PERIOD OF TONE 3

ON SATURDAY EVENING

SMALL VESPERS

At, Lord, I have cried, we use 4 verses, and we sing the 3 Resurrectional Stichera of the Octoechos, the first one twice.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion, so-called the Dogmatic.

Mode 3.

Greatest wonder: a Virgin gives birth, and that which was born is God before the ages. Manifest the giving birth, that which was accomplished was beyond nature. O fearsome Mystery! What was apprehended remains ineffable, and that which was contemplated is not understood. Blessed are you, most pure Maiden, daughter of Adam the earthborn, and manifested as Mother of God Most High. Implore him that our souls may be saved.

After, "O Lord, keep us this evening…" we sing the Resurrectional Sticheron, By your passion, O Christ… and then the following Prosomoia:

Stichera for the Theotokos.

Mode 3.

Verse: I will remember your name from generation to generation. [SAAS]

Pure Virgin, we know you to be the spiritual Ark that bears the Tables written by God, for us the Lawgiver and Creator. Intercede with him that our souls may be saved.

Verse: Listen, O daughter, behold and incline your ear, and forget your people and your father''s house. For the King desired your beauty. [SAAS]

God the Word, by nature beyond contemplation, who dwelt in your womb and took on flesh, revealed you to be Heaven upon earth, pure Virgin. And you, who knew not wedlock, rain down upon all an immortal dew.

Verse: The rich among the people shall entreat your favor. [SAAS]

By your intercessions we have gained salvation, because through them, O Virgin, we ever escape from dangers and the squall of temptations. And so we ask, do not cease to intercede for us, that our souls may be saved.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Through you, Mary most pure, we know refashioning and a second life for human nature: the Creator of creation who was kneaded in your womb and who raised us up from Hades and form death and has granted us eternal life to cry out to you, Ever-virgin; ''Hail, who joined together things below with those of heaven. Hail, the hope of all the ends of the earth, protection and assistance. Hail, who by the Resurrection of your Son make radiant the universe and grant the world his great mercy''.

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GREAT VESPERS

After the introductory Psalm and the first Kathisma of the Psalter, at Lord, I have cried, we use 10 verses, and we sing 7 or 6 or 4 Resurrectional Stichera, and for the Saint of the day 3 or 4 or 6 if the it is a celebrated Saint.

Resurrectional Stichera from the Octoechos. Mode 3.

By your Cross, Christ Saviour, death''s might has been abolished, the devil''s deception destroyed, while the human race, saved by faith, each evening offers you its hymn.

By your Resurrection, Lord, the universe has been filled with light and Paradise has been opened again, while all creation as it sings your praise, each evening offers you its hymn.

I glorify the power of the Father and the Son, and I praise the authority of the Holy Spirit, undivided, uncreated Godhead, consubstantial Trinity, that reigns from age to age.

Additional Stichera by Anatolios.

We worship your precious Cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify your Resurrection, for by your stripes we have all been healed.

We praise the Saviour who took flesh from the Virgin; for he was crucified for us and rose on the third day, granting us his great mercy.

Going down to those in Hell, Christ proclaimed the good tidings, saying, ''Be of good courage; now have I conquered! I am the Resurrection; I will bring you up, abolishing the gates of death''.

We who stand unworthily in your most pure house sing an evening hymn, as we cry out of the depths, ''Christ God, who enlightened the world by your Resurrection on the third day, deliver your people from the hand of your foes, O Lover of mankind''.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

How should we not marvel at your Offspring, who is both God and man, all-honoured one? For without knowing man, O all-blameless, you gave birth in the flesh to a Son without father, begotten from the Father before the ages without mother, in no way undergoing change, or mixture or separation, but preserving intact the identity of either nature. Therefore, Sovereign Lady, Virgin Mother, implore him that the souls may be saved of those who with right belief acknowledge you as Mother of God.

At the Aposticha.

Aposticha. Mode 3.

Resurrectional.

By your passion, O Christ, you darkened the sun, and by the light of your Resurrection you made the whole universe radiant. Accept our evening hymn, O Lover of humankind.

The Aposticha, which in Greek have the Alphabet as acrostic. By St. John of Damascus.

