GOA Digital Chant Stand Services for Thursday, Apr 16, 2026
Midnight Office → Matins → Divine Liturgy → Vespers, in one continuous scroll
Midnight Office
PRIEST
Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
READER
Amen.
PRIEST
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
READER
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. (2)
Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross do we worship, O Christ, and Your holy Resurrection do we hymn and glorify. For You are our God, we know no other but You, we call upon Your name. Come all the faithful, let us worship the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold through the Cross, joy has come in all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we extol His Resurrection. For enduring the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death. (3)
When the women with Mary had come before dawn, and they found that the stone had been rolled away from the sepulcher, they heard from the Angel, “Why do you seek among the dead, as a mortal man, the One who exists in everlasting light? See the grave clothes in the sepulcher. Run and proclaim to the world that the Lord has risen and put death to death; for He is the Son of God who saves the human race.”
Though You went down into the tomb, O Immortal One, yet You brought down the dominion of Hades; and You rose as the victor, O Christ our God; and You called out “Rejoice” to the Myrrh-bearing women, and gave peace to Your Apostles, O Lord who to the fallen grant resurrection.
In body You were inside the tomb; as God You were in hell with Your soul * and with the Robber in Paradise. * You were also on the throne, O Christ, * with the Father and the Spirit, * filling all things as One uncircumscribed.
Your tomb was shown forth * to be more beautiful than Paradise * and by far more splendid than any king’s * royal chamber, for it hosted Life. * It is the source of our resurrection, O Christ, for You rose from it.
Divine and hallowed * habitation of the Most High God, rejoice! * For through you, O Theotokos, was given joy * unto us who cry aloud to you: * Among all women, Lady, you are blessed, all-blameless, and immaculate.
Lord, have mercy. (40)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. 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.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!
PRIEST
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
READER
Amen.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. (3)
Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross do we worship, O Christ, and Your holy Resurrection do we hymn and glorify. For You are our God, we know no other but You, we call upon Your name. Come all the faithful, let us worship the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold through the Cross, joy has come in all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we extol His Resurrection. For enduring the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death. (3)
When the women with Mary had come before dawn, and they found that the stone had been rolled away from the sepulcher, they heard from the Angel, “Why do you seek among the dead, as a mortal man, the One who exists in everlasting light? See the grave clothes in the sepulcher. Run and proclaim to the world that the Lord has risen and put death to death; for He is the Son of God who saves the human race.”
Though You went down into the tomb, O Immortal One, yet You brought down the dominion of Hades; and You rose as the victor, O Christ our God; and You called out “Rejoice” to the Myrrh-bearing women, and gave peace to Your Apostles, O Lord who to the fallen grant resurrection.
In body You were inside the tomb; as God You were in hell with Your soul * and with the Robber in Paradise. * You were also on the throne, O Christ, * with the Father and the Spirit, * filling all things as One uncircumscribed.
Your tomb was shown forth * to be more beautiful than Paradise * and by far more splendid than any king’s * royal chamber, for it hosted Life. * It is the source of our resurrection, O Christ, for You rose from it.
Divine and hallowed * habitation of the Most High God, rejoice! * For through you, O Theotokos, was given joy * unto us who cry aloud to you: * Among all women, Lady, you are blessed, all-blameless, and immaculate.
Lord, have mercy. (40)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. 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.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!
PRIEST
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
READER
Amen.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. (3)
Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross do we worship, O Christ, and Your holy Resurrection do we hymn and glorify. For You are our God, we know no other but You, we call upon Your name. Come all the faithful, let us worship the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold through the Cross, joy has come in all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we extol His Resurrection. For enduring the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death. (3)
When the women with Mary had come before dawn, and they found that the stone had been rolled away from the sepulcher, they heard from the Angel, “Why do you seek among the dead, as a mortal man, the One who exists in everlasting light? See the grave clothes in the sepulcher. Run and proclaim to the world that the Lord has risen and put death to death; for He is the Son of God who saves the human race.”
Though You went down into the tomb, O Immortal One, yet You brought down the dominion of Hades; and You rose as the victor, O Christ our God; and You called out “Rejoice” to the Myrrh-bearing women, and gave peace to Your Apostles, O Lord who to the fallen grant resurrection.
In body You were inside the tomb; as God You were in hell with Your soul * and with the Robber in Paradise. * You were also on the throne, O Christ, * with the Father and the Spirit, * filling all things as One uncircumscribed.
Your tomb was shown forth * to be more beautiful than Paradise * and by far more splendid than any king’s * royal chamber, for it hosted Life. * It is the source of our resurrection, O Christ, for You rose from it.
Divine and hallowed * habitation of the Most High God, rejoice! * For through you, O Theotokos, was given joy * unto us who cry aloud to you: * Among all women, Lady, you are blessed, all-blameless, and immaculate.
Lord, have mercy. (40)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. 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.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!
PRIEST
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
READER
Amen.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. (3)
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Father, bless!
PRIEST
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.
Let us pray for the peace of the world.
READER (after each petition)
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For the pious and Orthodox Christians.
For our our Archbishop (name).
For our nation.
For the armed forces.
For our absent fathers, brothers and sisters.
For those who help us and those who serve us.
For those who hate us and those who love us.
For those who have asked us, the unworthy, to pray for them.
For the release of the captives.
For those sailing the seas.
For those laid up with illnesses.
Let us also pray for the abundance of the fruits of the earth.
And for all our fathers and brethren departed this life, those who lie here in peace, and the Orthodox everywhere.
Let us say for ourselves, also: Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PEOPLE
Truly the Lord is risen!
