Bulletin XXIII 2021-11-22 V Apostle

THE TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (Tone VII)
Afterfeast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple

Commemoration of the Holy Apostle Philemon & Those with Him
GREAT VESPERS Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, the good
estate of the holy churches of God, and the union of all,
Deacon: Arise! O Lord, bless! let us pray to the Lord.
Priest: Glory to the holy, and consubstantial, and Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
life-creating, and indivisible Trinity, always, now and
ever, and unto the ages of ages. Deacon: For this holy temple, and for them that with
faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter herein, let us
Chanters: Amen. pray to the Lord.
Clergy: O come, let us worship God our King. Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ
our King and God. Deacon: For great lord and father, His Holiness
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Patriarch N.; for our lord the Very Most Reverend
Himself, our King and God. Metropolitan N., First Hierarch of the Russian Church
O come, let us worship and fall down before Him. Abroad; for our lord the Most Reverend Archbishop
(or Bishop) N. for the venerable priesthood, the
Then the chanters chant the following selected verses diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us
from the 103rd Psalm: pray to the Lord.
Psalm 103 Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
(Selected Verses)
Deacon: For this land, its authorities and armed
Chanters: Bless the Lord, O my soul. Blessed art forces, let us pray to the Lord.
Thou, O Lord. Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my
God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly. Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
Refrain: Blessed art Thou, O Lord. Deacon: For the God-preserved Russian Land and its
Confession and majesty hast Thou put on. Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the
Refrain: Blessed art Thou, O Lord. diaspora, and for their salvation, let us pray to the
Upon the mountains shall the waters stand. Lord.
Refrain: Wondrous are Thy works, O Lord.
Between the mountains will the waters run. Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
Refrain: Wondrous are Thy works, O Lord. Deacon: That He may deliver His people from
In wisdom hast Thou made them all, hast Thou made enemies visible and invisible, and confirm in us
them all. oneness of mind, brotherly love and piety, let us pray
Refrain: Glory to Thee, O Lord, Who hast made them to the Lord.
all, Who hast made them all.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Deacon: For this city (or this town, or this holy
Amen. monastery), every city and country, and the faithful
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. that dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Thrice.
Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
THE GREAT ECTENIA Deacon: For seasonable weather, abundance of the

fruits of the earth, and peaceful times, let us pray to the
Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord. Lord.
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace from above, and the salvation Deacon: For travellers by sea, land and air, for the
of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, and for their
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
24TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST — TONE VII — Apostle Philemon & Those with Him
Deacon: That we may be delivered from all

tribulation, wrath, and necessity, let us pray to the The Small Ectenia
Lord.
Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Lord.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy,
Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit
ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ
our God.
Chanters: To Thee, O Lord. our God.
Priest: For unto Thee is due all glory, honour and Chanters: To Thee O Lord.
worship; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Priest: For Thine is the dominion, and Thine is the
Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father,
Chanters: Amen. and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever,
and unto the ages of ages.
READING OF THE PSALTER Chanters: Amen.
Then the First Kathisma of the Psalter (Psalms 1-8),
‘Blessed is the man…’ is read in three stases, with a LORD I HAVE CRIED…
little litany after each stasis. In current parish practice,
Canonarch: In the Seventh Tone: Lord, I have cried
only selected verses from the fist stasis of the first
unto Thee, hearken unto me.
kathisma are sung:
Then immediately we chant ‘Lord, I have cried…’
Blessed is the Man (Psalms 140, 141, 129, and 116).
(Selected Verses)
Psalm 140
Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the Chanters: Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hearken
counsel of the ungodly. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. unto me. * Hearken unto me, O Lord. * Lord, I have
For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, and cried unto Thee, hearken unto me; * attend to the voice
the way of the ungodly shall perish. Alleluia, alleluia, of my supplication, * when I cry unto Thee. * Hearken
alleluia. unto me, O Lord.
Serve ye the Lord with fear, and rejoice in Him with Let my prayer be set forth * as incense before Thee, *
trembling. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
the lifting up of my hands * as an evening sacrifice. *
Blessed are all that have put their trust in Him. Hearken unto me, O Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
And the rest of the verses are read down to the
Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God. Alleluia, alleluia, beginning of the stichoi, i.e., the point at which the
alleluia.
stichera are inserted
Salvation is of the Lord, and Thy blessing is upon
Thy people. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Set, O Lord, a watch before my mouth, and a door of
enclosure round about my lips.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Incline not my heart unto words of evil, to make
Spirit. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. excuse with excuses in sins.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. With men that work iniquity; and I will not join with
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. their chosen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God.
Thrice.
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The righteous man will chasten me with mercy and death. * Wherefore, we bow down before Thy rising on
reprove me; as for the oil of the sinner, let it not anoint the third day. * O Lord, glory be to Thee!
my head.
Psalm 129
For yet more is my prayer in the presence of their
pleasures; swallowed up near by the rock have their Stichos 8: Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee,
judges been. O Lord; * O Lord, hear my voice.
They shall hear my words, for they be sweetened; as Beholding Thy resurrection, * the apostles marvelled,
a clod of earth is broken upon the earth, so have their chanting angelic praise. * This is the glory of the
bones been scattered nigh unto hades. Church!* These are the riches of the kingdom! * O
For unto Thee, O Lord, O Lord, are mine eyes, in Lord Who suffered for our sake, glory be to Thee!
Thee have I hoped; take not my soul away.
Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, Stichos 7: Let Thine ears be attentive * to the voice
and from the stumbling-blocks of them that work of my supplication.
iniquity. Thou wast seized by iniquitous men, O Christ, * yet
The sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone Thou art my God, and I am not confounded. * Thou
until I pass by. wast beaten on the shoulders, yet I shun thee not. *
Psalm 141 Thou wast nailed to the Cross, and I do not conceal it.
* I boast in Thine arising; for Thy death is my life. * O
With my voice unto the Lord have I cried, with my almighty Lord Who lovest mankind, glory be to Thee!
voice unto the Lord have I made supplication.
I will pour out before Him my supplication, mine 3 Stichera of the feast, in Tone VIII, Special Melody ‘O
affliction before Him will I declare. most glorious wonder... ‘ —
When my spirit was fainting within me, then Thou Stichos 6: If Thou shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord,
knewest my paths. O Lord, who shall stand? * For with Thee there is
In this way wherein I have walked they hid for me a forgiveness.
snare.
I looked upon my right hand, and beheld, and there O all-glorious wonder, * the ineffable future is now
was none that did know me. described beforehand, * understood today in visible
Flight hath failed me, and there is none that watcheth images; * for she who shone forth * the divine light
out for my soul. upon the world * is led like a bride to the holy temple.
I have cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said: Thou art my * Let us praise her as the all-resplendent temple, * holy
hope, my portion art Thou in the land of the living. and radiant, * of Christ God, the Bestower of life.
Attend unto my supplication, for I am brought very Stichos 5: For Thy name’s sake have I patiently
low. waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath patiently waited
Deliver me from them that persecute me, for they are for Thy word, * my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
stronger than I.
Truly the wise Joachim and Anna * have manifestly
Stichera at ‘Lord I have cried…’ offered * their right acceptable firstfruits, * the Virgin
10 Stichera: 4 for the resurrection from the Octoechos; Mary, the divine maiden, * unto Him Who willed to
3 for the feast and 3 for the Apostles from the Menaion. grant her to them as a divine fruit, * whereby the debt
The Resurrectional Stichera, in Tone VII — of grief hath been canceled. * In gladness let us piously
hymn her, * for she hath become * the mediatress of
Stichos 10: Bring my soul out of prison * that I may joy for all the world.
confess Thy name.
Stichos 4: From the morning watch until night, from
Come, let us rejoice in the Lord * Who hath broken the morning watch * let Israel hope in the Lord.
the might of death * and enlightened the human race; *
and let us cry out with the incorporeal ones: * O our Come, let us now mystically hasten * and, adorned
Creator and Saviour, glory be to Thee! with lamps of faith, * let us begin now * the procession
of the Virgin; * for she gloriously entereth the temple
Stichos 9: The righteous shall wait patiently for me * of God, * betrothed to Christ, the King of all. * We all
until Thou shalt reward me. celebrate * her beauteous solemnity, * keeping festival
For our sake, O Saviour, Thou didst endure the Cross in godly manner at her entry.
and burial. * And as God Thou didst slay death by And 3 stichera of the apostle, in Tone II, Special
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Melody ‘When from the Tree... ‘ — Dogmatic Theotokion, Tone VII —

Stichos 3: For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Thou hast been known to have become a Mother * in
Him is plenteous redemption; * and He shall redeem supernatural manner, O Theotokos, * and hast
Israel out of all his iniquities. remained a Virgin * in manner past recounting and
understanding; * and no tongue can describe the
As a branch of the Vine of life, O glorious Philemon,
wonder of thy birthgiving. * For as thy conceiving is
* thou hast poured forth the wine of divine knowledge
all-glorious, * so is the manner of thy birthgiving
* upon those in pain of soul, * and hast gladdened
beyond comprehension; * for where God so willeth,
hearts downcast by the darkness of deception * and
the order of nature is over-ruled. * Wherefore,
held fast in the gloom of the madness of idolatry; *
knowing thee to be the Mother of God, * we all
wherefore, in gladness * we celebrate thy divinely
earnestly entreat thee: * Pray thou that our souls be
radiant memory.
saved!
Psalm 116
Dogmatic Theotokion, Tone VII —
Stichos 2: O praise the Lord, all ye nations; * praise
Thou hast been acknowledged as a Mother * past
Him, all ye peoples.
nature, O Theotokos, * yet thou hast remained a
The city of Gaza doth honour thee, * having through virgin * past speech and understanding; * and the
thee come to see the light of understanding, O blessed wonder of thy birthgiving no tongue can tell. * Most
one, * and the Colossians, possessing thy divine body glorious was thy conceiving, O Pure One, * and
as a treasure, * have healings and grace which ever beyond comprehension the manner of thy bearing
floweth forth [therefrom]; * wherefore, celebrating thy child; * for when God so willeth the order of nature is
memory, O glorious Philemon, * we are preserved overcome. * Wherefore, as we all perceive thee to be
from misfortunes * by thy supplications. the Mother of God, * we fervently beseech thee: * Do
Stichos 1: For He hath made His mercy to prevail thou pray that our souls be saved.
over us, * and the truth of the Lord abideth forever.
With faith let us send up praises to the wise hierarch The Entrance
Archippus * and the honourable Apphia, * lauding At the concluding sticheron (at ‘Both now and ever,
Philemon and Onesimus, * the sacred preachers of and unto the ages of ages. Amen.’) the holy doors are
God, the honourable teachers, * who by their discourse opened for the Entry. The priest and deacon, bow twice
uprooted the falsehood of polytheism * and planted the before the Holy Table, kiss the Gospel and the corner
knowledge of the Truth * for all who ever honour them of the Holy Table respectively, and bow a third time.
with piety. The deacon taketh up the censer and presenteth it the
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy priest to bless it. The deacon leadeth the priest out of
Spirit. the altar by way of the high place and the north door.
Doxasticon of the feast, in Tone I — As they approach the holy doors, the deacon saith
quietly:
Let heaven rejoice today on high, * and let the clouds
rain down gladness * at the exceeding all-glorious, Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
mighty works of our God; * for, lo! the gate that faceth The priest saith this prayer quietly:
toward the East, * she who was born of a barren,
Priest: Evening, morning, and noonday we praise
unfruitful woman according to the promise * and
Thee, we bless Thee, we give thanks unto Thee, and
dedicated to God as His dwelling-place, * is today
we pray Thee, O Master of all: Direct our prayer as
presented in the temple as an unblemished offering, *
incense before Thee, and incline not our hearts unto
Let David rejoice, striking his harp! * ‘The virgins,’
words or thoughts of evil, but deliver us from all that
said he: ‘who follow after her * shall be brought unto
hunt after our souls; for unto Thee, O Lord, O Lord,
the King; * those near her shall be brought unto Thee.’
are our eyes, and in Thee have we hoped, let us not be
* Within the tabernacle of God, within His sanctuary, *
put to shame, O our God.
she is to be raised as the habitation of Him * Who
For unto Thee is due all glory, honour, and worship:
before time began was immutably begotten of the
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
Father, * for the salvation of our souls.
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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The deacon censeth the entrance, the icons of Christ Chanters: The Lord is King, * He is clothed with
and the Mother of God, and the priest. He then majesty.
standeth at a right angle to the priest (facing north), Deacon: Stichos: Holiness becometh Thy house, O
transfereth the censer to his left hand, and taking his Lord, unto length of days.
orarion in his right hand and pointing toward the holy
Chanters: The Lord is King, * He is clothed with
place, saith to the priest quietly:
majesty.
Deacon: Bless, master, the holy entry. Deacon: The Lord is King:
And the priest, blessing, quietly saith: Chanters: He is clothed with majesty.
Priest: Blessed is the entry of Thy holy ones, always,
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. THE AUGMENTED ECTENIA
Deacon: Amen. Deacon: Let us all say with our whole soul and with
our whole mind, let us say.
The deacon again censeth the priest and, turning to
the east, standeth at the entrance and waiteth. Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
When the sticheron is ended, the deacon maketh the Deacon: O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers,
sign of the Cross with the censer and exclaimeth: we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.
O GENTLE LIGHT Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy
Deacon: Wisdom! Aright! great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.
At the Entrance, we chant the Vesper Hymn, the work Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.
of Sophronius, patriarch of Jerusalem: Deacon: Again we pray for our great lord and father,
O Gentle Light of the holy glory of the immortal, His Holiness Patriarch N.; for our lord the Very Most
heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: * Reverend Metropolitan N., First Hierarch of the
Having come to the setting of the sun, having beheld Russian Church Abroad; for our lord the Most
the evening light, * we praise the Father, the Son, and Reverend (Archbishop or Bishop) N.; and all our
the Holy Spirit: God. * Meet it is for Thee at all times brethren in Christ.
to be hymned with reverent voices, * O Son of God, Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.
Giver of life. * Wherefore, the world doth glorify
Thee. Deacon: Again we pray for this land, its authorities
and armed forces.
THE VESPERS PROKEIMENON Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.
Saturday Vespers Prokeimenon, Tone VI Deacon: Again we pray for the God-preserved
Deacon: Let us attend. Russian land and its Orthodox people both in the
homeland and in the diaspora and for their salvation.
Priest: Peace be unto all.
Deacon: Wisdom! The Prokeimenon in the Sixth Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.
Tone: Deacon: Again we pray to the Lord our God that He
The Lord is King, He is clothed with majesty. may deliver His people from enemies visible and
Chanters: The Lord is King, * He is clothed with invisible, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly
majesty. love and piety.
Deacon: Stichos: The Lord is clothed with strength Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.
and He hath girt Himself. Deacon: Again we pray for the blessed and ever-
Chanters: The Lord is King, * He is clothed with memorable founders of this holy temple (if it be a
majesty. monastery: this holy monastery): and for all our fathers
Deacon: Stichos: For He established the world which and brethren gone to their rest before us, and the
shall not be shaken. Orthodox here and everywhere laid to rest.
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.
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Deacon: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, Chanters: Grant this, O Lord.
health, salvation, visitation, pardon and remission of
Deacon: Pardon and remission of our sins and
sins of the servants of God, the brethren of this holy
offences, let us ask of the Lord.
temple (if it be a monastery: this holy monastery).
Chanters: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Things good and profitable for our souls,
Deacon: Again we pray for them that bring offerings
and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
and do good works in this holy and all-venerable
temple; for them that minister and them that chant, and Chanters: Grant this, O Lord.
for all the people here present, that await of Thee great Deacon: That we may complete the remaining time
and abundant mercy. of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Thrice. Lord.
Priest: For a merciful God art Thou, and the Lover of Chanters: Grant this, O Lord.
mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Deacon: A Christian ending to our life, painless,
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the
ever, and unto the ages of ages. dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.
Chanters: Amen. Chanters: Grant this, O Lord.
VOUCHSAFE, O LORD most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and
Reader: Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit
without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ
fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name unto the our God.
ages. Amen. Chanters: To Thee, O Lord.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we
have hoped in Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach Priest: For a good God art Thou, and the Lover of
me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master, give me Mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the
understanding of Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
Holy One, enlighten me by Thy statutes. ever, and unto the ages of ages.
O Lord, Thy mercy endureth forever; disdain not the Chanters: Amen.
work of Thy hands. To Thee is due praise, to Thee is
due a song, to Thee glory is due, to the Father, and to Prayer at the Bowing of the Heads
the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto
the ages of ages. Amen. Priest: Peace be unto all.
Chanters: And to thy spirit.
THE LITANY OF SUPPLICATION
Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer unto the
Chanters: To Thee, O Lord.
Lord.
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. The priest saith this prayer secretly:
O Lord our God, Who didst bow the heavens and
come down for the salvation of the race of man, look
upon Thy servants and upon Thine inheritance. For
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. unto Thee the terrible judge and Lover of mankind
Deacon: That the whole evening may be perfect, have Thy servants bowed their heads, and submitted
holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord. their necks, not expecting help from man, but awaiting
Thy mercy and looking for Thy salvation; keep them at
Chanters: Grant this, O Lord. all times, during both the present evening and the
Deacon: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a coming night, from every enemy, from every opposing
guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord. work of the devil, and from vain thoughts and evil
memories.
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Then the priest exclaimeth: Reader or Canonarch: Now lettest Thou Thy
servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy
Priest: Blessed and most glorified be the dominion
word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which
of Thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of
Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; a
the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of
light of revelation for the Gentiles, and the glory of
ages.
Thy people Israel.
Chanters: Amen.
Trisagion Prayers
THE APOSTICHA
Reader: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,
Canonarch: In the Seventh Tone: ‘Thou didst rise have mercy on us. Thrice.
from the tomb, O Saviour of the world …’ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
We chant the Resurrectional Stichera, in Tone VII — Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
Chanters: Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Saviour
of the world, * and with Thy flesh didst raise men up. * O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot
Glory be to Thee, O Lord! out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy
One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name’s sake.
Stichos: The Lord is King * He is clothed with Lord have mercy. Thrice.
majesty.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Come, let us worship Him Who hath risen from the Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
dead and enlightened all; * for He hath freed us from Amen.
the tyranny of hades, * and by His resurrection on the Our Father, Who art in the Heavens, hallowed be Thy
third day * hath granted us life and great mercy. Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth
Stichos: For He hath established the world * which as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and
shall not be shaken. forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil
Thou didst descend into hades and make death one.
captive, O Christ; * and rising on the third day, * Thou
didst raise up with Thyself those who glorified Thine Priest: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and
almighty arising, * O Lord Who lovest mankind. the glory; of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Stichos: Holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, * Chanters: Amen.
unto length of days.
Awesome wast Thou, lying in the tomb as one asleep, Dismissal Troparion
O Lord; * and rising on the third day as One mighty, *
Thou didst raise up Adam, who cried: * Glory to Thy The troparion ‘O Theotokos and Virgin, rejoice…’ in
resurrection, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind! Tone IV —
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy O Theotokos and Virgin, rejoice, * O Mary, full of
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. grace; the Lord is with thee; * blessed art thou among
Amen. women, * and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, * for
thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls. Twice.
Idiomelon of the feast, in Tone II —
And the Troparion of the Entry of the Theotokos into
Today the most immaculate Virgin * is brought to the the Temple, in Tone IV —
temple, to the habitation of God, * the King of all, the
Nourisher of our whole life. * Today the most pure and Today is the prelude of God’s good will * and the
holy one * is led to the Holy of holies like a heifer heralding of the salvation of mankind. * In the temple
three years of age. * Let us cry out unto her like the of God, the Virgin is presented openly, * and she
angel: * ‘Rejoice, thou who alone art blessed among proclaimeth Christ unto all. * To her, then, with a great
women!’ voice let us cry aloud: * Rejoice, O thou fulfillment *
of the Creator’s dispensation. Once.
THE PRAYER OF ST SYMEON