Verse: The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty; the Lord clothed and girded Himself with power. [SAAS]

Gracious Lord, your Rising that received life has enlightened the world, and recalled your own fashioning which had become corrupt. And so, delivered from Adam''s curse, we cry, ''All-powerful Lord, glory to you!''

Verse: And He established the world, which shall not be moved. [SAAS]

Howbeit that as God you are unchanging, yet by suffering in the flesh you changed. Creation, unable to bear seeing you hanging on a cross, was shaken with fear, and it groaned as it sang the praise of your long-suffering; but having descended into Hell, you arose on the third day, granting life to the world and your great mercy.

Verse: Holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days. [SAAS]

In order to ransom our race from death, O Christ, you underwent death; and rising on the third day from the dead you raised with yourself those who acknowledged you as God, and you enlightened the world. Lord, glory to you!

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

By the Father''s will, without seed you conceived from the divine Spirit the Son of God, who from before the ages is from the Father without mother. But you gave birth in the flesh and suckled as a babe him who for our sake had come from you without father. Therefore do not cease to intercede that our souls may be delivered from dangers.

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Let everything in heaven rejoice, let everything on earth be glad, for the Lord has shown strength with his arm; by death he has trampled on death; he has become the first-born of the dead; from the bowels of Hades he has delivered us; and granted the world his great mercy.

Theotokion.

Virgin Mother of God, we praise you as the means of the salvation of our race; for your Son and our God, who through the Cross accepted suffering in the flesh he had taken from you, has redeemed us from corruption, for he loves mankind.

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ON SUNDAY MIDNIGHT OFFICE

Canon to the Trinity, of which the Acrostic is:

Trinity, I praise you, the single Godhead.

A composition by Metrophanes.

Mode 3. Ode i. He who of old assembled. (NM)

Only source of Lordship beyond understanding, and single triple source of Godhead, now count me worthy of your radiance that shines with threefold light, that I may sing your praise, who are praised without ceasing by the mouths of Angels with thrice-holy hymns.

All the ranks of the Immaterial Beings reverently sing your praise, as creative cause, single, with triple light, most clearly sovereign; with them we multitudes of humans sing in harmony, and faithfully glorify with mouths of clay.

Mind and Word and Spirit the theologians call you fittingly by means of symbols, signifying a birth without passion of the Son from you, O God, Father unbegotten, monarch of all things, and the divine procession of the Spirit.

Theotokion.

When as lover of humankind by nature, Word of God, you took to yourself the being of humankind, you shone with the triple, only sovereign light of the one Godhead, and showed to all that the most pure Virgin who gave birth to you has been glorified.

Ode iii. Almighty and Most High. (NM)

Elias of old, by ordering the water to be poured three times on the logs of wood, disclosed the triple hypostasis of the single Lordship of God.

The transient nature of those born of earth praises you, the one immutable Creator with triple lights, and cries out to you: Master, from change of every kind deliver me and save me.

Speaking with words equal to those of Prophets, famed Apostles and heralds of the faith, we believers glorify you, Trinity equal in operation, O God of all things.

Theotokion.

Christ came down from his high throne, as he loves humankind, to raise up humankind through you, All-pure, and made the light with triple sun shine for all.

Kathisma. Mode 3. N/M (Seeing how beautiful.)

Christ, beyond being and only Lord and radiance of the Father who is eternally without beginning, and Spirit most divine, have mercy on your servants; for we have all sinned, but we have not deserted you. Therefore we beseech you, Lord in Three Persons, as you possess authority, from every calamity save what you fashioned.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

God, who is beyond being and Lord, was incarnate from you, through his goodness taking on our being and remaining what he was. Therefore as we honour him as God and man, we proclaim you, O all-pure, to be Mother of God without wedlock, as we glorify the mighty wonder of your conceiving without seed.

Ode iv. You displayed. (NM)

A double shoot has sprung from the Father as from a root, the Son and the right Spirit, shoots of one nature and divinely planted, and flowers like him without beginning, as being three lights of the Godhead.

Serried ranks of spiritual Beings ceaselessly sing your praise, God beyond understanding. With them we glorify you as we say: Trinity beyond being save your servants as you love humankind.

