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Octoechos - Grave Mode.

On Sunday Morning

Menaion - November 21

Sunday after the Feast

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MATINS

CHOIR

Grave Mode.

God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.

Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Grave Mode.

You destroyed death by Your Cross, You opened Paradise to the Robber. You turned the Myrrh-bearing Women’s lament into joy, and You commanded Your Apostles to preach that You rose, O Christ God, granting the world the great mercy. [GOASD]

Glory. Repeat.

You destroyed death by Your Cross, You opened Paradise to the Robber. You turned the Myrrh-bearing Women’s lament into joy, and You commanded Your Apostles to preach that You rose, O Christ God, granting the world the great mercy. [GOASD]

Both now.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Today is the prelude of God’s good pleasure, and the proclamation of humanity’s salvation. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and in herself she announces Christ to all. Let us, then, with a great voice cry aloud to her: “Rejoice, you are the fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.” [SD]

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Kathisma I.

From Octoechos - - -

Grave Mode.

Life was placed in the sepulcher, and a seal was placed on the stone. The soldiers were guarding Christ like a sleeping king. The Angels glorified Him as their immortal God. And the women cried aloud, “The Lord has risen, and He has granted to the world the great mercy.” [GOASD]

Glory.

While You were buried for three days, You devastated death. You brought life to humanity, which had been destroyed; and when You rose, You resurrected it, O Christ God, as the benevolent Savior. Glory to You! [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Both now. For the Feast.

Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

The feeder of our Life, now an infant in body, * the offspring of the just Joachim and Anna, * is offered to God today in the holy Sanctuary. * She was blessed therein by the priest Zacharias. * Therefore let us all, with faith, proclaim she is blessed,* for she is the Mother of the Lord. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma II.

Grave Mode.

The tomb being sealed, You rose from the sepulcher, O Christ God, the Life. And the doors being shut, You came to the disciples, O resurrection of all. Through them You renew a right spirit within us, according to Your great mercy. [GOASD]

Glory.

In tears, the women ran to the tomb, bringing ointments. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us?” For You, the King of all, were guarded by soldiers. Then they heard the angelic voice addressing them, “The Angel of great Counsel has trampled death, and He has risen!” O almighty Lord, glory to You! [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Both now. For the Feast.

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

Consecrated unto God * were you before you were conceived; * being born on earth, to Him * you now are offered as a gift, * O pure one, filling the promise made by your parents. * In purity returned unto the Temple divine * from infancy with lamps brightly shining, in truth * you were a temple divine and a vessel * of the divine unapproachable Light. * How truly great is your sacred entrance, * O only ever-virgin Bride of God. [SD]

Resurrectional Evlogetaria.

Mode pl. 1.

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

When the hosts of the Angels saw how You were accounted among the dead, they all marveled. You, O Savior, are the One who destroyed the might of death; and when You arose You raised Adam with yourself and from Hades liberated everyone. [SD]

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

“Why do you mingle the ointments with your tears full of pity, O women disciples?” Thus the Angel who was shining in the tomb cried to the myrrh-bearing women. “See for yourselves the empty tomb and understand, that the Savior has risen from the sepulcher.”

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

Very early in the morning, the myrrh-bearing women were hastening to Your tomb lamenting. But the Angel appeared to them and uttered, “The time for lamentation has ended; weep no more. Go announce the Resurrection to the Apostles.”

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

When the myrrh-bearing women had come with their spices to Your sepulcher, O Savior, they heard the voice of an Angel clearly speaking to them, “Why do you account among the dead the One who lives? For as God, He has risen from the sepulcher.”

Glory.

We bow down in worship to the Father and His Son and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, one in essence; and we cry aloud with the Seraphim: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord.

Both now.

Giving birth to the Giver of life, O Virgin, you delivered Adam from sin, and to Eve you have rendered joy in place of sorrow. He who from you became incarnate, God and man, has directed to life him who fell from it.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

READER

From Octoechos - - -

Hypakoe. Grave Mode.

O Christ God, who took our form and bodily endured the Cross, save me by Your resurrection, O benevolent Lord. [GOASD]

CHOIR

Anavathmoi.

Antiphon 1. Grave Mode.

You returned the captives of Zion from their wandering. As for me, enliven me, and free me from captivity to passions. [GOASD]

In the south those who sow afflictions with tears and with fasting will reap the sheaves of joy, the staff of life everlasting. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

In the Holy Spirit is the source of divine treasures. From Him is wisdom, understanding, and fear. To Him praise is due, glory, honor and dominion. [GOASD]

Antiphon 2.