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Chanters: Blessed be the name of the Lord from O Lord, why are they multiplied that afflict me?
henceforth and for evermore. Thrice. Many rise up against me.
Many say unto my soul: There is no salvation for him
And the first ten verses of the 33rd Psalm are
in his God.
chanted:
But Thou, O Lord, art my helper, my glory, and the
lifter up of my head.
Psalm 33:1-10
I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me
Chanters: I will bless the Lord at all times, * His out of His holy mountain.
praise shall continually be in my mouth. I laid me down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will
In the Lord shall my soul be praised; * let the meek help me.
hear and be glad. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that set
O magnify the Lord with me, * and let us exalt His themselves against me round about.
name together. Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God, for Thou hast
I sought the Lord, and He heard me, * and delivered smitten all who without cause are mine enemies; the
me from all my tribulations. teeth of sinners hast Thou broken.
Come unto Him, and be enlightened, * and your faces Salvation is of the Lord, and Thy blessing is upon
shall not be ashamed. Thy people.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, * and
And again: I laid me down and slept; I awoke, for the
saved him out of all his tribulations.
Lord will help me.
The angel of the Lord will encamp round about them
that fear Him, * and will deliver them. Psalm 37
O taste and see that the Lord is good; * blessed is the
O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, nor chasten
man that hopeth in Him.
me in Thy wrath.
O fear the Lord, all ye His saints; * for there is no
For Thine arrows are fastened in me, and Thou hast
want to them that fear Him.
laid Thy hand heavily upon me.
Rich men have turned poor and gone hungry; * but
There is no healing in my flesh in the face of Thy
they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any
wrath; and there is no peace in my bones in the face of
good thing.
my sins.
For mine iniquities are risen higher than my head; as
Priest: The blessing of the Lord be upon you, a heavy burden have they pressed heavily upon me.
through His grace and love for mankind, always, now My bruises are become noisome and corrupt in the
and ever, and unto the ages of ages. face of my folly.
I have been wretched and utterly bowed down until
Chanters: Amen.
the end; all the day long I went with downcast face.
Here endeth Great Vespers For my loins are filled with mockings, and there is no
healing in my flesh.
I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly, I have
MATINS roared from the groaning of my heart.
O Lord, before Thee is all my desire, and my
THE SIX PSALMS groaning is not hid from Thee.
We begin the Six Psalms, with each one listening in My heart is troubled, my strength hath failed me; and
silence and compunction (standing, with no moving the light of mine eyes, even this is not with me.
about). And the reader, with reverence and fear of My friends and my neighbours drew nigh over
God, saith: against me and stood, and my nearest of kin stood afar
off.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good And they that sought after my soul used violence; and
will among men. Thrice. they that sought evils for me spake vain things, and
O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall craftinesses all the day long did they meditate.
declare Thy praise. Twice. But as for me, like a deaf man I heard them not, and
was as a speechless man that openeth not his mouth.
Psalm 3 And I became as a man that heareth not, and that hath
in his mouth no reproofs.
8
For in Thee have I hoped, O Lord; Thou wilt hearken Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
unto me, O Lord my God. Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
For I said: Let never mine enemies rejoice over me; Amen.
yea, when my feet were shaken, those men spake
boastful words against me.
Thrice.
For I am ready for scourges, and my sorrow is
continually before me. Lord. have mercy. Thrice
For I will declare mine iniquity, and I will take heed Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
concerning my sin. Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
But mine enemies live and are made stronger than I, Amen.
and they that hated me unjustly are multiplied.
They that render me evil for good slandered me, And the priest cometh out of the altar, and saith the
because I pursued goodness. morning prayers secretly, i.e. silently, while standing
Forsake me not, O Lord my God, depart not from me. with uncovered head before the holy doors.
Be attentive unto my help, O Lord of my salvation. Psalm 87
And again: Forsake me not, O Lord my God, depart O Lord God of my salvation, by day have I cried and
not from me. Be attentive unto my help, O Lord of my by night before Thee.
salvation. Let my prayer come before Thee, bow down Thine
Psalm 62 ear unto my supplication.
For filled with evils is my soul, and my life unto
O God, my God, unto Thee I rise early at dawn. My hades hath drawn nigh.
soul hath thirsted for Thee; how often hath my flesh I am counted with them that go down into the pit; I
longed after Thee in a land barren and untrodden and am become as a man without help, free among the
unwatered. dead.
So in the sanctuary have I appeared before Thee to Like the bodies of the slain that sleep in the grave,
see Thy power and Thy glory. whom Thou rememberest no more, and they are cut off
For Thy mercy is better than lives; my lips shall from Thy hand.
praise Thee.
They laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness and in the
So shall I bless Thee in my life, and in Thy name will shadow of death.
I lift up my hands. Against me is Thine anger made strong, and all Thy
As with marrow and fatness let my soul be filled, and billows hast Thou brought upon me.
with lips of rejoicing shall my mouth praise Thee.
Thou hast removed my friends afar from me; they
If I remembered Thee on my bed, at the dawn I have made me an abomination unto themselves.
meditated on Thee. I have been delivered up, and have not come forth;
For Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy mine eyes are grown weak from poverty.
wings will I rejoice. I have cried unto Thee, O Lord, the whole day long; I
My soul hath cleaved after Thee, Thy right hand hath have stretched out my hands unto Thee.
been quick to help me. Nay, for the dead wilt Thou work wonders? Or shall
But as for these, in vain have they sought after my physicians raise them up that they may give thanks
soul; they shall go into the nethermost parts of the unto Thee?
earth, they shall be surrendered unto the edge of the Nay, shall any in the grave tell of Thy mercy, and of
sword; portions for foxes shall they be. Thy truth in that destruction?
But the king shall be glad in God, everyone shall be Nay, shall Thy wonders be known in that darkness,
praised that sweareth by Him; for the mouth of them is and Thy righteousness in that land that is forgotten?
stopped that speak unjust things. But as for me, unto Thee, O Lord, have I cried; and in
And again: At the dawn I meditated on Thee. For the morning shall my prayer come before Thee.
Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy Wherefore, O Lord, dost Thou cast off my soul and
wings will I rejoice. My soul hath cleaved after Thee, turnest Thy face away from me?
Thy right hand hath been quick to help me. A poor man am I, and in troubles from my youth;
yea, having been exalted, I was humbled and brought
to distress.
9
Thy furies have passed upon me, and Thy terrors The Lord in heaven hath prepared His throne, and
have sorely troubled me. His kingdom ruleth over all.
They came round about me like water, all the day Bless the Lord, all ye His angels, mighty in strength,
long they compassed me about together. that perform His word, to hear the voice of His words.
Thou hast removed afar from me friend and Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts, His ministers that do
neighbour, and mine acquaintances because of my His will.
misery. Bless the Lord, all ye His works, in every place of
His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
And again: O Lord God of my salvation, by day have
I cried and by night before Thee. Let my prayer come And again: In every place of His dominion, bless the
before Thee, bow down Thine ear unto my Lord, O my soul.
supplication.
Psalm 142
Psalm 102
O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy
bless His holy name. righteousness.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all that He And enter not into judgement with Thy servant, for in
hath done for thee, Thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Who is gracious unto all thine iniquities, Who healeth For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath
all thine infirmities, humbled my life down to the earth.
Who redeemeth thy life from corruption, Who He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been
crowneth thee with mercy and compassion, long dead, and my spirit within me is become
Who fulfilleth thy desire with good things; thy youth despondent; within me my heart is troubled.
shall be renewed as the eagle’s. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy
The Lord performeth deeds of mercy, and executeth works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands.
judgement for all them that are wronged. I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul
He hath made His ways known unto Moses, unto the thirsteth after thee like a waterless land.
sons of Israel the things that He hath willed. Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted
Compassionate and merciful is the Lord, away.
longsuffering and plenteous in mercy; not unto the end Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto
will He be angered, neither unto eternity will He be them that go down into the pit.
wroth. Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in
Not according to our iniquities hath He dealt with us, Thee have I put my hope.
neither according to our sins hath He rewarded us. Cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should
For according to the height of heaven from the earth, walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul.
the Lord hath made His mercy to prevail over them Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee
that fear Him. have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He Thou art my God.
removed our iniquities from us. Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of
Like as a father hath compassion upon his sons, so uprightness; for Thy name’s sake, O Lord, shalt Thou
hath the Lord had compassion upon them that fear quicken me.
Him; for He knoweth whereof we are made, He hath In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of
remembered that we are dust. affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy
As for man, his days are as the grass; as a flower of mine enemies.
the field, so shall he blossom forth. And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul,
For when the wind is passed over it, then it shall be for I am Thy servant.
gone, and no longer will it know the place thereof.
And again: Hearken unto me, O Lord, in Thy
But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity, even unto
righteousness, and enter not into judgement with Thy
eternity, upon them that fear Him.
servant. Twice.
And His righteousness is upon sons of sons, upon
them that keep His testament and remember His Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of
commandments to do them. uprightness.
10
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Deacon: For seasonable weather, abundance of the
Amen.
fruits of the earth, and peaceful times, let us pray to the
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Lord.
Thrice.
Deacon: For travellers by sea, land and air, for the
THE GREAT ECTENIA sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, and for their
Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord. salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: For the peace from above, and the salvation Deacon: That we may be delivered from all
of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. tribulation, wrath, and necessity, let us pray to the
Lord.
Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, the good
estate of the holy churches of God, and the union of all, Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and
let us pray to the Lord. keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Deacon: For this holy temple, and for them that with Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy,
faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter herein, let us most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and
pray to the Lord. Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit
our God.
Deacon: For great lord and father, His Holiness
Patriarch N.; for our lord the Very Most Reverend
Metropolitan N., First Hierarch of the Russian Church Priest: For unto Thee is due all glory, honour and
Abroad; for our lord the Most Reverend Archbishop worship; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
(or Bishop) N. for the venerable priesthood, the Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us
Chanters: Amen.
pray to the Lord.
GOD IS THE LORD
Deacon: For this land, its authorities and armed
Deacon: In the Seventh Tone: God is the Lord and
forces, let us pray to the Lord.
hath appeared unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. name of the Lord.
Deacon: For the God-preserved Russian land and its Stichos 1: O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is
Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the good, for His mercy endureth forever.
diaspora, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Chanters: God is the Lord and hath appeared unto
Lord. us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Stichos 2: Surrounding me they compassed
me, and by the name of the Lord I warded them off.
Deacon: That He may deliver His people from
Chanters: God is the Lord and hath appeared unto
enemies visible and invisible, and confirm in us
us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
oneness of mind, brotherly love and piety, let us pray
to the Lord. Deacon: Stichos 3: I shall not die, but live, and I
shall tell of the works of the Lord.
Chanters: God is the Lord and hath appeared unto
Deacon: For this city (or this town, or this holy us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
monastery), every city and country, and the faithful Deacon: Stichos 4: The stone which the builders
that dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord. rejected, the same is become the head of the corner.
11
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our Reader: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of
eyes. ages. Amen.
Chanters: God is the Lord and hath appeared unto And he readeth the first stasis of Kathisma II of the
us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Psalter: Psalms 9 and 10.
Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to
Troparia at ‘God is the Lord…’
the Holy Spirit.
Troparion of the Resurrection, twice; Glory...
Chanters: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of
Troparion of the Apostles; Both now... Troparion of
ages. Amen.
the Feast.
Troparion of the Resurrection, in Tone VII —
Thrice.
Thou didst destroy death by Thy Cross, * Thou didst
Lord, have mercy. Thrice.
open paradise to the thief. * Thou didst change the
lamentation of the Myrrh-bearers, * and Thou didst Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
command Thine Apostles * to proclaim that Thou didst Spirit.
arise, O Christ God, * and grantest to the world great Reader: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of
mercy. Twice. ages. Amen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
And he readeth the second stasis of Kathisma II of
Spirit. the Psalter: Psalms 11, 12, and 13.
Troparion of the Apostle Philemon and those with Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to
him, in Tone III — the Holy Spirit.
O holy apostles, * entreat the merciful God, * that He Chanters: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of
grant to our souls remission of transgressions. ages. Amen.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God.
Troparion of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Thrice.
Temple, in Tone IV —
Today is the prelude of God’s good will * and the Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
heralding of the salvation of mankind. * In the temple Spirit.
of God, the Virgin is presented openly, * and she
proclaimeth Christ unto all. * To her, then, with a great Reader: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of
voice let us cry aloud: * Rejoice, O thou fulfillment * ages. Amen.
of the Creator’s dispensation. And he readeth the third stasis of Kathisma II of the
Psalter: Psalms 14, 15, and 16.
Then two readings from the Psalter are appointed for Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to
Sunday Matins, each being followed by its little litany the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages
and its sessional hymns. of ages. Amen.
On Sunday morning, the first reading of the Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God.
appointed Kathisma of the Psalter: Kathisma II Thrice.
(Psalms 9-16).
The Small Ectenia
FIRST READING OF THE PSALTER
Kathisma II Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the
Lord.
Spirit. Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and
12
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit.
most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and Reader: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of
Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit ages. Amen.
And he readeth the first stasis of Kathisma III of the
our God.
Psalter: Psalm 17.
Chanters: To Thee O Lord.
Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to
Priest: For Thine is the dominion, and Thine is the the Holy Spirit.
kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father,
Chanters: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever,
ages. Amen.
and unto the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
Thrice.
Sessional Hymns of the Resurrection
After the first reading of the Psalter, these sessional
Spirit.
hymns, in Tone VII —
Reader: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of
Life lay in the tomb, and the seal lay upon the stone.
ages. Amen.
The soldiers guarded Christ as they would a sleeping
king, and the angels glorified Him as immortal God. And he readeth the second stasis of Kathisma III of
And the women cried aloud: The Lord hath risen, the Psalter: Psalm 18, 19, and 20.
granting great mercy to the world! Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to
Stichos: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hands be the Holy Spirit.
lifted on high; forget not Thy paupers to the end. Chanters: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of
O Christ God, Who by Thy burial madest death ages. Amen.
captive, Who by Thine arising raised up man who had Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God.
become corrupt: Glory to Thee, in that Thou lovest Thrice.
mankind!
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Amen. Spirit.
Resurrectional Dismissal Theotokion, in Tone VII — Reader: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of
ages. Amen.
As thou art the treasury of our resurrection, O all-
hymned one, lead up from the pit and abyss of And he readeth the third stasis of Kathisma III of the
transgression those who trust in thee, for thou who Psalter: Psalm 21, 22, and 23.
gavest birth to our Salvation hast saved those who are Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to
subject to sin. O thou who before giving birth wast the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages
Virgin, and during thy birthgiving wast virgin, thou of ages. Amen.
remainest a Virgin even after giving birth.
Thrice.
On Sunday morning, the second reading of the
appointed Kathisma of the Psalter: Kathisma III
(Psalms 17 - 23). The Small Ectenia
SECOND READING OF THE PSALTER Lord.
Kathisma III
13
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and Chanters: Praise ye the name of the Lord; O ye
keep us, O God, by Thy grace. servants, praise the Lord. Alleluia.
Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts
of the house of our God. Alleluia.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, Praise ye the Lord, for the Lord is good; chant unto
most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and His name, for it is good. Alleluia.
Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit Blessed is the Lord out of Sion, who dwelleth in
ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ Jerusalem. Alleluia.
our God. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. Alleluia,
Chanters: To Thee O Lord. alleluia. For His mercy endureth forever. Alleluia.
O give thanks unto the God of gods. Alleluia,
Priest: For a good God art Thou, and the Lover of alleluia. For His mercy endureth forever. Alleluia.
mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the O give thanks unto the Lord of lords. Alleluia,
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and alleluia. For His mercy endureth forever. Alleluia.
ever, and unto the ages of ages. O give thanks unto the God of heaven. Alleluia,
Chanters: Amen. alleluia. For His mercy endureth forever. Alleluia.
The Evlogitaria of the Resurrection

