DCSC · Digital Chant Stand Companion
← 2026-04-28

GOA Digital Chant Stand Services for Tuesday, Apr 28, 2026

Midnight Office → Matins → Divine Liturgy → Vespers, in one continuous scroll

Matins · Memory of the holy Nine Martyrs in Kyzikos

CHOIR

Mode 2.

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

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

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

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

Apolytikia.

Mode 2.

When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory to You!”

Notation for your part

Mode 2.

When he took down Your immaculate Body from the Cross, the honorable Joseph wrapped it in a clean linen shroud with spices and laid it for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day You rose, O Lord, and granted to the world the great mercy.

Mode 2.

The Angel who had come to the sepulcher said to the Myrrh-bearing women, “Ointments are appropriate for mortal men; but Christ is indeed a stranger to decay. Now go proclaim that the Lord has risen and granted to the world the great mercy.”

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Kathisma I.

Resurrectional.

Mode 2.

Not quitting the immaculate bosom in the highest, for all You accepted burial and resurrection. Glory to You, O Lord.

Notation for your part

For compunction.

Verse: O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your anger.

Mode 2.

O Lord, I am like that fig tree, on which there was no fruit, for I have not produced any fruits of compunction. I am fearful that I will be cut down, and I am terrified by the unquenchable fire. So I implore You, before that fateful torment, to allow me time for repentance and to save me.

Notation for your part

For the Martyrs.

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.

Mode 2.

You make Your holy martyrs shinier than gold, and You glorify Your devout ascetics, since You are good. Being importuned by them, O Christ our God, bring peace into our lives, O benevolent Lord, and let our prayer as incense rise to You, who alone dwell in the holy.

Notation for your part

Mode 2.

Eluding the laws of nature, you combined virginity and divine childbirth. Only you gave birth to the One who was begotten before you outside of time. We therefore magnify you, O Theotokos.

Kathisma II.

Mode 2.

The women came with ointments very early in the morning, and they saw that the tomb was empty. Then they went and told the Apostles, “The Mighty One has overpowered corruption, and He has rescued those who were bound in Hades. Proclaim it openly, that Christ God has risen, granting us His great mercy.”

The women came with ointments very early in the morning, and they saw that the tomb was empty. Then they went and told the Apostles, “The Mighty One has overpowered corruption, and He has rescued those who were bound in Hades. Proclaim it openly, that Christ God has risen, granting us His great mercy.”

READER

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

Psalm 50 (51).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar.

Kontakion. For the Myrrhbearers.

Mode 2.

In saying Rejoice to the myrrh-bearers, You allayed the lament of the first mother Eve, at Your Resurrection, O Christ our God. And You ordered Your Apostles to proclaim, * “The Savior has risen from the sepulcher.”

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On April 28 we commemorate the holy nine Martyrs of Kyzikos: Theognis, Rufus, Antipater, Theostichos, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotos, Thavmasios, and Philemon.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Memnon the wonder-worker.

Our devout father Afxivios died in peace.

Today a story is told about a miracle that took place in Africa, in the city of Carthage.

By Your ineffable benevolence, O Christ God, have mercy on us. Amen.

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 4.

Λυτρωτὰ τοῦ παντός.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

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.

The Magnificat. Mode 4.

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

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.

Notation for your part

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

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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

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.

Notation for your part

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

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.

Notation for your part

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

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.

Notation for your part

Heirmos. Mode 4.

Εὕα μὲν τῷ τῆς παρακοῆς.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. 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.

Notation for your part

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Exaposteilarion. For the Myrrhbearers.

Mode 2. Automelon.

To the melody, “O women, hearken.”

O Women, hearken to the voice * that echoes with exultant joy. * Trampling on Hades, that tyrant, * I raised up all from corruption. * Run now with haste and tell my friends * good tidings as evangelists. * For I will that my creature see * joy distinctly arising * from woman, from whom came sorrow.

Notation for your part

Lauds. Mode 2.

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.

Notation for your part

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

Notation for your part

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stichera. Mode 2.

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

Resurrectional.

Let the Jewish leaders explain it. How did the soldiers lose the King, whom they were guarding? Why couldn’t the stone secure the rock of life? Either produce Him who was buried, or else worship Him as risen from the dead, then join us and say, “Glory to the abundance of Your tender mercies, our Savior, glory to You!”