Matins
PRIEST
Glory to the holy and consubstantial and life-creating and undivided Trinity always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST
Mode pl. 1.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs…
CHOIR
PRIEST
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs…
CHOIR
PRIEST
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs…
CHOIR
PRIEST
Verse 1: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Verse 2: As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish, as wax melts before the fire.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Verse 3: So shall the sinners perish from the face of God. And let the righteous be glad.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Verse 4: This is the day the Lord made; let us greatly rejoice and be glad therein.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death…
CHOIR
PRIEST
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For the Holy and Great Church of Christ of Constantinople, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Holy Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, 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 to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
READER
Hypakoe. Mode 4.
When the women with Mary had come before dawn, and they found that the stone had been rolled away from the sepulcher, they heard from the Angel, “Why do you seek among the dead, as a mortal man, the One who exists in everlasting light? See the grave clothes in the sepulcher. Run and proclaim to the world that the Lord has risen and put death to death; for He is the Son of God who saves the human race.”
Kontakion of Pascha.
Mode pl. 4.
Though You went down into the tomb, O Immortal One, yet You brought down the dominion of Hades; and You rose as the victor, O Christ our God; and You called out “Rejoice” to the Myrrh-bearing women, and gave peace to Your Apostles, O Lord who to the fallen grant resurrection.
Oikos.
The women bringing ointments came in haste at deep dawn, seeking as day the Sun who was before the sun and yet had set in a sepulcher. They cried to one another, “O friends, come let us anoint with spices the life-bearing yet buried Body, the flesh that raises fallen Adam, lying as it is in the grave. Let us go, let us hurry like the Magi, and adore Him, and offer the ointments, as if gifts, to Him who is wrapped, not in swaddling but grave clothes. And let us weep and cry out, ‘Arise, O Master, who to the fallen grant resurrection.’”
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On April 16 we commemorate the holy women Martyrs Agape, Irene, and Chionia.
On this day we also commemorate Saint Felix the bishop, Januarius the presbyter, Fortunatus and Septiminus.
On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Leonides, Charissa, Nike, Galina, Kallis, Nunechia, Basilissa, and Theodora.
On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Irene.
On this day the holy Neo-martyr Michael of Vourlae witnessed and died by the sword in Smyrna in the year 1772.
On this day the devout monastic Martyr Saint Christopher witnessed and died by the sword in Adrianoupolis in the year 1818.
By the intercessions of Your Saints, O Christ God, have mercy on us. Amen.
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. (3)
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy. (3)
CHOIR
Katavasias of Pascha
Ode i. Mode 1.
Resurrection Day! O peoples, let us brilliantly shine! * Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha! * For Christ our God has out of death * passed us over into life, * and likewise from earth * to heaven, as we now sing * unto Him a triumphal hymn.
Ode iii.
Come and let us drink a new drink, * not one marvelously issuing from a barren rock, * but one that Christ from the tomb * pours out, incorruption’s very source. * For we are established in Him.
Ode iv.
Now let Habakkuk as a God-inspired prophet stand with us, * keeping his divine watch, and show us * the angelic messenger, who, shining, utters glowingly, * “Today, for the world is salvation,* because arisen is Christ, being omnipotent.”
Ode v.
Arising at dawn very early, * instead of ointment, a hymn let us offer unto the Master, * and then we shall clearly see* Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, * causing true life to arise for all.
Ode vi.
You went down to the nether regions of earth, * and You broke apart the bars that forever * were closed on those who were held there, O Christ. * From the sepulcher, * as did Jonah from the whale, * You arose on the third day.
Ode vii.
The same One who delivered the Lads from fire, becoming a mortal man, * suffers in the flesh; and by His Passion He arrays * mortal nature with majesty, free of all * corruption, the only God of the fathers, * blessed and supremely glorious.
Ode viii.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
This is it, the Day which is chosen and holy, * Day One of the Sabbaths. * It is the queen-day, the Lord’s Day, * and the Feast of all feasts, * and the Festival above every festival, * on which we extol Christ and bless Him to the ages.
Stand for the singing of Ode ix.
DEACON
Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
CHOIR
Ode ix. Heirmos.
O my soul, magnify Him who willingly suffered, was buried, and arose from the grave on the third day.
O my soul, magnify Christ who is the Giver of life, and who rose from the grave on the third day.
Troparia.
Christ is the new Pascha, the sacrificial Victim, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
Divine and beloved and sweetest utterance of Yours! * For You really and truly pledged that You will be with us * unto the end of the age, O Christ. * And we the faithful, clinging to Your promise, * our anchor of hope, rejoice.
Today creation all is exultant and rejoices, for Christ has arisen, and Hades was despoiled.
Divine and beloved and sweetest utterance of Yours! * For You really and truly pledged that You will be with us * unto the end of the age, O Christ. * And we the faithful, clinging to Your promise, * our anchor of hope, rejoice.
O my soul, magnify the power of the Godhead that is three hypostases and also undivided.
O Pascha, the great and most sacred Passover, O Christ, * You the wisdom and Logos and the power of God: * Grant that we may more distinctly partake of You * on that day that has no evening in Your kingly rule.
Rejoice, blessed Virgin; rejoice, O glorified one. Rejoice, your Son has risen from the grave on the third day.
O Pascha, the great and most sacred Passover, O Christ, * You the wisdom and Logos and the power of God: * Grant that we may more distinctly partake of You * on that day that has no evening in Your kingly rule.
Katavasia. Mode 1.
The Angel cried aloud to the Lady full of grace: Rejoice, O pure Virgin; and again I say Rejoice. Your Son has truly risen from the grave on the third day.
Arise, shine! Arise, shine, O new Jerusalem! Shine! * For the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. * Zion, exult and be glad now. * O pure Mother of God, rejoice, celebrating * the resurrection of Christ your Son!
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. (3)
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy.
DEACON
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
( Lord, have mercy. )
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
( Lord, have mercy. )
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.
( 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.
( Amen. )
Exaposteilarion. Of Pascha.
Mode 2. Automelon.
When You had slumbered in the flesh as one mortal, O King and Lord, You rose again on the third day, and raised up Adam from decay and rendered death of no effect. Pascha of incorruption, salvation of the world. (3)
Lauds. Mode pl. 1.