Unless the Lord builds the house of the soul, we labor in vain; for without Him no action or word is accomplished. [GOASD]

Moved by the Spirit, the saints produce the Father’s dogmas about the sonship of the fruit of the womb. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

In the Holy Spirit, the universe has its existence. For He is God before all, universal lordship, unapproachable light, and the life of all. [GOASD]

Antiphon 3.

Those who fear the Lord and find the ways of life, both now and ever will be called blessed, for having immortal glory. [GOASD]

As you see your offspring like olive trees around your table, rejoice and be glad, chief shepherd, as you bring them to Christ. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

In the Holy Spirit is an ocean of divine gifts, a wealth of glory, a great depth of judgments; He is identical in glory to the Father and the Son, and therefore to be worshiped. [GOASD]

Prokeimenon.

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hand be lifted high, and do not forget Your poor to the end. (2)

Verse: I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with my whole heart.

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hand be lifted high, and do not forget Your poor to the end. [SAAS]

Eothinon Gospel (Not EP / GOA)

Stand for the Gospel reading.

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Mode 2.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

PRIEST

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

DEACON: Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST (from the altar table)

Eothinon 2

Mark. 16:1 – 8

When the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

READER

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death. [GOA]

CHOIR

Psalm 50 (51).

Mode 2. (or the Mode of the week)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.

Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me.

Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged.

For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me.

Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom.

You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow.

You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice.

Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit.

I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness.

O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.

For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings.

A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise.

Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.

Then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings.

Then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. And have mercy on me, O God. [SAAS]

Glory.

At the intercession of the Apostles, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]

Both now.

At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]

Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.

Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy. [SD]

PRIEST

O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies:

through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasius, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalampus and Eleutherius, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Catherine, Kyriaki, Photini, Marina, Paraskevi and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints:

We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (12)

PRIEST

Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Ode 1: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode i. Grave Mode. Heirmos.

Νεύσει σοῦ πρὸς γεώδη.

Lord, at Your divine signal, the fluid streams of the Red Sea * became solid walls, as they were held back by a mighty wind. * Israel passed over dry-shod; * and they sang the victory song unto You, O God. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The tyranny of death has been judged through a tree, O Savior, * for You, Lord, had been condemned to unjust death and crucified. * Therefore the ruler of darkness * justly was cast out, having no power over You. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Hades with death assaulted You, but its teeth had no power * to shatter Your sinless body, but instead its jaws were crushed. * When You, O Lord, loosed and ended * pangs of death, You rose within three days, O Savior Christ. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Loosed are the pain and sorrow of Eve our ancestral mother. * For you without seed conceived and gave birth without labor pains. * Knowing from this, O all-pure one, * that you are the Mother of God, we all glorify you. [SD]

Ode 1: Menaion: Canon-2

Canon 2 of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. An anthem of victory.

ᾨδὴν ἐπινίκιον.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Today let us run unto the Theotokos * and honor in canticles * and together celebrate * her sacred spiritual feast. * For in the Temple she is offered as a gift to God. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

The glorious coming out of God’s Birthgiver * with odes let us now extol. * For she is prophetically, * as a temple of God, * unto the Temple offered as a precious gift today. [SD]

Glory.

As Anna the irreproachable did offer * a mother’s most precious gift * in the Temple unto God * she was exceedingly glad. * And Joakeim with her together brightly celebrates. [SD]

Both now.

The forefather David did of old extol you, * O Virgin and Bride of God, * in the Psalter calling you * the daughter of Christ the King, * Whom you gave birth to and maternally did nurse as a babe. [SD]

Ode 1: Katavasia

Ode i. Katavasia. Mode 1.

Christ is born! Glorify Him! * Christ is come from heaven! Go and meet Him! * Christ is on earth! Arise to Him! * Sing to the Lord, all you inhabitants of earth, and all you peoples, praise Him, * and with merriment extol Him who is glorified! [GOASD]

Ode 3: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode iii. Grave Mode. Heirmos.

Ὁ κατʼ ἀρχὰς τοὺς οὐρανούς.