Notation for your part

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

Repeat.

Let the Jewish leaders explain it. How did the soldiers lose the King, whom they were guarding? Why couldn’t the stone secure the rock of life? Either produce Him who was buried, or else worship Him as risen from the dead, then join us and say, “Glory to the abundance of Your tender mercies, our Savior, glory to You!”

Notation for your part

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute.

For compunction.

Overlook my transgressions, O Lord born of a Virgin, and purify my heart, and make it temple of Your Holy Spirit. I implore You whose mercy is immense, that You do not reject me from Your presence.

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

For the Martyrs.

The holy Martyrs took the Cross of Christ as invincible armor, and they neutralized all the power of the devil. They were awarded heavenly medals, and now for us they have become a fortification, as they ever intercede on our behalf.

Mode 2.

The Myrrh-bearing women, very early in the morning, took their spices and went to the tomb of the Lord. When they found it not as they had hoped, they reverently pondered the removal of the stone, and they said to one another, “Where are the seals that secured the tomb? Where is Pilate’s guard and special security?” Then a shining Angel appeared as a messenger to the women who were unaware, and he said to them, “Why do you mournfully seek the One who is alive and who gave life to the human race? Christ our God is risen from the dead, as the almighty One, and He is granting us all incorruption and life, illumination and the great mercy.”

Notation for your part

Stand for the reading of the Doxology.

HIERARCH or READER

Doxology (read)

To you belongs glory, O Lord our God, and to you we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world. Accept our supplication, you who sit at the right of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we shall see light. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this day we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

DEACON

Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

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

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

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

PRIEST (aloud)

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Aposticha. For the Myrrhbearers.

Mode 2. Joseph took You down.

To the melody, “When from the Tree.”

Now does that tri-solar glowing light * shine today with brilliance, removing the gloom of passions and sins. * Now Christ’s resurrection shines, guarding the faithful all. * Now the ranks of Apostles dance, with love celebrating. * Joseph is exultant; and the splendid memory * of the holy Myrrh-bearing women * crowns those who faithfully extol them * and who glorify the rising of the Lord.

Notation for your part

Verse: O Lord, You were pleased with Your land; You turned back the captivity of Jacob.

Joseph, on your shoulders you have borne * the immortal Son who is seated at God the Father’s right hand. * You buried with fragrant oils the inexhaustible oil, * and you laid in a sepulcher the world’s Resurrection; * and extraordinarily you hid behind a stone * Him who puts on light as a garment. * Therefore let us praise His resplendent * Passion and His Rising, singing sacred hymns

Notation for your part

Verse: Mercy and truth met together; righteousness and peace kissed each other.

Joseph, when they saw you bury Christ, * all the hosts of Angels were shuddering in astonishment. * You are now called blessed by the Church throughout the world. * We the faithful extol the Lord’s divine Resurrection, * and we honor you and the Myrrh-bearing women today. * Therefore we unceasingly cry out: * Join them praying for our salvation * from perils, disaster, and catastrophe.

Notation for your part

Mode 1.

The Women came with fear to the tomb, eager to anoint Your Body with spices. When they did not find it, they were at a loss and began to ask each other about it, for they did not yet know about the Resurrection. Then an Angel appeared to them and said, “Christ is risen, granting you the great mercy.”

PRIEST

It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night.

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

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

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

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

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

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our 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.

Apolytikia.

Mode 2.

When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory to You!”

Notation for your part

Mode 2.

When he took down Your immaculate Body from the Cross, the honorable Joseph wrapped it in a clean linen shroud with spices and laid it for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day You rose, O Lord, and granted to the world the great mercy.

Mode 2.

The Angel who had come to the sepulcher said to the Myrrh-bearing women, “Ointments are appropriate for mortal men; but Christ is indeed a stranger to decay. Now go proclaim that the Lord has risen and granted to the world the great mercy.”

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

PRIEST: Wisdom.

READER: Father, bless!

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Then we begin the First Hour, saying: “Come let us worship…”

or:

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.

According to the Patriarchal Hemerologion:

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

CHOIR: Amen.

or:

According to common practice:

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!

Divine Liturgy · Tuesday of the Third Week

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 He has granted life.

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.

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Hymns after the Entrance.

CHOIR

Apolytikion.

Mode 2.

When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory to You!”

Notation for your part

Apolytikion.

Mode 2.