Sessional Hymns of the Resurrection
Chanters: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, * teach me Thy
After the second reading of the Psalter, these statutes.
sessional hymns, in Tone VII —
The assembly of angels was amazed, * beholding
While the tomb was sealed, Thou didst shine forth Thee numbered among the dead; * yet, O Saviour, *
life from the grave, O Christ God; and while the doors destroying the stronghold of death, * and with Thyself
were shut, Thou, the Resurrection of all, didst stand raising up Adam, * and freeing all from hades.
before the disciples, through them renewing an upright
spirit for us, according to Thy great mercy. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, * teach me Thy statutes.
Stichos: I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole Why mingle ye myrrh with tears of pity, * O ye
heart, I will tell of all Thy wonders. women disciples? * Thus the radiant angel within the
tomb * addressed the myrrh-bearing women; * behold
The women ran to Thy tomb, bearing myrrh and the tomb and understand, * for the Saviour is risen
tears; and while the soldiers were keeping watch over from the tomb.
Thee, the King of all, they said to themselves: ‘Who
will roll away the stone for us?’ But the Angel of great Blessed art Thou, O Lord, * teach me Thy statutes.
Counsel had arisen, trampling down death. O Lord Very early the myrrh-bearing women * hastened unto
almighty, glory be to Thee! Thy tomb, lamenting, * but the angel stood before
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy them and said: * the time for lamentation is passed, *
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. weep not, but tell of the Resurrection to the apostles.
Amen. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, * teach me Thy statutes.
Theotokion — The myrrh-bearing women, * with myrrh came to
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos full of grace, haven and Thy tomb, O Saviour, bewailing, * but the angel
intercession for the human race, for of thee did the addressed them, saying: * Why number ye the living
Deliverer of the world become incarnate, for thou among the dead, * for as God He is risen from the
alone art both Mother and Virgin, ever blessed and all- tomb.
glorious. Entreat Christ God, that He grant peace to all Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
the world. Spirit. *
Let us worship the Father, * and His Son, * and the
THE POLYELEOS Holy Spirit, * the Holy Trinity, one in essence, crying
Psalms 134 & 135 with the Seraphim: * Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O
(Selected Verses) Lord.
14
* Through the Holy Spirit cometh the well-spring of

divine treasures: * from Him are wisdom,
In bringing forth the Giver of life, * thou hast
understanding, and fear, * and to Him is due praise and
delivered Adam from sin, O Virgin, * and hast brought
glory, honour and dominion.
joy to Eve instead of sorrow; * and those fallen from
life * have thereunto been restored, * by Him Who of Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
thee was incarnate, God and man.
The foregoing is repeated.
Antiphon II
Thrice.
If the Lord buildeth not the house of the soul, * in
vain do we labour; * for without Him is no work or
The Small Ectenia word made perfect.
Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Moved by the Spirit, * the saints, made true children
Lord. through adoption by the Son, * have transmitted the
teachings of the Father.
Spirit.
Through the Holy Spirit doth everything come into
being; * for, from before the beginning of time, * He
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, hath been the God of all, * the Lord of all, the
most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and unapproachable Light, and the Life of all.
our God. The foregoing is repeated.
Chanters: To Thee O Lord. Antiphon III
Having found the paths of life, * they who fear the
Priest: For blessed is Thy name, and glorified is Thy
Lord are blessed, * now and forever, with incorruptible
kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
glory.
Seeing Thine offspring like the trunks of trees round
Chanters: Amen.
about Thy table, * rejoice and be glad, leading them to
Christ, the Chief Shepherd.
Hypakoë of the Resurrection
Hypakoë of the resurrection, in Tone VII — Spirit.
O Christ God, Who assumed our form and endured From the Holy Spirit come an abyss of gifts, * a
the Cross in the flesh, save me by Thy resurrection, in wealth of glory and great depths of judgement; * for,
that Thou lovest mankind. equal in glory with the Father and the Son, * He is
worshiped with Them.
THE HYMNS OF ASCENT Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Seventh Tone The foregoing is repeated.
Antiphon I
O Saviour Who turned the captivity of Sion away THE MATINS PROKEIMENON
from falsehood, * grant life unto me, * rescuing me
Sunday Matins Prokeimenon, Tone VII
from enslaving passions.
Deacon: Let us attend. Wisdom. Let us attend. The
He who with tears soweth the afflictions of fasting in
Prokeimenon in the Seventh Tone:
the south * shall reap sheaves of joy and everlasting
life. Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be lifted high;
forget not Thy paupers to the end.
Spirit.
15
Chanters: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be