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.
Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God.
Resurrectional Stichera.
Mode pl. 1.
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness.
The sepulcher was firmly sealed by villains, O Lord. But You came forth from the tomb, much like You were born from the Theotokos. Your bodiless Angels did not know how You became incarnate, and the soldiers who were guarding You did not notice when You rose. Both of these miracles were confirmed to the prophets who inquired and revealed to them, who by faith revered the mystery. Which we now extol; and we pray You restore to us the joy and the great mercy.
Mode pl. 1.
Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre.
When You had crushed the age-old bars and broken the chains to pieces, You rose from the tomb, O Lord. And You left the grave clothes behind, as evidence that You were truly buried for three days. And You proceeded to Galilee, You who had been held in custody in a rock-hewn tomb. Great is Your mercy, incomprehensible Savior! Have mercy on us.
Mode pl. 1.
Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute.
The women ran to the tomb, O Lord, to see You, the Christ, who had suffered for us. When they came, they found an Angel sitting on the stone, which he had fearsomely rolled back. And he said to the women, “The Lord has risen! Go tell His disciples, ‘The Savior of our souls has risen from the dead!’”
Mode pl. 1.
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord.
O Lord, just like You exited the sepulcher, although it was sealed, so You entered where Your disciples were, the doors being shut. You showed them the injuries You suffered on Your body, which You accepted and bore with long-suffering, O Savior. As the progeny of David, You endured the wounds; as the Son of God, You freed the world. Great is Your mercy, incomprehensible Savior! Have mercy on us.
Stichera of Pascha.
Mode pl. 1.
Verse 1: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.
Today a sacred Pascha has been revealed to us; a Pascha new and holy, a Pascha mystical, a Pascha all-venerable, Pascha, the Redeemer Christ himself; a Pascha that is blameless, a Pascha that is great, a Pascha of believers, a Pascha that has opened for us the gates of Paradise, a Pascha that sanctifies believers all.
Verse 2: As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish, as wax melts before the fire.
Come now from that sight, O you women and heralds of good news, and say to Zion, “Receive from us the joyful tidings of the Resurrection of Christ. O Jerusalem, be exultant, dance and leap for joy, for you have witnessed Christ the King coming forth as a Bridegroom from the sepulcher.”
Verse 3: So shall the sinners perish from the face of God. And let the righteous be glad.
The myrrh-bearing women at dawn very early, standing outside the tomb of the Giver-of-Life, found an Angel who was seated upon the stone. And the Angel addressed them, and this is what he said, “Why do you seek among the dead the One who is alive? Why do you grieve as though corruptible the Incorrupt? So go back and proclaim it to His Disciples.”
Verse 4: This is the day the Lord made; let us greatly rejoice and be glad therein.
Pascha of delight! Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha! A Pascha all venerable has risen for us. Pascha! With joy let us embrace one another. Pascha, the ransom from sorrow! Today from the sepulcher Christ emerged resplendently as from a bridal chamber, and the women He filled with joy, saying, “Proclaim this to the Apostles.”
Sing, “It is the day of the Resurrection…” through, “And thus let us cry aloud.” Then the left choir sings, “Christ is risen…” in the usual melody, then the right choir repeats it, and finally the left choir sings it a third time.
Mode pl. 1.
It is the day of the Resurrection. Let us shine brightly for the festival, and also embrace one another. Brethren, let us say even to those who hate us, “Let us forgive everything for the Resurrection.” And thus let us cry aloud, “Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.”
Divine Liturgy · Bright Thursday
DEACON
Master bless.
PRIEST
Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST
Mode pl. 1.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs…
CHOIR
PRIEST
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs…
CHOIR
PRIEST
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs…
CHOIR
PRIEST
Verse 1: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Verse 2: As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish, as wax melts before the fire.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Verse 3: So shall the sinners perish from the face of God. And let the righteous be glad.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Verse 4: This is the day the Lord made; let us greatly rejoice and be glad therein.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death…
CHOIR
DEACON
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the Holy and Great Church of Christ of Constantinople, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Holy Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray 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
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 (in a low voice)
Lord, our God, whose dominion is incomparable and glory incomprehensible; whose mercy is immeasurable, and love for humankind ineffable: Look upon us and upon this holy house in Your loving-kindness, and grant to us and to those who pray with us Your abundant mercy and compassion.
PRIEST (aloud)
For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Antiphon 1. Mode 2. Psalm 65.
Verse 1: Shout to God, all the earth.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
Verse 2: Sing now to His name; give glory to His praise.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
Verse 3: Say to God, “How fearful are Your works.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
Verse 4: Let all the earth worship You and sing to You.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
Small Litany
DEACON
Again and again in peace let us pray 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
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 (in a low voice)
Lord, our God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect all the members of Your Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and forsake us not who have set our hope in You.
PRIEST (aloud)
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.
Antiphon 2. Mode 2. Psalm 66.
Verse 1: May God be gracious to us, and bless us.
Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Verse 2: May He cause His face to shine upon us, and have mercy on us.
Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Verse 3: That we may know His way on the earth, Your salvation among all the Gentiles.
Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Verse 4: Let the peoples give thanks to You, O God; let all the peoples praise You.
Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Only-begotten Son and Logos of God, being immortal, You condescended for our salvation to take flesh from the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and, without change, became man. Christ, our God, You were crucified and conquered death by death. Being one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit: Save us.
Small Litany
DEACON
Again and again in peace let us pray 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
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 (in a low voice)
Lord, You have granted us to offer these common prayers in unison and have promised that when two or three agree in Your name, You will grant their requests. Fulfill now, O Lord, the petitions of Your servants as may be of benefit to them, granting us in the present age the knowledge of Your truth, and in the age to come eternal life.
PRIEST (aloud)
For You are good 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.
Antiphon 3. Mode pl. 1. Psalm 67.