First You established by Your Word, by Your omnipotent Logos, * the heavens, O Savior, and You made * all their host by Your divine omnificent Spirit, as the breath of Your mouth. * I pray You, on the unshaken rock of Your confession, Lord, establish me. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Merciful Savior, You went up onto the Cross and You suffered * pains and sorrows willingly for us. * The wound that You bore became the cause of peace and of salvation for us all; * and by it we the believers have been reconciled to Your Father, O Christ. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The dragon bit my soul of old; it caused a wound that had festered. * You have disinfected it, O Christ. * When I had been dwelling in the darkness and corruption, You showed me the light; * for You descended to Hades through the Cross, and with yourself You raised me up. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

O Savior Christ, at the entreaties of Your ever-virgin Mother, * give the world the precious prize of peace; * keep our country safe from foreign enemies and from ungodliness within; * grant Your ineffable glory to us who extol You and sing glory to You. [SD]

Ode 3: Menaion: Canon-2

Canon 2 of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. Firmly established be my hear.

Στερεωθήτω ἡ καρδία μου.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Let us who love the feasts now celebrate; * let us all in spirit sing hymns of praise * as we exult and raise our song for the holy feast on this day * to the Daughter of our King and Lord; * the Mother of our one God. [RB]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Today, O Joachim, be overjoyed; * Anna, in your spirit be radiant, * for to the Lord you offer Mary, your daughter, but three years old, * as a pure victim for sacrifice, * all-holy and all-blameless. [RB]

Glory.

The Theotokos Mary, the Dwelling-place of God, ⁄ three years old according to the flesh, ⁄ is offered in the holy Temple, ⁄ and the virgins, her companions, ⁄ go before her with lamps in their hands. [OCA]

Both now.

The spotless ewe lamb of God, ⁄ the dove without blemish, ⁄ the tabernacle that is to hold God, ⁄ the sanctuary of glory, ⁄ has chosen to dwell in the holy Temple. [OCA]

Ode 3: Katavasia

Ode iii. Katavasia. Mode 1.

To the Son, begotten from the Father unchangingly before the ages, * and now becoming incarnate from the Virgin without seed; * to Christ God let us cry aloud, * “You have exalted the horn of our strength. * Only You are holy, O Lord!” [GOASD]

Ode 3: Short Litany

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Secondary Kontakion

READER

From Menaion - - -

Kontakion of the Feast.

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

The Savior’s most pure and immaculate temple, the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God, on this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A heavenly tabernacle is she. [SD]

Mid-Ode Kathisma or Hypakoe

CHOIR

Kathisma.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

Shout, O David, and declare: * What is this present feast? * Here is she, whom you extolled * in the inspired book of Psalms, * as a daughter and child of God and Virgin, * saying that virgins shall be brought * to the King mystically, * her neighbors shall be led * with joy and gladness to Him. * Now with your words add to the splendor of this feast day, * which is observed throughout the world by those who cry: * The Theotokos, who brought salvation, * has come to us in the Temple. [SD]

Ode 4: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode iv. Grave Mode. Heirmos.

Ὁ Πατρικοὺς κόλπους.

O Christ our God, You did not depart * Your Father’s bosom when You descended to the earth. * I have heard about the mystery of Your plan to save us all, * and I glorify You, O benevolent Lord. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Giving His back willingly to whips, * the Lord, incarnate of the Virgin, physically felt * painful torments, being innocent, * as Master dismissing all accusations of sin against me His slave. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The One who stood trial and was judged * guilty by judges who were not keeping their own laws, * and was also struck with a hand of clay, * is the One who fashioned man, * being God, who righteously judges the earth. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Being in truth Mother of our God, * implore your Maker and your Son on my behalf, * that He steer me to His glorious will, * my soul to an anchorage, * that is my salvation, O all-blameless one. [SD]

Ode 4: Menaion: Canon-2

Canon 2 of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

Ἐν Πνεύματι προβλέπων.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Isaiah of the prophets, now prophesy to us: * who is then the Virgin that conceives and bears a Son? * She is the one who comes forth from the root of Judah * born as she was from the great lineage of King David: * the most glorious fruit of a holy seed. [RB]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

O virgins wise and waiting, begin to sing your hymns;    * hold aloft your brilliant lamps to offer now your praise * of the pure Mother of God’s grand procession today; * she enters into the Lord’s own most holy Temple. * Celebrate with us this great holy feast! [RB]

Glory.

Rejoice, Joachim and Anna! ⁄ Now you present your daughter to the Lord in the Temple ⁄ as a three-year-old victim of sacrifice, ⁄ who shall be the pure Mother of Christ our God, ⁄ the King of all. [OCA]

Both now.