Theotokion.

You have drawn us to your love, most merciful Word of God, who without change became incarnate for our sake and led us into the mystery of the one Godhead with triple light. Therefore we glorify you.

Ode v. When Isaias in a figure. (NM)

Isaias when he saw in image the one Lordship, God in three persons being glorified by the unsullied voices of the Seraphim, was sent to go and proclaim the Being with triple light and the Unity with triple sun.

Unity with triple sun, who once brought to subsistence from non-being the nature of all things invisible and visible, rescue from temptations and trials of every kind those who faithfully praise you as one God and count them worthy of your glory.

Theotokion.

O Virgin, with love we sing your praise who have become the light-bearing and pure bridal chamber of God, and we have called you blessed. For Christ was born from you with two natures and two wills, being one of the Trinity and Lord of glory.

Ode vi. An abyss of mercy. (NM)

As an alien in a foreign land Abraham was counted worthy to welcome in type the single Lord beyond being in three persons, in human form. (twice).

Direct the hearts of your servants to the unapproachable light and the brilliance of your glory, O Lord of triple sun, and grant that our souls may picture to themselves your ineffable glory.

Theotokion.

Open to me the gates of the light who was conceived from your womb, O all-pure, that I may see the ray with triple light of the Godhead, and glorify you the Sovereign Lady filled with light.

Kathisma. Mode 3. N/M (Your confession.)

We hymn the might with triple sun of the divine, consubstantial nature, and let us cry out with voices that sing the thrice holy hymn: Holy are you, Father eternally without beginning; Holy are you, Son likewise without beginning, and Holy Spirit, our one God without division, Maker of all and lover of humankind.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

A mighty wonder, how the uncontainable was confined within your womb, all-pure Maiden, and was incarnate and appeared as a man without undergoing mixture or division of the divine and unchanging Godhead. And so we ever proclaim you faithfully to be Mother of God and we glorify you.

Ode vii. As of old you refreshed. (NM)

Show me to be wholly a shining temple of your Godhead with triple light, O Master, and by your light-giving rays to be higher than dread sinful blackness and passions, O God of our Fathers. (twice).

We proclaim one form of the Godhead in three hypostatic and separate identities, of Father, Son and Spirit, as we cry: Blessed are you, the God of our Fathers.

God in three persons appeared to Abraham at the oak of Mambre, and through mercy he was given as reward for his hospitality Isaac. That God we now glorify him as God of our Fathers.

Theotokion.

The Creator of all things, becoming man in his goodness, appeared on earth from your virgin and immaculate womb, and made us divine, blessed Mother of God, all-pure, all-immaculate.

Ode viii. In the unbearable fire. (NM)

Of the Father who has no beginning, as from a root, likewise without beginning have sprung up the Word and the Spirit, as shoots of the Godhead beyond being. They have revealed the one glory and power of the Trinity, whom all we believers praise to the ages. (twice).

With your beacon fires you train the heavenly Ranks to raise the hymn with never-silent thrice-holy songs, O Father, Word, one with him in form, and Spirit, might equal in strength and with triple light; therefore we sing your praise to all the ages.

Theotokion.

The oracles of the Prophets seeing from afar your Offspring, Mother of God, praised him as born without seed and beyond nature, Sovereign Lady; and with one accord we sing his praise as Lord, and highly exalt him to all the ages.

Ode ix. New the wonder. (NM)

The godlike Ranks of Bodiless Powers yearn to mount on wings and to see plainly the glory with triple light, but they greatly reverence the unapproachable light and without ceasing cry aloud their hymn. In unison with them we glorify you, O Trinity, one single being. (twice).

With boundless love we too who are on earth, who have received from you a spiritual and rational soul, from our whole heart sing your praise, O Master, God of all things, in truth one single nature yet triple in persons. And so, Compassionate, as you are great in mercy, have compassion on us.

Theotokion.

Show me to be a light formed temple of your single Divinity of triple light, that in purity I may worship you, the Creator of all things; show me to be one who in spirit contemplates your ineffable glory, at the prayers of the only Mother of God; whom fittingly we magnify as greatly glorious.