lifted high; * forget not Thy paupers to the end. SECOND RESURRECTIONAL GOSPEL
Deacon: Stichos: I will confess Thee, O Lord, with Holy Gospel according to Mark,
my whole heart, I will tell of all Thy wonders. § 70 [16:1-8]
At that time, when the Sabbath was past, Mary
Chanters: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be
Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome
lifted high; * forget not Thy paupers to the end.
bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint
Deacon: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be Him. And very early in the morning on the first day of
lifted high: the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of
Chanters: Forget not Thy paupers to the end. the sun. And they said among themselves, ‘Who shall
roll us away the stone from the door of the
sepulchre?’ And when they looked, they saw that the
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. stone was rolled away, for it was very large. And
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man
sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white
Priest: For holy art Thou, our God, and Thou restest garment; and they were frightened. And he said unto
in the saints, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the them, ‘Be not afraid. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. Behold the
ever, and unto the ages of ages. place where they laid Him. But go your way. Tell His
Chanters: Amen. disciples and Peter that He goeth before you into
Galilee. There shall ye see Him, as He said unto
you.’  And they went out quickly and fled from the
Let Every Breath Praise the Lord
sepulchre, for they trembled and were amazed; neither
Deacon: Let every breath praise the Lord. said they any thing to any man, for they were afraid.
Chanters: Let every breath praise the Lord. At the conclusion of the Matins Gospel, we sing:
Deacon: Stichos: Praise ye God in His saints, praise Chanters: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Him in the firmament of His power.
Chanters: Let every breath praise the Lord. Having Beheld the Resurrection of Christ
Deacon: Let every breath: And we sing this resurrectional hymn, in Tone VI —
Chanters: Praise the Lord. Chanters: Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ,
* let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, * the only sinless
THE MATINS GOSPEL One. * We worship Thy Cross, O Christ, * and Thy
holy Resurrection we hymn and glorify. * For Thou art
Deacon: And that He will vouchsafe unto us the our God, * and we know none other beside Thee; * we
hearing of the Holy Gospel, let us pray unto the Lord call upon Thy name. * O come, all ye faithful, * let us
God. worship Christ’s holy Resurrection, * for, behold,
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Thrice. through the Cross joy hath come to all the world. *
Ever blessing the Lord, * we hymn His Resurrection; *
Deacon: Wisdom, Aright! Let us hear the Holy for, having endured crucifixion, * He hath destroyed
Gospel. death by death.
Priest: Peace be unto all.
Chanters: And to thy spirit. Psalm 50
Priest: The Reading from the Holy Gospel according Reader: Have mercy on me, O God, according to
to N. Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of
Thy compassions blot out my transgression.
Chanters: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse
The priest reads the Resurrectional Matins Gospel of me from my sin.
the week. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before
me.
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Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil Then this sticheron:
before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy
Jesus having risen from the grave * as He foretold, *
words, and prevail when Thou art judged.
hath given us life eternal, * and great mercy.
For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins
did my mother bear me.
For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and SAVE, O GOD, THY PEOPLE
secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest Deacon: Save, O God, Thy people, and bless Thine
unto me. inheritance; visit Thy world with mercy and
Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be compassions; exalt the horn of Orthodox Christians,
made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made and send down upon us Thine abundant mercies:
whiter than snow. through the intercessions of our immaculate Lady
Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary; through the power
bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the
Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mediations of the honourable, heavenly bodiless Hosts;
mine iniquities. of the honourable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right Baptist John; of the Holy glorious, and all-praised
spirit within me. apostles; (if there be commemorated one of the twelve
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not apostles or evangelists, there is said: of the holy
Thy Holy Spirit from me. Apostles (and Evangelists) N., and the other holy,
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with glorious, and all-praised apostles); of our fathers
Thy governing Spirit establish me. among the saints and great ecumenical teachers and
I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and
shall turn back unto Thee. John Chrysostom; of our father among the saints,
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God
Nicholas the Wonderworker, archbishop of Myra in
of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy Lycia; of the holy Equals-of-the-Apostles Methodius
righteousness. and Cyril, Teachers of the Slavs; of the holy Right-
O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall
Believing and Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Prince
declare Thy praise. Vladimir, and the Blessed Great Princess of Russia,
For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; Olga; of our fathers among the saints, the Wonder-
with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. workers of all Russia: Michael, Peter, Alexis, Jonah,
A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is Philip, Macarius, Demetrius, Metrophanes, Tikhon,
broken and humbled God will not despise. Theodosius, Joasaph, Hermogenes, Pitrim, Innocent,
Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and John; of the holy Hieromartyrs and Confessors:
and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow; Vladimir of Kiev,
Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of Benjamin and Joseph of Petrograd, Peter of Krutitsa,
righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Cyril of Kazan, Agathangel of Yaroslavl, Andronicus
Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar. of Perm, Hermogenes of Tobolsk, the priests John,
John, Peter, and Philosoph, and all the new
Troparia after Psalm 50 hieromartyrs and confessors of the Russian Church; of
After Psalm 50, we chant in Tone VI — the holy glorious, and victorious martyrs: the holy
glorious Great-martyr, Trophy-bearer and Wonder-
Chanters: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and
worker George; the holy Great-martyr and Healer
the Holy Spirit.
Panteleimon; the holy Great-martyr Barbara; and the
Through the prayers of the Apostles, * O Merciful holy Right-believing Russian Princes and Passion-
One, * blot out the multitude of our transgressions. bearers Boris and Gleb, and Igor; and the holy Right-
believing Passion-bearers: Tsar-Martyr Nicholas,
Tsaritsa-Martyr Alexandra, the Martyred Crown Prince
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, * O Merciful Alexis, and the Royal Martyrs Olga, Tatiana, Maria,
One, * blot out the multitude of our transgressions. and Anastasia; and the holy nun-martyrs: Grand
In Tone VI: Have mercy on me, O God, * according Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara, and all the New
to Thy great mercy; * and according to the multitude of Martyrs of Russia; of our holy and God-bearing
Thy compassions, * blot out my transgressions. fathers: Anthony and Theodosius of the Kiev Caves;
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Sergius, the Abbot of Radonezh, and Seraphim of Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
Sarov; Job, Abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaev; of Theotokion: The pangs of our first mother Eve have
the holy Righteous John of Kronstadt; of the holy been eased, for, eluding pain, thou gavest birth without
Blessed Xenia; of our holy and God-bearing fathers: knowing man. Wherefore, clearly knowing thee to be
Herman of Alaska; Paisius Velichkovsky; Leo, the Theotokos, O all-pure one, we all glorify thee.
Macarius, Ambrose, and the other Elders of Optina; the
hierarchs Innocent of Moscow, Nicholas of Japan, John Canon of the Theotokos, in Tone VII
of Shanghai and San Francisco; and N.(N), (whose Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
Temple it is and whose day it is); of the holy Righteous
O Virgin who gavest birth to the Abyss of loving-
Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the
kindness, illumine my soul with thy luminous
saints; we pray Thee, O Lord plenteous in mercy,
effulgence, that I may hymn the abyss of thy wonders
hearken unto us sinners that pray unto Thee, and have
as is meet.
mercy on us.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Twelve times.
Seeing us wounded by the dart of sin, the Word took
Priest: Through the mercy and compassions and love pity on us, as our Benefactor; wherefore, the All-divine
for mankind of Thine Only-begotten Son, with Whom One ineffably united Himself to flesh He had received
Thou art blessed, together with Thy Most-holy, and from thee, O most pure one.
Good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto
the ages of ages. Canon I of the Feast, in Tone IV
Chanters: Amen. Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
O all-pure one, we know thee to be a treasury of
Four Canons: that of the Resurrection, with 4 wisdom and an ever-flowing fountain of grace; and we
troparia; that of the Theotokos, with 2 troparia; Canon pray thee: Rain drown drops of knowledge upon us,
I of the feast, the composition of George, the acrostic that we may praise thee forever.
whereof is: ‘O Mistress, grant me the grace of Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
discourse’,, with 4 troparia, in Tone IV; and that of the Being a temple and palace more exalted than the
saints, the composition of Joseph, the acrostic whereof heavens, O all-pure one, thou wast set apart in the
is: ‘I glorify thee who lovest Christ, O Philemon’, with Temple of God to be prepared as a divine dwelling-
4 troparia, in Tone II. Katavasiæ of the Nativity: place for His advent.
‘Christ is born…’
THE CANONS Shining with the Light of grace, the Theotokos hath
Ode I illumined all and assembled them to adorn her most
Canon of the Resurrection, in Tone VII splendid festival. Come ye, let us draw nigh to her!
Irmos: By Thy hand was the nature of water, * which
before was fluid, * transformed into solid form, O The glorious portal which thoughts cannot pass,
Lord. * Wherefore, having passed through it dryshod, * having opened the doors of the Temple of God, doth
Israel chanteth to Thee a hymn of victory. now command us that have assembled to delight in her
Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord. divine wonders.
By the Tree was the tyranny of death overthrown, Canon of the Saints, in Tone II
when Thou wast condemned to an unjust death, O Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Lord; thus, utterly unable to vanquish Thee, the prince
Joining chorus joyously in the mansions of heaven, O
of darkness was rightly banished.
doer of sacred things, grant grace unto me who hymn
Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord. thy holy memory in godly manner, for thou hast been
Hades drew nigh to Thee, but his fangs were unable glorified.
to rend Thy body, and his jaws were broken; Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
wherefore, having destroyed the pangs of death, O
Giving drink to men's hearts with the streams of thy
Saviour, Thou didst arise on the third day.
words, O blessed and right wondrous Apostle
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Philemon, thou hast prepared them to accomplish The serpent who slithered forth from Eden, beguiling
divine understandings with faith. me with a desire to become a god, hath cast me down
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. to the ground; but He Who is merciful and
compassionate by nature, having made His abode
Having delivered men's souls from the gloom of the within thy womb and become like unto me, O Virgin
madness of idolatry, O wise apostle, thou hast Mother, hath taken pity and deified me.
illumined them with the splendours of the Spirit, doing
the sanctified works of the sacred Gospel.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, O Virgin
Theotokos, thou joy of all; for for the whole world thou
Theotokion: O pure one, of old the divine assembly gavest birth unto the Joy and Gladness which truly
of the prophets truly described thee from afar in many dispelleth the grief of sin, O Bride of God.
and varied images, as the only one who gave birth to
the Master. Canon I of the Feast, in Tone IV
Katavasia of the Nativity, Tone 1: Christ is born, give
ye glory! * Christ cometh from heaven, meet ye Him! Receiving the pure and undefiled one, who is more
* Christ is on earth, be ye exalted! * O all the earth, splendid than all creation, the animate bridal chamber
sing unto the Lord, * and chant with gladness, ye of God, the beautiful Temple and chamber doth today
peoples, * for He hath been glorified! appear as that which adorneth the bride for her
wedding.
Ode III
Canon of the Resurrection, in Tone VII Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
Irmos: O Lord and Saviour, * Who in the beginning David, preceding the chorus, doth leap and dance
established the heavens by Thine omnipotent Word * with us, and declareth thee, O all-pure one, the queen
and confirmed all their power by the all-accomplishing adorned, who standeth in the Temple before our King
and divine Spirit: * establish me upon the immovable and God, O most pure one.
rock of the confession of Thee! Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord. From her, from whom transgressions went forth
Having ascended the Tree, O compassionate Saviour, among the human race, hath her correction and
of Thine own will Thou didst experience pain for our incorruption blossomed forth, the Theotokos, who is
sake and didst endure the wounding which won led today into the house of God.
reconciliation and salvation for the faithful. And Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
thereby have we all been reconciled with Thy Father,
O Merciful One. The angelic armies and a multitude of all men leap
for joy, and advance as lamp-bearers before thy
Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord. countenance, proclaiming thy majesty in the house of
Having cleansed of sores me who was wounded by God.
the sting of the serpent, O Christ, Thou didst show Canon of the Saints, in Tone II
forth light unto me who from of old have lain in
Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
darkness and corruption; for having descended into
hades through the Cross, Thou didst raise me up with Preaching the sufferings and resurrection of Christ, O
Thyself. right glorious Philemon, thou didst raise men up from
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. the grave of unbelief and mortality.
Theotokion: Through the entreaties of Thy Mother
who knew not man, O Saviour, grant peace to the With sacred hymnody let us praise the godly
world, and vouchsafe Thine ineffable glory unto those Onesimus and Philemon, Apphia and Archippus, the
who glorify Thee. stars who illumine the ends of the earth.
Canon of the Theotokos, in Tone VII Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. Having purified the eyes of your mind, ye received
divine vision and have raised erring hearts up to
knowledge, O most sacred ones.
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Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. and noetic? Wherefore, desiring to praise her, I am
Theotokion: Having been shown to be pure and all- greatly in awe in mind and word; yet, making bold, I
incorrupt, O Virgin, thou didst receive in thy womb proclaim and magnify her, saying: She is the heavenly
God the Word Who hath cleansed our nature, which tabernacle!
had been defiled by our fall into sin.
Katavasia of the Nativity, Tone 1: To Christ God, the Kontakion
Son Who was begotten of the Father * without Kontakion of the Apostle Philemon and those with
corruption before time began, * and in latter times him, in Tone II, Special Melody: ‘Seeking the
without seed * became incarnate of the Virgin, * let us highest…’ —
cry aloud: O Lord Who liftest up our horn, * holy art
Thou! Let us praise the apostles of Christ * — the glorious
Philemon, the sacred Archippus, * Onesimus, Mark,
and Apollos, * and with them the most wise Apphia —
The Small Ectenia * as most radiant stars illumining the ends of the earth;
Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the * and let us cry out: Pray ye unceasingly in behalf of us
Lord. all!
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. [No Ikos]

