greatly glorified.

636(Ex. 15:21).

737(Phil. 2:6-7).


I, who am rich in deity, have come to minister to Adam the destitute. I, who fashioned him, have of my own will put on his form. I, who am unchangeable in deity, have laid down my soul a ransom for him38.







PRIEST: For thou art the king of peace and Saviour of our souls, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR/PEOPLE: Amen

The KontakionWhile “Jacob mourned for the loss of Joseph”39, his brave son was seated in a chariot and honored as a king40. For he was not enslaved to the lust of the Egyptian woman; wherefore, he was glorified by God, who sees the secrets of the hearts and grants to them an imperishable crown.

The OikosLet us now join our mourning to the mourning of Jacob, and let us shed tears grieving with him, for Joseph his glorious and wise son, who was enslaved in flesh, kept his soul free, and became lord over all Egypt. For God grants to his servant an imperishable crown.

The SynaxarionOn the holy and great Monday we commemorate the blessed and all-good Joseph and the fig tree which was cursed and withered by the Lord.

The wise Joseph showed himself a just ruler and a provider of grain. What an abundance of good things!

838(1 Tim. 2:6).

Christ made the Synagogue of Hebrews like a fig tree bereft of spiritual fruits, and he withered it by his curse. Let us flee from a similar calamity.

Through the intercessions of the all-good Joseph, O Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Eighth OdeIrmos - Second Tone

The tenacious fire, stocked intensely, was terrified before the pure bodies and souls of the holy youths. And as the persisting flame was extinguished, they sang an everlasting song: “O all you his works, praise the Lord and exalt him to all ages”41.

TropariaWe praise the Lord: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

As the Savior went to his passion, he said to his friends: “Everyone will know that thou art my disciples, if you have love for one another”42, “Be at peace with one another”43, and with every one, and be of humble mind, and you will be exalted. Acknowledge me as Lord, and praise and extoll me to all ages.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Let not your command over your fellow-men be like the order of the Gentiles, for their self-willed pride and oppressive rule is not the order I have chosen. Whoever wishes among you to be first, let him be the last one44. Acknowledge me as Lord, and praise and extol me to all ages.

KatavasiaWe praise, we bless and worship the Lord.

The tenacious fire, stocked intensely, was terrified before the pure bodies and souls of the holy youths; and as the persisting flame was extinguished, they sang an everlasting song: “O all you his works, praise the Lord and exalt him to all ages”45.

The Deacon stands in the Holy door facing the icon of the Theotokos and says:

DEACON: The Theotokos and the Mother of the Light let us honor and magnify in song.

The Deacon censes the sanctuary and the people in the usual manner, while People chant the following:

Ninth Ode-Irmos Second Tone

O Christ our Creator, thou hast magnified the Theotokos who gave thee birth: from her, thou hast put on a body with passions similar to our own, thus delivering us from our sins46. Therefore, with all generations we call thee blessed and magnify thee47.

141(Da. 3:52).

242(Jn. 13:35).

343(Mk. 9:50).

444(Matt. 20:25-26).


O wisdom of all, thou hast said to thine apostles: “Cast away every impure passion and obtain a prudent mind, worthy of the divine kingdom, and thou wilt be glorified and shine brighter than the sun.”48


O Lord, thou hast said to thy disciples, “consider me, and do not be haughty in thy thoughts, but give yourself to what is humble.49 Drink the cup that I am drinking, and you will be glorified with me in the Kingdom of the Father.”

KatavasiaO Christ our Creator, thou hast magnified the Theotokos who gave thee birth: from her, thou hast put on a body with passions similar to our own, thus delivering us from our sins50. Therefore, with all generations we call thee blessed and magnify thee51.







PRIEST: For all the powers of heaven praise thee, and unto thee they give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The Exapostelarion, Third ToneI behold thy bridal chamber adorned, O my Savior; but I have no wedding garment to enter it. Make radiant the robe of my soul, O Giver of light, and save me. (Three times)

The Praises (Ainoi) First ToneLet every thing that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights! To thee, O God, is due our song.

Praise him all his angels; praise him all his hosts! To thee, O God, is due our song.


The Idiomela hymns are sung along with the following verses:

First ToneVerse: Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

When the Lord was going to his voluntary passion, he said to his apostles on the way: “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over52 as it is written of him.” Come, then, O brethren, and let us accompany him with purified minds and be crucified with him and die for his sake to the pleasures of this life, so that we may live with him and hear him say: “I am no longer ascending to the earthly Jerusalem to suffer, but ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God,’ 53 and I will raise you up to the Jerusalem on High in the Kingdom of heaven.”

Verse: Praise him with tambourine and dance; Praise him with strings and pipe!

Fifth ToneHaving come, O faithful, to the saving passion of Christ God: Let us glorify his inexpressible long-suffering, that in his tender mercy he may also raise us up--we who were made dead by sin--for he is good and the lover of mankind.

First ToneGlory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

Lord, when thou camest to thy passion, thou didst strengthen thy disciples, taking them aside and saying to them: “How have you forgotten my words which I told you before? It is written that no prophet will be killed outside Jerusalem54. Now, the time is at hand of which I told you. Behold, I will be handed over to the hands of sinners to be mocked, nailed to the Cross, delivered up for burial, and considered detestable as a corpse. Nevertheless, take courage, for on the third day I will rise, bringing joy and eternal life for the faithful.”

The Little DoxologyTo thee belongs glory, O Lord our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.

We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory.

O Lord, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty; O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who takes away the sins of the world55, have mercy on us--Thou who takest away the sin of the world.

Receive our prayer, thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy upon us.

For thou alone are Holy, thou alone art the Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father, Amen.

Every day I will bless thee, and praise thy name forever and ever.

252(Matt. 20:18).

353(Jn. 20:17).

O Lord, thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee. O Lord, unto thee have I fled for refuge: Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God.

For thou art the source of life, and in thy light shall we see light.O Continue thy mercy to those who know thee56.


Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is thy name forever, Amen.

O Lord, let thy mercy be on us, even as we have set our hope on thee.

Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes.

Blessed art thou, O Master, make me to understand thy statutes.

Blessed art thou, O Holy One; enlighten me with thy statutes. Thy Mercy, O Lord, endures forever:57 Forsake not the works of thy hands58.

To thee belongs praise, to thee belongs song,59 to thee belongs Glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

The Litany of SupplicationDEACON: Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.








DEACON: Pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.

656(Ps.36<35>:10).

757(Ps.107;106:1).

858(Ps.138;137:8).

959(Ps.65;65:1).


DEACON: All that is good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.




DEACON: For a Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord.


DEACON: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.


PRIEST: For thou art the God of mercy and compassions and love toward mankind, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.





The Prayer at the Bowing of HeadsPRIEST: O holy One who dwellest on high and regards the humble heart and with thine all-seeing eye

beholds all creation, unto thee have we bowed the neck of our soul and body, and we entreat thee: O holy of holies, stretch forth thine invisible hand from thy holy dwelling-place and bless us all. And if in aught we have sinned, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, forgive, inasmuch as thou art a good God and lover of mankind, vouchsafing unto us thy earthly and heavenly good things.

PRIEST: For thine it is to show mercy and save us, O our God, and unto thee we give glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.


The Aposticha (Idiomela) 5th ToneO Lord, the mother of the children of Zebedee, unable to understand the inexpressible mystery of thy dispensation, asked thee to grant her children the honor of a temporal kingdom. But instead of this, thou hast promised thy friends that they will drink the cup of death; and thou hast said that thyself would drink the cup before them, to cleanse our sins. Therefore, we cry aloud to thee; O salvation of our souls, glory to thee.

Verse: Thou hast satisfied us in the morning with thy mercy, and we have rejoiced and were glad all our days. Make us glad as many days as thou hast afflicted us, and as many years as we have seen evil. Look upon thy servants and upon thy works, and guide their children60.

O Lord, didst teach thy disciples to be concerned about ultimate things, and thou didst say unto them: “Be not like the Gentiles, who dominate over the weakest. It will not be so among you61, my disciples, for I have become poor of my own will. Whoever wishes to be first among you must be the minister of all, the ruler must be like the ruled, and the superior must be like the last. For I myself have come to minister to the destitute Adam, and to give myself as a ransom for the many, who cry aloud to me: ‘Glory to thee.’”

In the Eighth ToneVerse: Let the splendor of the Lord our God be upon us and guide the works of our hands--O guide the works of our hands62.

Let us, O brethren, fear the penalty of the fig tree, withered for its fruitlessness; and let us bear fruits worthy of repentance63 to Christ who grants us the great mercy.


The Dragon found a second Eve in the Egyptian woman, and with words of flattery ran to trip up Joseph. But leaving his garment behind him, he fled from sin. And though naked, like the first-formed65 before the disobedience, he was not ashamed. By his prayers, O Christ, have mercy on us.

PRIEST: It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to thy name, O Most High; to declare thy mercy in the morning, and thy truthfulness by night66.





All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.

060(Ps.65;65:1).

161(Matt.20:26).

262(Ps.90<89>:17).

363(Lk.3:8).



Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily67 bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass

against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.68


PEOPLE: Amen.

The KontakionWhile “Jacob mourned for the loss of Joseph”69, his brave son was seated in a chariot and honored as a king70. For he was not enslaved to the lust of the Egyptian woman; wherefore, he was glorified by God, who sees the secrets of the hearts and grants to them an imperishable crown.

Lord, have mercy (12 times).


More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption,71 gavest birth to God the Word, and art Truly Theotokos, we magnify thee.

Father, bless, in the Name of the Lord.


PEOPLE: Amen.

PRIEST: O heavenly king, strengthen all faithful rulers, make firm the faith, calm the nations, give peace to the world, rightly preserve the Holy Church and this city, grant rest to our departed parents and brethren in the dwelling places of the just, and receive us with our repentance and thanksgiving; for thou art good and the lover of mankind.

Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian

868Or the evil one.

969(Gen.37:34).

070(Gen. 41:43).

171Or remaining virgin...etc.,

PRIEST: O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the Spirit of sloth, curiosity72, lust of power, and idle talk. (prostration)

But give to me thy servant the spirit of chastity73, humility, patience and love. (prostration)

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. (prostration)

The DismissalPRIEST: Glory to thee, O our God and our hope, glory to thee.

READER: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord have mercy (three times). Father bless.

PRIEST: May Christ our true God, who willingly came to his passion for our salvation, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; of saint (N) patron Saint of this Church and the righteous and noble Joseph, whose memory we commemorate today, and all the saints: have mercy on us and save us forasmuch as he is good, and the lover of mankind.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.

PEOPLE: Amen.

272Or, faint heartedness.

373Or whole-mindedness.

HOLY TUESDAY BRIDEGROOM MATINSMatins of Holy Tuesday are sung on

Great and Holy Monday evening.




PEOPLE: Amen.


O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who art in all places, and fillest all things, treasury of good things, and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from eve97ry stain and save our souls, O Good One.













76Or, “living.”

77Or the evil one.




Psalm 20 (19)May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion; May he remember all your offerings, and enrich your burnt sacrifices.May he grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your plans.We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will boast! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord hast saved his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven, with mighty salvation by his right hand. Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses; but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God. They have collapsed and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright. Save the king, O Lord, and answer us when we call.


Be exalted, O Lord, in thine own strength!

we will sing and praise thy power.











PEOPLE: Amen.







78Or, “living”.

79Or the evil one.










PEOPLE: Amen.





I laid down and slept,


I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.


My wounds grow foul and festerbecause of my foolishness;I have been wretched and bowed down continually;all day I went around mourning,for my soul was filled with delusion.There is no health in my flesh,I have been utterly afflicted and brought down.I have roared because of the tumult of my heart.




For I am ready to fall,and my pain is ever before me.I confess my iniquity;I am sorry for my sin.But my enemies are mightyand are stronger than I,and those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied.

Those who render evil for good slandered me,because I followed after righteousness.



Psalm 63(62)O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee,my soul thirsts for thee;my flesh also longs for thee,as in a dry and trackless land, where there is no water.Thus I have looked upon thee in the sanctuary,beholding thy power and glory.Because thy mercy is better than life,my lips will praise thee.Thus I will bless thee as long as I live;in thy name I will lift up my hands. Let my soul be filled with fat and abundance,and my joyful lips will praise thy name.When I was thinking of thee in my bed,I meditated on thee in the watches of the night:for thou hast been my help,and in the shelter of thy wings I rejoice.My soul clung to thee;thy right hand upheld me. And those who sought my soul in vainshall go down into the depths of the earth;they shall be given over to the power of the sword,they shall be prey for jackals.But the king shall rejoice in God;all who swear by him shall exult,for the mouths of those who speak lies shall be stopped.I meditated on thee in the watches of the night:for thou hast been my help,and in the shelter of thy wings I rejoice.My soul clung to thee;thy right hand upheld me.





Psalm 88 <87>O Lord, God of my salvation,I have cried out day and night before thee;let my prayer come before thee;incline thine ear to my supplication.For my soul is full of trouble,and my life draws near to Hades.I have been counted among those whogo down to the pit;I became like those who have no help,adrift among the dead,like the wounded ones, cast out,who sleep in the tombs,like those whom thou rememberest no more,for they were cut off from thy hand.Thou hast put me in the depths of the pit,in the dark regions, and in the shadow of death.Thy wrath has lain heavily upon me,and thou hast overwhelmed me withall thine anger.

Thou hast removed my companions far from me;they have made me an abomination to themselves,I am shut in so that I cannot escape;my eyes grew dim through misery.Every day I call on thee, O Lord;I spread out my hands to thee.Dost thou work wonders for the dead?Or do the physicians raise them to praise thee?Is thy mercy declared in the grave,or thy truth in Hades?Are thy wonders known in the darkness,or thy righteousness in the land offorgetfulness? But I cry out to thee, O Lord;in the morning my prayer comes before thee.O Lord, why dost thou cast me off?Why dost thou hide thy face from me?I am in misery and trouble from my youth up,I have been exalted and brought low,I am driven to despair.Thy wrath has overwhelmed me;thy terrors have frightened me,they surrounded me like a flood all day long;

they have closed in upon me, and cut off all assistance.Thou hast removed friends and acquaintances far from mebecause of my wretchedness.


Psalm 103 <102>Bless the Lord, O my soul,and all that is within mebless his holy name.Bless the Lord, O my soul,and do not forget all his benefits--who forgives all your iniquities,who heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from corruption,who crowns you with mercy and compassion,who satisfies your desire with good,so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.


As for people, their days are like grass;they flourish like a flower of the field;for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,and its place knows it no more.But the mercy of the Lord is from everlastingto everlasting on those who fear him,and his righteousness to children’s children,to those who keep his covenantand remember to do his commandments.

The Lord has prepared his throne in the heavens,and his kingdom rules over all.Bless the Lord, all his angels,you mighty ones who do his bidding,obedient to his voice.Bless the Lord, all his hosts,his ministers who do his will.Bless the Lord all his works,in all places of his dominion.Bless the Lord, O my soul,in all places of his dominion.Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Psalm 143 (142)Hear my prayer, O Lord;give ear to my supplicationsin thy faithfulness;answer me in thy righteousness.Enter not into judgment with thy servant,for no one living is righteous before thee.



Let me hear of thy mercy in the morning,for in thee I have put my hope.Teach me the way I should go,for to thee have I lifted up my soul. Save me, O Lord, from my enemies;I have fled to thee for refuge.Teach me to do thy will,for thou art my God.Let your good Spirit lead me in a straight path. For thy name’s sake, O Lord,

give life to me.In thy righteousness,bring my soul out of affliction.In thy mercy, destroy my enemies; and bring to naught all my adversaries;for I am thy servant.













3.Our soul yearns for thee, O our God, in the night;85 for thy commandments are a light upon the earth. Teach me, O God, thy righteousness, thy commandments, and thy statutes;86 or I will sleep the sleep of death87 in sins.

81(Ps.40<39>:3).

82(Ps.80<78>:18).

83(Ps.20<19>:2).

84(Is.26:9).

85(Is.26:9).

86(Ps.119<118>:135).

87(Ps.13<12>:3).

Drive away all darkness from our hearts; and grant us the sun of righteousness; and by the seal of thy Holy Spirit, preserve our life unaffected. Guide our steps in the way of peace. Grant us to behold the dawn and the day with rejoicing, that we may send up our morning prayers to thee; for thine is the majesty, the kingdom, the power, and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

4.O Master, our God, holy and incomprehensible, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness”;88 who gave us rest through the sleep of the night and raised us up to glorify and implore thy goodness: as we now ask thy tender loving-kindness, receive us who fall down before thee and give thanks to thee to the utmost of our power. Grant us all our petitions which lead us to salvation. Appoint us to be children of light and of the day,14 and heirs of thine everlasting good things. Remember, O Lord, according to thine abundant mercy,15 all thy people who are present with us and who pray with us, and all our brethren who are on land, on sea, and in the air, and in every place of thy mastery, who implore thy love for mankind and thy help; and grant thy great mercy to all, that being preserved in safety in body and soul, we may with boldness glorify thy marvelous and blessed name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.



7.O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, thou hast raised us up from our beds and hast gathered us together at this hour of prayer. Grant us grace in the opening of our mouths; and receive our thanksgiving, offered to the utmost of our ability; and teach us thy statutes, for we do not know how to pray as we ought16 unless thou guidest us, O Lord, by thy Holy Spirit. Wherefore, we entreat thee: Remit, forgive, pardon all the sins we may have committed to this present hour by word or deed or thought, voluntary or involuntary: for if thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, who could stand?17 For from thee is redemption, and thou only art holy and mighty and the helper and protector of our life. Our praise is continually of thee.18 Blessed and glorified be the supreme

88(2 Cor. 4:6).

414(I Thess. 5:5)

515(Ps.69<68>:16).

616(Ro.8:26).

717(Ps. 130 <129>:3).

818(Ps 71<70>6).

might of thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.




10.

919(119<118>:160).

020Ps.121<120>:8).

121(Eph.1:18).

222(Ps. 91<90>:13).

323(1 John 3:22).

O Lord our God, thou hast given us forgiveness through repentance and hast shown the repentance of the prophet David as a pattern of the acknowledgment of sin and of confession that leads to forgiveness. Have mercy, O Master, according to thy great mercy, on us who are falling into many and great sins.24 According to thine abundant mercy, blot out our transgressions.25 Against thee have we sinned, O Lord, who knows the hidden and secret things in the human heart and has authority to forgive sins.26 Thou hast created a clean heart in me and established a yearning spirit within me and made known the joy of thy salvation. Cast me not away from thy presence.27 But as thou art good and the lover of mankind, take delight that, until our uttermost breath, we may offer unto thee the sacrifice of righteousness, and an oblation upon thine altar. Through the mercy and compassion and love for mankind of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

11.God, our God, thou hast brought into existence by thine own will the powers endowed with reason and intelligence. We pray thee and we supplicate thee: Receive our glorification, offered together with all thy creatures, according to the utmost of our power. Reward us with the rich gifts of thy goodness; for unto thee every knee bows, whether in heaven, or on earth, or in the underworld, and every human spirit and creature sings hymns to thine inexpressible glory; for thou alone art the true and most merciful God. For all the powers of heaven praise thee, and unto thee they give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.









424(Ps.51<50>:1).

525(Ps. 51<50:1).

626(Mt. 9:6).

727(Ps 51<50>10-12).

828(1 Tim 6:16).



















CHOIR: Amen.


Eighth Tone


Alleluia (3 times)


929(Is. 26:9).

030(Is. 26:9).

Alleluia (3 times)


Alleluia (3 times)


Alleluia (3 times)

Tone EightBehold the bridegroom comes at midnight: blessed is the servant whom he shall find awake33. But he whom he shall find neglectful is verily unworthy. Beware, therefore, O my soul, that you do not fall into a deep slumber and be delivered to death and locked out of the kingdom. Watch instead and cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy art thou, O God, through the protection of the heavenly Hosts34, have mercy on us. (Three times)








PEOPLE: Amen.

The Sessional HymnFourth Tone

Brethren, let us love the bridegroom, trimming our lamps with care, so that we shine brilliantly with the virtues and right faith. Thus, like the wise virgins of the Lord, we may be ready to enter with him into the wedding feast; for being God, the bridegroom grants on all imperishable crowns.

Fourth ToneO Savior, the priests and the scribes jealously gathered together with hostility a lawless council against thee, stirring up Judas to betray thee. And with shameless persistence he went out and spoke against thee to the law-transgressing

PEOPLE: “What do you give me, if I will betray him to your hands?”35 O Lord, deliver our souls from the condemnation that was his.

131(Is. 26:11).

232(Is. 26:15).

535(Mtt 26:14).

Eighth ToneThe impious Judas, moved by avaricious thoughts, plans the conspiracy against the Master, ploting to betray him. He falls away from the light and accepts darkness. He agrees on the sale and betrays the priceless one. And as the reward of his actions, this miserable man sends himself to the gallows, getting a painful death. O Christ our Lord, deliver us from his fate, granting forgiveness of sins to those who celebrate with fervor thy pure passion.

The GospelDEACON: And that we may be accounted worthy to hear the Holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord our God.

PEOPLE: Lord, Have mercy (Thrice).







Matthew 22:15-46, 23:1-39At that time, the Pharisees went and took counsel how to entangle Jesus in his talk. And they sent their disciples to him with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, without regard for any man; for you do not regard the positions of men.

Tell us, then, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus aware of their malice said, “Why do you put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the money used for the tax.” And they brought him a coin. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard it, they marveled, and left him and went away. That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and asked him a question, saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no children, left his wife to his brother. So too the second, and third, down to the seventh. After them all the woman died. In the resurrection, therefore, to which of the seven will she be wife? For they all had her.” But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. But as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked Jesus a question, to test him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Now, while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question saying, “What do you think of the Christ? Whose Son is he?” They said to him, “The Son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then, David in the Spirit calls him ‘Lord,’ saying:’The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies

your footstool”’? If David thus calls him ‘Lord,’ how is he his Son?” And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare to ask him anymore.

Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat; so practice whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, and do not practice. They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. They do all their deeds to be seen by men. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love the place of honor at feasts, the chief seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the marketplaces, and being called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’; for you have one Teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth; for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters; for you have one Master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who would enter to go in.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is guilty. You blind Fools ! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If any one swears by the altar, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gift that is on it, he is guilty.’ You blind Fools! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So, he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it. And he who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity. You Blind Pharisee! first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside may be clean.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which outwardly appear beautiful, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. You Serpents, you brood of vipers! How are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly, I say to you, all this will come upon this generation.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold! Your house is forsaken and desolate; for I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’“









Create in me a clean heart,O God, and put a right Spirit within me.Cast me not away from thy presence, and Take not thine Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation,and uphold me with a directing spirit.Then I will teach transgressors thy ways,and sinners will return to thee.




Third Ode Irmos, Second ToneThou hast established me upon the rock of faith, and thou hast opened wide my mouth against my enemies. For my spirit has rejoiced to sing: None is holy as our Lord, none is righteous besides thee.


In vain the council of the transgressors of the law gathers together, to pronounce maliciously the sentence of condemnation upon thee, O Christ our deliverer, to whom we sing: Thou art our God, and thou alone art holy.

Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The terrible council of the transgressors of the law, with their souls fighting against God, conspires to kill as a criminal the righteous Christ, to who we sing: thou art our God, and thou alone art holy.

KatavasiaThou hast established me upon the rock of faith, and thou hast opened wide my mouth against my enemies. For my spirit has rejoiced to sing: None is holy as our Lord, none is righteous besides thee.







PRIEST: For thou art the king of peace and Saviour of our souls, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen

The KontakionO my soul, think of the last hour and be frightened at the cutting down of the fig tree. Work diligently with the talent that is given to thee; be vigilant and cry aloud: May we not be left outside the bridal chamber of Christ.

The OikosWhy are you careless, O my wretched soul? Why do you deceive yourself with useless cares at such a time? Why do you keep yourself busy with transient things? The last hour is at hand, and we are about to be separated from all that is here. While you still have time, be vigilant and cry: I have sinned against thee, O Christ my Savior, do not cut me down like the unfruitful fig tree; but, being merciful, have compassion on me, who cry aloud to thee in awe: May we not be left outside the bridal chamber of Christ.

The Synaxarion

On the holy and great Tuesday we commemorate the parable of the ten Virgins, of the Holy Gospel36. This Holy Tuesday brings with it the memory of the ten virgins who are carrying the Triumph of the just Master.

O Bridegroom Christ, count us among the wise virgins, place us among the chosen flock and have mercy on us. Amen.

Eighth Ode-irmos, Second ToneWhen the three holy young men did not yield to the decree of the tyrant, they were thrown into the furnace, but they were singing hymns to God: “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.”37

TropariaLet us cast idleness away and let us go to meet Christ, the immortal Bridegroom, with radiant lamps and with hymns crying: “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.”38

We bless the Lord: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.Let there be sufficient oil of fellowship in the vessels of our souls, so that we may not lose our reward while we are buying oil, and let us sing: “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord”39.


You have all received a talent from God, increase it with the help of Christ, who gave the power of equal grace to you, and sing: “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord”40


When the three holy young men did not yield to the decree of the tyrant, they were thrown into the furnace; but they were singing hymns to God: “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.”41


The Theotokos and Mother of Light let us honor and magnify in song.


Ninth Ode-irmos, Second ToneO most holy Virgin, thou hast contained in thy womb the uncontainable God, bringing joy to the world: and so we sing thy praises.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.O Good One, thou hast said to thine apostles: “Keep awake, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming”42 to reward every person.

636(Cf. Matthew 25:1-14).

737(The prayer of Azariah 35).



242(Mtt. 24:42).


At thine awesome second coming, O Master, number me with the sheep at thy right hand, overlooking the multitude of my sins.

KatavasiaO most holy Virgin, thou hast contained in thy womb the uncontainable God bring joy to the world: and so we sing thy praises.








PEOPLE: Amen.

The Exapostelarion, Third ToneI behold thy bridal chamber adorned, O my Savior; but I have no wedding garment to enter it. Make radiant the robe of my soul, O Giver of light, and save me. (Three times).

The Praises (Ainoi), First ToneLet every thing that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights! To thee, O God, is due our song.





How shall I, so unworthy, enter into the splendor of thine Holy Places? For if I dare to come into the bridal chamber, my clothing will condemn me, since it is not a wedding garment. Then I shall be bound and cast out by the angels. O Lord, Cleanse the impurity of my soul and save me, for thou lovest mankind.


Second ToneO Bridegroom Christ, my soul slumbers in slothfulness. I have no lamps alight with virtue, and like the foolish virgins wandering about, when it is time to act. O Master, do not seal against me thy compassionate heart, but raise me up to throw off the dark sleep from me, and lead me with the wise virgins into thy bridal chamber, where the pure voice of those who celebrate the feast cry ceaselessly: O Lord, glory to thee.

Tone FourGlory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

O my soul, thou hast heard the condemnation of him who hid his talent, do not bury the word of God. Proclaim his marvels, so that thou mayest cause his gifts to increase in thee, and enter into the joy of the Lord43.

The Little Doxology

To thee belongs glory, O Lord our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.






For thou alone art Holy, thou alone art the Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father, Amen.


O Lord, thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.

O Lord, unto thee have I fled for refuge: Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God.

For thou art the source of life, and in thy light shall we see light.

O Continue thy mercy to those who know thee45.

343(Mt.25:21).

444(Jn 1:29).

545(Ps.36<35>:10).






Blessed art thou, O Holy One; enlighten me with thy statutes. Thy Mercy, O Lord, endures forever:46 Forsake not the works of thy hands47.

To thee belongs praise, to thee belongs song,48 to thee belongs glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.




















PEOPLE: Amen.





The Prayer at the Bowing of HeadsPRIEST: O holy One who dwellest on high and regards the humble heart and with thine all-seeing eye

beholds all creation, unto thee have we bowed the neck of our soul and body, and we entreat thee: O holy of holies, stretch forth thine invisible hand from thy holy dwelling-place and bless us all. And if in aught we have sinned, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, forgive, inasmuch as thou art a good God and lover of mankind, vouchsafing unto us thy earthly and heavenly good things.


PEOPLE: Amen.


The Aposticha (Idiomela), Tone SixCome, O faithful, let us work earnestly for the Master, for he distributes his riches to his servants. Let each of us, according to the measure of our gifts, multiply the talent of grace. Let one be adorned with wisdom through good deeds; let another perform his splendid ministry; let another communicate the teaching to the uninitiate; let another distribute his wealth to the poor; let multiply what is entrusted to us as a loan, and as faithful trustees of his grace we will be accounted worthy of the Master’s joy. Account us worthy, O Christ our God, for thou lovest mankind.

Verse: Thou hast satisfied us in the morning with thy mercy, and we have rejoiced and were glad all our days. Make us glad as many days as thou hast afflicted us, and as many years as we have seen evil. Look upon thy servants and upon thy works, and guide their children49.

O Jesus, when thou comest in glory with all the angelic hosts, and sittest on the throne50 of the great judgment, separate me not from thee, O Good Shepherd. Thou knowest the way of life of those on the right, but those on

949(Ps.90<89>:14-16).

the left are led astray. Destroy me not with the goats, though I am hardened in sin, but number me among the sheep on thy right hand, and save me, for thou lovest mankind.

Eighth ToneVerse: Let the splendor of the Lord our God be upon us, and guide the works of our hands. O guide the works of our hands51.

O bridegroom, exceeding all in beauty, thou hast called us for the spiritual banquet of thy bridal chamber. Strip away the ill-dressed form of my sins, by participation in thy sufferings, adorn me with the robe of glory of thy beauty, and in thy compassion accept me with joy as a guest at thy kingdom.


Behold, O my soul, the Master entrusts thee with a talent. Receive his gift with reverence, make it gain interest for him, give it to the poor, take God a friend for thyself. Thus, when he comes in glory thou mayest stand on his right hand and wilt hear that blessed voice: Enter, servant into the joy of thy Lord52. I am a prodigal, O Savior, but in thy great mercy make me worthy of this joy.





Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen



Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily54 bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespassagainst us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.55


050(Mt 25:31).

151(Ps.90<89>:17).

454Or, “living”.

555Or the evil one.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The KontakionO my soul, think of the last hour and be frightened at the cutting down of the fig tree. Work diligently with the talent that is given to thee; be vigilant and cry aloud: May we not be left outside the bridal chamber of Christ.






PEOPLE: Amen.


Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian


PRIEST: O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the Spirit of sloth, curiosity57, lust of power, and idle talk. (prostration)





PRIEST: May Christ our true God, who willingly came to his passion for our salvation, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; of saint (N) patron Saint of this Church and the ten virgins whose memory we commemorate today, and all the saints: have mercy on us and save us forasmuch as he is good, and the lover of mankind.


PEOPLE: Amen.

HOLY WEDNESDAY BRIDEGROOM MATINS



Matins of Holy Wednesday are sung onGreat and Holy Tuesday evening.




PEOPLE: Amen.


O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who art in all places, and fillest all things, treasury of good things, and Give124r of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain and save our souls, O Good One.














89Or, “living.”

90Or the evil one.



Psalm 20 (19)May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion; May he remember all your offerings, and enrich your burnt sacrifices.May he grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your plans.We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will boast! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord hast saved his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven, with mighty salvation by his right hand. Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses; but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God. They have collapsed and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright. Save the king, O Lord, and answer us when we call.













PEOPLE: Amen.








91Or, “living”.

92Or the evil one.









PEOPLE: Amen.






Psalm 38(37)


O Lord, do not rebuke me in thine anger,or discipline me in thy wrath.For thine arrows have pierced me,and thine hand hast pressed down upon me. There is no health in my flesh,because of thine anger.There is no peace in my bonesbecause of my sins.For my iniquities are piled over my head;a burden too heavy for me.








Psalm 63(62)O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee,my soul thirsts for thee;my flesh also longs for thee,as in a dry and trackless land, where there is no water.Thus I have looked upon thee in the sanctuary,beholding thy power and glory.Because thy mercy is better than life,my lips will praise thee.Thus I will bless thee as long as I live;in thy name I will lift up my hands. Let my soul be filled with fat and abundance,and my joyful lips will praise thy name.When I was thinking of thee in my bed,I meditated on thee in the watches of the night:for thou hast been my help,and in the shelter of thy wings I rejoice.My soul clung to thee;thy right hand upheld me. And those who sought my soul in vainshall go down into the depths of the earth;they shall be given over to the power of the sword,they shall be prey for jackals.But the king shall rejoice in God;all who swear by him shall exult,for the mouths of those who speak lies shall be stopped.I meditated on thee in the watches of the night:for thou hast been my help,and in the shelter of thy wings I rejoice.My soul clung to thee;thy right hand upheld me.






Thou hast removed my companions far from me;they have made me an abomination to themselves,I am shut in so that I cannot escape;my eyes grew dim through misery.Every day I call on thee, O Lord;I spread out my hands to thee.Dost thou work wonders for the dead?Or do the physicians raise them to praise thee?Is thy mercy declared in the grave,or thy truth in Hades?Are thy wonders known in the darkness,or thy righteousness in the land offorgetfulness? But I cry out to thee, O Lord;in the morning my prayer comes before thee.O Lord, why dost thou cast me off?Why dost thou hide thy face from me?I am in misery and trouble from my youth up,I have been exalted and brought low,I am driven to despair.Thy wrath has overwhelmed me;thy terrors have frightened me,they surrounded me like a flood all day long;they have closed in upon me, and cut off all assistance.Thou hast removed friends and acquaintances far from mebecause of my wretchedness.




As for people, their days are like grass;they flourish like a flower of the field;for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,and its place knows it no more.But the mercy of the Lord is from everlastingto everlasting on those who fear him,and his righteousness to children’s children,to those who keep his covenantand remember to do his commandments.The Lord has prepared his throne in the heavens,and his kingdom rules over all.Bless the Lord, all his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,obedient to his voice.Bless the Lord, all his hosts,his ministers who do his will.Bless the Lord all his works,in all places of his dominion.Bless the Lord, O my soul,in all places of his dominion.Bless the Lord, O my soul.




Let me hear of thy mercy in the morning,for in thee I have put my hope.Teach me the way I should go,for to thee have I lifted up my soul. Save me, O Lord, from my enemies;I have fled to thee for refuge.Teach me to do thy will,for thou art my God.Let your good Spirit lead me in a straight path. For thy name’s sake, O Lord,give life to me.In thy righteousness,bring my soul out of affliction.

In thy mercy, destroy my enemies; and bring to naught all my adversaries;for I am thy servant.















94(Ps.40<39>:3).

95(Ps.80<78>:18).

96(Ps.20<19>:2).

97(Is.26:9).

98(Is.26:9).

99(Ps.119<118>:135).

100(Ps.13<12>:3).

101(2 Cor. 4:6).

414(I Thess. 5:5)

515(Ps.69<68>:16).



7.O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, thou hast raised us up from our beds and hast gathered us together at this hour of prayer. Grant us grace in the opening of our mouths; and receive our thanksgiving, offered to the utmost of our ability; and teach us thy statutes, for we do not know how to pray as we ought16 unless thou guidest us, O Lord, by thy Holy Spirit. Wherefore, we entreat thee: Remit, forgive, pardon all the sins we may have committed to this present hour by word or deed or thought, voluntary or involuntary: for if thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, who could stand?17 For from thee is redemption, and thou only art holy and mighty and the helper and protector of our life. Our praise is continually of thee.18 Blessed and glorified be the supreme might of thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.



9.O Master, lover of mankind, shine within our hearts the pure light of thy divine knowledge; and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend21 the message of thy Gospel. Instill in us, also, reverence for thy blessed

616(Ro.8:26).

717(Ps. 130 <129>:3).

818(Ps 71<70>6).

919(119<118>:160).

020Ps.121<120>:8).

121(Eph.1:18).

commandments, so that having conquered22 sinful desires, we may pursue a spiritual way of life, both thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to thee.23 For thou art our sanctification, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.












222(Ps. 91<90>:13).

323(1 John 3:22).


















CHOIR: Amen.


Eighth Tone


Alleluia (3 times)


Alleluia (3 times)

929(Is. 26:9).

030(Is. 26:9).


Alleluia (3 times)


Alleluia (3 times)

Tone EightBehold the bridegroom comes at midnight: blessed is the servant whom he shall find awake33. But he whom he shall find neglectful is verily unworthy. Beware, therefore, O my soul, that you do not fall into a deep slumber and be delivered to death and locked out of the kingdom. Watch instead and cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy art thou, O God, through the power of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross34, have mercy on us. (Three times)








PEOPLE: Amen.

The Sessional Hymn, Third ToneThe harlot approached thee, O Lover of mankind, pouring out on thy feet costly perfume mixed with tears; and at thy command she was redeemed from the stench of her sins. But the ungrateful disciple, though he was touched by thy grace, rejected it and defiled himself with mire, selling thee for love of money. O Christ, glory to thy tender mercy.

Tone FourDeceitful Judas, in his love for money, contrived a deceptive plan to betray thee, O Lord, Treasury of life. Given to strong drink, he ran to the Jews and said to the transgressors of the law: What will you give me, if I betray him to you to be crucified?

131(Is. 26:11).

232(Is. 26:15).

333(Is. 26:15).

434During the second chanting of the hymn we sing “through the intercessions of all thy saints have mercy on us.” And during the third chanting we sing: “through the intercessions of the THEOTOKOS have mercy on us.”

Tone EightO Merciful One, to thee the harlot cried out wailing; she wiped ardently thy pure feet with her hair, deeply sighing: O my God Cast me not from thee and despise me not, but receive me in repentance and save me, for thou alone art the lover of mankind.

The GospelDEACON: And that we may be accounted worthy to hear the Holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord our God.

PEOPLE: Lord, Have mercy (Thrice).




PRIEST: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint John.



John 12:17-50At that time, the crowd that had been with Jesus when he called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see that you can do nothing; Look, the world has gone after him!” Now among those who went up to worship at the feast there were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew went with Philip and they told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify thy name.” Then a voice came from heaven, I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” The crowd standing by heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”

Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the ruler of this world be cast out; And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He said this to show by what death he was to die. The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said this, he departed, and hid himself from them. Though he had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe in him; It was that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe, for Isaiah again said: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes and understand with their heart, and turn for me, to heal them.” Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Nevertheless many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And he who sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects me, and does not receive my sayings, has that as a judge; the word that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority; but the Father who sent me has given me a

commandment, what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has bidden me.”









Create in me a clean heart,O God, and put a right Spirit within me.Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thine Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation,and uphold me with a directing spirit.Then I will teach transgressors thy ways,and sinners will return to thee.


O Lord, open my lips;and my mouth will declare thy praise;for if thou hadst delight in sacrifice,I would have given it;but thou wouldst not be pleased by burnt offering.The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart,

O God, thou wilt not despise.


Third Ode, Irmos, Second ToneThou hast established me on the rock of faith, and thou hast opened wide my mouth against my enemies. For my spirit has rejoiced to sing: None is holy as our Lord, none is righteous besides thee.


In vain the council of the transgressors of the law gathers together, to pronounce maliciously the sentence of condemnation upon thee, O Christ our deliverer, to whom we sing: Thou art our God, and thou alone art holy.


The terrible council of the transgressors of the law, with their souls fighting against God, conspires to kill as a criminal the Righteous Christ, to who we sing: Thou art our God, and thou alone art holy.

KatavasiaThou hast established me on the rock of faith, and thou hast opened wide my mouth against my enemies. For my spirit has rejoiced to sing: None is holy as our Lord, none is righteous besides thee.







PRIEST: For thou art the king of glory, O Christ our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen

The KontakionO Good One, I have acted lawlessly more than the harlot, yet never have I offered thee a flow of tears, but in silence I fall down before thee, kissing with longing thy pure feet, asking thee as a Master to grant me forgiveness of my sins, and I cry to thee, O Savior: deliver me from the mire of my deeds.

The OikosThe prodigal woman suddenly appeared chaste, despising the works of shameful sin, and the lust of the body, reflecting upon her great disgrace, and the condemnation of punishment, that harlots and prodigals will endure.

Of them I am the first and I am dismayed, but foolishly I persist in my evil habits. But the woman who was a prostitute, filled with fear, and ran crying to the redeemer: O Lover of mankind and merciful one, deliver me from the mire of my deeds.

The SynaxarionOn Holy and Great Wednesday our holy Fathers have decreed the commemoration of the anointing of the Lord with perfume by the woman who was a prostitute, as this took place shortly before the Passion of the Savior.

The woman pouring out perfume on the body of Christ anticipated the myrrh and aloes of Nicodemus.

Anointed with spiritual ointment, O Christ our God, deliver us from the overflowing passions and have mercy on us, for thou art alone good and lovest mankind. Amen.

Eighth Ode-irmos, Second ToneWhen the command of the tyrant prevailed, the furnace was heated sevenfold at one time. But the young men trampled the decree of the king were not even burned, but cried aloud: “O all works of the Lord, praise the Lord and exalt him to all ages”35.

TropariaO Christ, the woman poured precious perfume upon thy royal, divine and awesome head. She touched thy pure feet with her impure hands and cried aloud: “O all works of the Lord, praise the Lord and exalt him to all ages”36.

We glorify the Lord: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Guilty of sins, she washed with tears the feet of her Creator, and wiped them with her hair. Wherefore, she received deliverance from all the sins she had committed in her life, and she cried aloud: “O all works of the Lord, praise the Lord and exalt him to all ages”37.


The redemption of the grateful woman was accomplished sacrificially through the saving affection of God and the fountain of tears. Being washed clean by her confession, she was not ashamed, but cried aloud: “O all works of the Lord, praise the Lord and exalt him to all ages”38.


When the command of the tyrant prevailed, the furnace was heated sevenfold at one time. But the young men trampled the decree of the king were not even burned, but cried aloud: “O all works of the Lord, praise the Lord and exalt him to all ages”39.


DEACON: The Theotokos and Mother of Light let us honor and magnify in song.


Ninth Ode-irmos, Second ToneCome let us magnify with pure souls and undefiled lips the spotless and most holy Mother of Immanuel, offering through her our prayer to the Child she bore. O Christ our God, spare our souls and save us.

Judas shows himself ungrateful, envious and contentious: making a bargain about the gift of God, by which the woman gained release from her sins. He traded in the grace of divine love dishonestly: O Christ our God, spare our souls and save us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

535(Da. 3:52).

636-(Da. 3:52).

Going to the law-transgressing rulers, Judas said: “What will you give me, if I deliver to you Christ whom you seek?” Thus in exchange for silver he rejects Christ’s friendship. O Christ our God, spare our souls and save us.


O blind and implacable avarice! How have you forgotten what Christ taught you, that the soul is more valuable than the world! For in despair, O betrayer, you have hanged thyself. O Christ our God, sapre our souls and save us.

KatavasiaCome let us magnify with pure souls and undefiled lips the spotless and most holy Mother of Immanuel, offering through her our prayer to the Child she bore. O Christ our God, spare our souls and save us.








PEOPLE: Amen.The Exapostelarion, Third Tone

I behold thy bridal chamber adorned, O my Savior; but I have no wedding garment to enter it. Make radiant the robe of my soul, O Giver of light, and save me. (Three times).

The Praises (Ainoi), First ToneLet every thing that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights! To thee, O God, is due our song.





O Son of the Virgin, the prostitute recognized thee to be God, and she entreated thee lamenting, for she had committed sins worthy of tears. She cried: “loose me from my debt, even as I unloose my braids. Show thy love to her who loves thee, though she be justly despised. I will proclaim thee among the tax-collectors, O Benefactor, lover of mankind.

Verse: Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!

The prostitute blended precious perfume with tears. She poured it upon thy most pure feet as she kissed them, and thou at once hast proclaimed her righteous. Grant us forgiveness, O Savior, who suffered for us; and save us.


As the sinful woman was offering myrrh, the disciple was making terms with the transgressors of the Law. She rejoiced in pouring out what was precious, but he attempted to sell him who is priceless. She acknowledged the Lord, but he separated himself from the Master. She was set free, but Judas became the slave of the enemy. How terrible is the indolence! How great is the repentance! Grant me this also, O Savior who suffered for us, and save us. Verse: Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with clashing cymbals! let every thing that has breath praise the Lord!

O misery of Judas! When he saw the harlot kissing thy feet, he was deceitfully thinking of how he would betray thee with a kiss. She loosed the braids of her hair, but he was full of rage, bearing in place of perfume the stench of evil; for envy does not know how to care for its own good. O misery of Judas! From this deliver our souls, O God.