Verse 1: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Verse 2: As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish, as wax melts before the fire.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Verse 3: So shall the sinners perish from the face of God. And let the righteous be glad.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Verse 4: This is the day the Lord made; let us greatly rejoice and be glad therein.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
As the Third Antiphon is being sung (with its verses), the Priest and Deacon bow three times before the holy Table. Then the Priest gives the holy Gospel to the Deacon, who kisses the Priest’s hand as he receives it, and then circles the holy Table with the Priest following him. Preceded by altar servers holding candles and fans, they exit through the north door for the so-called Small Entrance. When there is no Deacon, the Priest takes the holy Gospel and holds it up in front of his face. When they reach the center of the church, they stop and bow their heads, and the Deacon says in a low voice:
DEACON (in a low voice)
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Master, Lord our God, who has established the orders and hosts of angels and archangels in heaven to minister to Your glory, grant that holy angels may enter with us, that together we may celebrate and glorify Your goodness. For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Master, bless the holy entrance.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Blessed be the entrance of Your holy ones always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
DEACON (aloud)
Wisdom. Arise.
CHOIR
Entrance Hymn. Mode 2.
Bless God in the churches, the Lord from the fountains of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Hymns after the Entrance.
CHOIR
Mode pl. 1.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Hypakoe. Mode 4.
When the women with Mary had come before dawn, and they found that the stone had been rolled away from the sepulcher, they heard from the Angel, “Why do you seek among the dead, as a mortal man, the One who exists in everlasting light? See the grave clothes in the sepulcher. Run and proclaim to the world that the Lord has risen and put death to death; for He is the Son of God who saves the human race.”
Kontakion of Pascha.
Mode pl. 4.
Though You went down into the tomb, O Immortal One, yet You brought down the dominion of Hades; and You rose as the victor, O Christ our God; and You called out “Rejoice” to the Myrrh-bearing women, and gave peace to Your Apostles, O Lord who to the fallen grant resurrection.
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
O Holy God, who is resting among the holy ones, praised by the Seraphim with the thrice-holy voice, glorified by the Cherubim, and worshiped by every celestial power, You have brought all things into being out of nothing. You have created man according to Your image and likeness and adorned him with all the gifts of Your grace. You give wisdom and understanding to the one who asks, and You overlook not the sinner, but have set repentance as the way of salvation. You have granted us, Your humble and unworthy servants, to stand even at this hour before the glory of Your holy Altar of sacrifice and to offer to You due worship and praise. Master, accept the Trisagion Hymn also from the lips of us sinners, and visit us in Your goodness. Forgive all our voluntary and involuntary transgressions, sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we may worship You in holiness all the days of our lives, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints who have pleased You throughout the ages.
PRIEST (aloud)
For You, our God, are holy, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever…
DEACON
and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Instead of Holy God
Mode 1.
As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Have put on Christ. Alleluia.
DEACON
Dynamis.
DEACON (in a low voice)
With your blessing, Master.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Master, bless the throne on high.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Blessed are You upon the throne of the glory of Your kingdom, enthroned upon the Cherubim always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
CHOIR
Dynamis.
As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.
The Epistle
DEACON
Let us be attentive.
READER
Verse: Oh, clap your hands, all you nations.
DEACON
Wisdom.
READER
The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
DEACON
Let us be attentive.
READER
Acts 2:38 – 43
In those days, Peter said to the people, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
PRIEST
Peace be with you the reader.
CHOIR
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
(Alleluia is sung thrice. Verses may be found in the Liturgy - Variable Parts of the day.)
The Holy Gospel
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Shine in our hearts, O benevolent Lord, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind that we may comprehend the proclamations of Your Gospels. Instill in us the fear that Your blessed commandments inspire, so that, crushing carnal desires, we may seek the spiritual citizenship, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the illumination of our souls and bodies, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.
PRIEST
Peace be with all.
CHOIR
And with your spirit.
DEACON
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.
PRIEST
Let us be attentive.
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
DEACON
Jn. 3:1 – 15
At that time, there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nikodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nikodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The Spirit blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, and you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nikodemus said to him, “How can this be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”
PRIEST
Peace be with you who read the Gospel.
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Again and countless times we fall down before You, and we implore You, O good and benevolent Lord: That You, having regarded our prayer, may cleanse our souls and bodies from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and grant to us to stand before Your holy Altar of sacrifice, free of guilt and condemnation. Grant also, O God, to those who pray with us, progress in life, faith, and spiritual understanding. Grant that they always worship You with awe and love, partake of Your holy sacrament without guilt or condemnation, and be deemed worthy of Your celestial kingdom.
PRIEST (aloud)
That, ever guarded by Your might, we may ascribe glory to You, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
The Cherubic Hymn.
Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
No one bound by carnal desires and pleasures is worthy to approach, draw near, or minister to You, the King of Glory. For to serve You is great and awesome even for the heavenly powers. Yet, because of Your ineffable and immeasurable love for humankind, You impassibly and immutably became man. You, as the Master of all, became our high priest and delivered unto us the sacred service of this liturgical and bloodless sacrifice. Indeed, Lord our God, You alone reign over the celestial and the terrestrial; borne aloft on the cherubic throne, Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, the only holy and resting among the holy ones. I now beseech You, who alone are good and inclined to hear: Look down upon me, Your sinful and unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and heart of a wicked conscience. Vested as I am with the grace of priesthood by the power of Your Holy Spirit, make me sufficient to stand before Your holy Table and perform the sacrament of Your holy and pure Body and Your precious Blood. I come before You, with my head bowed, and I implore You: Turn not Your face away from me, nor reject me from among Your children, but make me, Your sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer these gifts to You. For You are the One who both offers and is offered, the One who is received and is distributed, O Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care.