keep us, O God, by Thy grace. Sessional Hymns
Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Sessional hymn of the apostle, in Tone VIII, Special
Melody: ‘Having conceived the Wisdom and Word…’
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, —
Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit Cultivating stony hearts with the plow of Thy
ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ discourse, O sacred husbandman, thou didst prepare
our God. them for divine knowledge, and, casting down the
temples of the idols, O blessed one, thou didst erect
Chanters: To Thee O Lord. churches to the glory of thy Creator. Wherefore,
Priest: For Thou art our God, and unto Thee do we assembling, we who are illumined in sacred manner
send up glory; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the glorify thy holy memory, O Philemon, and cry out to
Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. thee together: Entreat Christ God, that He grant
remission of sins unto those who honour thy holy
Chanters: Amen. memory with love.
Kontakion Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Kontakion of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Amen.
Temple, in Tone IV, Special Melody: ‘Having lifted Sessional hymn of the feast, in Tone VIII, Special
up…’ — Melody: ‘That which was mystically commanded…’
The most pure temple of the Saviour, * the most —
precious bridal-chamber and Virgin, * the sacred Let David the psalmist rejoice, and let Joachim and
treasury of the glory of God, * is on this day brought Anna join chorus, for the radiant Mary, the divine
into the house of the Lord, * bringing with her the lamp, issued forth from them like a holy fruit, and she
grace that is in the Divine Spirit. * And the angels of rejoiceth, entering the temple. Beholding her, the son
God chant praise unto her: * she is the heavenly of Barachiah blessed her, and, rejoicing, cried out:
tabernacle. ‘Rejoice, O wonder of the universe!’
Ikos: Beholding the grace of the ineffable and divine
mysteries of God made plainly manifest in and filling Ode IV
the Virgin, I rejoice; yet I know not how to understand Canon of the Resurrection, in Tone VII
this strange and ineffable image. How hath the pure
one alone been shown to be above all creation, visible
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Irmos: O Christ God Who, without leaving the Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
bosom of the Father, didst descend to earth: * I have Revealed as temple and palace and animate heaven,
heard the mystery of Thy dispensation, * and have O divine bride of the King, thou art brought today to
glorified Thee, Who alone lovest mankind. the Temple of the Law to be kept for Him, O all-pure
Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord. one.
Giving His shoulders over to stripes, the innocent Canon of the Saints, in Tone II
Master, Who was incarnate of the Virgin, was beaten Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
by a most sinful servant, loosing mine offenses.
With the Cross as mast and sail, thou didst pass over
Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord.
the cruel abyss of the temptations of life without
Standing before the tribunal of iniquitous judges, the foundering, O blessed one, directing many of those at
Judge is examined as one indicted; and He Who sea to the harbour of salvation through grace divine.
judgeth the earth with righteousness and as God Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
formed man is smitten by a hand of clay.
The godly city of Colossæ manifestly setteth forth
radiant luminaries: the sacred Archippus, Philemon,
Theotokion: In that thou art truly the Mother of God, and Apphia, and the glorious Onesimus, who enlighten
entreat thy Creator and Son, O most immaculate one, the ends of the world.
that He guide me to the saving haven of His glorious Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
will.
A divine river arose in thy heart, O thou of godly
Canon of the Theotokos, in Tone VII eloquence, and hath stopped the rivers and torrents of
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. ungodliness; and through grace thou hast given drink
to souls parched by the burning heat of ignorance, O
O most hymned one, who even before creation
glorious one.
appeared to God as wholly elect and beauteous in the
splendour of thy radiance, enlighten those who hymn Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
thee. Theotokion: I hymn thee, O truly most hymned one,
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. who supernaturally gavest birth to the all-hymned
Word of God, and I pray: In that thou art good, O
For man, O pure one, thou gavest birth unto God,
Bride of God, heal thou the infirmities of my lowly
Who became incarnate of thy pure blood, and
soul.
delivereth from many offenses those who with love
glorify and honour thee, O Mother and Virgin. Katavasia of the Nativity, Tone 1: A rod from the
root of Jesse * and blossom therefrom, O Christ, *
Canon I of the Feast, in Tone IV
Thou didst spring forth from the Virgin; * from the
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. mountain overshadowed and densely wooded didst
The Temple of God, receiving today the portal Thou come, * incarnate of her who knew not man, * O
through whom none may pass, hath ceased to perform praised and immaterial God. * Glory to Thy power, O
any service of the Law, crying: Truly truth hath Lord!
appeared to those who are on earth! Ode V
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. Canon of the Resurrection, in Tone VII
The mountain overshadowed, which Habbakuk Irmos: Night is bereft of light for those without faith,
beheld of old, prefigured her who hath made her abode O Christ, * but for the faithful there is enlightenment in
in the inaccessible chambers of the Temple, flourishing the sweetness of Thy words; * wherefore, I rise early
with virtues; for she doth cover the ends of the earth unto Thee * and hymn Thy divinity.
therewith. Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord.
For Thy servants art Thou betrayed, and Thou
All the earth hath seen most glorious things, things endurest blows to Thy cheeks, which win freedom for
strange and marvellous: for the Virgin, receiving food those who chant: I rise early unto Thee and hymn Thy
from an angel, doth receive tokens of God’s divinity!
dispensation. Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord.
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By Thy divine power, O Christ, Thou didst cast down Seeing those ailing with the wounds of evil deeds, O
the mighty one with Thy weak human flesh, and by glorious Philemon, by thine active discourse thou didst
Thy resurrection thou hast shown me to be a victor heal betimes those cruelly sick with the madness of
over death, O Saviour. idolatry.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Theotokion: O pure Mother, Thou gavest birth unto As a sure guide, O Philemon, thou didst point out the
God, Who as God became incarnate of thee, O most paths of salvation to those grievously lost, and didst
hymned one; and though thou hadst no concourse with wondrously lead them to love Christ, the only Way.
the male gender, yet dost thou give birth through the Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit.
Today the honoured Church of Christ in Colossæ
Canon of the Theotokos, in Tone VII doth sing the splendid festival of the godly Archippus,
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. honouring also the divinely eloquent Philemon.
Beholding the ladder set firmly in the highest, Jacob Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
understood it to be an image of thee, O thou who Theotokion: O Mistress, save us who are tempest-
knewest not wedlock; for through thee hath God come tossed by the cruel billows of temptations, the
into fellowship with men, O most pure Mistress. audacious assaults of barbarians, and the attacks of the
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. cruel demons.
Having now found everlasting deliverance through Katavasia of the Nativity, Tone 1: Thou, Who art
thee, O Virgin, we earnestly cry out to thee, ‘Rejoice!’, God of peace and Father of compassions, * didst send
O Bride of God; and uplifted to joy by thy light, O Thine Angel of Great Counsel, * Who granteth us
most hymned one, we hymn thee in songs. peace. * Wherefore, guided to the light of knowledge
divine, * and waking at dawn out of the night, * we
glorify Thee, Who lovest mankind.
Ode VI
The all-pure Virgin, the glorious sanctity and sacred Canon of the Resurrection, in Tone VII
offering which is brought today to the Temple of God,
is preserved as a habitation for our one God, the King Irmos: Sailing amid the tumult of the cares of life, * I
of all, as He Himself doth know. founder with the ship of sin * and am cast to the soul-
destroying beast; * yet like Jonah I cry to Thee, O
Christ: * Lead me up from the deadly abyss!
Zachariah, beholding once the beauty of thy soul, Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord.
cried out in faith: Thou art the deliverance, thou art the
joy of all, thou art our restoration, through whom the The souls of the righteous imprisoned in hades and
Uncontainable One shall appear unto me contained. left there, remembered Thee and besought salvation of
Thee, which through the Cross Thou didst grant to the
nether regions, O Christ, having come there full of
O, thy wonders which pass understanding, O all-pure loving-kindness.
one! Strange is thy birthgiving, strange is the manner Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord.
of thy growth, strange also, most glorious and
unutterable by men, are all thy wonders, O Bride of The choir of the apostles despaired of ever seeing
God. again Thine animate temple not made by man, which
was destroyed by Thy sufferings; yet, beyond hope,
they worshipped Thee and everywhere proclaimed
A most radiant lamp, O Bride of God, thou hast Thee risen.
shone forth today in the house of the Lord and dost Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
illumine us with the precious gifts of thy wonders, O
pure and all-hymned Theotokos. Theotokion: Who among men can explain the manner
of thine ineffable birthgiving which took place for our
Canon of the Saints, in Tone II sake, O Virgin Bride of God? For God the Word, Who
Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray to God for us. is uncircumscribable, uniting Himself to thee, became
flesh through thee.
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Canon of the Theotokos, in Tone VII Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. Shining with sacred virtues, and pleasing God
splendidly, thou didst hasten to the heavens, where
The images of the law and the foretellings of the
thou dost dance with the angels, O Apphia.
prophets clearly proclaimed beforehand thee, O pure
one, who wouldst give birth to the Benefactor of all Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
creation, Who continually and in manifold ways hath Theotokion: The Word was incarnate in thy womb
benefited those who hymn thee with faith. and in His compassion became known as a man that
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. He might deify man, O most immaculate Maiden.
The first-created Adam, who of old was banished Katavasia of the Nativity, Tone 1: The sea monster
from the divine delight of Eden through the treachery spewed forth Jonah, * like a babe from the womb, as it
of the slayer of man, didst thou restore when thou had taken him in; * and the Word, Who took flesh and
gavest birth unto Him Who hath delivered us from his dwelt within the Virgin, * issued forth, preserving her
transgression, O thou who knewest not wedlock. incorrupt. * He kept unharmed her who gave Him
birth, * for He Himself was not subject to corruption.
The Small Ectenia
Thou Who hast upheld all things by Thy word didst
hearken to the prayer of the righteous ones. Wherefore, Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the
Thou didst loose the infirmity of the barren woman, in Lord.
that Thou art compassionate, and hast given them her Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
who is the cause of joy.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Desiring to make His salvation known to the gentiles, Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
the Lord hath now taken from among men her who
hath not known wedlock, as a sign of reconciliation Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy,
and renewal. most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and
As a house of grace, wherein treasures of the our God.
ineffable dispensation of God are laid up, O most pure
Chanters: To Thee O Lord.
one, thou didst share in unfading delight in the Temple.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. Priest: For Thou art the King of peace, and the
Saviour of our souls, and unto Thee do we send up
Receiving thee as a royal diadem, O Bride of God, glory; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
the Temple hath been made splendid and hath mounted Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
to higher things, beholding in thee the fulfillment of
the prophecies. Chanters: Amen.
Canon of the Saints, in Tone II