Tone TwoGlory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

The sinful woman ran to the perfume-market to buy ointment with which to anoint the Benefactor. And to the perfumer she cried aloud: Give me ointment to anoint he who has wiped out all my sins.

Tone SixNow and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Drowning in sin, she found thee a haven of salvation, and pouring out all her ointment with tears she cried to thee: Behold the one who leads the sinful into repentance. O Master, in thy great mercy, deliver me from the tempest of sin.

The Little Doxology

To thee belongs glory, O Lord our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.






For thou alone art Holy, thou alone art the Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father, Amen.



040(Jn 1:29).



O Continue thy mercy to those who know thee41.






Blessed art thou, O Holy One; enlighten me with thy statutes.

Thy Mercy, O Lord, endures forever:42 Forsake not the works of thy hands43.

To thee belongs praise, to thee belongs song,44 to thee belongs Glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.













141(Ps.36<35>:10).

242(Ps.107;106:1).

343(Ps.138;137:8).

444(Ps.65;65:1).








PEOPLE: Amen.





The Prayer at the Bowing of HeadsPRIEST: O holy One who dwellest on high and regardest the humble heart and with thine all-seeing eye dost

behold all creation, unto thee have we bowed the neck of our soul and body, and we entreat thee: O holy of holies, stretch forth thine invisible hand from thy holy dwelling-place and bless us all. And if in aught we have sinned, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, forgive, inasmuch as thou art a good God and lover of mankind, vouchsafing unto us thy earthly and heavenly good things.


PEOPLE: Amen.


The Aposticha (Idiomela), Tone SixToday Christ comes to the house of the Pharisee, and a sinful woman approaches him, falling down at his feet and crying out: “Look at me, I am plunged into sin, I am filled with despair because of my sins, yet I am not rejected by thy goodness.” O Lord, Grant me forgiveness of sins and save me.

Verse: Thou hast satisfied us in the morning with thy mercy, and we have rejoiced and were glad all our days.

The prostitute spread out her hair before thee, O Master, while Judas spread out his hands to the transgressors of the Law; she to receive forgiveness, he to receive the silver. Wherefore, we cry aloud to thee who wast sold and hast set us free: O Lord, glory to thee.

Verse: Make us glad as many days as thou hast afflicted us, and as many years as we have seen evil. Look upon thy servants and upon thy works, and guide their children45.

An evil-smelling and muddy woman approached thee shedding tears at thy feet, O Savior, and foretelling thy Passion. “O Master, how can I look straight at thee? Yet thou thyself didst come to save the prostitute. I am dead: As thou hast raised Lazarus after four days from the tomb, raise me from the depths of death. Accept me, O Lord, wretched as I am, and save me.

Verse: Let the splendor of the Lord our God be upon us, and guide the works of our hands. O guide the works of our hands46.

She who was desperate because of her life and was well known for her way of life came to thee carrying myrrh and crying: “O Son of the Virgin, cast me not away, though I am a prostitute. O joy of the angels, despise not my tears, but receive me in repentance, and in thy great mercy reject me not a sinner.”

Hymn of Kassiani the Nun, Tone EightGlory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

O Lord, the woman who had fallen into many sins perceived thy divinity and received the rank of the ointment-bearing women; and with mourning she brought myrrh to thee before thy burial. She said: “Woe is me, for I am surrounded with a gloomy and moonless night, full of lustful passion. Accept the fountains of my tears, for thou gatherest into clouds the water of the sea. Incline to the groaning of my heart, for in thine inexpressible self-abasement thou hast bowed the heavens. I will kiss thy most pure feet and wipe them with the locks of my hair, those feet whose sound Eve heard at dusk in Paradise, and hid herself in fear. Who can search out the multitude of my sins and the depth of thy judgments, O Savior of my soul? In thy boundless mercy despise me not, thy handmaid.”









Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily48 bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.


545(Ps.90<89>:14-16).

646(Ps.90<89>:17).

747(Ps 91<90>:1-2).

PEOPLE: Amen.

The Kontakion

O Good One, I have acted lawlessly more than the harlot, yet never have I offered thee a flow of tears, but in silence I fall down before thee, kissing with longing thy pure feet, asking thee as a Master to grant me forgiveness of my sins, and I cry to thee, O Savior: deliver me from the mire of my deeds.






PEOPLE: Amen.


Prayer of St. Ephraim the SyrianPRIEST: O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the Spirit of sloth, curiosity51, lust of power, and idle

talk. (prostration)





PRIEST: May Christ our true God, who willingly came to his passion for our salvation, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; of saint (N) patron Saint of this Church and all the saints: have mercy on us and save us forasmuch as he is good, and the lover of mankind.


PEOPLE: Amen.




THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY UNCTIONHoly Wednesday Evening

Lifting his orarion with the three fingers of his right hand, the deacon says aloud:


The priest kisses the gospel book, lifts it up with both hands, and lowers it making with it the sign of the cross and saying with the fear of God:


CHOIR: Amen.




Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for thy name’s sake.





PEOPLE: Amen.

Lord have mercy. (12 times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.


103Or, “the evil one.”

O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. (Reverence)

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. (Reverence)O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, our King and our God. (Reverence)

Then, the following Psalm:

Psalm 143 <142>Hear my prayer, O Lord;give ear to my supplications inthy faithfulness;answer me in thy righteousness.Enter not into judgment with thy servant,for no one living is righteous before thee.For the enemy has persecuted my soul,crushing my life to the ground,making me sit in darkness like thosewho have been long dead.Therefore, my spirit was grieved within me;my heart within me was troubled.

I remembered the days of the old,I meditated on all thy deeds,I meditated on the works of thine hands.I stretched out my hands unto thee;my soul thirsts for thee like a dry land.

Answer me quickly, O Lord;my spirit has failed.Hide not thy face from me,or I shall be like those who go downinto the Pit.Let me hear of thy mercy in the morning,for in thee have I put my hope.Teach me the way I should go,for to thee have I lifted up my soul.Save me, O Lord, from my enemies;I have fled to thee for refuge.Teach me to do thy will,for thou art my God.Let thy good Spirit lead me in a straight path. For thy name’s sake, O Lord,give life to me.In thy righteousness bring my soulout of affliction.In thy mercy thou destroyest my enemies anddissolvest all my adversaries,for I am thy servant.

The Little Litany

DEACON: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.






PRIEST: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

Eighth ToneCHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,

Verse: “O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, or discipline me in thy wrath.104“

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,

Verse: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak.105“

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,

Troparia, Sixth ToneHave mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for, deprived of all defense, we sinners offer this supplication unto thee, as Master: have mercy on us.


Have mercy on us, O Lord, for in thee we trust;106 do not be exceedingly angry with us, nor remember our iniquities. But even now, look favorably upon us, as the compassionate one; and deliver us from our enemies; for thou art our God, and we art thy people; we are the work of thine hands, and we call upon thy name.


Open to us, O Blessed Theotokos, the door of compassion. Setting our hope in thee, we will not go astray. Through thee, may we be delivered from all adverse circumstances, for thou art the

104(Ps 38<37>:1).

105(Ps. 6:2).

106(Ps. 25<24>:2).

salvation of the Christian people.







Turn away thy face from my sins,and blot out all my iniquities.Create in me a clean heart,O God, and put a right Spirit within me.Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation,and uphold me with a directing spirit.Then I will teach transgressors thy ways,and sinners will return to thee.


O Lord, open my lips;and my mouth will declare thy praise;for hast thou delighted in sacrifice,

I would have given it;But thou delighest not in burnt offering.The sacrifice to God is a broken Spirit, a broken and contrite heart,O God, thou wilt not despise.


The Canon, Fourth ToneFirst Ode (Irmos)

CHOIR: When Israel of old had passed through the Red Sea’s depth with dry feet, through the stretching forth of Moses’ hand in the form of a Cross, they overthrew the Amelekites in the wilderness.

O Master, thou always makest the souls and bodies of mortals glad with the oil of compassion, protecting the faithful by oil: Have compassion, now, through oil, on those who approach thee.

O Lord Christ, have mercy upon thy servants.

O Master, the whole earth is filled with thy mercy: Therefore, we, who are mystically anointed with the divine oil today, implore thee with faith to bestow on us thine incomprehensible mercy.


Having compassion on thy sick servants, O lover of mankind, thou hast commanded thy disciples to perform thy holy unction on them. By thy seal have mercy on us all through their prayers.


O only pure one, sea of peace, overflowing in riches; by thy constant intercession with God, deliver thy servants from illnesses and afflictions, so that we may unceasingly magnify thee.

Third OdeO Christ, thy Church rejoices in thee crying aloud: Thou art my strength, the Lord is my fortress, and my refuge107.

O Christ, thou alone art marvelous and merciful to the faithful; grant from on high thy grace unto those who are gravely ill.

O Lord Christ, have mercy upon thy servants.

O Lord, by thy dispensation thou once showed forth an olive-branch to be the ending of the flood: Save thine afflicted people by thy mercy.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

O Christ, in thy mercy, with the torch of divine light, make thou glad those who faithfully and eagerly now seek thy mercy through this unction.


Favorably look down from on high, O Mother of the Creator of mankind, and by thy prayers save those who are bitterly afflicted with severe suffering.

Sessional Hymn, Eighth ToneO merciful one, what a divine river of mercy thou art! What a boundless source of great compassion thou art! Show forth the divine streams of thy mercy, and heal all mankind. Gush forth abundantly the fountains of wonders; for ever turning to thee with fervor, we implore thy grace.

Sessional Hymn, Fourth TonePhysician and Helper of those who are suffering, O Deliverer and Savior of the sick, O Master and Lord of all, heal thy sick servants, have compassion and mercy on those who have fallen into grave sins, and deliver them from their transgressions, so that they may glorify thy divine power.

Fourth OdeBeholding thee, O Sun of righteousness, uplifted on the Cross, the Church gloriously stands crying, as it is proper: O Lord, Glory to thy might.

O Savior who emptied thyself in grace and purified the world, thou art like an imperishable chrism; with thy divine pledge, have compassion and mercy on those whose wounded flesh will be annointed.O Lord Christ, have mercy on thy servants.

Having now signed the bodily senses of they servants with the seal of the joy of thy mercy, O Master, render them inviolate and impenetrable to all adverse powers.


Thou hast commanded the godly priests to summon the sick, that by their prayers, and anointing with the Holy Oil they might be healed. By thy mercy, O lover of mankind, save those who are sick.


107(Ps. 18: 1-2).

O ever-virgin, most holy Theotokos, my steadfast shelter and my protector, my haven and fortress, my ladder of ascent into heaven and bulwark, have compassion and mercy on us who have sought refuge in thee alone.

Fifth OdeBeing the Light, O my Lord, thou became a light to the World, a Holy Light that delivers from the darkness of ignorance those who in faith sing praises to thee.

O Good and Merciful One, thou art the depth of mercy. By thy Holy Oil, have mercy, on the sick, for thou lovest mankind.

O Lord Christ, have mercy on thy servants.

O Christ, by the seal of thy divine imprint, thou hast sanctified both our souls and bodies in an inexpressible manner from on high. Heal us all by thy hand.


Most gracious Lord, through thy ineffable love, thou didst accept the anointing with myrrh by the harlot, have compassion on thy servants.


O all-praised and all-gracious Lady have mercy on those now to be anointed with Divine Oil, and save thy servants.

Sixth OdeO Lord, with a voice of thanksgiving, I offer a sacrifice to thee. The Church cries aloud to thee, for she has been purified from the blood of evil ones by the Blood which, for mercy’s sake, gushed from thy side.

O Lover of mankind, thou hast shown through oil the Chrism for Kings, and by thy seal performed it at the hands of High priests: By thy compassion save also those who endure suffering.


Let no bitter demons lay hold on those who participate in godly anointment and whose senses are touched with it; and surround them, O Savior, with the protection of thy Glory.


O Savior and Lover of mankind, stretch forth thy hand from on High, and consecrate this Oil, and bestow it on thy servants for healing and relief from all their maladies.


O Mother of the Creator, thou hast manifested thyself a fruitful olive-tree. In thy divine offspring, and by thee, the world is seen to be filled with mercy. Therefore, by thy touch, save the sick through thine intercessions.

The Kontakion, Second ToneO Compassionate One, thou art the fountain of mercy and supremely good. Deliver from every affliction those who with fervent faith fall down before thine inexpressible mercy. Put an end to their illnesses, bestowing on them thy divine grace from on High.

Seventh OdeThe Children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, fired by love of godliness, rather than by the flame, cried aloud: Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the Tabernacle of thy Glory.

O only Savior and God, in thy mercy and compassions, thou healest both the passions of the soul and the afflictions of the body: Heal those who are suffering illnesses.


When the heads of all are anointed with the Oil of Unction, grant with it, O Lord, by the abundance of thy mercy the joy of gladness and salvation, to those who are asking for thy mercy.


O savior, thy seal, by the prayers of the priests, is a sword against demons and a fire that destroys the passions of the soul. Therefore, we who have received healing praise thee in faith.


In a divine manner, thou hast conceived in thy womb, O Mother of God, the One who holds fast all things in the hollow of his hand; and ineffably thou hast given him a body. Relieve the suffering of the sick, we implore thee.

Eighth OdeWhen Daniel stretched forth his hand, he stopped the gaping mouths of the Lions in the pit. The Holy young men being zealous in their piety girded themselves with virtues and quenched the raging fire as they cried aloud: “O all works of the Lord, praise the Lord.”

Have mercy on all, O Savior, according to thy great and divine mercy, for this figure was mystically foreshadowed for us. We administer anointing by the Holy Oil for those who are suffering. Heal them all by thy power.


In the streams of thy mercy, O compassionate Lord, and through anointing by the priests, wash away the sorrow, the wounds and the attacks, of those who are afflicted by the intensity of illness, so that by thy cleansing they may obtain bodily health and strength.


The mark of divine help and the oil of gladness will come down from on high upon us who are marked by it. O Master, do not withhold thy mercy, neither despise those who with faith ceaselessly cry aloud: “O all works of the Lord, praise the Lord.”


O pure one, nature has accepted thy divine birth-giving as a glorious crown which subdued the armies of the enemies and conquered them with might. Therefore, crowned with the joyful splendor of thy grace, we praise thee, O Lady worthy of all-praise.

Ninth OdeThe cornerstone that had not been hewn by hand was hewn from thee, O Virgin, the unquarried Mount: Christ himself, who has bound together nature that had been divided. Therefore, rejoicing, we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Look down from heaven, O merciful One, and show forth thy mercy on all mankind. Grant now thy help and thy strength to those who draw near to thee through Divine Unction administered by thy priests, O Lover of mankind.


O most benevolent Savior, let us rejoice at beholding the godly Oil. By thy divine condenscension thou imparted it to the participants as a sign of sacred cleansing.


O Savior, have mercy and compassion upon thy servants; deliver their souls and bodies from terrible sufferings and pains; rescue them from the arrows of the evil one, healing them by thy Divine Grace, inasmuch as thou art a merciful Lord.


As thou receivest the praises and petitions of thy servants, O Virgin, by thy prayers deliver from bitter afflictions and sufferings those who through us flee to thy divine protection.

It is truly meet to call thee blessed, O Theotokos, ever blessed, and all-blameless, and the mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee.








PEOPLE: Amen.

The Exapostelarion, Third ToneIn mercy, O Good One, look down favorably upon our petitions; for we have come together in thy holy temple, to anoint with divine Oil thy sick servants.

The Praises, Fourth ToneLet everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights! To thee, O God, is due our song.


The Praises are sung along with the following verses:

Verse: To execute on them the judgment decreed. This is glory to all his faithful ones.108

O lover of mankind, easy to reconcile, through thine apostles, thou hast given thy grace: heal with thy Holy Oil the wounds and illnesses of all mankind. Therefore, O compassionate One, sanctify those who now with faith approach thy holy Oil: have mercy on them, cleanse them from every infirmity, and make them worthy of thine imperishable bliss.Verse: Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his firmament of his power.109

Look down from heaven, O incomprehensible, compassionate and Loving God; and by thine invisible hand, mark our senses with thy seal. To those who with faith run to thee seeking forgiveness of their sins, grant healing of soul and body by thy divine Oil, so that they may with fervent desire glorify thy kingdom.

Verse: Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

Anointed with thy mercy, and by the touch of thy priests, O Lover of mankind, sanctify from on high thy servants; and deliver them from their illnesses. O Savior, purify and wash out the blemish of their souls, and rescue them from evil plots. Comfort their pains, and drive away adverse circumstances. Utterly destroy their afflictions, for thou art a merciful and a compassionate Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Most pure palace of the King, I implore thee, O greatly honored one: cleanse my mind, which is stained by every sin, and make it a pleasant dwelling place for the supremely divine Trinity, that I, thy worthless servant, being saved, may glorify thy dominion and thy boundless mercy.







108(Ps.149:9).

109(Ps 150:1-6).

110(Ps 91<90>:1-2).





PEOPLE: Amen.

Troparion, Fourth ToneThou, who art alone the speedy helper, O Christ, grant thy favor from on high upon thy suffering servants. Deliver them from their infirmities and their sufferings. Raise them up to praise and glorify thee ceaselessly, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Lover of mankind.

The Litany of PeaceDEACON: In peace let us pray to the Lord.CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.










CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.DEACON: For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the

Lord.


DEACON: For the people here present, awaiting the grace of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.



112Or the evil one.

DEACON: That this oil may be blessed with the visitation, majesty and power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: For the servants of God who have come to this holy mystery that God will visit them and that the grace of the Holy Spirit will come upon them, let us pray to the Lord.









CHOIR: Amen.



The Prayer of the OilPRIEST: O Lord, through thy mercies and compassions heal the disorders of our souls and bodies. O

Master, consecrate this oil that it may heal and deliver those who are anointed with it from every sinful passion, every bodily illness, every defilement of flesh and spirit, and every infliction; and that in this Oil may thy most Holy Name be glorified: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The People sing the following Troparia:

Fourth ToneThou art alone the speedy helper, grant thy favor from on high upon thy suffering servants. Deliver them from their infirmities and their sufferings. Raise them up to praise and glorify thee ceaselessly, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Lover of mankind.

Fourth ToneSpiritually blind, I come to thee, O Christ, as did the man blind from his birth, crying in repentance to thee: Thou art the truly bright light of those who are in darkness.

Third ToneO Lord, as thou didst raise up the paralytic, by thy divine authority raise up my soul, which is dreadfully paralyzed by my dishonest deeds, so that being saved, I may cry to thee: O Compassionate Christ, glory to thy dominion.

Eighth Tone

O righteous James, as a disciple of the Lord, you received the Gospel; as a martyr you possess the unperverted truth, as a brother of the Lord you have boldness, and as a Hierarch you have the power of intercession. Implore Christ our God that he may save our souls.

Fourth ToneThe Only-Begotten Word of God the Father who lived among us appointed thee, O divine James, to be the first shepherd and teacher in Jerusalem and a faithful steward of spiritual mysteries: Therefore, O apostle we all honor thee.

Third ToneHoly and devout bishop of Myra, you have been revealed as a Hierarch; for in fulfilling the Gospel of Christ you have sacrificed your spirit for your people and rescued the innocent from death. Therefore, you were sanctified as a great initiate of the grace of God.

Third ToneO victorious Demetrios, the world has found you a great defender in affliction, turning the war with the gentiles into victory; you brought to naught the pride of Lyaeus and encouraged Nestor in the Coliseum. Therefore, implore Christ our God, O holy and great martyr Demetrios, to grant us great mercy.

Third ToneO Holy victor and healer Panteleimon, intercede with the merciful God to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Fourth ToneO Holy miracle-workers and unmercenary healers regard our illnesses: You received without payment, give without payment.113

Third ToneO pure John, who will declare your splendor? For you pour out wonders; you gush forth healings; and you intercede for our souls, for you are a theologian and friend of Christ.

Second ToneO fervent intercessor and invincible rampart, source of mercy, shelter of the world, to thee we earnestly cry aloud: O Lady Theotokos, who alone art the speedy protector, be with us and deliver us from dangers.

The First Epistle ReadingDEACON: Let us attend.

READER: Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in thee,114 Rejoice in the Lord, O righteous.115

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The lesson from the Universal Epistle of James.


James 5:10-16READER: Brethren, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of suffering and

patience. Indeed we call them blessed who showed endurance. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the accomplishment of the Lord: that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. Above all, my Brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. Let your

113(Matt.10:8).

114(Ps.33<32>:22).

115(Ps.33<32>:1).

“Yes” be “Yes” and your “No” “No” so that you may not fall under condemnation. Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing hymns of praise. Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over him anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous has a powerful effect.


PEOPLE: Alleluia (3 times)

The First Gospel ReadingDEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the Holy Gospel.



PRIEST: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke.



Luke 10:25-37DEACON: At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit

eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read?” And the lawyer answered, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’“ And Jesus said to him, “You have answered right; do this and you will live.”

But the lawyer, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan came to where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three do you think proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” The lawyer said,”The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”


DEACON: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great goodness, we pray thee, hearken, and have mercy.


DEACON: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, remission and forgiveness of the sins of the servants of God, all devout Orthodox Christians who live and dwell in this community.


PRIEST: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give Glory: to the Father, and to

the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The First PrayerDEACON: Let us pray to the lord.


PRIEST: O Holy of Holies, eternal without beginning, thou hast sent forth thine Only-begotten Son to heal every illness and every sickness of our souls and bodies: Send down thy Holy Spirit, and consecrate this Oil. Make it to be for thine anointed servants the deliverance from their sins, for inheritance of the Kingdom of heaven. For thou art a great and marvelous God, steadfast in thy covenant and thy mercy for those who love thee. Thou deliverest them from their sins through thy holy Son, Jesus Christ. Thou givest us a new birth from our sins. Thou openest the eyes that are blind,116 and restorest the fallen. Thou lovest the righteous and showest mercy to sinners. Thou renewest us who sit in darkness117 and the dark shadow of death.118 Thou sayest to those in bondage: “Go free,” and to those who sit in darkness: “Uncover your eyes.” For the knowledge of thine Only-Begotten Son has shone in our hearts, since for our sake he appeared on earth, and lived with mankind.119 To all who received him, he gave power to become children of God,120 granting us adoption through the washing of rebirth121 and freeing us from participation in the oppression of the devil. Since it was not his pleasure that we should be cleansed by blood, but by Holy Oil, he gave us the imprint of his Cross, so that we might become the flock of Christ, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation;122 he purified us by water and sanctified us by the Holy Spirit. O Master and Lord, grant us grace in this ministry, as thou gavest to thy servant Moses and to Samuel thy beloved and to John thy chosen one and to all those who in every generation were pleasing unto thee. In like manner, make us servants of the New Covenant of thy Son, through this Oil, which thou hast secured through the precious Blood of thy Christ. Thus putting away earthly desires, we may be dead to sin and alive to righteousness, putting on our Lord Jesus Christ by anointing with this sanctifying oil we are about to apply. Let this oil, O Lord, be the oil of gladness, the oil of sanctification, a royal garment, a breastplate of power, an averter of every operation of the devil, the seal that cannot be plotted against, the joy of heart, the eternal gladness. Thus will those who are anointed with this Oil of new birth terrify their adversaries, shine in the brightness of thy Saints, without spot or wrinkle, receive thine eternal rest, and accept the award of the high calling. For it is thine to show mercy and save us, O our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The Second Epistle ReadingDEACON: Let us attend.

116(Is.42:7).

117(Is. 42:7; Ps. 107:10).

118(Ps. 107:10).

119(Baruch 3:37).

120 (Jn. 1:12).

121(Titus 3:5).

122(1 Peter 2:9).

READER: The Lord is my strength and my praise.123 The Lord has disciplined me severely.124

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The lesson is from the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans.


Romans 15:1-7READER: Brethren, we then who are strong ought to bear with the weakness of the weak and not to please

ourselves. Each of us must please his neighbor for the good purpose of building him up. For Christ did not please himself; but as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you fell on me.” For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, so that we through patience and through the encouragement of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and encouragement grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.



The Second Gospel ReadingDEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the Holy Gospel.






Luke 19:1-10DEACON: At that time, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named

Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus , make haste and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down and received him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all murmured, “He has gone in to be a guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.


DEACON: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great goodness, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.


123(Heb. “might”) (Ps. 118<117>:14).

124(Ps. 118<117>18).

DEACON: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation, remission and forgiveness of the sins of the servants of God, all devout Orthodox Christians who live and dwell in this community.


PRIEST: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give Glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The Second PrayerDEACON: Let us pray to the lord.


PRIEST: O Great and Most High God, adorned by all creation, source of wisdom, untraceable depth of goodness, and boundless ocean of tender mercy, O Master, lover of mankind, the God of eternal and wondrous things whom no one can conceive or understand, look down favorably upon thine unworthy servants and hear us. Wherever in thy Great Name we offer thee this Oil, send down as thy free gift thy healing and forgiveness of sins and heal thy people in thy great mercy. O Lord, thou art easily reconcilable and alone art merciful and the lover of mankind. Thou didst relent concerning125 terrible punishment for our evil deeds. Thou knowest that the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth.126 Thou desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather he might turn back and live. Though God, thou didst become incarnate for the salvation of sinners, taking on the human form for thy creatures. Thou hast said: “I have come to call not the righteous, but sinners.”127 Thou hast looked for the lost sheep, thou hast searched carefully for the lost silver coin and thou hast found it. Thou hast said: “Anyone who comes to me I will never drive away.”128

Thou didst not detest the sinful woman who bathed thy precious feet with her tears. Thou hast said: “As often as thou fallest, arise, and you will be saved.” Thou art he who said: “There will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.”129 O merciful Master, look down favorably from the height of thy holy place; and in this hour overshadow us, thy sinful and unworthy servants, with the grace of thy Holy Spirit; and dwell among thy servants who acknowledge their transgressions and approach thee in faith. By thy love toward mankind, accept them and forgive them whatever they have done wrong, whether by word, or deed or thought; and cleanse them from every sin. Be present with them, and protect the remaining time of their life so that walking in thy statutes, they may no longer become objects of the malignant joy of the devil. And may thine all-Holy name be glorified in them.

For it is thine to show mercy and save us, O Christ our God, and unto thee we give glory together with thine Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-Holy good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE/ CHOIR: Amen.

The Third Epistle ReadingDEACON: Let us attend.

125(Amos 7:3).

126(Gen 8:21).

127(Matt. 9:13).

128(Jn. 6:37).

129(Lk. 15:7).

READER: The Lord is my light and my salvation. The Lord is the stronghold of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?130

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The lesson is from the first epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.


1 Cor.12:27-31;13:1-8READER: Brethren, now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it. And God has appointed

in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But strive eagerly for the greater gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love does not envy; love is not conceited, is not puffed up, does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not irritable, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never comes to an end. But where there are prophecies, they will come to an end; where there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.



The Third Gospel ReadingDEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the Holy Gospel.






Matthew 10:1, 5-8DEACON: At that time, Jesus called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits:

to cast them out and to heal every disease and infirmity. These twelve Jesus sent out charging them: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And preach as you go saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick; cleanse the lepers; raise the dead; cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay.


DEACON: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great goodness, we pray thee, hearken, and have

130(Ps. 27<26>:1)..

mercy.





PEOPLE: Amen.

The Third PrayerDEACON: Let us pray to the lord.


PRIEST: O Almighty Master, O Holy King, thou disciplinest yet dost not put to death, thou upholdest all who are falling, and raisest up all who are bowed down,131 thou relievest the physical suffering of mankind. We implore thee, O our God, to send thy mercy upon this Oil and upon all those anointed with it in thy name. Let it be effectual for the healing of their souls and bodies and for cleansing and for relieving from every suffering, disease, sickness, and defilement, of both body and spirit. Yea, Lord, send down from heaven thine healing power. Touch the bodies, alleviate the fever, relieve the suffering, and expel every hidden sickness. Be the physician of thy servants; raise them up from the bed of their sickness and cruel suffering; and restore them to thy Church in safety and health to please thee and to do thy will.

For it is thine to show mercy and save us, O our God, and unto thee we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.


The Fourth Epistle ReadingDEACON: Let us attend.

READER: On the day, I called you answered me132 O Lord, hear my prayer. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The lesson is from the second epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.


2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1READER: Brethren, what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living

God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate from them, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” Having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit and bring our holiness to perfection in

131(Ps. 154 <144>:14).

132(Ps. 138<137>:3).

the fear of God.


PEOPLE: Alleluia (Three times)

The Fourth Gospel ReadingDEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the Holy Gospel.






Matthew 8:14-23DEACON: At that time, Jesus entered Peter’s house, and he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying sick with a fever;

he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served them. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of heaven have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.







PEOPLE: Amen.The Fourth Prayer

DEACON: Let us pray to the lord.


PRIEST: O Good and loving, compassionate and very merciful Lord, thou art plentiful in mercy, rich in benevolence, the Father of mercy and God of all comfort, who through thy holy Disciples empowered us to heal the illness of thy people by Oil and prayer: Do thyself confirm this Oil for the healing of those who will be anointed with it, for the relief from every sickness and malady and for the deliverance from the bodily illness of those who earnestly await deliverance from thee.

Yea, O Almighty Master, Lord our God, we entreat thee to save us. O only Physician of our souls and bodies, purify us all; heal thy servants, O healer of every malady. Raise them up from their sick-bed, through the mercies of thy goodness. Visit them with thy mercy and compassion. Expel by thy mighty hand every sickness and malady so that when they rise up, they may serve thee with thanksgiving. We also, who now share in thine inexpressible love towards mankind, praise and glorify thee who performest great, marvelous, glorious and splendid deeds.

For it is thine to show mercy and save us, O our God, and unto thee we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.


The Fifth Epistle ReadingDEACON: Let us attend.

READER: You, O Lord, will protect us.133 Save me, O Lord, for the faithful have disappeared.134

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The lesson is from the second epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.


2 Corinthians 1:8-11READER: Brethren, we do not want you to be uninformed of our affliction which came to us in Asia: we

were burdened beyond measure and above strength so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt in ourselves that we received the sentence of death so that we should not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead, who delivered us from such terrible and deadly dangers and will continue to deliver us; on whom we have set our hope that he will still deliver us. You also join in helping us by your prayers that thanks may be given by many people on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.



The Fifth Gospel ReadingDEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the Holy Gospel.





DEACON: Let us attend.(Matthew 25:1-13)

DEACON: “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold,

133(Ps. 12<11>:7).

134(Psalm. 12:1).

the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Afterward, the other virgins came also saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come.”







PEOPLE: Amen.The Fifth Prayer



PRIEST: O Lord our God, thou disciplinest, yet thou healest; thou raisest the poor from the dust, and liftest the needy from the ash heap.135 O Father of orphans, haven of the storm-tossed, and physician of the sick, thou without weakness hast borne our illness, and assumed our sickness, thou showest mercy with cheerfulness, and passest over our transgressions,136 pardoning our iniquity. Thou art quick to help and slow to anger.137 Thou didst breath on thy holy Disciples and say to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.138 Thou acceptest the repentance of sinners, and hast authority to forgive numerous and grievous sins, bestowing healing upon all who have spent their life in sickness and chronic diseases; thou hast called me, also, thine humble, sinful and unworthy servant, entangled in heavy sins, and immersed in pleasures by my lustful passions, to the Holy and high degree of priesthood, and to enter the inner shrine behind the curtain,139 into the Holy of Holies, where the Holy Angels desire to look, and to hear the voice of the Lord which bears good news, and to see with their eyes the presence of the holy Oblation, and to enjoy the divine and sacred Liturgy. Thou hast made me worthy to administer thine heavenly Mysteries, and to offer unto thee gifts and sacrifices for our sins and the sins of the people, committed through ignorance, and to mediate for thy sheep which are endowed with reason, that, through thy great and inexpressible love toward mankind, thou wouldest wipe away their sins. O supremely good King, hear my prayer in this hour and this holy day and at every time and place; listen to the voice of my supplication. Grant healing to thy servants, who are sick both in soul and body, bestowing upon them forgiveness of sins and pardon for their

135(1 Sam. 2:8).

136(Micah 7:18).

137(Ex. 34:6).

138(John 20:22).

139(Heb. 6:19).

transgressions, both voluntary and involuntary; heal their incurable diseases, every sickness and every malady. Give health to their souls, for thou didst touch the mother-in-law of Peter and the fever left her so that she rose and served them: Do thyself, O Master, grant also healing to thy servants, relieving them from every pernicious disease. Be mindful of thy mercy, O Lord, and of thy steadfast love.140 Remember that every human mind inclines toward evil from his youth, and no one on the earth is found sinless; for thou art alone without sin, having come down to save the human race and to set us free from the slavery to the enemy. If thou enterest into judgment with thy servants141 no one will be pure from stain, but every mouth will be sealed, having no defense; for all our righteousness is like filthy rags142 in thy presence. Therefore, remember not the sins of our youth. For thou art the hope of the hopeless and the rest of those who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,143 and unto thee we give glory, together with thy Father, who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages.


The Sixth Epistle ReadingDEACON: Let us attend.

READER: Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. Create in me a clean heart, O God.

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The lesson is from the epistle of Saint Paul to the Galatians.


Galatians 5:22-6:2READER: Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, irritating one another, envying one another. Brethren, if a man is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, taking care that you yourself are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.



The Sixth Gospel ReadingDEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the Holy Gospel.




140(Ps. 25<24>:6).

141(Ps. 143 <142>:2).

142(Is. 64:6).

143(Matt. 11:28).



Matthew 15:21-28DEACON: At that time, Jesus went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman

from that region came and cried out, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely possessed by a demon.” But Jesus did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” Jesus answered “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him saying, “Lord, help me!” And Jesus answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.







PEOPLE: Amen.

The Sixth PrayerDEACON: Let us pray to the lord.


PRIEST: O Lord our God, thou who art loving, good, and the physician of our souls and bodies: we give thanks unto thee, for thou hast easily borne our illness and by thy wounds we have been healed.144

Thou didst come in search of the sheep who went astray. Thou didst encourage the faint-hearted and didst give life to the oppressed. Thou didst heal the woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. Thou didst free the daughter of the Canaanite woman from a fierce demon. Thou didst forgive the debt of the two debtors and the sins of the sinful woman. Thou didst heal the paralytic forgiving his sins. Thou didst make the tax-collector righteous by one word and accepted the thief at his last confession. Thou takest away the sin of the world, 145 nailing it to the Cross.146 O God, we pray and we implore thee in thy goodness, pardon, remit and forgive the sins and iniquities of thy servants, both voluntary or involuntary, in knowledge or in ignorance, whether transgression or disobedience, at night or at day, whether they are under the ban of a priest, of a father or mother, whether through the pleasure of the eye or the weakness of the sense of smell, through the softness of the touch or the taste of adultery, or through any impulse of the flesh or of the spirit they have become alienated from thy will and from thine holiness. If we also have sinned in like manner forgive us: for thou art a good, loving and forgiving God. Do not allow

144(1 Pet. 2:24).

145(John 1:29).

146(Col. 2:14).

them or us to fall into an impure life, nor fall into destructive paths. Yea, O Lord, hear me, a sinner, in this hour on behalf of thy servants: overlook, as a forgiving God, all their sins. Set them free from the eternal punishment. Fill their mouths with thy praise; open their lips that they may glorify thy name; stretch forth their hands to do thy commandments; direct their feet in the way of thy Gospel, strengthening all their members and their minds by thy grace. For thou art our God, who gave us a commandment by thy holy Apostles saying: “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven,”147 and “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.”148 And as thou didst listen to Ezekiel in the sorrow of his soul at the hour of his death and did not despise his supplications, so also, in like manner, hear me, thine humble and unworthy servant at this hour. For thou art the Lord Jesus Christ, who through thy Goodness and love toward mankind commanded us to forgive those who fall in sins not even seven times, but seventy times seven. Thou forgivest our wickedness and rejoicest over the conversion of those who have gone astray. For as is thy majesty, so also is thy mercy, and unto thee we give glory, with thine Father, who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages.


The Seventh Epistle ReadingDEACON: Let us attend.

READER: O Lord, do not rebuke me in thine anger, or discipline me in thy wrath. 149 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak.150

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The lesson is from the first epistle of the apostle Paul to the Thessalonians.


1 Thessalonians 5:14-23READER: Brethren, we urge you, warn the idlers, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with

all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always strive for what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.



147(Matt. 16:19).

148(John 20:22).

149(Psalm 38 (37):1).

150(Psalm 6:2).

The Seventh Gospel ReadingDEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the Holy Gospel.





DEACON: Let us attend.Matthew 9:9-13

DEACON: At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose and followed him. And as he sat at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”







PEOPLE: Amen.



The Seventh PrayerPRIEST: O Master, Lord our God, Physician of souls and bodies, thou healest chronic sufferings and curest

every infirmity and every sickness among the people. Thou desirest every one to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.151 Thou desirest not the death of a sinner, but that he should repent and live. In the ancient covenant, thou didst appoint repentance for sinners, for David, for the Ninevites, and for those both before and after them. When thou hast come in the flesh to dwell among thy people in the new dispensation, thou didst not call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance;152 thou didst accept through repentance the blasphemous and great persecutor Paul, as well as the tax-collector, the prostitute, and the thief. Through repentance thou didst accept the great Peter who denied thee three times, promising and saying to him: “Thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give thee the

151(1 Tim. 2:4).

152(Matt. 9: 13).

keys of the kingdom of heaven.”153 Therefore, O Good one, lover of mankind, according to thy trustworthy promise, we take courage to entreat thee and implore thee in this hour: Hear our supplication and receive it as incense offered unto thee. Visit thy servants. If they have committed any sin whether by word or deed or thought, at night or during the day, or if they have fallen under the ban of a priest, or under self-binding oath, or have been provoked to commit a sin by an oath, or they have taken an oath, we entreat thee and supplicate thee: Pardon, remit, and forgive them, O God, overlooking their sins and iniquities of knowledge or of ignorance. If they have transgressed thy commandments or have sinned because they bear flesh and dwell in the world, or by reason of the devil, do thyself, as a Good and loving God, forgive them, for there is no one who lives and sins not. For thou art sinless, and thy righteousness is to all eternity, and thy word is truth. For thou hast not created the human race to be destined to Hell, but to keep thy commandments and to inherit the incorruptible life: unto thee we give glory, with thy Father, who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The people kneel

Then the Priest takes the Book of the Holy Gospels, opened and with the printing facing down and raises it above the heads of the faithful attending and recites the following prayer aloud. If several priests take part in the service, they all shall hold the gospel Book and read the prayer silently.

The Prayer of AnointingPRIEST: O Holy Father, physician of our souls and bodies, thou hast sent thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord

Jesus Christ, to heal every infirmity and deliver us from death: Heal also thy servants from the ills of the body and soul which are surrounding them and give them life by the Grace of thy Christ, through the intercessions of our pure Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary; by the power of the might precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplications of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the Holy glorious and ever-blessed apostles; of the Holy, glorious and triumphant martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of the Holy unmercenary healers Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Thalelaios and Tryphon, Panteleimon and Hermolaus, Samson and Diomidis, Mokius and Aniketos; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all thy Saints.

For thou art the fountain of healing, O God, our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

The DismissalThen the priest concludes the office of vespers with the following dismissal:

DEACON: Wisdom!

PEOPLE: Father bless.


PEOPLE: Amen. Preserve, O God, the Holy Orthodox Faith, and all Orthodox Christians, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

PRIEST: O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

PEOPLE: More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption,154 gavest birth to God the Word, and art truly Theotokos, we magnify thee.

153(Matt. 16:18-19).

154Or remaining virgin....


PEOPLE: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Father, bless.

The BenedictionPRIEST: May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy

Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints James the Apostle and the first bishop of Rome; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint (N) patron Saint of this Church; of Saint(s) N.N., whose memory we celebrate and of all the saints: have mercy upon us, and save us, for as much as he is good and lovest of mankind.


PEOPLE: Amen.

The priests anoint the forehead, chin, cheeks and hands of the faithful saying: “The servant of God (N) is anointed with the Holy Unction for the healing of soul and body.” The following hymns are chanted while the priests anoint the faithful with the Holy Unction:

Troparion, Fourth TonePEOPLE: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Having the fountain of healing, O Holy unmercinaries, you bestow healing upon all who ask; for you were accounted worthy of great gifts from the ever-flowing fountain, Christ our Savior. For as the Lord said to you, equal in fervor to the Apostles: “Behold, I have given you authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to cure every disease and every sickness.” Therefore, as you have conducted a good life, according to his commandments: You received without payment; give without payment. You have cured the sufferings of our souls and bodies.

Theotokion, Fourth ToneNow and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

O most pure Lady, incline into the prayers of thy servants, for thou didst prevent the fierce attacks upon us, setting us free from our affliction. We have in thee the only safe and firm anchor, and we have acquired thy protection. As we all call upon thee we will not be put to shame. Hasten to the supplications of those who cry out faithfully to thee: “Rejoice, O Lady! the help of all, the joy and the shelter, and the salvation of our souls!”

If several Priests take part in the service, they shall each participate in the anointing: one anointing the forehead, another the palms, another the body, etc.

Note: Warm water and paper towels ought to be provided at the entrance of the Church, that the faithful may blot the Holy Oil on their forehead and palms before leaving the Church. The Holy Oil which remains may be distributed to the faithful who shall anoint the walls of their dwellings with it and preserve it in case of illness; or let it be poured into the Sanctuary Lamp from which oil is taken to anoint the remains of the deceased bodies of the faithful at their burial.

Note: Since Holy Unction is a Sacrament of the Church, the Priest must keep in mind that only members of the Orthodox Catholic Church of Christ may receive the same.

GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY THE DIVINE LITURGY










PRIEST: Blessed is our God, always now and ever and unto ages of ages.DEACON: Amen. Pray for me, master.





DEACON: Amen.







CHOIR: Amen.

The priest, replaces the gospel book on the antiminsion.




Psalm 104 (103)Bless the Lord, O my soul!O Lord my God, thou art very great.Thou art clothed with honor and majesty,robed in light as with a garment.Thou stretchest out the heavens like a tent,thou coverest thine upper chambers with waters, thou makest the clouds thy chariot,thou ridest on the wings of the wind,thou makest thine angels spirits,and thine ministers a flaming fire.

Thou setest the earth on its foundation,so that it shall never be shaken.Thou coverest it with the deep as with a garment,the waters rise above the mountains.At thy rebuke they flee,At the voice of thy thunder they hasten away.They rise up to the mountains,they run down to the valleys,to the place which thou hast established for them.Thou setest a boundary that they may not pass over, so that they may not return and cover the earth.

Thou makest springs gush forth in the valleys,the waters run down between the mountains.They give drink to all the beasts of the field, the wild donkeys quench their thirst.By them the birds of the sky have their home,they sing among the rocks.Thou dost water the mountains from thy upper chambers.The earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.Thou makest the grass grow for the cattle,and plants for people to use,to bring forth food from the earth,and wine to cheer the human heart,oil to make the face shine,and bread to strengthen the human heart.The trees of the plain are satisfied,the cedars of Lebanon that he planted,

there the birds build their nests;on the highest branches the stork has its home,the high mountains are for the wild goats,the rocks are a refuge for the coneys.




These all look to thee,to give them their food in due season;when thou givest to them,they gather it up.When thou openest thy hand,they are filled with good things.When thou turnest away thy face,they are dismayed;and when thou takest away their breath, they die and return to their dust.When thou sendest forth thy breath,they are created, and thou renewest the face of the earth.

Let the glory of the Lord endure forever;the Lord will rejoice in his works-who looks on the earth, and makes it tremble;who touches the mountains and they smoke.I will sing to the Lord all my life;I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.May my meditation be pleasing to him,for I will rejoice in the Lord.Let sinners disappear from the earth,and the wicked exist no more!

Bless the Lord, O my soul.Praise the Lord!








1.O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and rich in mercy, give ear to our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplication. Show us a sign of thy favor;155 lead us in thy way, so that we may walk in thy truth. Gladden our hearts, so that we may fear thy holy name, for thou art great, and thou workest wonders. 156 Thou alone art God, and there is none like thee among the gods, O Lord.157 Thou art mighty in mercy, and benevolent in strength, to aid and to comfort and to save all those who put their trust in thy holy name. For to thee belongs all glory, honor and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

2.O Lord, do not rebuke us in thine anger, or discipline us in thy wrath,158 but deal with us in all thy kindness,159 O physician and healer of our souls. Bring us to thy desired haven.160 Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of thy truth.161 And grant us that the completion of this day, and our whole life may be peaceful and sinless, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints. For thine is the majesty, and the power, and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

3.