You delight to dwell in the holy Temple, ⁄ yourself the venerable Holy of Holies, ⁄ and you abide in converse with the angels, Virgin, ⁄ receiving bread most marvelously from heaven, nourisher of our Life. [OCA]

Ode 4: Katavasia

Ode iv. Katavasia. Mode 1.

A rod has come forth from Jesse’s root, * and You its flower grew from it, praiseworthy Christ, now born of the Virgin, * whom Habakkuk called Paran, shady, thickly wooded mountain. * From her who knew no man You came incarnate, O immaterial God. * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [GOASD]

Ode 5: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode v. Grave Mode. Heirmos.

Νὺξ ἀφεγγής.

For unbelievers, delight is dark night; * but for believers, the light is in delighting in Your words, O Christ. * And so I rise early in the morning to sing in praise of Your divinity. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

For us Your slaves, You were paid for, O Christ, * and You endured to be struck, * which led to liberty for us who sing, * “I rise early in the morning to sing in praise of Your divinity.” [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Savior Christ, by Your power as God, * and through the weakness of flesh, You beat the strong man, namely the devil; * and You have shown that I am victorious over death, by resurrecting me. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

O Mother pure, you gave birth to our God. * He was incarnate of you in a manner befitting God. * You knew no man, O all-lauded Virgin, yet by the Holy Spirit you conceived. [SD]

Ode 5: Menaion: Canon-2

Canon 2 of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

Τὸ φαεινὸν ἡμῖν ἑξανάτειλον.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Let us the faithful who believe rightly now form a most joyful choir, * let us gather with our lamps in hand glorifying God’s own Mother; * she comes now before the Lord, * a sacrifice most fitting. [RB]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Lady, let the forefathers rejoice exceedingly today, ⁄ and let her who bore you celebrate with your father: ⁄ for their fruit is led to the Lord. [OCA]

Glory.

Let us all celebrate in faith, ⁄ singing the praises of the glorious and undefiled Maiden of many names ⁄ for she conceived in the flesh ⁄ the divine victim and sacrificial offering. [OCA]

Both now.

The contract of your betrothal, pure Virgin, ⁄ the ineffable divine tokens of your motherhood ⁄ are written today by the Holy Spirit ⁄ in the House of God. [OCA]

Ode 5: Katavasia

Ode v. Katavasia. Mode 1.

O God of peace and Father of mercies, * You have sent to us the Wonderful Counselor, * the Angel of Your great counsel, granting us peace. * And now to light of knowledge of God we have been guided, * and we rise from night to dawn and glorify You, O benevolent Lord. [GOASD]

Ode 6: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode vi. Grave Mode. Heirmos.

Ναυτιῶν τῷ σάλῳ.

I was feeling nauseous from mundane tempestuous worries. * My sins, as if shipmates, threw me overboard into the maw of the beast that devours souls. * Now, like Prophet Jonah, I am praying, * “From this deathly Pit bring up my life, O Christ my God.” [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The souls of the righteous, shut up in the belly of Hades, * remembered You, even as they were fainting. * Like Prophet Jonah they prayed for deliverance, * which, being compassionate, You granted, * when You went yourself into the netherworld, O Christ. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Your Apostles lost hope that they would again see the living * temple of Your body not made by human hands, * which, as they thought, was destroyed by Your sufferings. * Then beyond all hope they saw You risen; * and when they had worshiped You, they preached You everywhere. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Bride of God and Virgin, no human is able to explain * the manner of your all blameless childbirth * for our salvation, for it is ineffable. * Uniting with you, the divine Logos * became flesh from you and yet remained uncircumscribed. [SD]

Ode 6: Menaion: Canon-2

Canon 2 of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

Τὸν Προφήτην Ἰωνᾶν.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Come, o faithful, let us keep the pure Virgin’s holy feast * spirits lifted high, and singing her praises faithfully, for she truly * is well and truly holier than heav’n’s ranks. [RB]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

With our voices, let us praise the pure Mother of the Light; * let us sing our odes and hymns for today to us she is made manifest * while ent’ring into the holy Temple of God. [RB]

Glory.

The ewe-lamb without blemish, ⁄ the pure dove is brought as an offering to dwell in the House of God: ⁄ the undefiled Virgin who was fore-ordained to become the Mother of God. [OCA]

Both now.