DEACON (in a low voice)
So that we may receive the King of all. Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. (3)
DEACON
May the Lord God remember all of you in His kingdom always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
DEACON
Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the precious Gifts here presented, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray 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: 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.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
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.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
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 (in a low voice)
Lord God Almighty, You alone are holy. You accept the sacrifice of praise from those who call upon You with their whole heart, even so, accept from us sinners our supplication, and bring it to Your holy Altar of sacrifice. Make us sufficient to offer You gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our own misdeeds and those committed in ignorance by the people. Deem us worthy to find grace in Your sight, that our sacrifice may be well pleasing to You, and that the good Spirit of Your grace may rest upon us and upon these gifts presented and upon all Your people.
PRIEST (aloud)
Through the mercies 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.
PRIEST
Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
DEACON
Let us love one another, that with oneness of mind we may confess:
CHOIR
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Trinity, one in essence and undivided.
DEACON
The doors! The doors! In wisdom, let us be attentive!
PEOPLE
The Creed
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come.
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON
Let us stand aright! Let us stand in awe! Let us be attentive, that we may present the Holy Offering in peace.
CHOIR
A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
PRIEST
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
CHOIR
And with your spirit.
PRIEST
Let us lift up our hearts.
CHOIR
We lift them up to the Lord.
PRIEST
Let us give thanks to the Lord.
CHOIR
It is proper and right.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
It is proper and right to hymn You, to bless You, to praise You, to give thanks to You, and to worship You in every place of Your dominion. For You, O God, are ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, existing forever, forever the same, You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. You brought us out of nothing into being, and when we had fallen away, You raised us up again. You left nothing undone until you had led us up to heaven and granted us Your kingdom, which is to come. For all these things, we thank You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit: for all things we know and do not know, for blessings manifest and hidden that have been bestowed on us. We thank You also for this Liturgy, which You have deigned to receive from our hands, even though thousands of archangels and tens of thousands of angels stand around You, the Cherubim and Seraphim, six-winged, many eyed, soaring aloft upon their wings,
PRIEST (aloud)
Singing the triumphal hymn, exclaiming, proclaiming, and saying…
CHOIR
Holy, holy, holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Together with these blessed powers, benevolent Master, we also exclaim and say: Holy are You and most holy, You and Your only‐begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. Holy are You and most holy, and sublime is Your glory. You so loved Your world that You gave Your only-begotten Son so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. When He had come and fulfilled for our sake the entire plan of salvation, on the night in which He was delivered up, or rather when He delivered Himself up for the life of the world, He took bread in His holy, pure, and blameless hands, and, giving thanks and blessing, He hallowed and broke it, and gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying:
PRIEST (aloud)
Take, eat, this is my body, which is broken for you for the remission of sins.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
And likewise the cup after supper, saying:
PRIEST (aloud)
Drink of it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Remembering, therefore, this saving commandment and everything that was done for our sake: the Cross, the tomb, the Resurrection on the third day, the ascent into the heavens, the seating at the right hand, and the glorious coming again,
PRIEST (aloud)
Your own of Your own we offer to You, in all and for all.
CHOIR
We praise You. We bless You. We give thanks to You, O Lord; and we pray to You, our God.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Once again we offer to You this spiritual worship without the shedding of blood, and we beseech and pray and entreat You: Send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon the gifts here presented,
DEACON (in a low voice)
Bless, Master, the Holy Bread.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
And make this Bread the precious Body of Your Christ.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Amen.
Bless, Master, the holy Cup.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
And that which is in this Cup, the precious Blood of Your Christ.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Amen.
Bless, Master, both the Holy Gifts.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Changing them by Your Holy Spirit.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Amen. Amen. Amen.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
So that they may be for those who partake of them for vigilance of soul, remission of sins, communion of Your Holy Spirit, fullness of the kingdom of Heaven, boldness before You, not for judgment or condemnation. Again, we offer You this spiritual worship for those who have reposed in the faith: forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics, and for every righteous spirit made perfect in faith,
PRIEST (aloud)
Especially for our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.
CHOIR
Hymn to the Theotokos.
Mode 1.
The Angel cried aloud to the Lady full of grace: Rejoice, O pure Virgin; and again I say Rejoice. Your Son has truly risen from the grave on the third day.
Arise, shine! Arise, shine, O new Jerusalem! Shine! * For the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. * Zion, exult and be glad now. * O pure Mother of God, rejoice, celebrating * the resurrection of Christ your Son!
PRIEST (in a low voice)
For Saint John the Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist; for the holy, glorious, and most praiseworthy apostles; for Saint(s) (name), whose memory we celebrate; and for all Your saints, through whose supplications, visit us, O God. And remember all who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection to life eternal (here the Priest commemorates by name those departed whom he wishes). Grant them rest, where the light of Your countenance keeps watch. Again we beseech You, Lord, remember all Orthodox bishops who rightly teach the word of Your truth, the presbyterate, the diaconate in Christ, and every priestly order. Again we offer You this spiritual worship for the whole world, for the holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, and for those living pure and reverent lives. For civil authorities and our armed forces, grant that they may govern in peace, Lord, so that in their tranquility we, too, may live calm and serene lives, in all piety and virtue.
PRIEST (aloud)
Among the first remember, Lord, our Archbishop (name); grant him to Your holy churches in peace, safety, honor, and health, unto length of days, rightly teaching the word of Your truth.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
And remember those whom each one of us has in mind, and all the people.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Remember, Lord, Your Holy Great Church of Constantinople, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Holy Metropolis], this city in which we live, and every city and land, and the faithful who live in them. Remember, Lord, those who travel by land, sea, and air; the sick; the suffering; the captives; and their salvation. Remember those who bear fruit and do good works in Your holy churches and those who are mindful of the poor, and upon us all send forth Your mercies.
PRIEST (aloud)
And grant that with one voice and one heart we may glorify and praise Your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST
And the mercies of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, be with you all.
CHOIR
And with your spirit.