155(Ps.86<85>:17).

156(Ps 77<76>:14).

157(Ps. 86<85>:8).

158(Ps 38<37>:1).

159(Ba. 2:27).

160(Ps. 107<106>:30).

161(1 Tim 2:50).

O Lord, our God, remember us sinners, thy worthless servants, when we call upon thy holy name; and let us not be put to shame in our hope162 of thy mercy; but grant us, Lord, all our petitions which are for our salvation. And make us worthy to love and fear thee with all our hearts, and to do thy will in all things. For thou art a good and loving God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.




162(Ps. 119<118>:116).

163(Si 39:15).

7.O great and most high God, thou alone hast immortality and dwellest in unapproachable light.164 Thou hast made all creation in wisdom. Thou hast separated the light from the darkness.165 Thou hast made the sun to rule the day, the moon and the stars to rule the night.166 Thou hast made us sinners at this present hour worthy to come before thy face with thanksgiving and to offer to thee our evening praises. Thou thyself, O Lord, lover of mankind, direct our prayer as incense before thee,167 and accept it as a fragrant offering.168 Grant us to pass the present evening and the coming night in peace. Clothe us with the armor of light.169 Deliver us from the terror of the night and from the pestilence that stalks in the darkness.170 Grant us sleep, which thou hast appointed for the alleviation of our weakness, free from every imagination of the devil. Yea, O Master of all, bestower of good things, may we, being moved toward repentance on our beds, remember thy name in the night, that, illuminated by meditation on thy commandments,171 we may rise up in joyfulness of soul to glorify thy goodness, offering up prayers, and supplications to thy tender love for our sins and for those of all thy people, whom thou visitest in mercy, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos. For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

When the priest has completed the preceding prayers, and the people have finished the Psalm, the great Litany is prayed.

The Litany of PeaceDeacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.








164(1 Tim.6:16).

165(Gen.1:4).

166(Gen.1:16).

167(Ps.141<140>:2).

168(Phil. 4:18).

169(Rom.13:12).

170(Ps. 91<90>:5-6).

171(Ps. 119<118>:143).


















CHOIR: Amen.


Psalm 141 (140), Second Tone

CHOIR: O Lord, I have cried unto thee, hear thou me. Hear thou me, O Lord. O Lord, I have cried unto thee, hear thou me: give ear to the voice of my supplication, when I cry unto thee. Hear thou me, O Lord.

Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear thou me, O Lord.

-Set a watch, O Lord, on my mouth, and a guard on the door of my lips.

-Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses for sins.

-With men who work iniquity; I will not associate with what they choose.

-The righteous will correct and reprove me with mercy, but let not the oil of the wicked anoint my head.

-For my prayer will be even in the midst of their pleasures. Their judges have been overthrown off the sides of the rocks.

-Then they shall hear my words for they are pleasant. Like a lump of clay shattered on the ground, so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Hades.

-But my eyes are turned toward thee, O God, my Lord. In thee I have hoped, take not away my soul.

-Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me, and from the snares of evildoers.

-The wicked shall fall into their own nets, while I alone escape.

Psalm 142 (141)-With my voice, I cried to the Lord;with my voice, I made supplication to the Lord.

-I pour out my prayer before him;I declare my trouble before him.

-When my spirit is faint, thou knowest my way.

-In the path where I walk, they have hidden a trap for me.

-I looked on my right hand and watched, but there was no one who takes notice of me;

-There is no refuge for me; no one cares for me.

-I cried to thee O Lord; I said: thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.

-Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low.

-Save me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

-Bring my soul out of prison, so that I may give thanks to thy name.

-The righteous will wait for me until thou recompense me.

Psalm 130 (129)-Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice!

- Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

- If thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But there is forgiveness with thee.

- Because of thy name, I have waited for thee, O Lord; my soul has waited for thy word; my soul has hoped in the Lord.

READER: The council of the Jews assembles to deliver up to Pilate the Creator and Fashioner of all things. How lawless! How faithless! For they bring to judgement him who will come to Judge the living and the dead;172 they prepare for suffering him who heals our sufferings. Great is thy mercy, O long-suffering Lord: glory to thee.

CHOIR: From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope in the Lord!

READER: At the supper, Judas the transgressor dipped his hand in the bowl with thee, O Lord, yet he stretched out unlawfully his hands to receive the money. He calculated the price of the perfume, yet he did not tremble with fear to sell thee, O priceless One. He stretched out his feet to be washed, yet deceitfully kissed the Master, to betray him to the transgressors of the Law. Thrown out of the company of the Apostles, he threw down the thirty pieces of silver, and he did not see thy Resurrection on the third day, through which have mercy upon us.

CHOIR: For with the Lord there is mercy and with him is abundant redemption, and he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

READER: Judas, the deceitful betrayer, betrayed the Savior Lord with a deceitful kiss. To the transgressors of the Law he sold the Master of all as a slave. But the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father like a sheep was led to the slaughter, for he alone is merciful.

Psalm 117 (116)

CHOIR: Praise the Lord, all you nations! Laud him, all you peoples!

READER: Judas, the servant and the deceiver, the disciple and the traitor, the friend and the malevolent one, was revealed by his deeds; for he followed the Master, yet within himself he plotted to betray him. He said to himself: I will deliver him up and gain the collected money. He asked that the perfume be sold and that Jesus be arrested. He gave Christ a kiss and then handed him over. Like a sheep, the Lord was led to the slaughter, for he alone is compassionate and the lover of mankind.

CHOIR: For great is his mercy toward us, and the faithfullness of the Lord endures forever.

READER: The lamb who Isaiah proclaimed comes willingly to the slaughter.173 He gives his back to scourging

172(1 Peter 4:5)

173(Isa. 53:7).

and his cheeks to slapping. He did not turn his face from the shame of their spitting; he is condemned to a shameful death. Willingly the sinless One accepts all things so that he may grant to all the resurrection from the dead.

Sixth Tone CHOIR: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages,

Amen. READER: Truly, Judas is of the brood of Vipers174 who ate manna in the wilderness yet complained about the

food. As the ungrateful people spoke evil of God while the food was still in their mouths, so also the ungodly Judas plotted to betray the Savior while he was still carrying in his mouth the heavenly bread. O lustful mind! O inhuman audacity! He sold the nourisher and delivered to death the Master whom he kissed. Judas, the transgressor of the Law, is their son; in them the utter ruin was fulfilled. O Lord, deliver our souls from such brutality, for thou alone art boundless in patience.

The Entrance with the Book of GospelsThe Prayer of the Entrance



PRIEST: In the evening and in the morning and at noonday we praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks to thee, and we implore thee: O Lord, Master of all, lover of mankind, direct our prayer as incense before thee; and do not incline our hearts to words or thoughts of evil; but deliver us from all who seek after our souls. For our eyes are turned toward thee, O Lord, and in thee we have put our hope, O our God, for to thee belong all glory, honor and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.


PRIEST: Blessed is the entrance of thy holy ones, always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.The priest/deacon lifts up the Gospel.


The Prayer of Thanksgiving(By the Martyr Athenogenes)

PEOPLE: O gladsome light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ! Now that we have come to the setting of the sun and behold the light of evening, we praise God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For meet it is that at all times thou shouldest be magnified by pleasant melody, O Son of God, who bestowest life. Therefore, the world glorifies thee.


First Tone

174(Matt. 3:7).

READER: Deliver me, O Lord, from the wicked men who plan evil in their heart.175

The ReadingsREADER: The reading is from the book of the Exodus.

DEACON: Wisdom, let us attend.

Exodus 19:10-18READER: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down to the people and solemnly charge them and consecrate them

today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. Let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Thou shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely die. Not a hand shall touch it, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live. When the trumpets sound and the cloud is over the mountain, then they shall go up on the mountain.” So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified the people, and they washed their clothes. And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near your wives.” Then it came to pass on the third day, that in the morning there were sounds and lightnings and a thick cloud on mount Sinai; the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.

Seventh Tone

READER: Deliver me from my enemies, O God. Deliver me from those who work evil.

READER: The reading is from the book of Job.

DEACON: Wisdom, let us attend.Job 38:1-21 42:1-5

READER: Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this who hides counsel from me and confines words in his heart and thinks to conceal them from me? Gird thy waist like a man; I will question thee, and you will answer me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars were made, and all my angels praised me in a loud voice. I shut up the sea with doors when it burst forth and issued from the womb; I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band; I fixed my limit for it and set bars and doors; and I said, ‘This far you may come, but no farther, and here you proud waves must stop!’ Have you commanded the morning since your days began and caused the dawn to know its place that it might take hold of the ends of the earth and the wicked be shaken out of it? Or did you take clay of the ground and form a living creature and set it with the power of speech upon the earth? From the wicked have you removed light and crushed the arm of the proud? Have you entered the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in search of the depths? Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell me, what is the extent of it? Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place, that you may take it to its

175(Ps. 140 <139>:1,2).

territory and know the paths to its home? Do you know it because you were born then or because the number of your days is great?” Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that thou canst do everything, and that no purpose of thine can be withheld from thee. Thou didst ask, ‘Who is this who hides counsel from thee? Or who keeps back his words, and thinks to hide them from thee?’ Or who can tell me what I did not know?’ But hear me, O Lord, and let me speak; thou didst say, ‘I will question thee, and you will answer me.’ I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees thee.”

READER: The reading from the prophecy of Isaiah.

DEACON: Wisdom, let us attend.

Isaiah 50:4-11READER: The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak a word. He

awakens me morning by morning; he awakens my ear to hear as the learned. The Lord God has opened my ear; I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away. I gave my back to those who struck me and my cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will help me, so I will not be disgraced; therefore, I have set my face like a solid rock, and I know that I will not be ashamed. He is near who justifies me: who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near me. Surely the Lord God will help me; who will condemn me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; the moth will eat them up. Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of his Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God. Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled; this is what you will have from my hand: You will lie down in sorrow.

The Prayer of the TrisagionDEACON: Bless, master, the time of the Thrice Holy Hymn.



PRIEST: (The text of this prayer is said quietly during the singing of the Trisagion Hymn.)

Holy God, who restest in thy holy place, who art hymned by the seraphim with thrice-holy cry, and glorified by the cherubim and worshipped by every heavenly power, who out of nothingness hast brought all things into being, who hast created man according to thine own image and likeness and hast adorned him with thine every gift; who givest to him that askest wisdom and understanding, who despisest not the sinner but hast appointed repentance unto salvation, who hast vouchsafed unto us, thy humble and unworthy servants, even in this hour, to stand before the glory of thy holy altar and to offer the worship and praise which are due unto thee: Thyself, O Master, receive even from the mouth of us sinners the thrice-holy hymn and visit us in thy goodness. Pardon us every transgression both voluntary and involuntary; sanctify our souls and bodies; and grant us to serve thee in holiness all the days of our life, through the intercessions of the Holy Theotokos and of all the saints, who from the beginning of the world have been well-pleasing unto thee.



PEOPLE: Amen.

The Trisagion HymnPEOPLE: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (Three times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.


DEACON: Dynamis.

PEOPLE: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.

The clergy also recites the Trisagion, making three low bows before the altar. The censing of the Gospel may take place at this point.

The deacon points to the Prothesis table with his orarion and says:





PRIEST: Blessed art thou on the throne of the glory of thy kingdom, who are enthroned upon the cherubim, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

DEACON: Amen.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORDThe Epistle


READER: Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?144

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The lesson is from the first epistle of Paul to the Corinthians.


1 Corinthians 11:23-32READER: Brethren, I received from the Lord that which I also handed on to you: that the Lord Jesus on the

night when he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same manner he

4 144- (Ps. 2:1).

also took the cup after supper, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes. Therefore, whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason, many are weak and sick among you, and many have died; For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord that we may not be condemned with the world.


PEOPLE: Alleluia. (Three times)The Prayer Before the Gospel

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord, Lord have mercy.



DEACON: Bless, master, him that proclaims the good tidings of the holy, glorious apostle and evangelist Matthew.


PRIEST: May God, through the prayers of the holy, glorious apostle and evangelist Matthew, enable thee to proclaim the good tidings with great power, to the fulfillment of the gospel of his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.



DEACON: O holy apostle and evangelist Matthew, intercede with the merciful God that he may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.


The Gospel





DEACON: The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew.



Matthew 26:2-20DEACON: The Lord said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Pascha is coming and the Son of

Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and took counsel together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be a tumult among the people.” Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment; and she poured it on his head as he sat at table. But when the disciples saw it, they were indignant saying, “Why this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for a large sum, and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver Jesus to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Now on the first day of the Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Pascha?” Jesus said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “my time is at hand; I will keep the Pascha at your house with my disciples.”’“ And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Pascha.

When it was evening, Jesus sat at table with his twelve disciples.

John 13:3-17And knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, Jesus rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not realize now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part in me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that is why he said, “You are not all clean.”

When he had washed their feet and taken his garments and resumed his place, he said to them: “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a

servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed art thou if you do them.”

Matthew 26:21-39And as they were eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered and said, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me, will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Is it I, Master?” Jesus said to him, “You have said so.”

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, “Drink of it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will fall away because of me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter declared to him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And so said all the disciples.

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go yonder and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch with me.” And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou willest.”

Luke 22:43-45And there appeared to Jesus an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. And his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Matthew 26:40-27:2And, getting up from prayer, Jesus came to his disciples, and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, Could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, thy will be done.” And again he came and found them asleep, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, Jesus went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep on now and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.” While he was still speaking, behold, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign saying, “The one I shall kiss is the man, seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Rejoice Master!” And Judas kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think

that I cannot now appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.

Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest where the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter followed him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest. And going inside, he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the elders and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death; but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’“ And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy! Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard now his blasphemy! What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a maid came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But Peter denied it before them all saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the porch, another maid saw him and said to the bystanders, “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again Peter denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” After a little while, the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly, you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then Peter began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the Man!” And Immediately the cock crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took council against Jesus to put him to death. And they bound him, and led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.




PEOPLE: Amen.

The Cherubic HymnSixth Tone

CHOIR: Receive me today, O Son of God, as a partaker of thy mystical supper: for I will not speak of thy mystery to thine enemies, neither will I give thee a kiss as did Judas;

The choir repeats the first part of the Cherubic Hymn as many times as needed while the priest says the following prayer.

The Prayer of the Cherubic HymnPRIEST: No one who is bound with the desires and pleasures of the flesh is worthy to approach or draw

nigh or to serve thee, O King of Glory: for to serve thee is a great and awesome thing even to the Heavenly Powers. Nevertheless, through thine unspeakable and boundless love toward mankind thou didst become man, yet without change or alteration, and as Lord of all didst take the name of our High Priest, and deliver unto us the ministry of this liturgic and unbloody sacrifice. For thou alone, O Lord our God, rulest over those in heaven and on earth; who art borne on the throne of the Cherubim; who art Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel; who alone art holy and restest in thy Holy Place.



PRIEST: Receive me today, O Son of God, as a partaker of thy mystical supper: for I will not speak of thy mystery to thine enemies, neither will I give thee a kiss as did Judas;

DEACON: But like the thief will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord, in thy kingdom.

0The priest now censes the Altar, the icons, and the people, saying Psalm 5O as he goes.



O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, our King and our God. (low bow)Psalm 51<50>

Have mercy on me, O God,according to thy great mercy, according to the multitude of thy compassions,blot out my transgressions.Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.










CHOIR: Amen.


CHOIR: Amen.


CHOIR: Amen.


CHOIR: Amen.



CHOIR: Amen.


CHOIR: But like the thief will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord, in thy kingdom.

















DEACON: Amen.Passing the high place, the deacon exits the sanctuary through the north door. Standing at his place on the solea, the choir having

concluded the cherubic hymn, the deacon lifts his orarion and intones the petitions of the litany of supplication. The priest quietly says the prayer of the prothesis while the deacon intones the petitions.











The Prayer of the ProthesisPRIEST: O Lord our God, who hast created us and hast brought us into this life; who hast shown us ways of

salvation, graciously bestowing upon us the revelation of heavenly mysteries: Thou art he who has appointed us to this ministry by the power of thy Holy Spirit; graciously grant us, therefore, O Lord, to be servitors of thy new covenant, ministers of thy holy mysteries. Receive us who draw near to thy holy altar, according to the fullness of thy mercy, that we may be worthy to offer unto thee this spiritual and bloodless sacrifice for our owns sins, and for the ignorance of the people, which do thou accept upon thy holy, most heavenly and spiritual altar as a savor of sweetness, and send down upon us in return the grace of thy Holy Spirit. Look upon us, O God, and behold this our worship, and receive it as thou didst receive the gifts of Abel, the sacrifices of Noah, the burnt-offerings of Abraham, the priestly offices of Moses and Aaron, the peace-offerings of Samuel. Even as thou didst accept at the hands of thy holy apostles this true worship, so also do thou in thy goodness, O Lord, receive from the hands of us sinners these gifts; that, having been accounted worthy to minister at thy holy altar, we may receive the recompense of wise and faithful stewards, in the awesome day of thy just requiting:

(The People Stand)


CHOIR: Amen.






CHOIR: Father, Son and Holy Spirit: the Trinity, one in essence and undivided.The priest and deacon make three metanias facing east, saying each time.



The CreedDEACON: The doors. The doors. In wisdom let us attend.

PEOPLE: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made29 man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And the third day he rose,

929“Became man.”

according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets; And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the Life of the world to come. Amen.

As the creed is recited, the priest lifts the aer with both hands and gently waves it over the gifts. At the point in the creed And “ascended into heaven¼”, the priest folds the aer, makes the sign of the cross with it over the gifts, and continues to wave the folded aer over the gifts in a circular manner. At the conclusion of the Creed, the deacon, still standing before the icon of Christ, says with raised orarion:





While saying “and the Communion of the Holy Spirit” the priest turns towards the people and blesses them; he lifts up his hands and says aloud:

0PRIEST: Let us lift up our hearts.





The Holy AnaphoraPRIEST: O Master, Lord God, HE WHO IS, almighty and adorable Father: It is truly meet and right and

befitting the majesty of thy holiness that we should praise thee, hymn thee, bless thee, worship thee, give thanks unto thee and glorify thee, the only truly existing God, and offer unto thee with contrite heart and spirit of humility this our spiritual worship; for thou art he that has graciously bestowed upon us the knowledge of thy truth. And who is sufficient to speak of thy mighty acts, to make all thy praises to be heard, or to tell of all thy wonders at every season? O Master of all, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation both visible and invisble, who sittest upon the throne of glory and beholdest the depths, who art unoriginate, invisible, incomprehensible, uncircumscript, immutable, the Father of our Lord: the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, our Hope, who is the Image of thy goodness, the Seal of equal type, in himself showing forth thee, the Father, the living Word, the true God, the Wisdom before all ages, the Life, Sanctification, Power, the true Light, through whom the Holy Spirit was manifested: the Spirit of truth, the Gift of adoption, the Pledge of the inheritance to come, the First-fruits of eternal good things, the life-giving Power, the Fountain of sanctification, by whom enabled every spiritual and intelligent creature does serve thee and ascribe to thee perpetual praise, for all things are thy servants. Yea, angels and archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities, authorities, powers, and the many-eyed cherubim praise thee; round about thee stand the six-winged seraphim: with two they cover their faces and with two their feet and with two they fly, continually crying out to one another with unceasing praises:

PRIEST: Singing the triumphal hymn, shouting, proclaiming, and saying:

PEOPLE: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

PRIEST: With these blessed powers, O Master who lovest mankind, we sinners also do cry aloud and say: Holy art thou, of a truth, and all-holy, and there are no bounds to the majesty of thy holiness, and just art thou in all thy works, for in righteousness and true judgment hast thou ordered all things for us. When thou hadst fashioned man, taking him from the dust of the earth, and hadst honoured him with thine own image, O God, thou didst set him in the midst of a Paradise of plenty, promising him life-eternal and the enjoyment of everlasting good things in keeping thy commandments. But when he disobeyed thee, the true God who had created him, and was led astray by the guile of the serpent and rendered subject to death through his own transgressions, thou didst banish him, in thy righteous judgment, O God, from paradise into this world, and didst turn him again to the earth from which he was taken, providing for him the salvation of regeneration, which is in thy Christ himself. Yet thou didst not turn thyself away forever from thy creature whom thou hast made, O good One, neither didst thou forget the work of thy hands; but thou didst visit him in diverse manners, through thy tender mercies. Thou didst send forth prophets; thou didst perform mighty works by thy holy ones who, in every generation, were well-pleasing unto thee; thou didst speak to us by the mouths of thy servants the prophets, who foretold unto us the salvation which was to come; thou didst give us the Law as an aid; thou didst appoint guardian angels. And when the fullness of time was come, thou didst speak unto us through thy Son himself, by whom also thou madest the ages; who, being the Brightness of thy glory and the express Image of thy person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, thought it not robbery to be equal to thee, the God and Father. But though he was God before all the ages, yet he appeared upon earth and dwelt among men and was incarnate of a holy virgin and didst empty himself, taking on the form of a servant, becoming conformed to the body of our lowliness, that he might make us conformable to the image of his glory. For as by man sin entered into the world, and by sin death, so it seemed good unto thine Only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of thee, the God and Father, to be born of a woman, the Holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, to be born under the Law, that he might condemn sin in his flesh, that they who were dead in Adam might be made alive in him, thy Christ. And becoming a citizen of this world and giving commandments of salvation, he released us from the delusion of idols and brought us into a knowledge of thee, the true God and Father, having won us unto himself for his own people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; and having purified us by water and having sanctified us by the Holy Spirit, he gave himself a ransom to death, whereby we were held, sold into bondage under sin. And having descended into hades through the cross, that he might fill all things with himself, he loosed the pains of death and rose on the third day, making a way for all flesh unto the resurrection from the dead; for it was not possible that the Author of life should be held by corruption, that he might be the First-fruits of those who have fallen asleep, the First-born from the dead, that he might be in all things the first among all. Ascending into heaven, he sat down at the right hand of thy majesty on high; and he shall come again to render unto every man according to his works. And he has left with us, as memorials of his saving passion, these things which we have set forth according to his commandments. For when he was about to go forth to his voluntary and ever-memorable and life-giving death, in the night in which he gave himself up for the life of the world, he took bread in his holy and immaculate hands; and when he had shown it unto thee, the God and Father, and given thanks and blessed it and hallowed it and broken it,

PRIEST: He gave it to his holy disciples and apostles saying: Take, eat. This is my Body which is broken for

you, for the forgiveness of sins.

PEOPLE: Amen.

PRIEST: In like manner, having taken the cup of the fruit of the vine and mingled it and given thanks and blessed it and hallowed it,

PRIEST: He gave it to his holy disciples and apostles, saying: Drink of this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.

PEOPLE: Amen.

PRIEST: Do this in remembrance of me: for as often as you shall eat this bread and drink of this cup, you do proclaim my death and confess my resurrection. Wherefore, O Master, we also, having in remembrance his saving passion and life-giving cross, his three-day entombment and resurrection from the dead, his ascension into heaven and sitting at the right hand of thee, the God and Father, and his glorious and awesome second coming,

PRIEST: Offering unto thee thine own of thine own, always and everywhere.

PEOPLE: We hymn thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O Lord, and we pray unto thee, O our God.

PRIEST: Wherefore, O all-Holy Master, we also, thy sinful and unworthy servants, who have been made worthy to minister at thy holy altar, not through our own righteousness, for we have done no good deed upon earth, but because of thy mercies and compassions which thou hast richly poured out upon us, have now boldness to draw near unto thy holy altar; and presenting unto thee the antitypes of the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ, we pray thee and implore thee, O Holy of holies, by the favor of thy goodness, that thy Holy Spirit may descend upon us and upon these gifts here set forth and bless them and hallow them and show,


PRIEST: This bread to be itself the precious Body of our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ;

PEOPLE: Amen.


PRIEST: And this cup to be itself the precious Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ;

PEOPLE: Amen.

DEACON: Bless both, master.

PRIEST: Which was shed for the life of the world and its salvation.

PEOPLE: Amen. Amen. Amen.

PRIEST: And as for us, partakers of the one bread and of the cup, do thou unite all to one another unto communion of the one Holy Spirit, and grant that no one of us may partake of the holy Body and

Blood of thy Christ unto judgment or unto condemnation, but rather that we may find mercy and grace with all the holy ones who through the ages have been well pleasing unto thee: forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, teachers and every righteous spirit which has completed this life in faith:

PRIEST: Especially our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary;

(The People Sit)

The Hymn to the TheotokosThe priest gives the censer to the deacon,who censes around the holy table,while the people/choir sing the Hymn to the Mother of

God, which on most Sundays is:

PEOPLE: In thee, O full of grace, rejoices all creation: the angelic hosts, and the race of men, O hallowed Temple and super-sensual Paradise, glory of Virgins, of whom God was incarnate and became a little child, even our God who is before all the ages; for he made thy womb a throne, and thy body he made more spacious than the heavens. In thee, O full of grace, rejoices all creation: glory to thee.

PRIEST: The holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; the holy glorious and all-laudable Apostles; (N., saint of the day), whose memory we celebrate and all thy saints, at whose supplications visit us, O God.

And be mindful of all those who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal; and grant them rest where the light of thy countenance watches over them.

And again we pray thee, O Lord, be mindful of thy holy, catholic and apostolic Church, which is to the ends of the world; and give peace unto her whom thou hast purchased with the precious Blood of thy Christ; and establish thou this holy house, even unto the end of the age. Be mindful, O Lord, of those who have set before thee these gifts, and those for whom and through whom and in behalf of whom they have offered them. Be mindful, O Lord, of those who bear fruit and do good works in thy holy churches and who remember the poor: requite them with thy rich and heavenly gifts; give them things heavenly for things earthly, things eternal for things temporal, things incorruptible for things corruptible.

Be mindful, O Lord, of those in the deserts, the mountains and in caverns and pits of the earth. Be mindful, O Lord, of all those who live in virginity and reverence and in asceticism and who lead a godly way of life. Be mindful, O Lord, of all civil authorities and of our armed forces: grant them a secure and lasting peace; speak good things into their hearts concerning thy Church and all thy people, that we in their tranquility may lead a calm and peaceful life in all reverence and godliness. Establish the good in thy goodness, and make good the evil by thy benevolence. Be mindful, O Lord, of the people here present and of those who are absent for spiritual cause, and have mercy upon them and upon us, according to the multitude of thy mercy. Fill their treasuries with every good thing; maintain their marriage-bond in peace and concord; rear the infants; guide the young; support the aged; encourage the faint-hearted. Collect the scattered, and turn them from their wandering astray, and unite them to thy holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Set at liberty those who are vexed by unclean spirits; travel with those who journey by land and sea and air; defend the widows; protect the orphans; free the captives; heal the sick; and be mindful, O God, of those who are under judgment in the mines, in exile, in bitter servitude, in every tribulation, necessity and danger, and all who beseech thy great loving-kindness; and be mindful, O Lord our God, of those who love us and those who hate us and those who have enjoined us, unworthy though we be, to pray for them, and of all thy people, and upon them all pour out thy rich mercy, granting to all their petitions which are unto salvation.

And those whom we through ignorance or forgetfullness or the multitude of names have not remembered, do thou thyself remember, O God who knowest the time of life and name of each and knowest every man even from his mother’s womb. For thou, O Lord, art the Helper of the helpless, the Hope of the hopeless, the Saviour of the storm-tossed, the Haven of the voyager, the Physician of the sick. Be thou thyself all things to all men, O thou who knowest every man, his petition, his dwelling-place and his need. Deliver, O Lord, this city and every city and countryside from famine, plague, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion and civil war.

CLERGY: Among the first be mindful, O Lord, of our Father and Metropolitan PHILIP, whom do thou grant unto thy holy churches in peace, safety, honor, health, and length of days, and rightly teaching the word of thy truth.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The deacon faces the people and says:

DEACON: Remember, O Lord, those whom each of us has in mind and all thy people.

PEOPLE: And of all mankind.

PRIEST: Be mindful, O Lord, of every bishop of the Orthodox, who rightly divides the word of thy truth. Be mindful also, O Lord, of my unworthiness, according to the multitude of thy compassions; pardon me every transgression, both voluntary and involuntary, and withhold not because of my sins the grace of thy Holy Spirit from these gifts here set forth. Be mindful, O Lord, of the presbytery, the diaconate in Christ and every priestly order, and put not to confusion any one of us who stand about thy holy altar. Visit us with thy benevolence, O Lord; manifest thyself unto us in thy rich compassions; grant us temperate and healthful season; give gentle showers upon the earth unto fruitfullness; bless the crown of the year of thy goodness; make the schisms of the Churches to cease; quench the ragings of hostile nations; speedily destroy, by the power of thy Holy Spirit, uprisings of heresies; receive us all into thy kingdom, showing us to be sons of the light and sons of the day; and grant unto us thy peace and thy love, O Lord our God, for all things thou hast given unto us:

PRIEST: And grant us with one mouth and one heart to glorify and praise thine all-honorable and majestic name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

(The People Stand)

PRIEST: And the mercies of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you all.

PEOPLE: And with thy spirit.

PRIEST: O our God, the God of salvation, do thou teach us how we may worthily give thanks unto thee for thy benefits which thou hast ever bestowed and yet dost bestow upon us. Do thou, O our God who receivest these gifts, purify us from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and teach us to perfect holiness in thy fear, that we, receiving a portion of thy holy things in the witness of a pure conscience toward thee, may be made one with the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ and that, having received them worthily, we may have Christ abiding in our hearts and may become a temple of thy Holy Spirit. Yea, O our God, cause also that none of us may be guilty of these thy dread and heavenly mysteries or infirm in soul or in body through an unworthy partaking; but enable us, even unto our

last breath, worthily to receive a portion of thy holy things, as a support upon the road to life eternal and as an acceptable defense at the awesome judgment seat of thy Christ; that we also, together with all the saints who in all the ages have been well-pleasing unto thee, may be made partakers of thine everlasting good things, which thou hast prepared for those who love thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: And vouchsafe, O Master, that with boldness and without condemnation we may dare to call upon thee, the heavenly God, as Father and to say:

The Lord’s PrayerALL: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.





All the people bow their heads throughout the following prayer.

PRIEST: O Master Lord, the Father of compassions and the God of all comfort: Bless, sanctify, guard, strengthen, fortify those who have bowed their heads unto thee; withdraw from them every evil work; unite them to every good work; and graciously grant that without condemnation, they may partake of these thine pure and life-giving mysteries unto the forgiveness of sins and unto the communion of the Holy Spirit.

PRIEST: Through the grace and compassions and love towards mankind of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The ElevationPRIEST: Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from thy holy dwelling-place, and from the throne of the

glory of thy kingdom; and come to sanctify us, O thou who sittest on high with the Father, and art here invisibly present with us; and vouchsafe by thy mighty hand to impart unto us thine immaculate Body and precious Blood, and through us unto all the people.








The Communion HymnThen the people sing the communion hymn,

CHOIR: Receive me today, O Son of God, as a partaker of thy mystical supper: for I will not speak of thy mystery to thine enemies, neither will I give thee a kiss as did Judas; But like the thief will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord, in thy kingdom.

The CommunionWhile the people sing the above hymn, the following dialogue takes place:





I SNI KA

CS


The priest then takes the Portion I S and makes with it the sign of the cross over the Chalice, and drops it in, saying quietly:


DEACON: Amen.

Bringing for the priest’s blessing the warm water in the zeon, the deacon says:

DEACON: Bless, master, the zeon.Blessing the warm water, the priest says:


DEACON: Amen.



DEACON: Amen.



















The priest places a portion of the Lamb sealed CS in the hands of the deacon, saying:















How divine! How beloved! How sweet is thy voice, O Christ! For thou hast faithfully promised to be with us to the end of the age. Having this as our anchor of hope, we the faithful do rejoice.

O Christ, great and most holy Pascha; O Wisdom, Word and Power of God: Grant that we may more perfectly partake of thee in the never-ending day of thy kingdom.









As the choir chants the following hymn:

Sixth Tone CHOIR: Receive me today, O Son of God, as a partaker of thy mystical supper: for I will not speak of thy

mystery to thine enemies, neither will I give thee a kiss as did Judas; But like the thief will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord, in thy kingdom.















DEACON: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.



The Prayer of Thanksgiving

PRIEST: We give thanks unto thee, O Lord our God, for the participation in thy holy, immaculate, immortal and heavenly mysteries, which thou hast given unto us for the welfare and sanctification and healing of our souls and bodies. Do thou, the same Master of all, grant that the communion of the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ may be for us unto faith unashamed, unto love unfeigned, unto increase of wisdom, unto the healing of soul and body, unto the turning aside of every adversary, unto the fulfillment of thy commandments, unto an acceptable defense at the awesome judgment seat of thy Christ:


CHOIR: Amen.




CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.The priest comes out through the holy doors and stands before the Icon of Christ, and says aloud the following

Prayer:

The Prayer Behind the AmbonPRIEST: O Lord, who blessest those who bless thee, and sanctifiest those who put their trust in thee: save thy

people and bless thine inheritance; preserve the fullness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy House; glorify them in recompense by thy divine power; and forsake us not who hope on thee. Give peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the priests, to all civil authorities, to our armed forces, and to all thy PEOPLE:for every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from thee, the Father of Lights, and unto thee we give glory, thanksgiving, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.




The priest returns to the Altar. The deacon from the Sanctuary says the following, after which he may consume the Gifts:



PRIEST: The blessing of the Lord and his mercy come upon you through his grace and love towards mankind, always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.



PRIEST: May Christ our true God, who, in his exceeding goodness, revealed humility when he washed the feet of his disciples and condescended to crucifixion and burial for our sakes, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints, Basil the Great, archbishop of Cesarea; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint N. patron Saint of this Church; of Saint(s) N.N., whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints: have mercy upon us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loves mankind.



PEOPLE: Amen.


PRIEST: May the blessing of the Lord and his mercy be with you: now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

HOLY THURSDAY EVENING

The Matins Service of Great FridayService of the Holy Passions Gospels

The priest, standing before the Royal Doors, makes three metanias and says in an audible voice:



PEOPLE: Amen.

PRIEST: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.

PRIEST: O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who art in all places, and fillest all things, treasury of good things, and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain and save our souls, O Good One.


Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.










177Or the evil one.





Psalm 20 (19)May the Lord answer thee in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; May he send thee help from the sanctuary, and give thee support from Zion; May he remember all thy offerings, and enrich thy burnt sacrifices.May he grant thee according to thine heart’s desire, and fulfill all thy plans.We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will boast! May the Lord fulfill all thy petitions. Now I know that the Lord hast saved his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven, with mighty salvation by his right hand. Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses; but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God. They have collapsed and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright. Save the king, O Lord, and answer us when we call.

Psalm 21 (20)In thy strength the king rejoices, O Lord; and in thysalvation how greatly he exults! Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withheld the request of his lips. For thou hast met him with the blessings of goodness; thou hast set a crown of precious stones on his head. he asked thee for life, and thou gavest it to him; length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through thy salvation; glory and majesty thou hast placed upon him. For thou bestowest on him blessings forever; thou makest him exceedingly glad with thine appearance.For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved. Let thine hand find all thine enemies; let thy right hand find those who hate thee. Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine appearance;

the Lord shall afflict them in his wrath, and the fire shall consume them. Their offspring thou shalt destroy from the earth, and their descendants from among mankind.For they intended evil against thee; they devised a plot which they are not able to perform. Therefore thou wilt make them turn their backs; thou wilt make ready thine arrows on thy string toward their faces.












PEOPLE: Amen.




179Or, “the evil one.”










PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy. (Three times)PRIEST: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the

Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages.



PEOPLE: Amen.


O Lord open thou my lips, and my mouth will declare thy praise. (Two times)


But thou, O Lord, art my helper, my glory,and the lifter up of my head.I cried unto the Lord with my voice,


and he heard me from his holy mountain.I laid down and slept,I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of peoplewho have set themselves against me all around.Rise up, O Lord!Deliver me, O my God!For thou hast struck all who are my enemies without cause,thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked.Deliverance belongs to the Lord;thy blessing is upon thy people.





But I was like the deaf, who do not hear;

I was like the mute, who cannot speak.Truly, I was like one who does not hear,and in whose mouth is no retort.





Psalm 63(62) O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee,my soul thirsts for thee;my flesh also longs for thee,as in a dry and trackless land, where there is no water.Thus I have looked upon thee in the sanctuary,beholding thy power and glory.Because thy mercy is better than life,my lips will praise thee.Thus I will bless thee as long as I live;in thy name I will lift up my hands. Let my soul be filled with fat and abundance,and my joyful lips will praise thy name.When I was thinking of thee in my bed,I meditated on thee in the watches of the night:for thou hast been my help,and in the shelter of thy wings I rejoice.

My soul clung to thee;thy right hand upheld me. And those who sought my soul in vainshall go down into the depths of the earth;they shall be given over to the power of the sword,they shall be prey for jackals.But the king shall rejoice in God;all who swear by him shall exult,for the mouths of those who speak lies shall be stopped.I meditated on thee in the watches of the night:for thou hast been my help,and in the shelter of thy wings I rejoice.My soul clung to thee;thy right hand upheld me.






Thou hast removed my companions far from me;they have made me an abomination to themselves,I am shut in so that I cannot escape;

my eyes grew dim through misery.Every day I call on thee, O Lord;I spread out my hands to thee.Dost thou work wonders for the dead?Or do the physicians raise them to praise thee?Is thy mercy declared in the grave,or thy truth in Hades?Are thy wonders known in the darkness,or thy righteousness in the land offorgetfulness? But I cry out to thee, O Lord;in the morning my prayer comes before thee.O Lord, why dost thou cast me off?Why dost thou hide thy face from me?I am in misery and trouble from my youth up,I have been exalted and brought low,I am driven to despair.Thy wrath has overwhelmed me;thy terrors have frightened me,they surrounded me like a flood all day long;they have closed in upon me, and cut off all assistance.Thou hast removed friends and acquaintances far from mebecause of my wretchedness.



The Lord works mercy and justice for all who are oppressed.He made known his ways to Moses,his acts to the people of Israel.The Lord is merciful and gracious,forbearing and very merciful.

He will not keep his anger forever,nor will he forever be wrathful.He does not deal with usaccording to our sins,nor repay us according to our iniquities.For as high as the heavens are above the earth,so great is his mercy toward those who fear him;as far as the east is from the west,so far does he remove our transgressions from us.As a father has compassion for his children,so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.For he knows how we were made;he remembers that we are dust.




For the enemy has persecuted my soul,crushing my life to the ground,making me sit in darkness like those

who have been long dead.Therefore, my spirit was grieved within me;my heart within me was troubled.I remembered the days of old,I meditated on all thy deeds,I meditated on the works of thy hands.I stretched out my hands to thee;my soul thirsts for thee like a dry land.Answer me quickly, O Lord;my spirit has failed.Hide not thy face from me,or I shall be like those who go down to the pit.

Let me hear of thy mercy in the morning,for in thee I have put my hope.Teach me the way I should go,for th thee have I lifted up my soul. Save me, O Lord, from my enemies;I have fled to thee for refuge.Teach me to do thy will,for thou art my God.Let your good Spirit lead me in a straight path. For thy name’s sake, O Lord,give life to me.In thy righteousness,bring my soul out of affliction.In thy mercy, destroy my enemies; and bring to naught all my adversaries;for I am thy servant.





Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to thee, O God. (low bow)Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to thee, O God. (low bow)

Our God and our Hope, Glory to thee.

While the preceding six psalms are being read, the priest says the following twelve morning prayers. The first three are said before the Altar, and the remaining nine are said standing before the icon of Christ.

1.We give thanks to thee, O Lord our God, who raised us from our beds, and put a word of praise in our mouths,181 so that we may worship and call on thy holy name.182 We implore thy mercies, which thou hast given always for our life. Send thy help183 upon us and all who stand before the face of thy holy glory, eagerly waiting the rich mercy, which is from thee. Grant that we, in awe and love, may always worship thee, praise thee, sing hymns to thee, and fall down before thine indescribable goodness. For unto thee are due all-glory, honor and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

2.Our soul yearns for thee, O our God, in the night;184 for thy commandments are a light upon the earth. Teach us to fulfill righteousness and holiness in thy fear; for we glorify thee, our God, HE WHO IS. Incline thine ear, and hear us, and remember, O Lord, by name those who are present with us and those who pray with us, and save them by thy might. Bless thy people and sanctify thine inheritance, give peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the priests, to all civil authorities, and to all thy people. For blessed and glorified is thy most honorable and majestic name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.


4.O Master, our God, holy and incomprehensible, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness”;188 who gave us rest through the sleep of the night and raised us up to glorify and implore thy goodness: as we now ask thy tender loving-kindness, receive us who fall down before thee and give thanks to thee to the utmost of our power. Grant us all our petitions which lead us to salvation. Appoint us to be children of light and of the day, 189 and heirs of thine everlasting good things. Remember, O Lord, according to thine abundant mercy,190 all thy people who are present with us and who pray with us, and all our brethren who are on land, on sea, and in the air, and in every

181(Ps.40<39>:3).

182(Ps.80<78>:18).

183(Ps.20<19>:2).

184(Is.26:9).

185(Is.26:9).

186(Ps.119<118>:135).

187(Ps.13<12>:3).

188(2 Cor. 4:6).

189(I Thess. 5:5)

place of thy mastery, who implore thy love for mankind and thy help; and grant thy great mercy to all, that being preserved in safety in body and soul, we may with boldness glorify thy marvelous and blessed name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.



7.O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, thou hast raised us up from our beds and hast gathered us together at this hour of prayer. Grant us grace in the opening of our mouths; and receive our thanksgiving, offered to the utmost of our ability; and teach us thy statutes, for we do not know how to pray as we ought unless thou guidest us, O Lord, by thy Holy Spirit. Wherefore, we entreat thee: Remit, forgive, pardon all the sins we may have committed to this present hour by word or deed or thought, voluntary or involuntary: for if thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, who could stand? For from thee is redemption, and thou only art holy and mighty and the helper and protector of our life. Our praise is continually of thee. Blessed and glorified be the supreme might of thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

8.O Lord our God, thou hast driven away from us the indolence of sleep and hast assembled us together by a holy calling, so that in the night also we may lift up our hands and give thanks for thy righteous ordinances. Receive our prayers, petitions, praises, and night-time worship. And grant us, O Lord, a confident faith that cannot be put to shame, firm hope and sincere love. Bless our going out and our coming in, our deeds, words and thoughts. Grant us that we may come to the beginning of the day, praising, singing hymns, and blessing the goodness of thine inexpressible kindness; for blessed be thy most holy name, and glorified be thy Kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

190(Ps.69<68>:16).




12.We praise thee, we sing unto thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O God of our fathers; for thou hast made the shades of night to pass away and hast shown us once more the light of the day. And we entreat thy goodness: be gracious to our sins, and receive our prayer in thy great tenderness. For we flee unto thee, the merciful and almighty God. Shine within our hearts the true sun of thy righteousness. Enlighten our minds. And guard all our senses that, walking decently as in the day in the way of thy commandments, we may reach the eternal life--for thou art the fountain of life--and that we may be accounted worthy to enjoy thine unapproachable light. For thou art our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

191(Eph.1:18).

192(Ps. 91<90>:13).

193(1 John 3:22).

194(Ps.51<50>:1).

195(Ps. 51<50:1).

196(Mt. 9:6).

197(Ps 51<50>10-12).



















DEACON: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.






CHOIR: Amen.


Eighth ToneCHOIR: 1. My soul yearns for thee in the night, for thy commandments are a light in the earth198.

Alleluia. (Three times)







Tone EightThe Glorious disciples being enlightened at the Supper during the washing of the feet, the impious Judas was stricken and darkened by the love of money. And to lawless judges he delivered thee up, O righteous judge. Behold, O lover of money, he who hung himself for this very love. Flee from the greedy desire which dared such a deed against the Master. O Lord, who are Good toward all, glory to thee. (Three times)


198(Is. 26:9).

199(Is. 26:9).

200(Is. 26:11).

201(Is. 26:15).

PEOPLE: Lord, Have mercy. (Three times)







First GospelJohn 13:31-38

The Lord said to his disciples, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and in him God is glorified. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you shall follow me afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for my sake? Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times.”

John 14:1-31Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself; that where I am, you may be also. And where I am going you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth, you know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me, or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me shall also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do because I go to my Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.

If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. Yet a little while longer and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I go away and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does takes place, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me. But I do as the Father has commanded me so that the world may know that I love the Father. Arise, let us go hence.