Kontakion
Kontakion of the Resurrection, in Tone VII —
Thou hast been shown to be a heaven proclaiming to
all the saving glory of Him Who glorified thee and No longer will the dominion of death be able to keep
numbered thee among His seventy apostles, O martyr men captive, * for Christ hath descended, demolishing
most rich. and destroying the powers thereof. * Hades is bound; *
the prophets rejoice with one voice, saying: * A
Saviour hath come for them that have faith. * Come
Having become a stranger to thy native land, with thy forth, ye faithful, for the Resurrection.
strange discourse thou didst pursue those who had
become estranged from God, O hierarch Philemon, and Ikos: Below, the uttermost depths, hades and death
didst show them to be inhabitants of Sion. trembled today before One of the Trinity; the earth
quaked, and the gatekeepers of hades, beholding Thee,
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were horrified. And all creation, rejoicing with the mystically hold feast this day!
prophets, singeth a hymn of victory to Thee, our Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
Deliverer and God, Who hast now destroyed the power
of death. Let us exult and cry out unto Adam and his Let all things — heaven and earth, the ranks of angels
descendants, in that the tree of the Cross hath restored and the multitude of men — bear gifts today unto the
him to paradise: Come forth, ye faithful, unto the Queen and Mother of God; and let them cry out: Our
resurrection! joy and deliverance is brought to the Temple!
Ode VII The Scriptures have been fulfilled, the Law hath
Canon of the Resurrection, in Tone VII faded like a shadow, and rays of grace have shone forth
Irmos: Of old, the children showed the fiery furnace upon thee who hast entered into the Temple of God, O
to pour forth dew, * hymning the one God and saying: pure Virgin Mother, wherein thou art blessed.
* Supremely exalted and all-glorious * is the God of Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
our fathers! Heaven and earth and the netherworld are subject to
Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord. thine Offspring and Creator and God, O most pure one;
Through a tree death came to Adam, who of his own and every nation of mortals doth confess that the Lord
will committed disobedience; but through the and Saviour of our souls hath appeared.
obedience of Christ is he restored. For my sake is the Canon of the Saints, in Tone II
all-glorious Son of God crucified. Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Beautiful were thy precious feet, O Philemon, which
All creation hath hymned Thee, O Christ, Who rose meekly trod the paths of the Gospel, announcing sacred
from the tomb; for Thou didst cause life to blossom peace to all those who do battle, and hindering the
forth for those in hades, and resurrection for the dead, assaults of the demons.
and light for those in darkness, O All-glorious One. Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
The profound darkness of the Gazans was dispelled
Theotokion: Rejoice, daughter of corrupt Adam! by the light of thy words, in that thou art a most sacred
Rejoice, only Bride of God! Rejoice, O thou who performer of the sacred deeds, O apostle, and among
gavest birth to God, and through whom corruption was them thou wast most excellent, shepherding them all
driven off! Him do thou beseech, O pure one, that we and teaching them to chant: Blessed is the God of our
all be saved. fathers!
Canon of the Theotokos, in Tone VII Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. The city of Gaza shared in thy first goodly labours,
Thy Lord and Creator, O Virgin, loved thee, who art for thou wast the first bishop thereof, a saving hierarch,
possessed of raiment embroidered with gold, wrought O Philemon; and as a sacred herald thou didst
of many colours. Supremely exalted and all-glorious is command them to cry out: Blessed is the God of our
the God of our fathers! fathers!
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Receiving the burning coal of old, Isaiah was Loving Christ Who loved mortals in His compassion,
purified, O Maiden; and in signs he beheld thy giving O Philemon, through love thou didst transform hate-
birth to the supremely exalted and all-glorious God of filled enemies into loving friends who chanted unto
our fathers. God: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Theotokion: O Virgin, thou art the strength of the
lowly, the radiant lamp, the divine table, the
Lo, today a joyous spring hath burst forth upon the impassable gate, the throne and palace of God, the staff
ends of the earth, enlightening our souls, thoughts, and of Aaron and the golden jar bearing Christ, the Manna
minds with grace: the festival of the Theotokos. Let us of life.
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Katavasia of the Nativity, Tone 1: The young men Canon I of the Feast, in Tone IV
raised together in piety, * disdaining the impious Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
command, * feared not the threat of fire, * but,
standing in the midst of the flame, they chanted: * O Anna, once, leading the all-pure temple to the house
God of our fathers, blessed art Thou! of God, faithfully said unto the priest, crying aloud:
‘Now accept thou this child given me by God; lead her
Ode VIII into the Temple of the Creator; and rejoicing, chant
Canon of the Resurrection, in Tone VII unto Him: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!’
Irmos: The bush on Sinai, which partook of fire Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
without being consumed, * revealed God unto Moses,
* who was slow of speech and spake with difficulty; * And Zachariah then, beholding them in the Spirit,
and the zeal of God showed forth the three children in said unto Anna: ‘Thou dost bring hither the true
the fire as invincible, * who chanted: Hymn the Lord, Mother of Life whom the prophets of God have clearly
all ye works of the Lord, * and exalt Him supremely foretold as the Theotokos! How, therefore, can the
forever! Temple hold her? Wherefore marvelling, I cry out:
Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!’
Slaughtered for the world, the all-pure Lamb brought
an end to the sacrifices offered in accordance with the ‘The handmaid of God have I been,’ answered Anna
law, in that He is God, purifying it of transgressions, unto him; ‘and I call upon Him with faith and prayer to
that it may ever cry: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of accept the fruit of my birth-pangs, that, having
the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages! received this child, I might bring her who was born
unto Him Who bestowed her. Wherefore I cry aloud:
Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord. Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!’
Our flesh, which was assumed by the Creator, was Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
not incorrupt before His suffering; but after His
suffering and resurrection it was rendered untouchable Truly this is a matter of the Law,’ the priest said to
by corruption, and restoreth mortals, who cry: Hymn her; ‘and strange doth this thing seem unto me,
the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him beholding her who doth most gloriously surpass the
holy ones in grace led into the house of God.
supremely for all ages!
Wherefore rejoicing, I cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. works of the Lord!’
Theotokion: Thy pure and most unblemished state Canon of the Saints, in Tone II
hath purified the vile and abominable state of the
whole world, O Virgin; and thou becamest the cause of
our reconciliation with God. Wherefore, O all-pure Bearing the word in thy heart like a splendid lamp
Virgin, all of us, His works, bless and exalt thee alight, O glorious one, thou didst raise up to the
supremely for all ages. daylight of the knowledge of God those who before
Canon of the Theotokos, in Tone VII were like lamps extinguished and lay in the utter
darkness of ignorance.
With the light of thy birthgiving thou didst strangely
enlighten the whole world, O Theotokos; for in thine Thy sacred departure unto God was made
arms thou dost bear Him Who is truly God, Who magnificent by the sacred presence of the apostles and
enlighteneth the faithful, who ever cry: O all ye works the bodiless hosts, whose life thou didst live on earth,
of the Lord, hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely as an initiate of the sacred mysteries, O divinely
for all ages! eloquent Philemon.
O pure one, we piously hymn thy womb, which Manifestly exuding the sweet-smelling myrrh of
ineffably contained the incarnate God, Who hath given sacred miracles, O blessed and wise Philemon, thou
the enlightenment of the knowledge of God unto all the didst perfume the minds and thoughts of the pious, and
faithful, who ever cry: O all ye works of the Lord, didst dispel the fœtid passions of those who exalt
hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages! Christ supremely.
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Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Lord. He hath showed strength with His arm, * and He hath
Like radiant stars ever shining in the firmament of the scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart.
Church, the wondrous Archippus, Apphia, Philemon, Refrain: More honourable than the Cherubim, * and
and Onesimus illumine our souls. beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim; *
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word,
* the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Theotokion: Thy womb hath truly been shown to us
as a new garden of paradise, O pure Theotokos, He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and
producing the Tree of life, and it hath led back into exalted them of low degree; * He hath filled the hungry
paradise those who died through the fruit of the tree, with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty
giving them life. away.
Chanters: We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, Refrain: More honourable than the Cherubim, * and
* praising and supremely exalting Him unto all ages. beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim; *
who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word,
Katavasia of the Nativity, Tone 1: The dew-bearing * the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
furnace showed forth the image of a supernatural
wonder; * for it burned not the youths whom it had He hath holpen His servant Israel in remembrance of
received, * just as the fire of the Godhead * burned not His mercy, * as He spake to our fathers, to Abraham
the Virgin’s womb, which it entered. * Wherefore, and his seed forever.
chanting, let us sing: * Let all creation bless the Lord * Refrain: More honourable than the Cherubim, * and
and exalt Him supremely for all ages! beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim; *
The Song of the Most Holy Theotokos * the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Deacon: The Theotokos and Mother of the Light let
us magnify in song. Ode IX
Canon of the Resurrection, in Tone VII
And we sing the Song of the Most Holy Theotokos
(the Magnificat). Irmos: O Mother who knewest not man, * who
gavest birth without experiencing corruption, * and
Chanters: My soul doth magnify the Lord, * and my lent flesh to the Word Who hath fashioned all things, *
spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. O Virgin Theotokos, * thou receptacle of Him Whom
Refrain: More honourable than the Cherubim, * and nought can resist * and dwelling-place of the Infinite: *
beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim; * thee do we magnify.
who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord.
O all ye of alien mind, who assume that the Divinity
For He hath looked upon the lowliness of His suffered, stop your mouths; for we magnify the Lord of
handmaiden; * for behold, from henceforth all glory crucified in the flesh, but not crucified in His
generations shall call me blessed. divine essence, for He is One in two natures.
Refrain: More honourable than the Cherubim, * and Refrain: Glory to Thy holy resurrection, O Lord.
beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim; *
O ye who believe not in the resurrection of the body,
come ye to the tomb of Christ and learn; for the flesh
of the Bestower of life was dead and rose again, to
For the Mighty One hath done great things to me, and assure us of the final resurrection, wherein we hope.
holy is His name; * and His mercy is on them that fear Refrain: All-Holy Trinity, our God, glory be to Thee.
Him unto generation and generation.
Triadicon: Worshipping a Trinity of Hypostases, not
Refrain: More honourable than the Cherubim, * and of Godheads, an Oneness of divinity, not of Persons,
beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim; * we cut off those who divide It; moreover, we confound
who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, those who dare to confuse that which we magnify.
Canon of the Theotokos, in Tone VII
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Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. Wondrous is thy character, comely and beautiful thy
Thou hast been the Mediatress of everlasting joy and life, and all-glorious was thy repose, O blessed apostle,
gladness for us, O Ever-virgin Maiden, having given as the radiant day whereon, forsaking that which is on
birth to the Deliverer Who delivereth those who earth, thou didst ascend in gladness to the circles of
worship Him as God in truth and by the divine Spirit. heaven.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
David, thine ancestor, O all-pure one, hymning thee, Today the whole Church of Christ is glad, spiritually
calleth thee the ark of divine holiness, which ordaining festive joy at thy memorial, for thou hast
supernaturally contained God Who sitteth in the bosom preserved it unshaken by thy right pleasing
of the Father. O ye faithful, let us magnify Him supplications to God the Saviour, O most sacred
without ceasing. Philemon.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. The shrine of thy relics exudeth drops of healing
upon those who approach it in sanctity, O blessed
O pure Theotokos, as thou hast the most radiant Apostle Philemon: it banisheth illnesses and doth
beauty of purity of soul and art full of the grace of God hallow the souls of all who ever celebrate thy divine
from heaven, with the eternal light thou dost ever memory.
enlighten those who cry out with joy: Truly thou art
more highly exalted than all, O pure Virgin!
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us. Theotokion: O most immaculate one, thou bearest
Him Who holdeth all things, and dost feed the
Thy wonder doth surpass the power of words, O pure Nurturer, in nowise experiencing the usual manner of
Theotokos, for in thee I perceive a body impervious to giving birth. Past understanding is thy wonder, which
the movement of sin. Wherefore, thankfully I cry out to striketh with awe both angels and men, who know thee
thee: Truly thou art more highly exalted than all, O to be the only Virgin Mother of God.
pure Virgin!
Katavasia of the Nativity, Tone 1: A strange and all-
glorious mystery do I behold: * the cave is heaven; *
Most gloriously did the Law prefigure thee, O pure the Virgin, a cherubic throne; * the manger, the place
one, as the tabernacle, the divine jar, the awesome ark, wherein Christ, the uncontainable God, was laid, *
the veil, the staff, the inviolable temple, and portal of Whom praising we magnify.
God. Wherefore, all these things teach us to cry to
thee: Truly thou art more highly exalted than all, O
The Small Ectenia
pure Virgin!
Lord.
In hymnody David cried out to thee prophetically,
calling thee the daughter of the King in the comeliness Chanters: Lord, have mercy.
of thy virtues, beholding thee standing, elaborately Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and
adorned, at the right hand of God. Wherefore, in keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
prophecy he cried out: Truly thou art more highly
exalted than all, O pure Virgin!
Canon of the Saints, in Tone II
Refrain: Holy Apostles, pray to God for us. Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit
Deified by divine communion, shining with ineffable ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ
light and ever filled with spiritual joy, O Philemon, our God.
thou dwellest fittingly in the heavens with the most Chanters: To Thee O Lord.
sacred choir of the sacred apostles as is meet.
Priest: For all the Hosts of Heaven praise Thee, and
unto Thee do we send up glory; to the Father, and to
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the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto And the rest of the verses are read down to the
the ages of ages. beginning of the stichoi, i.e., the point at which the
stichera are inserted.
Chanters: Amen.
Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him all ye stars
and light.
HOLY IS THE LORD
Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and thou water
Deacon: Holy is the Lord our God. that art above the heavens.
Chanters: Holy is the Lord our God. Let them praise the name of the Lord; for He spake,
and they came to be; He commanded, and they were
Deacon: Stichos: For holy is the Lord our God. created.
Chanters: Holy is the Lord our God. He established them for ever, yea, for ever and ever;
He hath set an ordinance, and it shall not pass away.
Deacon: Stichos: Above all peoples is our God. Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all ye
Chanters: Holy is the Lord our God. abysses.
Fire, hail, snow, ice, blast of tempest, which perform
His word.
EXAPOSTILARIA The mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees, and all
The Second Gospel Exapostilarion — cedars.
The beasts and all the cattle, creeping things and
Seeing that the stone had been rolled away, the wingéd birds.
myrrh-bearing women rejoiced, for they beheld a Kings of the earth, and all peoples, princes and all the
young man sitting in the tomb, who said to them: judges of the earth.
‘Behold! Christ is risen! Say ye unto the disciples and Young men and virgins, elders with the younger; let
Peter: Haste ye unto the mountain of Galilee. There them praise the name of the Lord, for exalted is the
will He reveal Himself to you, as He foretold to His name of Him alone.
friends.’ His praise is above the earth and heaven, and He shall
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy exalt the horn of His people.
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. This is the hymn for all His saints, for the sons of
Amen. Israel, and for the people that draw nigh unto Him.
Exapostilarion of the feast, Special Melody: ‘Hearken Psalm 149
ye women…’ — Sing unto the Lord a new song; His praise is in the
With faith let us praise the divine Maiden Mary, * church of the saints.
whom the company of the prophets of old proclaimed * Let Israel be glad in Him that made him, let the sons
to be the jar, the staff, the tablet, * and the unquarried of Sion rejoice in their King.
mountain; * for she is led today into the Holy of holies Let them praise His name in the dance; with the
* to be raised for the Lord. timbrel and the psaltery let them chant unto Him.
For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people, and He
shall exalt the meek with salvation.
THE LAUDS (THE PRAISES) The saints shall boast in glory, and they shall rejoice
Canonarch: In the Seventh Tone, Let every breath upon their beds.
praise the Lord. The high praise of God shall be in their throat, and
two-edged swords shall be in their hands.
Then immediately we chant Lauds (Psalms 148, 149, To do vengeance among the heathen, punishments
and 150) — among the peoples.
Psalm 148 To bind their kings with fetters, and their nobles with
manacles of iron.
Chanters: Let every breath praise the Lord. * Praise
the Lord from the heavens, * praise Him in the highest. Stichera at the Praises
* To Thee is due praise, O God. 8 Stichera: for the resurrection from the Octoechos;
and 4 for the feast from the Matins Aposticha.
Praise Him, all ye His angels; * praise Him, all ye
His hosts. * To Thee is due praise, O God. The Resurrectional Stichera, in Tone VII —
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Stichos: To do among them the judgement that is O Virgin Bride of God, * more holy than the saints, *
written. * This glory shall be to all His saints. who gavest birth to the Master of all, * Who is One of
the Trinity, * beseech Him, * that He deliver from
Christ hath risen from the dead, * bursting the bonds
misfortunes all who hymn thee.
of death! * O earth, proclaim great joy! * Ye heavens,
sing the glory of God! And this idiomelon of the feast, in Tone IV —
Psalm 150 Stichos: They shall be brought with gladness and
rejoicing, * they shall be brought into the temple of the
Stichos: Praise ye God in His saints, * praise Him in
King.
the firmament of His power.
Today the Theotokos, the temple which contained
Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, * let us
God, * is brought into the Temple of the Lord, * and
worship the holy Lord Jesus, * Who alone is sinless.
Zachariah receiveth her. * Today the Holy of Holies
Stichos: Praise Him for His mighty acts, * praise Him rejoiceth, * and the choir of the angels doth mystically
according to the multitude of His greatness. keep festival. * Celebrating with them today, let us cry
Let us not cease worshipping the resurrection of out with Gabriel: * Rejoice, O thou who art full of
Christ; * for the holy Lord Jesus, revealing His grace! * The Lord, Who hath great mercy, is with thee!
resurrection, * hath saved us from our iniquities. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Stichos: Praise Him with the sound of trumpet, * Spirit.
praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Second Gospel Sticheron, Tone II —
What shall we render unto the Lord for all that He When the women who with Mary came bearing
hath rendered unto us? * God the Word, for the sake of myrrh * and were at a loss how they would attain their
us and our corrupted nature, * took flesh, and dwelt desire, * the stone was shown to have been moved, *
among us men. * To the thankless He came as and a divine youth, stilling the turmoil of their souls,
Benefactor; * to the captive as Liberator; * to those said: * ‘The Lord Jesus is risen! * Wherefore, tell the
sitting in darkness as the Sun of righteousness. * On disciples who preach Him * to go with all haste into
the Cross, He was dispassionate; * in hades, He was Galilee to behold Him risen from the dead, * as
Light; * in death He was life and resurrection for the Bestower of life and Lord!’
sake of the fallen. * Let us cry aloud to Him: * O our
God, glory be to Thee!
Theotokion, in Tone II —
And 3 stichera for the feast, in Tone VI, Special
Melody ‘Thou didst rise from the tomb on the third Most blessed art Thou, O Virgin Theotokos, * for
day... ‘ — through Him Who became incarnate of Thee * is hades
led captive, * Adam recalled, the curse annulled, Eve
Stichos: Praise Him with timbrel and dance, * praise
set free, * death slain, and we are given life. *
Him with strings and flute.
Wherefore, we cry aloud in praise: * Blessed art Thou,
Join chorus together, O ye virgins! * Rise up, ye O Christ God, Who hast been thus well-pleased, *
maidens! * And, bearing your candles, * hymn ye with glory to Thee.
splendour * the only pure and all-holy Theotokos! *
Sing forth, ye heavens!
THE GREAT DOXOLOGY
Stichos: Praise Him with tuneful cymbals; praise Him
Priest: Glory to Thee Who hast showed us the light.
with cymbals of jubilation. * Let every breath praise
the Lord. And we chant the Great Doxology:
By the hand of the angel, O Virgin, * did thy Son, the Chanters: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
Creator of all, * nourish thee with food, O pure peace, good will among men. We praise Thee, we bless
Mistress, * revealing thy magnificence to the world * Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give
as far greater * than that of the Holy of holies. thanks to Thee for Thy great glory. O Lord, heavenly
King, God the Father Almighty; O Lord, the only-
Stichos: The virgins that follow after her shall be
begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and O Holy Spirit.
brought unto the King, * those near her shall be
brought unto Thee.
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O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that Deacon: Again we pray for our great lord and father,
takest away the sin of the world, have mercy on us; His Holiness Patriarch N.; for our lord the Very Most
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our Reverend Metropolitan N., First Hierarch of the
prayer; Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, Russian Church Abroad; for our lord the Most
have mercy on us. For Thou only art holy; Thou only Reverend (Archbishop or Bishop) N.; and all our
art the Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the brethren in Christ.
Father. Amen.
Every day will I bless Thee, and I will praise Thy
Deacon: Again we pray for this land, its authorities
Name forever, yea, forever and ever.
and armed forces.
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 unto the ages. Amen. Deacon: Again we pray for the God-preserved
Russian land and its Orthodox people both in the
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we
homeland and in the diaspora and for their salvation.
have hoped in Thee.
Blessed are Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
Thrice. Deacon: Again we pray to the Lord our God that He
may deliver His people from enemies visible and
Lord, thou hast been our refuge in generation and
invisible, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly
generation. I said: O Lord, have mercy on me, heal my
love and piety.
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 in Thee is the Deacon: Again we pray for the blessed and ever-
fountain of life, in Thy light shall we see light. O memorable founders of this holy temple (if it be a
continue Thy mercy unto them that know Thee. monastery: this holy monastery): and for all our fathers
and brethren gone to their rest before us, and the
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy
Orthodox here and everywhere laid to rest.
on us. Thrice.
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Deacon: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace,
Amen. health, salvation, visitation, pardon and remission of
sins of the servants of God, the brethren of this holy
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
temple (if it be a monastery: this holy monastery).
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy
on us.
Deacon: Again we pray for them that bring offerings
and do good works in this holy and all-venerable
Resurrectional Troparion
temple; for them that minister and them that chant, and
After the Great Doxology, the Resurrectional for all the people here present, that await of Thee great
Troparion, in Tone I — and abundant mercy.
Today is salvation come unto the world; * let us sing Chanters: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.
praises to Him that arose from the tomb, * and is the
Priest: For a merciful God art Thou, and the Lover of
Author of our life. * For, having destroyed death by
mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the
death, * He hath given us the victory and great mercy.
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
ever, and unto the ages of ages.
THE AUGMENTED ECTENIA
Chanters: Amen.
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy
great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.
THE LITANY OF SUPPLICATION
Deacon: Let us complete our morning prayer unto
the Lord.
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Chanters: Lord, have mercy. The priest saith this prayer secretly:
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and O holy Lord, Who dwellest on high and lookest down
keep us, O God, by Thy grace. on things that are lowly, and with Thine all-seeing eye
lookest down on all creation: unto Thee have we
bowed the neck of our heart and body, and we pray
Deacon: That the whole day may be perfect, holy, Thee: Stretch forth Thine invisible hand from Thy holy
peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord. dwelling-place and bless us all. And if in aught we
Chanters: Grant this, O Lord. have sinned, either voluntarily or involuntarily, do
Thou as a good God and the Lover of mankind pardon
Deacon: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a us, granting us Thine earthly and spiritual good things.
guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
He exclaimeth:
Chanters: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For Thine it is to show mercy and to save us,
Deacon: Pardon and remission of our sins and O our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the
offences, let us ask of the Lord. Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
Chanters: Grant this, O Lord. ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Deacon: Things good and profitable for our souls, Chanters: Amen.
and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
Chanters: Grant this, O Lord. THE DISMISSAL
Deacon: That we may complete the remaining time Deacon: Wisdom!