The Temple of God, ⁄ the heavenly Tabernacle, ⁄ fulfilled her entry into the Temple of the Law, ⁄ and from her the Light has shone on us who are in darkness. [OCA]

Ode 6: Katavasia

Ode vi. Katavasia. Mode 1.

Jonah long ago * was hurled from the belly of the whale as he went in, like a newborn babe. * With the Virgin now, * when the Logos had dwelt in His Mother’s womb, * taking flesh, He then emerged, preserving her intact.* Yielding not to changeability, * He preserved her unaltered in childbirth. [GOASD]

Ode 6: Short Litany

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Principal Kontakion and Synaxarion

READER

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Kontakion.

No longer will the power of death be able to detain human beings. For Christ went down and crushed it and destroyed all its forces. Hades is shackled, and the Prophets in unison rejoice and proclaim, “The Savior has come to those in darkness. Come out now, believers, to the resurrection!” [GOASD]

Oikos.

The netherworld below was trembling today, Hades and death, before One of the Trinity. Earth shook, and when they saw You, the doorkeepers of Hades quaked. Now all creation, along with the Prophets, rejoices and sings You an ode of triumph, O God our redeemer, who now destroyed the force of death. And let us shout aloud to Adam and his descendants, “A tree brought him in. Come out now, believers, to the resurrection!” [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On November 23 we commemorate our father among the saints Amphilochios, Bishop of Iconium.

On this day we also commemorate our father among the saints Gregory, Bishop of the Akragantian Church.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Sisinios the Martyr.

On this day the holy Bishop Ischyrion died in peace.

On this day Saint Helenos, Bishop of Tarsus, died in peace.

A very edifying account of a vision of a certain John.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Ode 7: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode vii. Grave Mode. Heirmos.

Κάμινον Παῖδες.

The fiery furnace turned moist and dew-laden, when the Servants were cast therein, * and they extolled the one God, and they sang to Him, * “O highly exalted God of our fathers and exceedingly glorious.” [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Adam was slain through a tree, for he acted in disobedience willfully. * He was refashioned by Christ’s full obedience; * for the highly glorified Son of God was crucified on a tree for me. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

When You arose from the tomb, all creation extolled You, Christ, highly glorified. * To those in Hades You brought forth eternal life, * resurrection to the dead; and on those who sat in darkness You shined the light. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Rejoice, O daughter of Adam the mortal! Rejoice, unique virgin Bride of God! * Rejoice! Through you has corruption been ostracized. * Truly you gave birth to God. O pure Lady, implore your Son to save us all. [SD]

Ode 7: Menaion: Canon-2

Canon 2 of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

Ἡ κάμινος Σωτὴρ ἐδροσίζετο.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Exulting in the joy of the feast today, * we rightly honor Anna and Joachim, * singing our praise to the Virgin, the immaculate one. [RB]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Let David in the Spirit now prophesy that virgins, daughter, shall be brought after you; * they shall be brought to the temple * to the Mother and Queen. [RB]

Glory.

The ranks of angels exceedingly rejoiced ⁄ and the souls of the righteous were glad ⁄ as the Mother of God was led into the Sanctuary. [OCA]

Both now.

The all-pure Mary rejoiced in body and spirit, ⁄ dwelling as a sacred vessel in the Temple of the Lord. [OCA]

Ode 7: Katavasia

Ode vii. Katavasia. Mode 1.

Brought up together piously, the Servants * with contempt regarded the impious king’s decree. * The threat of the furnace did not frighten them. * Rather, standing in the midst of flames, they prayed and sang, * “Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers!” [GOASD]

Ode 8: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode viii. Grave Mode. Heirmos.

Ἄφλεκτος πυρί.

Unconsumed by fire was the burning bush on Sinai, * revealing God to Prophet Moses, who was weak in speech and slow of tongue. * And zeal for God kept the three Young Men unscathed by fire and led them to compose the hymn: * “O all you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

When the Lamb of God, who is rational and spotless, * was slaughtered for the world, He ended sacrifice according to the Law, * for He is God without sin, and thus He purified the world, which now forever sings: * “O all you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Prior to His Passion, our flesh that our Creator assumed was not incorruptible. * After His suffering and rising, it was rendered inaccessible to corruption; * it renews mortals who sing to Him: * “O all you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Since you were most pure and all-blameless, holy Virgin, * the Lord was born of you, and He washed away the unsightly filth of the world. * All-pure Mother, therefore we call you the cause of our reconciliation to God. * All generations now bless you, O Virgin Theotokos, * and exalt you beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SD]

Ode 8: Menaion: Canon-2

Canon 2 of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

Ὃν φρίττουσιν Ἄγγελοι.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Today Joachim is bright with joy and celebrates, * and without reproval Anna offers to the Lord * the sacrifice giv’n her * as the angel foretold and as Anna promised: her holy, all-pure daughter. [RB]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Saints David and Jesse now most joyfully exult * and Judah is filled to overflowing with good pride. * For from their root a branch * has sprung forth: the pure Virgin from whom our God, pre-eternal, is to be born. [RB]

Glory.