John 15:1-27I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him, he it is who bears much fruit: for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered and thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified: that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. This I command you, to love one another.

If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all this they will do to you for my name’s sake because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done

among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. It is to fulfil the word that is written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’ But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me. And you also are witnesses because you have been with me from the beginning.

John 16:1-33I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them.

I did not say these things to you from the beginning because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go away, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you will see me no more; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak; and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. Therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

A little while, and you will see me no more; again a little while, and you will see me because I go to the Father.” Some of his disciples said to one another: “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me; and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” They said, “What does he mean by ‘A little while’? We do not know what he means.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves: what I mean by saying, ‘A little while, and you will not see me; and again a little while, and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is in travail, she has sorrow because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers her anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world. So you have sorrow now; but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. Hitherto, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

I have spoken to you in figures; the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in figures, but tell you plainly of the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray to the Father for you; for the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly, and not in any figure! Now we know that you know all things and need no one to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed, it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his own, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John 17:1-26When Jesus had spoke these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee, since thou hast given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do. And now, Father, glorify me together with thyself, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me out of the world. They were thine, thou gavest them to me, and they have kept thy word. Now they know that everything that thou hast given me is from thee, for I have given them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and know in truth that I came from thee; and they have believed that thou didst send me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom thou hast given me, for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name, which thou gavest me, I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to thee, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not pray that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth. Thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word; that they may all be one, even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me; that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which thou hast given me; for thou loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known thee, but I have known thee, and these know that thou hast sent me. I made known to them thy name, and I will make it known, that the love with which thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

John 18:1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples across the Kidron valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered.

PEOPLE: Glory to thy long-suffering, O Lord, Glory to thee.

First Antiphon, Eighth ToneCHOIR: The rulers of the people took counsel together against the Lord and his anointed.202

They denounced me with a lawless accusation,203 Lord, Lord, do not forsake me.202(Ps. 2:2).

203(Ps. 41<40>:8).

Let us present our senses purified to Christ, and as his friends let us lay down our lives for his sake. Let us not, as Judas, choke ourselves with the cares for this life, but let us cry in the private rooms 204

of our hearts: Our Father who art in heaven,205 rescue us from the evil one.206

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

TheotokionAs a Virgin thou hast not known wedlock, yet thou hast given birth to a child and hast remained virgin, O unwed Mother, Mary the Theotokos, implore Christ our God to save us.

Second Antiphon, Second Tone CHOIR: Judas ran to the law-transgressing scribes and said: “What will you give me if I betray him to you?”207

While they were conspiring to betray thee, thou stood invisibly in the midst of them. O Lord, who knowest human hearts, have pity on our souls.

In compassion let us serve God, as did Mary at the supper, and let us not acquire love of money, like Judas, so that we may be ever with Christ208 our God.


TheotokionCHOIR: O Virgin, never cease to implore him to whom thou didst inexplicably give birth, so he may rescue

those who take refuge in thee, for he is the lover of mankind.

Third Antiphon Second Tone

CHOIR: For raising of Lazarus, the children of the Hebrews cried out: Hosanna to thee, O lover of mankind. But Judas the law breaker was unwilling to understand.

O Christ our God, at thy Supper thou didst say in advance: “One of you will betray me.” But Judas the law breaker was unwilling to understand.

O Lord, when John asked thee, “Who will betray thee?” Thou didst make him known through the giving of the bread. But Judas the law breaker was unwilling to understand.

204(Matt. 6:6).

205(Matt. 6:9).

206(Matt. 6:13).

207(Matt. 26:15).

208(John 17:1-24).

O Lord, for thirty pieces of silver and with a false kiss, the Jews planned to kill thee. But Judas the law breaker was unwilling to understand.

O Christ our God, at the washing of the feet, thou didst exhort thy disciples saying: “You also should do as I have done to you.” But Judas the law breaker was unwilling to understand.Thou didst say to thy disciples, O our God: “Stay awake and pray that you may not come into temptation.”209 But Judas the law breaker was unwilling to understand.


TheotokionCHOIR: O Theotokos, deliver thy servants from danger, for after God, we all take refuge in thee, as an

impregnable rampart and protection.

Kathisma (Sessional Hymn)Seventh Tone

CHOIR: As thou fedest the Disciples at the Supper, knowing the conspiracy of the betrayal, thou proved Judas guilty. Thou didst recognize him as an incorrigible man, and thou madest it known that thou wast delivered to death by thine own will, to take the world away from the enemy. O long-suffering Lord, glory to thee.








PRIEST: Let us attend.

Second GospelJohn 18:1-28

At that time, Jesus went forth with his disciples over the Kidron brook, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, procuring a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.”

209(Matt. 26:41).

And Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again Jesus asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he; so, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfil the word which he had spoken, “Of those whom thou gavest me I lost none.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath; Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?”

So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had given counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. As this disciple was known to the high priest, he entered the court of the high priest along with Jesus, while Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door, and brought Peter in. Then the maid who kept the door said to Peter, “Are you not also one of this Man’s disciples?” Peter said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, for it was cold, and they were warming themselves. Peter also was with them standing and warming himself.

The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogue and in the temple, where all Jews come together; I have said nothing secretly. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing by struck him with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong; but if have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, “Are you not also one of his disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not!” One of the servants of the high priest, a kinsman of the man whose ear Peter cut off, asked: “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it; and at once the cock crowed.

Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium. It was early. They themselves did not enter the Praetorium, so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Pascha.


Fourth Antiphon, Fifth TonePEOPLE: Today Judas rejects the Master and accepts the devil. Blinded by the passion of the love of money, he

became darkened losing light. How could he see, having sold the illuminating Star for thirty pieces of silver? But he who suffered for the world’s sake has risen for us. To him let us cry: Glory to thee, for thou sufferest and sharest human sufferings.

Today Judas is disguised under godliness and thus alienates himself from the divine gift; though a disciple, he turns a traitor. Under a guise of fraternity he hides his guile. He foolishly prefers thirty pieces of silver to the Master’s love, and becomes a guide to the law-transgressing council. But we have Christ as our salvation, let us glorify him.

First ToneAs brethren in Christ, let us obtain brotherly love. Let us not be careless to our neighbor, so that we

may not be condemned like the unmerciful servant for money’s sake, or repent like Judas to no profit.


TheotokionO Mary Theotokos, virgin worthy of all praise, glorious things have been spoken of thee in all places, for thou gavest birth in the flesh to the Creator of all.

Fifth Antiphon, Sixth ToneCHOIR: The Teacher’s disciple agreed upon the price and sold the Lord for thirty pieces of silver; with a

deceitful kiss he betrayed him to the transgressors of the Law to be put to death.

Today the Creator of heaven and earth said to his disciples: The hour is at hand, 210 and Judas who betrays me has come. Let none of you deny me, when you see me on the Cross between two thieves. For though I suffer as man, as Lover of mankind I save those who believe in me.


TheotokionO Virgin, in the last days thou hast inexpressibly conceived and given birth to thine own Creator, save those who magnify thee.

Sixth Antiphon, Seventh ToneCHOIR: Today Judas is watchful to betray the Lord, the pre-eternal Savior of the world, who fed the multitude

with five loaves. Today the transgressor of the Law denies his Teacher; though a disciple, he betrays the Teacher. He sold for money the One who fed the people with manna.

Today the Jews nailed to the Cross the Lord, who divided the sea with a rod and led them in the wilderness. Today they pierced his side with a spear,211 who for their sake stroke Egypt with plagues. They offered him gall to drink, who showered down upon them manna for food.

O Lord, when thou didst approach thy voluntary passion, thou didst cry out to thy disciples: If you could not stay awake with me one hour, how did you promise to die with me? Do you see Judas, how he does not sleep but spares no effort to betray me to the transgressors of the law? Awake, and pray so that none of you may deny me when you see me on the Cross. O long-suffering Lord, glory to thee.


Theotokion

210(Matthew 26:45).

211(John 19: 34).

Rejoice, O Theotokos: whom the heavens cannot contain thou hast contained in thy womb. Rejoice, O Virgin, for thou art the proclamation of the prophets, and from thee Immanuel has shone on us. Rejoice! O Mother of Christ God.

Kathisma (Sessional Hymn)Seventh Tone

CHOIR: O Judas, how did you become the betrayer of the Savior? Did he renounce you from the company of the Apostles? Did he deprive you of the gift of healing? As he dined with all of you, did he drive you away from the table? When he washed the other’s feet, did he overlook you? How ungrateful you are for so many blessings! You were denounced for your ungrateful intent, but his enormous forbearance and great mercy are proclaimed.









Third GospelMatthew 26:57-75

At that time, the soldiers seized Jesus and led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter followed him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest. And going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’“ And the high priest stood up and said: “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy! What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a maid came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the porch, another maid saw him and said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again Peter denied it with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly, you also are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then Peter began to invoke a curse on himself and swear, “I do not know the Man!” And immediately the cock crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And Peter went out and wept bitterly.


Seventh Antiphon, Eighth ToneCHOIR: While enduring the transgressors of the law seizing thee, O Lord, thou didst cry aloud: Even if you

strike the shepherd and scatter the twelve sheep, my disciples, yet I could bring into your presence more than twelve legions of angels. But I endure patiently, so that the secret and hidden things that I have manifested through my prophets may be fulfilled. O Lord, glory to thee.

Having denied thee three times, Peter comprehended thy words to him, so he offered to thee the tears of repentance. O Lord, have mercy on me and save me.


TheotokionAs a gate of salvation and a pleasant paradise, and a cloud of the eternal light, let us sing praises to the Holy Virgin and say to her, “Rejoice.”

Eighth Antiphon, Second ToneCHOIR: O transgressors of the law, tell us what you heard from our Savior. Didn’t he expound the teaching of

the prophets? How then have you taken counsel to betray to Pilate him who is God and Word of God and Redeemer of our souls?

Though they had always delighted in the divine gifts, they shouted: Let him be crucified212; and the murderers of the upright asked for the release of a criminal. But thou, O Christ, kept silent, enduring their insolence, willing to suffer and save because thou lovest mankind.


TheotokionSince we have no more boldness toward God213, for the multitude of our sins, implore him who was born of you, O virgin Theotokos; for the prayers of the Mother are indeed effective in obtaining the Master’s favor. O most venerable one, do not turn away from the pleading of sinners; for the one who willed to suffer for our sins is merciful and able to save us.

212(Matt. 27:23).

213The confidence of mankind in God was lost after fall.

Ninth Antiphon, Third ToneThey took the thirty pieces of silver the price of the most precious One, on whom some of the children of Israel had set a price.214 Stay awake and pray, that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.215 Therefore, stay awake.

They gave me gall to eat and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.216 O Lord, raise me up and I will grant them their reward.


TheotokionO pure Theotokos, we the gentiles sing praises to thee, for you gave birth to Christ our God, who through thee delivered mankind from the curse.

Kathisma (Sessional Hymn)Eighth Tone

CHOIR: How could Judas, who was formerly thy disciple plot to betray thee! The deceitful and the unrighteous man dined deceitfully with thee. Thus, when he went to the priests he said to them: What will you give me, if I betray to you217 the One who violated and profaned the Sabbath? O long-suffering Lord, Glory to thee.



DEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let hear the Holy Gospel.PRIEST: Peace be to all.





Fourth GospelJohn 18:28-40

At that time, they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium. It was early. They themselves did not enter the Praetorium so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Pascha. So Pilate went out to them and said,

214(Zechariah 11:13).

215(Matt. 26:41).

216(Ps. 68:22).

217(Matt. 26:14).

“What accusation do you bring against this Man?” They answered him, “If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have handed him over.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.” This was to fulfil the word which Jesus had spoken showing by what death he was to die. Pilate entered the Praetorium again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me; what have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingdom is not from the world.” Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After Pilate had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no crime in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Pascha. Will you have me release for you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

John 19:1-16Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they arrayed him in a purple robe; they came up to him saying, “Rejoice, King of the Jews!” And struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you, that you may know that I find no crime in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” When the chief priests and officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourself and crucify him, for I find no crime in him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die because he made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid. He entered the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to crucify you, and power to release you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given to you from above. Therefore the one who delivered me to you has the greater sin.”

Upon this Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this Man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Every one who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.” When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Pascha, it was about the sixth hour. Pilate said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” Then he handed Jesus over to them to be crucified.

PEOPLE: Glory to thy long-suffering, O Lord, glory to thee.

Tenth Antiphon, Sixth ToneCHOIR: The One who is robed in light as with a garment218 stood naked on trial; on his cheeks he received

slaps from the hands which he created. The law-transgressing people crucified the Lord of Glory.219

At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two,220 and the sun was darkened, for it could not bear to see being cursed the God before whom all the universe trembles. Let us fall down before

218(Ps 104<103>:2).

219(1 Cor. 2:8).

him.

The disciple denied thee, and the thief cried aloud: Remember me, O Lord, in thy kingdom.221


TheotokionO Lord, thou consented to take flesh from the Virgin for the sake of thy servants: grant peace to the world, that accordingly we glorify thee, O lover of mankind.

Eleventh Antiphon Sixth ToneCHOIR: O Christ, in return for the good things that thou hast provided to the Hebrew people, they condemned

thee to be crucified, giving thee vinegar and gall to drink. But render to them, O Lord, according to their works, for they did not comprehend thy condescension.

The Hebrew people were not satisfied with thy betrayal, O Christ, but they derided and mocked thee shaking their heads. Render to them, O Lord, according to their works, for they plot in vain against thee.

Neither the shaking of the earth, nor the splitting of the rocks, nor the tearing of the curtain of the temple, nor the raising of the dead persuaded the Jews. But render to them, O Lord, according to their works, for they plot in vain against thee.


TheotokionO Virgin Theotokos, who alone art pure and blessed, we have know that God took flesh from thee. Therefore, we continually sing praises to thee and magnify thee.

Twelfth Antiphon, Eighth ToneThis is what the Lord says to the Jews: O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? I gave light to your blind, I raised up the bed ridden man. O my people, what have I done to you? And how have you repaid me? Instead of manna, you have given me gall; instead of water, vinegar; instead of loving me, you nailed me on the Cross. I can endure no more. I will call my gentiles, and they will glorify me with the Father and the Spirit, and I will grant them eternal life.”

Today the curtain of the temple is torn as a reproach to the law breakers; the sun hides its own rays, seeing the Master crucified.

O lawgivers of Israel, Jews and Pharisees, the company of the apostles cries aloud to you: Behold the temple that you have destroyed, here is the Lamb you have crucified. You delivered him to the tomb, but by his own power he has risen. Do not stray away, O Jews, for it is he who rescued you from the sea and fed you in the

220(Matt. 27:51).

221(LK. 23:42).

wilderness. He is the life and light and peace of the world.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.Theotokion

Rejoice O Gate of the King of glory, through which the Most High alone has passed, preserving thee sealed, to save our souls.

Sessional Hymn, Eighth ToneO God, when thou wast standing before Caiaphas and wast delivered up to Pilate, O Judge, the powers of heaven shook in awe. Thou wast lifted up on the Cross between two thieves, and though sinless thou wast numbered among the transgressors222 to save mankind. O long-suffering Lord, glory to thee.









Fifth GospelMatthew 27:3-32

At that time, when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he felt regret and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself!” And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple he departed, and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests taking the pieces of silver said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him who was valued by the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”

Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But Jesus gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor wondered greatly.

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted.

222(Is. 53:12).

And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man, for I have suffered much over him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and elders persuaded the people to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And Pilate said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

When Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this righteous man’s blood. See to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children.” Then Pilate released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. And plaiting a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him saying, “Rejoice, King of the Jews!” And they spat on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.

As they went out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. This man they compelled to carry the cross of Jesus.


Thirteenth Antiphon, Sixth ToneCHOIR: O Lord, the assembly of the Jews asked Pilate to crucify thee. Though they could find no charge

against thee, they set free the guilty Barabbas; and thee, the innocent One, they condemned. So they incurred the charge of blood-guiltiness. Render to them, O Lord, according to their works, for they plotted in vain against thee.

Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God,223 before whom all things tremble and shake with fear, to whom every tongue sing praises, is slapped on the face by the priests and given gall to drink. Yet he willingly suffered all things, wishing to save us from our wickedness by his own blood, for he is the lover of mankind.


TheotokionO Theotokos, by a word that is over and above any word, thou gavest birth to the Creator himself: entreat him to save our souls.

Fourteenth Antiphon, Eighth ToneO Lord, thou hast accepted as companion the thief who had stained his hands with blood. Number us

223(1 Cor. 1:24).

also with him, for thou art good and the lover of mankind.

The thief uttered few words upon the cross, yet he proved to have great faith. In one movement he was saved, and he was the first to enter Paradise when thou opened its gates and accepted his repentance. O Lord, glory to thee.


TheotokionRejoice, for thou hast received from the angel the Joy of the world. Rejoice, for thou hast given birth to thy Creator and thy Lord. Rejoice, for thou wast made worthy to become Mother of Christ our God!

While Antiphon 15 is sung, the Procession of the Holy Crucifix takes place in the following manner:a. when the chanter completes, Antiphon 14, the Priest censes the Holy Crucifix (nine times).b. the Church is darkened and remains as dark as possible during the rest of the service.c. as the Priest begins to sing: “Today he is suspended on a tree” very slowly, he carries the Crucifix on his right shoulder

around the Church as in the Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.d. the Procession is led by altar boys carrying the Processional cross, candles and incense.e. the people kneel during the Procession.f. when the Priest reaches the middle of the Solea, he carries the Holy Crucifix around the stand (three times.)g. the Priest then censes the Holy Crucifix (nine times).h. while the chanter sings: “Today he is suspended on a tree,” the Priest makes three prostrations before the Holy Crucifix,

kisses it, and returns to the Sanctuary with the Altar Boys.

Fifteenth Antiphon

Today he who hung the earth on the waters is hung on the tree. (Three times)

The King of Angels is arrayed with a crown of thorns.224

He who dressed the heavens with clouds,225

is dressed with a false purple.226

He who in Jordan set Adam free, received slaps.

The bridegroom of the Church is transfixed with nails.

The son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear.

We fall down before thy passion, O Christ (Three times).

Show us thy glorious resurrection.

224(Jn.19:2).

225(Ps. 147<146>:8).

226(Jn. 19:2).

Sixth ToneLet us not observe a festival as the Jews; for Christ God, who is our Pascha, is slaughtered for us. But let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement and with purity implore him: Arise, O Lord, and save us, for thou lovest mankind.

O Lord, thy Cross is life and resurrection to thy people. Putting our confidence in it, we sing praises to thee our Crucified God: Have mercy on us.


TheotokionSeeing thee hanging on the Cross, O Christ, thy Mother cried aloud: My Son, what is this strange mystery that I see? Nailed in the flesh, O bestower of life, How dost thou die on the Cross?

Kathisma (Sessional Hymn)Fourth Tone

Thou hast redeemed us from the curse of the Law227 by thy precious blood. Nailed to the Cross, and pierced by the spear, thou hast produced immortality in abundance for mankind, O our Savior, glory to thee.






PRIEST: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark.



Sixth GospelMark 15:16-32

At that time, the soldiers led Jesus away inside the palace (that is, Praetorium); and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and plaiting a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Rejoice, King of the Jews!” And they struck his head with a reed and spat on him; and knelt down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry the cross of Jesus. And they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, (which

227(Gal. 3:13).

means the Place of a Skull). And they offered him wine mingled with myrrh, but he did not take it. And when they crucified him, they divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.” And with him they also crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was reckoned with the transgressors.” And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” So also the chief priests mocked him to one another with the scribes saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.”


The BeatitudesFourth Tone

CHOIR: In thy Kingdom, remember us, O Lord, when thou comest into thy Kingdom.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.228

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.229

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.230

READER: Through a tree, Adam had to live far away from his home in Paradise, and through the tree of the cross the thief came to live in Paradise. For the one by eating transgressed the commandment of the Creator; but the other, who was crucified at thy side, confessed thee as the hidden God. Remember us also, O Savior, in thy Kingdom.

CHOIR: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.231

READER: The Law breakers took the Law maker from his disciples, and they made him stand as a Law breaker before the court of Pilate crying: Crucify him, crucify him who gave them manna in the wilderness. Following the example of the upright thief, we cry aloud in faith: Remember us, O Savior, in thy Kingdom.

CHOIR: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.232

READER: The Law-transgressing people of the Jews, murderers of God, cried to Pilate madly saying: Crucify the guiltless Christ; pleading, instead, that Barabbas be released. But we cry with the voice of the grateful thief: Remember us, O Savior, in thy Kingdom.

228(Matthew 5:3)

229(Matthew 5:4)

230(Matthew 5:5).

231(Matthew 5:6).

232(Matthew 5:7).

CHOIR: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.233

READER: O Christ, thy life-bearing side gushed as a fountain from Eden watering thy Church as a spiritual Paradise. From this very source it flows into the four branches of the Gospels. It refreshes the world with its streams, making glad the creation and teaching the nations to fall down in faith before thy Kingdom.

CHOIR: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.234 READER: Thou wast crucified for my sake, so that thou mightest pour forth salvation for me. Thy side was

pierced, so that thou might gush forth upon me streams of life. Thou wast fastened with nails, so that through the depths of thy sufferings, I might believe in the height of thy power and cry aloud to thee: O Savior, life-giving Christ, Glory to thy Cross and to thy passion.

CHOIR: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

READER: Seeing thee crucified, O Christ, all creation trembled. The foundations of the earth shook in fear of thy might. The stars hid themselves, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. The mountains trembled and the rocks were split. The faithful thief cried with us to thee: Remember us, O Savior.

CHOIR: “Blessed art thou when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake.

READER: O Lord, on the Cross thou didst tear apart the record that stood against us. When thou wast numbered among the dead, thou didst bind fast the tyrant, delivering all mankind from the imprisonment of death by thy Resurrection, through which we were enlightened. Therefore, we cry aloud to thee, O Lord, lover of mankind: Remember us also, O Savior, in thy Kingdom.

CHOIR: Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

READER: Thou wast lifted up on the Cross and didst destroy the power of death and as God thou didst erase the record that stood against us. Grant to us also the repentance of the thief, O Christ our God, O only lover of mankind, for with faith we worship thee and cry aloud to thee: Remember us also, O Savior, in thy Kingdom.

CHOIR: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

READER: Let us all the faithful pray accordingly, so that we might worthily glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, one Godhead in three Persons, simple and without confusion, inseparable and unapproachable, and by whom we are redeemed from the fire of punishment.

CHOIR: Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.Theotokion

O Christ, as our intercessor, we offer thy Mother, who without human seed gave birth to thee in the 233(Matthew 5:8).

234(Matthew 5:9).

flesh; she is the true virgin who remained virgin after childbirth. O Master, rich in mercy, ever grant forgiveness of their sins to those who cry: Remember us also, O Savior, in thy Kingdom.

Prokeimenon (Offertory)Fourth Tone

CHOIR: They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.235 (Two times)

O God, my God, look upon me, why hast thou forsaken me?236

They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.237









Seventh GospelMatthew 27:33-54

At that time, the soldiers led Jesus to a place called Golgotha, (which means the Place of a Skull), and they offered him wine to drink mingled with gall; but when he had tasted it, he would not drink. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots, that what was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled: “They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put a charge against him which read: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now if he desires him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’“ And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying, “Eli , Eli, lama sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of bystanders hearing it said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink. But the others

235(Ps. 22<21>:18).

236(Ps.22<21>:1).

237(Ps. 22<21>:18).

said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit.

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook, and the rocks were split; the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”









Create in me a clean heart,O God, and put a right Spirit within me.Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thine Holy Spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of thy salvation,

and uphold me with a directing spirit.Then I will teach transgressors thy ways,and sinners will return to thee.


O Lord, open my lips;and my mouth will declare thy praise;for If thou hadst delight in sacrifice,I would have given it;but thou wouldst not be pleased by burnt offering.The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit:a broken and contrite heart,O God, thou wilt not despise.



PEOPLE: Lord, Have mercy. (Three times)DEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the Holy Gospel.






Eighth GospelLuke 23:32-49

At that time, two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Jesus. And when they came to the place which is called the Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and one on the left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people who stood by watching and the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself. If he is the Christ, the chosen of God.” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him vinegar and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” There was also an

inscription over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.” But the other rebuked him saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” And he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into Thy kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the whole land until the ninth hour while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.” And having said this, he gave up the spirit.

Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he glorified God and said, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” And all the multitudes who assembled to see the sight, when they saw what had taken place, returned beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance and saw these things.


Fifth OdeTone Six

CHOIR: Irmos: I seek thee early in the morning, O Word of God, for in thy mercy toward fallen man, thou emptied thyself immutably and yielded to thy passions impassibly. Grant me peace, O Lover of mankind.

Glory to thee, O our God, glory to thee.

As the feet of thy servants are washed and are purified, now they partake of the divine mystery, O Christ. Ascending with thee from Zion to the great Mount of Olives, they sing praises of thee, O Lover of mankind.


My friends, see that you are not alarmed,238 for the hour has come when I will be captured and slain at the hands of the law breakers. You will be scattered, and you will leave me alone,239 but I will gather you together, to proclaim me, a lover of mankind.

The KontakionCome, let us all sing the praises of him who was crucified for us, for Mary saw thee on the Tree and said: Although thou hast endured the Cross, thou art my Son and my God.

The OikosSeeing her own Lamb being led to the slaughter, Mary followed him wailing with the other women, and she cried aloud: Where art thou going, my child? Why art thou finishing the course so swiftly? Is there another

238(Matt. 24:6).

239(John 16:32).

wedding in Cana? Art thou going there to turn the water into wine? Should I go with thee, my child, or should I wait for thee? Give me word, O Word, do not pass me by in silence. Thou hast preserved me pure, for thou art my Son and my God.

The SynaxarionOn great Friday we celebrate the holy, saving, and awesome Passion of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. For us he willingly endured the spittings, the slapping, the humiliations, the insults, the mockings, the purple robe, the reed, the sponge, the vinegar, the nails, the spear, and above all the Cross and death.

Also we celebrate the saving confession on the Cross of the right-minded thief, who was crucified with him.

Thou art the living God, but thou wast put to death on the Tree.

O Lord, though naked and dead, yet Word of the living God.

Opening the locked gates of Eden, the thief used the keyword, “Remember me.”

Through thine enormous and infinite compassion for us, O Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Eighth OdeTone Six

CHOIR: Irmos: The divine children publicly ridiculed the statue of ungodly wickedness, and the law-transgressing council raging against Christ conspired in vain to to put to death the One who holds life in the palm of his hand, and whom the whole creation blesses glorifying him to all ages.


Thou hast said to thy disciples: Shake now the sleep from your eyelids, watch in prayer, so that you will not fall into temptation. Thou, in particular, O Simon, for the trial is greater for the strong. Know me, O Peter, whom the whole creation blesses glorifying him to all ages.


O Master, no godless word will ever pass my lips, Peter cried. Even if all deny thee, I will die with thee, as the righteous person should. Neither flesh nor blood revealed thee, but your Father, whom the whole creation blesses glorifying him to all ages.

Glory to thee, O our God, glory to thee.The Lord said: Thou hast not carefully fathomed the whole depth of divine wisdom and knowledge, thou hast not understood the depth of my judgement. Boast not, for thou art flesh, and three times thou wilt deny me, whom the whole creation blesses glorifying him to all ages.”


The Lord said: O Simon Peter, thou renouncest what thou wilt shortly do, as I have foretold. A maid will suddenly approach and fill thee with fear. Weeping bitterly, yet thou wilt find me very merciful, who the whole creation blesses glorifying him to all ages.

We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord.

The divine children publicly ridiculed the statue of ungodly wickedness, and the law-transgressing council raging against Christ conspired in vain to to put to death the One who holds life in the palm of his hand, and whom the whole creation blesses glorifying him to all ages.




More honorable than the Cherubimand more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou whowithout corruption,240 gavest birth to God the Word,and art truly Theotokos, we magnify thee.


The synagogue of God murderers, the destructive band of God haters came up to thee, O Christ, and like a malefactor dragged thee out: thou the Creator of all, whom we magnify.


Ignorant of the Law, yet studying the words of the prophets in vain, the godless people led thee like a sheep to slaughter, O Lord of all, whom we magnify.


Striking by murderous malice the natural Lifegiver, the priests and scribes delivered to Gentiles Life itself, whom we magnify.


Like many dogs they surrounded thee, O King, and struck thee on thy cheek, questioning thee and bearing false witness against thee. But enduring all things thou saved us all.

More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption, gavest birth to God the Word, and art truly Theotokos, we magnify thee.

The Little LitanyDEACON: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.



240Or “remaining virgin, you gave birth...” etc.,




PEOPLE: Amen.

ExapostelarionThird Tone

CHOIR: O Lord, on this very day, thou hast made the thief worthy of paradise. By the wood of the Cross enlighten me also and save me. (Three times).









Ninth GospelJohn 19:25-37

At that time, standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own.

After this, Jesus, knowing that all now was finished, said (to fulfil the Scripture) “I thirst!” A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of vinegar on hyssop, and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” And he bowed his head, and gave up the spirit.

Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with

him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness--his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth--that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not a bone of him shall be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on him whom they have pierced.”


The Praises (Ainoi)Third Tone

CHOIR: Let every thing that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights! To thee, O God, is due our song.


The Praises are sung along with the following verses:

CHOIR: Verse: Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

My first-born son, Israel, has committed two evils: he has forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out for himself a cracked cistern.241 Upon the tree he has crucified me, and asked for the release of Barabbas. At this the heaven was amazed, and the sun hid its rays. Yet thou, O Israel, wast not ashamed, but has delivered me to death. Holy Father forgive them, for they do not know what they have done.242

Verse: Praise him with trumpet sound; Praise him with lute and harp!Every member of thy sacred body endured humiliation for our sakes: thy head, thorns; thy face, spitting; thy cheeks, slapping; thy mouth, taste of vinegar mixed with gall; thine ears, impious blasphemy; thy back, scourging; and thy hand, the reed. Thy whole body endured stretching on the Cross; thy limbs, the nails; and thy side, the spear. O Savior Almighty, thou suffered for us and delivered us from suffering and in thy love for mankind, thou condescended to raise us up: have mercy on us.


Seeing thee crucified, O Christ, the whole creation trembled. The foundations of the earth shook vigorously for fear of thy dominion. For when thou wast raised today, the people of the Hebrews were ruined. The curtain of the temple was torn in two; the tombs also were opened, and many who had fallen asleep were raised. When the centurion saw the wonder, he trembled with fear. Thy mother, standing by thee, lamented with a mother’s love: How shall I not mourn and strike my breast, seeing thee stripped naked, hanging as a criminal on the tree? O Lord, who were crucified and buried and risen from the dead, glory to thee.


241(Jer. 2:13).

242(Lk. 23:34).

Sixth ToneCHOIR: They stripped me of my garment and clothed me in a scarlet cloak. They set a crown of thorns on my

head and placed a reed in my right hand so that I may dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.243


Same ToneCHOIR: I gave my back to scourging. I did not hide my face from spitting. I stood before the judgment seat of

Pilate and endured the Cross for the salvation of the world.






PRIEST: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark.



Tenth GospelMark 15:43-47

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether Jesus was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that Jesus was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking Jesus down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where Jesus was laid.

PEOPLE: Glory to thy long suffering, O Lord, glory to thee.

The Little DoxologyTo thee belongs glory, O Lord our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.



243(Ps. 2:9).


O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who takes away the sins of the world 244, have mercy on us--Thou who takest away the sin of the world.


For thou alone are Holy, thou alone art the Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father, Amen.





O Continue thy mercy to those who know thee .






Blessed art thou, O Holy One; enlighten me with thy statutes.Thy Mercy, O Lord, endures forever: Forsake not the works of thy hands .

To thee belongs praise, to thee belongs song, to thee belongs Glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.





244(Jn 1:29).
















PEOPLE: Amen.



DEACON: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.PEOPLE: To thee, O Lord.

The Prayer at the Bowing of HeadsPRIEST: O holy One who dwellest on high and regards the humble heart and with thine all-seeing eye beholds

all creation, unto thee have we bowed the neck of our soul and body, and we entreat thee: O holy of holies, stretch forth thine invisible hand from thy holy dwelling-place and bless us all. And if in aught

we have sinned, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, forgive, inasmuch as thou art a good God and lover of mankind, vouchsafing unto us thy earthly and heavenly good things.


PEOPLE: Amen.









Eleventh GospelJOHN 19:38-42

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away Jesus’ body. Also Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds’ weight. They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid. So, because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.


ApostichaFirst Tone

CHOIR: Seeing thee hanging on the Cross, O Christ, the whole creation was changed by fear; the sun was darkened; the foundations of the earth shook vigorously; all things suffered with the Creator of all. O Lord, who willingly endured these things for us, Glory to thee.

Second ToneThey divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.245

245(Ps. 22<21>:18).

Why do the ungodly and law-transgressing people plot in vain? Why have they condemned to death the life of all? O great wonder! The Creator of the world is delivered into the hands of the transgressors of the law, and the Lover of mankind is raised on the Cross, so that he may set free the prisoners in Hades, who cry: O long-suffering Lord, glory to thee.

They gave me gall to eat and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.246

Today, seeing thee hanging on the Cross, O Word, the blameless Virgin mourned with a mother’s affection and her heart was bitterly wounded. Mourning from the depth of her soul she sighed striking her face in sorrow. Beating her breast, she cried lamenting: “Woe is me, O Divine Child! Woe is me, O Light of the world! Why didst thou disappear from my sight, O Lamb of God?” Then, the hosts of angels were seized with trembling, and they said: O incomprehensible Lord, glory to thee.

God is our King before the ages, working salvation in the midst of the earth.247

Seeing thee hanging on the Cross, O Christ, Creator and God of all, thine unwedded mother cried bitterly: “O my Son, where is the beauty of thy form? I cannot endure seeing thee crucified unjustly. Make haste, arise, so that I too may see thy Resurrection after three days from the dead.


Eighth ToneO Lord, when thou ascended on the Cross, fear and trembling fell on all the creation. Thou prevented the earth from swallowing up those who crucified thee; but thou commanded Hades to return its prisoners, giving new birth to the mortals. O Judge of the living and the dead, thou hast come to bring life, not death. O Lover of mankind, glory to thee.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

Same ToneThe unjust judges have already dipped their pens in ink, and Jesus is sentenced and condemned to be crucified. The creation suffers seeing the Lord on the Cross. O Good Lord, who suffered in the nature of the flesh for my sake, glory to thee.







246(Ps.69<68>:21).

247(Ps.74 <73>:12).



Twelfth GospelMatthew 27:62-66

On the next day, that is, after the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that imposter said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore, order the sepulcher to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go by night and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead’; and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can. So they went and made the sepulcher secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard.


PRIEST: It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to thy name, O Most High; to declare thy mercy in the morning, and thy truthfullness by night248.


Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.







PEOPLE: Amen.

Dismissal Hymn

248(Ps 91<90>:1-2).


250Or “the evil one”.

Fourth ToneCHOIR: Thou “hast redeemed us from the curse of the Law”251 by thy precious blood. Nailed to the Cross and

pierced by the spear, thou hast poured forth immortality in abundance on mankind, O our Savior, glory to thee.




PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy. (One time)













251(Gal. 3:13).


PEOPLE: Amen.

The DismissalDEACON: Wisdom!








PRIEST: May Christ our true God who endured spittings, scourgings, beatings, crucifixion and death for our salvation, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints, of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint (N) patron Saint of this Church; of Saint(s) N.N., whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints: have mercy upon us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loves mankind.



PEOPLE: Amen.

252Or “remaining virgin...” etc.,

HOLY FRIDAY MORNING

The Royal HoursComposed by St. Cyril of Alexandria

First HourDEACON: Bless, master.


PEOPLE: Amen.















254Or the evil one.





Psalm 5Give ear to my words, O Lord,give heed to my cry.Listen to the voice of my supplication. O my King and my God,for to thee I pray.O Lord, in the morning thou hearest my voice;in the morning, I stand before thee and I look up. For thou art not a God who desires wickedness;sinners cannot dwell with thee.The boastful will not stand before thine eyes;thou hatest all evildoers.thou destroyest those who speak lies.The Lord detests the bloodthirsty and deceitful. But I, through the abundance of thy mercy, will enter thy house. I will bow down toward thy Holy Temple,in reverence of thee.Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousnessbecause of my enemies;make my way straight before thee. For there is no truth in their mouth;their heart is arrogant;their throat is an open grave;they have spoken deceit with their tongues.Judge them, O God,let them fall by their own counsels;cast them out for the greatness of their iniquity,for they have rebelled against thee. But let all who put their trust in thee rejoice,let them ever sing for joy,for you will dwell among them,that those who love thy name may exult in thee.For thou blessest the righteous, O Lord;thou coverest them with favor as with a shield.

Psalm 2Why did the nations rage,and the people plot in vain?The kings of the earth set themselves,and the rulers assembled together,against the Lord and his Christ, saying:“Let us break their bonds asunder,and cast their yoke from us.”

He who dwells in heaven laughs,the Lord holds them in derision.Then he will speak to them in his wrath,and terrify them in his fury, saying:“I have been made king by him on Zion,his holy mountain.”I will tell of the decree of the Lord:The Lord said to me: “Thou art my Son;today I have begotten thee.Ask of me, and I will make the nationsthine inheritance,and the ends of the earth thy possession.Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron,and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”Now, therefore, O kings be wise;be instructed, O rulers of the earth.Serve the Lord with fear,and with trembling.Accept correction, or he will be angry,and thou wilt perish from the way of the righteous,for his wrath is suddenly kindled.Blessed are all those who put their trust in him.

Psalm 22 <21>My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but thou dost not answer; and by night, but there is no relief for me. Yet thou art holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted in thee; they trusted, and thou delivered them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered; they trusted in thee, and were not put to shame. But I am a worm and not man, scorned by others and despised by the people. All those who see me ridicule me; they make faces at me, they shake their head saying, “He trusted in the Lord, let him rescue him; let him deliver him, since he delights in him!” But it was thou who tookest me out of the womb; thou art my hope on my mother’s breasts.

I was cast on thee from birth. From my mother’s womb thou hast been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near; For there is none to help. Many bulls have surrounded me; strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me. They open wide at me their mouths, like a raging and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it has melted within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue clings to my jaws; thou hast brought me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded me; a company of evildoers has enclosed me. They pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones. They look and stare at me. They divide my clothes among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. But thou, O Lord, do not be far from me; O my Strength, come quickly to help me! Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth and from the horns of the wild oxen! Thou hast rescued me. I will declare thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise thee. He who fears the Lord, shall praise him! All the offspring of Jacob, glorify him and stand in awe of him, all the offspring of Israel! For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has he hidden his face from him; but when he cried to him, he heard. My praise shall be of thee in the great assembly; I will pay my vows before those who fear him. The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live forever! All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before thee. For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. All the prosperous of the earth shall eat and worship; all those who go down to sleep in the earth shall bow before him, and I shall live for him. Posterity will serve him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation, they will come and declare his righteousness to a people yet to be born, whom the Lord has made.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to thee, O God. (low bow)Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to thee, O God. (low bow)Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to thee, O God. (low bow)

Lord have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.


TroparionTone One

CHOIR: When thou wast crucified, O Christ, the tyrant was destroyed, and the power of the enemy was trampled underfoot. For it was not an angel nor a man that saved us, but thou thyself, O Lord: glory to thee.


TheotokionWhat should we call thee, O full of grace? Heaven? For thou hast made the Sun of Righteousness shine forth. Paradise? For thou hast borne the flower of immortality. Virgin? For thou hast remained inviolate. Pure Mother? For thou hast held in thy holy embrace a Son, the God of all. Pray to him for the salvation of our souls.

Then we sing the following stichera:

IdiomelaTone Eight

Today the curtain of the temple is torn in two as a reproach against the transgressors of the law; and the sun hides its own rays, seeing the Master crucified.

Why did the nations rage, and the people plot in vain?255

Same ToneO Christ our King, like a lamb thou wast led to the slaughter,256 and like an innocent sheep thou wast nailed to the Cross by the transgressors of the Law for our sins, O lover of mankind.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

Enduring the arrest of the transgressors of the Law, O Lord, thou hast cried aloud: Although you have struck the Shepherd257 and scattered the twelve sheep of the flock, my disciples, yet I can send more than twelve legions of

255(Psalm 2:1).

256(Isa. 53:7).

257 Zech. 13:7.

angels.258 But in my patience, I forbear the suffering so that the hidden secrets made known to you through my prophets may be fulfilled. O Lord, glory to thee.

The ProphecyProkeimenon of the Prophecy (Psalm 40):

Tone FourREADER: He stored up iniquity in his heart, then he went out and spread it.

Blessed are those who help the poor and needy.259

The reading from the Prophecy of Zechariah.


Zechariah 11:10-13READER: This what the Lord says: And I took my favorite staff and cut it in two, so that I might annul the covenant that I had made with all the peoples. So it was annulled on that day. Thus the sheep merchants, who were watching me, knew that it was the word of the Lord. Then I said to them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; and if not, keep them.” So they weighed out for my wages thirty shekels of silver. And the Lord said to me: “Throw it to the treasury,” that lordly price at which I was valued by them. So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them into the treasury in the house of the Lord, in accordance with the order of the Lord.

The EpistleREADER: The reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Galatians.

Galatians 6:14-18DEACON: Wisdom. Let us attend.

READER: Brethren, May I never boast of anything except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything, but a new creation is everything. And for those who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

From now on let no one make trouble for me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.


PEOPLE: Alleluia. (3 times)

The GospelDEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the Holy Gospel.



258(Matt. 26:53).

259(Psalm 41<40>:1).


DEACON: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew.



Matthew 27:1-56At that time, when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death; and they bound him and led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. When Judas, the betrayer of Jesus, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders saying,”I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore, that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him who was valued, who was valued by the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge; so that the governor wondered greatly.

Now at the feast, the governor was accustomed release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barab’bas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them,”Whom do you want me to release for you, Barab’bas or Jesus who is called Christ?” For Pilate knew that they had delivered Jesus up out of envy. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much over him today in a dream.” Now, the chief priests and the elders persuaded the people to ask for Barab’bas, and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said “Barab’bas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified.” And Pilate said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But, they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified.” So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd saying, “I am innocent of this righteous man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then Pilate release for them Barab’bas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him; and plaiting a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him saying, “Rejoice, King of the Jews!” And they spat upon him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

As they went out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry the cross of Jesus. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), they offered him

wine mingled with gall to drink; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garment among them by casting lots, that what was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled: “They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews.”

Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, la’ma sabach-tha’ni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let’s see whether Elijah will come to save him.”

And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and gave up the spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook; and the rocks were split; the tombs also were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” There were also many women there, looking on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zeb’edee.


Then the reader says:

READER: Keep my steps ready according to thy word, and never let any iniquity have dominion over me.

Deliver me from the oppression of men, that I may keep thy Commandments.

Make thy face shine upon thy servant, and teach me thy statutes.260

Let my mouth be filled with thy praise, O Lord, that I may sing thy glory and majesty all day long.261

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (low bow)

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (low bow)Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (low bow)

260(Psalm 119 <118>:133-135).

261(Psalm 71<70>:8).





Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.


PEOPLE: Amen.

Then,

KontakionTone Eight

CHOIR: Come let us all sing the praises of him who was crucified for us. For, Mary said, when she saw him on the Cross: Though thou endurest the Cross, yet thou art my Son and God.

READER: Lord, have mercy. (forty times)

Thou who art at all times and at every hour in heaven and earth worshiped and glorified, O Christ our God, most patient, most merciful, and most compassionate; thou lovest the just and the righteous, and hast mercy on sinners, thou callest all to repentance and salvation through the promise of the good things to come: receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour, and guide our life to thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, direct our thoughts, clarify our intentions, and deliver us from all distress, evil and sorrow. Surround us with thy holy angels, so that guided and guarded by their host, we may attain to the unity of the faith and the full knowledge of thine unapproachable glory. For blessed art thou unto ages of ages, Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (Three times)


More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption262 gavest birth to God the Word and art truly Theotokos, we magnify thee.

Bless, father, in the name of the Lord.

262Or remaining virgin, you gave birth...etc.,

PRIEST: May God be gracious to us and bless us. And make his face to shine upon us,263 and have mercy on us.