When he took down Your immaculate Body from the Cross, the honorable Joseph wrapped it in a clean linen shroud with spices and laid it for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day You rose, O Lord, and granted to the world the great mercy.

For the Myrrhbearers.

Mode 2.

The Angel who had come to the sepulcher said to the Myrrh-bearing women, “Ointments are appropriate for mortal men; but Christ is indeed a stranger to decay. Now go proclaim that the Lord has risen and granted to the world the great mercy.”

The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:

Kontakion. For the Myrrhbearers.

Mode 2.

In saying Rejoice to the myrrh-bearers, You allayed the lament of the first mother Eve, at Your Resurrection, O Christ our God. And You ordered Your Apostles to proclaim, * “The Savior has risen from the sepulcher.”

Notation for your part

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.

Trisagios Hymn

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

Notation for your part

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

Notation for your part

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

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.

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

Notation for your part

The Epistle

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Verse: Hear my voice, O God, in my supplication.

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Acts 8:5 – 17

In those days, Philip went down to a city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in the city. But there was a man named Simon who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the nation of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all gave heed to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that power of God which is called Great.” And they gave heed to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

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. 6:27 – 33

The Lord said to the Jews who came to him, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

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.

Notation for your part

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. * 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.

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.

Notation for your part

I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my foundation, my refuge, my deliverer.

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.

Notation for your part

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.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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. Psalm 111/112.

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.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and to the ages. (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.

Notation for your part

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

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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

Notation for your part

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

According to the Patriarchal Hemerologion:

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

CHOIR: Amen.

or:

According to common practice:

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 · Memory of the Holy Apostles Jason and Sosipater

PRIEST

Blessed is our God 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 He has granted life.

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.

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.

READER

Psalm 103 (104).

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly; You clothe Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain; You are He who covers His upper chambers with water, who makes the clouds His means of approach, who walks on the wings of the winds, who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. He established the earth on its stable foundation; it shall not be moved unto ages of ages. The deep like a garment is His covering; the waters shall stand upon the mountains; at Your rebuke they shall flee; at the sound of Your thunder, they shall be afraid. The mountains rise up, and the plains sink down to the place You founded for them. You set a boundary they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth. You are He who sends springs into the valley; the waters shall pass between the mountains; they shall give drink to all the wild animals of the field; the wild asses shall quench their thirst; the birds of heaven shall dwell beside them; they shall sing from the midst of the rocks. You are He who waters the mountains from His higher places; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Your works. You are He who causes grass to grow for the cattle, and the green plant for the service of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; and wine gladdens the heart of man, to brighten his face with oil; and bread strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of fruit, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted; there the sparrows shall make their nests; the house of the heron takes the lead among them. The high mountains are for the deer; the cliff is a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night, wherein all the wild animals of the forest will prowl about; the young lions roar and snatch their prey, and seek their food from God. The sun arises, and they are gathered together; and they shall be put to bed in their dens. Man shall go out to his work and to his labor until evening. O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom; the earth was filled with Your creation. There is this great and spacious sea: the creeping things are there without number; the living things are there, both small and great; there the ships pass through; there is this dragon You formed to play therein. All things wait upon You, that You may give them food in due season. When You give it to them, they shall gather it; when You open Your hand, all things shall be filled with Your goodness. But when You turn Your face away, they shall be troubled; when You take away their breath, they shall die and return again to their dust. You shall send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be forever; the Lord shall be glad in His works; He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I exist; may my words be pleasing to Him, and I shall be glad in the Lord. May sinners cease from the earth, and the lawless, so as to be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.

O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom.

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

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

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

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 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.

Notation for your part

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.

The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.

They shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As a clod of ground is dashed to pieces on the earth, so their bones were scattered beside the grave.

For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.

Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.

Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.

I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.

I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.

When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.

For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.

I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.

Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.

I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

Stichera. For the Myrrhbearers.

Mode 2. Joseph took You down.

To the melody, “When from the Tree.”

If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You.

As they heard the Angel’s joyful words, * Christ’s women disciples were filled with divine and sacred joy. * Thus they were made certain of the resurrection of Him, * who for us was counted among * the dead, and for whom they * previously as Myrrh-bearers had lamented and mourned, * standing near the tomb; and they wondered * who would move the stone, and they looked up, * suddenly the stone was rolled away for them.

Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord.