Today Mary, the undefiled and living Tabernacle, ⁄ is offered up in the House of God, ⁄ and Zachariah receives her in his hands ⁄ as a holy treasure of the Lord. [OCA]

Both now.

As a gate of salvation, spiritual mountain and living ladder, ⁄ let us faithful honor the true Virgin and Theotokos ⁄ who is blessed by the hands of the priests. [OCA]

Ode 8: Katavasia

Ode viii. Katavasia. Mode 1.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Babylon’s bedewing furnace bore the image of an extraordinary wonder. * For it did not burn the youths it was holding, * nor did the fire of Divinity consume the Virgin’s womb wherein it went. * And so let us songfully extol and praise, * “Let all creation bless the Lord, sing a hymn to Him, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [GOASD]

Kontakia and Synaxarion

READER

From Menaion - - -

Kontakion of the Feast.

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

The Savior’s most pure and immaculate temple, the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God, on this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A heavenly tabernacle is she. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Kontakion.

No longer will the power of death be able to detain human beings. For Christ went down and crushed it and destroyed all its forces. Hades is shackled, and the Prophets in unison rejoice and proclaim, “The Savior has come to those in darkness. Come out now, believers, to the resurrection!” [GOASD]

Oikos.

The netherworld below was trembling today, Hades and death, before One of the Trinity. Earth shook, and when they saw You, the doorkeepers of Hades quaked. Now all creation, along with the Prophets, rejoices and sings You an ode of triumph, O God our redeemer, who now destroyed the force of death. And let us shout aloud to Adam and his descendants, “A tree brought him in. Come out now, believers, to the resurrection!” [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On November 23 we commemorate our father among the saints Amphilochios, Bishop of Iconium.

On this day we also commemorate our father among the saints Gregory, Bishop of the Akragantian Church.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Sisinios the Martyr.

On this day the holy Bishop Ischyrion died in peace.

On this day Saint Helenos, Bishop of Tarsus, died in peace.

A very edifying account of a vision of a certain John.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Katavasias Odes 1-8

CHOIR

Katavasias of Christmas I

Ode i. Mode 1.

Christ is born! Glorify Him! * Christ is come from heaven! Go and meet Him! * Christ is on earth! Arise to Him! * Sing to the Lord, all you inhabitants of earth, and all you peoples, praise Him, * and with merriment extol Him who is glorified! [GOASD]

Ode iii.

To the Son, begotten from the Father unchangingly before the ages, * and now becoming incarnate from the Virgin without seed; * to Christ God let us cry aloud, * “You have exalted the horn of our strength. * Only You are holy, O Lord!” [GOASD]

Ode iv.

A rod has come forth from Jesse’s root, * and You its flower grew from it, praiseworthy Christ, now born of the Virgin, * whom Habakkuk called Paran, shady, thickly wooded mountain. * From her who knew no man You came incarnate, O immaterial God. * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [GOASD]

Ode v.

O God of peace and Father of mercies, * You have sent to us the Wonderful Counselor, * the Angel of Your great counsel, granting us peace. * And now to light of knowledge of God we have been guided, * and we rise from night to dawn and glorify You, O benevolent Lord. [GOASD]

Ode vi.

Jonah long ago * was hurled from the belly of the whale as he went in, like a newborn babe. * With the Virgin now, * when the Logos had dwelt in His Mother’s womb, * taking flesh, He then emerged, preserving her intact.* Yielding not to changeability, * He preserved her unaltered in childbirth. [GOASD]

Ode vii.

Brought up together piously, the Servants * with contempt regarded the impious king’s decree. * The threat of the furnace did not frighten them. * Rather, standing in the midst of flames, they prayed and sang, * “Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers!” [GOASD]

Ode viii.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Babylon’s bedewing furnace bore the image of an extraordinary wonder. * For it did not burn the youths it was holding, * nor did the fire of Divinity consume the Virgin’s womb wherein it went. * And so let us songfully extol and praise, * “Let all creation bless the Lord, sing a hymn to Him, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [GOASD]

Eothinon Gospel (EP / GOA)

Stand for the Gospel reading.