Then the priest says the following prayer:

O Christ, the true Light, thou dost enlighten and sanctify every one who comes into the world. Let the light of thy countenance be branded on us, so that in it we may see the unapproachable light. Keep our steps ready to do thy commandments, through the intercessions of thy most pure Mother and of all thy saints.

PEOPLE: Amen.

Third HourO come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. (low bow)




Psalm 35<34>Judge, O Lord, those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler and stand up for my help. Draw out the spear and stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am thy salvation.” Let those be put to shame and to dishonor who seek after my life; let them be turned back and brought to confusion who devise evil against me. Let them be like chaff before the wind, and let the angel of the Lord chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the Lord pursue them. Without cause have they hidden their net for me in a pit, which they have dug vainly for my life. Let a snare they do not expect come upon them, and let their net that they have hidden catch them; into that very pit let them fall. And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in his salvation. All my bones shall say, “Lord, who is like thee, delivering the poor from those too strong for him, Yea, the poor and the needy from those who despoil them?” Fierce witnesses rise up; they ask me things that I do not know. They reward me evil for good, to the sorrow of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; and I prayed with head bowed on my bosom. As though I grieved for a friend or a brother, I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for a mother. But in my adversity they rejoiced and gathered together; attackers gathered against me, and I did not know it. They tore at me without ceasing. The ungodly mocked more and more, gnashing at me with their teeth. O Lord, when wilt thou look on me? Rescue me from their destructions, my precious life from the lions. I will give thee thanks in the great assembly; I will praise thee among many people. Do not let them rejoice over me, or those who hate me without cause wink at me. For they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful matters. They also opened their mouths wide against me, and said, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen it.” This thou hast seen, O Lord; keep not silence.

O Lord, do not be far from me. Bestir thyself and awake to my defense and to my cause, O my God and my Lord. Vindicate me, O Lord my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Do not let them say in their hearts, “Aha, we have our heart’s desire!” Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up.” Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who rejoice at my hurt; let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who exalt themselves against me. Let them shout for joy and be glad who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” And my tongue will speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

263(Ps. 67(66):1).

Psalm 109<108>Do not be silent, O God of my praise! For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful have opened against me; they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred and fought against me without a cause. In return for my love they accuse me, even while I give myself to prayer. Thus, they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. Set a wicked man against him, and let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and let his prayer be counted as sin. Let his days be few, and let another take his position. Let his children be orphans, and his wife a widow. Let his children continually be vagabonds, and beg; let them be driven out from their desolate places. Let the creditor seize all that he has, and let strangers plunder his labor. Let there be none to extend mercy to him, nor let there be any to favor his orphaned children. Let his posterity be cut off, and in the generation following let their name be blotted out. Let the iniquity of his father be remembered before the Lord, and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. Let them be continually before the Lord, so that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth; because he did not remember to show mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy, so that he might even slay the broken in heart. As he loved cursing, so let it come to him; as he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him. As he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, so let it enter his body like water and like oil into his bones. Let it be to him like the garment that covers him and for a belt with which he girds himself continually. Let this be the Lord’s reward to my accusers and to those who speak evil against my person. But thou, O God the Lord, dealest with me for thy name’s sake; because thy mercy is good, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is pierced within me. I am gone like a shadow at evening; I am shaken off like a locust. My knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh has become fragile. I also have become a scorn to them; when they look at me, they shake their heads. Help me, O Lord my God! Oh, save me according to thy mercy, that they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, Lord, hast done it! Let them curse, but thou dost bless; when they arise, let them be put to shame, but let thy servant rejoice. Let my accusers be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own disgrace as with a mantle. I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; Yea, I will praise him in the midst of the throng. For he stands at the right hand of the poor, to save them from those who condemn them to death.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to thee, O God. (low bow)



Lord have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.


TroparionTone Six

CHOIR: O Lord, the Life of all, the Jews condemned thee to death; they nailed thee to the Cross even though thou hast led them on dry land through the Red Sea with Moses’ staff. Thou hast nursed them with honey from the crag,264 yet they gave thee sour wine. But thou hast willingly endured these things, to set us free from the bondage of the enemy. O Christ our God, glory to thee.


264(Deut. 32:13).

TheotokionO Lady Theotokos, thou art the true vine that has borne the fruit of life. We implore thee to intercede with the apostles and all the saints, that mercy may be granted to our souls.

Then, we sing the following stichera:

Tone EightO Lord, out of fear of the Jews, thy friend and companion Peter denied thee and wept bitterly crying aloud: O compassionate Master, do not spurn my tears, for I said I would keep faith, and I have not kept it. Accept also our repentance and have mercy on us. Give ear to my words, O Lord; give heed to my sighing.265

Tone Eight O Lord, when the soldiers mocked thee before thy crucifixion, the heavenly hosts were struck with wonder. For they arrayed with a crown of shame the one who has adorned the earth with flowers. They clothed in a robe of mockery him who has wrapped the firmament with clouds. Thus, in thy providence, O Christ, thou hast made known thy compassion and great mercy. Glory to thee. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

Tone Five O Lord, when thou wast led to be Crucified, thou didst cry: What have I done that you crucify me, O Jews? Is it because I made your paralytics to walk, or because I raised the dead as from sleep? Is it because I healed the woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages, or because I had mercy on the Canaanite woman: For which of these deeds do you wish to kill me, O Jews? But, O transgressors of the Law, you will look on Christ whom you have pierced.

The ProphecyProkimenon of the Prophecy (Psalm 38<37>):

Tone FourREADER: I am ready for scourging: and my pain is ever with me.

O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger: or discipline me in thy wrath.

The reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah.Isaiah 50:4-11


READER: The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher that I should know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens me morning by morning, he awakens my ear to hear as a learner. The Lord God has opened my ear; and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away. I gave my back to those who struck me and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. For the Lord God will help me; therefore, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame. He is near who vindicates me; who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near me. Surely the Lord God will help me; who will declare me guilty? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; the moth will eat them up. Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of his servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely

265(Psalm 5:2).

upon his God. Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the flame of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled. This you shall have from my hand: You shall lie down in torment.

The EpistleREADER: The reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

Romans 5:6-10DEACON: Wisdom! Let us attend!

Brethren, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Rarely will anyone die for a righteous person; yet perhaps for a good person someone would even dare to die. But God shows his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been made righteous by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.


PEOPLE: Alleluia. (Three times)





DEACON: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark.



Mark 15:16-41At that time, the soldiers led Jesus away inside the palace (that is, the praetorium); and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Rejoice, King of the Jews!” And they struck his head with a reed and spat upon him, and they knelt down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry the cross of Jesus. And they brought Jesus to the place called Gol’gotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mingled with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. And the Scripture was fulfilled which says: “He was reckoned with the transgressors.” And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself and come down from the cross!” So also the chief priest mocked him to one another with the scribes saying, “He

saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

And when the sixth hour had come, there was dark over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “E’lo-i, E’lo-i, la’ma sabactha’ni?” Which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And one ran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and gave up the spirit. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion who stood facing him saw that in this way he cried out and gave up the spirit, he said, “Truly, this man was the Son of God!”

There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salo’me, who, when he was in Galilee, followed him and ministered to him; and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.



READER: Blessed be the Lord God; blessed be the Lord from day to day; and may the God of our salvation bear us up, for he is our God, the God of salvation.266










PEOPLE: Amen.

266(Psalm 68<67>: 20-21).


268Or the evil one.

Then,

The KontakionTone Eight

CHOIR: Come, let us all sing the praises him who was crucified for us. Mary saw him on the Cross and said: Though thou endurest the Cross, yet thou art my Son and God.





More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption , gavest birth to God the Word and art truly Theotokos, we magnify thee.

Bless, father, in the name of the Lord.PRIEST: May God be gracious to us and bless us. And make his face to shine upon us,269 and have mercy on us.


O God the Master, Father Almighty, O Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son, O Holy Spirit, one divinity, one Power, have mercy on me a sinner, and by the judgements known to thee, save me thine unworthy servant: for thou art blessed unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

Sixth HourPEOPLE: O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. (low bow)

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. (low bow)O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, our King and our God. (low bow)


Psalm 54<53>Save me, O God, by thy name, and vindicate me by thy strength. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen up against me, and oppressors have sought after my life. They have not set God before them. For surely God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in thy truth. I will freely sacrifice to thee; I will praise thy name, O Lord, for it is good. For he has delivered me out from every trouble; and my eye has looked down on my enemies.

269(Ps. 67<66>:1).

Psalm 140 <139>Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers. Preserve me from those who are violent, who plan evil things in their hearts; they continually stir up wars. They make their tongues sharp like a serpent; the venom of vipers is under their lips. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from violent men, who have planed to make my steps stumble. The arrogant have hidden a snare for me, and cords as a net; along the road they have set traps for me. I said to the Lord: Thou art my God; hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord. O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; further not his evil plot. Those who surround me lift up their heads. Let the evil of their lips overwhelm them; let burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits that they rise not up again. Let not a slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the needy and justice for the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

Psalm 91<90>He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty; he will say to the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in him I will trust.” Surely he shall deliver you from the hunter’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He shall cover you with his feathers and under his wings you shall take refuge; his truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall thou look and see the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any scourge come near your tent; For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands shall they bear you up so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. Because he has set his love upon me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he has known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to thee O God. (low bow)Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to thee O God. (low bow)

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to thee O God. (low bow)Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.


TroparionTone Two

CHOIR: O Christ our God, thou hast worked salvation in the earth;270 thou hast stretched out thy most pure hands on the Cross and gathered all the nations together as they cry: O Lord, glory to thee.


Theotokion

270(Ps 74<73>:12).

As there is no boldness in us toward God, for the multitude of our sins, implore the Son who was born of thee, O virgin Theotokos; for the prayer of the Mother has great power to win the Master’s favor. O most venerable one, turn not away from the prayers of sinners; for he who took upon himself to suffer for our sins is merciful and able to save us.


Tone EightThis is what the Lord says to the Jews: O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? 271 I gave light to your blind; I raised up the man who was paralyzed. O my people, what have I done to you? And how have you repaid me? Instead of manna you have given me gall, instead of water vinegar; instead of loving me you nailed me on the Cross. I can endure no more. I will call my gentiles, and they will glorify me with the Father and the Spirit, and I will grant them eternal life.”

They gave me gall for food and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.272

O lawgivers of Israel, Jews and Pharisees, the company of the apostles cries aloud to you: Here is the temple that you have destroyed, here is the Lamb you have crucified. You delivered him to the tomb, but by his own authority he has risen. O Jews, do not deceive yourselves. For this is he who saved you in the sea and fed you in the wilderness. He is the life and light and peace of the world.


Tone FiveCome, Christ-bearing people, let us see what the betrayer Judas has plotted with the law-breaking priests against our Savior. Today, they made the immortal Word guilty of death: they delivered him to Pilate and crucified him on Golgotha. And as our Savior suffered these things, he cried aloud saying: “Father, forgive them this sin, so that the Gentiles may know my Resurrection from the dead.”

The ProphecyProkeimenon of the Prophecy (Psalm 8).

Tone FourREADER: Our Sovereign Lord, how majestic is thy name in all the earth! For thy majesty is lifted high above the heavens.273

The reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah.

Isaiah 52:13-54:1.DEACON: Wisdom! Let us attend!

READER: This is what the Lord says: “See my servant will prosper; he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high. Just as many were astonished at thee, so his visage was marred beyond human semblance, and his form more than the children of men, so he will startle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths at him; for what had not been told them they will see, and what they had not heard they will consider. Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He will grow up before him as a tender plant

271(Micah 6:3).

272(Psalm 69<68>:21).

273(Ps. 8:1).

and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected by others, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from him; he was despised, and we held him as one of no account. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. And by a perversion of justice he was taken away. And who will declare his generation? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people, he was stricken. And they made his grave with the wicked; but with the rich at his death, because he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he has put him to grief. When you make his soul an offering for sin, he will see his offspring, he will prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord will prosper in his hand. He will see the labor of his soul and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant will make many righteous, for he will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot him a portion with the great, and he will divide the spoil with the strong because he poured out his soul to death. He was numbered with the transgressors, and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Sing, O barren one, who has not borne! Break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou who has not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman.”

The EpistleThe reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 2:11-18DEACON: Wisdom! Let us attend!

READER: Brethren, he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all of one; for this reason, Jesus is not ashamed to call them brethren saying: “I will declare your name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to you.” And again: “I will put my trust in him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given me.”

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared in the same things, so that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime held in slavery. For indeed, he did not come to help the angels, but to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, in all things he had to be made like his brethren, so that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are tested.







DEACON: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke.PEOPLE: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.


Luke 23:32-49At that time, two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Jesus. And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people who stood by watching and the rulers scoffed at him saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ, the Chosen of God!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him vinegar and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.” But the other rebuked him saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into thy kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will with me in Paradise.”

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this, he gave up the spirit. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he glorified God and said, “Certainly, this was a righteous man.” And all the multitudes who assembled to see the sight, when they saw what had taken place, returned beating their breasts. And his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance and saw these things.PEOPLE: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.


READER: O Lord, let thy compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy Name: O Lord, deliver us and forgive our sins, for thy Name’s sake.274








274(Psalm 79<78>: 8-9).



PEOPLE: Amen.

Then,

KontakionTone Eight

CHOIR: Come, let us all sing the praises of him who was crucified for us. For, Mary said, when she saw him on the Tree: Though thou endurest the Cross, yet thou art my Son and God.





More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption275, gavest birth to God the Word and art truly Theotokos, we magnify thee.




O God, Lord of Hosts and Author of all creation, in thine inexpressible compassion thou hast sent down thine only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of our race. By his Precious Cross thou hast torn up the record of our sins, and thereby thou didst triumph over the princes and dominions of darkness.

O Master, lover of mankind, accept these prayers of thanksgiving and supplication even from us sinners, and deliver us from every dark and deadly transgression and from all the visible and invisible enemies that seek to harm us.


276(Ps. 67(66):1).

Nail our flesh with the fear of thee; and do not let our hearts incline to evil words or thoughts; but pierce our souls with thy love so that ever looking at thee, we will be guided by thy light; and beholding thee, the eternal and unapproachable Light, we may give unceasing praises and thanksgiving to thee, the Father without beginning, together with the only-begotten Son and thy most holy, good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

Ninth HourPEOPLE: O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. (low bow)


O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, our King and our God. (low bow)And Reader the following Psalms:

Psalm 69<68>Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my soul. I sink in deep mire where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is dry; my eyes grow dim while I wait for my God. Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; they are mighty who would destroy me, my enemies who accuse me falsely; though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it. O God, thou knowest my foolishness, and my sins are not hidden from thee. Do not let those who wait for thee, O Lord God of hosts, be dishonored because of me; do not let those who seek thee be confounded because of me, O God of Israel. It is for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my kindred and an alien to my mother’s children;

Zeal for thy house has eaten me up, and the insults of those who insult thee have fallen on me. When I humbled my soul with fasting, they insulted me for doing so. I also made sackcloth my garment; I became a byword to them. Those who sit in the gate speak against me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of thy mercy, hear me in the truth of thy salvation. Deliver me out of the mire and let me not sink; let me be delivered from those who hate me and out of the deep waters. Do not let the floodwater overflow me, or the deep swallow me up; or the pit shut its mouth on me. Hear me, O Lord, for thy mercy is good; turn to me according to the multitude of thy mercies. And do not hide thy face from thy servant, for I am in distress; hear me speedily. Draw near to my soul, and redeem it; deliver me because of my enemies. Thou knowest the insults I received and my shame and dishonor; my adversaries are all known to thee. Insults have broken my heart so that I am in despair; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. They also gave me gall for my food and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Let their table become a snare before them, a trap for their allies. Let their eyes be darkened so that they do not see, and make their loins shake continually. Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them. Let their dwelling place be desolate; let no one live in their tents. For they persecute those whom thou hast struck down, and talk of the grief of those whom thou hast wounded. Add iniquity to their iniquity and let them not come into thy righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living and not be enrolled among the righteous. But I am lowly and sorrowful; let thy salvation, O God, protect me. I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also will please the Lord better than an ox or bull with horns and hooves. The humble will see this and be glad; and you who seek God, your hearts shall live. For the Lord hears the poor and does not despise his prisoners. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them. For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, that they may dwell there and possess it. Also, the descendants of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will live in it.

Psalm 70 <69>Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O Lord! Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life; let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire to hurt me. Let them be turned back because of their shame who say, “Aha, aha!” Let all those who seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee; and let those who love thy salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!” But I am poor and needy; make haste to me, O God! Thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.

Psalm 86 <85>Incline thine ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Protect my soul, for I am faithful; O God, save thy servant whose hope in thee; be merciful to me, O Lord, for unto thee do I cry all the day long. Comfort the soul of thy servant, for unto thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For thou, O Lord, art good, gracious, and abundant in mercy to all those who call on thee. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer, and attend the voice of my supplication. In the day of my trouble I call upon thee, for thou answerest my cry. Among the gods there is none like thee, O Lord; nor are there any works like thee. All nations which thou hast made will come and worship before thee, O Lord, and give glory to thy name. For thou art great and do wondrous things; thou alone art God. Lead me in thy way, O Lord, and I will walk in thy truth. Let my heart rejoice that I may fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart. And I will glorify thy name forever, for great is thy mercy toward me. Thou hast delivered my soul from the depths of Hades. O God, transgressors have risen up against me; a band of violent people who have not set thee before them have sought my life. But thou, O Lord God, art merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in mercy and truth. Look down on me, and have mercy upon me! Give strength to thy servant, and save the child of thy handmaiden. Show me a sign of thy goodness that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame because thou, O Lord, hast helped me and comforted me.


Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to thee O God. (three times).


Glory to the Father and to the son and to the Holy Spirit,

TroparionTone Eight

CHOIR: When the thief saw the Author of life hanging upon the Cross he said: If the one who is crucified with us were not the incarnate God, the sun’s light would not have failed, nor would the earth have quaked and trembled. But, all long-suffering Lord, remember me in thy kingdom.


TheotokionBorn of a virgin for our sake and enduring crucifixion, O Good One, thou didst despoil death by death and as God reveal the resurrection. Do not turn away from those whom thou hast created by thine own hand. O merciful One, show forth thy love for mankind; accept on our behalf the intercessions of her who gave thee birth, the Theotokos, and save, O Savior, a despairing people.


Tone SevenStrange wonder! How the sun’s light failed and the day was changed again to night, and the earth gave up the bodies of the dead from their tombs when the Creator of heaven and earth was seen hanging upon the Cross. With them we fall down before thee: O save us.

They divided my clothes among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.277

Tone Two

277(Psalm 22<21>:18).

O Lord of glory,278 when the transgressors of Law nailed thee to the Cross, thou didst cry aloud unto them: How have I grieved you? Or in what have I wearied you?279 Who delivered you from tribulation except me? How do you now repay me? You have given me evil for good: in return for the pillar of fire, you have nailed me to the Cross; in return for the cloud, you have dug a grave for me. Instead of manna, you have given me gall; instead of water, you have given me vinegar to drink. Wherefore, I will call the Gentiles, and they will glorify me with the Father and the Holy Spirit.


(Priest goes out front and kneels before the Cross of Christ and the congregation kneels as well.)

Tone SixToday he who hung the earth on the waters is hung on the tree. (Three times)

The King of Angels is arrayed with a crown of thorns.280

He who dressed the heavens with clouds,281 is dressed with a false purple.282

He who in the Jordan set Adam free, receives slaps.

The bridegroom of the Church is transfixed with nails.

The Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear.

We fall down before thy passion, O Christ! (Three times)

Show us thy glorious Resurrection.

Prokimenon of the Prophecy (Psalm 14<13>:1):

Tone SixREADER: The fool says in his heart, there is no God. There is no one that does good, no, not one.

The reading from the Prophecy of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 11:18-23DEACON: Wisdom! Let us attend!

READER: It was the Lord who made it known to me, and I knew; for thou didst show me their evil deeds. But I was like a gentle lamb brought to the slaughter; and I did not know that they had devised schemes against me saying, “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living that his name may be remembered no more.” But thou, O Lord of hosts, who judgest righteously, testing the mind and the heart, let me see thy retribution on them, for unto thee I have revealed my cause. Therefore, this is what the Lord says

278(1 Cor. 2:8).

279(Mic. 6:3).

280(Jn.19:2).

281(Ps. 147<146>:8).

282(Jn. 19:2).

about the people of Anathoth who seek your life saying, “you will not prophesy in the name of the Lord, or you will die by our hand; therefore, this is what the Lord of hosts says: Behold, I will punish them. The young people will die by the sword; their sons and their daughters will die by famine, and there will be no remnant of them, for I will bring disaster on the people of Anathoth, the year of their punishment.

Jeremiah 12:1-5Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee; yet let me talk with thee about thy judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root; they grow, yea, they bear fruit. Thou art near to their mouth, but far from their mind. But thou, O Lord, know me; thou hast seen me and thou hast tested my heart toward thee. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter and prepare them for the day of slaughter. How long will the land mourn and the herbs of every field wither? The beasts and birds are consumed for the wickedness of those who dwell there because they said, “He will not see our ways.” If you have raced with the foot-runners, and they have wearied thee, then how can you compete with horses?

Jeremiah 12:9-11Go, assemble all the beasts of the field, Bring them to devour! Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion underfoot; they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. They have made it desolate; desolate, it mourns to me;

Jeremiah 12:14-15This is what the Lord says: “Against all my evil neighbors who touch the heritage which I have given my people Israel to inherit; behold, I will pluck them out of their land and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.” Then it shall be, after I have plucked them out, that I will return and have compassion on them and bring them back, everyone to his heritage and everyone to his land.

The EpistleThe reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 10:19-31DEACON: Wisdom! Let us attend!

READER: Brethren, since we have boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he consecrated for us, through the curtain, that is, his flesh, and since we have a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking meeting together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and all the more as you see the DAY approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain awesome expectation of judgment and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know the One who said, “‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is an awesome thing to fall into the hands of the living God.







DEACON: The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Saint John.



John 19:23-37At that time, when they had crucified Jesus, the soldier took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier, also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfil the scripture, “They parted my garment among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own.

After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished said (to fulfil the scripture), “I thirst.” A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished”; and he bowed his head and gave up the spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness--his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth--that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not a bone of him shall be broken.” And again another scripture says, “They shall look on him whom they have pierced.”



READER: For the sake of thy holy name; abandon us not for ever; withdraw not thy covenant, and withhold not thy mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham thy beloved, and for the sake of Isaac, thy servant, and of Israel, thy holy one.283

PEOPLE: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.




Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.



PEOPLE: Amen.

Then,

The KontakionTone Eight

CHOIR: Come, let us all sing the praises of him who was crucified for us. For Mary said, when she saw him on the Cross: Though thou endurest the Cross, yet thou art my Son and God.

READER: Lord, Have Mercy. (Forty times)

Thou who art at all times and at every hour in heaven and earth worshiped and glorified, O Christ our God, most patient, most merciful, and most compassionate; thou lovest the just and the righteous and hast mercy on sinners, thou callest all to repentance and salvation through the promise of the good things to come: receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour, and guide our life to thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, direct our thoughts, clarify our intentions, and deliver us from all distress, evil and sorrow. Surround us with thy holy angels, so that guided and guarded by their host, we may attain to the unity of the faith and the full knowledge of thine unapproachable glory. For blessed art thou unto ages of ages, Amen.



283(Song of the Three Children, verses 11-12).





O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, thou hast patiently endured our sins, and hast led us even to the present hour, at which, as thou hung upon the life-giving tree, thou opened a way into paradise for the repentant thief, and by death destroyed death. Forgive us sinners, thine unworthy servants; for we have sinned and transgressed thy Law, and we are unworthy even to lift up our eyes to gaze on the heights of heaven, for we have abandoned the path of thy righteousness, and have conducted our lives after the desires of our own hearts.

But we implore thy boundless goodness: Keep us, O Lord, from doing evil, according to the multitude of thy mercies, and save us, for the sake of thy most Holy Name; for our days have passed by in futility. Rescue us from the hand of the enemy, forgive our sins, and subdue in us our fleshly way of thinking, that putting off our old humanity, we may put on the new and may live with thee, our Master and Guardian; and that following thy commandments, we may reach eternal rest in the dwelling place of all those who rejoice. For thou art truly the joy and delight of those who love thee, O Christ our God, and unto thee we give glory, together with thy Father, who has no beginning, and thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The TypikaPEOPLE: In thy Kingdom remember us, O Lord, when thou comest into thy Kingdom.

And the Beatitudes, at the end of which we say:

Remember us, O Lord, when thou comest into thy Kingdom.

Matthew 5:3-12“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.


285(Ps. 67(66):1).

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen. Remember us, O Lord, when thou comest into thy Kingdom.

Remember us, O Master, when thou comest into thy Kingdom.

Remember us, O Holy One, when thou comest into thy Kingdom. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

The heavenly choir and the Archangels and all the Heavenly Powers sing thy praises saying: Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord Sabaoth286! Heaven and earth are filled with thy glory287:


The CreedPEOPLE: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made288 man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And the third day he rose, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets; And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the Life of the world to come. Amen.

286(Rom. 9:29).

287(Is. 6:3).


Then,

Forgive, remit, and pardon, O God, our sins both voluntary and involuntary, in deed and in word, in knowledge and in ignorance, committed by night or by day, in intention and in thought: forgive us them all, for thou art good and the lover of mankind.



PEOPLE: Amen.

The KontakionCHOIR: Come, let us all the sing the praises of him who was crucified for us, for Mary saw thee on the Tree and said: Even though thou endured the Cross, thou art my Son and my God.






PEOPLE: More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption , gavest birth to God the Word and art truly Theotokos, we magnify thee.




290Or the evil one.

PRIEST: May Christ our true God who endured spittings, scourgings, beatings, crucifixion and death for our salvation, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of Saint (N) patron Saint of this Church; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint(s) N.N., whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints: have mercy upon us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loves mankind.



PEOPLE: Amen.

1HOLY SATURDAY VESPERSH APOKAQHLWSIS

(TAKING DOWN FROM THE CROSS)

The priest makes again three low bows before the holy Table. After kissing the holy Gospel book, he says:

DEACON: Bless Master,

PRIEST: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.






Thou makest springs gush forth in the valleys,the waters run down between the mountains.They give drink to all the beasts of the field,

the wild donkeys quench their thirst.By them the birds of the sky have their home,they sing among the rocks.Thou dost water the mountains from thy upper chambers.The earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.Thou makest the grass grow for the cattle,and plants for people to use,to bring forth food from the earth,and wine to cheer the human heart,oil to make the face shine,and bread to strengthen the human heart.The trees of the plain are satisfied,the cedars of Lebanon that he planted,there the birds build their nests;on the highest branches the stork has its home,the high mountains are for the wild goats,the rocks are a refuge for the coneys.




These all look to thee,to give them their food in due season;when thou givest to them,they gather it up.When thou openest thy hand,they are filled with good things.When thou turnest away thy face,they are dismayed;and when thou takest away their breath, they die and return to their dust.When thou sendest forth thy breath,

they are created, and thou renewest the face of the earth.

Let the glory of the Lord endure forever;the Lord will rejoice in his works-who looks on the earth, and makes it tremble;who touchest the mountains and they smoke.I will sing to the Lord all my life;I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.May my meditation be pleasing to him,for I will rejoice in the Lord.Let sinners disappear from the earth,and the wicked exist no more!Bless the Lord, O my soul.Praise the Lord!






O our God and our hope, glory to thee


1.O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and rich in mercy, give ear to our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplication. Show us a sign of thy favor;1 lead us in thy way, so that we may walk in thy truth. Gladden our hearts, so that we may fear thy holy name, for thou art great, and thou workest wonders.2 Thou alone art God, and there is none like thee among the gods, O Lord.3 Thou art mighty in mercy, and benevolent in strength, to aid and to comfort and to save all those who put their trust in thy holy name. For to thee belongs all glory, honor and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

2.

1 1(Ps.86<85>:17).

2 2(Ps 77<76>:14).

3 3(Ps. 86<85>:8).

O Lord, do not rebuke us in thine anger, or discipline us in thy wrath,4 but deal with us in all thy kindness,5 O physician and healer of our souls. Bring us to thy desired haven.6 Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of thy truth.7 And grant us that the completion of this day, and our whole life may be peaceful and sinless, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints. For thine is the majesty, and the power, and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.





7.

4 4(Ps 38<37>:1).

5 5(Ba. 2:27).

6 6(Ps. 107<106>:30).

7 7(1 Tim 2:50).

8 8(Ps. 119<118>:116).

9 9

(Si 39:15).

O great and most high God, thou alone hast immortality and dwellest in unapproachable light.10 Thou hast made all creation in wisdom. Thou hast separated the light from the darkness.11 Thou hast made the sun to rule the day, the moon and the stars to rule the night.12 Thou hast made us sinners at this present hour worthy to come before thy face with thanksgiving and to offer to thee our evening praises. Thou thyself, O Lord, lover of mankind, direct our prayer as incense before thee,13 and accept it as a fragrant offering.14 Grant us to pass the present evening and the coming night in peace. Clothe us with the armor of light.15 Deliver us from the terror of the night and from the pestilence that stalks in the darkness.16 Grant us sleep, which thou hast appointed for the alleviation of our weakness, free from every imagination of the devil. Yea, O Master of all, bestower of good things, may we, being moved toward repentance on our beds, remember thy name in the night, that, illuminated by meditation on thy commandments,17 we may rise up in joyfulness of soul to glorify thy goodness, offering up prayers, and supplications to thy tender love for our sins and for those of all thy people, whom thou visitest in mercy, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos. For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen. When the priest has completed the preceding prayers, and the people have finished the Psalm, the great Litany is prayed.





DEACON: For the peace of the whole world; for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.



0 10(1 Tim.6:16).

1 11(Gen.1:4).

2 12(Gen.1:16).

3 13(Ps.141<140>:2).

4 14(Phil. 4:18).

5 15(Rom.13:12).

6 16(Ps. 91<90>:5-6).

7 17(Ps. 119<118>:143).










CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.DEACON: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.







CHOIR: Amen.


Psalm 141 (140)in the First Tone












Psalm 142 (141)-With my voice, I cried to the Lord; with my voice, I made supplication to the Lord.

-I pour out my prayer before him;I declare my trouble before him.-When my spirit is faint, thou knowest my way.













Tone OneBeholding thee, O Christ, hanging on the Cross, the whole creation was changed by fear. The sun’s light failed and the foundation of the earth was shaken. All things suffered with the Creator of all things. O Lord, thou hast endured this willingly, glory to thee.

From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope in the Lord!

Tone TwoWhy do the impious and lawless people plot in vain?18 Why have they condemned to death the Life of all? Great wonder! The Creator of the world is delivered into the hands of the transgressors of the law, and the lover of mankind is lifted up on the Cross so that he may set the prisoners in Hades free, who cry: O long-suffering Lord, glory to thee.


Today the most pure Virgin saw thee hanging on the Cross, O Word; and with a mother’s love she wept and her heart was pierced bitterly. Groaning from the depth of her soul, she struck her face and tore her hair in her grief. And as she beat her breast, she cried lamenting: Woe is me, my divine Child! Woe is me, thou art the Light of the world! Why dost thou vanish from my sight, O Lamb of God? Then, the hosts of angels were seized with trembling, and they said: O incomprehensible Lord, glory to thee.

Praise the Lord, all you nations! Laud him, all you peoples! O Christ the Creator and God of all, when thy Virgin Mother saw thee hanging on the Cross, bitterly she cried: O my Son, where is the beauty of thy form? I cannot bear to see thee crucified unjustly. Make haste, then, to arise, so that I too may see thy Resurrection from the dead on the third day.

For great is his mercy toward us, and the faithfullness of the Lord endures forever.

Tone SixToday the Master of Creation stands before Pilate; today the Creator of all things is given up to the Cross, and by his own will he is like a lamb that is led to the slaughter.19 He who sent manna in the wilderness is transfixed with nails; his side is pierced, and a sponge with vinegar touches his lips. The Deliverer of the world is struck on the face, and the Creator of all is mocked by his own servants. How great is the Master’s love for mankind! For those who crucified him, he prayed to his Father saying: Forgive them this sin, for in their wickedness they do not know what they are doing.20


8 18(Psalm 2:1).

9 19(Is. 53:6).

0 20(Luke 23:34).

See, how the lawless synagogue has condemned to death the King of the Creation! They were not ashamed when he recalled his blessings saying: O my people, what have I done to you?21 alone? Have I not healed every disease and every sickness?22 How then have you repaid me? Why have you forgotten me? In return for healing, you have given me blows; in return for life, you are putting me to death. You hang upon the Cross your Benefactor as an evildoer, your Lawgiver as a transgressor of the Law, the King of all as one condemned. O forbearing Lord, glory to thee.


Same ToneAn awesome and marvelous mystery we see today. The invisible is seized; the One who delivers of Adam from the curse is bound. The examiner of human hearts and inner thoughts is unjustly tried. The One who sealed the abyss is shut in prison. The One before whom the powers of heaven stand with trembling stands before Pilate; the Creator is struck by the hand of his creature. The judge of the living and the dead is condemned to be crucified; the Destroyer of Hades is enclosed in a tomb. O long-suffering Lord, thou didst endure all these things in thy tender love and didst save all mankind from the curse, glory to thee.

The EntranceThe Prayer of the Entrance



PRIEST: In the evening and in the morning and at noonday we praise thee; we bless thee; we give thanks to thee; and we implore thee: O Lord, Master of all, lover of mankind, direct our prayer as incense before thee;23 and do not incline our hearts to words or thoughts of evil; but deliver us from all who seek after our souls.24 For our eyes are turned toward thee, O Lord,25 and in thee we have put our hope, O our God, for to thee belong all glory, honor and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.



PEOPLE: Amen.

1 21(Mic. 6:3).

2 22(Matt. 9:35).

3 23(Ps.141<140>:2).

4 24(Ps.59<58>:3).

5 25(Ps.141<140>:8).

6 26An alternative reading is “Blessed is the entrance into thy sanctuary.”

The priest/deacon lifts up the Gospel.





The Vesperal ProkeimenonThe Prokimenon (Psalm 21):

Tone FourREADER: They divided my clothes among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. (Twice)

My God, my God, hear me; why hast thou forsaken me?27

They divided my clothes among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

The PropheciesREADER: The reading from the book of Exodus.

Exodus 33:11-23DEACON: Wisdom! Let us attend!READER: The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. And while he would return to the camp, his young assistant Joshua the son of Nun did not depart from the tent. Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, thou sayest to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But you have not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in my sight.’ Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, so that I may know thee and that I may find grace in thy sight. And consider that this nation is thy people.” And he said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then he said to him, “If thy Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that thy people and I have found grace in thy sight, unless thou goest with us? So we will be distinct, thy people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”

So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have asked; for you have found grace in my sight, and I know you by name.” And he said, “Please, show me thy glory.” Then he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” But he said, “You cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.” And the Lord said, “Here is a place by me, and you shall stand on the rock. “So it will be, while my glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and will cover you with my hand while I pass by. Then I will take away my hand, and you will see my back; but my face will not be seen.”

7 27(Psalm 22<21>:18).

Prokeimenon (Psalm 35<34>): Tone Four

READER: Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. They rewarded me evil for good.

READER: The reading from the Book of Job.

Job 42:12-17DEACON: Wisdom! Let us attend!

READER: Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. And he named the first Day, the second Casia, and the third Amalthaea’s Horn. In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 6}After this affection Job lived one hundred and seventy years, and all the years he lived were two hundred and forty: and Job saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days. It is written that he will rise with those whom will God raise up. This man is described in Syriac Bible, as living in the Land of Ausis, on the borders of Idumea and Arabia. His name was Jobab; and having taken an Arabian wife, to beget a son named Ennon. And he himself was the son of his father Zareh, one of the children of Esau, and of his mother, Bosorrah. Thus, he was the fifth son of Abraham.

READER: O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is thy name in all the earth! For thy majesty has been exalted above the heavens.

The reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah.

Isaiah 52:13-54:1.DEACON: Wisdom! Let us attend!

READER: This is what the Lord says: “See my servant will deal prudently; he will be exalted and extolled and be very high. Just as many were astonished at thee, so his visage was marred beyond human semblance, and his form more than the children of mortals; so he will startle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths at him; for what had not been told them they will see, and what they had not heard they will consider. Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He will grow up before him as a tender plant and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected by others, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from him; he was despised, and we held him no account. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon him and by his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. And by a perversion of justice he was taken away. And who will declare his generation? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people he was stricken. And they made his grave with the wicked; but with the rich at his death, because he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he has put him to grief. When thou makest his soul an offering for sin, he will see his offspring, he will prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord will prosper in his hand. He will see the labor of his soul, and be satisfied. By his knowledge my righteous servant will make many righteous, for he will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot him a portion with the great and he will divide the spoil with the strong because he poured out his soul to death, he was numbered with the transgressors, and he bore the sin of

many and made intercession for the transgressors. Sing, O barren one, who has not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou who hast not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman.”

The EpistleProkeimenon (Psalm 88<87>):


READER: They have put me in the depths of the pit: in dark places and in the shadow of death. O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee.

DEACON: Wisdom!

READER: The reading from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 1:18-2:2DEACON: Let us attend!

READER: Brethren, the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the discernment of the discerning I will reduce to nothing.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the proclamation preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Consider your calling, brethren, not many of you were wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble. But God has chosen what is foolish in the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong; and what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no flesh should boast in his presence. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption; that, as it is written, “let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

And I, brethren, I did not come to you proclaiming the testimony of God with excellence of speech or of wisdom. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.



Tone FiveREADER: Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my soul.

They also gave me gall for my food and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see.28

8 28(Psalm 69<68>:2,22,24).








Matthew 27:1-37; Luke 23:39-43; Matthew 27:39-54; John 19:31-37; Matthew 27:55-64

At that time, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death and they bound him and led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.” So they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field to bury strangers in. Therefore, that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him who was valued, who was valued by the children of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when Jesus was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you. But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge; so that the governor wondered greatly.

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barab’bas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Barab’bas or Jesus who is called Christ?” For Pilate knew that they had delivered Jesus up out of envy. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much over him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the people to ask for Barab’bas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barab’bas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified.” And Pilate said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified.” So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd saying, “I am innocent of this righteous man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood will be on us and on our children!” Then Pilate released for them Barab’bas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him saying, “Rejoice, King of the Jews” And they spat upon him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

As they went out, they came upon a man, of Cyrene, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry Jesus’ cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots, that what was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled: “They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him which read, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews.” Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.

Luke 23:39-43One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise. “

Matthew 27:39-54And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself: If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, la’ma sabach-tha’ni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him. And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and gave up the spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split; the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him keeping watch over Jesus saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this is the Son of God!”

John 19:31-37

Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other which had been crucified with him: But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness--his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth--that you also may believe. For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled, “Not a bone of him shall be broken.” And again another scripture says, “They shall look on him whom the have pierced.”

Matthew 27:55-61There were also many women there, looking on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to him, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zeb’edee.

At this point the Body of the Lord is taken down from the Tree. The priest lowers the body from the Cross, wraps it in a clean linen cloth, and places it on the Holy Altar.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathe’a, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulcher.



















PEOPLE: Amen.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin.Blessed art thou, O Lord, God of our fathers! Praised and glorified is thy name forever, Amen.Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, even as we have set our hope in thee.Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes.29

Blessed art thou, O Master, make me to understand thy statutes.Blessed art thou, O holy One; enlighten me with thy statutes.Thy mercy, O Lord, endures forever:30 O despise not the works of thy hands.31 To thee belongs praise, to thee belongs honor,32 to thee belongth glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

The Litany of SupplicationDEACON: Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.




DEACON: That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.



9 29(Ps. 118<119>:12,64,135).

0 30(Ps.107<106>:1).

1 31(Ps.138<137>8).

2 32(Ps.65<64>:1).


DEACON: Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.PEOPLE: Grant this, O Lord.










PEOPLE: Amen.





The Prayer at the Bowing of Heads

PRIEST: O Lord our God, who bowed the heavens and came down for the salvation of mankind: Look favorably upon thy servants and thine inheritance, for to thee, the awesome Judge and lover of mankind, have thy servants bowed their heads, and bent their necks, not expecting help from men, but hoping in thy mercy, and looking for thy salvation. Protect them at all times, especially in the present evening, and in the coming night, from every enemy, from every adverse work of the devil, from vain thoughts and from evil imaginations.


PEOPLE: Amen.The Aposticha33

Tone TwoCHOIR: O Christ, Life of all, Joseph of Arimathea took thee down dead from the Cross, and he wrapped thee in a fine linen cloth with ointment. Profoundly moved in heart and speech, he enshrouded thy most pure body, while himself enshrouded in awe, yet he cried out unto thee rejoicing: ‘Glory to thy self-abasement, O lover of mankind.

The Lord is King, he is robed in majesty.He has clothed and girded himself with might.34 O Redeemer of all, when thou wast laid for us all in a new tomb, the scornful Hades, seeing thee, trembled with fear. Its bars were broken, its gates were shattered, the tombs were opened and the dead rose. Then Adam, rejoicing with thanksgiving, cried out unto thee: Glory to thy self-abasement, O lover of mankind.

He has established the world, it shall never be moved.35

In the flesh thou wast enclosed willingly within a tomb, yet in thy divine nature thou remained uncircumscried and boundless. Thou hast shut up the chambers of Hades, O Christ, and emptied all its palaces. Thou hast accounted this Sabbath worthy of thy divine blessing and the glory and of thy radiance.

Holiness befits thy house, O Lord, forevermore.36

O Christ, when the powers of heaven saw thee falsely accused as a deceiver by the transgressors of the Law and saw the stone before thy tomb sealed by the hands which had pierced thy most pure side, they were filled with fear at thine inexpressible forbearance. Yet, rejoicing at our salvation, they cried out unto thee: Glory to thy self-abasement, O lover of mankind.


3 33The PROCESSION OF THE EPITAPHION takes place during the singing of the Aposticha in the following manner:The priest censes the Epitaphion, which has been placed on the Holy Altar Table, nine times, reverences it an kisses it.• Preceded by Altar Boys carrying the processional cross, candles, and incense, the Priest carries the Epitaphion around the

Church, as in the Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy, holding it above his head.• When they reach the Bier, which should be placed in the middle of the Solea, decorated with flowers, he walks around it three

times.• The Priest places the Epitaphion on the Bier, censes it nine times and sprinkles it with rose water.• He places the Gospel over the Epitaphion, makes three prostrations, kisses it, and returns to the Sanctuary.

4 34(Psalm 93<92>:1)

5 35(Ps.93<92>:1).

6 36(Ps. 93<92>:5).

Tone Five

He who is wrapped in light as with a garment was taken down from the Cross by Joseph and Nicodemus. Seeing thee dead, stripped, and unburied, Joseph lamented with grief and tender compassion saying: “Woe is me, my sweetest Jesus! A little while ago the sun seeing thee hanging on the Cross wrapped itself in darkness: the earth shook with fear and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. And now I see thee for my sake submitting thyself willingly to death. How shall I bury thee, my God? How shall I wrap thee with a linen cloth? How shall I touch thy most pure body with my hands? What hymns shall I sing to thee at thy departure, O compassionate Savior? I magnify thy sufferings; I sing the praises of thy burial and thy Resurrection crying: O Lord, glory to thee.”

Saint Simeon’s Prayer37

PEOPLE: Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.





All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy name’s sake.





PEOPLE: Amen. (People sing the Troparia)

Tone TwoPEOPLE: Noble Joseph, taking down thy pure body from the tree, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth with spices, and buried it, laying it in a new tomb40.

7 37(Lk.2:29-32)

8 38Or, “living”.

9 39Or the evil one.

Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The angel stood by the tomb and cried aloud to the ointment-bearing women: Myrrh is proper for the dead, but Christ has shown himself a stranger to corruption.

Then the priest concludes the office of vespers with the dismissal:





PRIEST: O most holy Theotokos, save us!PEOPLE: More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption41, gavest birth to God the Word and art truly Theotokos, we magnify thee.



PRIEST: May Christ our true God, who endured spittings, scourgings, beatings, crucifixion and death for our salvation, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint (N) patron Saint of this Church; of Saint(s) N.N., whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints: have mercy upon us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loves mankind.


PRIEST: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.PEOPLE: Amen.

1THE NIGHT OF GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY

0 40(John 19:40-41).

1 41Or remaining virgin...etc.,

(The Matins Service of Great Saturday)

The LamentationsThe priest, standing before the Royal Doors, makes three metanias and says in an audible voice:



PEOPLE: Amen.