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MATINS

After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. Resurrectional Kathismata.

Mode 3.

Christ has risen from the dead, the first fruits of those that sleep. The First-born of creation and Creator of all that has come to be, has renewed in himself the corrupted nature of our race. Death, you are no longer lord, for the Master of all things has destroyed your might.

Glory.

Having tasted death in the flesh, Lord, you have cut out the bitterness of death by your Rising and given humankind strength against it, announcing the abolition of the ancient curse. Defender of our life, Lord, glory to you!

Both now. Theotokion. Model Melody.

Awed by the beauty of your virginity and by the splendour of your purity, Gabriel cried aloud to you, O Mother of God, ''How can I praise you as I should? With what name shall I invoke you? I am troubled and amazed; therefore as I was commanded I cry to you: Hail, full of grace!''

After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. Resurrectional Kathismata.

N/M (Seeing how beautiful.)

Awed by your unchanging Godhead and your voluntary passion, Lord, Hell mourned, ''I tremble at your body''s substance, which is not corrupted. I see you, the invisible, mystically making war on me; and so those whom I hold cry out, Glory, O Christ, to your Resurrection!''

Glory. Same Melody.

We faithful contemplate an ineffable mystery: your Crucifixion that cannot be understood and your Rising that cannot be explained. For today Death and Hell have been despoiled, but the human race has put on incorruption. And so with thanksgiving we cry, ''Glory, O Christ, to your Resurrection!''

Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.

Mystically you contained in your womb the Incomprehensible and the Uncircumscribable, consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit; and we acknowledge that in your Offspring one unconfused energy of the Trinity is glorified in the world. And so with thanksgiving we cry to you, ''Hail, full of grace!''

After Psalm 118 and the Evlogetaria:

Hypakoe.

Causing amazement by his appearing, and refreshment by his words the dazzling Angel said the myrrh-bearing women, ''Why do you seek the living in a grave? He has risen, emptying the graves. Know that the unchanging has changed corruption. Say to God: How fearful are your works! For you have saved the human race.''

Anavathmoi. Antiphon I.

You delivered the captivity of Zion from Babylon, O Word. Draw me too from the passions to life.

Those who sow in the South with tears inspired by God, will reap in joy sheaves that endure for ever.

Glory. Both now.

By the Holy Spirit comes the giving of all good things, as he shines with the Father and the Son. In him all things live and move.

Antiphon II.

Unless the Lord build the house of the virtues, we labour in vain. While he protects the soul no one lays waste our city.

By the Spirit of the fruit of the womb, the Saints are always as sons to you, O Christ, as to the Father.

Glory. Both now.

In the Holy Spirit is seen all holiness and wisdom; for he gives existence to every creature. Let us worship him as the Father and the Son, for he is God.

Antiphon III.

Those who fear the Lord are blessed as they walk his paths; for they eat the living fruit of the commandments.

Be glad, Chief Shepherd, as you see around your table your offspring bearing branches of good works.

Glory. Both now.

In the Holy Spirit is all the wealth of glory; from him comes grace and life for all creation; for he is praised with the Father and the Word.

Prokeimenon.

Say among the Gentiles, "The Lord is King, for He established the world, which shall not be shaken."

Verse: Oh, sing a new song to the Lord.

"Let everything that breathes…" The appointed Sunday Matins Gospel. Then, "Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ…" Psalm 50, and the rest (as laid out before). Then we sing the Canons.

Canon for the Resurrection.

Mode 3. Ode i. The Heirmos.

He who of old assembled the waters into one gathering by his divine decree, and divided the sea for the people of Israel. He is our God and he is glorified. To him alone let us sing, for he has been glorified. [EL]

Troparia.

He who condemned the earth to bear thorns of sweat for the transgressor, accepted in the body a crown of thorns from a lawless hand. He is our God who abolished the curse, for he has been glorified.

Triumphant victor he is over death — Death was exposed as full of fear — for, having take living flesh subject to suffering, our God wrestled with the tyrant and raised all with himself, for he has been glorified.

Theotokion.