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Mode 2.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

PRIEST

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

DEACON: Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST (from the altar table)

Eothinon 2

Mark. 16:1 – 8

When the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

READER

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death. [GOA]

CHOIR

Psalm 50 (51).

Mode 2. (or the Mode of the week)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.

Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me.

Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged.

For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me.

Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom.

You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow.

You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice.

Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit.

I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness.

O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.

For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings.

A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise.

Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.

Then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings.

Then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. And have mercy on me, O God. [SAAS]

Glory.

At the intercession of the Apostles, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]

Both now.

At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]

Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.

Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy. [SD]

PRIEST

O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies:

through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasius, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalampus and Eleutherius, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Catherine, Kyriaki, Photini, Marina, Paraskevi and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints:

We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (12)

PRIEST

Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

CHOIR

Magnificat: Mode of Canon

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Grave Mode.

Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Ode 9: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode ix. Grave Mode. Heirmos.

Μὴ τῆς φθορᾶς.

When you conceived, you experienced no deflowerment. * You lent your flesh to the Logos, through whom all things were made. * Therefore we magnify you, Virgin Theotokos, * Mother who knew no man, space and holder of your Maker, who is uncontainable and infinite. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

All you professors of doctrines that are not Orthodox, * who to the Godhead attribute suffering, shut your mouths! * He is the Lord of glory, crucified in body, * but not in divine nature. And so we magnify Him in natures two, the one hypostasis. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Go to the tomb of the Savior, all you who would reject * the resurrection of bodies, and be instructed there. * See that the flesh of Christ the Life-giver, which truly had died, has truly risen, * confirming thus the final resurrection, for which we surely hope. [SD]

Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

For the Trinity.

Not in a Triad of godheads but of hypostases, * not in a Monad of persons but of Divinity, do we believe. * We cut off those who would divide It, * and mix together all who would attribute confusion to the Trinity, which we magnify. [SD]

Ode 9: Menaion: Canon-2

Canon 2 of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. The cloud that radiates.

Τὴν φωτοφόρον νεφέλην.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Mary who bore a divine Son * was born herself to the holy * and righteous Joachim and Anne * as the fruit of a promise. * Now as an infant in the flesh * they offer her as incense acceptable * for to dwell in the holies * of the holy Temple as a holy Maid. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

She is by nature an infant * who in a way passing nature * will be the Mother of her God. * Let us therefore extol her. * For she is offered to the Lord * in the Temple according to the Law today, * for a sweet-smelling savor, * as the spiritual fruit of the righteous pair. [SD]

Glory.

Let us believers salute now * the Theotokos and cry out * with the Archangel, “Rejoice!” * Rejoice, O Bride, fine and lovely; * rejoice, O brightly shining cloud, * from which has the Lord of all shone forth to us, * who were sitting in the darkness * of ignorance; rejoice, the hope of all. [SD]

Both now.

All creation joins the angel Gabriel, ⁄ crying out to the Theotokos in fitting song: ⁄ Rejoice, undefiled Mother of God! ⁄ Through you we have been delivered from the ancient curse ⁄ and become partakers of incorruption. [OCA]

Magnificat: Mode of Katavasia

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode 1.

Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Ode 9: Katavasia

Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode 1.

O my soul, magnify the woman who is higher in honor and in glory than the armies of heaven.

I see here a new and paradoxical mystery. * For the cave resembles heaven, * the Virgin, the cherubic throne, * the manger, a grand space, * in which He whom nothing can contain was laid, Christ our God; * whom we extol in song and magnify. [GOASD]

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Mode 2.

Holy is the Lord our God. (2) [SAAS]

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet.

For He is holy.

From Octoechos - - -

Exaposteilarion.

Eothinon 2.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

The Myrrh-bearers were filled with joy, * seeing the very large stone * had been rolled back. And entering * the tomb, they saw a young man * who was sitting on the right side. * And he addressed them, saying, * “Christ has risen from the dead! * Go, tell Peter and the disciples, and say, * ‘You will meet in Galilee on the mountain, * and there He will appear to you, * His friends, as He had told you.’” [GOASD]

For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

Let us with faith extol in song * the Virgin Mary, child of God, * of whom the assembly of Prophets * prophesied and of old declared * to be the tablet and the rod, * the mountain that was quarried not. * For she is introduced today * into the Holy of Holies, * to be fostered by the Master. [SD]

Lauds. Grave Mode.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.

Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name.

For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.

He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.

Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.

Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.

Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.

Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted.

His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.

A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.

Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.

Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.

Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.

For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.

The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.

The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.

To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.

To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.

   

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Stichera.

Grave Mode.

To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones. [SAAS]

Christ has risen from the dead, having loosed the bonds of death. O earth, proclaim the good news of great joy! You heavens, praise the glory of God! [GOASD]

Grave Mode.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power. [SAAS]

Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord, Jesus, the only sinless One. [GOASD]

Grave Mode.

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]

We never cease to honor the resurrection of Christ; for it was He who saved us from our transgressions. Holy is the Lord, Jesus, who showed us resurrection. [GOASD]

Grave Mode.

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]

What shall we give back to the Lord for all He rendered to us? For us, God lived among men. For human nature that was damaged, the Logos became flesh and dwelt among us. To the ungrateful He is the Benefactor; to the captives, the Liberator; to those who sat in darkness, the Sun of Righteousness. He who is dispassionate suffered on the cross; He who is the Light shone in Hades; He who is the Life trampled death. For the fallen He is the resurrection. Let us cry aloud to Him, “Glory to You our God!” [GOASD]

For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.

Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]

The virgins carrying lanterns are brightly paving the way * for ever-virgin Mary; * and truly in the Spirit * they prophesy the future; for she is led * to the Temple from infancy, * going with virginal glory. She is indeed * Theotokos and the temple of God. [SD]

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

The Theotokos was shown forth unto the world in truth * to be the noble offspring of a most holy promise, * superior to all things. As she is led * reverently into the house of God, * the pious prayer of her parents she now fulfills; * and by the Holy Spirit she is preserved. [SD]

Verse: The virgins behind her shall be brought to the King; her neighbors shall be brought to You. [SAAS]

Having been nourished, O Virgin, in faith on heavenly bread * within the Master’s Temple, * for the world you have brought forth * the bread of life, the Logos. And as His own * chosen temple immaculate, * in the Spirit you were mystically betrothed * to God the Father and became His Bride. [SD]

Verse: They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing; they shall be led into the temple of the King. [SAAS]

Open the gate of the Temple that has received our God. * For Joachim has taken * from his own home in glory * the temple and the throne of the King of all, * and returns her and consecrates * unto the Master the daughter that he begot, * who was chosen as the Mother of God. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Glory. Mode 2.

Eothinon 2.

The women around Mary went to the tomb with ointments. They were perplexed about how they would achieve their aim. They saw that the stone was rolled back; and there was a young man, an angel of the Lord, who quelled the commotion of their souls. For he said, “The Lord Jesus has risen! Now go and preach it to His preachers, His disciples, and tell them to hasten to Galilee; and there you will see Him, risen from the dead, as the Giver of Life and Lord.” [GOASD]

Both now. Theotokion.

You are supremely blessed, O Virgin Theotokos. For through Him who from you became incarnate, Hades has been captured, and Adam has been called back; the curse has been killed, and Eve has been freed; death has been put to death, and we have been brought back to life. Therefore we extol Him and cry out, “O Christ our God, You are blessed, for so was Your good pleasure. Glory to You!” [GOASD]

Stand for the Great Doxology.

Great Doxology

Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind. [SD]

We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.

Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world.

Accept our supplication, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.

For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.

Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.

Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.

For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we shall see light.

Continue Your mercy to those who know You.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

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

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

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

After the Doxology, sing the following Resurrectional Troparion.

Mode 4. (or the Mode of the week)

Today has salvation come to pass in the world. Let us sing to Him who resurrected from the tomb and is the Author of our life. For, destroying death by death, He gave us the victory and the great mercy. [SD]

Litanies, End, no Dismissal

LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the deacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere.

Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy.

PRIEST

For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

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

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.

PRIEST (aloud)

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Wisdom.

READER: Father, bless!

PRIEST

Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

Litanies and Dismissal

LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the deacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere.

Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy.

PRIEST

For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

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

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.

PRIEST (aloud)

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

Wisdom.

( Father, bless! )

Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

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

Lord, have mercy. (3) Father, bless!

Dismissal

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

May He who rose from the dead, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Conclusion, i.e. “Through the prayers…”

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

CHOIR: Amen.