PEOPLE: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.








PEOPLE: Amen. Troparia

READER: O Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, granting them victory over all adversaries, and by thy Cross protect thy community.


1 1Or, “living”.

2 2Or the evil one.




The Litany of PeaceThe priest, standing before the Holy table, censes one side on every petition while intoning the following petitions:







PRIEST: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages.



PEOPLE: Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men3 (Three times)

O Lord open thou my lips, and my mouth will declare thy praise. (Two times)


But thou, O Lord, art my helper, my glory,and the lifter up of my head.I cried unto the Lord with my voice,and he heard me from his holy mountain.

3 3Or “Those whom he favors”.

I laid down and slept,I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of peoplewho have set themselves against me all around.Rise up, O Lord!Deliver me, O my God!For thou hast struck all who are my enemies without cause,thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked.Deliverance belongs to the Lord;thy blessing is upon thy people.


Psalm 38 (37)O Lord, do not rebuke me in thine anger,or discipline me in thy wrath.For thine arrows have pierced me,and thine hand hast pressed down upon me. There is no health in my flesh,because of thine anger.There is no peace in my bonesbecause of my sins.For my iniquities are piled over my head;a burden too heavy for me.








Psalm 63(62)O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee,my soul thirsts for thee;my flesh also longs for thee,as in a dry and trackless land, where there is no water.Thus I have looked upon thee in the sanctuary,beholding thy power and glory.Because thy mercy is better than life,my lips will praise thee.Thus I will bless thee as long as I live;in thy name I will lift up my hands. Let my soul be filled with fat and abundance,and my joyful lips will praise thy name.When I was thinking of thee in my bed,I meditated on thee in the watches of the night:for thou hast been my help,and in the shelter of thy wings I rejoice.My soul clung to thee;thy right hand upheld me. And those who sought my soul in vainshall go down into the depths of the earth;

they shall be given over to the power of the sword,they shall be prey for jackals.But the king shall rejoice in God;all who swear by him shall exult,for the mouths of those who speak lies shall be stopped.I meditated on thee in the watches of the night:for thou hast been my help,and in the shelter of thy wings I rejoice.My soul clung to thee;thy right hand upheld me.






Thou hast removed my companions far from me;they have made me an abomination to themselves,I am shut in so that I cannot escape;my eyes grew dim through misery.Every day I call on thee, O Lord;I spread out my hands to thee.Dost thou work wonders for the dead?Or do the physicians raise them to praise thee?Is thy mercy declared in the grave,or thy truth in Hades?

Are thy wonders known in the darkness,or thy righteousness in the land offorgetfulness? But I cry out to thee, O Lord;in the morning my prayer comes before thee.O Lord, why dost thou cast me off?Why dost thou hide thy face from me?I am in misery and trouble from my youth up,I have been exalted and brought low,I am driven to despair.Thy wrath has overwhelmed me;thy terrors have frightened me,they surrounded me like a flood all day long;they have closed in upon me, and cut off all assistance.Thou hast removed friends and acquaintances far from mebecause of my wretchedness.



The Lord works mercy and justice for all who are oppressed.He made known his ways to Moses,his acts to the people of Israel.The Lord is merciful and gracious,forbearing and very merciful.He will not keep his anger forever,nor will he forever be wrathful.He does not deal with usaccording to our sins,nor repay us according to our iniquities.For as high as the heavens are above the earth,so great is his mercy toward those who fear him;as far as the east is from the west,so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion for his children,so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.For he knows how we were made;he remembers that we are dust.





Answer me quickly, O Lord;my spirit has failed.

Hide not thy face from me,or I shall be like those who go down to the pit.

Let me hear of thy mercy in the morning,for in thee I have put my hope.Teach me the way I should go,for to thee have I lifted up my soul. Save me, O Lord, from my enemies;I have fled to thee for refuge.Teach me to do thy will,for thou art my God.Let your good Spirit lead me in a straight path. For thy name’s sake, O Lord,give life to me.In thy righteousness,bring my soul out of affliction.In thy mercy, destroy my enemies; and bring to naught all my adversaries;for I am thy servant.


Let thy good Spirit lead me in a straight path.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.




Our God and our Hope, Glory to thee.

While the preceding six psalms are being read, the priest says the following twelve morning prayers. The first three are said before the Altar, and the remaining nine are said standing before the icon of Christ.

1.We give thanks to thee, O Lord our God, who raised us from our beds, and put a word of praise in our mouths,4 so that we may worship and call on thy holy name.5 We implore thy mercies, which thou hast given always for our life. Send thy help6 upon us and all who stand before the face of thy holy glory, eagerly waiting the rich mercy, which is from thee. Grant that we, in awe and love, may always worship thee, praise thee, sing hymns to thee, and fall down before thine indescribable goodness. For unto thee are due all-glory, honor and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

4 4(Ps.40<39>:3).

5 5(Ps.80<78>:18).

6 6(Ps.20<19>:2).

2.Our soul yearns for thee, O our God, in the night;7 for thy commandments are a light upon the earth. Teach us to fulfill righteousness and holiness in thy fear; for we glorify thee, our God, HE WHO IS. Incline thine ear, and hear us, and remember, O Lord, by name those who are present with us and those who pray with us, and save them by thy might. Bless thy people and sanctify thine inheritance, give peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the priests, to all civil authorities, and to all thy people. For blessed and glorified is thy most honorable and majestic name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.



5.O treasury of good things, ever-flowing fountain, O wonder-working, omnipotent and almighty holy Father: we all fall before thee; and we pray to thee, calling upon thy mercies and thy compassion to aid and help our

7 7(Is.26:9).

8 8(Is.26:9).

9 9(Ps.119<118>:135).

0 10(Ps.13<12>:3).

1 11(2 Cor. 4:6).

2 12(I Thess. 5:5)

3 13(Ps.69<68>:16).

affliction. Remember, O Lord, thy suppliants; receive our morning prayers as incense before thee; consider not anyone of us to be without worth; but preserve us all with thy compassion. Remember, O Lord, those who watch over thy flock and sing to thy glory and to the glory of thine only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit. Be their helper and protector. Receive their supplications upon thy celestial and spiritual altar; for thou art our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.


7.O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, thou hast raised us up from our beds and hast gathered us together at this hour of prayer. Grant us grace in the opening of our mouths; and receive our thanksgiving, offered to the utmost of our ability; and teach us thy statutes, for we do not know how to pray as we ought14 unless thou guidest us, O Lord, by thy Holy Spirit. Wherefore, we entreat thee: Remit, forgive, pardon all the sins we may have committed to this present hour by word or deed or thought, voluntary or involuntary: for if thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, who could stand?15 For from thee is redemption, and thou only art holy and mighty and the helper and protector of our life. Our praise is continually of thee.16 Blessed and glorified be the supreme might of thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

8.O Lord our God, thou hast driven away from us the indolence of sleep and hast assembled us together by a holy calling, so that in the night also we may lift up our hands and give thanks for thy righteous ordinances.17 Receive our prayers, petitions, praises, and night-time worship. And grant us, O Lord, a confident faith that cannot be put to shame, firm hope and sincere love. Bless our going out and our coming in,18 our deeds, words and thoughts. Grant us that we may come to the beginning of the day, praising, singing hymns, and blessing the goodness of thine inexpressible kindness; for blessed be thy most holy name, and glorified be your Kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

9.

4 14(Ro.8:26).

5 15(Ps 130<129>:3).

6 16(Ps 71<70>6).

7 17(Ps. 119<118>:160).

8 18(Ps.121<120>:8).

O Master, lover of mankind, shine within our hearts the pure light of thy divine knowledge; and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend19 the message of thy Gospel. Instill in us, also, reverence for thy blessed commandments, so that having conquered20 sinful desires, we may pursue a spiritual way of life, both thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to thee.21 For thou art our sanctification, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.



12.We praise thee, we sing unto thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O God of our fathers; for thou hast made the shades of night to pass away and hast shown us once more the light of the day. And we entreat thy goodness: be gracious to our sins, and receive our prayer in thy great tenderness. For we flee unto thee, the merciful and almighty God. Shine within our hearts the true sun of thy righteousness. Enlighten our minds. And guard all our senses that, walking decently as in the day in the way of thy commandments, we may reach the eternal life--for thou art the fountain of life--and that we may be accounted worthy to enjoy thine

9 19(Eph.1:18).

0 20(Ps. 91<90>:13).

1 21(1 John 3:22).

2 22(Ps.51<50>:1).

3 23(Ps. 51<50:1).

4 24(Mt. 9:6).

5 25(Ps 51<50>10-12).

unapproachable light.26 For thou art our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.














CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.DEACON: For healthful seasons, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.





6 26(1 Tim 6:16).







CHOIR: Amen.

People chant the following in the second tone:

Tone TwoPEOPLE: God is the Lord, and he is revealed to us27, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord28.

verse 1: O give thanks to the Lord, call on his holy name29.

God is the Lord, and he is revealed to us30, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord31.

verse 2: All the nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord will I destroy them32.


verse 3: This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes35.


7 27(Ps. 118 <117>:27).

8 28(Mt.21:9).

9 29(Ps.105 <104>:1).

0 30(Ps. 118 “117”:27).

1 31(Mt.21:9).

2 32(Ps.118 <117>10).

3 33(Ps. 118 “117”:27).

4 34(Mt.21:9).

5 35(Ps.118 <117>:23).

The People then sing the following Troparia:

Tone TwoThe Noble Joseph, when he had taken down thine immaculate body from the tree, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth with spices, and sorrowing placed it in a new tomb.


Troparion of the ResurrectionWhen thou, O immortal life, went down to death, thou didst destroy death by the dazzling of thy Divinity. And when thou raised the dead from the underworld, all the powers of heaven cried aloud: O Christ our God, Giver of life, Glory to thee.




PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.DEACON: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.





PEOPLE: Amen.

The Kathismata (Sessional Hymns)

6 36(Ps. 118 “117”:27).

7 37(Mt.21:9).

First ToneCHOIR: Joseph asked Pilate for thy Holy Body; he anointed it with majestic aromatic ointment, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a new tomb. There the ointment-bearing women, rising early in the morning, cried aloud: O Christ, show to us thy Resurrection, as thou hast foretold us.


The Choirs of Angels were dazzled when they saw the immortal One, who is in the Father’s bosom, lying in the tomb like a dead man. The orders of the angels surround him and glorify him while he is the dead in Hades: For he is Creator and Lord.












THE CANONSixth Tone

CANTICLE ONECHOIR: IRMOS: The children of those who were once saved concealed under ground the One who all that time had been concealing the persecuting tyrant under the waves of the sea: So, let us sing to the Lord like the young men, for he is greatly glorified.

Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.

O Lord my God, I will sing to thee a funeral and burial hymn, for by thy burial, thou hast opened the gates of life, and by thy death thou hast destroyed death and Hades.


O my Savior, all the heavenly and earthly38 things shook at thy death, as they saw thee on thy throne on high and in the grave below. For beyond understanding, thou wast seen to be the One who gives life though dead.


To fill all things with thy glory, thou hast descended into the lowest part of the earth, for my original nature, as it existed in Adam, has not been hidden from thee. Even though thou wast buried in the tomb, thou made me, the perishable human, a new creation, O Lover of mankind.

KatavasiaThe children of those who were once saved concealed under ground the One who all that time had been concealing the persecuting tyrant under the waves of the sea: So, let us sing to the Lord like the young men, for he is greatly glorified.

8 38sub-terranean.

CANTICLE THREEIRMOS: When the creation saw thee, who by thy own will hung the whole creation upon the waters, hanging in Golgotha, it was seized with great wonder, and cried aloud: None is holy but thee, O Lord.39


O Master, thou hast revealed the marks of thy burial in a multitude of appearances; now thou hast shown thy hidden secrets in as God-man to those who are in Hades, who cry aloud: None is holy but thee, O Lord.40


Thou hast stretched out thy hands and untied all that had been divided. Wrapped in linen cloth, O Savior, and buried in a tomb, thou hast set free the prisoners who cry aloud: None is holy but thee, O Lord.41


By thine own will, a grave and seals have enclosed thee, O infinite One; but thou didst reveal thy power divinely, power in thy actions to those who sing: None is holy but thee, O Lord.42

KatavasiaWhen the creation saw thee, who by thine own will hung the whole creation upon the waters, hanging in Golgotha, it was seized with great wonder, crying aloud: None is holy but thee, O Lord.”43

Kathisma (Sessional Hymn)First Tone

O Savior, the soldiers guarding thy tomb became as dead men from the lightning appearance of the angel, proclaiming the Resurrection to the women. We glorify thee the despoiler of corruption, and unto thee we fall down, risen from the tomb, and our only God.

CANTICLE FOURSixth Tone

IRMOS: When he foresaw thee emptying thyself upon the Cross, Habakkuk was dazzled as he cried: “Thou hast cut short the might of the powerful,”44 O gracious and almighty Lord, who preached salvation to those in Hades.


Today, thou hast made holy the seventh day, which thou blessed before resting from thy works. For thou createst all things and makest them new, taking rest on the Sabbath, my Savior, and restoring them once more.

9 39(Sir. 36:<33>:5).

0 40(Sir. 36:<33>:5).

1 41(Sir. 36:<33>:5).

2 42(Sir. 36:<33>:5).

3 43(Sir. 36:<33>:5).

4 44(Hab. 3:14).


O Word, thou hast gained victory by thy almighty strength; thy soul was separated from thy body, yet by thy dominion, thou burstest the bonds of death and Hades.


Hades was embittered when it encountered thee,45 O Word, for it saw a mortal deified, marked by wounds, yet all-powerful; it shrank back in terror at this sight.

KatavasiaWhen he foresaw thee emptying thyself upon the Cross, Habakkuk was dazzled as he cried: Thou hast cut short the might of the powerful,46 O gracious and almighty Lord, who preached salvation to those in Hades.

CANTICLE FIVEIRMOS: O Christ, when Isaiah came early in the morning, he saw the never-setting light, the light of divine manifestation, that appeared to us through thy tender mercy. He cried aloud: The dead shall live, and the dwellers in the tomb shall rise, and all those who live on earth will sing for joy.47

Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.O Creator, when thou wast enrolled among the mortals, thou madest them new. O Word, the linen cloth and the tomb point to the mystery that is within thee. For the respected council member of the sanhadrin48 fulfills the will of thy Father, who has gloriously made me new in thee.


O Master, by thy death thou transformest mortality, and by thy burial, corruption. As as befits God, thou renderest immortal and incorruptible the nature thou assumed. But thy flesh did not see decay, nor was thy soul, as that of a stranger, left in Hades.


Coming from a birth without travail, and pierced in thy side with a spear, O my Creator, thou accomplished the recreation of Eve. Becoming Adam, thou fell asleep in a manner transcending nature, producing life and raising it from sleep and corruption, for thou art the Almighty One.

KatavasiaO Christ, when Isaiah came early in the morning, he saw the never-setting light, the light of divine manifestation, that appeared to us through thy tender mercy. He cried aloud: The dead shall live, and the dwellers in the tomb shall rise, and all those who live on earth will sing for joy.49

5 45(Is. 14:9).

6 46(Hab. 3:14).

7 47(Is. 26:19).

8 48Joseph of Arimathea.

9 49(Is. 26:19).

CANTICLE SIXIRMOS: Jonah was enclosed, but not held fast in the belly of the whale; for as prefiguring thee, who hast suffered and wast buried in the tomb, he sprung up from the beast as from a bridal chamber, and he called out to the guard: O guards, you guard in vain, for you have forsaken your own mercy.


O Word, thou wast slain but not separated from the flesh thou didst share with us. For though thy temple was destroyed at the time of thy Passion, the Person of thy Godhead and of thy flesh remains but One: in both thou art one Son, the Word of God, both God and Man.


The sin of Adam caused the death of man, but not the death of God, for though the earthly essence of thy flesh suffered, thy Godhead remained without suffering. Thou hast transformed that which was corruptible to incorruption, and revealed the fountain of life by thy Resurrection.


Hades rules over our mortal race, but not forever. Laid in the tomb, O Mighty One, with thy life-giving hand thou hast destroyed the bars of death. As the first born who rose from the dead, thou hast proclaimed true redemption, O Savior, to those who throughout the ages slept in the tombs.

KatavasiaJonah was enclosed, but not held fast in the belly of the whale; for as prefiguring thee, who hast suffered and wast buried in the tomb, he sprung up from the beast as from a bridal chamber, and he called out to the guard: O guards, you guard in vain, for you have forsaken your own mercy.

The KontakionThe immortal One, who closed the abyss,50 is seen dead and wrapped in linen cloth with spices and laid in the tomb as mortal. The women come to anoint him with ointment, weeping bitterly and crying aloud: This is the Sabbath which is blessed above all, for Christ, having fallen asleep, will rise on the third day.

The OikosHe who rules over all things was lifted up on the Cross. The whole creation weeps to see him hanging naked on the Cross. The sun hid its rays and the stars lost their brightness; the earth shook in great fear, the sea fled and the rocks were torn, and many graves were opened and the bodies of the saints rose. Hades groaned below, and the Jews spread false tidings against Christ’s Resurrection. But the women cried aloud: This is the Sabbath which is blessed above all, for Christ, having fallen asleep, will rise on the third day.

The Synaxarion

READER: On Great and Holy Saturday, we commemorate the burial of the Divine Body and the descent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to Hades, through which he called up the human race from corruption, granting it the privilege of entering eternal life.

0 50the home of demons and evil spirits.

Therefore, by thine inexpressible condescension, O Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

CANTICLE SEVENIRMOS: O Inexpressible wonder! For he is laid as dead without breath in the grave for our salvation, who delivered from the fiery furnace the godly Children, who sang: Blessed art thou, O God our Deliverer.


When Hades was consumed by divine fire, it was pierced in the heart and groaned, receiving the One who was pierced in his side by the spear for the salvation of us who sing: Blessed art thou, O God our Deliverer.


O Blessed tomb! It received within itself the Creator, as if sleeping, and it became a divine treasury of life, for the salvation of us who sing: Blessed art thou, O God our Deliverer.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

The Life of all submits to being laid in the tomb, according to the law of the dead, and he makes it a source of resurrection for the salvation of us who sing: Blessed art thou, O God our Deliverer.


In Hades and in the tomb and in Eden, the divinity of Christ was indivisibly united with the Father and the Spirit, for the salvation of us who sing: Blessed art thou, O God our Deliverer.

KatavasiaO Inexpressible wonder! For he is laid as dead without breath in the grave for our salvation, who delivered from the fiery furnace the godly Children who sang: Blessed art thou, O God our Deliverer.

CANTICLE EIGHTIRMOS: O heavens, be appalled! Be astonished! Let the foundations of the earth be shaken. For he who dwells on high is reckoned among the dead, lodging as a stranger in a narrow tomb. Children bless him, priests praise him, and people exalt him unto all the ages!


The most pure Temple is destroyed, but raises up with him the fallen tabernacle. The second Adam, dwelling in the highest heaven, has come down to the first Adam as far as the depths of Hades. Children bless him, priests praise him, and people exalt him unto all the ages!

We bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

The disciples were fainthearted, but Joseph of Arimathaea was the bravest, for seeing the God of all dead and naked, he asked for the body and buried him, crying: Children bless him, priests praise him, and people exalt him unto all the ages!


O strange wonders! O divine goodness! O inexpressible long-suffering! God who dwells in the highest heaven is willingly sealed beneath the earth, and is falsely accused as a deceiver. Children bless him, priests praise him, and people exalt him unto all the ages!


O heavens, be appalled! Be astonished! Let the foundations of the earth be shaken. For he who dwells on high is reckoned among the dead, lodging as a stranger in a narrow tomb. Children bless him, priests praise him, and people exalt him unto all the ages!



The Deacon censes the sanctuary and the people in the usual manner, while People do not sing the Magnificat and Greater in honor than the cherubim. . . . but chant the following:

CANTICLE NINEIRMOS: O Mother, weep not for me, beholding me in the tomb, the Son whom thou conceived without seed in thy womb. For I will rise and will be glorified, and as God I will continually exalt in everlasting glory those who magnify thee with faith and love.


O Son without beginning, at thy strange birth I was blessed in a manner transcending all nature, for I was spared all the travail of childbirth. But now, seeing thee, my God, a lifeless corpse, I am attacked by the sword of bitter sorrow. But arise, that I may be magnified. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

O Mother, the earth covers me willingly, but the gate-keepers of Hades tremble with fear as they see me, clothed in the blood-stained garment of punishment, for on the Cross as God I have struck down my enemies, and I will rise and magnify thee. Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Let creation rejoice exceedingly, let all Children of Adam be glad, for Hades, the enemy, has been stripped of its power. O women, come to meet me with ointment, for I am delivering Adam and Eve with the whole human race, and on the third day I will rise.

KatavasiaO Mother, weep not for me, beholding me in the tomb, the Son whom thou conceived without seed in thy womb. For I will rise and will be glorified, and as God I will continually exalt in everlasting glory those who magnify thee with faith and love.

At the completion of the Ninth Ode, the Priest, preceded by the Altar Boys, exit the Sanctuary and go to where the Bier is, decorated with flowers, on which is the Epitaphion. The Priests and the Choir stand on both sides of it, and the Priests stands before it, and starts chanting the first of the Lamentations to follow, which are divided into three parts, and he censes the Bier on its four sides. Then at each interval (between the three parts) he censes the Bier as he stands in front of it.)

Lamentations

FIRST STASISFifth Tone

1-In a grave they laid thee, O my Life and my Christ: and the armies of the angels were so amazed as they sang the praise of thy submissive love.

2-O my sweet Lord Jesus, my salvation and my light, how art thou now by a grave and its darkness hid? How unspeakable the mystry of thy love?

3-Gone the light the world knew, gone the light that was mine; O my Jesus who art all of the heart’s desire. So the virgin spoke lamenting at thy grave.

4-Who will give me water, for the tears I must weep. So the maiden wed to God cried with loud lament, that for my sweet Jesus I may rightly mourn.

5-All we call thee blessed, Theotokos most pure and with faithful hearts we honor the burial, suffered three days by thy Son who is our God.

6- How O Life canst thou die? In a grave, how canst thou dwell? For the proud domain of death thou destroyest now; and the dead of Hades thou makest to rise.

7-Now we magnify thee, O Lord Jesus our King, and we venerate thy passion and burial: for there with hast thou delivered us from Death.

8-Earth, her bounds thou gavest: yet how small is the tomb where, O Jesus, King of all, thou dost dwell today, who dost call the dead to leave their graves and rise.9-O my dear Christ Jesus, King and Ruler of all, why to them that dwelt in Hades didst thou descend? Was it not to set the race of mortals free?

10-Lo, the Son, the ruler of creation, is dead, buried in a tomb never used before, he who has emptied all the graves of their dead.

11-In a grave they laid thee O my Life and my Christ: yet the lord of death hast thou by death destroyed, and the world of thee does drink rich streams of life.

12-Lo, how fair his beauty! Never man was so fair; but how strangely now has death changed that face we knew, though all nature all her beauty to him owes.

13-O my sweet Lord Jesus, my Salvation, my Light: how art thou now by a grave and its darkness hid? How unspeakable the mystery of thy love.

14-Lo, how strange these wonders, deeds amazing and new: for the Giver of my life is borne lifeless forth by the hands of weeping Joseph to his rest.


15-O Word of God, we praise thee, the Lord of all the world, with thy Father and thy Holy Spirit, and we glorify thy burial.


16- We bless thee, O most pure Theotokos, and in faith we honor the three-day burial of thy Son, our God.

In a grave they laid thee, O my Life and my Christ: and the armies of the angels were so amazed as they sang the praise of thy submissive love.

The Little LitanyPRIEST: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.


PRIEST: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.


PRIEST: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.


PRIEST: For blessed is thy name and glorified is thy kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

SECOND STASISFifth Tone

1- Right is it in deed, Life-Bestowing Lord to magnify thee: For upon the cross were thy hands out stretched, and the strength of our dread foe hast thou destroyed.

2-Right is it indeed, Maker of all things to magnify thee: for by thy dear passion have we attained victory o’er the flesh and been rescued from decay.

3-Earth with trembling shook, and the sun concealed his face with darkness; for the light unwaning that shines from thee, with thy body sank to darkness and the grave.

4-That I may renew man’s lost nature now from beauty fallen, gladly in my flesh I take death on me: wherefore, mother, slay me not with bitter tears.

5-I am rent with grief, and my heart with woe is crushed and broken as I see them slay thee with doom unjust: so bewailing him his grieving mother cried.

6-Ah, those eyes so sweet and thy lips, O Word, how shall I close them? How shall I the dues of death to thee pay? So cried Joseph as he shook with holy fear.

7-Dirges at the tomb, goodly Joseph with Nicodemus sing bringing praise to Christ who by men was slain; and in song with them are joined the Seraphim.

8-Stone that man has wrought now conceals the Corner Stone of promise; mortal man would hide his God in a grave as if God were mortal: shake with fear, O earth.

9-O my Son, behold thy beloved disciple and thy brother, and thy voice so sweet, let us hear again: so with plenteous tears his maiden mother cried.

10-Work of God, Beauty nor charm was thine when thou didst suffer; but thy risen glory poured down its light, shedding beauty on all men with rays divine.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

11-O Eternal God, and Word co-eternal with him and the Spirit, confirm our leader’s scetper against his enemies, for thou art rigtheous.


12- O pure and undefiled, who dist give birth to Life, end the dissensions of the Church and crown her with peace, for thou art righteous.

Right is it in deed, Life-Bestowing Lord, to magnify thee: For upon the cross were thy hands out stretched, and the strength of our dread foe hast thou destroyed.

The Little LitanyPRIEST: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.


PRIEST: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.


PRIEST: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.


PRIEST: For holy art thou, O our God, seated upon the glorious throne of the cherubim, and unto thee we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

THIRD STASISThird Tone

1-Every generation to thy grave comes bringing, dear Christ, its dirge of praises.

2-From thy cross he brought thee, that Arimathaean, and in thy grave he laid thee.

3-Women bringing spices, came with loving forethought, thy due of myrrh to give thee.

4-Come, all things created, let us sing a dirge Hymn to honour our Creator.

5-Him as dead though living, let us like the women, in love anoint with spices.

6-Greatly blessed Joseph buries now the body of Christ the Life-Bestower.

7-Those he fed with manna lifted heels of spurning against their Benefactor.

8-Ah, those minds so foolish, hearts so Christ destroying, of them that slew the prophets.

9-Taught the inner mystries, he like a mindless servant betrayed the Well of Wisdom.10-He that sold his Saviour, sold himself as captive, that crafty traitor Judas.

11-Myrrh the women sprinkled bringing stored spices to grave your tomb ere dawning.

12- The ointment-bearing women to thy tomb did come, pouring out their ointment at early dawn. (Three times)

(During the third part of the Lamentations, the Priest sings the verse, “The ointment-bearing women…” and sprinkles rosewater on the Epitaphion, around the Bier and on the Faithful, walking up and down the aisle of the Church. Meanwhile, the Choir repeats the verse “The ointment-bearing women…” until the Priest finishes, )


13-O my God, the Trinity, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, have mercy upon the world.


Prepare thy servants, O chaste Virgin, to behold the Ressurection of thy Son.

Every generation to thy grave comes bringing, dear Christ, its dirge of praises.







PRIEST: For thou art the king of peace, and the Savior of our souls, and unto thee we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

EvlogetariaPEOPLE: Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes.

The company of the angels was amazed, when they beheld thee, numbered among the dead, yet thyself O Savior, destroying the power of death, and with thee raising up Adam, and setting all free from Hades.


The radiant angel in the tomb cried to the ointment-bearing women: Why do you lament and mingle your tears with the ointment, O women disciples? Look upon the tomb and be glad: for the Savior is risen from the tomb.


Very early in the morning the ointment-bearing women hastened to the tomb lamenting, but the angel came to them and said: the time for lamentation has passed, weep not, but announce the Resurrection to the disciples.


Weeping, the Ointment-bearing women approached thy tomb, but an angel came toward them, saying: Why do you count the living among the dead?51 Being God, he has risen from the tomb.


Troparion for the TrinityWe worship the Father, together with his Son, and his Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity one in essence; crying with the Seraphim: Holy, Holy, Holy, art thou, O Lord!


TheotokionBy giving birth to the Giver-of-Life, O Virgin, thou redeemed Adam from sin, and brought joy to Eve in place of sadness; as for the God-man who took flesh from thee, he hast restored to life those who had fallen.






1 51(Luke 24:5).






PRIEST: For all the powers of heaven praise thee, and to thee they give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PEOPLE: Holy is the Lord our God. (Three times)

CHOIR: Verse: Exalt you the Lord our God; Fall down at his footstool. Holy is he!52

The Praises (Ainoi)Tone Two

Let every thing that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights! To thee, O God, is due our song.


Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Today a tomb holds him who holds the creation in the palm of his hand; a stone covers him who covered the heavens with his power. Life sleeps, and Hades trembles, and Adam is set free from his prison. Glory to thy dispensation through which thou hast fulfilled all things granting us the eternal Sabbath day’s rest, thy most holy Resurrection from the dead.

Praise him with trumpet sound; Praise him with lute and harp! What is this sight we see? What is this present rest? When the King of the ages, through his Passion, fulfilled the plan of salvation, he observes the Sabbath in the tomb, granting us a new Sabbath. To him let us cry aloud: “Rise up, O Lord, judge the earth,”53 for immeasurable is thy great mercy and thou reignest forever. Praise him with tambourine and dance; Praise him with strings and pipe!

Come, let us see our Life laid in the tomb, that he might give life to those who lie dead in their tombs. Come, let us look today on the Son of Judah as he sleeps, and let us cry aloud to him, with the voice of the prophet: Thou hast laid down; thou hast slept as a lion; who dares awaken thee, O King?.54 But of thine own free will thou risest up, O Lord, who by an act of free will gavest thyself for us. Glory to thee.

2 52(Ps.82<81>:8).

3 53(Ps.82<81>:8).

4 54(Gen.49:9).

Tone SixPraise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with crashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Joseph sought the body of Jesus, and he laid it in his own new tomb: for it was essential that the Lord should come forth from the grave as from a bridal chamber. Glory to thee, for thou hast destroyed the dominion of death and opened to mankind the gates of Paradise.


Tone SixGreat Moses mystically prefigured this present day saying: So God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.55 For this is the blessed Sabbath, the day of rest, on which the only-begotten Son of God rested from all his works. Through the dispensation of death, he observed the Sabbath in the flesh. Through his resurrection, he returned to what he was, and in his goodness and love for mankind bestowed upon us eternal life.


TheotokionThou art most blessed, O virgin Theotokos, for through him who became incarnate of thee, Hades has been subdued; Adam restored to life, and the curse was abolished. Eve was set free; death was put to death, and we were made alive: Wherefore, we sing praises crying aloud: Blessed thou art, O Christ our God, who is thus pleased, glory to thee.

The Great DoxologyGlory to thee, who hast shown us the light. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.



O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who takest away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, thou that takest away the sins of the world.



Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy name forever; yea, forever and ever.




5 55(Gen. 2:3).

Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. (Three times)





Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (Three times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.



At this time, the Priest carries the Gospel Book while others carry the Epitaphion over their heads and they process around the Church, followed by the Faithful. They all pass under the Epitaphion and the Bier as they reenter the Church, the Choir singing in the Sixth Tone...

PEOPLE: “Holy God, Holy Mighty . . .”

Fifth TonePEOPLE: When he saw that the sun had hidden its rays and that the curtain of the temple was torn at the death of the Savior, Joseph went to Pilate, pleaded with him, and cried aloud:

Give me that stranger, who since his youth had wondered as a stranger.

Give me that stranger, murdered in hatred by his own people as a stranger.

Give me that stranger, at whom I wonder, seeing him as a guest of death.

Give me that stranger, who knows how to take in the poor and the strangers.

Give me that stranger, estranged from the world in envy by the Jews.

Give me that stranger, that I may bury him in a tomb, who being a stranger has no place to lay his head.

Give me that stranger whom his mother saw hanging on the Cross and cried: My Child, my bowels are wounded, and my own heart is pierced,56 as I see thee dead, yet trusting in thy Resurrection, I magnify thee.

In such words, the honorable Joseph pleaded with Pilate. He took the Savior’s body, and in awe, wrapped it in linen and ointment. In a tomb he placed thee, O Giver of eternal life and the great mercy.

When all the Congregation have returned into the Church, the Priest takes the Epitaphion into the Sanctuary and places it upon the Holy Altar, saying...

6 56(Lk. 2:35).

PRIEST: Let us attend, Peace be to all, Wisdom.

Troparion of the ResurrectionSecond Tone

PEOPLE: When thou, O immortal life, went down to death, thou didst destroy death by the dazzling of thy Divinity. And when thou didst raise the dead from the underworld, all the powers of heaven cried aloud: O Christ our God, Giver of life, Glory to thee.

The noble Joseph, when he had taken down thine immaculate body from the tree, wrapped it in pure linen and spices and sorrowing placed it in a new tomb.57


The ProphecyProkeimenon: Psalms 44:26

READER: Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.

Verse: O God, we have heard with our hearts.

The reading is from the prophecy of Ezekiel.

DEACON: Wisdom, Let us attend.

Ezekiel 37:1-14The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of human bones. Then he led me all around them; behold, there were very many in the open valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, thou knowest.” Again he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you will live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you will live.’ Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”

So I prophesied as I had been commanded; as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. Also he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived and stood upon their feet, a vast multitude.

Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Behold, O my people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I open thy graves, O my people, and bring

7 57(John 19:40-41).

you up from your graves. I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.’”

The EpistleDEACON: Let us attend.

READER: Arise, O Lord my God; Lift up thy hand. I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, with my whole heart.

DEACON: Wisdom:

READER: The reading from the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians.


1 Corinthians 5:6-8READER: Brethren, do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Therefore, clean out the old yeast that you may be a new batch because you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Paschal lamb, has been sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with old yeast, nor with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Galatians 3:13-14Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”--in order that in Christ Jesus, the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.








Matthew 27:62-66DEACON: Let us attend.

On the next day, that is after the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that imposter said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the sepulcher to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go by night and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them,

“You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the sepulcher secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.



















PEOPLE: Amen.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.Blessed art thou, O Lord, God of our fathers! Praised and glorified is thy name forever, Amen.Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, even as we have set our hope in thee.Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes.58

Blessed art thou, O Master, make me to understand thy statutes.Blessed art thou, O holy One; enlighten me with thy statutes.Thy mercy, O Lord, endures forever:59 O despise not the works of thy hands.60 To thee belongs praise, to thee belongs honor,61 to thee belongth glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

The Litany of SupplicationDEACON: Let us complete our morning prayer unto the Lord.















8 58(Ps. 118<119>:12,64,135).

9 59(Ps.107<106>:1).

0 60(Ps.138<137>8).

1 61(Ps.65<64>:1).





PEOPLE: Amen.





The Prayer at the Bowing of Heads

PRIEST: O Lord our God, who bowed the heavens and came down for the salvation of mankind: Look favorably upon thy servants and thine inheritance, for to thee, the awesome Judge and lover of mankind, have thy servants bowed their heads, and bent their necks, not expecting help from men, but hoping in thy mercy, and looking for thy salvation. Protect them at all times, especially in the present morning, and in the coming day, from every enemy, from every adverse work of the devil, from vain thoughts and from evil imaginations.


PEOPLE: Amen.

The DismissalThen the priest concludes the office of vespers with the dismissal:

DEACON: Wisdom!








PRIEST: May Christ our true God, who for us all and for our salvation endured willingly the frightening passion, the Cross and the entombment, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint(s) N.N., whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints: have mercy upon us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loves mankind.




PEOPLE: Amen.

HOLY SATURDAY MORNING THE DIVINE LITURGY

Vespers and Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Great











DEACON: Amen. Pray for me, master.





DEACON: Amen.



The Enarxis

Lifting his orarion with the three fingers of his right hand, the deacon says aloud:

DEACON: Bless, master.The priest kisses the gospel book, lifts it up with both hands, and lowers it making with it the sign of the cross over the

antiminsion and saying with the fear of God:


CHOIR: Amen.

The priest, replaces the gospel book on the antiminsion.






Thou makest springs gush forth in the valleys,the waters run down between the mountains.They give drink to all the beasts of the field, the wild donkeys quench their thirst.By them the birds of the sky have their home,they sing among the rocks.Thou dost water the mountains from thy upper chambers.The earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.Thou makest the grass grow for the cattle,

and plants for people to use,to bring forth food from the earth,and wine to cheer the human heart,oil to make the face shine,and bread to strengthen the human heart.The trees of the plain are satisfied,the cedars of Lebanon that he planted,there the birds build their nests;on the highest branches the stork has its home,the high mountains are for the wild goats,the rocks are a refuge for the coneys.




These all look to thee,to give them their food in due season;when thou givest to them,they gather it up.When thou openst thy hand,they are filled with good things.When thou turnest away thy face,they are dismayed;and when thou takest away their breath, they die and return to their dust.When thou sendest forth thy breath,they are created, and thou renewest the face of the earth.

Let the glory of the Lord endure forever;the Lord will rejoice in his works-who looks on the earth, and makes it tremble;

who touches the mountains and they smoke.I will sing to the Lord all my life;I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.May my meditation be pleasing to him,for I will rejoice in the Lord.Let sinners disappear from the earth,and the wicked exist no more!Bless the Lord, O my soul.Praise the Lord!








1.O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and rich in mercy, give ear to our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplication. Show us a sign of thy favor;1 lead us in thy way, so that we may walk in thy truth. Gladden our hearts, so that we may fear thy holy name, for thou art great, and thou workest wonders.2 Thou alone art God, and there is none like thee among the gods, O Lord.3 Thou art mighty in mercy, and benevolent in strength, to aid and to comfort and to save all those who put their trust in thy holy name. For to thee belongs all glory, honor and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

2.O Lord, do not rebuke us in thine anger, or discipline us in thy wrath,4 but deal with us in all thy kindness,5 O physician and healer of our souls. Bring us to thy desired haven.6 Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the

1 1(Ps.86<85>:17).

2 2(Ps 77<76>:14).

3 3(Ps. 86<85>:8).

4 4(Ps 38<37>:1).

5 5(Ba. 2:27).

6 6(Ps. 107<106>:30).

knowledge of thy truth.7 And grant us that the completion of this day, and our whole life may be peaceful and sinless, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints. For thine is the majesty, and the power, and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.





7.O great and most high God, thou alone hast immortality and dwellest in unapproachable light.10 Thou hast made all creation in wisdom. Thou hast separated the light from the darkness.11 Thou hast made the sun to rule the day, the moon and the stars to rule the night.12 Thou hast made us sinners at this present hour worthy to come before thy face with thanksgiving and to offer to thee our evening praises. Thou thyself, O Lord, lover of

7 7(1 Tim 2:50).

8 8(Ps. 119<118>:116).

9 9

(Si 39:15).

0 10(1 Tim.6:16).

1 11(Gen.1:4).

mankind, direct our prayer as incense before thee,13 and accept it as a fragrant offering.14 Grant us to pass the present evening and the coming night in peace. Clothe us with the armor of light.15 Deliver us from the terror of the night and from the pestilence that stalks in the darkness.16 Grant us sleep, which thou hast appointed for the alleviation of our weakness, free from every imagination of the devil. Yea, O Master of all, bestower of good things, may we, being moved toward repentance on our beds, remember thy name in the night, that, illuminated by meditation on thy commandments,17 we may rise up in joyfulness of soul to glorify thy goodness, offering up prayers, and supplications to thy tender love for our sins and for those of all thy people, whom thou visitest in mercy, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos. For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen. When the priest has completed the preceding prayers, and the people have finished the Psalm, the great Litany is prayed.












2 12(Gen.1:16).

3 13(Ps.141<140>:2).

4 14(Phil. 4:18).

5 15(Rom.13:12).

6 16(Ps. 91<90>:5-6).

7 17(Ps. 119<118>:143).















CHOIR: Amen.


Psalm 141 (140)In the First Tone













-I pour out my prayer before him; I declare my trouble before him.




-There is no refuge for me; no one cares for me.-I cried to thee O Lord; I said: thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.









First ToneO Holy Lord, accept our evening prayers, and grant us forgiveness of our sins; for thou alone hast revealed the resurrection to the world.


Walk around Zion, all nations, go all around it.18 And in it give glory to the One risen from the dead. For he is our God who has delivered us from our sins.

Eighth TonePraise the Lord, all you nations! Laud him, all you peoples!

Today Hades sighs crying aloud: would that I had not received Mary’s son, for he has come to me destroying my dominion. He has broken in pieces the gates of brass; and being God, he has raised up the souls that I had been holding captive: O Lord, Glory to thy Cross and to thy resurrection.


Today Hades sighs crying aloud: My dominion has been swallowed up; the shepherd has been crucified, but he has raised Adam. I am deprived of those whom once I ruled; and all those whom I swallowed up in my strength, I throw them up. He who was crucified has emptied the tombs, and death has no more dominion. O Lord, glory to thy Cross and to thy resurrection. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

Tone SixGreat Moses mystically prefigured this present day saying: So God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it19 For this is the blessed Sabbath, the day of rest, on which the only-begotten Son of God rested from all his works. Through the dispensation of death, he observed the Sabbath in the flesh. Through his resurrection, he returned to what he was, and in his goodness and love for mankind bestowed upon us eternal life.

Tone OneNow and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

Let us praise the Virgin Mary, glory of the whole world, the heavenly gate, who, born of mortals, has given birth to the Lord: Being an ornament of the faithful, she is praised by the heavenly hosts, for she has been shown clearly as heaven and a temple of divinity. She broke down the dividing wall of hostility, making instead peace, and opened the kingdom. Therefore holding fast to her as an anchor of our faith, we have the Lord who is born of her as our Defender. Be full of courage, people of God, be full of courage; for he, the Almighty, will destroy the enemies.

The Entrance with the Book of GospelsThe Prayer of the Entrance

8 18(Ps.48 <47>:12).

9 19(Gen. 2:3).




PEOPLE: Amen.



PEOPLE: Amen. The priest/deacon lifts up the Gospel.




The ReadingsREADER: The reading is from the Book of Genesis.


Genesis. 1:1-13In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was invisible and unformed, and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God separated the light

0 20(Ps.141<140>:2).

1 21(Ps.59<58>:3).

2 22(Ps.141<140>:8).


from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” So God made the firmament and separated the waters that were under the firmament from the waters that were above the firmament, and it was so. God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation, plants yielding seed of every kind and fruit trees of every kind on earth, bearing fruit with the seed in it;” and it was so. And the earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

READER: The reading is from the Book of Exodus.


Exodus 12:1-11The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel, that on the tenth day of this month every man is to take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for each household. And if a household is too small for a whole lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house join in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat it.

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month. Then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; they shall eat it roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs. Do not eat it raw, nor boiled with water, but roasted over the fire; its head with its legs and its entrails. You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Pascha. READER: The reading is from the Prophecy of Daniel.


Daniel 3:1-57King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue, whose height was sixty cubits, and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. So the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then a herald cried aloud: “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages that when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, and entire musical ensemble, you are to fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be thrown immediately into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.” So as soon as all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre,

and entire musical ensemble, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, and entire musical ensemble, shall fall down and worship the gold image; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid heed to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the golden statue that you have set up.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, and entire musical ensemble, and you fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good! But if you do not worship, you shall be thrown immediately into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire. Who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the golden statue that you have set up.”

The fiery furnaceThen Nebuchadnezzar was so filled of fury against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego that his face was distorted. He commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were thrown into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire.