All the nations glorify you as true Mother of God, who gave birth without seed; for, having come into your hallowed womb, our God, took that which was according to our nature, and as both God and man he was born from you.

Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.

By Monk John.

Ode i. Peoples, let us sing. (NM)

By his divine blood, Christ has redeemed the race of mortals, enslaved to the sin-loving tyrant, and making it divine he has renewed it, for he has been glorified.

Christ, the guardian of life, as a mortal willingly tasted death; while being by nature immortal he gave life to the dead, for he has been glorified.

Canon for the Theotokos.

Peoples, let us sing. (NM)

Every nature of heavenly beings fittingly bends the knee, O Virgin, to him who was incarnate from you, and with them those below the earth together with those on earth, for he has been glorified.

O the transactions which took place in you! For as God who bestows good things unstintingly, giving us the divine Spirit, he accepted flesh from you, O Maiden, for he has been glorified.

Ode iii. The Heirmos.

Almighty and Most High, who out of nothing bring all things, created by the Word, perfected by the Spirit, establish me in your love. [EL]

Troparia.

Through your Cross the impious has been shamed, for he has fallen into the pit which he dug out; while the horn of the humble, O Christ, has been exalted in your Resurrection.

The preaching of true religion has covered like water the seas of the nations, Lover of mankind; for by rising from the tomb you have uncovered the light of the Trinity.

Theotokion.

Glorious things are spoken of you, living city of him who is king for ever; for through you, Sovereign Lady, God lived among those on earth.

Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.

You smashed the bow. (NM)

Immaculate Cross, you were revealed to be cleansing from the offscourings of idols, for Jesus, supremely divine, stretched out his hands upon you.

That all we the faithful may worship you, the grave which received life, Christ who is truly our God has been buried in you and has been raised.

Canon for the Theotokos.

You smashed the bow. (NM)

A rod from Jesse''s root has budded, as the Prophet said, the Virgin who blossomed with a flower for us: you, O Christ. Holy are you, O Lord.

That you might make those born of earth partakers in the divine nature, you took our flesh from the Virgin, and became poor. Holy are you, O Lord.

Ode iv. The Heirmos.

You displayed mighty love for us, O Lord; for you gave your Only-begotten Son to death for our sake. Therefore with thanksgiving we cry to you, ''Glory to your power, O Lord!'' [EL]

Troparia.

In your compassion, O Christ, you bore marks and stripes, bravely enduring the insult of blows and with long-suffering accepting spitting. Through these you wrought salvation for me. Glory to your power, O Lord!

In a mortal body, O Life, you were acquainted with death, for the sake of the wretchedness of your poor and the groans of your needy ones, and having destroyed the destroyer and been glorified you raised all with you, only Lover of mankind.

Theotokion.

Remember, O Christ, the flock which you have gained by your Passion. Accepting the compassionate entreaties of your glorious Mother and watching over it in its affliction, deliver it by your power, O Lord.

Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.

The strange and ineffable. (NM)

O Lover of mankind, who fashioned mankind according to your image, and when it was slain by sin through transgression, you saved it by being crucified on Calvary.

Death gave up the dead whom it had swallowed, while Hell''s palace, which brings corruption, was destroyed when you rose from the tomb, O Lord.

Canon for the Theotokos.

The strange and ineffable. (NM)

O Master, who established the mountains with the yoke of divine knowledge, without hands you were hewn as a stone from the Virgin. To your power be glory, O Lover of mankind.

You healed our diseased nature, Master, by uniting with it in the Virgin this most potent medicine: your immaculate Godhead, O Word.

O Lord, you are my portion and my lot so long-desired; from the Virgin you united me, O Word, with your person, having been declared a person in the flesh.

Ode v. The Heirmos.

I rise to you at dawn, Creator of all, Peace which passes all understanding; for your commandments are light. O guide me by them. [EL]

Troparia.

Handed over by the envy of the Hebrews to an unjust judge, you, the All-seeing, who judge the whole earth with justice, delivered Adam from the ancient condemnation.

O Christ, who rose from the dead, grant peace to your Churches by the invincible power of your Cross and save our souls.

Theotokion.

Holy Tabernacle, and wider then the Heavens, for you received the Word of God, whom all creation cannot contain, you alone have been revealed as ever virgin.

Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.

The invisible. (NM)

O Christ, when your side was pierced by the lance, you freed from the curse her who was created from a human side and became the agent of destruction for all mortals.

Christ, our Saviour, equal in being with the Father, you raised from the dead the sacred temple of your all-pure and all-honoured body.

Canon for the Theotokos.

The invisible. (NM)

The Word of God, O Virgin, your Son, the Creator of Adam the first-formed, is no creature, though he fashioned for himself a living flesh from you.

Equal to the Father, the Son of the Virgin, the Word of God, is a perfect Person in two natures, Jesus the Lord, perfect God and man.

Ode vi. The Heirmos.

The final abyss of sins has surrounded me and my spirit fails; but, Master, stretch out your upraised arm and like Peter save me, O my Pilot. [EL]

Troparia.

An abyss of mercy and pity has surrounded me by your compassionate descent; for becoming incarnate and being in the form of a servant, Master, you have made me divine and glorified me together with yourself.

The death-dealer underwent death when he saw the one who had been put to death restored to life. These are the tokens of your Resurrection, O Christ, and the rewards of your immaculate Passion.

Theotokion.

O All-pure, the only mediatrix beyond understanding between the Fashioner and humankind, beseech your merciful Son on behalf of your stumbling servants and be our champion.

Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.

Jonas became a symbol. (NM)

Tried by stripes, by the Passion of the Cross you raised with you those who lay slain in Hell; therefore I cry to you, ''Bring my life up from corruption, O Lover of mankind.''

Hell''s gates open to you in fear, O Christ, the enemy''s possessions are seized. Therefore the Women met you and received joy instead of sorrow.

Canon for the Theotokos.

Jonas became a symbol. (NM)

He who has no part in any shape, takes our form from the undefiled Maiden, becoming man in shape and deed, unchanged in his divinity.

From an abyss of sins and from the tempest of the passions deliver me, O Pure one, for you have become a harbour and abyss of wonders for those who have recourse to you in faith.

Kontakion. On this day.

You arose today, O Merciful One, and led us out from the gates of death. Adam dances today, and Eve rejoices. Prophets too, along with Patriarchs, praise without ceasing the divine might of your authority.

Oikos.

Let heaven and earth dance today, and in harmony sing the praise of Christ our God, for he raised the prisoners from the tombs. All creation rejoices together as it offers fitting songs to the Creator of all things and our Redeemer. For today, as Giver of life, he drew mortals out of Hell and raises them together to heaven. He lays low the uprisings of the foe and smashes the gates of hell by the divine might of his authority.

Ode vii. The Heirmos.

As of old you refreshed with dew the three godly Youths in the Chaldean flame, so shine with the enlightening fire of your Godhead upon us who cry, ''Blessed are you, the God of our fathers!'' [EL]

Troparia.

The shining veil of the Temple was rent by the Cross of the Creator, revealing the truth hidden in the letter to the faithful who cry, ''Blessed are you, the God of our fathers!''

When your side was pierced, O Christ, drops of your life-bearing blood, flowing from God by divine dispensation, fell upon the earth and refashioned those who cry, ''Blessed are you, the God of our fathers!''

For the Trinity.

Let us believers glorify the good Spirit with the Father and the only-begotten Son, as we honour one Principle and one Godhead in three Persons as we cry, ''Blessed are you, the God of our fathers!''

Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.

Haughty was the tyrant. (NM)

The sun is not being darkened for a mere man hanging on a Cross, but at seeing God incarnate, to whom we also sing, ''Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers!''

The coward Hell, quailing before him who is strong by his Godhead and who grants incorruption, spewed out the souls of the Just, who cried out, ''Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers!''

Theotokion.

All-pure, you are a priceless treasure of blessing for those who confess with a pure heart that you are Mother of God; for from you was incarnate the God of our fathers.

Canon for the Theotokos.

Haughty was the tyrant. (NM)

Lord of glory and ruler of the powers on high, who are seated with the Father and borne in the arms of a Virgin, ''Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.''

Death is bold, but when it joined battle with you, God in person made flesh of the Virgin, you destroyed it. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.