of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Chanters: Father bless!
Lord.
Priest: He that is is blessed, Christ our God, always,
Chanters: Grant this, O Lord. now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Deacon: A Christian ending to our life, painless, Chanters: Amen. Establish, O God, the holy
blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the Orthodox Faith of Orthodox Christians unto the ages of
dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask. ages.
Chanters: Grant this, O Lord. Priest: O most holy Theotokos, save us.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, Chanters: More honourable than the Cherubim, and
most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim; who
Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the
ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
our God.
Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ God, our hope, glory
Chanters: To Thee, O Lord. to Thee.
Priest: For Thou art a God of mercy, compassion, Chanters: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to
and love for mankind, and unto Thee do we send up the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages
glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy. Thrice. Father, bless.
Chanters: Amen.
Priest: May Christ our true God, Who arose from the
dead, through the intercessions of His most pure
Prayer at the Bowing of the Heads Mother; of the holy and glorious apostles; and Saint(s)
Priest: Peace be unto all. N.(N.) (to whom the church is dedicated); and Saint(s)
N.(N) (of the day); of the holy and righteous ancestors
Chanters: And to thy spirit. of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints: have
Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord. mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loveth
mankind.
Chanters: Amen.
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And let all them be glad that hope in Thee; they shall
The Polychronion rejoice, and Thou shalt dwell among them.
And all shall glory in Thee that love Thy name, for
Our great lord and father, His Holiness N. * the
Thou shalt bless the righteous.
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; * our lord the
O Lord, as with a shield of Thy good pleasure hast
Very Most Reverend N.; * Metropolitan of Eastern
Thou crowned us.
America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian
Church Abroad, * and our lord the Most Reverend Psalm 89
Archbishop (or Bishop) N.; * the brotherhood of this
Lord, Thou hast been our refuge in generation and
holy temple, and all Orthodox Christians: * preserve, O
generation.
Lord, for many years.
Before the mountains came to be and the earth was
Here endeth Matins formed and the world, even from everlasting to
everlasting Thou art.
Then the reader immediately begins the First Hour. Turn not man away unto lowliness; yea, Thou hast
said: Turn back ye sons of men.
For a thousand years in Thine eyes, O Lord, are but
THE FIRST HOUR as yesterday that is past, and as a watch in the night.
Things of no account shall their years be; in the
Reader: O come, let us worship God our King.
morning like grass shall man pass away.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ In the morning shall he bloom and pass away. In the
our King and God. evening shall he fall and grow withered and dry.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ For we have fainted away in Thy wrath, and in Thine
Himself, our King and God. anger have we been troubled.
Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee; our lifespan
Psalm 5 is in the light of Thy countenance.
For all our days are faded away, and in Thy wrath are
Unto my words give ear, O Lord, hear my cry. Attend we fainted away; our years have, like a spider, spun out
unto the voice of my supplication, O my King and my their tale.
God; for unto Thee will I pray, O Lord. As for the days of our years, in their span, they be
In the morning shalt Thou hear my voice. In the threescore years and ten.
morning shall I stand before Thee, and Thou shalt look And if we be in strength, mayhap fourscore years;
upon me; for not a God that wiliest iniquity art Thou. and what is more than these is toil and travail.
He that worketh evil shall not dwell near Thee nor For mildness is come upon us, and we shall be
shall transgressors abide before Thine eyes. chastened.
Thou hast hated all them that work iniquity; Thou Who knoweth the might of Thy wrath? And out of
shalt destroy all them that speak a lie. fear of Thee, who can recount Thine anger?
A man that is bloody and deceitful shall the Lord So make Thy right hand known to me, and to them
abhor. that in their heart are instructed in wisdom.
But as for me, in the multitude of Thy mercy shall I Return, O Lord; how long? And be Thou entreated
go into Thy house; I shall worship toward Thy holy concerning Thy servants.
temple in fear of Thee. We were filled in the morning with Thy mercy, O
O Lord, guide me in the way of Thy righteousness; Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad.
because of mine enemies, make straight my way before In all our days, let us be glad for the days wherein
Thee, Thou didst humble us, for the years wherein we saw
For in their mouth there is no truth; their heart is evils.
vain. And look upon Thy servants, and upon Thy works,
Their throat is an open sepulchre, with their tongues and do Thou guide their sons.
have they spoken deceitfully; judge them, O God. And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon
Let them fall down on account of their own us, and the works of our hands do Thou guide aright
devisings; according to the multitude of their upon us, yea, the works of our hands do Thou guide
ungodliness, cast them out, for they have embittered aright.
Thee, O Lord.
Psalm 100
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Of mercy and judgement will I sing to Thee, O Lord; Theotokion: What shall we call thee, O thou that art
I will chant and have understanding in a blameless full of grace? Heaven: for thou hast dawned forth the
path. When wilt Thou come unto me? Sun of Righteousness. Paradise: for thou hast
I have walked in the innocence of my heart in the blossomed forth the Flower of Immortality. Virgin: for
midst of my house. thou hast remained incorrupt. Pure Mother: for thou
I have no unlawful thing before mine eyes; the hast held in thy holy embrace the Son, the God of all.
workers of transgressions I have hated. Do thou entreat Him to save our souls.
A crooked heart hath not cleaved unto me; as for the
wicked man who turned from me, I knew him not.
My Steps Do Thou Direct
Him that privily talked against his neighbour did I
drive away from me. My steps do Thou direct according to thy saying, and
With him whose eye was proud and his heart let no iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me
insatiate, I did not eat. from the false accusations of men, and I will keep Thy
Mine eyes were upon the faithful of the land, that commandments. Make Thy face to shine upon Thy
they might sit with me; the man that walked in the servant, and teach me Thy statutes. Let my mouth be
blameless path, he ministered unto me. filled with Thy praise, that I may hymn Thy glory and
The proud doer dwelt not in the midst of my house; Thy majesty all the day long.
the speaker of unjust things prospered not before mine
eyes. Trisagion Prayers
In the morning I slew all the sinners of the land,
utterly to destroy out of the city of the Lord all them Reader: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,
that work iniquity. have mercy on us. Thrice.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot
Thrice. out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy
One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name’s sake.
Lord have mercy. Thrice.
Troparia Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
He readeth the Troparion of the Resurrection — Amen.
Thou didst destroy death by Thy Cross, Thou didst Our Father, Who art in the Heavens, hallowed be Thy
open paradise to the thief. Thou didst change the Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth
lamentation of the Myrrh-bearers, and Thou didst as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and
command Thine Apostles to proclaim that Thou didst forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and
arise, O Christ God, and grantest to the world great lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil
mercy. one.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Priest: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and
Spirit. the glory; of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
He readeth the Troparion of the Entry of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Theotokos into the Temple — Reader: Amen.
Today is the prelude of God’s good will and the
heralding of the salvation of mankind. In the temple of Kontakion
God, the Virgin is presented openly, and she
proclaimeth Christ unto all. To her, then, with a great He readeth the Kontakion of the Entry of the
voice let us cry aloud: Rejoice, O thou fulfillment of Theotokos into the Temple —
the Creator’s dispensation. The most pure temple of the Saviour, the most
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. precious bridal-chamber and Virgin, the sacred
33
treasury of the glory of God, is on this day brought into