DEACON
Having commemorated all the saints, again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the precious Gifts here presented and consecrated, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
That our benevolent God, having accepted them at His holy and celestial and mystical altar as an offering of spiritual fragrance, may in return send down upon us the divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
(The rest of this litany, which was previously said above, is nowadays usually and correctly omitted.)
DEACON
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray 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: 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.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
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.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
Having asked for the unity of the faith and for the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
We entrust to You, benevolent Master, our whole life and hope, and we beseech, pray, and implore You: Grant us to partake of Your heavenly and awesome sacraments from this sacred and spiritual table with a clear conscience for the remission of sins, the forgiveness of transgressions, the communion of the Holy Spirit, the inheritance of the kingdom of Heaven, and boldness before You, not unto judgment or condemnation.
PRIEST (aloud)
And grant us, Master, with boldness and without condemnation, to dare call You, the heavenly God, Father, and to say:
PEOPLE
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and 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)
We give thanks to You, invisible King, who by Your boundless power fashioned the universe, and in the multitude of Your mercy brought all things from nothing into being. Look down from heaven, O Master, upon those who have bowed their heads before You, for they have not bowed before flesh and blood, but before You, the awesome God. Therefore, O Master, make smooth and beneficial for us all, whatever lies ahead, according to the need of each: Sail with those who sail, travel with those who travel, heal the sick, Physician of our souls and bodies.
PRIEST (aloud)
Through the grace, 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.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Hearken, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from Your holy dwelling place and from the throne of glory of Your kingdom, and come to sanctify us, You who are enthroned with the Father on high and are present among us invisibly here. And with Your mighty hand, grant Communion of Your most pure Body and precious Blood to us, and through us to all the people.
DEACON
Let us be attentive.
PRIEST
The Holy Gifts for the holy people of God.
CHOIR
One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
PEOPLE
The selection and text of the following prayers may be different from what is used in your parish.
I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body and that this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You, have mercy on me and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, in knowledge or in ignorance. And make me worthy, without condemnation, to partake of Your pure sacrament for the remission of sins and for eternal life. Amen.
As I am about to receive holy communion, * O Maker, I pray You not burn me partaking, * since You are fire consuming the unworthy, * but rather purge me of any defilement.
Receive me, today, O Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas. But like the Robber I confess to You. Remember me, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom.
Seeing the deifying Blood, O human, shudder, * for it is a live coal that burns the unworthy. * The Body of God both deifies my spirit * and feeds my mind in extraordinary manner.
You have enraptured me, O Christ, * with Your longing and transformed me with love divine. * I pray, completely consume * with immaterial fire all my sins. * And count me worthy to be filled * fully with the delight in You, * that I may magnify * both Your Comings, O good Master, exultantly.
How shall I enter into the splendor of Your saints since I am unworthy? For if I dare to enter the wedding hall along with them, my garment will betray me, for it is not fit for the wedding; and then I shall be bound and cast out by the Angels. I pray You to wash away the stains on my soul, and save me, O benevolent Lord.
Benevolent Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these Holy Gifts be to my judgment because I am unworthy, but rather for the purification and sanctification of both soul and body and the pledge of the life and kingdom to come. It is good for me to cleave unto God and to place in Him the hope of my salvation.
Receive me, today, O Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas. But like the Robber I confess to You. Remember me, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom.
CHOIR
Communion Hymn.
Receive the Body of Christ; taste from the immortal fount.
DEACON
With the fear of God, faith, and love, draw near.
The people come up to receive Holy Communion. The Priest receives the holy chalice from the hands of the Deacon and begins communing the people, saying to each one: The Body and Blood of Christ, for the remission of sins and life eternal.
PRIEST
Save, O God, Your people, and bless Your inheritance.
CHOIR
Hymn after Holy Communion.
Instead of “We have seen.”
Mode pl. 1.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Exalt, Master.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth. (3)
Blessed is our God.
PRIEST (aloud)
Always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON
Arise! Having partaken of the divine, holy, pure, immortal, heavenly, life-creating, and awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks 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
Having prayed for a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
We give thanks to You, benevolent Master, benefactor of our souls, that even on this very day You have made us worthy of Your heavenly and immortal sacraments. Make straight our path, fortify us in Your fear, guard our life, make secure our steps, through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Theotokos and ever virgin Mary and of all Your saints.
PRIEST (aloud)
For You are our sanctification, 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.
PRIEST
Let us go forth in peace.
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
O Lord, who blesses those who bless You and sanctifies those who put their trust in You, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect the whole body of Your Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and forsake us not who have set our hope in You. Grant peace to Your world, to Your churches, to the clergy, to our civic leaders, to the armed forces, and to all Your people. For every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from You, the Father of lights. To You we offer up glory, thanksgiving, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Instead of “Blessed be the name.”
Mode pl. 1.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. (3)
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Christ our God, You are the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. You have fulfilled the Father’s entire plan of salvation. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Memorial Service
CHOIR
Evlogetaria for the Dead
Mode pl. 1.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your commandments.
The choir of Saints has found the fountain of life and the door of Paradise. May I also find the way through repentance. I am the lost sheep: O Savior, call me back and save me.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your commandments.
Of old, You created me from nothing and honored me with Your divine image. But when I disobeyed Your commandment, You returned me to the earth from which I was taken. Lead me back again to Your likeness, so that the ancient beauty may be refashioned.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your commandments.
I am an image of Your ineffable glory, though I bear the scars of my transgressions. Take pity on me, the work of Your hands, Master, and cleanse me by Your compassion. Grant me the desired homeland for which I long, making me again a citizen of Paradise.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your commandments.