We all acknowledge you as Mother of God who bore God in your womb; for you gave birth to one of the Trinity made flesh. Blessed, All-pure, is the fruit of your womb.

Ode viii. The Heirmos.

In the unbearable fire, but unharmed by the flames, the Young Men, famed for their reverence for God, became as one as they sang the divine hymn, ''All you works of the Lord bless the Lord, and highly exalt him to all the ages.'' [EL]

Troparia.

The radiance of the Temple was shattered when your Cross was fixed on Calvary, and all creation was shaken as it sang in fear, ''All you works of the Lord bless the Lord, and highly exalt him to all the ages.''

You rose from the tomb, O Christ, and by your divine power set upright the one who had fallen by deceit through a tree as he cried and said, ''All you works of the Lord bless the Lord, and highly exalt him to all the ages.''

Theotokion.

You have been declared Temple of God, spiritual place and Ark; for you reconciled the Creator to mortals, most pure Mother of God, and fittingly all we his works praise you and highly exalt you to all the ages.

Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.

A flame of material fire. (NM)

The Word was not subject to suffering, for by his Godhead he cannot suffer; but God suffered in the flesh, to whom also we sing, ''All you works of the Lord bless the Lord, and highly exalt him to all the ages.''

Having slept as a mortal, you were raised up as immortal, O Saviour, and you save from death those who sing, ''All you works of the Lord bless the Lord, and highly exalt him to all the ages.''

For the Trinity.

Devoutly we worship the Godhead united in three Persons and we sing without ceasing, ''All you works of the Lord bless the Lord, and highly exalt him to all the ages.''

Canon for the Theotokos.

A flame of material fire. (NM)

Blessed Virgin Mother, who have been raised above the spiritual powers and set next to God, we bless your Offspring and highly exalt him to all the ages.

You revealed your natural beauty to be most fair when you blazed forth the flesh of the Godhead. Blessed Virgin, we bless your Offspring and highly exalt him to all the ages.

Ode ix. The Heirmos.

New the wonder and fitting God: for the Lord clearly passes through the closed gate of the Virgin: naked at his going in and God bearing flesh at his coming out, while the gate remains closed. As ineffably Mother of God we magnify her. [EL]

Troparia.

Fearful it is, O Word of God, to see you the Maker destroyed on a Tree, suffering in the flesh, God on behalf of slaves, and lying lifeless in a grave, but releasing the dead from Hell. Therefore, O Christ, as all-powerful we magnify you.

By being placed as a corpse in a tomb, O Christ, you saved the Forefathers from the corruption of death, and you made life blossom by rising from the dead, leading mortal nature to the light and clothing it with divine incorruption. Therefore as source of ever-living light we magnify you.

Theotokion.

You were revealed, All-pure, as Temple and throne of God, in which he who lives in the highest took his dwelling, born without man, and in no way opening the gates of your flesh. Therefore by your unceasing prayers, O Holy One, finally defeat the tribes of barbarians and subject them to our King.

Canon for the Cross and Resurrection.

We who are wounded. (NM)

You have became a source of glory for mortals by a dishonourable death, which you tasted, Christ Saviour, through crucifixion in your mortal nature, and you granted me incorruption, for you love mankind.

By rising from the tomb, O Christ, you saved me and exalted me and brought me to the Father, your Begetter, and you took your seat at his right hand through the compassion of your mercy, O Lord.

Canon for the Theotokos.

We who are wounded. (NM)

For the devout faithful, O Virgin, there is no surfeit of your praises at all; for receiving divine and spiritual love, as Mother of God with love they magnify you.

You have placed the one who bore you, O Christ, as an intercessor for us, who can never be put to shame. At her entreaties, O Merciful, you distribute to us the Spirit who gives freely of his goodness, who proceeds through you from the Father.

The appointed Eothinon Exaposteilarion.

At Lauds.

Resurrectional Stichera. Mode 3.

Come all you nations, acknowledge the power of the dread mystery; for Christ our Saviour, the Word in the beginning, was crucified for us and willingly buried and rose from the dead to save the whole universe. Let us worship him.