The Prayer of Azariah in the FurnaceThey walked around in the midst of the flames, singing hymns to God and blessing the Lord. Then Azariah stood still in the fire and prayed aloud: Blessed art thou, O Lord, God of our ancestors, and worthy of praise; and glorious is thy name forever! For thou art just in all thou hast done; all thy works are true, and thy ways right, and all thy judgments are true. Thou hast executed true judgments in all thou hast brought upon us and upon Jerusalem, the holy city of our ancestors; by a true judgment thou hast brought all this upon us because of our sins. For we have sinned and broken thy law in turning away from thee; in all matters we have sinned grievously. We have not obeyed thy commandments, we have not kept them or done what thou hast commanded us for our own good. So all that thou hast brought upon us, and all that thou hast done to us, thou hast done by a true judgment. Thou hast handed us over to our enemies, lawless and hateful rebels and to an unjust king, the most wicked in all the world. And now we cannot open our mouths; we, thy servants who worship thee, have become a shame and a reproach. For thy name’s sake do not give us up forever, and do not annul thy covenant. Do not withdraw thy mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham thy beloved and for the sake of thy servant lsaac and Israel thy holy one, to whom thou didst promise to multiply their descendants like the stars of heaven and like the sand on the shore of the sea. For we, Lord, have become fewer than any other nation, and are brought low this day in all the world because of our sins. In our day we have no ruler, nor

prophet, nor leader; no burnt offering, nor sacrifice, nor oblation, nor incense; no place to make an offering before thee nor to find mercy. Yet with a contrite heart and a humble spirit may we be accepted, as though it were with burnt offerings of rams and bulls, or with tens of thousands of fat lambs; such may our sacrifice be in your sight today, and may we unreservedly follow thee, for no shame will come to those who trust in thee. And now with all our heart we follow thee; we fear thee and seek thy presence. Do not put us to shame, but deal with us in thy patience and in thine abundant mercy. Deliver us in accordance with thy marvelous works, and bring glory to thy name, O Lord. Let all who do harm to thy servants be put to shame; let them be disgraced and deprived of all power, and let their strength be broken. Let them know that thou alone art the Lord God, glorious over the whole world.”

The Song of the Three ChildrenNow the king’s servants who threw them in kept stoking the furnace with naphtha, pitch, tow, and brushwood. And the flames poured out above the furnace forty-nine cubits, and spread out and burned those Chaldeans who were caught near the furnace. But the angel of the Lord came down into the furnace to be with Azari’ah and his companions and drove the fiery flame out of the furnace and made the inside of the furnace as though a moist wind were whistling through it. The fire did not touch them at all and caused them no pain or distress.

Then the three with one voice praised and glorified and blessed God in the furnace:

(Here the congregation kneels)

“Blessed art thou, O Lord, God of our ancestors, and to be praised and highly exalted forever; and blessed is thy glorious, holy name, and to be highly praised and highly exalted forever. Blessed art thou in the temple of thy holy glory, and to be extolled and highly glorified forever. Blessed art thou who look into the depths from your throne on the cherubim, and to be praised and highly exalted forever. Blessed art thou on the throne thy kingdom, and to be extolled and highly exalted forever. Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven, and to be praised and glorified forever.

Then standing, sing the following song of praise in the Sixth Tone. The first verse is repeated with every one of the verses following it.

PEOPLE: Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages. (This refrain is repeated WITH A METANIA (Low Bow) after each verse of the following verses)

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages. (Metania)Bless the Lord, you heavens; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, you angels of the Lord; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, all you waters above the heavens; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, all you powers the Lord; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, sun and moon;Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, stars of heaven; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, all rain and dew; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, all you winds; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania)

Bless the Lord, fire and heat; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, winter cold and summer heat; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, dews and falling snow; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, nights and days; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania)Bless the Lord, light and darkness; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, ice and cold; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, frosts and snow; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, lightnings and clouds; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Let the earth bless the Lord; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, mountains and hills; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, all that grows in the ground; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, seas and rivers; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, you springs; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, you whales and all that swim in the waters; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, all birds of the air; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, all wild animals and cattle; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, all People on earth; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, O Israel: Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, you Priests of the Lord; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, you servants of the Lord; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, spirits and souls of the righteous; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, you who are holy and humble in heart; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, Han-a-ni’ah, Azari’ah, and Mish’a-el; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) Bless the Lord, O apostles, prophets, and the martyrs of the Lord; Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania) We bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!We Praise the Lord and exalt him unto all the ages.(Metania)

We praise, bless and worship the Lord.We praise the Lord and highly exalt him unto all the ages.

DEACON: Command Master, The Thrice-Holy!

The Prayer of the TrisagionDEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.


PRIEST: (The text of this prayer is said quietly during the singing of the Trisagion Hymn.)Holy God, who restest in thy holy place, who art hymned by the seraphim with thrice-holy cry, and glorified by the cherubim and worshipped by every heavenly power, who out of nothingness hast brought all things into being, who hast created man according to thine own image and likeness and hast adorned him with thine every gift; who givest to him that askest wisdom and understanding, who despisest not the sinner but hast appointed repentance unto salvation, who hast vouchsafed unto us, thy humble and unworthy servants, even in this hour, to stand before the glory of thy holy altar and to offer the worship and praise which are due unto thee: Thyself, O Master, receive even from the mouth of us sinners the thrice-holy hymn and visit us in thy goodness. Pardon us every transgression both voluntary and involuntary; sanctify our souls and bodies; and grant us to serve thee in holiness all the days of our life, through the intercessions of the Holy Theotokos and of all the saints, who from the beginning of the world have been well-pleasing unto thee.



PEOPLE: Amen.

The Trisagion HymnPEOPLE: As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (three times)


Have put on Christ.

DEACON: Dynamis!

PEOPLE: As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

The EpistleDEACON: Let us attend.

READER: “All the earth worships thee; they sing praises to thee, sing praises to thy name.”24

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The lesson from the epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans.

4 24(Ps. 66 <65>:4).

DEACON: Let us attend.Romans 6:3-11

Brethren, Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his death, we certainly will be united with him in a resurrection like his, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over him. For the death that he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. Likewise you also, consider yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.


CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

The Prayer Before the GospelDEACON: Let us pray to the Lord, Lord have mercy.



DEACON: Bless, master, him that proclaims the good tidings of the holy, glorious apostle and evangelist Matthew.


PRIEST: May God, through the prayers of the holy, glorious apostle and evangelist Matthew, enable thee to proclaim the good tidings with great power, to the fulfillment of the gospel of his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.



DEACON: O holy apostle and evangelist Matthew, intercede with the merciful God that he may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

The Priest then starts singing the following verses proceeding down the middle aisle and scattering bay leaves all over the Church, as sign of triumph over death. Then the Choir continues the remaining verses, except for the last one which is sung by the priest.

Seventh TonePRIEST: Arise, O God, Judge the earth: For thou shalt have an inheritance in all the nations.

Psalm 82CHOIR: 1-God stands in the divine council; he holds judgment in the midst of the gods. Arise, O God, Judge the earth: For thou shalt have an inheritance in all the nations.

2-How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?

Arise, O God, Judge the earth: For thou shalt have an inheritance in all the nations.

3- Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy.


4- Deliver the poor and needy; Rescue them from the hand of the wicked.


5- They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk around in darkness; and all the foundations of the earth are shaken.


6- I said, You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High. But you shall die like mortals, And fall like any prince.

PRIEST: Arise, O God, Judge the earth: For thou shalt have an inheritance in all the nations.

The Holy GospelDEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the holy Gospel.



DEACON: The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew.



Matthew 28:1-20After the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulcher. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. As they went to tell his

disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying: “Rejoice!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had taken place. And When they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Now the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” Amen.




PEOPLE: Amen.

The Cherubic HymnAnd instead of CHERUBIC HYMN, chant the following Troparion, in the Fifth Tone:

Fifth Tone CHOIR: Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and stand in awe and trembling; let it take no thought for any earthly thing. For the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will be put to death and given as food to the faithful.

The choir repeats the first part of the Troparion as many times as needed while the priest says the following prayer, censes, and completes the final preparation of the gifts.

The Prayer of the Cherubic HymnPRIEST: No one who is bound with the desires and pleasures of the flesh is worthy to approach or draw nigh or to serve thee, O King of Glory: for to serve thee is a great and awesome thing even to the Heavenly Powers. Nevertheless, through thine unspeakable and boundless love toward mankind thou didst become man, yet without change or alteration, and as Lord of all didst take the name of our High Priest, and deliver unto us the ministry of this liturgic and unbloody sacrifice. For thou alone, O Lord our God, rulest over those in heaven and on earth; who art borne on the throne of the Cherubim; who art Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel; who alone art holy and restest in thy Holy Place.

Wherefore I implore thee who alone art good and art ready to listen: Look down upon me, a sinner, and thine unprofitable servant; and cleanse my soul and my heart from an evil conscience; and by the power of thy Holy Spirit enable me, who am endued with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this thy Holy Table and perform the sacred Mystery of thy holy and immaculate Body and precious Blood. For I draw near unto thee, and bowing my neck I pray thee: turn not thy face from me, neither cast me out from among thy children; but vouchsafe that these gifts may be offered unto thee by me, thy sinful and unworthy servant: for thou thyself art he who offers and is offered, who accepts and is distributed, O Christ our God: and unto thee we give glory,

together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.


PRIEST: Let all mortal flesh keep silence and stand in awe and trembling; let it take no thought for any earthly thing. For the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will be put to death and given as food to the faithful.

DEACON: The choirs of the angels lead the way with all the spiritual powers.


PRIEST: O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. (low bow)











Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,the God of my salvation,and my tongue will joyfullysing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open my lips;and my mouth will declare thy praise;for if thou hadst delight in sacrifice,I would have given it;but thou wouldst not be pleased by burnt offering.The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit:a broken and contrite heart,O God, thou wilt not despise.












CHOIR: Amen.


CHOIR: Amen.


CHOIR: Amen.


CHOIR: Amen.



CHOIR: Amen.


CHOIR: The choirs of the angels lead the way with all the spiritual powers.

















DEACON: Amen.

Passing the high place, the deacon exits the sanctuary through the north door. Standing at his place on the solea, the choir having concluded the cherubic hymn, the deacon lifts his orarion and intones the petitions of the litany of supplication. The priest quietly says the prayer of the prothesis while the deacon intones the petitions.







DEACON: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.













DEACON: A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful and a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.




The Prayer of the ProthesisPRIEST: O Lord our God, who hast created us and hast brought us into this life; who hast shown us ways of salvation, graciously bestowing upon us the revelation of heavenly mysteries: Thou art he who has appointed us to this ministry by the power of thy Holy Spirit; graciously grant us, therefore, O Lord, to be servitors of thy new covenant, ministers of thy holy mysteries. Receive us who draw near to thy holy altar, according to the fullness of thy mercy, that we may be worthy to offer unto thee this spiritual and bloodless sacrifice for our owns sins, and for the ignorance of the people, which do thou accept upon thy holy, most heavenly and spiritual altar as a savor of sweetness, and send down upon us in return the grace of thy Holy Spirit. Look upon us, O God, and behold this our worship, and receive it as thou didst receive the gifts of Abel, the sacrifices of Noah, the burnt-offerings of Abraham, the priestly offices of Moses and Aaron, the peace-offerings of Samuel. Even as thou didst accept at the hands of thy holy apostles this true worship, so also do thou in thy goodness, O Lord, receive from the hands of us sinners these gifts; that, having been accounted worthy to minister at thy holy altar, we may receive the recompense of wise and faithful stewards, in the awesome day of thy just requiting:

(The People Stand)


CHOIR: Amen.










The CreedDEACON: The doors. The doors. In wisdom let us attend.

PEOPLE: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made25 man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And the third day he rose, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets; And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the Life of the world to come. Amen.

As the creed is recited, the priest lifts the aer with both hands and gently waves it over the gifts. At the point in the creed And “ascended into heaven. . . “, the priest folds the aer, makes the sign of the cross with it over the gifts, and continues to wave the folded aer over the gifts in a circular manner. At the conclusion of the Creed, the deacon, still standing before the icon of Christ, says with raised orarion:

DEACON: Let us stand aright. Let us stand with fear. Let us attend, that we may offer the holy oblation in peace.CHOIR: A mercy, a peace, a sacrifice of praise.








5 25

“Became man.”


The Holy AnaphoraPRIEST: O Master, Lord God, HE WHO IS, almighty and adorable Father: It is truly meet and right and befitting the majesty of thy holiness that we should praise thee, hymn thee, bless thee, worship thee, give thanks unto thee and glorify thee, the only truly existing God, and offer unto thee with contrite heart and spirit of humility this our spiritual worship; for thou art he that has graciously bestowed upon us the knowledge of thy truth. And who is sufficient to speak of thy mighty acts, to make all thy praises to be heard, or to tell of all thy wonders at every season? O Master of all, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation both visible and invisble, who sittest upon the throne of glory and beholdest the depths, who art unoriginate, invisible, incomprehensible, uncircumscript, immutable, the Father of our Lord: the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, our Hope, who is the Image of thy goodness, the Seal of equal type, in himself showing forth thee, the Father, the living Word, the true God, the Wisdom before all ages, the Life, Sanctification, Power, the true Light, through whom the Holy Spirit was manifested: the Spirit of truth, the Gift of adoption, the Pledge of the inheritance to come, the First-fruits of eternal good things, the life-giving Power, the Fountain of sanctification, by whom enabled every spiritual and intelligent creature does serve thee and ascribe to thee perpetual praise, for all things are thy servants. Yea, angels and archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities, authorities, powers, and the many-eyed cherubim praise thee; round about thee stand the six-winged seraphim: with two they cover their faces and with two their feet and with two they fly, continually crying out to one another with unceasing praises:

PRIEST: Singing the triumphal hymn, shouting, proclaiming, and saying:

PEOPLE: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

PRIEST: With these blessed powers, O Master who lovest mankind, we sinners also do cry aloud and say: Holy art thou, of a truth, and all-holy, and there are no bounds to the majesty of thy holiness, and just art thou in all thy works, for in righteousness and true judgment hast thou ordered all things for us. When thou hadst fashioned man, taking him from the dust of the earth, and hadst honoured him with thine own image, O God, thou didst set him in the midst of a Paradise of plenty, promising him life-eternal and the enjoyment of everlasting good things in keeping thy commandments. But when he disobeyed thee, the true God who had created him, and was led astray by the guile of the serpent and rendered subject to death through his own transgressions, thou didst banish him, in thy righteous judgment, O God, from paradise into this world, and didst turn him again to the earth from which he was taken, providing for him the salvation of regeneration, which is in thy Christ himself. Yet thou didst not turn thyself away forever from thy creature whom thou hast made, O good One, neither didst thou forget the work of thy hands; but thou didst visit him in diverse manners, through thy tender mercies. Thou didst send forth prophets; thou didst perform mighty works by thy holy ones who, in every generation, were well-pleasing unto thee; thou didst speak to us by the mouths of thy servants the prophets, who foretold unto us the salvation which was to come; thou didst give us the Law as an aid; thou didst appoint guardian angels. And when the fullness of time was come, thou didst speak unto us through thy Son himself, by whom also thou madest the ages; who, being the Brightness of thy glory and the express Image of thy person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, thought it not robbery to be equal to thee, the God and Father. But though he was God before all the ages, yet he appeared upon earth and dwelt among men and was incarnate of a holy virgin and didst empty himself, taking on the form of a servant, becoming conformed to the body of our lowliness, that he might make us conformable to the image of his glory. For as by man sin entered into the world, and by sin death, so it seemed good unto thine Only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of thee, the God and Father, to be born of a woman, the Holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, to be born under the Law, that he might condemn sin in his flesh, that they who were dead in Adam might be made

alive in him, thy Christ. And becoming a citizen of this world and giving commandments of salvation, he released us from the delusion of idols and brought us into a knowledge of thee, the true God and Father, having won us unto himself for his own people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; and having purified us by water and having sanctified us by the Holy Spirit, he gave himself a ransom to death, whereby we were held, sold into bondage under sin. And having descended into hades through the cross, that he might fill all things with himself, he loosed the pains of death and rose on the third day, making a way for all flesh unto the resurrection from the dead; for it was not possible that the Author of life should be held by corruption, that he might be the First-fruits of those who have fallen asleep, the First-born from the dead, that he might be in all things the first among all. Ascending into heaven, he sat down at the right hand of thy majesty on high; and he shall come again to render unto every man according to his works. And he has left with us, as memorials of his saving passion, these things which we have set forth according to his commandments. For when he was about to go forth to his voluntary and ever-memorable and life-giving death, in the night in which he gave himself up for the life of the world, he took bread in his holy and immaculate hands; and when he had shown it unto thee, the God and Father, and given thanks and blessed it and hallowed it and broken it,

PRIEST: He gave it to his holy disciples and apostles saying: Take, eat. This is my Body which is broken for you, for the forgiveness of sins.

PEOPLE: Amen.

PRIEST: In like manner, having taken the cup of the fruit of the vine and mingled it and given thanks and blessed it and hallowed it,

PRIEST: He gave it to his holy disciples and apostles, saying: Drink of this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.

PEOPLE: Amen.

PRIEST: Do this in remembrance of me: for as often as you shall eat this bread and drink of this cup, you do proclaim my death and confess my resurrection. Wherefore, O Master, we also, having in remembrance his saving passion and life-giving cross, his three-day entombment and resurrection from the dead, his ascension into heaven and sitting at the right hand of thee, the God and Father, and his glorious and awesome second coming,

PRIEST: Offering unto thee thine own of thine own, always and everywhere.

PEOPLE: We hymn thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O Lord, and we pray unto thee, O our God.

PRIEST: Wherefore, O all-Holy Master, we also, thy sinful and unworthy servants, who have been made worthy to minister at thy holy altar, not through our own righteousness, for we have done no good deed upon earth, but because of thy mercies and compassions which thou hast richly poured out upon us, have now boldness to draw near unto thy holy altar; and presenting unto thee the antitypes of the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ, we pray thee and implore thee, O Holy of holies, by the favor of thy goodness, that thy Holy Spirit may descend upon us and upon these gifts here set forth and bless them and hallow them and show,


PRIEST: This bread to be itself the precious Body of our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ;

PEOPLE: Amen.


PRIEST: And this cup to be itself the precious Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ;

PEOPLE: Amen.

DEACON: Bless both, master.

PRIEST: Which was shed for the life of the world and its salvation.

PEOPLE: Amen. Amen. Amen.

PRIEST: And as for us, partakers of the one bread and of the cup, do thou unite all to one another unto communion of the one Holy Spirit, and grant that no one of us may partake of the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ unto judgment or unto condemnation, but rather that we may find mercy and grace with all the holy ones who through the ages have been well pleasing unto thee: forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, teachers and every righteous spirit which has completed this life in faith:

PRIEST: Especially our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary;

(The People Sit)

The Hymn to the TheotokosThe priest gives the censer to the deacon,who censes around the holy table,while the people/choir sing the Hymn to the Mother of God, which on most Sundays is:

PEOPLE: In thee, O full of grace, rejoices all creation: the angelic hosts, and the race of men, O hallowed Temple and super-sensual Paradise, glory of Virgins, of whom God was incarnate and became a little child, even our God who is before all the ages; for he made thy womb a throne, and thy body he made more spacious than the heavens. In thee, O full of grace, rejoices all creation: glory to thee.

PRIEST: The holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; the holy glorious and all-laudable Apostles; (N., saint of the day), whose memory we celebrate and all thy saints, at whose supplications visit us, O God.

And be mindful of all those who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal; and grant them rest where the light of thy countenance watches over them.

And again we pray thee, O Lord, be mindful of thy holy, catholic and apostolic Church, which is to the ends of the world; and give peace unto her whom thou hast purchased with the precious Blood of thy Christ; and establish thou this holy house, even unto the end of the age. Be mindful, O Lord, of those who have set before thee these gifts, and those for whom and through whom and in behalf of whom they have offered them. Be mindful, O Lord, of those who bear fruit and do good works in thy holy churches and who remember the poor: requite them with thy rich and heavenly gifts; give them things heavenly for things earthly, things eternal for things temporal, things incorruptible for things corruptible.

Be mindful, O Lord, of those in the deserts, the mountains and in caverns and pits of the earth. Be mindful, O Lord, of all those who live in virginity and reverence and in asceticism and who lead a godly way of life. Be mindful, O Lord, of all civil authorities and of our armed forces: grant them a secure and lasting peace; speak

good things into their hearts concerning thy Church and all thy people, that we in their tranquility may lead a calm and peaceful life in all reverence and godliness. Establish the good in thy goodness, and make good the evil by thy benevolence. Be mindful, O Lord, of the people here present and of those who are absent for spiritual cause, and have mercy upon them and upon us, according to the multitude of thy mercy. Fill their treasuries with every good thing; maintain their marriage-bond in peace and concord; rear the infants; guide the young; support the aged; encourage the faint-hearted. Collect the scattered, and turn them from their wandering astray, and unite them to thy holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Set at liberty those who are vexed by unclean spirits; travel with those who journey by land and sea and air; defend the widows; protect the orphans; free the captives; heal the sick; and be mindful, O God, of those who are under judgment in the mines, in exile, in bitter servitude, in every tribulation, necessity and danger, and all who beseech thy great loving-kindness; and be mindful, O Lord our God, of those who love us and those who hate us and those who have enjoined us, unworthy though we be, to pray for them, and of all thy people, and upon them all pour out thy rich mercy, granting to all their petitions which are unto salvation. And those whom we through ignorance or forgetfullness or the multitude of names have not remembered, do thou thyself remember, O God who knowest the time of life and name of each and knowest every man even from his mother’s womb. For thou, O Lord, art the Helper of the helpless, the Hope of the hopeless, the Saviour of the storm-tossed, the Haven of the voyager, the Physician of the sick. Be thou thyself all things to all men, O thou who knowest every man, his petition, his dwelling-place and his need. Deliver, O Lord, this city and every city and countryside from famine, plague, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion and civil war.

CLERGY: Among the first be mindful, O Lord, of our Father and Metropolitan PHILIP, whom do thou grant unto thy holy churches in peace, safety, honor, health, and length of days, and rightly teaching the word of thy truth.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The deacon faces the people and says:

DEACON: Remember, O Lord, those whom each of us has in mind and all thy people.

PEOPLE: And of all mankind.

PRIEST: Be mindful, O Lord, of every bishop of the Orthodox, who rightly divides the word of thy truth. Be mindful also, O Lord, of my unworthiness, according to the multitude of thy compassions; pardon me every transgression, both voluntary and involuntary, and withhold not, because of my sins, the grace of thy Holy Spirit from these gifts here set forth. Be mindful, O Lord, of the presbytery, the diaconate in Christ and every priestly order, and put not to confusion any one of us who stand about thy holy altar. Visit us with thy benevolence, O Lord; manifest thyself unto us in thy rich compassions; grant us temperate and healthful season; give gentle showers upon the earth unto fruitfullness; bless the crown of the year of thy goodness; make the schisms of the Churches to cease; quench the ragings of hostile nations; speedily destroy, by the power of thy Holy Spirit, uprisings of heresies; receive us all into thy kingdom, showing us to be sons of the light and sons of the day; and grant unto us thy peace and thy love, O Lord our God, for all things thou hast given unto us:

PRIEST: And grant us with one mouth and one heart to glorify and praise thine all-honorable and majestic name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

(The People Stand)

PRIEST: And the mercies of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you all.


PRIEST: O our God, the God of salvation, do thou teach us how we may worthily give thanks unto thee for thy benefits which thou hast ever bestowed and yet dost bestow upon us. Do thou, O our God who receivest these gifts, purify us from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and teach us to perfect holiness in thy fear, that we, receiving a portion of thy holy things in the witness of a pure conscience toward thee, may be made one with the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ and that, having received them worthily, we may have Christ abiding in our hearts and may become a temple of thy Holy Spirit. Yea, O our God, cause also that none of us may be guilty of these thy dread and heavenly mysteries or infirm in soul or in body through an unworthy partaking; but enable us, even unto our last breath, worthily to receive a portion of thy holy things, as a support upon the road to life eternal and as an acceptable defense at the awesome judgment seat of thy Christ; that we also, together with all the saints who in all the ages have been well-pleasing unto thee, may be made partakers of thine everlasting good things, which thou hast prepared for those who love thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: And vouchsafe, O Master, that with boldness and without condemnation we may dare to call upon thee, the heavenly God, as Father and to say:

The Lord’s PrayerALL: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.





All the people bow their heads throughout the following prayer.

PRIEST: O Master Lord, the Father of compassions and the God of all comfort: Bless, sanctify, guard, strengthen, fortify those who have bowed their heads unto thee; withdraw from them every evil work; unite them to every good work; and graciously grant that without condemnation, they may partake of these thine pure and life-giving mysteries unto the forgiveness of sins and unto the communion of the Holy Spirit.

PRIEST: Through the grace and compassions and love towards mankind of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen.

The ElevationPRIEST: Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from thy holy dwelling-place, and from the throne of the glory of thy kingdom; and come to sanctify us, O thou who sittest on high with the Father, and art here invisibly present with us; and vouchsafe by thy mighty hand to impart unto us thine immaculate Body and precious Blood, and through us unto all the people.








The Communion Hymn, Fourth Tone

PEOPLE: The Lord awoke as from sleep,26 and rose to save us, Alleluia.


The Communion DEACON: Divide, master, the holy bread.




I SNI KA

CSDEACON: Fill, master the holy cup.

The priest then takes the Portion IS and makes with it the sign of the cross over the Chalice, and drops it in, saying quietly:


DEACON: Amen.



6 26(Ps. 78<77>:65),



DEACON: Amen.



DEACON: Amen.






















PRIEST: The precious and all-holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, is imparted unto me, the unworthy presbyter N., unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.The priest takes three sips from the chalice, wipes his lips and the rim of the chalice with the kalima and says:


















PRIEST: The servant of God, N., partakes of the precious and all-holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto the forgiveness of sins and unto life everlasting.When all have been communed, the priest covers the chalice with the kalima and hands the chalice to the deacon. The priest then blesses the people with his hand, saying:


As the choir chants the following appointed post-communion hymn,

CHOIR: Remember us, O compassionate One, as thou didst rember the thief in the kingdom of heaven.

The priest and deacon enter the sanctuary through the holy doors, and the priest places the chalice on the antiminsion. The priest removes the kalima from the chalice, lifts the diskos over the chalice and with the sponge carefully wipes the remaining particles into the chalice, saying:







0PRIEST: Blessed is our God;




The Ektenia of ThanksgivingDEACON: Attend! Having partaken of the divine, holy, immaculate, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.






The Prayer of ThanksgivingPRIEST: We give thanks unto thee, O Lord our God, for the participation in thy holy, immaculate, immortal and heavenly mysteries, which thou hast given unto us for the welfare and sanctification and healing of our souls and bodies. Do thou, the same Master of all, grant that the communion of the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ may be for us unto faith unashamed, unto love unfeigned, unto increase of wisdom, unto the healing of soul and body, unto the turning aside of every adversary, unto the fulfillment of thy commandments, unto an acceptable defense at the awesome judgment seat of thy Christ:


CHOIR: Amen.






The Prayer Behind the AmbonPRIEST: O Lord, who blessest those who bless thee, and sanctifiest those who put their trust in thee: save thy people and bless thine inheritance; preserve the fullness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy House; glorify them in recompense by thy divine power; and forsake us not who hope on thee. Give peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the priests, to all civil authorities, to our armed forces, and to all thy PEOPLE:for every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from thee, the Father of Lights, and unto thee we give glory, thanksgiving, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.








CHOIR: Amen.



PRIEST: May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints, Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint (N) patron Saint of this Church; of Saint(s) N.N., whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints: have mercy upon us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loves mankind.



PEOPLE: Amen.


PRIEST: May the blessing of the Lord and his mercy be with you: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

THE SERVICE OF THE GLORIOUS PASCHAThe priest makes the sign of the Cross three times and the deacon says in an audible voice:

DEACON:Bless, Master.


PEOPLE: Amen.

PRIEST: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.











PEOPLE: Amen.

Lord have mercy. (Twelve times)


O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. (Low bow)


292Or the evil one.

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. (Low bow)

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, our King and our God. (Low bow)








Create in me a clean heart,O God, and put a right Spirit within me.Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thine Holy Spirit from me.Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation,and uphold me with a directing spirit.Then I will teach transgressors thy ways,and sinners will return to thee.




The CanonSixth Tone

CANTICLE ONECHOIR: IRMOS: The children of those who were once saved concealed under-ground the One who all that

time had been concealing the persecuting tyrant under the waves of the sea: So, let us sing to the Lord like the young men, for he is greatly glorified.


O Lord my God, I will sing to thee a funeral and a burial hymn, for by thy burial thou hast opened the gates of life; and by thy death thou hast destroyed death and Hades.


O my Savior, all heavenly and earthly293 things shook at thy death, as they saw thee on thy throne on high and in the grave below. For beyond understanding, thou wast seen to be the One who gives life though dead.


To fill all things with thy glory, thou hast descended into the lowest part of the earth; for my original nature, as it existed in Adam, has not been hidden from thee. Even though thou wast buried in the tomb, thou hast made me, the perishable human, a new creation, O Lover of mankind.

KatavasiaThe children of those who were once saved concealed under ground the One who all that time had been concealing the persecuting tyrant under the waves of the sea: So, let us sing to the Lord like the young men, for he is greatly glorified.

CANTICLE THREE

293sub-terranean

IRMOS: When the creation saw thee who by thy own will hung the whole creation upon the waters hanging in Golgotha, it was seized with great wonder and cried aloud: None is holy but thee, O Lord.294


O Master, thou hast revealed the marks of thy burial in a multitude of appearances; now thou hast shown thy hidden secrets as the God-man to those who are in Hades, who cry aloud: None is holy but thee, O Lord.295


Thou hast stretched out thy hands, and untied all that had been divided. Wrapped in linen cloth, O Savior, and buried in a tomb, thou hast set free the prisoners who cry aloud: None is holy but thee, O Lord.296


By thine own will a grave and seals have enclosed thee, O infinite One; but thou revealed thy power divinely in thy actions to those who sing: None is holy but thee, O Lord.297

KatavasiaWhen the creation saw thee who by thine own will hung the whole creation upon the waters hanging in Golgotha, it was seized with great wonder crying aloud: None is holy but thee, O Lord.298

Kathisma (Sessional Hymn)First Tone

O Savior, the soldiers guarding thy tomb became as dead men from the lightning appearance of the angel, proclaiming the Resurrection to the women. We glorify thee, the despoiler of corruption, and we fall down unto thee, risen from the tomb and our only God.

CANTICLE FOURIRMOS: When he foresaw thee emptying thyself upon the Cross, Habakkuk was dazzled as he cried: Thou hast cut short the might of the powerful,299 O gracious and almighty Lord, who preached salvation to those in Hades.


294(Sir. 36:<33>:5).

295(Sir. 36:<33>:5).

296(Sir. 36:<33>:5).

297(Sir. 36:<33>:5).

298(Sir. 36:<33>:5).

299(Hab. 3:14).

Today thou hast made holy the seventh day which thou blessed before resting from thy works. For thou createst all things and makeest them new, taking rest on the Sabbath, my Savior, and restoring them once more.


O Word, thou hast gained victory by thy almighty strength; thy soul was separated from the body; yet by thy dominion, thou burstest the bonds of death and Hades.


Hades was embittered when it encountered thee,300 O Word, for it saw a mortal deified, marked by wounds, yet all-powerful; it shrank back in terror at this sight.

KatavasiaWhen he foresaw thee emptying thyself upon the Cross, Habakkuk was dazzled as he cried: Thou hast cut short the might of the powerful,301 O gracious and almighty Lord who preached salvation to those in Hades.

CANTICLE FIVEIRMOS: O Christ, when Isaiah came early in the morning, he saw the never-setting light, the light of divine manifestation that appeared to us through thy tender mercy. He cried aloud: The dead shall live, and the dwellers in the tombs shall rise, and all those who live on earth will sing for joy.302


O Creator, when thou wast enrolled among the mortals, thou didst make them new. O Word, the linen cloth and the tomb point to the mystery that is within thee. For the respected council member of the sanhadrin303 fulfills the will of thy Father, who has gloriously made me new in thee.


O Master, by thy death thou transformest mortality, and by thy burial, corruption. As as befits God, thou renderest immortal and incorruptible the nature thou didst assume. But thy flesh did not see decay, nor was thy soul left in Hades as that of a stranger.


Coming from a birth without travail and pierced in thy side with a spear, O my Creator, thou didst accomplish the recreation of Eve. Becoming Adam, thou fellest asleep in a manner transcending nature, producing life and raising it from sleep and corruption, for thou art the Almighty One.

Katavasia

300(Is. 14:9).

301(Hab. 3:14).

302(Is. 26:19).

303Joseph of Arimathea.

O Christ, when Isaiah came early in the morning, he saw the never-setting light, the light of divine manifestation that appeared to us through thy tender mercy. He cried aloud: The dead shall live, and the dwellers in the tombs shall rise, and all those who live on earth will sing for joy.304

CANTICLE SIXIRMOS: Jonah was enclosed but not held fast in the belly of the whale; for as prefiguring thee, who hast suffered and wast buried in the tomb, he sprung up from the beast as from a bridal chamber; and he called out to the guard: O guards, you guard in vain, for you have forsaken your own mercy.


O Word, thou wast slain but not separated from the flesh thou sharest with us. For though thy temple was destroyed at the time of thy Passion, the Person of thy Godhead and of thy flesh remains but One: in both thou art one Son, the Word of God, both God and Man.


The sin of Adam caused the death of man, but not the death of God; for though the earthly essence of thy flesh suffered, thy Godhead remained without suffering. Thou hast transformed that which was corruptible into incorruption, and revealed the fountain of life by thy Resurrection.


Hades rules over our mortal race, but not forever. Laid in the tomb, O Mighty One, with thy life-giving hand thou destroyest the bars of death. As the first-born rose from the dead, thou hast proclaimed true redemption, O Savior, to those who throughout the ages slept in the tombs.

KatavasiaJonah was enclosed but not held fast in the belly of the whale; for as prefiguring thee, who hast suffered and wast buried in the tomb, he sprung up from the beast as from a bridal chamber; and he called out to the guard: O guards, you guard in vain, for you have forsaken your own mercy.

The KontakionThe immortal One, who closed the abyss,305 is seen dead and wrapped in linen cloth with spices and laid in the tomb as mortal. The women come to anoint him with ointment, weeping bitterly and crying aloud: This is the Sabbath which is blessed above all, for Christ, having fallen asleep, will rise on the third day.

The OikosHe who rules over all things was lifted up on the Cross. The whole creation weeps to see him hanging naked on the Cross. The sun hid its rays, and the stars lost their brightness; the earth shook in great fear; the sea fled, and the rocks were torn, and many graves were opened, and the bodies of the saints rose. Hades groaned below, and the Jews spread false tidings against Christ’s Resurrection. But the women cried aloud: This is the Sabbath which is blessed above all, for Christ, having fallen asleep, will rise on the third day.

304(Is. 26:19).

305the home of demons and evil spirits.

CANTICLE SEVENIRMOS: O Inexpressible wonder! For he is laid as dead without breath in the grave, for our salvation, who delivered from the fiery furnace the godly Children who sing: Blessed art thou, O God our Deliverer.


When Hades was consumed by divine fire, it was pierced in the heart and groaned, receiving the One who was pierced in his side by the spear for the salvation of us who sing: Blessed art thou, O God our Deliverer.


O Blessed tomb! It received within itself the Creator, as if sleeping, and it became a divine treasury of life for the salvation of us who sing: Blessed art thou, O God our Deliverer.


The Life of all submits to being laid in the tomb, according to the law of the dead, and he makes it a source of resurrection for the salvation of us who sing: Blessed art thou, O God our Deliverer.


In Hades and in the tomb and in Eden, the divinity of Christ was indivisibly united with the Father and the Spirit, for the salvation of us who sing: Blessed art thou, O God our Deliverer.

KatavasiaO Inexpressible wonder! For he is laid as dead without breath in the grave, for our salvation, who delivered from the fiery furnace the godly Children, who sing: Blessed art thou, O God our Deliverer.

CANTICLE EIGHTIRMOS: O heavens, be appalled! Be astonished! Let the foundations of the earth be shaken. For he who dwells on high is reckoned among the dead, lodging as a stranger in a narrow tomb. Children bless him, priests praise him, and people exalt him unto all the ages!


The most pure Temple is destroyed, but raises up with him the fallen tabernacle. The second Adam, dwelling in the highest heaven, has come down to the first Adam as far as the depths of Hades. Children bless him, priests praise him, and people exalt him unto all the ages!

We bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

The disciples were fainthearted, but Joseph of Arimathaea was the bravest, for seeing the God of all dead and naked, he asked for the body and buried him crying: Children bless him, priests praise him, and people exalt him unto all the ages!


O strange wonders! O divine goodness! O inexpressible long-suffering! God who dwells in the highest heaven is willingly sealed beneath the earth and is falsely accused as a deceiver. Children bless him, priests praise him, and people exalt him unto all the ages!


O heavens, be appalled! Be astonished! Let the foundations of the earth be shaken. For he who dwells on high is reckoned among the dead, lodging as a stranger in a narrow tomb. Children bless him, priests praise him, and people exalt him unto all the ages!


DEACON:The Theotokos and Mother of Light let us honor and magnify in song.

The Deacon censes the sanctuary and the people in the usual manner, while People do not sing the Magnificat and Greater in honor than the cherubim. . . . but chant the following:

CANTICLE NINECHOIR: IRMOS: O Mother, weep not for me, beholding me in the tomb, the Son whom thou didst conceive

without seed in thy womb. For I will rise and will be glorified, and as God I will continually exalt in everlasting glory those who magnify thee with faith and love.


O Son without beginning, at thy strange birth I was blessed in a manner transcending all nature; for I was spared all the travail of childbirth. But now, seeing thee, my God, a lifeless corpse, I am attacked by the sword of bitter sorrow. But arise, that I may be magnified.


O Mother, the earth covers me willingly, but the gate-keepers of Hades tremble with fear as they see me, clothed in the blood-stained garment of punishment, for on the Cross as God I have struck down my enemies, and I will rise and magnify thee.


Let creation rejoice exceedingly, let all Children of Adam be glad, for Hades, the enemy, has been stripped of its power. O women, come to meet me with ointment, for I am delivering Adam and Eve with the whole human race, and on the third day I will rise.

KatavasiaO Mother, weep not for me, beholding me in the tomb, the Son whom thou didst conceive without seed in thy womb. For I will rise and will be glorified, and as God I will continually exalt in everlasting glory those who magnify thee with faith and love.

The clergy assemble around the Epitaphios, the priest intones the first verse while the choir and the people chant the remaining ones:










PEOPLE: Amen.

The clergy and people chant the resurrectional dismissal hymn in tone 2:

Tone TwoWhen thou, O immortal life, went down to death, thou didst destroy death by the dazzling of thy Divinity. And when thou didst raise the dead from the underworld, all the powers of heaven cried aloud: O Christ our God, Giver of life, Glory to thee.

The Litany of Fervent SupplicationDEACON:Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great goodness: we pray thee, hearken, and have mercy.


DEACON:Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.


DEACON:Again we pray for our Father and Metropolitan PHILIP for presbyters, deacons, and all monastics; and for all our brethren in Christ.


DEACON:Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation, and forgiveness and remission of the sins of the servants of God: (Names) (Here prayer may be offered for the people with special needs); and for all devout Orthodox Christians who live and dwell in this community.


307Or the evil one.


DEACON:Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy house, and for all our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox fallen asleep before us, (Names) (Here prayer may be offered for the departed people) who here and throughout the world lie asleep in the Lord.


DEACON:Again we pray for those who bring offerings and do good works in this holy and venerable church; for those who serve and those who sing; and for all the people here present who await thy great and rich mercy.



PEOPLE: Amen.

II. The Resurrection ServiceThe senior priest, being fully-vested, standing before the holy table, makes three low bows, saying nothing. He then takes the

lighted Paschal candle in his right hand. The clergy within the sanctuary are given candles and they come to the senior priest and light them from the Paschal candle. The holy doors are now opened, and the senior priest exits the sanctuary through the holy doors and stands on the solea, as he slowly chants in tone 5:

PRIEST: Come take light from the Light that never fades. Come, and glorify Christ who is risen from the dead.

He and the Choir chant this as many times as necessary, while the congregation come forward to light their paschal candles. The priest then re-enters the sanctuary through the holy doors and, still holding the Paschal candle in his right hand, takes up the gospel book in his left arm while the choir chants the following resurrectional verse in tone 6:

PEOPLE: To thy resurrection, O Christ Savior, the angels in heaven sing praises. Make us who are on earth also worthy to glorify thee with a pure heart.

The choir continues to chant this verse, while the clergy, all being full-vested, exit the sanctuary through the holy doors, the senior priest carrying the Paschal candle and the gospel book. A procession is made out of the church, led by the choir and chanters, followed by the servers with lanterns, processional cross, banners and fans, the junior priests, the deacon with the censer, the senior priest and all the faithful. When all have exited the darkened church, the doors of the church are closed. The clergy, facing east, their places at the table set before the main entrance of the church, as they would at the holy table, and the senior priest places the gospel book upon it. Then censing the gospel book, the deacon intones:

PRIEST/DEACON:And that we may be accounted worthy to hear the holy gospel, let us pray to the Lord our God.


PRIEST/DEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the Holy Gospel.



PRIEST: The reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Mark.


PRIEST/DEACON:Let us attend.

Mark 16:1-8Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salo’me bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb at the rising of the sun. And they were saying to one another, who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb? And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back--it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a long white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, Do not be amazed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples, and Peter, that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you. And they went out quickly and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

PEOPLE: Glory to thee, O Lord. Glory to thee.

III Paschal Orthros (Matins)The senior priest, still holding the Paschal candle in his left hand, takes the censer and censes three times the gospel book upon

the table. Then, standing at his place before the table and facing east, he makes the sign of the cross over the gospel book with the censer, saying in a loud voice:


PEOPLE: Amen.

Then the senior priest censes the front of the table, while all the clergy chant the Paschal troparion three times:

CLERGY: Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.

Then, censing around the table, the clergy and all the people, the senior priest intones the following Paschal verses. After each verse the people chant the Paschal troparion.

The Paschal VersesPsalm 68<67>

PRIEST: Verse 1: Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered, and let those who hate him flee from before his face.

PEOPLE: Christ is risen from the dead . . .

PRIEST: Verse 2: As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish; as wax melts before the fire.

PEOPLE: Christ is risen from the dead...

PRIEST: Verse 3: So let sinners perish at the presence of God; and let the righteous be glad.


PRIEST: Verse 4: This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.


PRIEST: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.


PRIEST: Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.


Then in a louder voice, the priest chants:

PRIEST: Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs.

The people conclude the troparion:

PEOPLE: bestowing life.

The priest gives away the censer. Then the deacon receives the blessing of the priest, lifts his orarion (stole) and, facing east, intones the petitions of the litany of peace.

The Litany of PeaceDEACON:In peace let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For the peace of the whole world; for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For this holy House, and for those who with faith, reverence, and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For our Father and Metropolitan PHILIP, for the venerable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For the President of the United States and all civil authorities, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For healthful seasons, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For travelers by sea, by land, and by air; for the sick and the suffering; for captives and their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.


DEACON:Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.



CHOIR: Amen.

It is customary that, at the conclusion of the litany of peace, the senior priest, holding the Paschal candle in his left hand, knocks three times on the closed doors of the church with the hand-cross, saying in a loud voice these verses from Psalm 24 <23>:7-10.

PRIEST: Lift up your gates, O princes; and be lifted up, O everlasting gates, that the King of glory may come in.

A person who has remained inside the darkened church responds to the Priest:

RESPONSE: Who is this King of glory?

PRIEST: The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in war.

Knocking again, the priest says:



PRIEST: The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in war.

Knocking again, the priest says:



Opening wide the doors of the church, the priest says:

PRIEST: The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.

All then enter the brightly lighted church, led by the senior priest carrying the Paschal candle and gospel book, as the bells ring, and the choir chants the Paschal canon in tone 1 Today is the day of resurrection. The clergy go immediately to the sanctuary and take their places at the holy table. The gospel book is placed upon the antiminsion, and the Paschal candle is kept lighted in a stand. All doors of the iconostasis are opened and remain so throughout Bright Week. After each ode of the Paschal canon, the deacon exits

the sanctuary through the north door, stands at his place on the solea and intones the petitions of the little litany. After the exclamation by the priest, the deacon re-enters the sanctuary through the south door.

First OdeFirst Tone

CHOIR: Today is the day of Resurrection! let us be radiant, O nations. It is Pascha, the Pascha of the Lord; for Christ has brought us from death to life,and from earth to heaven, who now sing the song of victory.

Glory to thy Holy Resurrection, O Lord!

Let us purify our senses that we may behold Christ radiant with the unapproachable light of Resurrection, and we may clearly hear him say: Rejoice! while we sing to him the hymn of victory.


Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be glad, as it is proper; and let the whole world, visible and invisible, keep the feast; for Christ, our everlasting joy has risen.

Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life. (Three times)

Jesus is risen from the tomb, as he had foretold, and has bestowed upon us eternal life and great mercy (once).

The Little LitanyDEACON:Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.