Give rest, O God, to Your servant(s), and place him (her, them) in Paradise where the choirs of the Saints and the righteous, O Lord, will shine as the stars of heaven. To Your departed servant(s) give rest, O Lord, overlooking all his (her, their) offenses.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Let us devoutly praise the threefold radiance of the one God as we sing: Holy are You, the Father without beginning, the co-eternal Son, and the divine Spirit. Illumine us who worship You in faith and deliver us from the eternal fire.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Rejoice, gracious Lady, who gave birth to God in the flesh for the salvation of all, and through whom the human race has found salvation. Through you, pure and blessed Theotokos, may we find Paradise.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God.
Kontakion. Mode pl. 4.
With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul(s) of Your servant(s) where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.
Among the spirits of the righteous perfected in faith, give rest, O Savior, to the soul(s) of Your servant, keeping it (them) in the blessed life which is from You, O loving One.
In your place of rest, O Lord, where all Your saints repose, give rest also to the soul of Your servant, for You alone are immortal.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
You are our God who descended into Hades and loosened the pains of those who were held captive. Grant rest also, O Savior, to the soul of Your servant.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
You the only pure and spotless Virgin, who ineffably gave birth to God, intercede for mercy and forgiveness of the soul of your servant(s).
DEACON
Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the departed servant of God (name), who has fallen asleep, and for the forgiveness of all his (her) sins, voluntary and involuntary.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
May the Lord God place their souls where the righteous repose. Let us ask for the mercies of God, the kingdom of Heaven, and the forgiveness of their sins from Christ our immortal king and God.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
O God of spirits and of all flesh, You trampled upon death and abolished the power of the devil, giving life to Your world. Give rest to the soul(s) of Your departed servant(s) (name) in a place of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from where pain, sorrow, and sighing have fled away. As good and benevolent God, forgive every sin he (she, they) has (have) committed in word, deed, or thought, for there is no one who lives and does not sin. You alone are without sin. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your word is truth.
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For You are the resurrection, the life, and the repose of Your departed servant(s) (name), Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST
Eternal be your memory, brother worthy of blessedness and everlasting memory. (3)
CHOIR
Mode 3.
Eternal be his memory. Eternal be his memory. Eternal be his memory. (3)
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord come upon you by His divine grace and love for humankind, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Lord, have mercy. (3) Father, bless!
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.
CHOIR
Lord, protect for many years the one who blesses and sanctifies us.
PRIEST
Christ is risen!
PEOPLE
Truly He is risen!
PRIEST
Christ is risen!
PEOPLE
Truly He is risen!
PRIEST
Christ is risen!
PEOPLE
Truly He is risen!
PRIEST
Glory to His holy Resurrection on the third day!
PEOPLE
We worship His Resurrection on the third day!
PRIEST
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PEOPLE
Truly the Lord is risen!
Vespers
PRIEST
Glory to the holy and consubstantial and life-creating and undivided Trinity always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST
Mode pl. 1.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs…
CHOIR
PRIEST
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs…
CHOIR
PRIEST
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs…
CHOIR
PRIEST
Verse 1: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Verse 2: As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish, as wax melts before the fire.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Verse 3: So shall the sinners perish from the face of God. And let the righteous be glad.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Verse 4: This is the day the Lord made; let us greatly rejoice and be glad therein.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
CHOIR
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PRIEST
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death…
CHOIR
DEACON
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the Holy and Great Church of Christ of Constantinople, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Holy Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray 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
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 to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Mode pl. 2.
Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to You. Hear me, O Lord.
Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord.
Resurrectional Stichera.
Sticheron 1. Mode pl. 2.
Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.
Possessing mastery over Hades, O Christ, You were lifted on the Cross. You went to those sitting in the darkness of death, and You raised them with yourself, who were free among the dead, the fountain of life who shine Your light. O almighty Savior, have mercy on us.
Sticheron 2. Mode pl. 2.
The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.
After trampling death, Christ rose today, even as He said He would. He gave the world great joy. Now we all sing this hymn of praise, and we say to Him, “You are the fountain of life, the unapproachable light. O almighty Savior, have mercy on us.”
Sticheron 3. Mode pl. 2.
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.
Where could we sinners flee from You, O Lord, who are present in all creation? Into heaven? But that is where You dwell. Into Hades? You trampled death there. Into the depths of the sea? Even there Your hand would hold us, O Master. To You we flee for refuge. Casting ourselves before You, we implore You, who rose from the dead: Have mercy on us.
Sticheron 4. Mode pl. 2.
Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
We take pride in Your Cross, O Christ, and we extol and glorify Your resurrection. For You are our God; we know no other besides You.
Sticheron 5. Mode pl. 2.
If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You.
Glory to Your power, O Lord! For You destroyed him who had the power of death. You renewed us through Your Cross and gave us life and incorruption.
Sticheron 6. Mode pl. 2.
Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord.
As we ever bless the Lord, we extol His resurrection. After He endured the Cross, He destroyed death by death.
For the Theotokos.
Mode pl. 2. N/M (When the saints.)
From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
The Master of the heavens accomplished strange and marvelous things in You, O all-blameless Lady; from above He descended like rain into your womb, O Bride of God, Showing you to be a spring, gushing forth the perfection of goodness and a flood of healings, flowing with benefactions in abundance to all those yearning for strength of soul and health of body, through the water of grace.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions.
The Master of the heavens accomplished strange and marvelous things in You, O all-blameless Lady; from above He descended like rain into your womb, O Bride of God, Showing you to be a spring, gushing forth the perfection of goodness and a flood of healings, flowing with benefactions in abundance to all those yearning for strength of soul and health of body, through the water of grace.
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples.
Most fittingly, O Virgin, I call you heavenly manna and the divine Spring of Paradise; for truly, the stream of your Spring runs from the earth [of Paradise.] Grace reveals it as having four branches, working wonderful miracles daily. Requests by all are fulfilled when the water is drunk. Therefore, with joy, we who bear the name of Christ run faithfully, and draw the flowing, sweet water of sanctification.
For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever.