Your guards recounted all the marvels, Lord, but, by filling their right hand with gifts, the Sanhedrin of folly thought to conceal your Resurrection, which the world glorifies. Have mercy on us.

All things have been filled with joy on receiving proof of the Resurrection. For Mary Magdalen came to the grave, found an Angel seated on the stone and dazzling in shining raiment, who said, ''Why do you seek the living with the dead? He is not here, but he has risen, as he said, and goes before you into Galilee.''

In your light, O Master who love mankind, we shall see light. For you rose from the dead, granting salvation to the human race, that all creation may glorify you, the only sinless one. Have mercy on us.

Additional Stichera by Anatolios.

As a morning hymn, Lord, the Myrrhbearing Women offered you their tears. For bringing perfumes of sweet fragrance, they came to your grave, eager to anoint your most pure Body. An angel seated on the stone gave them the good tidings, ''Why do you seek the living with the dead? For he has trampled on death and has risen as God, granting to all his great mercy.''

A dazzling Angel by your life-giving grave said to the Myrrh-bearers, ''The Redeemer has emptied the tombs, he has despoiled Hell and risen on the third day as alone God and all-powerful.''

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalen came to the grave and sought you. When she did not find you, she lamented and cried out with grief, ''Alas, my Saviour, how have you, the King of all, been stolen?'' But a pair of life-bearing Angels from within the grave cried out, ''Why do you weep, woman?'' ''I weep'', she said, ''because they have taken my Lord from the tomb and I do not know where they have laid him''. But when, turning back, she saw you, at once she cried out, ''My Lord and my God, glory to you!''

The Hebrews shut Life up in the tomb; but the Thief opened the Paradise of pleasure with his voice when he cried and said, ''The One who was crucified with me and who was hanged with me upon the tree also appears to me seated on the throne together with the Father. For he is Christ our God, who has great mercy.

Glory. The Eothinon of the Sunday.

Both now. Theotokion.

You are highly blessed, Virgin Mother of God, for through him who was incarnate from you Hell has been taken captive, Adam recalled, the curse slain, Eve set free, death has been put to death and we have been given life; therefore with hymns we cry: Blessed are you Christ our God who have been thus well-pleased, glory to you!

Then, the Great Doxology; and after that, the following Troparion:

Mode 4.

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

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LITURGY

The Typika and Beatitudes.

Mode 3.

When our primal father Adam disobeyed Your divine command, O Christ, You expelled him from Paradise. But when the faithful Robber while on the cross confessed You to be Lord, You restored him there, as he cried to You: "O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember me."

When in Paradise we sinned, You condemned us and pronounced the curse of death, being the Lord and the Giver of life. But later, loving Master, You who are sinless suffered in the flesh, and You brought the dead back to life again, who shouted: "When You come in Your kingdom, remember us."

Having risen from the dead, You also raised us from the passions, by Your holy resurrection, O Christ our God. And roundly You defeated death''s dominion over us, O Lord. Therefore we believers cry out to You: O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember us.

After three days in the tomb, as God, You gave life to the dead who were in Hades and also resurrected them. And being good, You welled forth the gift of incorruption to us all, who in faith cry out now unceasingly: O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember us.

When You had risen from the dead, You appeared first to the myrrh-bearing women, and You spoke to them and said, "Rejoice." You sent them, Lord, proclaiming Your resurrection to Your friends, O Christ. Therefore we believers cry out to You: O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember us.

Prophet Moses on the hill of old extended his hands and thus prefigured the Cross, defeating Amalek. And now with faith we take up the mighty weapon of the precious Cross, and defeat the demons, and cry aloud: "O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember us."

Glory.

O believers, let us all extol the Father and the Son and the all-holy Spirit, the single God, as from one Sun, the one Lord. For thrice-resplendent is the Trinity, which illumines all who cry out in faith: "O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom, remember us."

Both now. Theotokion.

Rejoice, the gate of God, through whom went the incarnate Creator, when He was born from you, and He kept you sealed. Rejoice, O swift and light cloud who brings the divine showers, namely Christ. Rejoice, O ladder to heaven and celestial throne. O rejoice, holy mountain, uncut and rich.