CHOIR: To thee, O Lord.PRIEST: For thine is the majesty, and thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory: of the Father, and of

the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Third OdeCHOIR: Come let us drink a new drink, produced miraculously not from a barren rock, but from the source of

incorruption, gushing forth from the tomb of Christ, in who we are strengthened.


Now all creation, heaven and earth, and all that is below the earth have been filled with light. Let all the universe, celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, in which it is strengthened.


Yesterday, I was buried with thee, O Christ and today we rise with thee in thy Resurrection. Yesterday, I was crucified with thee: glorify me with thee in thy kingdom.









PRIEST: For thou art our God, and unto thee we give glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The Hypakoein the Fourth Tone

CHOIR: Mary and her companions came before the dawn and found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher and heard from the angel: Why do you seek him who dwells in eternal light as mortal man among the dead? Behold the grave clothes. Go quickly and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen and has put death to death; for he is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind.

Fourth OdeFirst Tone

Let the Prophet Habakkuk keep the divine watch with us and show us the light-bearing angel saying clearly: Today is salvation to the world; for Christ is risen, for he is Almighty.


Christ revealed himself; he opened as a man the womb that remained virginal, and as mortal he was called a Lamb; thus, blameless is our Pascha, for he did not taste corruption; and since he is truly God, he is called perfect.


Christ, our blessed crown, has sacrificed himself for us of his own will, like a yearling lamb, so as to become a cleansing Pascha. He shone forth upon us from the tomb as the beautiful Sun of righteousness.


David, the ancestor of God danced with joy before the ark which was but a symbol. Let us also, the holy people, seeing the fulfillment of those symbols, rejoice with divine rejoicing, for Christ the Almighty is risen.









PRIEST: For thou art a Good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Fifth OdeCHOIR: Let us come early in the morning, at dawn, and instead of ointment let us offer praise to the Master.

Thus shall we see Christ who is the Sun of Righteousness, who causes life to shine upon all.


O Christ, when those who were captive in hades’ bonds saw thy boundless compassion, they ran to the light with a joyful step, exalting the eternal Pascha.


Bearing lamps in hand, let us go forth to meet Christ risen from the tomb as a bridegroom. Let us celebrate with the feast-loving ranks the saving Pascha of our God.









PRIEST: For blessed is thy Name and glorified is thy Kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Sixth OdeCHOIR: O Christ, when thou wentest down to the deepest parts of earth, thou didst shatter the everlasting

bars which held all prisoners. And on the third day thou didst rise from the tomb as did Jonah from the belly of the whale.


O Christ, thou didst not break the locks of virginity in thy birth; and thou didst rise from the tomb, keeping its seals intact, and opened to us the gates of paradise.


O my Savior, the life-giving and immortal sacrifice, as God thou didst present thyself of thine own will as a sacrifice to the Father. When thou didst rise from the tomb, thou didst raise with thee the whole race of Adam.









PRIEST: For thou art the King of peace and the Savior of our souls, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The KontakionCHOIR: O Immortal One, when thou wentest down into the tomb, thou didst destroy the power of Hades and

thou didst rise victorious, O Christ God. Thou didst say to the ointment-bearing women: Rejoice! thou didst give peace to thy Disciples, O Bestower of resurrection to those who had fallen.

The OikosREADER: Before dawn the ointment-bearing maidens came to the Sun who existed before the sun, now setting

in the tomb. They were seeking him as one would seek the light of day, shouting one to another: Friends, Come, let us anoint with aromatic spices the life-bringing body which is now buried: that flesh which raises fallen Adam, but now is lying in the tomb. Let us go, let us make haste, as did the Wise men, and fall down and offer our ointment as gifts to him who is no longer wrapped in swaddling cloth, but in linen cloth. Let us weep and cry aloud: Arise O Master, O bestower of resurrection to those who had fallen.

The Great and HolyPascha Sunday

Synaxarion

On the Holy and Great Sunday of the Pascha we celebrate the life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ;

Christ alone descended to contend with Hades: from which he came up, bringing with him plentiful spoils of victory.

To him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

CHOIR: In that we have beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy cross do we adore, O Christ, and thy holy resurrection we praise and glorify: for thou art our God, and we know none other beside thee; we call upon thy name. O come, all you faithful, let us adore Christ’s holy resurrection. For lo, through the cross is joy come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us sing his resurrection, for in that he endured the cross for us he has destroyed death by death.


CHOIR: Jesus is risen from the tomb, as he had foretold, and has bestowed upon us eternal life and great mercy. (Once)

Seventh OdeCHOIR: He who saved the children from the furnace, becoming Man, suffers as a mortal and, through his

sufferings, clothes mortals with the beauty of incorruption. The God of our fathers is alone blessed and most gloried.


O Christ, the Godly-wise women followed thee in haste with the ointment. They were seeking thee, lamenting for thee as dead, but now with joy they worship thee as a living God. Then to the disciples they announced the glad news of thy mystical Pascha.


We celebrate the abolition of death, the destruction of Hades and the first fruit of everlasting life. And as we leap with joy, we praise the Cause of these good gifts, the God of our fathers who is alone blessed and mostly gloried.


Truly, how sacred is this radiant and supremely festive night of salvation, for it precedes the proclamation of the light-bearing day of Resurrection, on which the timeless Light shone forth bodily from the grave for all.









PRIEST: Blessed and glorified be the majesty of thy Kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Eighth OdeCHOIR: This is holy and blessed day, the first day of the week, the king and master of all days. It is the feast

of feasts, the season of seasons. On this day we bless Christ forevermore.


Come, let us on this glorious day of Resurrection drink of the new vineyard, of the divine gladness of the kingdom of Christ. Let us praise him; for he is God forevermore.


O Zion, lift up thine eyes and look around. For lo! thy children have assembled around thee as God-lighted stars, from the west and from the north, from the sea and from the east, blessing Christ forevermore.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, n ow and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Almighty Father, the Word, and the Spirit, one Nature in three Persons, God transcendent in Essence and supremely divine, we have been baptized in thee, and we bless thee for evermore.


Jesus is risen from the tomb, as he had foretold, and has bestowed upon us eternal life and great mercy.







PRIEST: For sanctified iand glorified is thine all-honourable and majestic Name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Then the deacon, standing in the holy doors and facing the congregation or the icon of the Theotokos on the iconostasis, lifts his orarion (stole) and says:

DEACON:The Theotokos and Mother of Light let us honor and magnify in song.

The choir then chants the ninth ode, while the deacon does the great censing of the church.

Ninth OdeCHOIR: Magnify, O my soul, him who suffered of his own free will, and was buried, and rose from the tomb

on the third day.

Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem; for the glory of the Lord has dawned upon thee308. Dance now and be glad, O Zion, and thee, O pure Theotokos, rejoice at the Resurrection of thy Son.

Magnify, O my soul, the life-giving Christ, who rose from the tomb on the third day.

How divine! how beloved! how sweet is thy voice! For thou, O Christ, have truly promised to be with us to the end of the ages.309 Holding fast these words as an anchor of hope, we the faithful rejoice.

Christ is a new Pascha, a living Sacrifice, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

O Christ, the great and most holy Pascha, O Wisdom of God, Word and Power of God, grant us that we may more perfectly partake of thee in the never-ending day of thy kingdom.

308(Is. 60:1).

309(Mt 28:20).

Rejoice, O Virgin, rejoice; rejoice, O blessed one; rejoice, O most glorified one; for thy Son is risen from the tomb on the third day.

Then conclude with the following Magnification.

The angel cried to her who is full of grace: O pure Virgin, rejoice; and again I say, Rejoice; for thy Son is risen from the tomb on the third day.

Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem; for the glory of the Lord has dawned upon thee310. Dance now and be glad, O Zion, and thee, O pure Theotokos, rejoice at the Resurrection of thy Son.









PRIEST: For all the powers of heaven praise thee, and to thee they give glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

And immediately:

ExapostelarionIn the Second Tone

CHOIR: O Lord and King, thou layest as mortal in the flesh, but thou didst rise on the third day, raising Adam from corruption and destroying death, O Pascha of incorruption, Salvation of the world. (Three times)

In the Ainoi (The Praises), sing four Stichera of the Resurrection in the First Tone:

The Praises (Ainoi)

310(Is. 60:1).

First ToneCHOIR: Let every thing that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the

heights! To thee, O God, is due our song.


Verse 1: Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his firmament of his power.

We sing praises to thy saving Passion, O Christ, and glorify thy resurrection.

Verse 2: Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

O Lord who has endured the Cross, destroyed death, and risen from the dead, give peace to our life; for thou alone art Almighty.

Verse 3: Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!

Make us worthy, O Christ, to praise and glorify with a pure heart; for thou didst strip death of its power and didst raise up all by thy resurrection.

Verse 4: Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!

We praise thee Christ, glorifying thy divine condescension. For thou wast born of the Virgin, but thou wast inseparable from the Father. Thou hast suffered as man and willingly endured the Cross. Thou didst rise from the tomb, coming out as from a bridal chamber,311 to save the world. O Lord, Glory to thee.

Then the following Stichera of the Pascha with their Stichoi, in the Fifth Tone.

Fifth ToneCHOIR: Verse 1: Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered, and let those who hate him flee from before

his face.

Today Christ the Redeemer has been revealed to us as a Pascha, a sacred Pascha, a new and holy Pascha, a mystical Pascha, a most honorable Pascha, a blameless Pascha, a great Pascha, a Pascha for the faithful, a Pascha which has opened for us the gates of Paradise, a Pascha which sanctifies all the faithful.

Verse 2: As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish; as wax melts before the fire.

Come back from what you have seen, O women, preachers of good news, and say to Zion, accept from us the tidings of joy of the Resurrection of Christ. O Jerusalem, Rejoice, dance and be glad, for you have seen Christ the King emerging from the tomb as a Bridegroom.

Verse 3: So let sinners perish at the presence of God; and let the righteous be glad.

When early in the morning the ointment-bearing women approached the tomb of the Giver of life, they found an angel sitting upon the rock. And he cried out to them saying: Why do you seek the

311(Ps.19 <18>:5).

Living among the dead? Why do you mourn the Incorruptible One as if he has suffered corruption? Go, proclaim this to his Disciples.

Verse 4: This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

The Pascha is the Pascha of the Lord, the Pascha of delight; The most honored Pascha has shone upon us! The Pascha in which we embrace one another with joy! O what a Pascha, delivering from sorrow! For today Christ shines from the tomb as from a bridal chamber and fills the women with joy saying: Proclaim this to the Apostles.


Fifth ToneToday is the Day of Resurrection! Let us be radiant in the Feast! Let us embrace one another and say, Brethren! We forgive everything, even those who hate us, on the day of Resurrection, and so let us cry: Christ is risen from the dead; trampling death by Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.

Then: Christ is risen, etc. (Three times)

Paschal Divine LiturgyThe Preparation and Opening Dialogue

The priest and deacon, being fully vested, stand together before the holy table, the priest in the center and the deacon at his place at the southwest corner. The priest with hands uplifted says the following prayer while the deacon lifts his orarion:



PRIEST: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (Twice)

O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise.


DEACON:It is time for the Lord to act. Bless, master.



DEACON:Amen. Pray for me, master.


DEACON:Remember me, holy master.



DEACON:Amen.




DEACON:Bless, master.



CHOIR: Amen.

The priest, replaces the gospel book on the antiminsion. the priest takes up the censer and Paschal candle and censes around the holy table, the sanctuary, the iconostasis and the congregation from the holy doors, while he and the choir chant the Paschal troparion and its verses. All censing from Pascha through its Leave-taking is done carrying the Paschal candle.

PRIEST: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs¼

CHOIR: Bestowing Life.The Paschal Verses

Psalm 68<67>PRIEST: Verse 1: Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered, and let those who hate him flee from before

his face.
















The priest gives away the censer. Then the deacon receives the blessing of the priest, lifts his orarion (stole) and, facing east, intones the petitions of the litany of peace.

Litany of PeaceDEACON:In peace let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For the peace of the whole world; for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For this holy House, and for those who with faith, reverence, and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For our Father and Metropolitan PHILIP, for the venerable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For the President of the United States and all civil authorities, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For healthful seasons, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For travelers by sea, by land, and by air; for the sick and the suffering; for captives and their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.






The priest says quietly the prayer of the First Antiphon:

PRIEST: O Lord our God, whose might is beyond compare, whose glory is incomprehensible, whose mercy is infinite, and whose love toward mankind is ineffable: do thou thyself, O Master, in thy tender compassion look down upon us and upon this holy house, and grant us and those who pray with us thy rich mercies and compassion


CHOIR: Amen.

The Refrains of the First AntiphonSecond Tone

CHOIR: Verse: Sing with Joy to the Lord, all the earth312.


Verse: Sing to his Name, glorify him in praise.

Through the intercessions . . .

Verse: Say to God: How awesome are thy deeds! In the multitude of thy power thy enemies will cringe before thee.


Verse: Let all the earth worship thee and sing to thee; let them sing to thy Name, O Most High.



Through the intercessions of the Theotokos . . .

312(Ps.66<65>:1).

The Little EkteniaDEACON:Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.






The priest says quietly the prayer of the Second Antiphon:

PRIEST: O Lord our God, save thy people and bless thine inheritance: preserve the fullness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house: do thou glorify them in recompense by thy divine power; and forsake not us who put our trust in thee.

PRIEST: For thine is the majesty, and thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The Refrains of the Second AntiphonCHOIR: Verse: God be gracious to us and bless us, and make his face to shine upon us and have mercy on

us.313


Verse: That thy way may be known upon the earth, among all the nations thy salvation.

Save us, O Son of God, who art risen . . .

Verse: Let the peoples praise thee, O God, let all the peoples praise thee.


Verse: Let God bless us, and let all the ends of the earth fear him.



313(Psalm 67<66>:1).

“O Only-begotten Son”PEOPLE: O Only-begotten Son and Word of God, who art immortal, yet didst deign for our salvation to be

incarnate of the Holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and without change became man; and wast crucified also, O Christ our God, and by thy death didst trample down death; who art one of the Holy Trinity, glorified together with the Father and the Holy Spirit: save us.

The Little EkteniaDEACON:Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:Help us; save us; have mercy upon us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.


DEACON:Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.


The priest says quietly the prayer of the Third Antiphon:

PRIEST: O thou who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world the knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come, life everlasting.

PRIEST: For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

The Third AntiphonThe Paschal Verses

Psalm 68<67>PRIEST: Verse 1: Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered, and let those who hate him flee from before

his face.















The Little EntranceWhile the choir chants the third antiphon,, the priest and deacon make three metanias before the holy table. The priest lifts the

gospel book and gives it to the deacon, who places his orarion over it, kissing the priest’s hand. Preceded by the servers, they make the Little Entrance, the priest following the deacon, passing the high place and exiting the sanctuary through the north door, saying as they go:

DEACON:Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.


DEACON:Amen.


DEACON:Bless, master, the holy entrance.



DEACON:Amen.

The deacon holds the gospel book for the priest to kiss, himself kissing the priest’s right hand. When the choir has completed the chanting of the third antiphon, the deacon, standing in the center of the solea in front of the priest and facing east, elevates the gospel book and says:

DEACON:Wisdom. Let us attend.

The Entrance HymnPRIEST: In the great congregations bless God the Lord, <O thou who art> from Israel’s fountain.314

314(Ps. 68<67>:26).


Then:

PEOPLE: Christ is risen from the dead . . . The Hypakoe

In the Fourth ToneCHOIR: Mary and her companions came before the dawn and found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher

and heard from the angel: Why do you seek the One who dwells in eternal light as mortal man among the dead? Behold the grave clothes. Go quickly and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen and has put death to death; for he is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind.

The KontakionEighth Tone

Though thou didst descend to the tomb, O Immortal One, thou didst overthrow the power of Hades. O Christ God, thou didst rise victorious from the dead! Thou didst say to the ointment-bearing women Rejoice and didst give peace to thy disciples and resurrection to those who had fallen.

The Prayer of the TrisagionPRIEST: O holy God, who restest in thy Holy Place; who art hymned by the Seraphim with thrice-holy cry,

and glorified by the Cherubim, and worshiped by every heavenly Power; who out of nothing hast brought all things into being; who hast created man after thine own image and likeness and hast adorned him with thine every gift; who givest to him that askest wisdom and understanding; who despisest not the sinner, but hast appointed repentance unto salvation; who hast vouchsafed unto us, thy humble and unworthy servants, even in this hour to stand before the glory of thy holy Altar and to offer the worship and praise which are due unto thee: Thyself, O Master, accept even from the mouth of us sinners the Hymn of the Trisagion, and visit us in thy goodness. Forgive us every transgression both voluntary and involuntary; sanctify our souls and bodies; and grant us to serve thee in holiness all the days of our life: through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the Saints who from the beginning of the world have been well-pleasing unto thee.

Following the Kontakion the deacon, standing at his place at the holy table, says to the Priest:

DEACON:Bless, master, the time of the thrice-holy.

The priest blesses the deacon. The deacon kisses the priest’s right hand and then standing in the holy doors facing the people lifts his orarion and says:

DEACON:Let us pray to the Lord.


The deacon returns to his place at the holy table and the priest says:

PRIEST: For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee we give glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever,

Facing the congregation through the holy doors, the deacon lifts his orarion and says:

DEACON:And unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Then the Choir sings the Trisagion Hymn while the clergy sing the Trisagion Hymn quickly and complete the dialog beginning with “Command master.”

The Trisagion HymnPEOPLE: As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ, Alleluia. (Three times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.

Have put on Christ, Alleluia.

DEACON:Dynamis!

PEOPLE: As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ, Alleluia.

The deacon points to the Prothesis table with his candle and says:

DEACON:Command, master.



The deacon points to the throne at the high place with his orarion and says the following to the Priest:

DEACON:Bless, master, the throne on high.

The priest faces the throne at the high place and with outspread hands, says:

PRIEST: Blessed art thou on the throne of the glory of thy kingdom, who art enthroned upon the cherubim, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

DEACON:Amen.

The Liturgy of the Wordthe Epistle

After the Choir has finished singing the Trisagion, the deacon comes to the Royal Doors, faces the people and says aloud:

DEACON:Let us attend!

READER: This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever.315

DEACON:Wisdom.

READER: The reading is from The Acts of the Apostles.

DEACON:Let us attend.

315(Ps. 118<117>:24,29).

Acts 1:1-8In the first book I wrote, O Theophilus, about all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen, to whom, after his suffering, he also presented himself alive by many decisive proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. While assembling together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father.

“This” he said, “Is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now”

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him saying, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And he said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods which the Father has put in his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”



The Prayer Before the GospelDEACON:Let us pray to the Lord, Lord have mercy.



DEACON:Bless, master, him that proclaims the good tidings of the holy, glorious apostle and evangelist John.



DEACON:Amen. Amen. Amen. Let it be to me according to thy word.


DEACON:O holy apostle and evangelist John, intercede with the merciful God that he may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.


The GospelDEACON:Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the Holy Gospel.




PRIEST OR DEACON:The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint John.


DEACON:Let us attend.

(John 1:1-17)In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him not anything was made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the Ligh, that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but to bear witness to the Light.

The true Light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own, and his own received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness of him and cried, “This is he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.’” ) And from his fullness have we all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.


When the gospel lection is completed, the deacon enters the sanctuary through the holy doors as the priest blesses him, saying:

PRIEST: Peace be to thee that proclaimest the gospel.

The deacon gives the gospel book to the priest kissing his right hand, and the priest blesses the faithful with the gospel book as the choir chants:

CHOIR: Glory to thee, O Lord. Glory to thee.

The priest stands the gospel book behind the antiminsion and preaches the homily. At the conclusion of the homily, the deacon bows to the priest and standing in the holy doors facing west with his orarion raised says:

DEACON:Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Wisdom.


CHOIR: Amen.

As the choir chants the Cherubic Hymn, the priest bows low at his place before the holy table as he quietly says the prayer of the cherubic hymn.

The Cherubic HymnCHOIR: We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing to the life-giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn,

let us now lay aside all earthly care: that we may receive the King of all,

The Prayer of the Cherubic HymnPRIEST: No one who is bound with the desires and pleasures of the flesh is worthy to approach or draw nigh

or to serve thee, O King of Glory: for to serve thee is a great and awesome thing even to the Heavenly Powers. Nevertheless, through thine unspeakable and boundless love toward mankind thou didst become man, yet without change or alteration, and as Lord of all didst take the name of our High Priest, and deliver unto us the ministry of this liturgic and unbloody sacrifice. For thou alone, O Lord our God, rulest over those in heaven and on earth; who art borne on the throne of the Cherubim; who art Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel; who alone art holy and restest in thy Holy Place.



PRIEST: We, who mystically represent the Cherubim and sing to the life-giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn, let us lay aside all earthly care that we may receive the King of all,

DEACON:invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.













Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,the God of my salvation,

and my tongue will joyfullysing aloud of thy righteousness.



He makes three low bows before the Altar, kisses the Antiminsis and the Altar, turns and bows to the people, and goes to the Prothesis Table, the deacon kissing only the southwest corner of the Altar. The priest censes the holy Gifts, bows, and says:



DEACON:Lift up, master.






DEACON:All of you, may the Lord God remember in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.


CHOIR: Amen.


CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: The Orthodox servants of God N.(NN.), that they may have mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation, and pardon and forgiveness of sins: may the Lord God remember them in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.



CHOIR: Amen.


CHOIR: Who comes invisibly upborne by the Angelic Hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.


DEACON:Thy priesthood, may the Lord God remember in his Kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.








DEACON:Do good, master.Taking the censer, the priest censes the gifts thrice, saying the concluding verses of Psalm 50:


DEACON:Remember me, holy master.




DEACON:Amen.

Passing the high place, the deacon exits the sanctuary through the north door. Standing at his place on the solea, the choir having concluded the Cherubic Hymn, the deacon lifts his orarion and intones the petitions of the Litany of Supplication. The priest quietly says the prayer of the prothesis while the deacon intones the petitions.

The Litany of SupplicationDEACON:Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.


DEACON:For the precious gifts now set forth, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For this holy house and those who with faith, reverence and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON:For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.




DEACON:That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.


DEACON:An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.


DEACON:Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.




DEACON:That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

DEACON:A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful and a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.


DEACON:Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.



The Prayer of the ProthesisPRIEST: O Lord God Almighty, who alone art holy, who dost accept a sacrifice of praise from those who call

upon thee with their whole heart: Receive also the prayer of us sinners, and lead us to thy holy altar, and enable us to offer unto thee gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for the ignorance of the people, and make us worthy to find grace in thy sight, that our sacrifice may be acceptable unto thee and that the good Spirit of thy grace may rest upon us and upon these gifts here set forth and upon all thy people.


CHOIR: Amen.The Peace

Turning to face the people, the priest blesses saying:




DEACON:Let us love one another, that with one accord we may confess:




The priest then kisses the covered gifts (first the diskos, second the chalice) the cross on the aer and the holy table. Meanwhile the deacon makes three metanias before the icon of Christ then kisses the cross on his orarion. Clergy and people exchange here the Kiss of Peace. Then lifting his orarion the deacon says:

The CreedDEACON:The doors. The doors. In wisdom let us attend.

PEOPLE: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made316 man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And the third day he rose, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets; And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the Life of the world to come. Amen.

As the creed is recited, the priest lifts the aer with both hands and gently waves it over the gifts. At the point in the creed And ascended into heaven. . . , the priest folds the aer, makes the sign of the cross with it over the gifts, and continues to wave the folded aer over the gifts in a circular manner. At the conclusion of the creed, the deacon, still standing before the icon of Christ, says with raised orarion:

DEACON:Let us stand aright. Let us stand with fear. Let us attend, that we may offer the holy oblation in peace.











The Holy AnaphoraPRIEST: It is meet and right to hymn thee, to bless thee, to praise thee, to give thanks unto thee, and to

worship thee in every place of thy dominion: for thou art God ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever existing and eternally the same, thou and thine Only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit. Thou it was who didst bring us from non-existence into being, and when we had fallen away didst raise us up again, and didst not cease to do all things until thou hadst brought us back to heaven, and hadst endowed us with thy kingdom which is to come. For all these things we give thanks unto thee, and to thine Only-begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit; for all things of which we know, and of which we know not, and for all the benefits bestowed upon us, both manifest and unseen. And we give thanks unto thee also for this ministry which thou dost vouchsafe to receive at our hands, even though there stand beside thee thousands of Archangels and ten thousands of Angels, the Cherubim and the Seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring aloft, borne on their pinions.



CHOIR: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Hosanna in the highest: Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.





CHOIR: Amen.




CHOIR: Amen.



PRIEST: And offering unto thee thine own of thine own always and everywhere.





DEACON:Bless, master, the holy bread.


DEACON:Amen


DEACON:Bless, master, the holy cup.


DEACON:Amen.


DEACON:Bless both master.

PRIEST: Changing them by thy Holy Spirit.

DEACON:Amen. Amen. Amen. Remember me a sinner holy master.


PRIEST: That to those who shall partake thereof they may be unto cleansing of soul, unto the forgiveness of sins, unto the communion of thy Holy Spirit, unto the fulfilment of the kingdom of Heaven, unto boldness toward thee, and not unto judgment or unto condemnation. And again we offer unto thee this spiritual service for all those who in faith have gone before us to their rest: Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Preachers, Evangelists, Martyrs, Confessors, Ascetics, and every righteous spirit that has completed their life in faith:



The Hymn to the TheotokosThe priest gives the censer to the deacon, who censes around the holy table, while the people/choir sing the:

Ninth OdeFirst Tone

CHOIR: Magnify, O my soul, the One who suffered of his own free will and was buried and rose from the tomb on the third day. Shine, shine, O new Jerusale, for the glory of the Lord has dawned upon You.317 Dance now and be glad, O Zion, and thou, O pure Theotokos, delight in the Resurrection of thy Son.

PRIEST: And for the holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John; the holy glorious, and all-laudable Apostles; Saint(s) N (NN.), whose memory we celebrate; and all thy Saints, at whose supplications look down upon us, O God. And be mindful of all those who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of Resurrection unto life eternal: (especially N,NN), and grant them rest, O our God, where the light of thy countenance shines upon them.



The Acolyte brings a tray containing the antidoron to the priest, who blesses it by making with it the sign of the Cross over the holy Gifts. Prayer for blessing the antidoron:

Remember, O Lord, your faithful servants who partake of this holy bread and may it be for their health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness of their sins and repose of the souls of their departed ones.





317(Is. 60:1).

CHOIR: Amen.






The Lord’s PrayerPEOPLE: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.


CHOIR: Amen.



DEACON:Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.




CHOIR: Amen.

The ElevationPRIEST: Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from thy holy dwelling-place, and from the throne of the

glory of thy kingdom; and come to sanctify us, O thou who sittest on high with the Father, and art here invisibly present with us; and vouchsafe by thy mighty hand to impart unto us thine immaculate Body and precious Blood, and through us unto all the people.



DEACON:Let us attend!





The Communion HymnCHOIR: Partake of the Body of Christ, taste of the Immortal Source.


The CommunionDEACON:Divide, master, the holy bread.




ISNI KA

CS

DEACON:Fill, master the holy cup.

The priest then takes the Portion IS and makes with it the sign of the cross over the Chalice, and drops it in, saying quietly:


DEACON:Amen.


DEACON:Bless, master, the zeon.



DEACON:Amen.



DEACON:Amen.








DEACON:Thy priesthood, the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.



Taking a portion of the section of the Lamb sealed XS the priest says:


The priest consumes that portion of the Lamb and says Amen. With great care, he wipes his fingers over the diskos with the sponge. He then says to the Deacon.



DEACON:Lo, I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God.


DEACON:Master, impart unto me, the unworthy deacon N., the precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.









DEACON:Again I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God. Master, impart unto me, the unworthy deacon N., the precious and all-holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.





DEACON:In that we have beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy cross do we adore, O Christ, and thy holy resurrection we praise and glorify: for thou art our God, and we know none other beside thee; we call upon thy name. O come, all you faithful, let us adore Christ’s holy resurrection. For lo, through the cross is joy come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us sing his resurrection, for in that he endured the cross for us he has destroyed death by death.





DEACON:With fear of God and faith and love, draw near.







As the choir chants the following Troparion:

PEOPLE: Christ is risen . . .




DEACON:Exalt, master.The priest censes the chalice thrice, saying:






CHOIR: Amen.


The Ektenia of ThanksgivingDEACON:Attend! Having partaken of the divine, holy, immaculate, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and





DEACON:Asking that the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.

CHOIR: To thee, O Lord.The Prayer of Thanksgiving

PRIEST: We give thanks unto thee, O Lord who lovest mankind, benefactor of our souls and bodies, for that thou hast vouchsafed this day to feed us with thy heavenly and immortal Mysteries. Make straight our paths, establish us all in thy fear; guard our life; make firm our steps: through the prayers and intercessions of the glorious Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and of all thy Saints:


CHOIR: Amen.






The Prayer Behind the AmbonPRIEST: O Lord who blessest those who bless thee and sanctifiest those who put their trust in thee: save thy

people and bless thine inheritance; preserve the fullness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy House; glorify them in recompense by thy divine power; and forsake us not who hope on thee. Give peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the priests, to all civil authorities, to our armed forces, and to all thy PEOPLE:for every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from thee, the Father of Lights, and unto thee we give glory, thanksgiving, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen. Christ is risen . . .







CHOIR: Amen.



PRIEST: May Christ our true God, who rose from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints, (John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint(s) N.N., whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints: have mercy upon us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loves mankind.

PRIEST: Christ is risen. (Three times)

PEOPLE: Truly, he is risen. (Three times)

PRIEST: Glory to his holy third-day resurrection.

PEOPLE: We worship his third-day resurrection.

PRIEST: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs

PEOPLE: bestowing life.This is said instead of Through the prayers of our holy fathers . . . from Pascha through its Leave-taking.

The Paschal HomilyOf Our Father among the Saints

John ChrysostomArchbishop of Constantinople

Let all those who are devout and lovers of God enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.

Let all loyal servants come in and rejoice in the joy of their Lord.

Let all those who have wearied themselves in fasting enjoy now the recompense.

Let all those who have labored from the first hour receive today their just wages.

Let all those who have come after the third hour celebrate the feast with thankfullness.

Let all those who have arrived after the sixth hour have no doubts, for they will suffer no loss.

Let all those who have delayed until the ninth hour draw near without hesitation.

Do not let those who have arrived even at the eleventh hour fear their delay; for the Master is gracious and receives the last, even as the first; he gives rest to those that come at the eleventh hour, just as to those who have labored from the first. He has mercy on the last and cares for the first; he rewards the one, and is gracious to the other. He both honors the work and praises the intention.

Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, and, whether first or last, enjoy your reward. O rich and poor, dance together for joy! You that exercised self-control and you that were negligent celebrate the day! You that have fasted and you that have not fasted rejoice today! The table is full; all of you feast on it! The calf is fatted;

let no one go forth hungry! Let all partake of the banquet of faith. Let all enjoy the riches of goodness.

Let no one lament his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn his transgressions, for pardon has dawned from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free.

He has annihilated death by submitting to it! He descended into Hades and took Hades captive! He embittered318

it when it tasted his flesh! When Isaiah foresaw this, he cried out:

Hades was embittered (PEOPLE: It was embittered.)when it met you below.

It was embittered, (PEOPLE: It was embittered.)for it was abolished!

It was embittered, (PEOPLE: It was embittered.)for it was mocked!

It was embittered, (PEOPLE: It was embittered.)for it was destroyed!

It was embittered, (PEOPLE: It was embittered.)for it was stripped of its power!

It was embittered, (PEOPLE: It was embittered.)for it was bound in chains!

It took a body and encountered God!

It took earth and met heaven!

It took what it saw but crumbled before what it had not seen!

O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?

Christ is risen, (PEOPLE: Truly, he is risen.)and you are overthrown!

Christ is risen, (PEOPLE: Truly, he is risen.)and the demons are fallen!

Christ is risen, (PEOPLE: Truly, he is risen.)and the angels rejoice!

Christ is risen, (PEOPLE: Truly, he is risen.)and life has dominion!

Christ is risen, (PEOPLE: Truly, he is risen.)and not one dead remains in a tomb!

For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the First-fruits of those who slept.

318In Hebrew, the verb used in Isaiah 14:9 means to stir up.

To him belong glory and might unto ages of ages. Amen.

After the homily, the choir chants the dismissal hymn of Saint John Chrysostom in tone 8.

The Dismissal Hymn of Saint John ChrysostomPEOPLE: THE GRACE that shines forth from your mouth like a torch has enlightened the universe, entrusted

the world with the treasures of not loving money and shown us the depth of humility. While thou instructest us by thy words, O Father JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, intercede to the Word, Christ our God, that he may save our souls.

NOTE: (a) Our tradition is to leave the Royal door and the other two doors (deacon doors) open for the whole time during Bright Week until Saturday Vespers for St. Thomas.(b) There will be no fasting on Wednesday and Friday, not only during Bright week only but until the Feast of the Ascension, for the whole forty days. (This was the decision of the Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch).(c) If a death a death occurs in any of our parishes between Easter and Ascension, the funeral service for Bright week shold be celebrated and not the regular funeral service.(d) From Easter Sunday to the Sunday of Pentecost, the Troparion, “O Heavenly King¼” is not sung. And from Easter Sunday to its leave-taking, instead of “Holy God¼”; “O come, let us worship and fall down¼” in Matins, the Hours, and Vespers; and “Glory to God in the highest¼” before the Matin psalms; and, “We have seen the true light¼” in the Divine Liturgy, we say “Christ is risen¼”

THE PASCHAL VESPERS OF LOVEDeacon: Bless, master.

PRIEST: Blessed is our God always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

PEOPLE: Amen


In that we have beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy cross do we adore, O Christ, and thy holy resurrection we praise and glorify: for thou art our God, and we know none other beside thee; we call upon thy name. O come, all you faithful, let us adore Christ’s holy resurrection. For lo, through the cross is joy come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us sing his resurrection, for in that he endured the cross for us he has destroyed death by death.

The Hypakoe Mary and her companions came before the dawn and found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher and heard from the angel: Why dost thou seek the One who dwells in eternal light as a mortal man among the dead? Behold the grave clothes. Go quickly and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen, and has put death to death; for he is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind.

KontakionO Immortal One, though thou descended into the grave, thou didst destroy the power of Hades and, as Victor, thou didst rise, O Christ God, saying to the ointment-bearing women: Rejoice! giving peace to thy Disciples, O Bestower of resurrection on the fallen.



As life-bearing, as more splendid than paradise and more radiant than any royal chamber, O Christ, thy tomb is shown forth, the fountain of our resurrection.


Rejoice, O holy and divine dwelling of the Most High, for through thee, O Theotokos, joy was given to those who cry aloud to thee: Blessed art thou among women, O all-pure Lady.

READER: Lord, have mercy. (Forty times)



Father, bless in the name of the Lord.

PRIEST: May Christ our true God who rose again from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint (N) patron Saint of this Church; of Saint(s) N.N., whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints: have mercy upon us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loves mankind.

Instead of “Through the prayers of our holy fathers . . .” he says:

PRIEST: Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs


The priest stands before the Altar, holding in his left hand the Paschal candle and the small Paschal Gospel (or a hand Cross), and in his right hand the censer. Making the sign of the cross over the gospel book with the censor he begins:

PRIEST: Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life-giving, and undivided Trinity, always now and ever and unto ages of ages,

PEOPLE: Amen.

The priest censes the front of the holy table as he chants the Paschal troparion:

PRIEST: Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life. (Three times)

The Paschal VersesPsalm 68<67>

PRIEST: Verse 1: Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered, and let those who hate him flee from before his face.




















CHOIR: Amen.


Psalm 141 (140)In the Second Tone




-Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses for sins.-With men who work iniquity; I will not associate with what they choose.








-I pour out my prayer before him; I declare my trouble before him.












If thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But there is forgiveness with thee.

Come, let us worship God the Word, born of the Father before all ages and incarnate of the Virgin Mary. For enduring the Cross he submitted himself to burial, as he willed. But rising from the dead he saved me his prodigal servant.

Because of thy name, I have waited for thee, O Lord; my soul has waited for thy word; my soul has hoped in the Lord.

Christ our Savior has nailed upon the Cross the record that stood against us and wiped it out2 and destroyed the power of death.3 Let us worship his Resurrection on the third day.

From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope in the Lord!

Come, let us join the Archangels and praise Christ’s Resurrection, for he is the Redeemer and Savior of our souls. And he is coming once again in awesome and mighty glory, judging the world which he has formed.


O Master, when thou wast crucified and buried, the angel said to the women: Come and see the place where the Lord lay, for he has been raised as he said4 because he is Almighty. So we worship thee, who alone art Immortal: O Giver of Life, Have mercy on us.

Praise the Lord, all you nations! Laud him, all you peoples!

O Lord, by thy Cross, thou didst abolish the curse of the tree and by thy Burial thou didst put to death the power of death. And by thy resurrection thou didst enlighten mankind. So we cry: O Christ our God and Benefactor, glory to thee.


O Lord, the gates of death in fear opened before thee, and the gate-keepers of Hades, beholding thee, were filled with terror as well. Thou didst shatter the gates of brass, and thou didst crush the iron bars;5 thou didst bring us out from death and shadow of death and broke their bonds asunder.6

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the holy Spirit,

Singing the salvation hymn, come, let us open our mouths, falling down in the house of the Lord saying: O Lord, forgive us all our sins, for thou wast hung on the Cross and didst rise from the dead and art in the Father’s bosom.


The shadow of the Law has passed, and grace has come; for as the bush was unconsumed when it was blazing,7 so, thou, O Virgin, hast given birth, remaining Virgin after birth. The pillar of fire is

2 2(Col. 2:14).

3 3(Heb. 2:14).

4 4(Matt. 28:6,7).

5 5(Ps. 107<106>:16).

6 6(Ps. 107<106>:14).

7 7(Ex. 3:4).

gone, but now the Sun of Righteousness has shone forth; instead of Moses, Christ, the salvation of our souls.

The EntranceThe Prayer of the Entrance




PEOPLE: Amen.



PEOPLE: Amen.

The priest/deacon lifts up the Gospel.





The Vesperal ProkeimenonPsalms 77 <76>

Tone SevenREADER: What God is so great as our God? Thou art the God who alone works wonders.

8 8(Ps.141<140>:2).

9 9(Ps.59<58>:3).

0 10(Ps.141<140>:8).


Verse 1: Thou hast declared thy might among the peoples. With thy arm thou redeemed thy people.

What God is so great as our God? Thou art the God who alone works wonders.

Verse 2: And I said, “This is my grief; that the right hand of the Most High has changed.”


Verse 3: I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; I will remember thy wonders of old.


The GospelDEACON: And that we may be accounted worthy to hear the Holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord.


DEACON: Wisdom. Attend, let us hear the holy Gospel.



DEACON: The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Saint John.



John 20:19-31(English 1)

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

(Arabic 1) في مساء ذلك اليوم, وهو أول األسبوع, كان التالميذ مجتمعين واألبواب مقفلة

خوفا من اليهود, فجاء يسوع ووقف في الوسط وقال لهم: “سالم عليكم. (Greek 1)

(Latin 1)Cum esset ergo sero die illo una sabbatorum et fores essent clausae ubi erant discipuli propter metum Iudaeorum venit Iesus et stetit in medio et dicit eis pax vobis.

(Spanish 1)Y como fué tarde aquel dia, el primero de la semana, y estando las puertas cerradas donde los discipulos estaban juntos por miedo de los Judios, vino Jesus, y pusose en medio, y dijoles: Paz a vosotros.

(French 1)Le soir de ce jour, qui était le premier de la semaine, les portes du lieu où se trouvaient les disciples étant fermées, à cause de la crainte qu’ils avaient des Juifs, Jésus vint, se présenta au milieu d’eux, et leur dit: La paix soit avec vous!

(German 1)Als es nun Abend war an jenem Tag, dem ersten der Woche, und die Türen, wo die Jünger waren, aus Furcht vor den Juden verschlossen waren, kam Jesus und trat in die Mitte und spricht zu ihnen: Friede euch!

(English 2)When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

(Arabic 2). ولما قال هذا أراهم يديه وجنبه, ففرح التالميذ حين أبصروا الرب

(Greek 2)

(Latin 2)Et hoc cum dixisset ostendit eis manus et latus gavisi sunt ergo discipuli viso Domino.

(Spanish 2)Y como hubo dicho esto, mostroles las manos y el costado. Y los discipulos se gozaron viendo al Senor.

(French 2)Et quand il eut dit cela, il leur montra ses mains et son côté. Les disciples furent dans la joie en voyant le Seigneur.

(German 2)

Und als er dies gesagt hatte, zeigte er ihnen die Hande und die Seite. Da freuten sich die Jünger, als sie den Herrn sahen.

(English 3)Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

(Arabic 3) وقال لهم ثانية: “سالم عليكم! كما أرسلني اآلب أرسلكم أنا.” قال هذا ونفخ فيهم وقال لهم: “خذوا الروح القدس, من غفرتم له خطاياه تغفر له, ومن أمسكتم عليه

خطاياه تمسك عليه(Greek 3)

(Latin 3)Dixit ergo eis iterum pax vobis sicut misit me Pater et ego mitto vos hoc cum dixisset insuflavit et dicit eis accipite Spiritum Sanctum quorum remiseritis peccata remittuntur eis quorum retinueritis detenta sunt .

(Spanish 3)Entonces les dijo Jesus otra vez: Paz a vosotros: como me envio el Padre, asi también yo os envio. Y como hubo dicho esto, soplio, y dijoles: Tomad el Espiritu Santo: A los que remitiereis los pecados, les son remitidos: a quienes los retuviereis, seran retenidos.

(French 3)Jésus leur dit de nouveau: La paix soit avec vous! Comme le Père m’a envoyé, moi aussi je vous envoie. Après ces paroles, il souffla sur eux, et leur dit: Recevez le Saint Esprit. Ceux à qui vous pardonnerez les péchés, ils leur seront pardonnés; et ceux à qui vous les retiendrez, ils leur seront retenus.

(German 3)Jesus sprach nun wieder zu ihnen: Friede euch! Wie der Vater mich ausgesandt hat, sende ich auch euch. Und als er dies gesagt hatte, hauchte er sie an und spricht zu ihnen: Empfangt Heiligen Geist! Wenn ihr jemandem die Sünden vergebt, dem sind sie vergeben, wenn ihr sie jemandem behaltet, sind sie (ihm) behalten.

(English 4)Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.”

(Arabic 4). فقال له وأما توما أحد اإلثني عشر الملقب بالتوأم, لم يكن معهم حين جاء الرب

”! سائر التالميذ: “إنا رأينا الرب

(Greek 4)

(Latin 4)Thomas autem unus ex duodecim qui dicitur Didymus non erat cum eis quando venit Iesus dixerunt ergo ei alii discipuli vidimus Dominum.

(Spanish 4)Empero Tomas, uno de los doce, que se dice el Didimo, no estaba con ellos cuando Jesus vino. Dijéronle pues los otros discupulos: Al Senor hemos visto.

(French 4)Thomas, appelé Didyme, l’un des douze, n’était pas avec eux lorsque Jésus vint. Les autres disciples lui dirent donc: Nous avons vu le Seigneur.

(German 4)Thomas aber, einer von den Zwolfen, genannt Zwilling, war nicht bei ihnen, als Jesus kam. Da sagten die anderen Jünger zu ihm: Wir haben den Herrn gesehen.

(English 5)But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

(Arabic 5) فأجابهم توما: “إن لم أعاين أثر المسامير في يديه, وأضع إصبعي في أثر

المسامير ويدي في جنبه لن أومن(Greek 5)

(Latin 5)Ille autem dixit eis nisi videro in manibus eius figuram clavorum et mittam digitum meum in locum clavorum et mittam manum meam in latus eius non credam.

(Spanish 5)Y él les dijo: Si no viere en sus manos la senal de los clavos, y metiere mi dedo en el lugar de los clavos, y metiere mi mano en su costado, no creeré.

(French 5)

Mais il leur dit: Si je ne vois dans ses mains la marque des clous, et si je ne mets mon doigt dans la marque des clous, et si je ne mets ma main dans son côté, je ne croirai.

(German 5)Er aber sprach zu ihnen: Wenn ich nicht in seinen Handen das Mal der Nagel sehe und meine Finger in das Mal der Nagel lege und lege meine Hand in seine Seite, so werde ich nicht glauben.

holy week and - logos forums web viewo only-begotten son and word of god, ... illumine our hearts,...

Documents