You well forth streams of healings, O Virgin, to those who always have recourse to your Spring, O Bride of God; for, you freely issue bountiful torrents of cures to all the sick; you enable the blind who approach you to see with clarity; you have restored many lame and halt; you have strengthened paralytics; by the threefold pouring of water you brought to life the one who had been dead; and you have also cured those afflicted by dropsy and shortness of breath.
Mode pl. 4.
Who will speak of your powers, O Spring, which often overflows with inexhaustible wonders, and accomplishes through healings that which is beyond nature? Oh, the great miracles you stream forth to all! For you not only drive out ailments from those who draw near with love, but you also cleanse away the passions of souls, bestowing great mercy, O all-spotless Lady.
Mode pl. 2.
Who can not call you blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who can not extol your extraordinary childbirth? The Only-begotten Son, who timelessly shone forth from the Father, ineffably became incarnate and was born from you, O pure one. Being divine by nature, for us He became human by nature, not divided into two persons, but acknowledged in two natures without confusion. To Him pray fervently, O noble and all-blessed Lady, and implore Him to have mercy on our souls.
Stand for the Entrance.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Let us pray to the Lord.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
ENTRANCE PRAYER
In the evening, in the morning, and at midday, we praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Master of all, benevolent Lord. Let our prayer be set forth before You as incense. Incline not our hearts to evil words or thoughts, but deliver us all from those who pursue our souls. For our eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You, and in You we hope. Leave us not embarrassed, O our God.
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise.
CLERGY AND PEOPLE
Mode 2.
Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; * and therefore the world glorifies You.
DEACON
The evening Prokeimenon!
CHOIR
Prokeimenon. Grave Mode.
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my foundation, my refuge, my deliverer.
Verse: My God is my helper, on Him I will hope.
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my foundation, my refuge, my deliverer.
Verse: I will call upon the Lord and praise Him.
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my foundation, my refuge, my deliverer.
Verse: He heard my voice from His holy temple.
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my foundation, my refuge, my deliverer.
DEACON
Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us all say.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Lord, Ruler of all, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the deacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
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.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
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.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
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.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
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.
Stand for the reading of prayer.
READER
O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON
Let us complete our evening 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 evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: 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.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
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.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
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 good 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.
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)
Lord our God, who inclined the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads and bent their necks to You, the fearsome yet compassionate Judge, not expecting human help, but awaiting Your mercy and anticipating Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and the coming night, from every enemy, from all demonic activity against them, from unprofitable reflections, and from wicked thoughts.
PRIEST (aloud)
Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Aposticha.
Resurrectional.
Mode pl. 2.
Angels in the heavens extol Your Resurrection, O Christ our Savior. Count us worthy who are here on earth to glorify You with a pure heart.
For the Theotokos.
Mode pl. 1. N/M (Rejoice.)
Verse: The Most High sanctified His tabernacle.
Rejoice, O life-giving Spring, who filled the whole inhabited earth with your miracles! Rejoice, O spiritual Ocean, surpassing the streams of the Nile with the flood of your grace! You are a second Siloam, pouring forth miraculous water as through a rock. You have received the power of Jordan, O all-holy Maid, and have become the Manna of salvation that fulfills the need of those who seek. You pour out great mercy to the world, O Mother of Christ.
Verse: The Most High sanctified His tabernacle.
With hymns of wonder, let us, the faithful, praise and glorify the heavenly cloud that lets fall upon the earth the heavenly Rain, the life-giver Christ! He is the living divine Water, that eternally pours forth the Ambrosia of nectar that never diminishes even after it has been drunk, but which dispels the thirst and also refreshes our soul. As we drink of it with wisdom, the most divine streams shall come forth from our hearts, and shall shower us all with bountiful grace.
Verse: The torrents of the river gladden the city of God.
Rejoice, O life-giving Spring, which eternally pours forth abundant gifts, O fountain of healings that purges the weak and paltry strength of sickness. You restored the sight of the blind and cleansed the lepers. Your streams are the medicine for all complaints and diseases, and for all who, with faith, flock to Your shrine. You are a great physician, O Maid, who is prepared to receive all who turn to you in affliction. O holy Mother of Christ, the Word, Who pours forth His great mercy to the world.
Mode pl. 1.
Let us sound the trumpet in hymns, O lovers of feasts, and leap for joy in the water; let us form a choir and sing praises to the water that never ceases to flow from the life-giving Spring! Let rulers assemble and give thanks for the kindness of the Spring! It has saved kings, and, by a touch, has raised up the infirm from their beds. All people, gather together and draw the saving water; the afflicted shall be delivered and the endangered shall gain spiritual strength; the thirsty shall be refreshed and the blind will receive their sight; the deaf shall hear and the sick shall be cured! Let those who have lifted their hands in thanksgiving draw the waters of salvation that flow forth to all the faithful. Let us all cry out to the pure Virgin: “As you pour forth the ever-living streams from the Source, do not cease to intercede for your servants!”
Mode pl. 1.
It is the day of the Resurrection. Let us shine brightly for the festival, and also embrace one another. Brethren, let us say even to those who hate us, “Let us forgive everything for the Resurrection.” And thus let us cry aloud, “Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.”
Apolytikion. For the Theotokos.
Mode 1.
O Theotokos, your church is like the Garden of Paradise, since it pours out healings and cures like ever-living rivers. We come to it with faith, and we draw strength and eternal life from its water, through you who are the Spring that received Life himself. For you intercede with Christ our Savior, who was born from you, and you entreat Him to save our souls.
Mode pl. 1.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: Master 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 of Constantinople, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Holy Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
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.
Christ is risen!
PEOPLE
Truly He is risen!
PRIEST
Christ is risen!
PEOPLE
Truly He is risen!
PRIEST
Christ is risen!
PEOPLE
Truly He is risen!
PRIEST
Glory to His holy Resurrection on the third day!
PEOPLE
We worship His Resurrection on the third day!
PRIEST
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
PEOPLE
Truly the Lord is risen!