the house of the Lord, bringing with her the grace that To Thee, the Champion Leader
is in the Divine Spirit. And the angels of God chant
Chanters: To Thee, the Champion Leader, we Thy
praise unto her: she is the heavenly tabernacle.
servants dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving
Then: as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos: but as
Thou art one with might which is invincible, from all
Lord, have mercy. Forty times.
dangers that can be do Thou deliver us, that we may
cry to Thee: Rejoice, Thou Bride Unwedded!
Prayer of the Hours
Reader: Thou Who at all times and at every hour, in The Dismissal
heaven and on earth, art worshipped and glorified, O
Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ our God and our
Christ God, Who art long-suffering, plenteous in
hope, glory to Thee.
mercy, most compassionate, Who lovest the righteous
and hast mercy on sinners; Who callest all to salvation Chanters: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to
through the promise of good things to come: Receive, the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages
O Lord, our prayers at this hour, and guide our life of ages. Amen.
toward Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, make
chaste our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our
intentions, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil, and Father, bless.
pain. Compass us about with Thy holy angels, that, Priest: May Christ our true God, {Who arose from
guarded and guided by their array, we may attain to the the dead,) through the intercessions of His most pure
unity of the faith and to the knowledge of Thine Mother; of our holy and God-bearing fathers; and of all
unapproachable glory: For blessed art Thou unto the the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is
ages of ages. Amen. good and the Lover of mankind.
Lord, have mercy. Thrice. Chanters: Amen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Here endeth the First Hour
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
More honourable than the cherubim and beyond
compare more glorious than the seraphim; who without
corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very AT THE HOURS
Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
At the 1st & 6th Hours:
In the name of the Lord, father bless.
Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 7)
Priest: God be gracious unto us and bless us, and Thou didst destroy death by Thy Cross, Thou didst
cause Thy face to shine upon us and have mercy on us. open paradise to the thief. Thou didst change the
lamentation of the Myrrh-bearers, and Thou didst
Reader: Amen.
command Thine Apostles to proclaim that Thou didst
arise, O Christ God, and grantest to the world great
Prayer of the First Hour mercy.
Then the priest reads the Prayer of the First Hour in Troparion of the Entry of the Theotokos (Tone 4)
front of the holy doors: Today is the prelude of God’s good will and the
Priest: O Christ, the True Light, Who enlightenest heralding of the salvation of mankind. In the temple of
and sanctifiest every man that cometh into the world: God, the Virgin is presented openly, and she
Let the Light of Thy countenance be signed upon us, proclaimeth Christ unto all. To her, then, with a great
that in it we may see the Unapproachable Light, and voice let us cry aloud: Rejoice, O thou fulfillment of
guide our steps in the doing of Thy commandments, the Creator’s dispensation.
through the intercessions of Thy most pure Mother, Kontakion of the Entry of the Theotokos (Tone 4)
and of all Thy saints. Amen. The most pure temple of the Saviour, the most precious
bridal-chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasury of the
34
glory of God, is on this day brought into the house of 5. Thou wast laid in the tomb as one dead, O Christ,
the Lord, bringing with her the grace that is in the Thou Life of all; and Thou didst break down the gates
Divine Spirit. And the angels of God chant praise unto of hades; and having risen again in glory on the third
her: she is the heavenly tabernacle. day as One mighty, Thou hast illumined all. Glory to
Thine arising!
At the 3rd & 9th Hours: 6. Having risen from the dead on the third day, the
Lord bestowed His peace upon His disciples; and
Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 7)
having blessed them, He sent them forth, saying: Lead
Thou didst destroy death by Thy Cross, Thou didst
all into My kingdom!
open paradise to the thief. Thou didst change the
lamentation of the Myrrh-bearers, and Thou didst 7. O all-pure one, we know thee to be a treasury of
command Thine Apostles to proclaim that Thou didst wisdom and an ever-flowing fountain of grace; and we
arise, O Christ God, and grantest to the world great pray thee: Rain drown drops of knowledge upon us,
mercy. that we may praise thee forever.
Troparion of the Apostles (Tone 3) 8. Being a temple and palace more exalted than the
O holy apostles, entreat the merciful God, that He grant heavens, O all-pure one, thou wast set apart in the
to our souls remission of transgressions. Temple of God to be prepared as a divine dwelling-
place for His advent.
Kontakion of the Resurrection (Tone 7)
No longer will the dominion of death be able to keep 9. Shining with the Light of grace, the Theotokos
men captive, for Christ hath descended, demolishing hath illumined all and assembled them to adorn her
and destroying the powers thereof. Hades is bound; the most splendid festival. Come ye, let us draw nigh to
prophets rejoice with one voice, saying: A Saviour hath her!
come for them that have faith. Come forth, ye faithful,
10. The glorious portal which thoughts cannot pass,
for the Resurrection.
having opened the doors of the Temple of God, doth
now command us that have assembled to delight in her
divine wonders.
AT THE DIVINE LITURGY
The Third Antiphon (The Beatitudes) After the Small Entry, we sing the following troparia
10 Troparia: 6 from the Octoechos and 4 from Ode I of and kontakia:
Canon I of the feast indicated in the Menaion, after Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 7)
‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.’ Thou didst destroy death by Thy Cross, * Thou didst
1. The fruit, which slew me, was beautiful and good open paradise to the thief. * Thou didst change the
to eat; but Christ is the Tree of life, and eating of Him, lamentation of the Myrrh-bearers, * and Thou didst
I do not die, but cry out with the thief: Remember me, command Thine Apostles * to proclaim that Thou didst
O Lord, in Thy kingdom! arise, O Christ God, * and grantest to the world great
mercy.
2. O Compassionate One, Who wast lifted up upon
the Cross, Thou hast erased the record of Adam’s Troparion of the Entry of the Theotokos (Tone 4)
ancient sin, and hast saved the whole human race from Today is the prelude of God’s good will * and the
deception. Wherefore, we hymn Thee, O Lord and heralding of the salvation of mankind. * In the temple
Benefactor. of God, the Virgin is presented openly, * and she
proclaimeth Christ unto all. * To her, then, with a great
3. Thou didst nail our sins to the Cross, O
voice let us cry aloud: * Rejoice, O thou fulfillment *
compassionate Christ, and by Thy death Thou didst
of the Creator’s dispensation.
slay death, O Thou who didst raise up the dead from
among the dead. Wherefore, we worship Thy holy Troparion of the New-Martyr Elizabeth (Tone 4)
resurrection. Causing meekness, humility and love to dwell in thy
soul, * thou didst earnestly serve the suffering, O holy
4. The serpent once poured its venom into the ears of
passion-bearer Princess Elizabeth; * wherefore, with
Eve; but on the tree of the Cross Christ poured forth faith thou didst endure sufferings and death for Christ,
the sweetness of life upon the world. Wherefore, we * with the Martyr Barbara. * Pray with her for all who
cry out: Remember us, O Lord, in Thy kingdom! honour thee with love.
35
Troparion of the Apostles (Tone 3) Chanters: The Lord will give strength unto His
O holy apostles, * entreat the merciful God, * that He people; * the Lord will bless His people with peace.
grant to our souls remission of transgressions.
Prokeimenon, Psalm 18, in Tone VIII
Kontakion of the Resurrection (Tone 7) Reader: And in the Eighth Tone:
No longer will the dominion of death be able to keep Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and
men captive, * for Christ hath descended, demolishing their words unto the ends of the world.
and destroying the powers thereof. * Hades is bound; * Chanters: Their sound hath gone forth into all the
the prophets rejoice with one voice, saying: * A earth, * and their words unto the ends of the world.
Saviour hath come for them that have faith. * Come
forth, ye faithful, for the Resurrection. Epistle of the Sunday, and that of the apostles —
Kontakion of the New-Martyr Elizabeth (Tone 4)
Taking up the Cross of Christ, * thou didst pass from The Reading from the
royal glory to the glory of heaven, * praying for thine Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians,
enemies, O holy martyred Princess Elizabeth; * and §221 [2:14-22]
with the Martyr Barbara thou didst find everlasting joy. Brethren: Christ is our peace, who hath made both one,
* Therefore pray ye in behalf of our souls. and hath broken down the middle wall of partition
between us, having abolished in His flesh the enmity,
Glory… even the law of commandments contained in
Kontakion of the Apostles (Tone 2) ordinances, that He might make in Himself one new
Let us praise the apostles of Christ * — the glorious man out of the two, so making peace, and that He
Philemon, the sacred Archippus, * Onesimus, Mark, might reconcile both unto God in one body by the
and Apollos, * and with them the most wise Apphia — cross, having slain the enmity thereby. He came and
* as most radiant stars illumining the ends of the earth; preached peace to you who were afar off and to those
* and let us cry out: Pray ye unceasingly in behalf of us who were nigh; for through Him we both have access
all! by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore, ye are
strangers and foreigners no more, but fellow citizens
Both now… with the saints, and of the household of God. Ye are
Kontakion of the Entry of the Theotokos (Tone 4) built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
The most pure temple of the Saviour, * the most Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in
precious bridal-chamber and Virgin, * the sacred whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth
treasury of the glory of God, * is on this day brought unto a holy temple in the Lord, in Whom ye also are
into the house of the Lord, * bringing with her the built together for a habitation of God through the
grace that is in the Divine Spirit. * And the angels of Spirit.
God chant praise unto her: * she is the heavenly
tabernacle. Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Philemon,
§302b [1-25]
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our
Prokeimenon of the Sunday, and that of the apostles — brother, Unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow
labourer, and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus
Prokeimenon, Psalm 28, in Tone VII our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy
Deacon: Let us attend. house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father
Priest: Peace be unto all. and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making
Reader: And to thy spirit. mention of thee always in my prayers, having heard of
Deacon: Wisdom! thy love and faith which thou hast toward the Lord
Reader: The Prokeimenon in the Seventh Tone: Jesus and toward all saints, that the communication of
The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging
will bless His people with peace. of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For
Chanters: The Lord will give strength unto His we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because
people; * the Lord will bless His people with peace. the hearts of the saints are refreshed by thee,
Reader: Stichos: Bring unto the Lord, ye sons of brother. Therefore, though I might be bold enough in
God, bring unto the Lord the sons of rams. Christ to enjoin thee to do that which is befitting, yet
for love's sake rather I beseech thee, being such a one
36
as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus The Lord said this parable: ‘The ground of a certain
Christ. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I rich man brought forth plentifully. And he thought
have begotten in my bonds. In time past he was to thee within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, because I
unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me. I am have no room to store my fruits?’ And he said, ‘This
sending him back. Thou therefore receive him, who is will I do. I will pull down my barns and build greater,
mine own heart. I would have retained him with me, and there will I store all my fruits and my goods. And I
that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up
the bonds of the Gospel; but without thy mind would I for many years. Take thine ease; eat, drink, and be
do nothing, that thy goodness should not be, as it were, merry.’ But God said unto him, ‘Thou fool, this night
of necessity but willingly. For perhaps he therefore thy soul shall be required of thee. Then whose shall
departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him those things be, which thou hast provided?’ So is he
back for ever-- not now as a servant, but more than a that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich
servant: as a brother beloved, especially to me, but how toward God.’
much more unto thee, both in the flesh and in the
Lord. If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him Holy Gospel according to Luke,
as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee §50 [10:1-15]
aught, put that on mine account. I, Paul, have written At that time, the Lord also appointed Seventy other
this with mine own hand: I will repay it; albeit I do not Disciples of His, and sent them two by two ahead of
say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own Him into every city and place whither He Himself
self besides. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in would come. Therefore He said unto them, ‘The
the Lord; refresh my soul in the Lord. Having harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; pray ye
confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send
knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. But forth labourers into His harvest. Go your ways; behold,
besides prepare me also a lodging, for I trust that I send you forth as lambs among wolves, carrying
through your prayers I shall be given unto you. There neither purse, nor pack, nor shoes; and salute no man
salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first
Jesus; also Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ And if the son of peace
fellow labourers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be be there, your peace shall rest upon it; if not, it shall
with your spirit. Amen. return to you again. And in the same house remain,
eating and drinking such things as they give, for the
Alleluia of the Sunday, and that of the apostles — labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to
house. And into whatsoever city ye enter and they
Alleluia, Psalm 92, in Tone VII receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And
Deacon: Wisdom! heal the sick that are therein and say unto them, ‘The
Reader: Alleluia in the Seventh Tone: Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.’ But into
Reader: Stichos: It is good to give praise unto the whatsoever city ye enter and they receive you not, go
Lord, and to chant unto Thy name, O Most High. your ways out into the streets of the same and
Chanters: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! say, ‘Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth
Reader: Stichos: To proclaim in the morning Thy on us, we do wipe off against you. Notwithstanding, be
mercy, and Thy truth by night. ye sure of this: that the Kingdom of God is come nigh
Chanters: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! unto you.’ But I say unto you that it shall be more
tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city. Woe
Alleluia, Psalm 88, in Tone I unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if
Reader: And in the First Tone: the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon,
Stichos: The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O which have been done in you, they would have a great
Lord, and Thy truth in the congregation of saints. while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But
Chanters: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the
Judgment than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which
Gospel of the Sunday, and that of the apostles — art exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down to hell.’
The Reading from the Instead of ‘It is truly meet . . .’ we chant the Irmos of
Holy Gospel according to Luke, Ode IX of the Canon I of the feast, in Tone IV —
§66 [12:16-21]
37
Refrain: The angels beholding the entry of the most hath manifestly appeared in the temple of God, * and
pure one * were stuck with wonder, seeing how the proclaimeth Christ unto all. * To her let us cry aloud: *
Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies. Rejoice, O thou fulfillment * of the Creator’s
Irmos: Let no profane hand touch the living Ark of dispensation!
God, * but let the lips of the faithful, * chanting
Kontakion of the Entry of the Theotokos (Tone 4)
unceasingly the words of the angel to the Theotokos, *
The most pure temple of the Saviour, * the precious
and cry out with joy: * Truly art thou high above all, O
bridal chamber and Virgin, * the sacred treasury of the
pure Virgin.
glory of God, * is on this day brought into the house of
the Lord, * bringing with her the grace that is in the
Communion Verse: Praise the Lord from the heavens,
divine Spirit. * To her do the angels of God chant the
praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)
hymn: * She is the heavenly tabernacle!
Another: Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth,
and their words unto the ends of the world. (Psalm
18:4) Instead of ‘It is truly meet . . .’ we chant the Irmos of
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Ode IX of the Canon I of the feast, in Tone IV —
Refrain: The angels beholding the entry of the all-
pure one, * were amazed to see the Virgin enter into
the Holy of holies.
1. Horologion translation: Irmos: May the hands of the profane in nowise touch
the Theotokos, * the animate ark of God, * but let the
Troparion of the Entry of the Theotokos (Tone 4)
lips of the faithful, * unceasingly chanting the cry of
Today is the prelude of God’s good will * and the
the angel, joyfully cry out: * Truly thou art more
heralding of the salvation of mankind. * In the temple
highly exalted than all, O pure Virgin!
of God, the Virgin is presented openly, * and she
proclaimeth Christ unto all. * To her, then, with a great
voice let us cry aloud: * Rejoice, O thou fulfillment * Octoechos Translation:
of the Creator’s dispensation. Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 7)
Kontakion of the Entry of the Theotokos (Tone 4) By Thy Cross Thou didst destroy death, * Thou didst
The most pure temple of the Saviour, * the most open paradise to the thief. * Thou didst transform the
precious bridal-chamber and Virgin, * the sacred lamentation of the myrrh-bearing women [into joy], *
treasury of the glory of God, * is on this day brought and didst command Thine apostles * to proclaim that
into the house of the Lord, * bringing with her the Thou, O Christ God, hast arisen * granting great mercy
grace that is in the Divine Spirit. * And the angels of to the world.
God chant praise unto her: * she is the heavenly Kontakion of the Resurrection (Tone 7)
tabernacle. No longer is the might of death able to hold men, * for
Christ descended, crushing and breaking its power. *
Instead of ‘It is truly meet . . .’ we chant the Irmos of Hades is bound, * and the prophets rejoice together,
Ode IX of the Canon I of the feast, in Tone IV — saying: * ‘The Saviour appeared to those with faith,
Refrain: The angels beholding the entry of the most [exclaiming]: * “Come forth, ye faithful, unto the
pure one * were stuck with wonder, seeing how the resurrection!”’
Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies.
Irmos: Let no profane hand touch the living Ark of
God, * but let the lips of the faithful, * chanting Note: This Compilation is designed to give the
unceasingly the words of the angel to the Theotokos, * worshipper the text of the service that is being sung in
and cry out with joy: * Truly art thou high above all, O church so that he or she may attentively follow the
pure Virgin. service in church, or read it at home when it is not
possible to get to church. These texts may not be
further reproduced, beyond printing out a single copy
2. Menaion translation: for personal non-commercial use.
Troparion of the Entry of the Theotokos (Tone 4) Those who use these services are urged, whenever
Today is the prelude of God’s good will * and the possible, to purchase the published works listed below,
proclamation of the salvation of men. * The Virgin from which this work was compiled. The great effort
needed to translate, edit, and print English language
38
translations of the rich liturgical heritage of the

Orthodox Church, not to mention the sacrificial
financial investment in producing these volumes, ought
to be supported by Orthodox parishes, clergy, and
faithful by their purchase of these books from their
publishers.
This work is a compilation of four sources:
The Horologion texts are taken from The
Unabbreviated Horologion, Second Edition, translated
from the Church Slavonic by Rassaphore Monk
Lawrence [later Monk John] (Campbell), and
published by Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, New
York, in 1999.
The texts of the Octoechos are from The Octoechos:
The Hymns of the Cycle of the Eight Tones for
Sundays and Weekdays, translated from the Church
Slavonic by the Reader Isaac Lambertsen, and
published in 4 volumes by the St John of Kronstadt
Press in 1999-2000.
The Menaion texts are from The Menaion of the
Orthodox Church, Second Edition, translated from the
Church Slavonic by the Reader Isaac Lambertsen, and
published in 12 volumes by the St John of Kronstadt
Press in 2003-2012.
Please note that the above works all use the
translation the psalms in The Psalter According to the
Seventy, © Copyright Holy Transfiguration Monastery,
Brookline, Massachusetts, used by permission. All
rights reserved. This work may not be further
reproduced, beyond printing out a single copy for
personal non-commercial use, without the prior
written authorization of Holy Transfiguration
Monastery.
The translation used for Epistle and Gospel Readings
is taken from The Third Millennium Bible: New
Authorized Version of the Holy Bible, published by
Third Millennium Publications, A division of Deuel
Enterprises, Inc., of Gary, South Dakota. The Third
Millennium Bible (TMB) is a 1998 minor update of the
Authorised (King James) Version of the Bible. Unlike
the New King James Version, it does not alter the
language significantly from the 1611 version, retaining
Jacobean grammar, but it does attempt to replace
some of the vocabulary which no longer would make
sense to a modern reader.
Revised 17 / 30 September 2020.
39

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THE TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (Tone VII)

Afterfeast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple

THE GREAT ECTENIA Deacon: For seasonable weather, abundance of the

Deacon: That we may be delivered from all

Melody ‘When from the Tree... ‘ — Dogmatic Theotokion, Tone VII —

THE PRAYER OF ST SYMEON

The Evlogitaria of the Resurrection

* Through the Holy Spirit cometh the well-spring of

Chanters: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be

Chanters: Lord, have mercy. [No Ikos]

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and

Canon of the Saints, in Tone II

Deacon: That we may complete the remaining time Deacon: Wisdom!

treasury of the glory of God, is on this day brought into

translations of the rich liturgical heritage of the

Revised 17 / 30 September 2020.

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