Joy that is divine and never ends: * that is what the Myrrh-bearing women, lady diciples of Christ, * gave to the Disciples, that divine and sacred band, * thus obeying the order of the Lord’s holy Angel, * who had dazzled them before with his most luminous robe. * They announced that Hades was ruined * by the all-saving resurrection * of our King and Lord who died on our behalf.

Notation for your part

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

Christ’s women disciples stopped their tears, * tears that flowed from fountains of mourning and lamentation; and now * they bring the eye-witnesses of grace the joyful words. * For they come and announce to them * the Lord’s resurrection, * that the Logos has arisen, bringing joy from the tomb, * and that they had wondrously heard His * voice commanding them to rejoice now, * the opposite of pain and sorrow from of old.

For the Apostles.

Mode 1. O Martyrs, extolled.

To the melody, “O all-lauded Martyrs.”

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions.

Notation for your part

O glorious Saints, you left behind * every form of luxury, * in love with Christ as you were; and you attached your souls to Him, * following His footsteps. * You offered yourselves to Him, * all-wise Apostles Jason and Sosipater. Intercede with Him * and entreat Him that surpassing peace * and great mercy * be upon our souls bestowed.

Notation for your part

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples.

Notation for your part

My soul has been darkened by the mist * of the passions, hence I pray * that you, O Jason and Sosipater, might illumine it. * By your divine teachings, * you enlightened all the world, * diminishing the gloom of idolatry and adding multitudes * of the human race to all those saved * from their error, * and led them to Christ our God.

Notation for your part

For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever.

Christ our God and Savior sent you out * as Apostles to recall * the lost, O Jason and Sosipater, and to bring them back. * And He led all people * to salvation by your words * and teachings that were full of divine wisdom. Now intercede with Him, * and entreat Him that surpassing peace * and great mercy * be upon our souls bestowed.

Notation for your part

Mode pl. 2.

The myrrh-bearing women arrived at your sepulcher, and they saw the seals on the gravestone, but they did not find Your immaculate Body, O Lord. They had come in all earnestness, and lamenting they said, “Who has stolen our hope? Who took away the dead man, naked and covered with myrrh, his mother’s only consolation? He who revived the dead, oh, how has He died? He who plundered Hades, how was He buried? Nevertheless, arise, O Savior, by Your own authority, on the third day, as You said You would, and save our souls.”

Notation for your part

(No Entrance)

Stand for the hymn.

READER

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. Mode 1.

Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me all the days of my life. (2)

Verse: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures.

Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me all the days of my life.

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.

Mode 2.

For the Cross.

By the power of Your Cross, save me, O Christ my Savior, Who saved Peter in the sea, and have mercy on me, O God.

Resurrectional.

Verse: I lift my eyes to You, who dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the maidservant look to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until He shall have compassion on us.

Let us join the Archangels and extol the Resurrection of Christ. He is the Redeemer and Savior of our souls; and He will come again, in awesome glory and mighty power, to judge the world which He created.

Notation for your part

For the Martyrs.

Verse: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are greatly filled with contempt; our soul is greatly filled with it. We are a disgrace to those who prosper, and a contempt to the arrogant.

The companies of Martyrs withstood the tyrants and said: We are soldiers enlisted by the King of hosts. Though you consume us with tortures and fire, yet we do not deny the power of the Trinity.

Mode pl. 2.

Joseph asked for the Body of Jesus, and he laid it in his own new tomb; for Jesus had to emerge from the grave as from His bridal chamber. “You who shattered the dominion of death and opened the gates of Paradise for all mankind, glory to You!”

Notation for your part

Stand for the reading of prayers

PRIEST

Song of Simeon

PEOPLE

Trisagion Prayers.

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

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

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

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

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our 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.

Apolytikia.

Mode 2.

When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory to You!”

Notation for your part

Mode 2.

When he took down Your immaculate Body from the Cross, the honorable Joseph wrapped it in a clean linen shroud with spices and laid it for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day You rose, O Lord, and granted to the world the great mercy.

Mode 2.

The Angel who had come to the sepulcher said to the Myrrh-bearing women, “Ointments are appropriate for mortal men; but Christ is indeed a stranger to decay. Now go proclaim that the Lord has risen and granted to the world the great mercy.”

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

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.

According to the Patriarchal Hemerologion:

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

CHOIR: Amen.

or:

According to common practice:

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!